Chapter 455

The helicopter was still two hours from Lovell City. Kenneth, having received treatment and medication, felt better after a short rest. He observed his subordinates; most were quiet, some asleep from the long flight. Tiffany, however, sat rigidly upright, her clenched fists betraying her anxiety despite her calm demeanor.

Kenneth sat beside her, speaking softly, his voice rough from sleep. “We’re almost there. We’ll refuel and go straight back to Lovell City.”

“Yeah,” Tiffany replied with a small smile. “Thanks for helping.”

Kenneth, slightly dazed, responded, “No need to thank me. My people and I are kind-hearted. Don’t worry.” He felt awkward; his discomfort was evident.

As the helicopter began its descent toward the valley they'd flown over earlier, another helicopter appeared behind them.

A man in the pursuing helicopter shouted, “This is our chance! Miss Xanthus wants this woman eliminated! No mercy! Leave no one alive!”

“Got it!” came the reply, followed by preparations for attack.

On Kenneth's helicopter, a subordinate yelled, “Not good! The helicopter behind us is landing! What do we do?”

Kenneth's heart pounded. These were the same people who’d pursued Tiffany before the Azure Sea Royal Palace incident—sent by the persistent Saintess Morwen. He’d failed to kill them at the Treasure Pavilion, and now this reckless pursuit. His face darkened. "How long until we need to land? How much fuel is left?”

“Not much longer,” the pilot replied. They had to land to refuel; a fight was unavoidable.

Kenneth took a deep breath. “Count personnel and weapons. Five of you, get Tiffany out of here with me! The rest, stay and defend.”

The subordinate hesitated but obeyed. “It’s decided. We’ll ensure these people never return.”

“Yes!” The subordinate gritted his teeth and moved to follow orders.

Tiffany, noticing the commotion, grabbed Kenneth’s hand. “You’re hurt. You should leave.” She pressed a box into his hands. “Please, take this herb to Luna Villa.”

Kenneth already suspected Tiffany was the Miracle Healer. June, the Miracle Healer's butler, had revealed the truth to him—sarcastically—when he was engaged to Melody. He realized he’d been too late. The Miracle Healer's hostility toward him, when he sought help for the disfigured Sandra, made sense now. He'd fallen in love with Tiffany at first sight on the night she saved him, mistaking her for Melody. His mistakes had cost him dearly. Now, understanding his feelings, he realized the woman he truly loved was slipping away.

Kenneth sighed, pushing back the box containing the Eternal Herb. “Come on, I’m a man. Let me be the hero.”

Tiffany refused. “No. Either you leave, or I stay.” As long as she remained, others would be safe.

Before Kenneth could argue, the helicopter landed, the other helicopter touching down ten seconds later. Gunfire erupted.

"Go!" Kenneth commanded. His bodyguards sprang into action.

Tiffany turned to Kenneth. “More weapons? Give me one.” Her bow, Galaxy, was lost in a previous crash. Kenneth silently handed her a gun. She found a position, using the wind to guide her aim. Despite her blindness, she didn't miss.

Odin and his men were stunned. “What the hell?” one yelled, their pride shattered by her accuracy. Their attacks intensified.

The tide turned; Kenneth’s men began to push back. The assassin leader, enraged, ordered, “Blow it up! Do whatever it takes!” A grenade was thrown.

"Back up!" Kenneth yelled. Everyone scrambled. An explosion rocked the area. Kenneth pulled Tiffany behind a rock. They were safe, but the box containing the Eternal Herb lay a few meters away.

“The Eternal Herb! I can’t lose it!” Tiffany cried.

She tried to retrieve it, but Kenneth pulled her back. “Do you want to die?” he shouted.

Determined, Tiffany broke free and rolled out. Expecting gunfire, she hadn’t anticipated the grenade. As Kenneth moved her, the box slipped from her grasp.