The child, like a little kitten, lay obediently on her chest, his small hands pressed firmly against her. Nina initially wanted to move his hand away, but then she heard him speak softly, "Your heartbeat makes me feel so safe..."He even hugged Nina tighter.In her five years as a war journalist, Nina had encountered many children, but there was something inexplicable about this one. His soft voice tugged at her heart.She carried the child outside and managed to quickly get into a Birkhamese military vehicle amidst the swirling dust and sand."Can you please take us to the embassy?" she asked."Sure," the driver replied.The soldier driving the car noticed the press badge hanging around Nina's neck and the child in her arms. The drive to the embassy took over forty minutes.Once they arrived, Nina carried the child inside and found the designated officer, intending to hand the child over. But the child clung tightly to her hand."You don't need to be afraid. This is one of our
The little boy still had shaggy hair. If the war had not torn his world apart and separated him from his parents, he would be a happy child now. Nina gently patted his head and spoke softly, "Can you tell me your name? You didn’t want to stay at the embassy because of your parents?""I’ve never seen my parents." The boy lowered his head, his voice raspy and filled with sadness.Nina, who had spent five years in Salterra, observing the transition from minor conflicts to major upheavals, understood. If the boy had never seen his parents, it meant they had never been around from the beginning. What a pitiful child!"So, do you not have a name?" Nina pursed her lips, poured him a cup of water, and continued to crouch in front of him, trying to communicate.The boy neither took the water nor spoke further. He looked like a child who felt deeply wronged and did not know what to do.Nina’s heart tightened. Another child with deep psychological scars. But living in a war zone, how could
Orion nodded. He took the sweet potatoes and ate slowly, without gobbling them down. Nina poured him another glass of water."If it's not enough, I'll get you more," she said.Orion shook his head. Nina noticed that he preferred not to speak unless absolutely necessary. She did not want to stare at him while he ate, so she busied herself with tidying up the tent. Suddenly, a trumpet sounded. It was the call to assemble. Something was happening in the military.What she did not expect was to see Orion put down his sweet potato, stand up straight, and salute. It was a perfect military posture and a crisp salute. Nina was completely taken aback. He was only five years old. How could he perform these actions so expertly? Could he be the child of a soldier?Realizing the significance, Nina decided to contact the embassy. If he was the child of a fallen soldier, he should not be left alone in a foreign land."Orion, you're not a soldier, but you know these things. Who taught you
She often helped the poor and injured, bringing them extra food and supplies. The cooks knew about her efforts. Orion's small hand gripped hers tightly, so tightly that Nina could feel his palm sweating. "Look, do you like these two outfits?" Nina asked, using her free hand to hold up the clothes. Because of the constant upheaval, white clothes were impractical. She had bought one set of camouflage clothes and another in sky blue. Since it was too far to carry many things, she planned to leave more supplies for Orion once she got him to the embassy and after they identified him.Orion did not even glance at the clothes. His eyes were red and filled with fear. Nina could not help but pull him into a comforting hug. "Don't be afraid. These are our Birkhamese soldiers. They won't treat you like soldiers from other countries. I promise you that. Now, try on your new clothes."She helped him dress, and although Orion did not speak, he cooperated quietly. Nina lifted him onto the
"Miss Nina."The call immediately snapped Nina out of her thoughts. She looked up instinctively to see a soldier standing at the door."You're looking for me?" she asked."Yes, the Yaren tribe sent over a large shipment of supplies, and they specifically requested that you sign for it.""Alright."For the past five years, no matter where she was, the Yaren tribe had consistently arranged for large shipments of supplies to be sent her way. It was always someone else delivering them. Micah and the Pharaoh never appeared. But every month, a large sum of money would be deposited into her account. The supplies helped the impoverished locals and improved the soldiers' meals, so Nina had no reason to refuse. Plus, she did not have to see Micah or the Pharaoh.She patted Orion on the head. "I have to go out for a bit. Be good and don't run off."Orion nodded.Seeing how Orion preferred to remain silent, Nina's heart felt heavy. If the embassy could not arrange for someone to help, sh
"You've been a war journalist for years now, so you should know that Seth isn't dead. Seth is ambitious and has been used as a pawn. I need your help with something," Micah said, taking a deep breath to steady his emotions before speaking slowly to Nina.Nina was silent for a few seconds. "What kind of help?" she asked. If Micah had come to her, it was likely something she could help with. Otherwise, he would not have asked."When Miranda assumed your identity, Seth almost gained control of the Yaren tribe. If you come back to the Yaren tribe with me, Seth will definitely make a move," Micah explained, his gaze fixed on Nina.Nina remained calm and emotionless, but she did not respond immediately. Just as Micah thought she would not agree, she quietly said, "Alright, I'll go back with you."Years ago, when she and Nash were in the Yaren tribe, and she was captured by Miranda, it was Micah who had protected her from the shadows. Since he had come to her for help, she felt obliged to
The military doctor first administered emergency treatment to Orion and then examined him thoroughly. Finally, the diagnosis came. "He has asthma. He needs to have medication with him at all times."Asthma…Hearing this word made Nina's scalp tingle. She knew about this illness. It could be congenital, hereditary, or acquired. It required constant medication, or an attack could be fatal.Nina shuddered to think what might have happened if Orion had not encountered her, if he had not been at the military camp. Would he have died from an asthma attack with no one to help or even notice?Throughout all this, Orion clung tightly to her hand.She remembered that day when Orion had clearly and painfully expressed that he did not want to go to the embassy, that he wanted to stay with her. Perhaps he saw her as the only person who cared about him."Ah... Ah..."A violent coughing fit interrupted Nina's thoughts. She looked over and saw that Orion had woken up. His eyes were filled wit
All signs indicated that this was an accident, not a premeditated act.Nina replied, "I understand. Let's leave today."She did not have much to pack, just a small backpack for Orion's two sets of clothes. However, she made it clear to Micah, "I still have some unfinished business. I'll go with you to the Yaren tribe, but I can only stay for three days at most."Three days did not include today's travel time. It was indeed a short period. But the fact that Nina agreed to go to the Yaren tribe was already a significant step....Orion silently followed Nina, not making any noise or fuss. Micah noticed. From the side, the child bore a slight resemblance to Nina. However, he knew all too well that Nina and Nash's child had died five years ago. Even if the child had not died, there was no way Nina would not have found a trace after searching for five years. Moreover, there had been no news about Nash either. The child's resemblance was merely a coincidence."Bang!" A loud explo