Human Nation.

Jambar Region.

In the distance, the thunderous roar of explosions echoed across the land. Cannon fire, the crack of flintlock muskets, and the concussive blasts of magic interwove with distant, terrified screams. The sounds of war rolled across the hillside like a coming storm.

Inside a small, worn-down cottage, a mother knelt before her three children. Her face was smudged with dirt, her eyes hollow from exhaustion, forced herself to smile.

A small boy tugged at her sleeve, his voice trembling. "Mommy... I’m scared."

She pulled him close, stroking his hair. "Hush now, my little one. Just go pack your things. We’ll wait for Papa to come soon, alright?"

A little girl, clutching a worn, threadbare bear toy to her chest, looked up with wide, innocent eyes. "Mommy... where are we going?"

The mother’s smile faltered for just a moment before she steadied herself. "We’re not leaving for long, sweetheart. We’re just going on a little vacation. We’re going to visit a very distant cousin of ours. It’ll be fun."

Another daughter, younger, sniffled and wiped her nose with her sleeve. "Mommy... I’m hungry. We haven’t eaten since... days ago."

The mother’s heart clenched. She forced her smile wider, cupping the child’s cheek gently.

"I know, my darling. I’m sorry. Mommy has been so busy..." She swallowed the lump in her throat. "But don’t worry. We’ll stop somewhere to buy food along the way. The place we’re going to... they’re having a big celebration. There will be so much food. Cakes, bread, warm soup... all you can eat."

The child’s eyes lit up, her face brightening. "Really? Really, Mommy?"

The mother nodded, blinking back the tears threatening to fall. "Really. I promise."

The mother forced herself to smile, her voice taking on a playful, teasing tone.

"Alright, you three. Go grab the things you want to bring. But if you take too long, I’m going to leave you behind and eat all that delicious food myself."

The children grinned cheekily, their eyes sparkling with excitement as they scrambled to gather their belongings. The mother quickly raised a finger to her lips.

"Shh~ But don’t be too loud, okay? We don’t want to wake the neighbors."

"Okay, Mommy!" they whispered in hushed, excited tones, their voices a mix of urgency and joy.

The mother watched them for a moment, her smile softening as she saw them stuffing small clothes and a few treasured items into tiny bundles. The sound of the cottage door creaking open made her turn.

A man’s head popped in, his voice low and urgent. "Sophia?"

She turned to see her husband. "I’m here, Dear"

"The kids?"

"They’re packing."

He nodded, his eyes darting toward the door. "Nathan’s carriage won’t wait long. We have to move now. Just grab what we can carry."

Sophia nodded, turning and rushing toward the children’s room. She paused at the doorway, forcing another bright smile onto her face.

"Alright, my little ones, if you take too long, I’m going to leave you behind and eat all the feast myself!"

The youngest daughter pouted, clutching her bear tighter. The son quickly tied his small bundle of clothes, while the other daughter stuffed her worn doll into her bag.

"We’re ready, Mommy!"

Sophia ushered them forward. "Alright, follow your father now. Quietly, okay?"

"Yes, Mommy!" they whispered in hushed unison, their excitement mixing with the urgency of the moment as they rushed toward their father’s open arms.

Sophia locked the cottage door, her hands trembling slightly as she turned to join her husband and children. She forced a calm smile as she approached.

"Alright, dear. I’m ready." She met her husband’s eyes, a silent signal passing between them before she added, "We’re going to your cousin’s house, right?"

Her husband nodded, his expression warm as he looked down at their children. He raised a finger to his lips, his voice a playful whisper.

"Shh~ Don’t be too loud, or you’ll wake up the neighbors. And if they wake up, you’ll all get less food at the feast."

The children giggled softly, covering their mouths with their small hands.

Sophia leaned down, her voice a gentle hush. "Now, let’s go meet Uncle Nathan and Aunt Marline. They’re waiting for us."

The children nodded eagerly, their eyes bright with excitement as they began walking ahead, their small footsteps careful and quiet.

Sophia and her husband followed close behind, their eyes scanning the shadows. She leaned in, her voice dropping to a worried whisper.

"The children mentioned they were hungry earlier. They haven’t eaten properly in days."

Her husband’s jaw tightened, but he kept his voice steady. "Don’t worry. Once we leave this region and cross the border, we can buy food. I’ll ask Nathan if he has anything for the kids to eat on the way."

Sophia’s eyes remained fixed on her children as she leaned closer to her husband, her voice barely above a whisper.

"This war... it’s really taking a toll on everything. The merchants refuse to come anywhere near this place anymore. No food, no supplies... we’re running out of everything."

Her husband forced a smile as one of their daughters glanced over her shoulder. He waved at her before lowering his voice.

"Yes. If we don’t leave this place soon, the war will be here. The fighting is spreading faster than I thought. According to the rumors, our lord’s soldiers are losing ground to the Lugrak forces. And I’ve heard rumors that the next region over is already preparing for war, their soldiers stationed at the border."

He looked down at the ground, his voice barely above a whisper.

"That’s why we have to leave now. If we wait any longer, we won’t be able to leave at all."

Sophia glanced at her husband, her voice dropping to an anxious whisper.

"But if it’s true that both regions are on the brink of war, they’ll be closing their borders. How are we going to pass safely?"

Her husband looked at her, his expression grim.

"I had the same thought. But Nathan said we’re not going through the checkpoint. We’re taking the forest path. There are others gathering there too, families from nearby towns and villages, all trying to leave before the war reaches us."

Sophia’s face paled. "The forest path? Dear, that path is full of monsters. Bandits too. Is it really safe?"

Her husband shook his head gently. "Don’t worry. According to Nathan, there’s a group of adventurers volunteering to safeguard everyone. Some of them want to leave this place too."

"Adventurers?" Sophia’s eyes flickered with a mix of hope and doubt.

"Yes. But..." He hesitated, lowering his voice further. "Nathan says they’re... odd. They speak in a deep, weird tone. They wear full plate armor and capes, never take off their helms, and rarely say anything unless someone asks them a direct question."

( End Of Chapter )