Chapter 812
The arrow had lodged itself firmly in a tree. Even though it was now stuck there, Nina was still shaking with fear, unable to calm down.
Micah furrowed his brows, looking into the depths of the forest. The assailant, realizing their plan had failed, quickly retreated, not wanting to be discovered.
“Are you okay?” Micah asked, his concern evident.
Nina’s eyes were wide with shock. The arrow had been aimed directly at her head, clearly intended to kill. Despite the heavy presence of soldiers in the village, someone had still tried to take her life. Who had she angered to such an extent? “Nina,” Micah called again, breaking her out of her daze.
“I’m fine,” she replied, though her voice trembled slightly.
Micah released her, and she walked over to the tree, pulling the arrow free. It seemed like an ordinary arrow, giving no clues about its origin.
“You sensed something was wrong earlier, didn’t you?” Nina asked, realizing Micah’s earlier words had been a warning.
“I felt something off. Thankfully, you weren’t hurt,” he said.
Nina gripped the arrow tightly, her eyes never leaving Micah. She was deliberating whether to confide in him.
“You look like you have something on your mind,” Micah observed. “Is there something you want to ask me?”
Nina nodded. “Do you know why I came to the Yaren territory?”
Micah’s expression grew serious. “You haven’t explicitly said, so I couldn’t know.”
“I’m here to find a friend and uncover a secret about myself,” Nina admitted.
Micah’s eyes darkened. “A secret about yourself? Do you think the Yaren tribe holds the key?”
Nina bit her lip before speaking boldly, “I’m actually trying to find Pharaoh.”
Micah paused, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. It was a bold goal for someone alone in a foreign land.
“Pharaoh?” he repeated, then chuckled. “Nina, what makes you think you can meet him?”
“I’ve heard villagers say you have a significant connection with him. Putting that aside, I want to know your true identity,” Nina said.
Micah crossed his arms, scrutinizing her. “What do you think my identity is?”
“I don’t know exactly, but you’re wealthy. In a place like this, wealthy people often have influence,” Nina speculated. “But you treat the villagers well, so I don’t think you’re a bad person.”
Micah laughed. “And you’re not worried that I’m pretending?”
“If someone is pretending to be something they’re not, there must be some benefit to them in doing so. You do things that aren’t in your self-interest. Your face doesn’t strike me as one of a villain,” Nina stated confidently. Micah questioned, “So what does this have to do with someone trying to kill you? Or are you just curious about my identity?”
Nina toyed with the arrow before handing it to him. “This person wanted to kill me, but not you. If they just wanted me dead, they wouldn’t care about you. Killing two people would be easier than making two separate attempts. This person knows you and fears you, but doesn’t want you to know who they are. That’s why I believe your identity isn’t simple.”
Micah took the arrow, squinting slightly, and a faint smile tugged at his lips. “You’re quite perceptive. You guessed correctly.”
“You know who it is?” Nina asked.
Micah didn’t answer immediately.
Nina continued, “It seems you recognize them and might even have a reason to protect them.”
Her accuracy left Micah feeling the pressure.