No. 1 King Of Valor

2: Access Denied

"Aunty... Aunty... Excuse me, I want to apply for an orphan certificate," Finn walked up to a counter. "These are the death certificates of my mother and my grandfather."

The staff sitting at the counter was stunned. This little boy who looked like he was no less than ten years old was holding two crumpled certificates.

There was no sign of sadness on his face and his eyes looked completely empty. However, If one looked closely, one could notice that the hand holding the death certificates tightly was pale.

The staff regained her composure and turned to the computer in front of her. "Where is your father?"

Finn lowered his head sorrowfully. "Aunty, my father joined the army before we were born and he died defending our country."

The staff's fingers shook slightly and she inhaled deeply. "Do you have any other family members?"

"No," Finn shook his head. "It's just the two of us now."

The female staff was at a loss for words. She looked at the little girl standing behind Finn. She was so thin, weak, and tattered just like her brother.

After a few seconds, the staff spoke in a choked tone. "Your name is Finn Cross, right?"

"Yes."

The staff returned the death certificates to him. "I have filed the orphan certificates for you but you have to come back in a few days to collect them before you can be allowed to stay here."

Finn trembled slightly as he collected the death certificates. He was so disappointed. He really hoped he and his sister could stay here.

Then they wouldn't have to suffer on the streets anymore. But it seems it will take some time.

"Okay," he nodded with a sad smile. They have survived this long. It's just a few more days.

"Good boy," the staff wiped away her tears discreetly. "Take good care of your sister and don't forget to return to collect the certificates."

"Yes, thank you."

Finn held his sister's hand and turned around. His shoulders trembled, and despite clenching his jaw tightly, tears escaped his eyes.

He had promised his mother that no matter what happens in future, he would protect his sister.

'But mommy, it's becoming difficult to keep my promise.'

As soon as the two children walked away, the second staff at the counter immediately berated his colleague.

"Vanessa, don't tell me you really filed the orphan certificates. Don't you know who those two children are? You could get us in trouble!"

Vanessa smiled bitterly. Of course she knew who those two children were.

They were the eldest grandchildren of the Sterling family. Just two weeks ago, the Sterlings were one of the top families in Solara City.

But one week ago…

they vanished from the face of the earth.

All because they offended the wrong people.

It was said that the old patriarch of the Sterling family had even taken his own life, begging those people to spare the rest of his family.

But after his death, those people broke their promise.

They seized his daughter.

They violated her.

They brought in several men to take turns with her and recorded everything.

The footage was released publicly, broadcasted to the entire city of Solara as a warning.

Humiliated and traumatized beyond repair, the young woman killed herself.

That woman was Finn and Isla Cross' mother.

And now her children were wandering the streets alone, starving, because no one dared to take them in.

No one wanted to incur the wrath of Rutherford's family.

"Vanessa, if you file the orphan certificates and help those children, you will go against Rutherford's family. You will put all of us in danger and there will be no place for us to hide. You—"

"That's enough!" Vanessa glared at her colleague angrily. "I only filed their orphan certificates. What's wrong with that?"

"You–" Her colleague pointed a finger at her but before he could complete his statement, Vanessa spoke.

"I never mentioned that we have to take them in, and I refuse to believe that there is no justice left in this world."

"Humph!" Her colleague snorted. "You are so kind but remember that this kindness could get you killed one day! Also, without their father's death certificate, you can't file orphan certificates for them."

Hearing his words, Vanessa no longer responded. Her brows furrowed as she stared blankly at the words written on the computer screen.

[Access Denied]

She just tried to retrieve the death certificate of those children's father from the Bureau of Civil Affairs but she couldn't even gain access to any file related to him.

It was as if the Bureau of Civil Affairs had no information about him. But how is this possible?

As long as you are a citizen of Valoria country or you reside in the country, the Bureau of Civil Affairs would have all the necessary information about you.

Vanessa's face was filled with confusion. Why then is there no information about that man? Without his death certificate, she really couldn't file orphan certificates for those two siblings.

It was quite weird that she couldn't find anything about their father from the Bureau of Civil Affairs.

---

Later that day at Solara Airport, a plane landed from the outer region and passengers streamed out into the bustling arrival hall.

The sharp echo of rolling suitcases, overlapping announcements, and the chatter of travelers filled the air.

One man stood out among the crowd. He wore a dark blue coat and dragged a heavy suitcase behind him.

His beard was thick and overgrown, as if he hadn't shaved in weeks.

His hair was long, messy, and fell over his face in tangled strands, hiding most of his features.

Only one thing was clearly visible—

A long, jagged scar running down his cheek. It cut through the shadow cast by his hair, giving him a dangerous, almost haunting presence.

But the reason he stood out was actually because of the handsome male soldier following him.

The soldier had four golden stars plated on his blue camouflage uniform and he was following the man at a safe distance as if he was scared of getting too close.

The strange pair walked like this until they neared the exit of the airport. The shaggy man suddenly halted, causing the soldier to panic and stand back hurriedly.

"Derek," the shaggy man called out without looking back. "You should return now. Don't follow me around anymore."