Chapter 11 – The Prince's Resolve
Rain continued through the night.
By sunrise, the streets of Shinokuni-01 glistened beneath a gray sky. Workers swept puddles away from storefronts while merchants reopened their stalls. Children, who had been trapped indoors all evening, were already splashing through the remaining pools despite their parents' protests.
Brook walked through the market with a loaf of bread tucked under one arm.
Mrs. Hana spotted him immediately.
"There he is."
Brook smiled.
"Morning."
"You paid for that boy's bread yesterday."
Word traveled fast.
Brook rubbed the back of his neck.
"It wasn't a big deal."
"It was to him."
She handed him a small paper bag.
"No arguments."
Brook peeked inside.
Fresh meat buns.
His favorite.
"You keep feeding me."
"And you keep pretending you don't need it."
Brook laughed.
"I'll pay you back."
Mrs. Hana waved him off.
"Your mother said the same thing every week."
The smile on Brook's face softened.
"I miss her."
Mrs. Hana's expression changed.
"So do I."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The sounds of the market filled the silence instead.
Brook thanked her and continued toward Watchtower Seven.
Training was already underway when he arrived.
Wooden practice swords clashed across the yard while Captain Mercer walked between pairs of recruits.
Crowley stood nearby, watching quietly.
"You're late."
"By two minutes."
"Still late."
Brook grabbed a training sword from the rack.
"So who am I embarrassing today?"
Crowley smirked.
"My money's on you."
Mercer pointed toward the center of the yard.
"Brook."
He looked up.
"You're with Lieutenant Graves."
A tall veteran stepped into the ring.
He was nearly twice Brook's size.
Several recruits exchanged amused looks.
"This should be quick."
Brook twirled the wooden sword once before taking his stance.
Graves grinned.
"Don't hold back."
"I wasn't planning to."
Mercer raised his hand.
"Begin."
Graves attacked immediately.
His strikes were heavy, forcing Brook backward across the sand.
Brook blocked twice before ducking beneath a third swing.
He countered with a strike to Graves' ribs.
The veteran barely flinched.
"Too slow."
He shoved Brook backward with his shoulder.
Brook stumbled but recovered before falling.
Around the ring, the recruits watched closely.
Graves pressed forward again.
This time Brook changed his rhythm.
Instead of matching strength with strength, he waited.
One swing.
Two.
Three.
On the fourth…
Graves overextended.
Brook stepped inside his guard.
The tip of his wooden sword stopped inches from Graves' throat.
Silence.
Mercer nodded.
"Point to Brook."
The recruits applauded.
Graves laughed first.
"Not bad."
Brook lowered the sword.
"You almost had me."
"I know."
The veteran clapped him on the shoulder.
"You'll make a fine captain someday."
Brook wasn't so sure.
The training yard gates suddenly opened.
Every Watchman stopped what they were doing.
A squad of royal guards entered first.
Blue cloaks.
Silver armor.
The crest of Shinokuni-01 shone brightly on their shields.
Behind them rode a young man on a white horse.
He couldn't have been much older than Brook.
His dark hair was tied neatly behind his head, and despite wearing polished armor, he looked more like a soldier than royalty.
He dismounted before anyone could help him.
Captain Mercer immediately bowed.
"Your Highness."
The rest of the yard followed.
Brook hesitated for only a second before lowering his head as well.
"So…"
Crowley muttered beside him.
"He's here."
The young prince smiled awkwardly.
"Please."
"You don't have to bow every time."
Mercer straightened.
"What brings you to Watchtower Seven, Your Highness?"
"My father asked me to inspect the northern defenses."
He glanced around the yard.
"And I wanted to see the Watchmen everyone keeps talking about."
His eyes briefly landed on Brook.
Only for a second.
Then he smiled politely.
"I hope I'm not interrupting."
"Not at all," Mercer replied.
"We've just finished training."
The prince stepped into the ring where Brook and Graves had been sparring.
He picked up one of the wooden swords.
"I have a request."
Mercer looked surprised.
"If you'll allow it…"
The prince looked directly at Brook.
"…I'd like a match."
The yard became completely silent.
Brook blinked.
"Me?"
The prince nodded.
"I heard you defeated Lieutenant Graves."
Graves folded his arms.
"Barely."
The prince smiled.
"I'd still like to see it for myself."
Brook glanced toward Mercer.
The captain gave a single nod.
"Very well."
Brook walked back into the ring.
The prince offered a respectful bow.
"My name is Henry."
Brook returned the gesture.
"Brook."
Neither man realized it…
But Crowley was watching them with unusual interest.
For the briefest moment, his eyes shifted from Brook…
…to Henry…
…and back again.
As though he wasn't watching a sparring match.
He was watching history begin.