Chapter 14 – The First Expedition
The morning meeting began before sunrise.
Every senior Watchman assigned to the northern district stood inside the command hall, their damp cloaks dripping onto the stone floor.
Brook stood near the back beside Crowley.
Captain Mercer entered carrying a sealed scroll.
No one spoke.
He broke the wax seal and read it once before rolling it closed.
"The Royal Council has reached a decision."
His voice was calm, but his expression wasn't.
"A reconnaissance team will leave the Wall at first light tomorrow."
The room stirred immediately.
One Watchman frowned.
"We're going outside?"
"For how long?"
"One day," Mercer replied. "We gather information and return before nightfall."
Another veteran folded his arms.
"We haven't sent a team that far in years."
"I know."
Mercer's eyes swept across the room.
"But we cannot defend against something we don't understand."
He unrolled a map across the table.
"The objective is simple."
He pointed to the western farmland.
"We follow yesterday's tracks."
His finger continued toward the forest.
"We determine why the Abominations gathered."
Finally, it rested on the edge of the Blackwood.
"We do not enter the Blackwood under any circumstances."
The room fell silent.
Even the veterans looked relieved to hear those words.
The meeting ended, and the selected Watchmen remained behind.
Mercer looked around the room.
"Brook."
"Sir."
"You're coming."
Brook nodded once.
"I understand."
"Crowley."
"I'm in."
"Lieutenant Graves."
The veteran stepped forward.
"Ready."
Mercer continued selecting names until a team of twelve stood together.
"You leave tomorrow."
"Spend today preparing."
Outside, Brook adjusted the straps on his backpack.
Extra water.
Rations.
A whetstone.
Bandages.
Everything had its place.
"You pack like you're moving away."
Brook looked over to find Sera standing beside him with her hands behind her back.
"I've seen what happens when people don't prepare."
She smiled.
"I know."
Her smile faded when she noticed the equipment.
"They're sending you outside."
Brook hesitated.
"…Yeah."
"For the first time?"
He nodded.
Sera looked toward the Wall looming over the city.
"I always wondered what was on the other side."
Brook gave a small laugh.
"So did I."
"But now…"
He looked at the forest beyond the stone.
"…I'm not sure I want the answer."
She reached into the bag she was carrying.
"I made these."
She handed him a small cloth pouch.
Brook opened it.
Sweet biscuits.
His favorite.
"You really think about food a lot."
"I think about you forgetting food a lot."
Brook laughed.
"Fair."
She became serious again.
"Just…"
Her voice was quieter now.
"…come back."
Brook met her eyes.
"I will."
Neither of them noticed Crowley standing beneath the watchtower, watching the exchange from a distance.
His expression gave nothing away.
That evening, the city held a prayer for the expedition.
Citizens gathered in Saint Rowan's Chapel.
Candles filled the hall with warm light.
Brook wasn't particularly religious, but he attended anyway.
Not because he expected answers.
Because it mattered to the people he was protecting.
The High Priest stepped forward.
"May those who leave these Walls return safely."
The congregation bowed their heads.
Brook glanced around the room.
Farmers.
Merchants.
Children.
Watchmen.
For the first time, the city didn't feel like a place he lived.
It felt like something worth fighting for.
After the service ended, Brook stepped outside.
The air was cool.
The streets were nearly empty.
He heard footsteps behind him.
Henry.
The prince had dismissed his royal guards and was dressed in a simple blue cloak instead of ceremonial clothing.
"I heard about the expedition."
Brook smiled.
"News travels fast."
Henry sighed.
"It does when you're the prince."
They began walking together through the quiet streets.
"I asked the Council if I could go with you."
Brook stopped.
"They said no?"
Henry nodded.
"My father reminded me that a prince can't risk his life on every mission."
"You seemed disappointed."
"I was."
Henry looked toward the northern Wall.
"I want to protect this kingdom."
"You do."
"Not from a throne."
Brook understood.
There was a long silence before Henry spoke again.
"When you come back…"
He smiled.
"…we're finishing our match."
Brook laughed.
"You're really holding onto that."
"I don't like unfinished business."
They shook hands before parting ways.
As Henry disappeared into the darkness, Crowley stepped out from a nearby alley.
"I figured you'd be here."
Brook wasn't even surprised anymore.
"Were you following me?"
"No."
Crowley smiled faintly.
"I was waiting."
"For what?"
Crowley's eyes drifted toward the Wall.
"For tomorrow."
Brook leaned against the stone railing.
"Have you ever been outside?"
There was a pause.
"Yes."
"What was it like?"
Crowley looked into the distance.
"When you stand on top of the Wall…"
"You think the world ends at the horizon."
He looked back at Brook.
"It doesn't."
"It just gets stranger."
Brook expected him to say more.
He didn't.
The two men stood there in silence as the bells of Shinokuni-01 echoed through the sleeping city.
Far beyond the Wall…
Deep within the Blackwood…
Something enormous opened its eyes.
The trees trembled.
Birds burst into the sky.
Then, just as suddenly, the forest became still again.
Whatever had awakened…
It knew someone was coming.