Chapter 20 – The Royal Summons
Three days passed.
Three days without another attack.
Three days without another expedition.
Yet no one in Shinokuni-01 believed the danger had passed.
The northern Wall remained on full alert. Watchmen rotated through longer shifts, merchants closed their shops before sunset, and every family made sure their doors were locked before nightfall.
The city had learned a new kind of fear.
Not the fear of an attack.
The fear of waiting for one.
Brook stood on Watchtower Seven as the evening sun disappeared beyond the Wall.
He rested both hands on the cold stone battlements, watching the endless forest in the distance.
"I knew you'd be up here."
Brook smiled faintly without turning around.
"Crowley."
His mentor walked over carrying two steaming cups of coffee.
"You've started bringing me coffee a lot."
"You've started sleeping less."
Brook accepted the cup.
For a while they stood in silence.
Finally Brook spoke.
"Do you ever think about the people we lost?"
Crowley didn't answer immediately.
"Every day."
"You knew some of them for years."
"I did."
Brook stared into his coffee.
"I keep thinking…"
"If I'd reacted faster…"
Crowley interrupted him.
"You'd be dead."
Brook looked up.
"You don't know that."
"I do."
Crowley's voice was calm.
"You think surviving means you failed them."
Brook said nothing.
"You didn't."
"We all make choices on the battlefield."
"Some of us live with them."
Brook looked back toward the forest.
"It doesn't feel like enough."
"It never does."
The following morning, the fortress was unusually busy.
Engineers hauled crates of arrows across the courtyard while blacksmiths worked from sunrise repairing damaged armor.
Brook was helping replace shattered shields when Captain Mercer approached.
"Brook."
He immediately stood.
"Sir."
"The Royal Palace has requested your presence."
Brook frowned.
"Mine?"
"Yours."
"For what?"
Mercer shook his head.
"I wasn't told."
Brook exchanged a confused glance with Crowley.
"I've never even been inside the palace."
Crowley smiled.
"Then today will be a first."
The Royal Palace stood at the very center of Shinokuni-01.
Brook had seen it countless times from a distance, but standing before it was something entirely different.
White stone walls stretched toward the sky.
Tall banners bearing the royal crest fluttered in the breeze.
Royal Guards lined the entrance in polished silver armor.
One guard stepped forward.
"Watchman Brook?"
"Yes."
"The King is expecting you."
Brook followed him through long marble corridors decorated with paintings depicting the founding of Shinokuni-01.
Heroes.
Kings.
Queens.
Ancient battles.
Every portrait seemed to celebrate humanity's triumph.
Yet after everything Brook had witnessed beyond the Wall…
He found himself wondering how much of it was true.
Large wooden doors slowly opened.
The Royal Council chamber came into view.
It was far less crowded than Brook expected.
King Aldric sat upon a simple throne at the far end of the room.
His silver hair and neatly trimmed beard made him appear older than his years, but his eyes were sharp and observant.
Standing beside him was Prince Henry.
Henry smiled when he saw Brook.
"You made it."
Brook bowed respectfully.
"Your Majesty."
The King motioned for him to stand.
"At ease."
Brook obeyed.
"I've read Captain Mercer's report."
The King's voice was measured.
"I also spoke with every surviving member of the expedition."
He folded his hands.
"Yet all of you described one detail differently."
Brook frowned.
"The giant?"
The King nodded.
"It spoke to you."
"Yes."
"It looked at you."
"Yes."
"It said…" the King paused, "…that you carried 'the scent.'"
Brook felt the room grow quieter.
"I don't know what it meant."
"I believe you."
The King leaned back.
"But I intend to find out."
Henry stepped forward.
"My father has approved the formation of a special investigation unit."
Brook looked between them.
"What kind of unit?"
"A small one," Henry answered.
"Watchmen."
"Royal scholars."
"Scouts."
"People willing to question everything we've believed about the world."
Brook remained silent.
The King spoke again.
"I want you to be part of it."
Brook blinked.
"Me?"
"Why?"
"Because," the King replied, "whatever that creature saw in you…"
"…it may be the reason this kingdom survives what is coming."
Brook wasn't sure how to answer.
He wasn't a captain.
He wasn't a noble.
He was simply a Watchman.
Before he could respond, the chamber doors burst open.
A Royal Guard hurried inside, breathing heavily.
He dropped to one knee.
"Your Majesty!"
The room immediately tensed.
"What is it?" the King asked.
"The western observation tower…"
The guard struggled to catch his breath.
"…has stopped responding."
Henry's expression hardened.
"When?"
"Less than fifteen minutes ago."
Captain Mercer, who had just entered the chamber, looked toward the King.
"There are twenty-four Watchmen stationed there."
The King rose from his throne.
For the first time, Brook saw concern plainly written across the ruler's face.
"Send a rescue party immediately."
The guard swallowed.
"We already tried."
The room fell silent.
"They never reached the tower."
Outside the palace windows, the distant warning horn began to sound once more.
One blast.
Then another.
Then another.
Brook walked to the nearest window and looked toward the western district.
In the far distance, beyond the rooftops of Shinokuni-01, a thin column of black smoke rose into the sky.
Whatever had happened…
It had happened inside the Walls.