CHAPTER 17: THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM
Myura recovered and several days passed. The golden afternoon sunlight poured through the windows of the Tanaka home, casting a warm glow over the wooden floors. The scent of freshly baked bread filled the air, mingling with the comforting aroma of roasted meat and vegetables simmering over the fire.
Takeshi leaned back in his chair, arms crossed behind his head, watching his wife, Alice, hum softly as she set the table for a late lunch. Myura sat on the floor near the hearth, cross-legged, polishing a small wooden training sword.
It was a peaceful day—a rare gift.
"You're getting pretty good at that," Takeshi remarked, nodding toward the way Myura was handling the blade.
She grinned up at him, her crimson eyes gleaming with pride. "Of course! With a dad like you, I have to get stronger!"
Alice chuckled as she placed a dish on the table. "Just don’t let it go to your head, dear. Training is important, but so is balance."
Myura puffed out her cheeks playfully. "I know, I know… but I still wanna be as strong as Dad one day!"
Takeshi smirked. "Then you'll have to work a lot harder, kiddo."
The three of them shared a lighthearted moment, the warmth of home wrapping around them like a soft embrace.
And then—a knock at the door.
It was firm. Measured. Official.
Myura jumped up immediately, her excitement bubbling over. "I got it!"
She rushed toward the door before either of her parents could react, swinging it open in one swift motion.
Standing there was a soldier—a tall, well-built man in his late twenties, his face hardened by years of service. His eyes were sharp, his stance rigid, and the red-trimmed armor he wore immediately gave away his origins.
A palace soldier.
Myura blinked, tilting her head slightly. Soldiers like her father wore green.
That meant this man wasn’t from the same division. He was from the king’s personal guard.
His expression remained firm as his gaze met Myura’s. "Is General Takeshi here?"
She hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "Yes! I’ll grab him for you!"
Without another word, she turned and ran back into the house.
"Dad! There’s a palace soldier at the door for you!"
Takeshi’s brow furrowed slightly, but he didn’t rush. Instead, he stood with a quiet sigh, adjusting the sleeves of his tunic before making his way outside.
As he stepped onto the wooden porch, he found the soldier standing tall, arms folded behind his back. The man wasted no time.
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"You are General Takeshi Tanaka?"
Takeshi nodded. "I am."
The soldier pulled a sealed letter from his belt and extended it forward. "This is urgent."
Takeshi took the letter, feeling the weight of it in his palm.
He glanced at the soldier. "What’s this about?"
The man kept his expression neutral. "I don’t know the details contained in the letter. You’ll have to read it yourself."
There was something about the way he said it. Detached. Careful.
Takeshi exhaled through his nose, his instincts sharpening. Something wasn’t right.
The soldier saluted, then turned sharply on his heel, descending the steps. He mounted his horse, giving one last glance back before riding off toward the town’s main road.
Takeshi stood there for a moment, the cool afternoon breeze rustling his hair as he watched the soldier disappear into the distance.
Then, he looked down at the letter.
It bore the royal seal.
With a slow, measured motion, he broke the wax seal and unfolded the parchment.
His sharp eyes scanned the words.
And the longer he read, the deeper his frown became.
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THE SUMMONING OF GENERALS
"To General Takeshi Tanaka,
By decree of His Majesty, all high-ranking officers of the kingdom’s forces are to report to the capital immediately.
A large-scale conflict with the demihuman nation of Aetheria is imminent.
You are hereby ordered to assemble your division and prepare for deployment at the eastern border.
We anticipate full-scale war within the coming weeks.
Signed,
General Halvard Reinhardt
Royal Commander of the King’s Army
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Takeshi’s jaw tightened.
War.
It was happening.
He let out a slow breath, folding the letter carefully before slipping it into his pocket. His sharp gaze lifted toward the horizon, scanning the quiet village beyond the fields.
How did it come to this?
He had fought battles before. He had defended borders, led troops into conflict. But war… this war…
Something about it felt wrong.
The suddenness. The urgency.
The timing.
His thoughts were interrupted by the soft creak of the door behind him.
Alice stepped out, peeking around the frame, her auburn hair catching the light. "Is everything okay, dear?"
Takeshi’s expression didn’t shift, but his fingers pressed against his pocket, shielding the letter from her sight.
He offered a small, reassuring smile. "Yeah. Everything’s fine."
Alice studied him for a moment. She knew him too well.
“…You’re a terrible liar, you know that?”
Takeshi let out a quiet chuckle. "Maybe."
She stepped closer, her voice softer now. "What’s in the letter?"
He hesitated.
Then, he shook his head. "Nothing we need to worry about right now."
Alice frowned but didn’t push further. "If you say so."
Behind them, Myura peeked through the doorway, watching with curious eyes.
Takeshi turned to her, smiling lightly. "Hey, kiddo, how about we go for a walk after lunch?"
Her face lit up. "Really?!"
He nodded. "Yeah. Just you, me, and Mom."
Alice gave him a knowing look but smiled as well. "That sounds wonderful."
For now, he would keep the truth to himself.
For now, they would enjoy one last peaceful afternoon together.
Because once he left for the capital…
Everything would change.