They got into the car and the driver started it.

"Why did she have to sit in the middle?" Mira thought, frustrated.

"How is the family?" Takemichi exclaimed.

"They're fine, my son is better now!" the driver said.

"That's good news!" Takemichi said.

"Thank you, sir. There are new faces here and you're going to meet the king soon!" the driver commented.

"This is Mira, my daughter, and this is Kay!" Takemichi introduced.

"It's a pleasure to meet you! I was in the sixth squadron, the captain recommended me for this job so I could be closer to my family!" the driver said.

"Nice to meet you! I'm happy to know that your son is fine and to meet another person from my father's squadron!" Mira said.

"I've known your parents since they were recruits. We were classmates in the squadron. Your mother was known as the terror of the ghouls! Did you know that?" the driver exclaimed.

"I can imagine!" Kay muttered thoughtfully.

"I didn't know that!" Mira said, looking at Kay with a murderous look.

"They were an impressive couple; it was fate that they met in the army. All our colleagues said so!" the driver commented.

"Enough talking about the past! It's not like it's been that long!" Takemichi said.

"Eighteen years. It seems like ages ago. Those were good times... not so good, but it's something I want to remember!" the driver reflected.

The two continued talking during the twenty-minute drive to the government headquarters. Armed guards were stationed at the entrance, and one of them approached the car.

"I'm with Captain Takemichi and three other guests from his squad!" the driver announced.

The guard checked his cell phone and let them in. The car continued inside.

"It was good to reminisce about old times. You could come by my house, my boy is a big fan of yours!" the driver said.

— You know how overworked the army is! I only saw my wife when she brought my daughter to the draft. Honestly, I need a vacation! — Takemichi replied.

— The same old rush. When will these ghouls stop tormenting people's lives?! I hope it happens before we retire! — the driver vented.

— The way things are, it's going to be difficult! But today we're taking another step to prevent more innocent people from suffering at the hands of these damn monsters! — Takemichi stated.

— Is that the reason for the draft? — the driver exclaimed.

— Yes! I don't know how they'll handle the information, but let's keep it between us: ghouls have the ability to fly! — Takemichi said.

— Are you sure about that? Coming from you, I know it's true, but it's hard to believe! — the driver replied.

— I wouldn't believe it either if my daughter hadn't said it. She saw it with her own eyes! — Takemichi said.

— Good job! So many years in the army and this is the first time I've heard that. It will certainly make a big difference in keeping humanity alive! — said the driver.

— No... — Mira began.

— I can only go this far. They will guide them! I hope to hear heroic deeds from this new generation! — said the driver.

— Their first mission had no casualties! They will do well! — said Takemichi.

— It was good to see you, Takemichi. Give your wife a hug! — said the driver goodbye.

— When I see her again! — laughed Takemichi.

— That's the problem! Take advantage of the audience with the king and demand a vacation! That doesn't happen often! — advised the driver.

— He wouldn't give it to him. You know how high-ranking people are! — replied Takemichi.

— Good luck! — the driver wished everyone.

— Thank you! — said Takemichi and the girls, getting out of the car.

— Are you wearing a suit? — exclaimed Kay.

— It's to try to keep the passengers safe! Good luck, boy! — said the driver.

— Thank you! — replied Kay, getting out of the car.

The car continued out of the headquarters.

"Armed guards everywhere, several vehicles parked here, a huge building and a person watching us from the window up there!" — thought Kay, waving to the person, who closed the curtain.

— Who are you waving to? — exclaimed Mira, confused.

— I don't know either! — replied Kay.

— Then put your hand down! — ordered Mira.

— Captain Takemichi! — said one of the guards, approaching.

— Chief of the royal guard, you came to welcome us personally. It's an honor! — Takemichi stated.

— I say the same. It's not often that you come here! — replied the chief of the royal guard.

— You know how it is, right? It's a lot of rushing around! — said Takemichi.

— I know! I'll take you to the king's room. They're waiting for you! — said the chief.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

— Thanks! — thanked Takemichi.

He led them there.

— This is the throne room. The king and his family are present. Don't cause trouble! — warned the royal guard.

— I have good etiquette! — defended Takemichi.

— Don't make me execute you! — warned the royal guard, leaving.

The two guards opened the door for them to enter.

— Now I'm getting nervous! — muttered Mira.

— Calm down, you're the special guests! — Fernanda said.

In the throne room, the youngest daughter and the queen sat on their thrones on the left. The king sat on the central throne, while the eldest son sat on his throne on the right.

A red carpet stretched from the entrance to the steps of the throne. Beside the carpet, two rows were formed with the most influential nobles of the kingdom, high-ranking members of the two armies, renowned scientists, and influential people in the government.

Takemichi and Fernanda began to walk along the red carpet. Mira anxiously followed behind them, with Kay right behind.

"So many people here... And what is this unnecessarily high ceiling?" Kay thought as she looked around. "Just from the ground to the top would be the height of two floors of a building! Extravagant clothes... so they must be rich. Firm posture... these are from the army. Too proper... those are from the government. And the ones in lab coats watching us as if we were from another world... they must be scientists."

"Bow your head, Kay!" Mira whispered.

While everyone was bowing in front of the steps of the throne, Kay remained standing, distracted.

"Those curtains must be worth a fortune... what a waste of money," Kay thought.

"You are invited, you may rise!" said the king.

The three of them stood up.

"I feel murderous looks upon us," thought Mira, nervously.

"Welcome, Sixth Division. You have already been informed of the reason for your summoning for this occasion, but I will say it again, because no one but the scientists and the royal family is aware," announced the king.

"The atmosphere here is tense... it seems like he didn't even want to welcome us," Kay thought, observing discreetly.

"These people here before me have brought new information about Ghouls, something that will allow humanity to take another step towards survival. I invite everyone to hear it directly from the people who witnessed the moment a Ghoul was... flying!" declared the king.

The hall was filled with murmurs and surprised exclamations.

— Calm down. I understand your surprise and, honestly, I also find it hard to believe, but analyzing the recent attacks, this is the only plausible answer we have found. I want to ask, in front of everyone here who will serve as witnesses: did you really see a Ghoul flying? — asked the king.

Mira felt pressured by everyone's attention.

— Yes, the Ghoul was flying! — Kay stated, looking directly at the king.

— Can we trust that this testimony is true? — asked the king, hesitantly.

— Do you think I would leave my peace and quiet to come here and make up a story about a Ghoul? Time is something I don't have to spare — replied Kay, without much ceremony.

— Have more respect for the king! — reprimanded Takemichi.

— When did you see this Ghoul? — asked the king.

— Let me explain my analysis of Ghouls. Whether or not you believe me is up to you — said Kay.

— Go ahead! — ordered the king.

— There are normal Ghouls and those with tentacles, which I call "special". These tentacles are used for both attack and defense. Perhaps you have already received information that these tentacles change shape, depending on how the Ghoul intends to attack. One of the adaptations that these tentacles make is to imitate wings, which allows them to fly. Not all Ghouls have tentacles, and not all "special" ones can shape their tentacles to actually take flight. If that were the case, humanity would have been decimated centuries ago. What I have noticed is one thing: "Evolution". Ghouls are evolving. How this happens, I still don't know, but I intend to find out! — explained Kay.

— I see... We call those with tentacles "evolved". We thought it was just a mutation, but not that they could evolve even further! — commented Fernanda, writing down the information.

— This young man's analysis is solid. The frequency of tentacle Ghoul attacks has increased, while attacks by regular Ghouls are decreasing. We can assume that the regular ones are evolving, and the evolved ones can develop even further,” added the leader of the research center.

The room filled with murmurs again.

“If this continues, what will become of humanity?” said the king, worried.

One of the imperial guards stepped forward.

“We have received a witness to one of the recent Ghoul attacks. It is the report of a young woman.”

“Continue,” authorized the king.

— "I was crying. The Ghoul was attacking, and my mother was trapped under the house. A soldier came and told me not to be afraid. He bent down, wiped my tears and asked me to cover my ears, close my eyes and sing, saying that I would defeat the evil Ghoul and, at the end, he would touch my shoulder. I did as he asked. As soon as I started singing, I felt a vibration next to me, but I kept going. Soon after, he touched my shoulder and said that the Ghoul was already dead. I looked back, and the Ghoul was down. He pulled my mother out from under the house and took us to the others. He was amazing." — The imperial guard looked at Kay. — I want to ask: were you the one who saved this young girl and her mother?

— Yes, you were — Kay replied.

— Was it a 'special'? — asked the royal guard.

— No, it was a normal one — Kay said.

— What weapon did you use? — asked the guard.

— My staff — Kay replied.

— It wasn't a blade? — the guard insisted.

— It was an army-made baseball bat! — Kay clarified.

— Sorry to say this in front of your daughter, Captain, but the Ghoul's head was cut off perfectly at the neck, a cut so clean that we assumed it was made by a sharp blade by someone very experienced — continued the guard.

— What are you getting at? — asked the king.

— This recruit killed the Ghoul with a single blow and using only a bat. I just wanted to point out that this is impressive in itself — said the guard.

The king looked at Kay and said.

— Is there anything else you would like to add?

— I'm hungry — Kay replied, drawing some doubtful looks.

— I appreciate your contribution and look forward to your future achievements in the army. It was last minute, so we weren't able to prepare a reward worthy of your feat, but I hope you accept this on behalf of the government, the anti-Ghoul research institute, and the royal family. — The king looked at Kay and Mira firmly. — These medals may not seem like much, but having them means that we recognize your contribution to saving humanity.

The king stepped down from the throne and approached them.

— My king? — exclaimed a nobleman, holding the medals.

The king took the medals and placed them on both of them.

“But what about the banquet?”, thought Kay, confused.

— In the name of the kingdom... no, in the name of all humanity, I thank you both for this discovery! — said the king solemnly.

— We are not worthy of this praise! That was not a moment to be rewarded, we just happened to be present! — said Mira, bowing in reverence.

— No moment when Ghouls appear is good, but having witnessed it and come out alive is already a reason to celebrate! — replied the king.

"That Ghoul... was the one who killed Kay's parents, and he was the first Ghoul he had ever killed," Mira thought, feeling the weight of the past.

Kay's stomach growled, and he looked discouraged.

"No one likes long ceremonies. We are preparing a meal for you; I ask that you wait outside. I have other business to discuss with your captain and the scientist." The king gestured for them to leave.

Kay held out her hand to help Mira up.

"Excuse me." Mira left with Kay.

In the garden, the two sat on a bench.

"We met the royal family! Don't you think that's amazing?" Mira exclaimed excitedly.

"Yes," Kay replied, with a tired smile.

"What are we going to do until the banquet is over?" Mira asked.

— This is perfect for sleeping, there's no one around, just a guard on the wall. — Kay leaned back, looking relieved.

— Sleep? We're practically in a castle, and you're not even a little excited? — Mira said, not believing it.

— I am... but I'm hungry. We haven't eaten anything yet. — Kay sighed, looking around.

— All you can think about is eating! We're here alone and... — Mira began, but was interrupted.

— It smells good... they must have already prepared something. I'll get it for us. Wait here! — Kay said, leaving in a hurry.

— Hmm! — Mira grumbled, irritated.

A few minutes later, Kay came back.

“They should have already prepared some sweets. It should be enough to calm Mira down until the banquet,” thought Kay, carrying a bag of sweets.

— Are you serious? — said the prince, talking animatedly to Mira.

— Yes! Then my body started moving on its own! — Mira laughed, entertained by the conversation.

"Who's that with Mira? She's laughing a lot... do they know each other?" thought Kay, observing the scene behind the wall. "Why am I hiding?" he asked himself, confused.

Kay looked at them again and decided to discreetly approach someone else.