The sound of helicopters began to grow louder, filling the air with the loud beating of their blades. The dust and dry leaves near the entrance to Mineford were raised in frantic whirlwinds.

The helicopters touched down one after the other, their blades gradually slowing as soldiers jumped with precision and speed, forming impeccable lines around the vehicles. The metallic gleam of the weapons in their hands reflected the last ray of sunlight that fell on the wall.

It wasn't long before another sound filled the air: the heavy roar of engines approaching. Army trucks, armored cars and even press vehicles began to appear on the horizon. The earth vibrated gently beneath the feet of those waiting, as the enormous doors of Mineford slowly opened, with a powerful creak that announced the grandeur of this moment.

The recruits watched attentively as the first vehicles passed through the gate. Trucks loaded with soldiers and military equipment led the way, followed by armored cars in precise formation. In their midst, smaller journalist vehicles advanced, their cameras already trained on the historic spectacle that was unfolding.

“Impressive…” Mira murmured, watching the parade.

The soldiers disembarked from their vehicles as soon as they parked in a designated area. Each movement was meticulously synchronized, as if rehearsed to represent the power and discipline of the army. Once they were organized, the local guards joined the newcomers, positioning themselves in two rigorously aligned lines along the path that led to the heart of Mineford.

The soldiers and guards raised their hands in salute, saluting in unison. The momentary silence was broken only by the sound of boots on the ground and the click of cameras.

Finally, the lead car stopped right in the center of the formation. The rear door opened, revealing the imposing figure of the king, followed by the queen.

The cameras captured every movement of the royal couple, flashes illuminating the night as the journalists recorded the moment for history. The king raised his hand slightly in greeting, his eyes sweeping the crowd before him. The queen, at his side, maintained a serene posture, her presence radiating an almost tangible authority.

Kay, watching everything from a distance, closed the entrance again and addressed the rest of the team.

The lines of soldiers and guards stretched across the city, forming a corridor of respect and discipline. The sound of aligned boots and synchronized movements created a solemn atmosphere, while the flashes of cameras and the murmurs of journalists in the background complemented the scene.

Kay watched the formation from afar, leaning against one of the houses.

— Damn... They're up ahead. Should I go there or stay here? — he thought, scratching his head. His stomach growled, interrupting his train of thought.

— "Although flying and running around has made me hungry..." — he muttered to himself, before discreetly leaving between the houses, trying to avoid the attention of the guards.

On the other side, Takemichi watched him from the corner of his eye.

"What does he think he's doing?" he thought, frowning slightly, but decided to keep his attention on the main event.

The soldiers and guards began to form neat rows. Journalists and cameramen occupied strategic positions, capturing every detail of the moment. At the head of everyone, the king and queen stood with an imposing posture, radiating authority and calm. Beside them, the head of the guard maintained a watchful expression, while Takemichi remained concerned about the unfolding of this event.

The king stepped forward, his eyes scanning the crowd with a steady, purposeful gaze. When he began to speak, his voice carried a weight that silenced the room, each word resonating clearly:

— "Citizens of Mineford, men and women of courage and sacrifice, today we mark a new chapter in the history of this kingdom. Here, where there was once despair and destruction, we build the foundations of a new hope. We are not just survivors; we are builders of a future that will no longer be defined by fear, but by the strength of our unity."

He paused briefly, letting the weight of his words sink in.

— "The work of each and every one of you, from those rebuilding our homes to those holding arms to protect our people, is the pillar upon which our resistance stands. Today, we celebrate not only the physical progress of this city, but also the resilience of our spirits."

The king turned slightly to the soldiers and guards in formation.

— "You who stand on the front lines, not only to protect, but to inspire. You are the shield and sword of our nation. And to you, the citizens here, know that every brick laid, every effort made, is a victory against those who seek to destroy us."

He raised his fist in a gesture of determination.

— "Today, Mineford is not just a symbol of rebirth. It is a reminder that together we are unbreakable. Onward, for Valtreon, for our people, and for a tomorrow where darkness will never return!"

The king paused, his emotion-laden gaze sweeping over the crowd. Then, in a softer but equally firm tone, he continued:

— "To all who have worked tirelessly for this day, on behalf of the royal family, on behalf of the people, I thank you with the sincerest feelings of my heart. Each of you played an essential role in making this moment possible. From the engineers and workers to the soldiers who tirelessly guarded. There is no gesture of dedication that has gone unnoticed."

He took a deep breath, allowing the silence to amplify the impact of his words.

— "Let us continue walking together, towards a future where every man, woman and child can live without the weight of the ghoul threat on their shoulders. A future where fear is replaced by hope, and destruction is but a distant memory."

The king raised his arm, pointing to the rebuilt city behind him.

— "Rebuilding Mineford is more than a project. It is a symbol of resilience, of unity, and of our determination to survive. This city will be the starting point for a new future."

Her eyes shone with conviction as she added:

— "I count on the support of each and every one of you to continue moving forward on this journey. And know that you can also count on the unwavering support of the kingdom and its royal family."

The crowd erupted in applause and cheers. The soldiers saluted with renewed vigor, the journalists captured every moment, and the citizens, with tears in their eyes, felt a new breath of hope. The sound of applause echoed like a collective roar, a silent oath that no one would give up, no matter what.

— "She's hiding her cell phone in her hand... That way, Emilia won't be able to see her parents, but at least she'll have a view of the vehicles!" — thought Kay, as she discreetly waved at the cell phone.

On the other end of the call, Emilia frowned when she noticed the gesture.

— "Is he drinking coffee while everyone is together?" — thought Emilia, returning the wave with a slight smile in disbelief.

Kay arched an eyebrow when he saw her gesturing.

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"Is she waving? I can only see her moving..." — he thought, taking a long sip of his coffee, enjoying the moment calmly.

"Do you want to say a few words?" whispered the king, bowing slightly to the queen.

"No!" she replied, smiling kindly.

The king turned his attention to the crowd and began to speak:

"As many of you already know, it will be my son who will rule this kingdom in the future. Today, my presence here is to observe the progress of the kingdom and the efforts of all of you. My son is still young, so do not hesitate to make suggestions that can improve the lives of our people. Please take good care of him, as you have taken care of us until today."

"Right!" the soldiers answered firmly in unison.

The king nodded, satisfied, and concluded:

— I thank you all for your attention and dedication.

Takemichi then spoke with his firm and authoritative voice:

— We have business to discuss with the king. You are dismissed!

— Alright! — the soldiers repeated, before dispersing.

As the crowd reorganized, two journalists quickly advanced, drawing the attention of a small group.

— Excuse me, may I have a little of your attention? — exclaimed one of them, the blonde, while her colleague held the camera, recording every detail.

— Us? — exclaimed Ravena, surprised, upon realizing that they were the focus of the journalists.

Kay, watching from afar, narrowed her eyes.

— "I think the masks drew attention... But wait... They are the same ones that filmed my training!" — he thought, taking another sip of coffee.

The blonde journalist asked quick and incisive questions:

— Why are you wearing masks?

— It's our leader's doing! — Thais answered promptly, trying to sound casual.

— And why are you the only ones wearing them? — the journalist insisted, curious.

Raven intervened, keeping calm:

— It's a recent test that our leader proposed. The mask is thin, but effective in protecting.

— Protection? But why only you? — the journalist pressed again.

Raven answered without hesitation:

— Because it's an idea in the experimental phase. Only our squad is undergoing this test.

The blonde journalist narrowed her eyes, intrigued.

— Only you in the squad? From what we know, each squad has at least fifty soldiers. Are you a new squad?

Raven answered shortly.

— Yes!

— You're answering for the others. What should we call you? — the journalist exclaimed, fixing her gaze on Raven.

— Alpha 1. — Raven replied firmly, keeping her tone professional.

— Alpha 1? Where is your leader? — the journalist insisted, leaning forward slightly, seeking deeper answers.

From afar, Kay discreetly waved to Raven, signaling not to involve him in the conversation.

— He's busy at the moment. If you have any questions, you can ask us. That's what we're here for. — Raven said, remaining calm.

— So you're the vice-leader? Understood. I know you must be tired after so many days working on rebuilding the kingdom, so we won't take up too much of your time. — said the journalist, before asking another incisive question: — Do you guarantee the safety of the civilians who will live here?

Thais intervened confidently:

— Right now, even the king is here. So, yes, we can guarantee the safety of the people.

Slayer, next to him, crossed his arms and added:

— Indeed, but without a permanent base for the soldiers here, it will take longer for us to establish consistent support.

The journalist took advantage of the opportunity and replied:

— Yes, and in the event of a ghoul attack, that could be a big problem. I believe it shouldn't be long before they focus on building a base, even if it's temporary. How do you feel after so many achievements of the Sixth Division?

Raven smiled slightly and replied:

— We are honored that our division is receiving recognition.

— What was the method used to select the people for this squad? — asked the journalist, leaning forward again, curious.

Raven hesitated for a moment before murmuring:

— Long story. I think "work of fate" describes it well.

The journalist raised an eyebrow, intrigued, but continued:

— Well, so you are the fifth squad. Vice-leader Alpha 1, what is the name of your leader and the other members?

— Alpha 0. — Raven answered directly.

The other members introduced themselves one by one, using only their codenames.

The journalist looked at them with an expression of growing curiosity.

— All alphas? This raises a mystery about who is behind the masks. Can you take them off?

Raven took a deep breath before answering:

— Excuse me, but the masks are part of our squad. We cannot reveal our faces. They were developed with a technology that offers additional protection during high-risk missions. At the same time, they represent the unity and anonymity of the squad. Our priority is work, not fame.

The blonde journalist raised an eyebrow, impressed by the answer.

— Technology, huh? And is this technology available to other squadrons? Or is it exclusive to you?

— For now, it is an exclusive test for our squadron. — Thais intervened, with a discreet smile. — If it is successful, it can be expanded to other divisions in the future.

The blonde journalist took the opportunity to continue:

— You seem quite close. Is this the result of training or did you already have a connection before forming the squadron?

Ravena answered immediately:

— Both. We trained hard to get where we are, but destiny also played an important role in bringing us together.

The journalist gave a slight smile before asking the final question:

— Last curiosity: why "Alpha"?

The recruits exchanged brief glances, and Ravena answered in a relaxed tone:

— It was a name chosen at the last minute by our leader. It wasn't something very planned, actually.

The journalists shared a discreet smile, apparently satisfied with the enigmatic explanation. The camera flashes continued to capture every detail, while the squad remained still and firm, like a living wall.

"About the squad... Who are the soldiers who recently received their medals?" the blonde journalist asked, leaning forward slightly.

Raven remained calm:

"They are not available at the moment."

"They are not here, or... are they among you?" the journalist insisted, arching an eyebrow.

Raven took a deep breath before answering:

"Not all the soldiers are present here. If we brought the entire squad, the civilians we must protect in other areas would be left unprotected."

The journalist pondered her answer, nodding slowly.

"That makes sense. Too bad... But maybe next time."

She took a step back and finished:

"Thank you very much for your attention."

Raven nodded slightly, maintaining a polite tone:

"We are the ones who thank you." The journalists walked away, moving towards Yan, who was watching the scene from a distance.

— They really caught you, huh. Could you handle this every day? — Kay teased, stepping out of the shadows with her usual mocking smile.

“I don’t think so!” Raven replied, with a muffled laugh.

“But you did very well for a first interview,” Emilia praised, still on the video call.

Kay took out her cell phone and held Mira’s hand before announcing:

“I’m going to stay over there in the helicopter. What are you going to do?”

“We’re going to walk around,” Raven replied, already walking away with the soldiers.

“If you need anything, I’ll be there.”

“Okay,” Raven said, waving before continuing on her way.

Mira, however, stayed with Kay, who was walking towards the helicopter, still holding her hand.

“What’s wrong?” Mira asked, suspicious.

“Your father gave me a signal there. I think he’s going to announce your position in the army,” Kay explained bluntly.

“No... Here, in front of everyone?!” — Mira exclaimed, with a mixture of nervousness and disbelief.

Emilia, still on the call, interrupted:

— What is your position, Mira?

Mira looked down, hesitant, before answering in an almost shy tone:

— Vice-captain.

— Congratulations! You surpassed your brother! — Emilia commented enthusiastically.

— Thank you... — Mira replied, still absorbing the weight of the situation.

— Get into the helicopter when no one is looking and take off your mask. If you want to change your hair a little, it will help disguise it! — Kay suggested, while Mira looked at her suspiciously.

— Ponytail? — she asked, arching her eyebrow.

— You will look beautiful with any hairstyle — Kay replied with a slight smile.

— Don't be such a suck-up! I'll get ready. — Mira turned around, entering the helicopter with determined steps.

As soon as she disappeared through the door, Kay sighed and commented with a touch of humor:

— Did you see that, Emilia? I compliment, and still get cursed!

“You should have suggested something specific. Girls care about these details!” Emilia replied, laughing through the call.

Kay put his hand to his chin, thoughtful, before suggesting in a softer tone:

“Honey, throw some of your hair forward. Do you know how you combed it when you left part of your face covered?”

From inside the helicopter, Mira answered strangely:

“Why would I do that?”

Kay quickly deactivated the call microphone and muttered to himself before answering:

“Because you look incredibly beautiful that way…”

Mira stopped what she was doing, her voice coming out hesitant:

“Did you think that when you saw me like this?”

Kay smiled, the words coming out sincerely:

“I still think so. It gives a different charm.”

After a brief silence, Mira sighed.

“I understand. I’ll go with my normal hair, since the mask covers my face. They won’t recognize me.” Kay laughed softly, shaking her head.

“Just because I suggested it, right? You’re so mean to me!”

On the other side, Takemichi made a discreet gesture, urging Kay on.

“Your father is impatient over there, love. You better hurry up,” he warned, turning to the helicopter.

“I’m coming!” Mira replied, walking out with firm steps, her mask in hand and her hair in order.

“Good luck,” Kay wished, watching her walk away.

“I’ll need it…” she replied, taking one last look before heading back to the group.

Kay turned off the microphone and leaned back in the seat, her gaze still fixed on Mira.