Beloka stood on an open plain, staring at the enormous wall towering 100 meters high in the distance—about a kilometer from where he stood. Countless soldiers in silver armor stood guard, wielding weapons like spears, swords, maces, and bows with quivers full of arrows strapped to their backs.
Among them, Beloka noticed a female soldier. She wore silver armor like the others, her face hidden beneath a helmet—only her eyes were visible. For a brief moment, her gaze met Beloka's, and their eyes locked. But Beloka, flustered, quickly looked away in shyness.
Slowly, he glanced back at her and saw her walking toward a watchtower—the third one down from the very tower they had arrived from.
Beloka observed numerous watchtowers extending along the massive wall, which stretched endlessly across the horizon. Each watchtower connected to the giant wall, continuing into the distance until the wall curved and merged with another segment of wall—possibly the same one he had seen earlier.
Eventually, they reached a gate in the wall and entered. Beyond it, Beloka saw yet another enormous wall—twice as far as the previous one—and a wide river flowing parallel to it. Behind the wall, the outline of a grand castle emerged, as if it were peeking out in secret. But oddly, there was no visible gate in this new wall.
Kelfo turned right, walking along the riverbank, and Beloka followed.
As they walked, the wall and river seemed to stretch endlessly, always appearing to meet at a point in the distance no matter how far they moved.
After walking along the river's curve for some time, they spotted a bridge. People were crossing it under the watchful eyes of armored guards.
When they reached the bridge, Kelfo handed a coin to one of the soldiers. The coin bore the sigil of a man, with a sun twice the size of his head rising behind him.
The soldier took the coin and dropped it into a fire burning in a round iron vessel nearby. After a moment, he retrieved it and returned it to Kelfo.
Surprisingly, the coin wasn't even hot.
They crossed the bridge with the crowd and arrived at another gate, where more guards stood atop the walls. Soldiers below were checking documents and questioning civilians.
There was a separate line where soldiers were also being questioned. One guard stood out—bald, broad-shouldered, and massive, nearly one and a half times the size of Kelfo. He resembled a bear more than a man.
At the moment, he was interrogating a soldier who stood beside a female soldier and a young girl in civilian clothing. The girl appeared to be the same age as Beloka. She was lean, tall as Beloka, Her beauty was buried beneath the dust of the outskirts. She had long, black hair, wore a green tunic, black trousers, and worn-out leather shoes with frayed straps hanging loose.
The soldier gently patted the girl's back and praised her before they were allowed through the gate.
Behind them came another wounded soldier, followed by a female soldier and a young male soldier—both injured.
Beloka, confused, glanced at Kelfo, then back at the towering guard who was questioning everyone.
Now it was their turn.
As Beloka stepped forward, the giant guard loomed even larger—like a wall of flesh.
Kelfo stepped ahead and greeted him.
"Hail, Watch Commander Domto Bortina. I am Kelfo Zoman, Watch Master of the 11th Watchtower, Second Unit in the South. I seek an audience with the Lord Commander of the army."
Domto stared at Kelfo, then at Beloka with a puzzled expression.
"Why are you carrying your severed arm, boy?" he asked.
Beloka stayed silent. Kelfo answered on his behalf.
"To have it reattached by Her Highness, the Princess, Commander."
A flicker of annoyance crossed Domto's face, followed by confusion.
"Why would Her Highness waste her precious time on a lowly boy like him? She has far more important matters to attend to—especially today, with all the chaos going on."
Domto paused, then added,
"Why do you seek an audience with the Lord Commander, Watch Master?"
Kelfo straightened up, his tone more noble, his voice respectful.
"It's regarding last night's incident caused by a Dweller. But this was no ordinary one. I'm here to report, as per orders... my lord."
He paused, then added, "And this boy was the one who killed the Dweller."
Domto's face shifted instantly. Every trace of confusion disappeared.
He looked at Beloka again—this time with something new in his eyes. Respect.
"So... it happened elsewhere too. And this boy really killed the Dweller? You're not lying, are you? Doesn't matter. He'll know if you are."
Beloka and Kelfo exchanged confused glances. Just as Kelfo was about to ask what he meant, Domto continued.
"Dwellers attacked several locations last night. Everyone's come to report. They're in the Great Hall now. This matter will be addressed before the Assembly and the King. Go to the Hall."
Kelfo bowed slightly and thanked the Watch Commander. They passed through the gate.
Beloka was left stunned by the castle's grandeur. Surrounded by three massive walls, each with its own heavily guarded gate, it would be nearly impossible for any invading army to reach the castle's heart without immense effort.
They entered the Great Hall. Many had already gathered—some gravely wounded, others lightly injured.
Beloka's eyes found the black-haired girl once again. She stood beside the female soldier.
The Great Hall itself was breathtaking. At its far end stood a throne made of black marble, cushioned with fine silk and soft foam. It sat atop a ten-meter-high platform, reached by twenty-one marble steps. A beam of light shone down from a crystal above, illuminating the throne.
Beside it stood a simple wooden chair—no backrest, just a flat seat.
Five steps down from the throne, another platform held fifteen stone chairs, each padded with foam.
After some time, a soldier raised his voice, announcing the arrival of Princess Simina Kingsblood.
Everyone turned as the princess entered from the left side of the hall through a grand gate.
Beloka, like the others, stared in awe.
She was stunning. Her emerald-green hair shimmered, her sky-blue eyes radiated calm, and her skin was flawless. She appeared the same age as Beloka and the black-haired girl, but her moisturized, glowing skin made her look even younger.
She wore a high-quality white shirt made of Solmonic fiber, collarless with fitted sleeves, and black pants. Solmonic fabric was the finest material in the world.
She stepped forward and stopped before the crowd. A soldier beside her announced loudly,
"Those who are gravely injured, step forward—one by one—before Her Highness, the Princess!"
Those with grave injuries stepped forward, forming a line beside the Princess. Beloka also joined the line, standing quietly.
The first soldier to approach was severely wounded. His left arm hung limply, as if it had no bones, and the right side of his head was crushed, exposing parts of his skull and brain.
The Princess closed her eyes, lifted her hands toward the soldier, and began to mutter softly. A white glow formed around her palms. In moments, the light enveloped the soldier's head and arm—and just like that, they were completely healed.
Everyone in the hall was stunned—both by the Princess's powers and, still, by her breathtaking beauty.
One by one, she healed them all.
Then it was Beloka's turn.
He stepped forward and, for a moment, his eyes met the Princess's. But he quickly looked away, flustered. He gently placed his severed arm against the wound where it had once been attached.
The Princess looked at his injury with confusion for a few seconds, then raised her hands and began muttering again. Her words were inaudible to everyone around.
Beloka's arm began to reattach itself. In just a few moments, it was fully healed—like it had never been severed.
One by one, the Princess continued healing everyone, from the most severe injuries to the smallest cuts.
When she was done, she quietly walked up the steps to the second platform and took a seat on one of the fifteen stone chairs.
Everyone's eyes were still on her, mesmerized by her beauty. Some time passed.
Then a soldier loudly announced the arrival of the King, his ministers, and the Lord Commander of the army.
The room immediately straightened. As the King entered the hall, everyone bowed—including the Princess, who stood from her seat.
The King climbed the steps toward the throne. On the way, he smiled at the Princess and nodded. The Princess responded with a slight tilt of her head.
All eyes were now on the King. But Beloka's gaze was still fixed on the Princess, entranced by her beauty.
When the King sat on his throne, he gestured for the ministers and the Princess to be seated.
Before sitting, the Princess once again looked at Beloka. Their eyes met. But this time, Beloka turned his eyes away in fear. The Princess sat down.
The King gave the order for the Lord Commander to begin the assembly.
The Lord Commander bowed before the King and formally announced the beginning of the assembly—and the reason for their gathering.