Summoner's Second Chance

Chapter 43

A large brass bell hung silently on top of the highest tower of the king's palace. Dust lay thick on the surface, and cobwebs almost filled the inside of the bell. The bell laid dormant for more than a hundred years, and now, it rang once again. Everyone in the kingdom immediately stopped whatever they were doing as they turned their head to the bell. The sound of the bell reverberated across the kingdom. Once... twice... three times... and stopped.

Soon enough, everyone threw their tools, and started screaming at the top of their lungs as they scrambled toward the nearest shelter. Cries of terror echoed through the city as soldiers and hired arms made their way to the Red Gate at the east. Whether it was Soulless or Summoners, they all clutched their weapon close to their chest as the bell kept on ringing, three times every five seconds.

"After all this years... why did the beasts decide to attack now?" A certain minor noble stood in front of the kingdom's map, his expression contorted in despair. A familiar noble slammed the table, shaking the carefully placed pieces on the map, making them shift slightly. "This is no time for cowardice! Our country is about to be attacked!" The nobles in the tent lets out a hum that almost sounded like a grunt as their eyes fell to their own feet.

The one slamming the table was none other than Tager Ironfist, Gilbert's father. Trace glanced to the king as he silently looked over the map one more time, before letting out a meaningful hum. He turned to Tager, and spoke in a low but powerful tone. "Tager Ironfist. What do you think?" He crossed his arms and snorted in a condescending manner. "I say we use the walls to our advantage." He moved the pieces and placed them on top of the wall, going through the Grey Gate at south, Red Gate, and Green Gate at north.

"The beast will attempt to climb our walls for sure, but that will be their mistake! We shall put our best Summoners on top of those walls, and destroy them using their summoned beasts!" Voices of awe erupted in the tent, making Tager puff out his chest even more. The king looked at the map for a moment before turning his head toward me. "Trace Redfate. What do you think?"

The king asking for Trace's opinion clearly made some of the noble's mouth dip, including Tager's, but it was to be expected. In their eyes, he was nothing more than a child who the king favors so much. Not minding their scornful and jealous gaze, Trace grabbed a few unused pieces, and a piece of refined charcoal. "Although using the wall might seem like the best strategy, I am against using them. Instead..." He moved three pieces to the small plains separating the walls from the forest. "I believe we should fight them on the plains."

Tager slammed the table once again, this time much harder than before, scattering the pieces on the map. "Have you gone mad?! Our forces will be easily wiped out if they are to fight the beasts on the plains, where nothing protects them!" Trace could clearly see Tager's veins on his neck as he berated him, but Trace was not done with his explanation. Resting the charcoal's tip on the paper, he started making several lines between the pieces and the enemy. "Traps will be laid all over the plains, of course."

Tager snorted once more as he folded his arms. "I suppose a half-baked strategy like that is to be expected from a snot-nosed brat!" A small smile spreads across Trace's face as he shrugged. "I would not propose this strategy if it is as half-baked as you say, Sir Tager." Trace put four pieces in front of the lines he drew, and smiled. "If we were to fight from the walls, then I am afraid I cannot call for reinforcement."

Tager's eyes went wide in shock for a moment, before he shook his head and turning to the king. "My king, there is no need to listen to this brat's words!" The king lets out a low grunt before turning to me. "This is quite a reckless plan if I do say so myself. Tell me why you proposed it." Trace nodded, and glanced at the map, and to the walls outside. He closed his eyes, and turned to the king. "We cannot assume a four hundred years old wall is as sturdy as it is the day it was built." "Nonsense!" Tager jumped into the conversation with another loud thump to the desk. "Whatever happens, that wall will forever stand! Four hundred years will do nothing to such sturdy wall!" Trace glanced to Tager, eyes narrowing out of his volition. "...Can you say that when the beast poured in and killed our citizens?"