[Grenz Town Guild Hall – Morning]
The sun had barely risen when the doors to the guild hall burst open. A royal knight in silver armor strode in, his cape billowing.
Knight Commander: "Truck Survivors Clan — by order of His Majesty, King Aldebrand of Eldoria, you are summoned to the capital immediately!"
Everyone turned. The room went quiet.
Takeshi (still eating a meat skewer): "Huh? Us?"
Daichi (standing up): "We met the king before, remember? When we first got summoned."
Aiko: "Yeah, before we chose to become adventurers to train."
Guild Master (stroking his beard): "Monster tide must be serious if he's calling you lot now."
Ms. Sato (nodding): "Then we go."
[Royal Carriages – En Route to the Capital]
The entire Truck Survivors Clan was loaded into fancy carriages. Even Takeshi left his truck behind — for now.
Takeshi (arms crossed, sulking): "Bet my Fuso's faster."
Aya (smirking): "But your truck can't fit into the palace gates."
Nobu (chuckling): "He'll try someday."
The trip was tense but filled with chatter.
Minami (from the Backup Squad): "This'll be our first official royal mission."
Keita: "Hope it's not too bad."
[Royal Castle – Throne Room]
King Aldebrand, a stern but fair-looking man with a regal beard and blue cape, awaited them. Beside him stood his court mage, Chancellor Varn.
King Aldebrand (booming voice): "Heroes of another world — Truck Survivors. I summon you in our hour of need."
Everyone kneeled.
King Aldebrand: "A Monster Tide approaches Eldoria's western frontier. Thousands of beasts. If they breach the towns, countless lives will be lost."
Gasps filled the chamber.
Daichi (firmly): "We'll handle it, Your Majesty."
Takeshi (grinning): "Sounds like fun."
Chancellor Varn: "This isn't a mere beast horde. Scouts spotted strange, high-ranked monsters among them. Possibly under demonic influence."
Aiko (frowning): "So the demon lord's minions are moving."
Ms. Sato: "It's earlier than expected."
[Mission Briefing]
King Aldebrand: "The tide reaches the frontier in two days. Adventurer guilds are mobilizing. You will lead the defense force."
Yumi (whispering to Sho): "Us? Lead?"
Sho (smirking): "Guess they heard about our cooking."
Ren (from Backup Squad): "And Takeshi's truck."
Takeshi (nonchalantly): "Eh, tide's just a roadblock."
Chancellor Varn: "You'll receive potions, enchanted weapons, and mounts for travel."
Takeshi: "Can I bring my truck now?"
King Aldebrand (chuckling): "If it can clear a tide of monsters, by all means."
The room laughed, tension breaking slightly.
[Outside the Castle – Strategy Time]
The Truck Survivors gathered in the courtyard.
Daichi (gathering everyone): "Alright, same team formation as before."
Team 1:
Daichi (Leader)
Aiko
Hiroshi
Rina
Sho
Yumi
Team 2:
Ms. Sato (Leader)
Usapyon
Kaoru
Naomi
Ken
Mari
Team 3:
Takeshi (Leader)
Nobu
Miki
Jun
Aya
Haru
Team 4 (Backup Squad):
Minami
Toru
Kana
Ren
Chika
Souta
Eri
Keita
Daichi: "We ride out tomorrow. Monster tide's huge. Stick together, protect the frontier towns."
Ms. Sato (nodding): "Priority's saving lives."
Takeshi (grinning): "And running over anything that gets in our way."
Jun: "You'd flatten half the forest too."
Aya: "Just don't crash into the demon lord by accident this time."
Everyone laughed.
Daichi (smiling): "We trained for this. Let's show Eldoria what Truck Survivors can do."
They all raised their fists.
Everyone: "TRUCK SURVIVORS!!"