**Chapter 1: The Royal Summons**

The sun had barely set over the walls of the kingdom, casting a warm orange glow over the gathered officials as they made their way to the King's Palace. Levi Ackerman, Captain of the Special Operations Squad, walked alongside Erwin Smith, Commander of the Scout Regiment, and Hange Zoë, a passionate and eccentric member of the Scout Regiment. They were joined by other high-ranking officials, including Dot Pixis, the eccentric and somewhat unorthodox commander of the Scout Regiment's detachment in the eastern part of the wall. As they entered the grand throne room, the King himself sat on his throne, flanked by his advisors and guards. The air was thick with anticipation, and the officials exchanged nervous glances. They had all been summoned here for a reason, and it was clear that the King had something important to discuss. "Ah, thank you all for coming," the King said, his voice booming across the room. "Please, take a seat." Levi, Erwin, and Hange, along with the others, made their way to the designated seating area. Hange, ever the enthusiast, looked like a child on Christmas morning, bouncing up and down in their seat with excitement. Once everyone was seated, the King cleared his throat and began to speak. "As you all know, the situation with the Titans is... precarious, to say the least. We've had reports of increased activity outside the walls, and I'm sure you're all aware of the recent losses we've suffered." The officials nodded in agreement, their faces somber. Hange, however, looked like they were about to burst with excitement, their eyes shining with an almost manic intensity. The King continued, "I've called you all here today because I believe it's time for a change in our strategy. We've been relying on the same tactics for years now, and while they've kept us safe, I fear it's time for us to take a more... proactive approach." Erwin raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the King's words. Levi remained stoic, his eyes fixed on the King as he waited for him to continue. Hange, on the other hand, couldn't contain themselves. "Ooh, ooh! I know! I know! Are we going to talk about the new anti-Titan tactics? I've been working on some new ideas, Your Majesty!" They bounced up and down in their seat, barely able to contain their enthusiasm. The King smiled, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Ah, Hange, always eager to share your thoughts. Yes, we'll be discussing some new strategies, but I think it's best if we start with the basics. Erwin, would you mind summarizing the current state of our research on the Titans?" Erwin nodded, his expression serious. "Of course, Your Majesty. As you know, we've been studying their behavior, trying to understand what drives them to attack. We've made some progress, but there's still much to be learned." The King nodded, his eyes scanning the room. "Excellent. I think it's time we took a closer look at our tactics and see if there's a way to... improve them." As the King paused, Levi's gaze narrowed, his mind already racing with the possibilities. What could the King possibly have in mind? And what did it have to do with them? The room was filled with anticipation, and Hange's excitement was palpable. They leaned forward, their eyes fixed on the King, eager to hear what he had in store for them.