Ymir looked slightly surprised.
"I didn't expect you to still remember what happened three years ago."
Lock flashed his signature confident smile.
"I've always kept my word. Who doesn't know that?"
Ymir glanced at Historia beside her. After a moment's hesitation, she replied slowly, "I haven't decided yet. I'll tell you when I do."
Lock didn't press further.
"Alright. When the time comes, you can find me at my estate. It's big enough—you won't miss it. It's near… not far from Orvud District."
At the mention of Orvud District, Historia stiffened.
Isn't that in the northern interior?
Isn't his estate in the south?
Why lie?
She looked up at Lock.
He was already looking at her.
Something unreadable flickered in his blue eyes.
"Hey. Why are you staring at my Krista?" Ymir snapped, pulling Historia close. "We're done here. Get lost."
"Alright, alright."
Lock stood, smiling.
Then he paused.
"Oh, Ymir. Be careful tomorrow."
Ymir frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"Just some friendly advice."
He turned and left, thoroughly enjoying the pleasure of being cryptic.
…
Trost District. Early morning.
Residents had gathered along the main street near the gate.
"They're here! The main force of the Survey Corps!"
"Good luck!"
"Commander Erwin! Kill them all!"
"Look! That's Captain Levi!"
…
Lock had deliberately secured a seat on the second-floor balcony of an inn overlooking the street.
He observed.
"At the front—that's Commander Erwin. Behind him should be the section commanders."
"I recognize Hange… Mike… Levi…"
He squinted at Levi.
"He really is short."
Just then, Lock noticed a familiar face walking behind Hange.
He leaned over the balcony and shouted,
"Mr. Moblit! Good luck!"
The members of the Survey Corps, accustomed to hearing cheers for Erwin and Levi, were startled that someone recognized a section vice-commander.
Several turned to look.
Hange smirked at Moblit.
"Oh? Looks like you've got a fan among the cadets."
Moblit blinked, confused. Then he focused on Lock's blond hair.
Recognition dawned.
"Captain Hange! He's the Leon family's son I told you about."
A ripple passed through the formation.
"What? That old lion Ash's son?"
When Moblit had reported the transaction years ago, it had caused no small stir.
No one had expected the notoriously stingy Ash Leon to purchase their damaged equipment at a price increased by thirty percent—without bargaining.
Later, they discovered the negotiation had been handled by his thirteen-year-old son.
The name Lock Leon had been quietly labeled in their minds as "pure-hearted."
Levi cast a glance.
He clicked his tongue at the boy's height.
"Why would a noble's son join the cadets?"
Moblit hesitated.
"He seems to… genuinely admire the Survey Corps."
The formation erupted in laughter.
"Are you serious?"
"Moblit, have you lost your mind?"
…
Erwin, who had remained silent, remembered Moblit's earlier report.
He also recalled a title mentioned at a council meeting.
The Future Golden Lion.
Erwin turned slightly and met Lock's gaze.
He gave a faint nod.
Lock responded with his most practiced smile.
As the procession marched away, Lock lifted his eyes to the sun.
"Time's running out."
He stepped back into the room behind him.
On the bed lay a nearly four-meter-long black package.
Its shape was long and rigid.
The mattress sagged deeply beneath its weight.
Lock stared at it.
A manic curve tugged at the corners of his mouth.
…
On the final day before official assignment, the cadets were still required to perform labor for the Garrison Regiment.
Eren's group had been assigned to maintain the cannons along the wall.
But Lock—
Was not.
His name had been crossed off the list entirely.
Even the Garrison officer assigning tasks avoided eye contact while striking it out.
After dismissal, Lock leaned casually against a pillar and yawned under countless envious stares.
"Yo, Annie."
He smiled at her.
Annie turned and walked away as if she hadn't seen him.
"Hey?"
He caught her arm and leaned close.
"Going to tell me where you disappeared to last night?"
He felt her body tense.
She shook him off coldly and left without a word.
"How heartless."
Yet he was satisfied.
She still reacted.
That was enough.
He flexed his fingers, suppressing the restless itch building beneath his skin.
He looked up at the sun again.
Then muttered impatiently,
"Hurry up, Bertholdt. I'm getting tired of waiting."
…
Time passed.
A female logistics soldier from the Garrison Regiment walked along the corridor.
She stopped abruptly.
In the central courtyard—
A blond cadet was performing warm-up exercises alone.
Push-ups.
Slow. Steady.
Deliberate.
She stepped forward, preparing to scold the cadet for evading duty—
And then—
A blinding golden flash tore across the sky.
"BOOM!"
A thunderous explosion followed.
The ground shook violently from the direction of Trost's gate.
Epicenter depth—zero.
The woman's face drained of color.
She collapsed.
Screams erupted across the district.
"What was that?!"
"What's happening?!"
"Why is the ground shaking—?!"
Then someone screamed,
"It's the Colossal Titan!"
"It's just like five years ago—I was in Shiganshina! I remember—"
"It's him! It's the Colossal Titan!"
…
"197."
"198."
"199."
"200."
Lock completed the final push-up and rose smoothly.
He dusted off his hands.
He turned toward the fallen logistics soldier.
His smile was calm.
Measured.
"Madam."
"The war has begun."
---
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