Seven days later, at the Royal Capital Presidential Palace.
The highest levels within the walls held a secret meeting here.
All Capital City Councilors, including Kenny Ackerman, attended the meeting.
And sitting in the seat of honor was none other than Rod Reiss.
He said in a low voice, "I apologize for keeping this from you for so long."
Except for Kenny, the others were still in shock. Rod continued, "The urgent priority is to bring back Eren and my daughter as soon as possible."
A councilor realized, "No wonder you requested the Military Police Corps to secure Eren's custody last time."
Kenny looked at these useless fools who couldn't squeeze out a word for ages and spoke up, "Listen, gentlemen, you were called here to find a way for the King. Don't waste time, alright?"
The representative for the Wall Cult councilors was the first to speak: "We currently have no way to bypass The Corps and directly order them to hand over the vessel."
The representative of The Corps also gritted his teeth and said, "Zackary won't follow our orders unconditionally now. Relying on his military prestige, that man doesn't show us any respect at all."
The noble representative, Olivier (Zackary's "artwork"), glanced at the silent Rod and said, "Regarding Zackary, we need an excuse."
He looked at Kenny and asked, "How long until the Survey Corps' next expedition outside the walls?"
Kenny replied nonchalantly, "Soon. Less than two weeks."
Olivier nodded. "The failure and loss rates of the Survey Corps' expeditions are very high. Next time, we can actively publicize that they suffered a shameful defeat, causing them to lose public support. Zackary would then have no reason to deliberately oppose us for the sake of the Survey Corps."
"Exactly! During the last inquiry, it was clearly stated that if that vessel didn't prove useful, he would have to be returned."
"We can even demand the direct dissolution of the Survey Corps. Then, Lord Reiss's daughter can also return."
...After hearing everyone's proposals, Rod slowly stood up. "Then let it be so. I'll be counting on you all when the time comes."
Everyone stood and bowed simultaneously...
"Captain, you look quite pleased."
Traute Caven followed beside Kenny as they left the Presidential Palace.
"Is it that obvious?"
Kenny rubbed his chin and smiled. "Soon I'll get to see the results of your training from these past few years. Don't disappoint me."
Traute said with some surprise, "Has it already reached this stage?"
Kenny watched as Rod boarded his carriage. "Yes, and my dream is about to be realized as well."
He turned to Traute. "How is the Leon boy's training coming along? He is a very important piece in our plan."
"He's a genius. It only took him one day to master the new equipment, and his assessment score the day before yesterday was nearly perfect."
Thinking of what she had seen these past few days, even Traute couldn't help but marvel.
"So this is the future golden lion?" Kenny said with excitement. "I'm really looking forward to seeing him face off against his own classmates."
"Where is he now?"
Traute replied, "He's out on a pruning mission."
...All branches and wings that extend beyond the walls must be pruned.
Any restless elements that could threaten the King's rule must be eliminated.
History teachers who like to investigate, coupled with a passion for flight, craftsmen who improve firearms, all fall within this scope.
This sort of thing has always been the work of the Central Military Police Corps. As a member of Kenny's squad, Lock generally doesn't need to participate personally.
However, after seeing the list this time, Lock took the initiative and offered to handle one of the cases himself.
Traute agreed...
"Sir, we've arrived."
Lock stepped off the carriage and looked at the gate before him. The young people coming and going were all from wealthy families in the Royal Capital, receiving the finest education within the walls.
"Einrich University."
Lock's mission target for today was here.
"Come to think of it, if I hadn't chosen the military, I would probably be studying here right now."
Lock gave a self-deprecating smile, showed his credentials to the guard, and walked into the university.
To avoid drawing attention, Lock didn't wear his Corps uniform, nor did he wear the squad-exclusive black trench coat Traute had issued him.
He was still wearing that same suit.
Once inside the campus, Lock didn't look for his target immediately. Instead, he started wandering around the school.
As expected of the only institution of higher learning in the Royal Capital, it was impressive everywhere.
It wasn't much inferior to the universities in the world before his Transmigration.
Lock first visited the library to browse the collection, then went to the school's memorial hall to look at the university's history and its distinguished graduates.
There, Lock found Lucy's parents.
The school had erected commemorative bronze statues specifically for this couple, who had made outstanding contributions to humanity.
In a nearby glass display case, many thank-you letters from high-ranking military officials and special military medals of honor were also on exhibit.
Zackary, Pixis, Keith, Erwin... Just as Lock was carefully reading the contents of these letters, a surprised voice came from behind him.
"Mr. Lock?"
Lock turned around and saw his target—Lucy Windsor.
He greeted her with a smile, "Long time no see."
..."Lucy Windsor, a student at Einrich University. It was her mentor who reported her."
"The paper she's about to publish on Titan research exceeds our internal regulations."
"While she isn't very dangerous at the moment, considering her parents were once extremely dangerous targets, we've decided to deal with this student ahead of time."
Snapping out of his memories, Lock followed Lucy to a famous tree-lined path on the campus.
Taking in the faint fragrance of flowers in the air, Lock asked softly, "No classes today?"
Lucy said a bit nervously, "My professor gave me a few days off to revise my thesis."
At the mention of her thesis, she pursed her lips, looking dissatisfied. "He has a lot of issues with the topic I chose and refuses to let me pass."
Lock asked with a smile, "So, did you change it?"
Lucy shook her head. "I'm planning to apply for a different professor."
She turned to look Lock in the eye. "Mr. Lock, do you think I'm wrong?"
Lock quietly locked eyes with the strong girl. There was no one else around, and he could even hear her heartbeat quickening.
Before long, Lucy lowered her head shyly.
Lock finally spoke. "Your professor is doing it for your own good. He knows very well that this paper will bring you harm."
Hearing Lock's words, Lucy was deeply confused. "Why? Isn't uncovering the secret of the Titans the dream of all humanity?"
Lock countered, "Aren't you curious why no one before you has ever left behind a theory similar to yours?"
"That's because humans turning into Titans has never happened before!"
When it came to her field of study, Lucy possessed absolute confidence and a certain level of obsession.
Even the person she liked wasn't allowed to question her on this.
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