Memories became muddled at this moment.
Lock shifted between Lock Leon's perspective and Annie Leonhart's perspective.
The shifts became increasingly frequent, but Lock felt no discomfort or confusion because the distance between the two was closing.
Both had approached each other with impure motives, yet over time, they were drawn to each other's unique temperaments; genuine feelings began to mingle with the pretense.
Ultimately, these two lonely souls merged completely into one.
The memory froze at this moment... a massive white mist filled the dim, empty cellar.
The source of this mist was the Titan that had already collapsed.
A human body slowly rose from the Titan's nape, the muscle tissue connecting it snapping layer by layer.
The man was shirtless, kneeling behind the Titan's neck.
He clutched his shoulders with his left hand and his waist with his right, hugging himself tightly.
His face was full of sorrow, tears flowing from his tightly closed eyes.
Through the hazy mist came the man's affectionate call:
"Annie..."
The next second, a woman's response came from the mist:
"Lock..."
...Lock walked out of the cellar and found Buffon standing at the door.
He took his clothes from the other man and heard Buffon say, "The master is waiting for you in the study."
Lock remained silent for a moment before replying, "I understand."
After getting dressed, Lock went to the study to see his father.
Buffon did not enter; he closed the door for them, as he was not qualified to participate in the upcoming conversation between father and son.
Ash sat in his chair, watching Lock walk in. After looking him up and down, he spoke calmly:
"It looks like you've succeeded."
Lock stood where he was and smiled.
"Yes, Father."
There was no joy on Ash's face; he sighed.
"I hope everything you said is true. I won't have the face to see Uri after I die."
Lock asked, "He's the reason you were able to become a councilman, isn't he?"
Ash looked reminiscent and said slowly,
"Yes, he is also the person I, your father, admire the most."
"When he was in power, it was also the most peaceful and prosperous time within the Walls."
"He said he wanted to turn the inside of the Walls into a paradise for humanity and personally pleaded with me to help him."
"He never looked at origin or bloodline. He not only pardoned the Ackerman clan, whom generations of Kings had hunted and exterminated, but also became friends with one of the murderers."
"It was then that I, your father, was forcibly promoted to the position of councilman by him, despite the opposition of other councilors."
Lock listened quietly to his father's memories.
"Unfortunately..."
A look of sadness flashed across Ash's face.
"He died too early. He told me it was the price of becoming King and asked me to continue assisting his niece and protecting this paradise."
Lock whispered, "And then... the Wall was breached."
"Yes, the doomsday he spoke of arrived after all."
Ash smiled bitterly.
"I didn't believe in any talk of doomsday at first, but I didn't expect it to come true so soon after his death."
Lock asked, "Since you respected him so much, why did you leave the council in the first place?"
Ash was silent for a long time before saying,
"Rod is a very suspicious person; in this regard, he cannot compare to his younger brother."
"Especially after his whole family was killed and the King was stolen, he never trusted anyone again."
"How did you find out about that back then?"
The corner of Ash's mouth curled mockingly.
"Because after it happened, I was the first person he sought out. He asked me to remember Uri's kindness, help him suppress what happened that day, and keep the secret for him."
"I agreed."
"Later, I fell ill, and he advised me to return home to recuperate."
"I agreed to that as well and surrendered all the power Uri had given me."
Watching his father's casual narration, Lock could imagine how much darkness and infighting were hidden behind those two "agreements."
"My business is settled. Now it's your turn."
Ash looked at his son.
Lock smiled and raised an eyebrow.
"What do you want to know?"
"What makes you think the Royal Government is bound to lose?"
"Because Rod's daughter will side with the military."
"Then why do you want to be a councilman?"
"It was just a pretext for going undercover."
"Where did that Titan come from?"
"From the hell that triggers the doomsday."
...Ash asked many questions, and Lock answered them all quite honestly.
Finally, Ash suddenly asked,
"When do you plan to start a family?"
Lock paused for a moment and said calmly,
"When the dust has settled."
"Will I live to see that day?"
Lock said sincerely,
"I hope you will try your best, Father."
"You little brat..."
...The next day, Lock bid his father farewell and left for the Royal Capital.
After cheering up the old man, Kenn,y with a few bottles of good wine, Lock returned to the Stohess District.
The Survey Corps would arrive tomorrow; he needed to make some preparations in advance.
As expected, he met Hitch waiting for him at the entrance of his agency.
Lock greeted her with a smile:
"Yo, Hitch! Do you have another case for me? I'm going to charge you this time."
Hitch stared at Lock and asked,
"Where did Annie go?"
Lock looked puzzled.
"Wasn't she patrolling with you today?"
Hitch looked at Lock suspiciously and asked,
"She hasn't looked for you these past two days?"
Lock spread his hands.
"I've been home for the last two days and just got back today. How could I have seen her?"
"Then where could she have gone? That girl has always followed Military Police regulations strictly; she would never skip work for no reason."
Seeing Hitch's somewhat worried expression, Lock comforted her.
"Don't worry. Annie is sensible and capable. Nothing will happen to her."
"Maybe she'll be back soon."
Hitch left, half-convinced.
Lock glanced at several figures disguised as civilians at the street corner, guessing they were members of the Survey Corps.
It seemed the Survey Corps had also noticed Annie's disappearance and was secretly searching for clues about her.
Naturally, he was now also an object of their attention.
Commander Erwin, you must be quite anxious right now...
Lock took down the sign on the door that said Owner Away on Business and walked inside...
In the afternoon, a distracted Hitch finished her patrol for the day amidst bickering with Marlo.
When they returned to the Military Police branch, Hitch saw a familiar figure at the door.
"Annie!"
Lock, dressed in a Military Police uniform, turned around to see Hitch running over and said with surprise,
"Oh, Hitch."
Seeing that Annie still had that same familiar stoic face, Hitch felt relieved and asked,
"Did you just get back?"
Lock replied flatly,
"Yeah, I just found out from the superior officer that you helped me request two extra days off."
"Thanks, Hitch."
Hearing Annie say thanks, Hitch narrowed her beautiful fox-like eyes and said with a smile,
"Eh~ Then this time you owe me a favor!"
"Tell me, Hitch, what do you want me to do?"
"I'll save it for later; I'll tell you once I've thought of something."
"Just don't make it too unreasonable."
"Heehee."
...In the corner of the street, Hange withdrew their gaze and said to Moblit,
"Report to Erwin. The target has appeared."
After Moblit walked away, Hange's brow remained deeply furrowed.
"Nothing was found at any of the entrances or exits of Stohess. Have you been here the whole time these past two days?"
"Then why are you only returning to the Military Police now?"
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