"Huh? You want to transfer from the Central Military Police Corps to our Survey Corps?"
Levi Ackerman wondered if this noble boy's head was filled with shit by the Female Titan for him to be talking such nonsense.
Erwin Smith said, "You should be aware of the special nature of the Central Military Police Corps, right? They don't allow Soldiers to quit whenever they want."
Lock seemed to have anticipated this question. He replied, "I've already asked my father to help pull my records."
"So, procedurally speaking, there's no issue."
Erwin looked at the young man and asked in a deep voice, "And your reason?"
Lock performed the military salute again and declared loudly:
"To witness humanity's victory!"
"Don't give me that crap," Levi said, not believing him for a second. He stared at Lock. "Tell us your real reason."
Lock lowered his hand from his chest and didn't answer immediately.
Levi squinted at Lock and said, "What's wrong? Can't make one up?"
Lock finally spoke up:
"I want to find out the reason why Annie Leonhart became a traitor to humanity!"
"Tch, as I thought, it's still about that woman."
After a long while, Erwin stood up, walked over to Lock, and extended his hand.
"Welcome to the team, Lock Leon."
Lock avoided the busy Soldiers and found Eren Yeager, Mikasa Ackerman, and Armin Arlert at this temporary military headquarters.
He greeted them with a smile:
"Yo, long time no see, you guys!"
"Lock? Why are you here?" Eren felt like he had asked the same question not too long ago.
Armin hesitated before asking,
"Lock, you're here to see... Annie, right?"
"She's already..."
Lock waved his hand.
"I know. I'll see her when I get the chance later."
He looked at everyone and smiled.
"Let me tell you something—the Commander has already agreed to let me join the Survey Corps. I'll be in your care from now on!"
Eren was incredibly surprised.
"Really? You're joining the Survey Corps, too?"
Lock replied,
"It's true. I've been temporarily assigned to your squad. If there are any orders from the superiors I don't understand, I'll have to count on you guys to teach me."
"No problem!" Eren agreed readily.
Armin looked at Lock and had some inkling of why he was joining the Survey Corps at this time, so he didn't try to dissuade him further.
Lock helped load everyone's Omni-Directional Mobility Gear onto the carriage.
Dusting off his hands, Lock said to Eren,
"But I was quite surprised to hear that you beat Annie, Eren. I didn't expect that girl to fall into your hands."
Eren didn't dare take all the credit.
"It was the result of everyone in the Survey Corps' hard work. I couldn't have beaten Annie on my own."
Lock suddenly asked in a low voice:
"In this mission... how many people did Annie kill?"
Armin replied,
"The Military Police Corps is still tallying the civilian casualties, but for the Survey Corps, there were twenty-four injured and... zero dead."
"Is that so? That's good news then."
"Yeah..."
Armin didn't voice the doubts in his heart...
Once the Soldiers had finished gathering, Levi and Hange Zoe finally arrived with Pastor Nick.
Hange had already heard about Lock joining the Survey Corps from Levi, so they weren't too surprised to see him.
They just smiled and waved.
"Yo, Mr. Lock! We meet again."
Lock also smiled and replied,
"Long time no see, Section Commander... Hange."
"You finally got it right. You really put me in a spot last time. That day after Miche Zacharius went back..."
Levi immediately interrupted,
"Hey! Save the small talk for later. We're heading out immediately."
"Oh, oh, oh, you're right. Nick, let's get in the carriage."
Once the three of them were seated opposite them, Armin asked,
"Why is a priest from the Wall Cult here?"
Hange put an arm around Nick and laughed.
"Nick is a good friend of mine. Don't worry about it. Besides, the composition of this squad is already a mess anyway."
Levi, sitting on Nick's other side, countered,
"No, there's a deeper meaning to this. After all, this was Erwin's arrangement."
Lock and Nick locked eyes, and Lock gave him a small smile and a nod.
Nick looked away with a strange expression.
The gates of Stohess slowly opened.
Erwin said to everyone,
"Since the situation at Wall Rose is unknown, our safe zone only extends to the Ehrmich District. We can only try to buy time there."
"Move out!"
Ten hours ago, in the inner district of southern Wall Rose, at the Leon Estate.
Buffon rushed onto the second-floor balcony with an anxious look on his face. At that moment, Ash was listening to his new wife tell funny stories about her cooking practice.
He stepped forward and interrupted,
"Master, something has happened!"
Ash asked,
"What is it?"
"The latest news from the Garrison Regiment is that Wall Rose has been breached. Titans have already entered!"
Ash comforted his wife, who had covered her mouth in shock, and said calmly,
"I understand. Keep the news under wraps within the estate for now. Lock the gates and have the guards stay alert. Just don't let anyone barge in."
Buffon asked in confusion,
"Master... are we not going to seek refuge in Wall Sina?"
Ash recalled what Lock had said before he left and waved his hand.
"No need. This is actually false information. There's no need to be too afraid."
On the carriage, Lock was dozing off, not listening to the conversation of the others beside him.
Normally, with a Titan's recovery power, he shouldn't be this sleepy—Eren, who was in high spirits beside him, was a prime example.
But Lock figured it was likely due to having transformed into Annie for so long; this ability seemed to consume a lot of physical energy.
Even with his superior stamina, it was still a bit much to handle, not to mention the other drains on his energy today.
Seeing that Lock had fallen asleep, the others thoughtfully lowered their voices.
"Tch, I bet this guy spent every day sleeping in the Central Military Police, too."
Seeing Lock like this, Levi couldn't help but mock him.
He turned to glance at Nick.
"However, Pastor Nick, you seem to know him? I noticed you've been stealing glances at him."
Nick lowered his head and remained silent.
Hange put an arm around Nick's shoulder and said,
"Don't say that, Levi. The Leon Family is an important sponsor of the Wall Cult, so it's only natural for Nick to know Mr. Lock, right, Nick?"
Nick still kept his mouth shut and didn't speak.
Someone at the front of the line shouted:
"We've reached the Ehrmich District!"
Lock stepped off the carriage, yawning as he followed behind the group.
Armin turned back and asked,
"Lock, I rarely see you looking this tired. Did you do something today?"
Lock said nonchalantly,
"I haven't been sleeping well lately because of the Annie situation. Once it was confirmed she was a Titan, I relaxed, which is why I'm so sleepy."
"Oh, no wonder."
Lock frowned, feeling like Armin's insight was a bit too keen.
Is he already starting to suspect me like this?
But then again, his setting is the peak of intelligence below the Survey Corps Commander.
It seems I'll have to be careful in the Survey Corps.
---
A/N: 40+ Advance Chapter Has Been Uploaded.
Support: patreon.com/Narrator_San