Lock walked out of Pixis's office, covering his mouth.
He had truly gritted his teeth to finish that glass of wine.
The earthy stench was so strong it nearly brought tears to his eyes.
He finally understood why the wine from his own family, though ordinary, was so famous.
It was truly thanks to the comparison with his peers.
Lock could tell that Pixis, that old fox, simply enjoyed teasing young people.
He wiped the corners of his mouth clean and headed toward the area where the Military Police Corps was located.
There, Lock saw the carriage he had sat in last night; Levi and that Wall Cult Priest, Nick, were still sitting inside.
The surrounding Military Police Officers were also preparing for departure, but compared to the composure of the Survey Corps, this group that had just arrived at the front lines from the Capital was clearly more nervous and anxious.
Levi watched their unsightly behavior and mocked them mercilessly, "Didn't you say earlier that you really wanted to see Titans? Why are you all shaking now?"
"Don't worry, the Titans won't mind the shit and piss in your pants when they're eating you."
Lock smiled as he walked up to Levi and said, "Captain, isn't that a bit too hurtful?"
Levi glanced at Lock and replied, "These former colleagues of yours have thick skin; they won't care about a little teasing from me."
"As for you, so it turns out you were the one who brought the news. What? Were you also scared out of your wits by the Titans and found a chance to run back?"
Lock seemed used to Levi's sarcasm. He spread his hands helplessly and said, "Captain, I didn't run. I stabbed through their hearts and necks before those two could transform, but I didn't expect them to act as if nothing happened."
Levi frowned upon hearing this. He didn't think Lock would lie about such a thing.
The power of Titans was still too foreign to those within the walls.
Seeing Levi remain silent, Lock said with regret, "If only you were there, Captain, you surely could have killed those two greatest enemies of humanity."
Levi couldn't tell if the kid was complimenting or mocking him; he guessed it was probably both.
He squinted and said, "That's all thanks to your Titan girlfriend. Now I can only sit here and trade barbs with you."
"My bad, my bad."
Lock felt that talking to the Captain was much easier—everything was out in the open, a fair exchange.
"Hmm?" At that moment, Lock suddenly saw a familiar face.
He excused himself to Levi and followed the person from a distance into a deserted alleyway.
The person in the alley was wearing a Military Police uniform, but Lock recognized him as a member of Kenny's Anti-Personnel Vertical Maneuvering Squad.
"Todd, do you have business with me?"
The man named Todd was somewhat dissatisfied with Lock's lack of professionalism. He glanced behind Lock and lowered his voice, "The Captain told me to ask you when you plan to make your move. He needs an accurate time and location."
Lock clicked his tongue. That guy Kenny really wouldn't waste a single moment.
He had only told him in a letter last night that he was going undercover in the Survey Corps, and Kenny had sent someone to ask for details overnight.
He crossed his arms and said impatiently, "What's the rush? I'll notify the Captain when the time comes."
Todd, who was already fuming at being a temporary errand boy, was even more infuriated by Lock's attitude.
He stepped forward and grabbed Lock's collar, but couldn't budge him. He roared, "Recruit, you seem to lack manners. Who taught you to speak to your superior like this?"
Slap!
In an instant, before Todd could even see Lock move, he felt a sharp pain in his right cheek. His head went dizzy, and he fell to the ground.
"Todd, your wings have grown strong since joining the Military Police. Have you really forgotten the rules your family taught you? How dare you speak to your young master like that?"
Todd looked up, pointing at Lock in disbelief. His lips trembled as he was about to say something, but he suddenly saw someone standing at the entrance of the alley.
He reacted immediately, lowering his hand and falling silent.
Lock turned and smiled at Levi, "Captain, why did you follow me?"
Levi didn't look at Todd, who was still on the ground, but stared at Lock. "We're preparing to depart. What are you doing hiding here?"
Lock pointed behind him and said casually, "Ran into an acquaintance, just catching up."
He followed Levi out of the alley.
Using his hearing, Lock had known of Levi's approach in advance, so he was certain the other man hadn't heard anything he shouldn't have.
Levi glanced back at the alley and said, "Beating up a Military Police Officer? You've got quite the nerve, kid."
Lock smiled disdainfully, "Just a family servant. If it weren't for my father's sponsorship back then, this guy's corpse would have been rotting and stinking in the Underground City long ago."
"Now that he's in the Military Police, he dares to raise his voice at me. Truly knows no respect."
This was half-truth and half-lie. Todd was indeed from the Capital Underground City, but he had reached the surface through his own strength, without relying on anyone's help.
"That shitty attitude of not treating people like humans really suits your noble status."
Despite saying this, Levi didn't seem particularly angry.
He had seen plenty of this since he was a child, and he wouldn't feel sympathy for Todd just because they both came from the Underground City.
Hearing Levi call him a shitty noble, Lock didn't get angry at all. "My father always lectured me at home for being too kind to the servants, saying it would only lead to unrest in the household."
"He told me I should scold them when they need scolding and beat them when they need beating."
"At first, I didn't understand, but later I found it made quite a bit of sense."
Levi glanced behind him and mocked, "But the guy you just lectured seems quite resentful. He might be planning how to fill your head with shit."
Hearing this, Lock turned back and shouted, "Todd!"
Todd, who was just about to leave the alley, covered his face and asked, "What is it?"
"You haven't said thank you yet."
Todd's face flushed red, but seeing Levi also watching him, he had to say honestly, "Tha... thank you, Young Master. Your lesson was well-deserved!"
Lock tilted his head and smiled at Levi, "How could someone like that have the guts?"
...The troops finished assembling, and supplies, personnel, and horses were all transported onto the wall.
Under Erwin's leadership, the entire support force began to advance toward their destination along the fifty-meter-high wall.
Even under these conditions, the entire team remained orderly, and their pace was not slow.
Lock marveled at this, gaining a deeper understanding of the Survey Corps' strength.
Jean, walking alongside him, handed Lock a pack of field rations. "Eat something. You're the strongest one on our side besides Mikasa; don't collapse from exhaustion."
"Thanks," Lock took it with a smile.
Jean hesitated for a moment before saying, "Hey, Lock."
"What's up?" Lock asked curiously while chewing on the dry rations.
"You really did join the Survey Corps because of Annie, didn't you?"
"I suppose so," Lock replied with a casual expression.
"Then, if we manage to get her out of that crystal later, what... what will you do?"
Lock chuckled softly, "What, are you afraid I'll protect the culprit who killed Marco?"
Seeing Jean remain silent, Lock said, "Don't worry, I'm a Soldier. I only follow orders."
"That's not what I meant!"
"Hmm?"
Jean said word by word, "Though I don't know the reason, those three must have had their reasons."
"Lock, the way they acted before couldn't have all been an act!"
"And Annie's feelings for you couldn't have all been an act either!"
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A/N: 40+ Advance Chapter Has Been Uploaded.
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