"All right, we're finished. You can go back and rest now." Gale let out a sigh of relief, looked at Armin, who was in charge of wages, and said, "Pay everyone their full day's wages."
As everyone lined up to receive their pay, Gale took the opportunity to add, "Tomorrow we'll explain how this water wheel works. I hope everyone can come and see it operating properly."
The workers, utterly exhausted, gradually dispersed.
Although their bodies were worn out, their eyes were no longer dull like stagnant water, but bright—filled with the vitality and hope they had long since lost.
"I can't believe it! This farming tool is incredible!"
"Thank you for all your hard work! I never imagined such an ingenious structure!"
"Even if this year's harvest is delayed, it's sure to be abundant!"
After everyone else had left, Gale asked Mikasa to stay with the children and guard the water wheel. Then he took Eren and Armin to find Hannes to explain something he needed to know.
"I don't know Hannes personally, so this time I'll rely on you two. We have to make sure he becomes our spokesperson. Otherwise, as children, it'll be impossible for us to promote the water wheel before spring ends." Gale needed the people's trust so they would understand the usefulness of his invention.
If this could be promoted throughout all the refugee camps, Gale was certain far fewer people would die of starvation.
This would save lives. Gale was sure this was a solid step toward what he was seeking.
"We need to use Hannes's influence—and all of his connections." Gale emphasized how important this step was in his plan.
"Leave it to us!" Armin patted Gale on the shoulder and said confidently. "We'll definitely convince Mr. Hannes to help us."
"That coward—if he doesn't dare to come, I'll beat him until he does!" Eren said angrily.
Eren would never forget the moment when his mother was trapped beneath the collapsed house during the Titan attack, and Hannes did nothing.
As a trained soldier, Hannes clearly had the chance to save her, but he was a coward. He lacked the courage to fight the Titans, and Eren could only watch helplessly as they devoured his mother.
Gale, who knew all this, placed a hand on Eren's shoulder and said, "Don't be so impulsive. We're asking Hannes for help, not picking a fight. You promised you'd help—if you fight him and he refuses to assist us, that'll be a serious problem."
"That's…"
"Let Armin handle it." Gale's cold words made Eren fall silent.
Eren's personality wasn't suited for negotiation. He was too hot-headed, aggressive, and prone to conflict.
Gale brought Eren along precisely because he wanted to make use of Hannes's guilt—but that also meant Eren needed to stay out of the negotiation itself.
"I know…" Eren grimaced and said, "I've been behaving these past few days. I won't cause trouble."
"Good. It seems you've matured." Gale smiled faintly and reminded him, "Keep this up, and soon you'll be a man people can trust."
…
The three of them found Hannes at the military camp outside the refugee settlement.
He was a blond man with short hair, wearing a garrison uniform, drinking alone in silence.
Hannes looked utterly disheveled, having neglected his personal hygiene for a long time. His beard was thick, his hair unkempt, and he reeked of alcohol and sweat.
"Mr. Hannes! Mr. Hannes!" Armin greeted him as soon as he saw him.
"Armin…" Hannes set the bottle aside and said drunkenly, "What's going on?"
Armin shook his head. "There's something we'd like you to see, Mr. Hannes."
"What? Alcohol?" Hannes yawned and asked curiously. "You want to drink too? No way, Armin—you're still a kid."
"Are you here to ask for money for expenses?" Hannes rummaged through his pocket and pulled out a handful of copper coins. "Take this and use it. If anyone dares to bully you, just tell them my name."
Seeing Hannes's expression, Eren clenched his fist subtly, but Gale stopped him in time and shook his head.
Not everyone has the courage to face Titans, so it was understandable that Hannes had run away.
It was also natural that he had fallen into this state after failing to save Eren's mother.
"It's not about your wine, Mr. Hannes," Armin said with a gentle smile. "You need to come with us and see it for yourself."
Hannes laughed foolishly. "Armin, why do I see two of you?"
His laughter stopped abruptly when he turned his head and saw Eren's stiff, severe expression—as if he'd seen something terrifying.
"You're completely free right now," Eren said coldly. "If you are, come with us."
Hannes fell silent, then looked at Gale—the black-haired boy with messy hair. He had never seen this child before, but he instinctively felt that Gale was anything but ordinary.
After hearing Gale's words, however, Hannes stood up with Armin's help.
…
At the refugee camp.
"So… what exactly are you going to show me?" Hannes had sobered up a little, wondering where Eren and Armin were taking him along with this new friend.
"You'll know when you see it," Eren said, tugging forcefully at his clothes.
From afar, Hannes spotted the rotating wooden wheel.
Eren led him to the water wheel, where Mikasa, wearing her scarf, stood beside it and greeted Hannes. But Hannes's attention was completely captured by the water wheel.
"What… is this? When was it built? Why wasn't I informed?"
"This is called a water wheel," Armin explained gently. "It's an agricultural tool completed today. It can rotate without human intervention and draw water to irrigate farmland."
"No—no, that's not what I meant, officer! Who's responsible for this? Where are the craftsmen? Was this government support?" Hannes looked utterly confused.
"The creator is standing right beside you," Armin said, pointing at Gale, who had remained silent.
"I'm responsible for the water wheel," Gale said, stepping forward.
"You?" Hannes frowned. "Kid, step aside. I'm talking about government officials! Is there some new policy? Why haven't we soldiers heard anything?"
"What Gale says is true," Armin said seriously. "He's the one who created this masterpiece. From the design and planning to hiring the workers, Gale did everything himself—without any help from the government."
After that, Armin added, "This is an agricultural tool built by carpenters we gathered from the settlement. In this world… it's probably the first of its kind at this level of engineering."
"Armin…" Hannes stared at him in disbelief. "Have you gone crazy too?"
"Idiot!" Eren punched Hannes in the stomach. "Being a coward is one thing, but are you stupid too?"
"Look carefully! This is an agricultural tool we built ourselves!"
…
After a long explanation, as dusk approached, Hannes finally believed that Gale and his group had created the water wheel and understood that Gale wanted him to act as their spokesperson.
"So you're the legendary genius?" Hannes looked Gale in the face and sat cross-legged on the ground. "This really is incredibly useful for farming. I get it. I'll help you. Tomorrow, all right? I'll announce to the residents that the water wheel is complete."
"Thank you for your help, Mr. Hannes," Gale said with a smile.
Hannes was a simple man, so there was no need to explain too much—this was one of his strengths.
Gale planned to work with him step by step.
He couldn't go too far with Hannes; his tiny brain wouldn't understand it.
All Gale needed was to make him understand that following his lead was the right choice and to earn his trust. That way, Hannes would become a partner.
Just as Gale thought, this man was emotional—someone who preferred charging into battle with his team rather than thinking things through.
As long as Hannes saw the usefulness of the water wheel, he would help. He wasn't bad by nature—just too weak to accomplish anything truly significant.
Still, everyone has their use. What Gale needed most right now was a spokesperson like Hannes. With him, the engineering project had taken another major step forward.
"Mr. Hannes, could you accompany us to the resettlement area and spread the word so the residents can gather by the river tomorrow morning?" Gale asked without wasting time.
"No problem," Hannes nodded, noticeably more sober. "Let's go."
Hannes quickly integrated into the group. He didn't dwell on how intricate the water wheel's structure was or how Gale and the others had obtained the money to build it.
All he thought about was that with this, wheat would sprout quickly—and by autumn, everyone would have enough to eat.