On Wall Maria, Yago sat alone, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon.
With the help of the Marleyan volunteer soldiers, Paradis Island had its first contact with technology from beyond the island. Lynch, who was responsible for researching the Vertical Maneuvering Equipment, was especially inspired. Using a spring-manufacturing machine secretly transported aboard the Courage, Lynch finally succeeded in copying the military pistol used by Marleyan soldiers.
After further modifications, he increased the pistol's caliber and successfully integrated it into the Vertical Maneuvering Equipment. However, the Paradis Island council did not order immediate mass production of this weapon, because Yelena brought another piece of news.
Through Zeke's introduction, the Hizuru Nation from outside the island was willing to send a delegation to establish friendly relations with Paradis Island and was also willing to help Paradis Island develop its technology.
This news immediately drew the council's attention, and Prime Minister Zackly convened a meeting at once to discuss the matter.
Of course, the upper echelons of Paradis Island were not fools. They would never believe that Hizuru Nation would help Paradis Island for free. Sure enough, during the meeting, Yelena revealed Hizuru Nation's possible objective.
Iceburst stone—this mineral produced beneath Paradis Island, the source of gas for the Vertical Maneuvering Equipment—this was likely Hizuru Nation's true goal.
The ordinary Titans on the island had almost been completely eliminated over the past year. Now Paradis Island was busy repairing the northern port once built by the Marleyans.
That port had originally been constructed merely to facilitate Marley's exile of Eldians, so it was only a small harbor. Now that Paradis Island had to face the world, repairing the port was indispensable.
Hizuru Nation also sent word that once the port construction was completed, they would dispatch their delegation.
As Yago stared into the distance in a daze, the sound of footsteps came from behind him. Yago turned his head and saw Yelena, dressed in an all-black suit.
At this point, Yago couldn't help but complain about Yelena. Clearly a woman, yet she dressed more manly than men—an all-black suit, a short mushroom haircut. To put it this way, if Armin and Yelena stood together, Armin would look more feminine than Yelena.
But complaints aside, Yago didn't say it out loud.
Instead, Yelena asked first, "How long until the Founder's power is unsealed?"
Yago curled his lips. "Zeke told you to ask that, right?"
Yelena was straightforward and nodded.
"That's right. But you should understand too—things have developed beyond our expectations. Marley suddenly has another Titan that Porco Galliard can transform into, which has shocked the entire world."
Hearing this, Yago's heart sank. This was also something he had not anticipated. As for Porco's Titan, Yago already had a guess—most likely, Porco's Titan, like his own Fate Titan, both originated from the same person.
Yago had asked Yelena about the Louis family, but unfortunately, they didn't seem to know much about it either. They only knew it was an old Marleyan noble family, now apparently supported by the arms industry.
With matters of such importance, Yago grew increasingly eager to go to the Marley continent. The existence capable of creating intelligent Titans was simply too terrifying. Marley had dominated the world for centuries with the Nine Titans; if a few more Titans appeared, Yago didn't even dare imagine the consequences.
Yelena continued, "Porco's Titan is called the Claw Titan. According to Zeke's intelligence, the Claw Titan's abilities don't seem particularly strong. Aside from being relatively agile, its hands can use bone claws similar to hardening to perform projectile attacks of about two hundred meters.
"Other than that, it has no special abilities. That's why, although the Middle Easterners are wary of the appearance of a new Titan, they haven't stopped the war with Marley. The Middle Easterners seem to believe that Marley merely concealed the Jaw Titan, and that the Jaw Titan was never actually lost."
Yago smiled slightly and said, "What the Middle Easterners fear should only be the Colossal Titan, right? I dare say, even if all the other Titans were lost, as long as Marley still controls the Colossal Titan, the Middle Easterners would definitely not dare to start a war."
Yelena gave Yago a thoughtful look. "That makes sense. But you still haven't answered my question. When exactly will the Founder awaken?"
Yago let out a cold laugh. "Didn't I already tell Zeke? The Founder's power is sealed for three years. What, does Zeke not believe me? Then you can have Zeke come to Paradis Island right now and let him make contact with Eren to see whether I lied to him or not."
Seeing Yago get a bit agitated, Yelena waved her hand.
"No, no, don't misunderstand. Zeke trusts you very much. After all, only you know about the euthanasia plan. But Yago, have you considered the thoughts of those high-ranking officials on Paradis Island? I don't think they would agree to the euthanasia plan."
As Yelena said this, a trace of cold light flashed in her eyes.
Yago suddenly raised his head. He thought of the red wine from older Eren's memories and warned coldly, "Whether the upper echelons will agree to the euthanasia plan is another matter. This is an internal affair of Paradis Island. Since I'm cooperating with Zeke, I'll take responsibility for these matters. You'd better not interfere!"
"Understood. We naturally trust you," Yelena said with a smile, though whether her words were trustworthy was another matter.
Yago hadn't expected these Marleyan volunteers to behave honestly anyway. It seemed he would need to secretly remind Commander Erwin. Only someone as meticulous as the commander could prevent unexpected incidents.
"After the Hizuru Nation delegation arrives on the island, I'll need to borrow their ship to make a trip to Marley."
Yelena suddenly frowned and asked, "To Marley? For what purpose?"
Yago said, "That has nothing to do with you, does it?"
Yelena replied, "No. You're cooperating with Zeke. If something happens to you, our euthanasia plan will also be affected. So please think it through carefully."
Yago said, ".....Fine. My purpose is to bring back Annie Leonhart's father from the Liberio Internment Zone. Other than that, there's no other objective. Are you satisfied now?"
Hearing this, Yelena suddenly understood and looked at Yago in surprise, clicking her tongue.
"I didn't expect Yago to value loyalty and affection so much. In that case, we naturally won't interfere. Of course, please also pay attention to your safety. We also have volunteer personnel in Marley's capital—you can seek their help."
...
As the blazing midday sun rose, Yago also left Wall Maria.
Just after leaving the wall, Yago saw Annie Leonhart standing there with an unfriendly expression, arms crossed.
"Bastard Yago, actually staying on the wall with that manly woman for so long! What does that mean?!" This was Annie's inner monologue. She didn't say it out loud, only glaring at Yago with an extremely angry look.
But Yago was preoccupied with his thoughts and didn't notice Annie's unusual state at all. He walked straight past her, casually pinched her cheek, and said,
"What's Annie doing here? Have you eaten? If not, let's go eat something together. Eren asked me this afternoon to train his Titan hand-to-hand combat."
Talking to himself, Yago strolled away leisurely, leaving behind a stunned Annie.
He didn't see that I was angry?? Annie's expression immediately darkened. She looked at Yago's back and said in a low voice,
"Training Titan hand-to-hand combat, huh? Hehe." Her voice was as cold as a demon just returned from hell.
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
+100 chapters and support me on Patreon(.)com/Jixo