Upon confirming that the Iceburst Stone was indeed produced on Paradis Island, and that the island possessed an enormous reserve of it, Azumabito Kiyomi's eyes seemed to light up.
With the guarantee of Iceburst Stone, it would be enough for the nation of Hizuru to fully support Paradis Island—but Hizuru still had conditions.
"Hizuru wants exclusive cooperation? Lady Kiyomi, what exactly do you mean?" Pixis frowned and asked.
Azumabito Kiyomi nodded and said, "It means that from now on, all Iceburst Stone resources of your island will be supplied only to our nation of Hizuru. In return, Hizuru will dispatch our top scientists to help your island develop technology and enhance your military strength."
Prime Minister Zackly stroked the beard on his chin and looked at Azumabito Kiyomi.
"Does this count as exclusive monopoly? Lady Kiyomi, you should know that under the laws our parliament has just enacted, merchants who attempt monopolies will be sentenced to hanging."
Azumabito Kiyomi remained calm.
"Prime Minister, are you not clear about the situation in the world outside the island? Although Marley and the Middle Easterners are currently at war, either side harbors deep hostility toward the Eldians. If they were to learn about the precious Iceburst Stone resources on Paradis Island, then by that time…"
Azumabito Kiyomi did not continue, but everyone understood the implication. The technological power of the nations beyond the island far exceeded that of Paradis Island. Facing a resource-rich yet weak Paradis Island, those nations would hardly have benevolent intentions.
Erwin raised his head and said, "So there are also people within Hizuru who are willing to help Paradis Island?"
Azumabito Kiyomi looked somewhat surprised. She hadn't expected this Paradis officer's question to be so deft. Thus, she answered frankly,
"Not entirely. Even within Hizuru, there are divisions of opinion. However, many families led by the Azumabito family support your island. That said, there are also opponents within the country. Therefore, we need support from your island so that both sides can achieve a win-win outcome."
Her words were straightforward. Paradis Island needed help, and the Azumabito family likewise needed Iceburst Stone resources to stabilize their position at home.
Erwin walked over to Prime Minister Zackly. After a brief, quiet discussion, he gave the response on behalf of Paradis Island.
"In the future, Paradis Island is willing to provide Iceburst Stone resources to countries that maintain peaceful and friendly cooperative relations with Paradis Island."
The statement was not absolute, but everyone present understood that, at present, the only country in the world willing to engage in friendly cooperation with Paradis Island was likely Hizuru.
With mutual agreement reached, the subsequent discussion became very relaxed and pleasant. However, this was a high-level political meeting. Seated on the throne, Historia, and on the other side, Yago and Eren, were all in a state of zoning out and idling.
After settling some detailed matters, Azumabito Kiyomi brought up another purpose of her visit.
Soon, a bewildered Mikasa was brought into the conference room.
Yago looked teasingly toward Eren, while Eren was stared at with a completely baffled expression.
When Azumabito Kiyomi saw Mikasa, she was so shocked that she covered her mouth.
After Mikasa groggily saluted the high-ranking officials, she saw a strange woman suddenly rush toward her. Ackerman's extraordinary reflexes made Mikasa swiftly dodge Azumabito Kiyomi.
Azumabito Kiyomi was not embarrassed. With tears in her eyes, she said,
"So alike… too alike… " As she spoke, she took out from a box held by a bodyguard behind her a neatly folded black cloak, emblazoned with a large emblem of three interwoven samurai swords.
When Mikasa saw that emblem, her breathing instantly became unsteady. That symbol—her mother had once left it behind.
"Miss, have you seen this clan crest?" Azumabito Kiyomi asked with hopeful anticipation.
Mikasa hesitated, but Eren recognized it first and pointed at the crest.
"Mikasa, isn't that the mark on your wrist? You even showed it to me before."
As soon as those words were spoken, the room fell into silence. Azumabito Kiyomi stared at Eren in astonishment. He had seen that mark? Did he understand what it meant?
Mikasa's face flushed slightly, but her left hand was already pressing down on the bandages wrapped around her right wrist.
Eren looked at Mikasa's shy manner and said, "Mikasa, what's wrong? Isn't this mark the same as the one on your hand? Open it up and compare. Didn't you say your mother left it for you?"
Yago couldn't help but secretly stomp on Eren's foot, then directly pulled him aside, while signaling with his eyes to the other men present. They all made space for Mikasa.
Only then did Mikasa finally let out a sigh of relief and untie the bandages around her wrist.
Ignoring Azumabito Kiyomi's gasp behind them, Yago looked at Eren's resentful face and, without ceremony, knocked him on the head again.
As he grew older, Eren was starting to look more and more like older Eren, except his face lacked the latter's decadence, gloom, and despair.
As someone who had seen the future and bore the burden of the Fate Titan, Yago carried no light responsibility. Out of displeasure at having inherited the burden from older Eren, Yago could only vent his frustration on the current Eren. Of course, although Yago had voluntarily taken on the burden, it didn't stop him from venting.
Naturally, the knocked Eren was extremely dissatisfied. He grabbed Yago by the collar and said in a low voice,
"Yago! That's enough! Have you been eating gunpowder lately? Why are you always picking on me? You're even worse than that damn horse face!"
Yago looked at Eren's furious expression and grinned wickedly.
"What, Eren? Not convinced? Fine. If you've got the guts, beat me up to vent your anger. If you don't beat me, I'll beat you to vent mine."
Eren ground his teeth. "Tch!" Though furious, he really couldn't beat Yago—whether in human form or Titan form.
In human form, Yago's combat skills, combining the techniques of Annie and Mikasa and other Ackerman techniques, meant he could easily handle ten Erens. In Titan form, the Fate Titan's agility and bone claws that could shred hardened material like mud left the Attack Titan far behind.
Eren's helpless rage instantly brought Yago a sense of satisfaction. Still, Yago reminded him,
"Eren, when you get the chance, go ask Lady Azumabito Kiyomi what it means for Mikasa to show her family crest to a man."
Eren froze. "Huh? What does it mean?"
Yago shrugged. "Want to know? Go ask yourself."
Eren turned his head and looked at Mikasa, who was lowering her head, confusion on his face.
On the other side, Mikasa wasn't particularly fond of Azumabito Kiyomi. Although the woman looked sincerely tearful, Mikasa wasn't some naive, innocent girl. After learning the details from Historia, Mikasa immediately lost any goodwill toward Azumabito Kiyomi's group.
These people were probably just exploiting her so-called status as the Shogun's orphan.
Thus, Mikasa flatly refused their request to escort her back to Hizuru. Paradis Island was her home. The island held the people she cared about most. Mikasa looked toward Eren. Eren seemed to sense her gaze, and their eyes met, only to quickly turn away. Who knew what each of them was thinking.
Yago walked to the conference room window and looked at the scenery outside, only to unexpectedly see a sight that made the corner of his mouth curl upward.
A certain blonde girl wearing Vertical Maneuvering Equipment sat on a nearby rooftop, holding a dessert someone had given her, seemingly waiting for someone.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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