The port of the Hizuru nation was lively and prosperous. Many cargo ships, yachts, longboats, and fishing vessels came and went, with numerous vendors enthusiastically hawking their goods at small stalls, alongside many richly dressed merchants and nobles.
The streets by the docks were even more bustling with traffic. Here, not only were there newly popular four-wheeled automobiles, but also luxuriously decorated carriages, and even rickshaws pulled by manpower.
The lively scene before his eyes made Yago, who had only just disembarked, feel a little unaccustomed. Having lived within the walls for so many years, used to seeing towering walls and brickwork, coming to the world outside the island now gave Yago a feeling that was both familiar and strange.
Memories of his childhood living in Marley surged up, and Yago simply took a deep breath to steady his emotions.
The noisy docks had already been cordoned off into an open area by a squad of brightly dressed armed soldiers, and the surrounding people of Hizuru did not seem surprised.
Indeed, as a resource-poor nation, Hizuru had long developed a set of sophisticated diplomatic methods. Frequent diplomatic visits were how Hizuru maintained its international standing and obtained resources.
In the eyes of the surrounding civilians, this was probably just another delegation from some country arriving.
...
At the same time, Hange threw herself against the car that Hizuru had sent to welcome them, her face squashed against the window glass until it was distorted, nearly scaring the driver inside to death.
"How amazing! A carriage that can run without horses! Amazing! I really want to learn!" Hange's eyes were shining, practically drooling against the glass.
The driver inside already had his hand on the door handle. He was terrified—how could there be a human with such a ferocious and strange expression?
Moblit felt everyone from the welcoming party staring at him, their burning gazes making the young man extremely embarrassed. He hurried over to pull Hange away.
"Squad Leader! Calm down! We still have a mission!"
At this moment, Azumabito Kiyomi also stepped forward, formally welcoming Hange and Moblit on behalf of the Hizuru nation as representatives of Paradis Island visiting Hizuru.
Only then did Hange sit in the car at Azumabito Kiyomi's invitation, though what troubled her was that the driver in front seemed to be trembling nonstop.
On the other side, Azumabito Kiyomi took a jingling coin pouch from one of her accompanying guards and handed it to Yago.
"These are internationally accepted gold coins. There are twenty in total, which should be enough for the two of you. Also to reach the Marleyan capital, you'll need to transfer trains," Azumabito Kiyomi explained carefully.
Yago thanked her politely. "Thank you for your help, Lady Kiyomi." He then left with Annie, boarding the car that would take them to the train station.
Watching the car depart from afar, Azumabito Kiyomi withdrew her gaze. She did not know Yago's objective, but that was not important to her. Ultimately, they were all cooperating with Zeke. As for the other party's true purpose, Azumabito Kiyomi did not care.
What Azumabito Kiyomi cared about was the Iceburst Stone unloaded from the giant ship. With those, she believed that all the families within the country who harbored dissent or ambition toward the Azumabito family would shut their mouths.
With that thought, Azumabito Kiyomi also got into a car, and the convoy left the docks, heading toward the capital of Hizuru.
...
Woo!!!
The train let out a whistle, signaling that it was about to depart.
Yago and Annie were seated in the front row of the third carriage. Annie leaned against the window, while Yago sat beside her. Their attire had also followed local custom, changed into the style of the world outside the island.
Yago wore a light-colored short trench coat and fitted long trousers, with a white shirt underneath. A black bowler hat rested on the table.
Annie wore a pale pink jacket and a brown long skirt. She had let down her bun, her blonde hair spilling beneath a small round hat, and she wore a pair of round-framed glasses.
The two of them looked just like an ordinary young couple who had just returned home after traveling in Hizuru.
Without armbands, who would know that Yago and Annie were Eldians?
Sitting across from them was an elderly woman. On the seat beside her was a basket covered with cloth, and under the table were quite a few bottles and jars, making both Yago and Annie feel their legs somewhat constrained.
As the train started moving, the scenery outside the window changed. The passing landscapes came into view. Annie leaned against the window, watching the scenery outside, while Yago drowsed off out of boredom.
At this time, the elderly woman across from them struck up a conversation. She held needle and thread in her hands, sewing something, and asked, "Children, where are you from?"
Yago was taken aback, not expecting someone to initiate conversation. After a moment, he hesitantly replied,
"We're heading back to the Marleyan capital."
"From the capital? Oh~ the capital is good. This old woman has never even been to the capital. I came to Hizuru to buy some medicinal wine for my old man. Sigh, the prices back home are more than twice as expensive as abroad," the elderly woman complained.
Yago did not know what to say and nodded vaguely.
"This young lady is your girlfriend, young man, right?"
"Huh?" When Annie heard herself being discussed, she turned her head. Her face flushed slightly at the old woman's words. Yago, however, was very straightforward. Smiling, he held Annie's hand and openly admitted it. "Yes, we're traveling together."
The elderly woman also smiled. "I could tell at a glance. You young people nowadays have it much better than we did back then. When I married my old man, we hadn't even met face to face—I married him just because of a sewing machine."
From there, the elderly woman told Yago and Annie some interesting stories from her youth. Many humorous tales made the two of them laugh continuously.
Their mood relaxed and became pleasantly light. Yago's hand holding Annie's shifted into interlaced fingers.
At this moment, several young Marleyans, clearly from Marley, passed through the carriage, noisily chattering. From their words alone, one could tell they were hot-headed young Marleyan nationalists.
They were heard saying, "Those Middle Eastern bearded guys are way too arrogant!"
"And those military commanders are all useless. An army of a hundred thousand got completely crushed by twenty thousand Middle Easterners!"
"That's not right. Out of those hundred thousand, ninety thousand were Eldians."
"So that's how it is! All those useless Eldians! Weak devil descendants, truly worthless!"
"Those trash really embarrass Marley!"
"Exactly! If it were all our elite Marleyan soldiers, it definitely wouldn't—"
The group grumbled angrily as they passed through the carriage.
Yago listened to their conversation with an amused expression. It seemed that not only the navy—Marley's army was also fighting poorly.
Moreover, having lost the Colossal Titan, the Female Titan, and the Jaw Titan—especially the Colossal Titan—this Marley had its sharpest claws and fangs pulled out.
"Marley..."