Arriving at that grocery store once again, Yago steadied his emotions before slowly walking in. Pushing open the wooden door, the familiar crisp jingle of the bell rang out.
Just like last time, the blond young man Wick was still lounging leisurely in his chair. But the moment he saw Yago, his face lit up with excitement and he hurried over.
"Norman, I've already found out about the person you asked me to investigate last time." The name Yago had left with Wick previously was Norman.
Seeing the pride all over Wick's face and the obvious "praise me quickly" expression, Yago felt a bit helpless. This guy was older than him, yet why did he feel like a child?
With no other choice, Yago awkwardly praised Wick for a while, roughly meaning that Wick was amazing, a pillar of the Volunteers, Yelena's most favored member, and so on.
Although it sounded perfunctory, Wick laughed gleefully, especially at the last sentence—Yelena's most favored Volunteer member. Wick greatly admired the domineering Yelena in daily life, so Yago's words truly struck his heart.
Of course, Yago didn't forget the main matter and pressed Wick about the results of the investigation.
When it came to business, Wick finally became serious. He took out several sheets of paper from beneath the counter. On the first sheet was a large abbreviated logo of the Louis Arms Company.
Wick handed the paper to Yago. After taking it, Yago examined it carefully. Gradually, his brows began to knit tightly.
Wick explained from the side, "Ebson Louis—this guy's background is no small matter. His Louis family was originally an old noble house. Now his status is even more astonishing. He's the one secretly controlling the Louis Arms Company."
After a pause, Wick continued, "The Louis Arms Company is a terrifying giant. More than half of Marley's arms companies have been swallowed up by it. Only a few with military backing are barely hanging on. Oh right, I also heard…" As he spoke, Wick leaned closer.
In a lowered voice, he said, "I heard they had a hand in this war between Marley and the Middle Eastern Union as well. Those Middle Easterners have quite a lot of advanced weapons in their hands. That's why Marley has been losing so badly in these battles. Those Eldians still holding old-style rifles are no match at all."
Yago put down the information Wick had gathered, feeling confused and uneasy. In his memory, Ebson was a mad scientist. How had he gotten involved with arms dealing? And even produced so many advanced weapons? It could be said that half of Marley's defeat in this war was due to inferior equipment.
Yago looked at Wick and continued asking, "So, have you found out where this Ebson is?"
Wick whistled and handed Yago a slip of paper.
"Of course. When I, Wick, handle things you can rest assured. Here—this is that guy's manor. So what? Is the organization planning to assassinate this Ebson? Do you need help? I know quite a few skilled people."
"No need. Thank you. See you next time." Yago said goodbye to Wick directly. After leaving the grocery store, he hailed a carriage and headed straight for the address written on the slip.
As the carriage advanced, Yago quietly clenched his fists. It had to be said—this was actually very risky. Because Zeke's intelligence had said that Porco had become the new Titan, and there was also the white Titan seen at the front of the Marleyan fleet that day at sea.
Yago concluded that all of this must be connected to Ebson. He might truly have mastered artificial Titan technology. The consequences of that would be terrifying. If intelligent Titans could be mass-produced, then whether for Paradis Island, the entire world, or all of humanity, it would not be a good thing.
Therefore, going to investigate carried enormous risk. Yago didn't even know whether there might be hidden artificial Titans within the Louis Manor. If there really were, then he would be in great danger.
This was also what Annie had warned him about before he left—do not approach Ebson. Clever Annie, after learning from Yago the secret of turning into a Titan, had already guessed how dangerous Doctor Ebson was.
But at a time like this, if he didn't find out the truth, Yago would absolutely not be able to rest at ease.
…
Teoxila Fortress—this was a massive stronghold blocking the Marleyan army's path forward. Unlike the smaller fortresses in previous battles, the Middle Easterners had stationed a full twenty thousand troops here along with countless artillery pieces. In the coastal port, a small fleet also provided naval gunfire support.
The previous small fortresses alone had cost Marley a full hundred thousand troops to capture, while the losses of the Middle Eastern Union were almost negligible in comparison. Facing Teoxila Fortress, the once-invincible Marleyan army was once again halted.
As for Marley's navy—three days earlier, Marley's remaining Second Fleet had been surrounded by the enemy fleet and completely annihilated. However, the Middle Eastern fleet hadn't fared well either. Of more than thirty warships, only seven escaped, including the damaged ones.
And the cause of this was not Marley's navy. It was said that the commander of the Marleyan navy, Haims, had been so ashamed that he voluntarily requested to step down.
Zeke turned his gaze toward the person in the corner of the command room. Her slender frame made the military uniform look loose on her. Her skin was very fair, and her gray hair was tied together. A very quiet girl.
But no one would have imagined that this seemingly gentle girl was the white demon of the sea—an existence that had consecutively destroyed more than twenty warships—the new member of the Marleyan Warrior Unit, the Sea-Diving Titan—Airi Ambers.
Inside the tent-built temporary headquarters, all members of the Marleyan Warrior Unit were present. With Zeke at the head, behind him stood the somewhat gloomy Reiner, the cold-faced Porco, and Airi quietly sitting and fiddling with her fingers.
As for Pieck—well, that large mass lying outside was her.
The Marleyan general in charge of this assault pointed fiercely at the battle map with a dark expression.
"This attack must take Teoxila! No matter the cost! The Warrior Unit will fully cooperate in the assault! Do you understand!?"
The general stared sharply at Zeke as he asked.
Zeke smiled. "Of course, General. Our Warrior Unit will secure victory. Then the fleet in the harbor will be left to Airi-chan."
Called upon, Airi stood up somewhat nervously, her voice very soft as she replied,
"Yes, I will do my best!" Heaven knew that just a month ago she had merely been an ordinary Eldian girl in the Liberio internment zone. Aside from being good at swimming, she had no other distinguishing traits. Who would have thought she would suddenly become a Marleyan Warrior one day?
With her weak personality, Airi wasn't very willing to become a Marleyan Warrior. But her family's life was too difficult. Her mother had raised four children alone. Her younger brothers and sisters were still small. Airi couldn't bear to see her mother suffer so much. By becoming a Marleyan Warrior, at least her family would become honorary Marleyans, and their lives would improve considerably.
…
As the carriage drew closer to the Louis Manor, Yago's heart gradually became more vigilant.
At the same time, from another direction, another carriage was also heading toward the Louis Manor. Sitting inside was Lara Tybur, having taken off her maid outfit and changed into a woman's formal dress.
The two carriages shared the same destination.
What kind of sparks would destiny and the War Hammer Titan create when they collided?