Everyone subsequently returned to the Trost District.
After a day of rest, Hange and Levi led the group to a covert Survey Corps base inside the Walls.
Levi announced that Eren, Mikasa, Armin, Jean, Connie, Sasha, and Lock would be members of his new squad.
Their task was to guard this location and ensure the safety of Eren and Historia.
After giving instructions, Hange took Connie and went to Ragako Village to investigate the cause of the recent Titan incident.
Levi also returned to Trost District to visit Erwin.
However, what concerned Lock was that Hange had instructed two veterans from her squad to stay behind before she left.
From the gaze of the two men, Lock realized their mission was to keep an eye on him.
That girl, Histori, a stil,l "sold him out."
Lock wasn't too worried; they were probably still guessing his true intentions.
He had been so "dutiful and responsible," and his contribution to this operation was immense; even if the Survey Corps had suspicions, they would hesitate for a while.
Levi's return to Trost this time might also be to seek advice from Erwin.
He needed to prepare himself, or else that old man Kenny would start getting anxious.
Lock walked to the lookout post and said to Sasha above: "Sasha, time for a shift change."
"Oh!"
...The next day, during dinner, Levi and Connie returned here.
During the meal, Historia began recounting her life story to everyone at Levi's request.
After she finished, Levi looked at Lock: "Noble boy, do you know about the Reiss Family?"
Seeing everyone look at him, Lock put down his spoon and smiled: "Of course, their family head is friends with my father."
[Your father wants me to protect you.]
Historia thought of Lock's words from earlier, lowered her head, and remained silent.
Levi continued to press: "Then do you know the relationship between the Reiss Family and the Wall Cult?"
"I don't know." Lock's answer was quite straightforward.
Seeing Levi's look of disbelief, he immediately added: "I joined the military precisely because I didn't want to get involved in my family's troubles."
Levi took a sip of water: "If I let you write a letter now to ask that Old Ash, do you think he would tell you?"
Lock said, indifferent,y: "I can try."
Levi stared at Lock. After a long pause, he coldly refused: "No. You are not allowed to go anywhere right now, nor are you allowed to contact anyone outside."
"We'll talk again when you remember some useful information."
The expressions of the others changed. Wasn't this house arrest in disguise?
Eren couldn't help but stand up and say, "Captain, Lock made such a great contribution to The Corps in this operation, and he saved Mikasa. You shouldn't treat him like this."
Levi's expression didn't change: "Eren, do you remember how you spoke up for those three traitors back then?"
"Haven't you learned your lesson yet?"
Eren was rendered speechless and sat down grudgingly.
Levi looked at Lock again: "Noble boy, do you have any objections?"
Lock spread his hands: "Whatever you say, Captain."
...A week later, the Royal Government, under pressure, preemptively announced that Wall Rose was secure.
The citizens who had evacuated to Wall Sina and the Capital Underground City were told to return to their homes.
A battered carriage stopped outside the base.
Jean, Armin, and Sasha returned to the cabin, carrying and hugging the supplies they had purchased.
"Sasha, if you dare try to sneak a bite, I'll have Captain Levi chop you into pieces, making you easier to eat."
"I wouldn't steal food!" Sasha retorted, then muttered quietly: "Probably not."
Jean glared: "Huh? What were you mumbling just now?"
After entering, Sasha placed the wooden box of sweet potatoes on the table and said, "We didn't really need to buy this much food, did we? Hunting in the mountains would be enough to get by!"
"That won't do, Sasha," Armin reminded her seriously. "This mountain area is a restricted hunting zone. If we get discovered and cause a disturbance, then our hiding here will be completely meaningless!"
Sasha laughed awkwardly: "I... I know, I won't go, alright."
She muttered quietly again: "Maybe not."
Jean yelled loudly beside her: "I heard that, you Sweet Potato Girl!"
"Hey!" Eren, wearing a dust-proof bandana and face mask, walked over with a broom: "Did you guys properly wipe the mud off your soles before coming in?"
Jean said carelessly, "Of course not. Look at how much stuff we're carrying. Who has time to worry about mud on their soles?"
Eren grew anxious: "Don't you understand what I mean? Do you think this sloppy attitude will satisfy Captain Levi?"
"If I hadn't tidied up your sheets for you this morning..."
Jean also got annoyed: "This is driving me crazy! Why are you more nagging than my mom!"
"Welcome back." Mikasa and Historia walked in, carrying chopped firewood.
Armin looked surprised: "Mikasa? Did you go chop wood?"
"Your injury hasn't healed yet. How can you do this kind of work?"
Mikasa said calmly, "If I don't move, my body will become sluggish."
Eren complained to Armin: "I tried to stop her, but she wouldn't listen, saying she was fully recovered."
"Forget chopping wood, she was even doing sit-ups!"
Hearing this, Jean got agitated again: "Huh? You were spying on Mikasa!"
"I feel like we're back in the Training Corps!" Sasha sighed, staring at the bread in the wooden box...
Armin came to the living room and saw Lock sitting idly on the sofa, with the two veteran soldiers drinking tea beside him.
He politely greeted the two veterans, then took a book out of his bag and handed it to Lock.
"Lock, this is the storybook you asked me to buy for you. Here."
Lock took the book and thanked him with a smile.
"Oh dear, the officers won't even let me do any work. Staying here all the time makes me feel like I'm rusting away."
The two veterans had heard enough of Lock's complaints over the past few days, and their expressions didn't change at all.
Armin comforted him: "Lock, don't worry, Captain and the others will eventually understand you."
"I hope so." Lock wasn't very optimistic...
In the afternoon, Levi, Connie, and Hange's squad all returned.
Under Eren's nervous gaze, Levi ran his hand under the table.
"Tch, I gave you plenty of time, didn't I..."
Eren covered his face, and the others dared not speak.
Levi took out a handkerchief and wiped the dust off his hand: "Forget it. I'll settle this matter with you later."
"The most important thing now is to first clarify the current situation and solidify our future course of action."
Subsequently, Armin primarily explained the operational plan he had proposed to everyone:
Simply put, the plan was based on Eren's Hardening ability to launch a night raid on Shiganshina District, where they could successfully plug the large hole breached by the Colossal Titan five years ago within a single day.
Thereby completely reclaiming Wall Maria...
Lock sat quietly on the nearby sofa, looking at the storybook in his hand, and finally deciphered the secret code Kenny had specifically left for him.
"Two days from now, midnight."
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