After a long conversation to comfort the confused girl, Gale led Krista to the tent.
To meet their objectives, everyone in the factory lived in tents. Normally, ten people would crowd into one tent and sleep on straw and waterproof cloth.
But this one was different. This tent had only one bed, a bed with a wooden frame.
This tent had been specially prepared for Her Highness the Princess.
The surrounding tents housed soldiers from the Survey Corps; only a few were reserved for special individuals, and Gale was one of them.
Like Historia, he had his own tent, as he needed a workbench and a quiet environment.
"This is the room they prepared for you, Historia," Gale said while pointing at the bed. After setting down some bundles, he added, "Ask me anything you want, and I'll explain everything."
"Gale… how did you survive? Did those people let you go?"
"Before the incident, I knew the Military Police would come, so I stayed prepared and tried to hide from them to survive."
"How did you know?"
"My full name is Gale Hawthorne. I am the heir of the Hawthorne family, but from the moment I arrived at the estate, I had been hiding from those who wanted to kill me. My precautions made me realize that something was wrong, and that's why I was able to escape."
Realizing that, Krista didn't ask further questions. There were other things that puzzled her, and she asked, "You know… why did they bring me here?"
"Because we need you, Krista… No, Historia Reiss." Gale said, staring directly into her jewel-like eyes. "You are the daughter of the Reiss family, a princess. We intend to overthrow the current government, so we need you to be our spokesperson and take the throne."
"They want me to be their spokesperson?" Historia stared into Gale's eyes, wanting to know whose plan this was.
"It's my idea. The things surrounding me can't be explained quickly, but I want you to know this was my plan. The reason you're here is because I told my allies that you exist and that you are important."
After saying that, Gale paused and continued, "Of course, even if you don't help us, we will still attempt to overthrow the current government within the walls."
"That will be your decision, Historia. Whether you do it or not is up to you." Gale reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "Now that we're here, I can finally tell you these things. You are free, and you don't have to live according to others' expectations."
"However, I still hope you can help us; I'm asking you as a friend."
"Are we friends?"
"I would love to be your friend."
"Then… Gale, can you tell me why your family wants to kill you? Tell me, and I'll help you."
"Because I am the heir to one of the richest families within the walls, and I possess knowledge that my father passed on to me before he died. If that knowledge were revealed, it would make our world completely different."
Gale, gently stroking Historia's head, said, "Even if I explained it now, you might not understand. The only thing I can tell you for now is that everything I do, and everything I will do in the future, is for us—for those of us who are alive and fighting to live better."
"I understand…" Historia said, nodding her small head. "Then I'll give you an answer later, okay?"
"Of course." Gale smiled without pressuring her. He knew that all this sudden information would leave her somewhat confused.
"Can I stay by your side?" Historia asked softly.
"If that's what you want."
"Thank you."
…
Now Gale had a small follower by his side. Historia stayed with him all the time, carefully observing the place and listening to what everyone said.
She wanted to understand why Gale and the Survey Corps wanted to overthrow the government, whether it would cause many deaths, and whether it was something good or bad.
After arriving here, she tried to reflect on the matter on her own.
Little by little, she began to find answers from the workers and soldiers.
As the workers finished their bread and chatted—talking about their hometowns, their deceased relatives, and the injustices they had suffered—Historia gradually began to understand what kind of people the nobles were, and the suffering many endured.
Titans, food shortages, and the privileged treatment of the nobility…
There were so many irrational things in this world, and so many people suffering the same hardships as her.
This was what Gale and the Survey Corps wanted to change. Watching Gale answer the workers' questions during the day and seeing the sweat on his face as he meticulously drew blueprints and inspected parts at night, she slowly began to understand how Gale survived in this world.
She wondered if she could survive like that too.
…
Inside the tent, a military meeting was taking place.
"Due to difficulties in transporting supplies, there is a shortage of iron ore and gunpowder. However, we have already produced more than 400 rifles."
"The workers are quite familiar with the manufacturing process, and the parts produced in the early stages are already being used. At the current pace, we can produce about 30 complete rifles and 300 bullets per day, which is enough to arm our current troops."
"What about the Military Police in the capital? How are things there?"
"It's terrible. Although we disposed of the Military Police bodies and, after interrogation, discovered they were there because of irregular transport of iron ore and food, the government has started monitoring the Survey Corps, probably because the deceased Military Police haven't been contacted for some time."
"Most of our comrades in the capital have been imprisoned, and around 120 Military Police have been sent to investigate. I'm afraid that once we're discovered, everyone in the capital will be executed immediately for treason."
"Damn it… do we have to act now?!" Hange slammed her fist on the table.
The government and the nobility were even more cunning than Hange had imagined.
They were absolutely intolerant of any imperfection and had no intention of giving the Survey Corps even the slightest room to maneuver.
Any possibility of rebellion would be crushed at the root.
"I don't know whether to praise or criticize those people. They are extremely shrewd when it comes to their own interests. When the wall was breached, the order was given to seal it quickly, endangering the lives of a considerable number of refugees."
"Let's do it, Captain Hange!" Gale suggested after thinking for a long time. "Although it's a bit risky, we can launch a blitzkrieg! The Military Police are elite but few in number."
"We can take advantage of their lack of experience with new weapons and quickly seize the capital!"
"It's too soon…" Hange still hesitated about this plan, because if it failed, all her friends would die, and she would be labeled a traitor in history.
"Commander Erwin has already spoken in secret with Commander Pixis. Commander Pixis will turn a blind eye to this incident until the government issues an order."
"Although it's unclear what Erwin said, Pixis hasn't fully joined his side yet. That old fox is still observing, probably planning to side with whichever faction benefits him the most."
"All problems must be resolved before the nobles issue orders; otherwise, they will face a siege from the Garrison troops." Gale knew the consequences of this and it was not a scenario he wanted to see.
Although Hange had heard about the power of the new weapons, she was still somewhat worried. Moreover, she did not want to kill too many people.
Boom!
The sound of explosions tore through the darkness, and everyone looked outside the tent.
This was the signal of an enemy attack; the heavily armed Military Police had come knocking.
"Prepare for battle!" Hange ordered immediately.
The soldiers grabbed assault rifles and fastened their vertical maneuvering equipment around their waists.
The factory had been built specifically within a dense forest for this purpose—to facilitate the use of mobility equipment.
They could move at night thanks to their familiarity with the terrain, and they had long practiced shooting.
Now, their figures looked like ghosts of death.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Gale, who was listening to this from a safe area, smiled faintly and murmured:
"That's right… come… all of you will die."