"They've all withdrawn~"
Standing at the exit of the valley, Lock found that all the guards had withdrawn. He couldn't help but admire Erwin's swiftness. He immediately thought about many things to come.
Erwin and other senior members of the Survey Corps already knew many secrets of this world. After they digested and accepted these truths, many plans could finally be put on the agenda.
Of course, the premise was that Erwin and the others would not stubbornly maintain their original loyalty to the royal government and the king within the Walls.
But Lock believed that as members of the Survey Corps—soldiers who rationally sought the mysteries of the world outside and carried their own independent thoughts and pursuits—they would not disappoint him.
And if things really developed toward the worst situation, Lock still had a final card up his sleeve.
That was Grisha Yeager.
Although the time was not right now, once an uncontrollable situation arose, Grisha could seize the Founding Titan's power in advance, controlling not only the countless pure Titans outside the Walls, but even the colossal Titans slumbering within them…
Thus forcing the subsequent plan to unfold.
Of course, this was the worst scenario, and also Lock's trump card.
Although Ymir had already stepped into the open, Grisha remained hidden in the dark—a powerful secret ally known only to Lock.
It was just that this "ally's" will to fight left much to be desired. Lock thought he would need to find an opportunity to make that very clear.
Eren's future way of fighting could serve as a reference. Grisha didn't need to reach that same level, but he needed at least the strength to fight.
With this thought, the sound of footsteps reached him. Petra and Ymir walked out of the valley side by side. Both of them had red eyes, clearly having just cried.
"Ymir must have told Petra about her past. How damn gentle she is~" Lock thought.
As a fighter of the Survey Corps, Petra was undoubtedly competent, but her gentle nature never changed. At this moment, she had clearly chosen to accept Ymir's tragic life, even feeling distressed for her.
As if to confirm his guess, Petra stepped forward and said softly, "Lock, I hope I can be responsible for Ymir's daily care from now on."
"Shouldn't you be responsible for this?" Lock said with a faint smile.
Hearing this, Petra's eyes softened with gratitude. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Turning his gaze to Ymir, Lock said calmly, "From now on, follow Petra and learn how to use the vertical maneuvering gear. You're a member of the Survey Corps now. Also… without my permission, you cannot transform."
"Showing off your captain's authority so soon?" Ymir muttered.
"This isn't authority. It's an order. Only this way can I guarantee your safety," Lock replied firmly.
He didn't want Ymir to spiral out of control. Restraining her was necessary.
Lock thought so, and Erwin—who still wasn't familiar with Ymir—was even more cautious. The Survey Corps had not taken surveillance measures against her, not because they trusted her, but because they trusted Lock.
And Lock, understanding this, could not afford to make mistakes.
"You look reliable, Captain, even though you're just a fourteen-year-old kid," Ymir said, her tone slowly regaining its edge.
Lock ignored her jab. Instead, he asked, "Since you gained the Titan's power, how many times have you transformed?"
"No more than five times," Ymir admitted.
"No more than five… No wonder," Lock murmured.
When Ymir became the Jaw Titan, her face and hands lacked hardened armor, and her limbs were undersized. She had no strength to speak of. The memory of her being beaten by several pure Titans was still vivid.
Even Frieda Reiss, who bore the Founding Titan, had been unable to overcome Grisha—who was far from a skilled fighter. It was clear: the Titan's power was weak at first and needed relentless training to improve.
Perhaps there were special methods to strengthen it, or perhaps each inheritor adapted differently, but the fact remained: Ymir's Jaw Titan was terribly weak.
"I don't like the way you're looking at me," Ymir grumbled.
Here in the empty valley, with all secrets laid bare, she almost wanted to transform and beat Lock senseless. But remembering how easily he cut down Titans like wheat, she decided it wasn't wise to deliver herself up like fodder. Staying alive mattered more.
"You're weak," Lock said evenly, "but you have potential. Compared to the Armored Titan, the Colossal Titan, and the Female Titan, you're far too underdeveloped. You haven't drawn out your power. You need training."
"I don't want to become a Titan!" Ymir shook her head hard.
Every time she transformed, unwanted memories tore through her mind. She hated that state.
"Lock, please…" Petra, who knew Ymir's pain, looked at him pleadingly.
Lock's eyes remained firm. "You must grow stronger. If you remain useless, even if I can tolerate it, the others won't. You've already revealed all your secrets. The only reason you haven't been reported is because of your Titan power."
"How cruel…" Petra whispered. Her heart told her Lock was being pragmatic, but her emotions resisted it.
"The world is cruel," Lock said quietly.
Then he fixed his gaze on Ymir once more. "I'll ask you one last time: are you willing to train your Titan power?"
"What a heartless captain… But even if I don't want to face those memories, I want to live more than I want to run away. And now… I have something I truly want to protect…"
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A/N: Advanced Chapters Have Been Uploaded On My Patreon
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