Yago extended his hand and said with a smile,
"Welcome to the Eldian Revival Army, Miss Airi Ambers. From today onward, we'll be comrades fighting side by side."
The named Airi stood up somewhat nervously and cautiously shook Yago's hand. Just moments ago, she had successfully accepted Yago's offer and joined the Eldian Revival Army.
But Serena, standing to the side, clearly wasn't pleased. Watching the two shake hands, she gave a cold snort and said pointedly,
"Heh, can a Marleyan warrior really join the Eldian Revival Army with sincerity? The tragic lessons of the Eldian Restorationists are still right there in front of us."
Hearing that, Airi immediately realized it was directed at her. Fair enough—just moments ago she had transformed into a Titan and fought like her life depended on it, and now she was turning around to join them. It did sound absurd. Not knowing what to say, she lowered her head and picked at her fingers.
But Yago seemed unconcerned. He glanced at the slightly irritated Serena, then at the awkward and embarrassed Airi.
"Ah, Serena, relax. I believe Airi genuinely wants to fight for Eldian revival, just like we do.
"Besides, don't we have her handwritten letter of voluntary enlistment? I've heard Colonel Koslow from the Marleyan Guard Corps complain more than once that the Sea-Diving Titan's warrior is too lazy and that he's been looking for a chance to replace her. If this letter happened to land in Colonel Koslow's hands right now, I'm sure—whether it's true or not—he'd be more than happy to swap out the Sea-Diving Titan for a more diligent host."
Yago spoke in a relaxed tone, but Airi was stunned speechless.
How could he be this devious?! No wonder he had insisted she write that "voluntary enlistment letter." So this was his backup plan!
Thinking about Colonel Koslow and her usual performance, Airi could already imagine Yago's words becoming reality. There was no need to guess—if given the chance, the sharp-tongued Colonel Koslow would be the first to make an example out of her.
Although Yago's reasoning made some sense, Serena still didn't fully trust Airi. She continued to watch her with wary eyes.
Airi took the initiative and extended her hand to Serena, but the latter ignored it in a rather elegant manner. Airi's outstretched hand hung there awkwardly before she quickly scratched her head to cover the embarrassment.
At the same time, the round sun rose above the horizon, pouring its light and warmth freely across the earth.
Standing at the top of the valley, Yago frowned as he looked around. It was already getting late. They needed to leave as soon as possible.
"Airi, Serena, get ready to head back to camp. We can't afford to delay."
Serena said nothing, only nodding quietly.
Airi, rubbing her hands together, asked a little shyly,
"Um, Officer Loya, you still haven't told me how I should address you and the other Revival Army comrades?"
Yago was busy searching everywhere for the military vehicle's keys. The question didn't seem important at all, so he replied casually,
"Whatever you want. Call me whatever feels right. If you really can't decide, you can do what Serena and the others do—just call me Boss."
Airi paused twice, murmuring "Boss" to herself a few times before looking up at Yago.
"Okay, Boss."
After searching for several minutes without success, Yago finally realized the keys had been in the vehicle the whole time...
For him, this was peak embarrassment.
"Airi, give me my coat. Get in the vehicle—we need to return to camp as quickly as possible."
Yago spoke without turning around.
But Serena, who had been holding his coat, looked slightly uneasy. Hesitating, she shuffled toward him.
Even after Yago had tidied up and started the engine, Serena still hadn't handed over the coat. Growing impatient, Yago stepped out of the vehicle, grabbed it from her hand, put it on briskly, and urged the two to get in.
When Yago took the coat, he didn't notice the flash of panic on Serena's face—but Airi saw it clearly and couldn't help wondering what had happened.
The next second, when Yago turned around, Airi finally seemed to understand.
On the back of Yago's pristine white Marleyan officer's coat, a large yellow stain spread in an irregular circular pattern.
It looked disturbingly like some kind of metabolic waste.
Airi's eyes widened in horror as she stared at Serena in disbelief.
A flicker of guilt crossed Serena's face.
Rewinding the timeline—when Yago had casually tossed his coat to Serena during his standoff with Airi, she hadn't caught it. After picking it up, she discovered that the back of it had been smeared with a small, finger-sized blob of yellow unknown waste left behind by some animal.
It wasn't big—about the size of a fingertip.
But after Serena tried wiping it with a tissue, that fingertip-sized stain successfully transformed into… a stain the size of three or four fists.
Yago's nose twitched slightly. He frowned.
"Strange. Why do I feel like there's a weird smell? It's kind of stinky. Do you smell that?"
Airi widened her eyes and was just about to speak when Serena suddenly covered her mouth.
"Nothing. What smell? You must be imagining it," Serena said calmly.
Yago scratched his head in confusion.
"Did I imagine it?"
Airi pulled Serena's hand away from her mouth and pointed at her.
"Well, um, you were the one holding the coat the whole time, right? It was you!?"
The next moment, Serena's face abruptly moved right up to Airi's, staring at her with intense pressure. After a long pause, she spoke slowly, word by word.
"Don't talk. Understood? Or you won't like the consequences."
Under Serena's intimidation, Airi trembled and hurriedly nodded, swearing she wouldn't say a word. Only then did Serena release her.
The military vehicle carrying the three of them soon left the desolate valley.
The traces left behind by the battle between the two Titans would gradually fade under the immense power of nature.
...
Experimental reports littered the floor. Shattered glass test tubes lay everywhere. Tables stood crooked and overturned.
Everything testified to the extreme fury the room's owner had just experienced.
Unbuttoning his white lab coat, Ebson stood by the window, staring at the lush green forest outside. Yet inside, he was restless beyond measure.
"How could there be no effect? Damn it! There wasn't a single mistake! How could this happen?" he muttered.
A figure suddenly appeared in Ebson's mind.
In an instant, his eyes turned bloodshot. He slammed his fist into the wall. Under the force of that punch, the concrete wall cracked, thin fractures spreading outward.
Faint steam rose from Ebson's hand, but he paid it no attention. Gritting his teeth, he growled in a low voice,
"You liar! You always were! You deserve to die!"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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