While they were talking, the three of them arrived at the Survey Corps' mess hall. It was mealtime, and both veterans and recruits were gathered inside, eating. When they saw Lillian enter, their gazes all turned toward him. But Lillian was used to it and didn't mind.
Krista picked up three trays of food. Compared to the trainee corps, the meals here were indeed much better—meat and vegetables, though the portions of the former weren't large.
That made sense. With a branch like the Survey Corps, where the mortality rate was so high, allocating more funds for food was only reasonable. After all, no one knew whether there would be a next meal. It gave the feeling of eating every meal as if it might be your last. Moreover, there was no skimming of rations here—the higher-ups of the Survey Corps cared little for money or material comforts. All they cared about was killing more Titans and uncovering the truth about the enemy.
The three of them sat around a table and ate. Such an ordinary moment was enough to fill one's heart with a sense of happiness. Lillian also felt a rare sense of ease, the tension he'd been carrying finally loosening a little.
To be honest, life in the Military Police wasn't easy at all. He could tell that many of the MPs disliked him. On the surface, they laughed and joked, but who knew how they were planning to trip him up behind his back—especially after the bandit incident.
He still remembered the grim expression on the vice-commander's face when he went to report at the office.
If his guess was correct, that man probably had some sort of relationship with those bandits. If that was the case, then Lillian's days ahead wouldn't be easy. He'd have to stay on guard at all times. Compared to that, the Survey Corps—though harsh and dangerous—at least operated on mutual trust. The only thing you had to worry about there was fighting Titans, not scheming against other people.
"Oh, right—Lillian," Krista asked, "why didn't Annie come back? We really miss her too."
"You miss her? She wouldn't miss you," Ymir said. "That short little thing never knows what she's thinking. She's even stranger than this shorty."
Krista shook her head. She didn't really understand Annie either. Annie wasn't just quiet around boys—she was often silent even in the girls' dormitory, making her hard to read. Still, Krista felt that Annie had many things she wanted to say, but for some reason couldn't say them to anyone.
"She had some things to take care of, so she didn't come," Lillian said. "Let's not talk about her. Tell me about your training lately. Anything interesting?"
"Of course!" At the mention of training, Krista immediately lit up, like a child sharing something exciting. "Lillian, do you know about the 'Long-Distance Enemy Scouting Formation'? It was invented by Commander Erwin to avoid Titans. We recruits have been training with it recently."
"The Long-Distance Enemy Scouting Formation…"
Of course Lillian knew it. This formation was one of the key reasons Erwin had been able to successfully become commander of the Survey Corps. It greatly reduced the death rate—back when Keith was commander, the casualty rate had been terrifyingly high.
"We'll be using it in next month's expedition beyond the Walls," Krista said. "So we have to practice hard."
"Early next month?"
"Yes."
"So there's less than twenty days left."
For a moment, silence fell. Even though Lillian knew Krista should be fine, he could still feel the weight pressing down on his chest.
It wasn't just her. Everyone in the mess hall carried the same atmosphere. By this time next month, no one knew how many of them would still be able to come back here and eat another meal.
Lillian thought: if he did nothing and allowed Annie to transform into the Female Titan and wreak havoc, the casualties would be enormous. But if Erwin had already begun to suspect him… then during that operation, would someone also be secretly watching him?
"Lillian, what are you thinking about?" Krista looked at him curiously. "Your soup's going to get cold if you don't drink it."
"Mm."
---
An hour passed quickly. After they finished eating and chatted a bit longer, someone came to notify them that training was about to begin.
Though very reluctant, Krista had no choice but to say goodbye to Lillian. He, in turn, left the Survey Corps headquarters and prepared to return to Wall Sina.
At that moment, Erwin and Levi were watching Lillian's departing figure through the office window.
Levi spoke first. "Erwin, rare chance. You're not going to talk to him? You might be able to squeeze something out of him."
Erwin replied, "No. That would very likely alert him. Besides, he's very smart—I learned that three years ago. A thirteen-year-old child returning from beyond the Walls, surrounded by Titans… He appeared frightened at the time, but looking back now, it was probably all an act."
"Is that so? Kids these days are getting awfully mature."
"Levi, go call Krista over. I want to speak with her alone."
---
Beck walked down the street, unable to hide the joy on his face.
That morning, he had gone home and left all of his bonus money with his family. To them, it was an enormous sum—enough to cover several months of living expenses for his parents and younger brother. The villagers had all come to congratulate him as well. After all, he was the only member of the Military Police in the entire village, and truly their pride.
He thought to himself that this was good. As long as things continued like this, then—hm?
Several people suddenly walked over. Baker had just sensed that something was off when they all rushed him at once, grabbed hold of him, and quickly dragged him into a narrow alley!
"Who are you?! Let go of me! I'm Military Police—are you trying to get yourselves killed?!" He struggled and shouted, but they paid him no attention, hauling him deeper into the alley before throwing him to the ground.
Baker hit the ground hard with a thud, cursed under his breath, then looked up—and froze.
A familiar face appeared before his eyes.
"Baker Glenn. Do you recognize me?"
"You're…" Baker stared at the smiling middle-aged man in disbelief. "Captain Waltz?"
Unbelievably, the man in front of him was actually a captain of the Military Police.
But then why would a captain bring him to such a dark, secluded place in this manner? What was he planning to do?
Baker glanced nervously at the unfamiliar men surrounding him, forcing a strained smile onto his face. "Captain Waltz… may I ask what this is about?"
"Baker, don't be afraid," Waltz said kindly. "I just want to have a little talk with you."
Still smiling warmly, Waltz began recounting Baker's past. "You're a diligent kid. Squad 93 of the training corps. But your talent wasn't particularly outstanding, so even after three years of hard work, you only ranked nineteenth overall—meaning you couldn't directly enter the Military Police."
"…"
Baker's expression darkened. Clearly, this wasn't something he wanted to revisit.
"After that, you spent eight years in the Garrison," Waltz continued. "And only this year did you finally succeed in becoming a Military Police officer." He asked casually, "How does it feel? Are your family members proud of you?"
"…They are."
Baker had no idea where Captain Waltz was going with this, but the unease in his chest only grew stronger.
"Then," Waltz said softly, "what do you think would happen if that pride were to disappear?"
"…"
Waltz didn't press further. Instead, he changed the subject. "What do you think of your squad leader, Lillian Kafka?"
"Him? He… he's pretty good."
"Is that so?" Waltz smiled. "But I find him somewhat unfair. He split you into two squads, didn't he? Yet one squad leader is someone who trained with him in the same corps for three years. And the other is a friend he only met recently."
Baker fell silent. It was true—and he did feel some dissatisfaction about it. After all, he believed his own experience was the most extensive among the new recruits. Eight years in the Garrison hadn't been spent in vain.
"And even Lillian himself only became a squad leader because of special attention from the king, isn't that right?" Waltz continued patiently, guiding him along. "Now, your opportunity has arrived. As long as you help me with a few things, you'll get what you truly deserve…"
Baker wasn't stupid. By now, he understood exactly what Waltz was implying.
Waltz clearly expected him to agree immediately—but Baker hesitated.
It was true that at first, he'd been furious at Lillian, thinking it absurd that a wet-behind-the-ears kid was placed above him.
But during the raid on the bandits, when Baker saw Lillian walk up alone and knock on the door, all that anger vanished in an instant. He had to admit that if it were him, he wouldn't have dared—and wouldn't have been able—to do that.
From that moment on, he'd been genuinely convinced.
And now, a captain who directly served under the vice-commander had suddenly abducted him and said all these things…
What if that pride were to disappear?