"Historia, why don't you go back to your room and rest?" Gale suggested after hearing someone knock on the office door and glancing at the wall clock. "It's already two in the morning. I still have a lot of work to do, so it's best if you rest now."
"Alright, I don't have any plans for tomorrow." Historia helped Gale button up his coat. "You should take better care of yourself. Your lips are dry. I'll make you a cup of tea."
As she said this, she walked to the bookshelf, picked up a pair of tongs, and removed a small crystalline stone from a sealed iron kettle. She threw the stone into a specially made small stove, lit a match, and tossed it inside.
That stone was a specialty of Paradis Island, the Iceburst Stone.
Standing beside the stove and looking down, one could clearly see the moment the flame ignited it; it was like rock candy melting, liquefying and bubbling rapidly, producing a faint crackling sound as it seeped into a hollow iron ring.
A bluish-green flame emerged from a small hole in the fire ring.
Historia poured cold water into a half-filled kettle and placed it on the stove to boil.
The small iceburst stone she had just placed there would burn for about twenty minutes, releasing enough heat to boil several kettles of water.
On Paradis Island, they themselves used explosive iceburst stones as fuel.
Because it vaporized quickly at temperatures above twenty degrees Celsius, it normally had to be stored in a sealed container in a cool, dark place.
However, now that it was autumn, as long as it was not placed under direct sunlight, it would be fine even with the lid open.
While Historia boiled the water, Gale stood up to open the door.
Normally, no one would disturb him at this hour; the documents he needed to process would be delivered in the morning unless something truly urgent had happened.
The person who came to see him was Petra.
Petra gave Gale a military salute and reported, "We received Captain Hange's telegram at 1:23 this morning!"
"Three days ago, the Middle East Allied Forces captured Marley's fortress. The Middle East Allied Forces have declared war on Marley, and Commander Erwin has decided to change Operation Cape! I am here to report to the President of the Senate!"
"So, it's time?" Gale closed his eyes and clenched his hands, took a deep breath, then opened his eyes and asked, "What has Commander Erwin decided to do?"
"The Commander has decided to begin preparations tomorrow for the repatriation of all Marleyan prisoners of war."
"The large amount of information brought by the prisoners will throw Marley into chaos and panic due to the loss of the Intelligent Titans, allowing for an immediate surprise attack to seize the War Hammer Titan!"
"I understand, Petra. Please prepare the carriage; I'm going to see Commander Erwin immediately."
"Yes, sir!" Petra nodded, turned around, and trotted toward the door to prepare the horse.
Long ago, Gale had stopped being seen as a child in the eyes of everyone else, and those who respected him the most were those fully aware of all his efforts to advance Paradis Island's technological level.
Historia watched Gale's figure as he walked away, her hand clenched into a small fist over her chest. "You're leaving already?"
"Yes." Gale organized the documents on the table, placing the completed ones on the left and the unread ones on the right. "I'm going to discuss the details of the operation with Commander Erwin."
"You're not coming back tonight?" Historia approached Gale, a little worried by Petra's serious expression and the soldiers accompanying her.
"Operation Cape is crucial for Paradis Island; this operation cannot be allowed to fail." Gale patted Historia on the head. "We're getting closer to fulfilling our dream."
Historia hugged Gale, feeling the warmth of the coat that had just covered her. "When will you come back?"
"I don't know, but it will be soon, and with good news." Gale also did not know how long it would take. Operation Cape had been decided entirely by Erwin; Erwin was a military genius.
If Erwin decided on a surprise attack, he would cooperate with him to adjust the plans, as long as it could bring back the power of the War Hammer Titan.
The only thing he could do was move forward, and he had to do it.
With a serious expression, Historia nodded. She remained firm and accompanied Gale to the mansion entrance, watching the coachman guide the magnificent horse while surrounded by a troop of mounted soldiers.
Huge miner lamps hung on both sides of the saddle, their white glow illuminating the street.
Petra and the others were already on horseback.
Historia knew it was time to part, but she still held tightly to Gale's right hand.
Gale turned around and caressed her cheek with his left hand, running it across her face and arm before taking her hand in his, holding her small hand in his palm.
"When all of this is over, let's go on a trip to see the sea," Gale said with a smile. "I've been longing for some time to relax and rest."
Without waiting for a response, he released Historia and mounted his horse.
Riding horses was an old skill for him; back on the farm, he used to ride between the farm and the village.
With the sound of hooves, the group quickly disappeared down the street.
Historia returned to the mansion and went to Gale's office. White steam rose from the kettle's spout, and the boiling water produced a whistling sound.
She moved the kettle aside, placed the lid over the stove, and extinguished the flames.
After returning to her room, she opened the drawer of her bedside table, where a wooden dragonfly toy stood out strangely in the room.
She took it out, held it in the palm of her hand, and prepared to rub it, but then looked at the ceiling.
How could a wooden dragonfly fly freely in a place like this?
Her head began throbbing again. She put the bamboo dragonfly back down and collapsed onto the pillow. Should she keep waiting?
In the conference room, Gale listened to Erwin's plan directly from his own mouth.
Ever since he had made the decision, this man had been in charge of the entire Island navy, and Gale was not qualified to surpass him in certain matters.
"Let's do it, Commander Erwin. We will cooperate with your actions, assigning whatever resources are necessary and prioritizing the execution of 'Operation Cape' above all else," Gale nodded and said. "However, there is one thing I need to change."
"What?" Erwin asked softly, his expression serious.
"After you bring back the successor of the War Hammer Titan, I will inherit the War Hammer Titan." Gale made that declaration calmly.
"What?" Erwin frowned. "Wasn't it agreed that Hange would inherit it?"
"Captain Hange should continue dealing with the Middle East Coalition abroad. The export of explosive iceburst stones cannot function without her. This is a good opportunity for us."
"By controlling the export volume of explosive iceburst stones, we can influence the Middle East Coalition's progress in the war, which will buy us time."
Gale clenched his fist, recalling the scene from his dream. "Besides, I am the only one who thoroughly understands the structure of the centrifuges, the concept and structure of nuclear bombs, including the components required for the power plants. Only if I inherit the War Hammer Titan can its maximum effectiveness be achieved in a short period of time."
Erwin's expression became extremely solemn. "Once you inherit the power of a Titan, you will only have a lifespan of thirteen years. Even the successors of the Founding Titan, King Fritz, died exactly after thirteen years. Are you... truly certain?"
Gale stared directly into Erwin's eyes, unwavering.
"Yes, I've already made my decision. I will inherit the War Hammer Titan."
Even after thinking about it carefully, only Gale possessed the knowledge necessary to recreate all of his inventions using the power of the War Hammer Titan.
No one, even if Gale personally instructed them, could absorb all of his knowledge.
Living for thirteen years did not frighten him. He knew there was a possibility of removing the Titan curse from his body, but that included many other difficulties.
Without a doubt, he would solve all of those problems once he possessed the power of the Titans within his body.