"What should we do with those envoys from other countries we've detained?" Serena asked Yago with some hesitation.
Yago shrugged and said helplessly,
"Same as everything else—if they're useless, just let them go. Or don't, it doesn't really matter. Do you really expect these guys to say anything good about us Eldians?"
Serena nodded, agreeing with Yago's words. Indeed, any country that came to participate in this Marley conference—how could any of them possibly be friendly toward Eldians?
Since that was the case, Serena had no intention of releasing them anymore. The nations of the world were already hostile enough toward Eldians—there was no need to send back a few more people who would only spew nonsense.
Yago leaned back with his legs crossed, idly flipping through the newspaper in his hand. From time to time, his gaze drifted to the side.
To his left, Annie sat on a small chair, holding a pencil and carefully sketching something in a small notebook.
Yago was a bit puzzled. Recently, he had no idea what had gotten into Annie—she had been sticking to him almost constantly. At first, he thought she was angry, upset that he had been too busy handling the affairs of the Eldian Revival Army and neglecting her.
But later, Yago realized that didn't seem to be the case. Annie might have been angry at first, but she had quickly calmed down. Now, she was simply following him—staying close to him all the time.
Although he couldn't figure out what was going on, Yago didn't have the energy to deal with it. The Eldian Revival Army had grown to a considerable scale, but relying on it alone was still not enough to support the framework of Marley's capital. Many important facilities and factories were still completely shut down.
There was also a severe shortage of grassroots administrative personnel. These days, maintaining order in the city relied entirely on the iron-handed rule of the Eldian Revival Army—crushing any signs of unrest with absolute force.
In just over ten days, several Marleyans who attempted to incite riots had already been publicly executed. Of course, the Eldian Revival Army showed no mercy to their own people if they committed equally serious crimes.
A group of Eldians, emboldened by the intimidation of the Eldian Revival Army's capture of Marley's capital, left the Hope District (formerly the Liberio Internment Zone) and looted and murdered a family of five running a small shop. Their methods were extremely cruel—so much so that even Yago gritted his teeth in anger after reading the report.
"We are here to liberate our oppressed Eldian compatriots! Not to liberate scum, trash, and beasts!"
That group of Eldians was publicly executed on the streets. Before their deaths, they screamed hysterically that they were Eldians too, begging their fellow people for mercy.
This action by the Eldian Revival Army gradually reassured the extremely terrified Marleyan citizens. The army's strict and just laws gave them a sliver of security. Once, the lofty Marleyans had never imagined they would one day fear becoming the very Eldians they had once oppressed.
However, this situation could not continue indefinitely. Fortunately, reinforcements from Paradis Island soon arrived, finally relieving Yago's urgent predicament.
Moreover, the support from Hizuru arrived along the way and joined forces with the Paradis reinforcements. Together, they reached the port, which was now firmly under the control of the Eldian Revival Army.
Commander Erwin led thousands of elite soldiers from the three military branches, along with various technical talents painstakingly cultivated by Paradis Island over the years—these were the future hopes of the island.
"Haha! Erwin! I did it! How is it? I didn't let you down, did I?" Hange laughed, one hand on her waist as she patted Erwin on the shoulder.
Erwin smiled and said, "You did an excellent job, Hange. You've never let me down. You're Hange, after all." He looked around with a trace of emotion.
Erwin's father had believed his entire life that humanity existed beyond the walls, yet he never saw it before his death.
Now, standing on land that once belonged to Marley, Erwin felt something he had never experienced before.
"Father, the world outside is vast—and far more complex than we imagined. The things we must do now are even more difficult."
"Tch, now that you're Commander, that sash really does look nice." Levi leaned against the desk with his arms crossed, his cold gaze fixed on the red sash draped across Erwin's chest as he spoke indifferently.
"Levi, your temper really hasn't changed at all. I thought Hange becoming the commander might have influenced you a little."
Levi curled his lip in disdain.
"What does that four-eyes have to do with anything? Hiding her eyes behind glasses—people who wear glasses are all suspicious." (Zeke: Achoo! Who's talking about me behind my back?)
"Levi! How can you say that? That really hurts my feelings! That's too much! Apologize!" Hange clutched her chest, looking pained.
Levi rolled his eyes at Hange. This four-eyed weirdo was really too much. After so many years together, Erwin understood Hange's personality very well.
The two of them quietly watched Hange's exaggerated performance. In the end, even Hange herself became embarrassed, muttering a few complaints before storming off in a huff.
"Lady Azumabito Kiyomi, thank you for Hizuru's assistance." Yago shook hands with Azumabito Kiyomi.
Azumabito Kiyomi said, "Not at all. This is simply what friends should do. Speaking of which, we have stayed long enough—it is time to bid you farewell. Please rest assured, Hizuru will always be a trustworthy friend to the Eldians."
At this point, Yago couldn't help but voice his doubts.
"Lady Kiyomi, I don't quite understand. This time, Hizuru's support has been so conspicuous. Aren't you worried other countries might take advantage of the situation? Are you truly confident?"
Azumabito Kiyomi smiled upon hearing this, then bowed.
"Thank you for your concern. But please also have confidence in Hizuru. What we promise, we will fulfill. As for Hizuru's safety, there is no need to worry. Hizuru is no longer alone—now, the entire Eastern region stands united."
There was a lot implied in her words. Yago roughly understood what she meant by "unity." It was closely tied to Paradis Island's unique Iceburst Stone experiments. Through Iceburst Stone trade, the Azumabito family had successfully gained influence over the entire Eastern region, including Hizuru itself.
The Eastern region might be the only ally the Eldians had—of course, one bound by shared interests.
After bidding farewell to Azumabito Kiyomi, Yago took Annie out for a stroll.
"Annie, what are you drawing? Let me take a look?" Yago leaned closer to her, speaking in a coaxing tone.
But Annie snapped her notebook shut with a clap. "No."
Yago took Annie's hand and said helplessly,
"Alright, alright. If Annie doesn't want to show me, then I won't look."