The two Titans captured from the Trost District are dead.
Their corpses were discovered in the early morning.
When the guards arrived after being alerted, they only saw the back of the culprit leaving using Omni-Directional Mobility Gear.
All the Trainees were immediately detained, awaiting verification by the Military Police Brigade.
Lock was still not with them, as he was the primary witness and the one who reported the incident.
He was also the first to undergo detailed questioning and verification by the Military Police Brigade, and his suspicion was eventually cleared.
Of course, due to his deeds and status, the Military Police Brigade did not intentionally make things difficult for him.
Lock stood by the roadside, watching the Levi Squad of the Survey Corps and Hange ride into the city, and he also saw Eren in the convoy, wearing a cloak to hide his identity.
He pulled up his hoodie's hood and turned to leave... As night fell, torches illuminated the entire recruitment venue.
Some Trainees in the square were still discussing the events of the day, but more were asking each other about their chosen branch.
The brutal Battle of Trost gave these Recruits a harsh lesson.
It also made them truly experience the horror of the Titans.
Pictures in books and descriptions from instructors were not as real as seeing those creatures crush and swallow their superiors and comrades on the battlefield.
At every Recruit selection meeting, only the Survey Corps comes, and only the Survey Corps ever will.
Lock changed into his uniform and entered the venue.
Soon, he was recognized.
"Lock! It's that Lock! He's back!"
Someone shouted directly at him, "Lock, you weren't wrong!"
"Good job, Lock! I support you!"
"Right! That bastard got what he deserved!"
From the crowd came lines like "Well done, you didn't let us down."
Lock responded to each one with his signature smile.
Backstage, the Survey Corps members preparing for the Commander's speech were all watching this scene below.
Hange sighed, "Eh, this kid is really popular."
Petra was pulling out the blueprints needed for later from a tube. She covered her mouth and laughed, "Is this that boy? Section Commander Hange."
Hearing this title that Miche had spread throughout the Survey Corps, Hange felt a headache coming on. "Stop calling me that. Clearly, Miche himself is the most suitable. I just want to study my Titans."
Speaking of which, she broke down again. "My Sawney, and Bean! You died such tragic deaths!"
Miche asked, "No results from the Military Police Brigade yet?"
Petra shook her head.
Erwin walked in through the back door and asked calmly, "Are you ready?"
Lock walked through the crowd that automatically parted for him and came before Annie.
He raised his right hand and greeted her with a smile, "Yo! Annie, long time no see."
Annie looked at him, her expression unchanged.
However, the sharp-eyed Lock noticed her glance at his right palm, thinking to himself, As expected, she suspects me.
He stepped forward before Annie could react and pulled her into his arms, feeling her body instantly stiffen.
Lock whispered in Annie's ear, "I'm back."
Everyone watched as this blonde couple displayed their affection in public again; their expressions varied.
Jean looked at Mikasa... Mikasa's eyes were full of envy... Connie and Sasha shouted excitedly... Ymir held Historia with a disdainful expression... Reiner couldn't bear to watch... Bertholdt lowered his head in silence... while Armin remembered the scene of Hanna crying while trying to save Franz's severed lower half.
"Silence! Line up!"
Everyone fell silent, and a blushing Annie pushed Lock away.
On the stage, Erwin slowly walked in front of all the Trainees and began his speech.
"I am the Commander of the Survey Corps, Erwin Smith."
..."After this Titan attack, I'm sure you all understand the terror of the Titans and have a clear realization of your own inadequacies."
..."Eren Yeager is undoubtedly our comrade."
..."We also know the way to uncover the true nature of the Titans!"
Lock looked at Annie and found that she remained expressionless.
Keep pretending, keep pretending right in front of me... "As long as we can reach that basement, we may gain clues to break free from the Titans' century-long dominance over us."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was filled with astonishment.
Lock tilted his head toward Annie. "Hearing that makes me want to check it out. Annie, how about we both join the Survey Corps?"
After a moment of silence, Annie turned and said seriously, "You'd better be joking."
Lock laughed, "Are you worried about me?"
Annie turned her head away and ignored him.
Lock said to himself, "Of course, wherever you go, I'll go."
..."The grand marching route that our Survey Corps spent four years establishing has all gone to waste."
"During those four years, over sixty percent of the Survey Corps members sacrificed their lives."
Erwin repeated, "Four years, sixty percent!"
..."Even knowing such a tragedy, those who are willing to bet their lives, please stay."
Erwin said solemnly, "Please ask yourselves, can you offer up your lives for humanity!"
"That is all. Those who wish to join other corps may be dismissed."
Annie turned to leave and looked back at Lock, saying, "Let's go."
Lock waved his hand and said, "I want to see which idiots will stay."
Annie said coldly, "I'm leaving."
Lock turned back and reminded her, "Remember to wait for me tomorrow; we'll go to the Royal Capital together."
Annie paused for a moment and finally left with peace of mind... To prevent Erwin from mistakenly thinking he was staying, Lock walked to the exit of the venue.
The light from the torches cast long shadows of those remaining in the field.
Lock looked at their backs, knowing that many of them would die in the first Expedition soon... at Annie's hands.
He didn't know what would happen if he tried to stop Annie, or if it would be the same and nothing would change.
Looking at the Wings of Freedom mural on the wall behind Erwin, representing the Survey Corps.
Lock remained silent, thinking for a long time.
For some reason, the voice of Hiroshi Kamiya suddenly came to his mind: "No matter what choice you make, no one can know the final result, so do your best to choose the one you won't regret."
Lock gave a self-deprecating laugh and turned to leave... The next morning, Annie walked out of the dormitory carrying a suitcase.
At a glance, she saw Lock standing at the door waiting for her.
Seeing her come out, Lock greeted her with a smile, "Yo! Annie, you look in good spirits today!"
Seeing Annie staring at his clothes, Lock introduced them with pride, "I searched several streets to find this—a hoodie just like Annie's."
"How is it? I specifically chose pure white. Don't I look pretty good in it?"
Carrying her suitcase, Annie walked around Lock and gave her evaluation: "Ugly. Can you change it?"
Lock followed behind Annie, "Eh, I thought we could wear matching couples' outfits on the way to the Royal Capital."
"Also, Annie, we've already graduated, so why are you still wearing the Trainee uniform?"
"Hey, Annie, wait for me."
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