Frieda Reiss.
The previous King within the walls, who was killed five years ago by Eren's father, who then stole the Power of the Titans from her body.
Why would the daughter of a Marquis have met her? On what grounds?
Was it because of... an affair?
Then the identity of the person she had an affair with is no ordinary matter.
High-ranking officials of the Interior Military Police, Royal Capital Councilors... the scope is very narrow.
And this affair has been going on for quite a while.
Rather than an affair, it seems more like she married Mancio after being abandoned.
Did Mancio notice something was wrong with Grace lately because old flames were rekindled, or because she couldn't refuse due to the other party's status?
Interesting... Lock covered the painting again and left the house... In the afternoon, while staking out the area near the house, Lock waited until a carriage stopped at the door.
A woman stepped down from the carriage, turning back to smile and say goodbye to the person inside.
Lock could only see a hand wearing a ring intimately stroking the woman's cheek.
The two parted reluctantly.
The carriage left, and the woman returned to her house.
This is a bit too blatant... to be intimate with a lover in front of her own home when her husband already suspects her.
It seems both of them are very clear about the cuckolded husband's daily schedule, which is why they are so fearless.
Lock even suspected that the mysterious man had planted spies at Mancio's workplace, which was why Mancio hadn't discovered anything despite his long-held suspicions.
Lock couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement.
He glanced at the distance the carriage had traveled and followed it in silence.
The carriage wasn't fast; at least, it didn't lose Lock.
Lock eventually followed the carriage to the gates of Stohess and watched as it drove out of the city.
Lock didn't have a permit to leave the city, so he couldn't follow any further.
Their territory is outside the city; it seems he's a character similar to my father... He rubbed his chin, smiled, and turned to leave... The next day, Mancio came to Lock's office.
Lock told him about yesterday's findings.
"Mr. Ortega, the other party is likely a Royal Capital Councilor, and your wife had a relationship with him long before she married you."
Looking at the man's stunned face, Lock said apologetically, "Forgive me, but I cannot investigate any further. Given the other party's status, crushing us would be effortless."
"You can choose to believe these words or not, but for your own safety, I advise you to either act as if nothing happened or simply give up on this marriage."
Lock sipped his black tea, waiting for the cuckolded husband's reaction.
With a somewhat hollow look in his eyes, Mancio took out a cigarette, looked at Lock, and asked, "Is it alright?"
After getting Lock's consent, he lit the cigarette and took a deep drag.
Amidst the swirling smoke, he spoke of the past: "I knew I was marrying above my station, so I've always worked desperately to prove myself. I wanted to give her the best, something even better, to let everyone from back then know she didn't make a mistake in choosing me."
Lock listened quietly, knowing that the man just needed an audience right now.
"The factory kept growing, and there was more and more to do, so I had less time to spend with her."
Lock took an ashtray out of a drawer and moved it in front of him.
"When we first got married, she said she wanted to hold an art exhibition and didn't have the energy for children, so I didn't push her."
Lock stifled a laugh in his heart.
"Then Wall Maria was breached, and business dropped by nearly half. The factory was on the verge of bankruptcy. I was overwhelmed every day, yet I still made sure to provide the romance she wanted."
Mancio flicked the ash and continued, "Business recovered a bit this year. At the beginning of this month, I brought up wanting a child again."
He suddenly slammed the table and shouted angrily, "She actually told me straight to my face that I wasn't worthy! We had a huge fight. From that day on, I realized there was never a place for me in that home, which is why I suspected she was having an affair."
Lock stood up, took out the bottle of wine he had opened last time from the cabinet, and poured a glass for Mancio.
Mancio drained the glass in one gulp before realizing he had said a bit too much.
He stood up and said, "Mr. Leon, thank you for your help. There's no need to trouble you with the rest; I'll handle it myself."
Lock handed the whole bottle to Mancio and said, "This bottle is for you. You'll probably feel a bit better after finishing it."
Mancio reached out to take it and thanked him sincerely... In the afternoon, Lock heard the news that the daughter of the Marquis had been murdered in her home.
The murderer was the woman's husband, who surrendered himself immediately after the killing.
Because a certain detective was mentioned in the husband's confession, Lock was also invited to the Military Police Corps for a chat.
Coincidentally, the one who came to interrogate Lock was Annie.
Seeing Annie walk in wearing her Military Police Corps uniform, Lock was a bit surprised but still greeted her with a smile, "Yo, Annie! What a coincidence!"
Annie sat down with a stern face, taking out a file folder and a pen to record the upcoming conversation.
Lock laughed, "Why did they send you? Haven't you just started the job?"
Annie said casually, "It's late, and tomorrow is a day off. You're not important to the case, so they let me handle it."
In fact, Annie had volunteered to interrogate Lock herself, and her superior was happy to have the free time.
Lock straightened his posture and smiled, "Then go ahead and ask. I'll fully cooperate with your work."
"Ymir Detective Agency?" Annie asked her first question, her tone clearly emphasizing the first three words.
Lock replied with a straight face, "Being a detective has always been my dream, so I opened this agency when I came to the Royal Capital."
Annie asked expressionlessly, "Why use this name?"
Lock looked bewildered, "Using 'Leon' felt too conspicuous, so I picked one from our 104th class."
He asked in confusion, "Aren't you asking me about the wife-killing case? Why ask about this?"
Annie didn't press Lock further on that issue. She glanced at the Materials and said coldly, "Mancio Ortega went to your office yesterday?"
Lock nodded, "Yes, he suspected his wife was unfaithful and asked me to investigate."
Annie asked again, "He went to see you again this morning. You found out in just one day?"
Lock said with pride, "I'm the man who's going to become the number one detective in Mitras. How much time could investigating an affair possibly take me?"
Annie said coldly, "Three hours after leaving your office, Ortega killed his wife at home."
Lock said, "Don't look at me like that. I was just doing my job. I can't control what he does next."
Annie stared at Lock's nonchalant face and said, "You are suspected of instigation."
"Instigation?" Lock smiled and replied, "I only told the truth."
For a long time, Annie didn't ask anything else, just silently writing with her quill pen.
Looking at Annie's serious expression, Lock couldn't help but say, "Could you come out and help me with something tomorrow on your day off?"
Without looking up, Annie asked, "What kind of help?"
Lock said, "I took on another commission today. Someone wants me to go to the Underground City to help find his son."
"You know it's still a bit chaotic down there. Having a Military Police Soldier with me would definitely be safer."
Annie said, "I want to rest tomorrow."
Lock said, "A bag of bear biscuits."
Annie stopped writing and looked at Lock, "I want three bags."
Lock clapped his hands and laughed, "Deal."