Wall Sina – Southern Sector, Orvud District
"Lock… why does it feel like the atmosphere here is off?"
Ymir's voice cut through the steady rumble of wagon wheels as the regiment's caravan crossed the stone-paved bridge into the district. Even without her saying it, Lock had already sensed it. The civilians, normally bustling or indifferent, were instead stiff, restless—faces drawn tight with unease.
"Your intuition's working," Lock said calmly. "Something happened while we were away."
The deeper they went, the more obvious it became. Civilians gathered along both sides of the road—far more than usual. Their eyes weren't focused on Lock or his soldiers, but on one specific wagon in the caravan:
The one covered in reinforced cloth, where the outline of a restrained Titan could still be seen.
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
Shock. Fear. Hope.
Soon, several civilians broke through the murmuring mass and rushed to Lock's side.
"Vice Commander Lock, thank the Walls—you've finally returned!"
"Please, help us! The Military Police and the Garrison can't control the situation anymore. The Titans almost broke through earlier this week!"
"You even captured another Titan alive… the Survey Corps is the only force we can rely on!"
"That's right! Lock is nothing like the Military Police—he actually fights for humanity!"
"No—he shouldn't be called Captain anymore! He's the Vice Commander of the Survey Corps!"
The surrounding crowd echoed the sentiment, voices overlapping, emotions surging.
Lock raised a hand, signaling for calm. Despite the pressure pressing on the district, his expression remained steady—grounded.
"Everyone," Lock said, voice projected clearly, "whatever happened here, we will resolve it. You can return to your homes with peace of mind."
"Vice Commander Lock, we trust you!"
"Please save us!"
"We're counting on you!"
His tone, his posture, the certainty with which he spoke—calmed them. Even those who had been trembling beneath their cloaks straightened. A few wiped at their eyes.
Lock's reputation had become something unshakeable within the Walls.
Rhodes—desperate for public support—had never hidden Lock's achievements. In fact, the royal government pushed his image constantly, painting him as a brilliant young hero. Newspapers printed stories about him weekly. Merchants hung his likeness on banners. Children carved his name into practice swords.
A boy who'd survived impossible battles…
A soldier who'd led the recapture of Wall Maria…
A vice commander who could kill Titans with ease…
A symbol of hope.
And now, with unrest scraping at the heart of Wall Sina, that symbol had never been needed more.
The caravan finally passed through the district without interference. The Military Police—normally arrogant and disdainful—stood at attention and saluted stiffly as Lock's procession moved by. Their relief was palpable.
They had lost control of the populace. They didn't know how to restore order.
Lock's return… meant their burden could be shifted onto shoulders far stronger than theirs.
Kenny Ackerman could have restored stability, but his Anti-Personnel squad existed for assassination and suppression—not Titan combat. And Rhodes had confined him for internal security, leaving the MP helpless.
When Lock's regiment crossed the final gate and arrived at the Survey Corps' headquarters, the atmosphere lifted visibly. Even the buildings seemed to breathe again.
After securing the restrained Dina Fritz deep inside the restricted holding chamber, Lock headed for the commander's office. Petra and Ymir followed. Historia—still under heavy supervision—was required to return to her quarters.
At the office door, the guard straightened, relief washing across his face.
"Vice Commander, you're finally back."
Lock nodded and entered with Petra and Ymir.
Inside, Commander Erwin Smith looked up from a stack of files, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. Levi stood beside him—arms crossed, gaze unreadable.
"You're here," Erwin said.
Lock inclined his head. "We've returned. But it seems things in the capital aren't simple."
"A few disturbances," Erwin replied. "Nothing irreversible. But the nobles and Military Police… have been making noise in your absence. Now that you're back, the situation should stabilize."
He paused, then added with quiet conviction:
"And I assume my confidence in you isn't misplaced."
Lock smiled faintly. "It seems the Commander has more faith in me than I realized."
Erwin rose without responding and moved to the tall bookcase. He pulled a specific volume—not for reading, but as a trigger. The section of wall beside the shelves slid open, revealing a narrow passage.
A hidden chamber.
"Come," Erwin said. "We'll speak inside."
Lock turned to Petra and Ymir. "Wait here. No one enters unless it's Commander Erwin himself."
"Understood," Petra replied.
Ymir gave a curt nod.
Lock stepped into the passage. The stone door sealed behind him, shutting out all noise.
The room beyond was simple—a stone table, three chairs, torchlight flickering across ancient walls. A place for secrets.
Erwin and Levi were already seated.
Lock took the third seat without hesitation.
"If you have questions," Lock said, "ask them directly. I'll answer all of them."
Erwin didn't waste time.
"Was it you?" he asked. "The incident in the Interior?"
Lock nodded. "It was part of my plan."
Levi exhaled through his nose softly. "You've got guts."
Lock smirked. "Courage is necessary. Nothing gets accomplished without it."
Levi didn't argue. That alone was acknowledgment.
Erwin steepled his fingers.
"What do you intend to do now?"
Lock answered without pause.
"Seize the highest authority within the Walls. Then, overhaul the political system. Paradis will no longer isolate itself. We'll welcome outside knowledge, technology, and people. No invasions, no imperial ambitions—only self-preservation."
"Only self-protection…" Erwin murmured. His expression shifted—controlled, but uneasy.
Then he inhaled.
"You truly trust what Ymir told us? You're not worried her story contains deception?"
Lock leaned forward slightly.
"Even if part of her narrative is false, our current government is collapsing. Erwin—do you honestly believe the Walls have a future if we leave power in the hands of those nobles?"
Silence.
Heavy. Honest.
Levi didn't speak. But his jaw tightened ever so slightly.
Neither of them could deny it.
The royal government had strangled progress for more than a century. The Survey Corps had been starved, sabotaged, and obstructed. Advancement—technological or political—had been deliberately suppressed.
Paradis had no future if controlled by those who feared change more than extinction.
Erwin finally exhaled.
"I have no more questions," he said, voice steady. "Whatever you choose to do next… You will have my full support."
The torchlight flickered, casting shadows along the walls—shadows of three men who understood the weight of what was coming.
A power shift.
A rewriting of the Walls' fate.
And a revolution that was no longer avoidable.
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