For the first time, Commander Erwin Smith had stated his stance so directly—and he had done so in front of Lock.
No more ambiguity, no cautious circles, no diplomatic fencing. His support had been clear, unmasked.
The rest of their discussion flowed more naturally. No matter how much each man concealed, the atmosphere had shifted. They were no longer testing one another. They were speaking as two forces preparing for the same storm.
Of course, Lock wasn't reckless enough to reveal his entire plan. The time wasn't right, and certainty was still a luxury. Erwin might very well be genuine… but trust was a currency Lock couldn't spend cheaply. Not yet.
And Erwin—calm, meticulous, calculating—was surely thinking the same.
After close to an hour, Lock stepped out of the hidden chamber alone.
Petra and Ymir moved the moment they saw him.
"Lock—!"
He lifted a hand slightly. A small gesture. A silent instruction.
Not here. Not now.
Both women understood instantly.
Without another word, Lock led them out of Erwin's office. As he stepped through the door, he spared a brief, unreadable glance toward the stationed guard.
Then he walked away.
---
"You trust him," Levi remarked without looking at Erwin, voice flat as stone.
Erwin didn't deny it.
"I've repeated this many times," he said. "My intuition rarely fails me. Lock can accomplish what neither you nor I ever could alone. His actions during the Titan incursion in the Interior are more proof than we needed. The situation inside Wall Sina is no longer stable."
"It's not unstable," Levi corrected coldly. "It's a mess."
Erwin's lips curved faintly. "A mess… yes. But that's only the surface."
He regarded Levi—humanity's strongest soldier, unmatched in combat, yet uninterested in leading.
It was a shame. Levi's individual strength rivaled entire battalions, but leadership required instincts he simply didn't possess—or didn't want. Lock, however…
Lock possessed everything: power, charisma, political sensitivity, tactical brilliance. And the civilians adored him in a way they never had Erwin or Levi. Even if that adoration had been deliberately cultivated, it couldn't be ignored.
"Right now," Erwin continued, "the Interior is in chaos because of the Titan attack. Most of the government's upper echelon was wiped out. That makes this—"
"The best time?" Levi interrupted, brow furrowing.
"Exactly." Erwin's eyes glinted with sharp conviction. "The perfect time."
Levi watched him for a long moment.
He didn't like politics. He didn't care for speeches or plots. If it were up to him, he'd simply cut down whoever needed cutting and be done with it. Thinking about other people's motives was a headache.
"You really think this is the best time to move?" he muttered.
Erwin smiled helplessly. "You have the capacity to lead, Levi. But you never had the desire. That's what separates you from Lock."
Levi didn't seem insulted.
"Fine," he said. "Then tell me. What exactly do you want me to do?"
Erwin straightened.
"We can't remain dormant anymore. With the government shaken, they've loosened their restrictions on the Survey Corps to desperately maintain order. Use this opening. Take our men. Go to the districts. Recruit. We need soldiers—loyal ones. Loyal to us, not to the crown."
Levi's expression hardened.
"Oh? That's it?" A slow, dangerous smile appeared. "Good. I've been sick of those Interior rats for a long time anyway."
Revolution, even if whispered, had begun.
---
Lock, Petra, and Ymir quickly returned to their residential wing. As soon as they stepped inside the courtyard, a small blur of motion rushed toward them.
A girl in a maid's outfit.
Historia.
She stopped in front of Lock, cheeks blooming pink.
"Welcome home," she said softly.
Ymir didn't hesitate—she immediately pulled Historia tightly into her arms.
"How can someone be this cute?!" she groaned dramatically.
Petra laughed. "Historia really is an angel…"
Lock sighed inwardly.
No need to dress like that just to welcome me, silly girl…
Without making a scene, he stepped forward and gently ruffled Historia's hair.
"Come on," he said simply. "All three of you—let's go."
Historia jolted, eyes widening.
"W-wait—this fast…?" she squeaked.
Ymir released her immediately, turning to Lock with a ridiculously hopeful expression.
"Do you have any… thoughts about me, too?"
Petra looked at them both, exasperated. "Can we please not assume the worst immediately?"
She then looked at Lock, eyes warm. "When are we leaving?"
"Right now," Lock replied. "Perfect timing for dinner."
"Okay~!" the three answered at once.
---
Lock and the three women headed across the barracks grounds, passing through narrow alleys until reaching the two-story home Grisha shared with Harry.
Laughter drifted from the small training yard. When Lock entered with the others, he saw three familiar figures:
Eren Yeager
Armin Arlert
Mikasa Ackerman
All training is diligent.
Talent was painfully obvious among the three—Mikasa didn't even seem to be exerting herself, yet she surpassed the other two by leagues.
Ackerman blood, Lock thought.
An inborn strength beyond reason.
The moment they noticed Lock, the children's faces brightened.
"Brother Lock!" Eren shouted. "You're finally back! That means the Titans won't dare appear in the Interior anymore, right?"
"Yeah!" Armin added nervously. "Everyone's been so scared… but since you returned, everything will be fine again!"
Mikasa didn't say anything—but the relief in her eyes was unmistakable.
Lock couldn't help laughing. "You three have a lot of confidence in me."
"Of course!" they chorused proudly.
At that moment, Karla Yeager stepped out of the doorway, drying her hands on an apron.
"Don't exhaust Lock the moment he comes home," she scolded gently. "He just returned—let him breathe."
"Yes, ma'am…" the children said, obediently returning to their practice.
Lock joined them for training, giving pointers. Petra watched, her expression softening with a warmth she rarely allowed herself to show.
"He really has another side to him…" she murmured.
Ymir muttered, "I can't believe this guy is the same demon who trained us."
But even she couldn't deny it—Lock looked… gentle.
Gentle in a way that contradicted everything about his battlefield presence.
Her cheeks reddened slightly.
Historia, now back in ordinary clothes, hesitated a moment—but eventually joined Eren and the others. She moved beside Lock with quiet determination, wanting to share even a small part of what he valued.
For her, this home—this warmth—was something she'd never had.
She wasn't letting it slip away.
---
The harmony didn't last.
The gate creaked open again, and a tired, dusty Grisha Yeager stepped into the yard. His eyes sharpened the moment they landed on Lock.
"You're back," Grisha said, relieved. "Good. I have something urgent to tell you. Come with me to the room."
"Alright," Lock replied.
"Father!" Eren protested instantly. "That's cheating! You just got home and you're taking Brother Lock away already!"
Lock chuckled and patted Eren's head.
"I'll be back later. Keep practicing—you're still sloppy on your footwork."
Eren straightened immediately. "Y-yes, sir!"
Grisha watched the exchange, expression complicated.
Then he motioned Lock inside.
The door closed behind them.
And the air shifted.
---
A/N: Advanced Chapters Have Been Uploaded On My Patreon
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