The moment Lock finished speaking, silence swept through the group of Volunteers. Sea wind rolled in steady drafts across the coastline, tugging at uniforms and hair, but none of Yelena's people so much as flinched. They studied Lock with a mixture of restraint and disbelief.
"If you truly possess the power you just mentioned," Yelena finally said, lowering her voice, "then we naturally have no reason to refuse…"
Her tone shifted suddenly—sharp and pragmatic.
"But we can't simply trust your words. If we are to take this seriously, we need to witness it with our own eyes."
Lock didn't flinch. He expected this.
"Of course," he replied evenly. "But if you vanish from Marley's surveillance for several days, won't that cause trouble for you? A patrol unit disappearing from their station would certainly raise suspicion."
He wasn't speaking out of concern. He was probing. What he truly wanted wasn't just these five people—it was their entire intelligence network, their channels, their scientists, and the world-class technical personnel hidden behind them.
Five Volunteers couldn't change Paradis Island. But the force behind them could.
Yelena sensed the intention but did not refute it. Instead, she explained calmly, "Our patrol fleet rotates once a month. We're currently twenty days away from the next rotation. Before then, Marley won't notice anything unusual."
Lock nodded.
"In that case," he said, extending his hand, "welcome to Paradis Island, our distinguished guests."
Yelena hesitated only briefly before taking his hand. Her grip was steady and her expression serious.
"If everything proceeds as expected," she said, "we may soon be partners."
Behind her, Onyankopon and the remaining Volunteers exchanged subtle looks. Lock noted the faint flickers of surprise in their eyes—surprise not at his words, but at him.
After all, as Zeke had warned thee, the key figure ruling Paradis Island was astonishingly young. Far too young, by Marleyan standards, to be dictating the direction of an entire territory.
And yet here he was—calm, clear-headed, and calculating in a way that reminded them sharply of Zeke himself.
Even as Yelena released Lock's hand, she continued evaluating him.
How had such a youth risen to this position?
What kind of war had shaped him?
How had he taken command of two military branches?
Those answers would come soon enough.
Lock gave a slight nod. "Let's return immediately. There's much waiting to be shown, and even more waiting to be discussed."
He shot a meaningful glance at Erwin.
Erwin understood instantly. A blade sliced across his palm; lightning burst; and the Car Titan formed once again. Its massive frame lowered to the ground to allow passengers to climb aboard.
The Volunteers were visibly startled.
"You… you have another Titan shifter?" Onyankopon whispered.
And when they learned that Petra also carried Titan power, a ripple of shock spread among them. To think Paradis Island—supposedly backward and isolated—possessed multiple Titan abilities, all gathered under the command of a single young leader…
It made their mission feel far more worthwhile.
Lock helped Yelena onto Erwin's back, then Petra followed. Once secure, Erwin took off, tearing across the coastline with immense strength. Behind them, the sea wind swallowed their footprints.
Petra looked back at the shrinking shore, then leaned close enough for Lock to hear over the wind.
"Are we really prepared for this? What if these Volunteers aren't sincere?"
"They're sincere," Lock answered. "Because they need us as much as we need them."
He didn't elaborate. Petra had known him long enough to recognize when he was certain of something.
Yelena's voice rose above the rushing air. "Lock, may I ask something?"
"Go ahead."
"You said earlier that Paradis Island holds the Founding Titan and the means to command the tens of thousands of Titans roaming your lands… Is that true?"
Lock didn't answer immediately. The rhythmic thundering of Erwin's gallop carried them deep between forest and cliff before he finally spoke.
"If it weren't true, I wouldn't have mentioned it. And I wouldn't have dared to meet you."
Yelena's expression stiffened. Onyankopon exchanged a glance with her—one filled with the weight of long-buried hopes.
With the world being crushed beneath Marley's expansion, every defeated nation had dreamed of one thing: a weapon powerful enough to overthrow their oppressor.
A weapon that could turn the tables.
If Paradis Island truly held that weapon…
Then for the first time in decades, the Volunteers' dream might be within reach.
Lock noticed the look in their eyes and allowed himself the faintest smile.
"We won't disappoint you."
Their return journey took hours. Only when Erwin slowed to a halt near the forest edge did the Volunteers begin to fully grasp the reality before them.
Titans—mindless Pure Titans—wandered in the distance, drawn only by instinct. But carved across the land were cleared paths, trenches, barricades, and watchposts. Paradis Island had begun to change.
And it had begun quickly.
As Erwin shifted back into human form, visibly weary but stable, Lock asked quietly, "Can you still manage the rest of the way?"
Erwin exhaled deeply. "Yes. I can keep going."
Yelena observed him, impressed.
"The Car Titan's endurance is extraordinary… but adapting this quickly is even more remarkable."
Lock walked beside her as they approached the outer forest line.
"You said earlier," he began, "that many anti-Marley groups exist across the empire. Are any of them willing to work with you?"
Yelena paused mid-step. The question was sharp—deliberately so.
"For decades," she answered, "Marley has devoured one nation after another. Some were conquered outright. Others became colonies. And with each destruction, resistance movements were born."
"Most die quickly," Onyankopon added. "Those who survive go into hiding. Many have no means to contact one another. Marley's propaganda and military presence… crush nearly all sparks before they can grow."
Lock absorbed the information silently.
Yelena continued, "We—the Volunteers—originated from several destroyed nations. We owe our existence to shared hatred. But our channels are limited. Marley restricts our movements and keeps a close eye on foreign-born soldiers."
She looked Lock in the eye.
"So even if you send someone into Marley, even if he is skilled… we cannot guarantee his safety. We cannot even guarantee communication. Internal infiltration is nearly impossible."
Lock's expression didn't change, but Petra frowned slightly. "Then… how do we strike them from within?"
"There are ways," Yelena said carefully. "But not ones available yet. You must stabilize Paradis Island first. Develop technology. Prepare armies. Find allies."
She folded her arms.
"And then, when the time is right, we won't need to infiltrate Marley quietly. We'll strike openly."
Lock exhaled slowly.
He had expected this. Yet hearing it laid out so bluntly made the path ahead feel heavier—but no less resolute.
"So there truly are Eldian resistance groups?" Lock pressed.
Yelena hesitated, then nodded. "Yes. But they are small. Fear suppresses them. Marley has conditioned Eldians for generations to hate themselves. Most won't act unless given hope."
Lock murmured, "Hope… or a spark."
Yelena nodded once. "A spark powerful enough to burn through Marley's lies."
Her gaze drifted toward the horizon.
"A spark like Paradis Island."
Lock did not respond immediately. His thoughts drifted—to the Wall, to Dina Fritz's unstable control over the Founding Titan, to Eren who likely carried the Attack Titan now, to the regime still standing on fragile foundations.
Everything was connected. Everything was precarious.
And everything depended on the choices they made now.
"Understood," Lock finally said. "Then we'll create that spark ourselves."
Yelena studied him for several seconds.
Then she smiled—not politely, not diplomatically, but with genuine anticipation.
"In that case… let's go see the island you intend to reshape."
The journey continued—toward the walls, toward an alliance that could change the fate of nations, and toward a future where Paradis Island would no longer hide, but stand.
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