The drug powder was hidden within a layer between the pages of the book.
The bookstore in the Trost District that Lock had entrusted Armin to visit was a pre-arranged contact point he had set up with Kenny.
As long as someone came to buy the specified storybook, it would represent Lock's signal.
[We can move]
Armin and the others naturally had anti-surveillance awareness, but compared to the subordinates fully trained by Kenny, they were still lacking.
As for why they didn't send a large force to directly suppress them, but relied on drugging them, this was Lock's request.
[At least for this operation, they must not be harmed]
Kenny, although sneering at Lock's womanly compassion, agreed because Rod had approved.
Kenny reluctantly promised that the Anti-Personnel Control Squad would only act as support and escort, not for assault or killing.
But if there were any unexpected developments during the operation, he would decide autonomously.
Rod also agreed... Late at night, Lock, lying in bed, opened his eyes.
To avoid raising suspicion, he had, of course, also eaten the drugged dinner.
But he had already tested it in advance; this dosage of sedative was basically ineffective on him now.
Listening to the calm breathing of his comrades from the same training period, Lock began to act.
He carried the sleeping Eren and Historia together to the downstairs entrance.
Afterwards, he took his own set of Omni-Directional Mobility Gear from the warehouse and put it on.
Finally, he went to the watchtower and lit a torch, drawing a circle on the left, then a circle on the right.
Soon, an unfamiliar carriage arrived at the outpost.
Lock recognized the driver as Todd from the Trost District back then, and he noticed the other was wearing an Omni-Directional Mobility Gear.
Lock loaded Eren and Historia onto the carriage one after the other.
Todd took out a rope, bound Eren securely, blindfolded him, and put on a specialized gag.
"We can go." Lock also boarded the carriage.
Todd glanced at the wooden cabin nearby, a flash of malice in his eyes, but he quickly suppressed it.
"Hyah!" The carriage slowly started moving...
Lock looked at the two lying in the carriage and silently apologized to them in his heart.
He had to play this "villain" role himself. This would not only avoid unnecessary sacrifices for the Survey Corps but also pave the way for his father to play the "good guy."
In any case, everything was still going smoothly so far.
He believed the Corps would go to confront his father as soon as possible.
When the time came... Lock's ears twitched slightly, and his pupils contracted.
He immediately rushed out of the carriage and flipped onto its roof.
"What's wrong?" Todd asked, hearing the commotion.
Lock looked into the darkness behind them, his eyes filled with gravity.
"Drive faster, Todd! Someone is chasing us."
"Can't go any faster! The road is too steep; going faster will overturn the carriage!" Todd yelled.
Lock drew the blades at his waist.
It was conventionally difficult to use the Omni-Directional Mobility Gear in this kind of ordinary forest, let alone at night.
But for an experienced master, it was merely a bit more troublesome.
Listening to the increasingly close sound of the Omni-Directional Mobility Gear, Lock shouted again, "Todd, how much farther?"
"At least three kilometers!"
Lock said with a grim expression, "Fire the signal flare to the Captain now!"
"I'll hold them off. You just drive later; don't worry about anything else!"
"Alright!"
"Bang!" A firework exploded in the sky!
Levi, in pursuit, glanced at the sky, his expression exceptionally grim.
The rising fireworks also exposed the carriage's position in the darkness.
"Captain, I see the carriage!" Mikasa immediately alerted.
"Catch up as quickly as possible! After retrieving Eren and Historia, transfer them immediately."
Levi added, "If that guy obstructs us, don't hold back."
"Yes!" Only killing intent showed on Mikasa's face.
I always said that guy was a liar; I don't know what Erwin was thinking.
Levi's gaze was icy...
As expected, this dosage of sedative wasn't very effective on an Ackerman either.
Lock watched the two figures getting closer and closer, and the desire surging from all over his body became increasingly clear.
[Detected Host's adrenaline levels rising. System evaluating]
[Threshold reached. System activating]
[Host: Lock]
[Age: 17]
[Stamina: 40]
[Strength: 30]
[Agility: 25]
[Talents: Martial Arts Prodigy, Power of the Female Titan, Ymir's Curse]
[Skills: Hand-to-Hand Combat, Spear Techniques, Advanced Combat Training]
[Special Skill: Devour Ability — Annie Leonhart]
[System assessment beginning. Energy points collecting]
[Host, please fight to your heart's content]
Lock's eyes sharpened, and he swung his blade like lightning, deflecting the hookshot Mikasa fired at the carriage.
But another figure had already arrived above Lock's head!
"Clang!"
Sparks from the colliding blades illuminated the scene for an instant.
Lock raised his arm to block Levi's knee strike, then immediately tilted his head to dodge Levi's second blade strike hidden behind his back.
A few strands of blond hair left Lock's head as he swung his blade to force Levi back.
"Bang, bang!"
Todd fired two consecutive shots, both dodged by Mikasa, whose figure instantly loomed large in Todd's eyes.
Just as Mikasa was about to finish off the enemy before her, her eyes changed, and she leaned back to avoid a horizontal slash from Lock.
Having temporarily driven both back, Lock immediately spoke, "Captain! Can you listen to me for a moment?"
Levi landed on the carriage roof again and said gravely, "Noble boy, tell me the information you know, and I might consider not stuffing your head full of shit."
"Captain, I am only following orders."
"Don't talk nonsense!" Levi roared angrily.
At this moment, Mikasa also landed on the carriage roof. She stared at Lock and shouted, "Lock, make him stop the carriage!"
Lock ignored her. He stared at Levi and said, "Captain, have you heard of [Ripper Kenny]?"
"Huh?" Levi's expression clearly showed a moment of confusion.
Lock spoke quickly, "Didn't I say I only learned about you, Captain, from my superior?"
Levi understood Lock's meaning. His eyes widened, "You mean..."
"That's right, [Ripper Kenny] is my direct superior in the Central Military Police Corps!"
Lock suddenly roared, "Captain Ackerman!"
Sensing something was wrong, Levi immediately pulled Mikasa away from the carriage roof.
Gunfire erupted in the forest!
Just moments before, the carriage had driven into the ambush circle organized by Kenny's Anti-Personnel Control Squad.
"Yo, Levi!"
"Kenny!!"
In the darkness, both Kenny's laughter and the Captain's furious roar reached Lock's ears.
He looked in that direction, his expression blank, and said, "Mikasa, Captain, you definitely won't die here, right?"
[That's right]
Lock's voice sounded in his subconscious.
The carriage traveled on, leaving this forest behind...
After an unknown amount of time, a jolt from the carriage finally woke the soundly sleeping Historia.
She looked up and saw Lock smiling at her.
"You're awake, Your Highness."
Historia looked at Eren, tied up on the other side, and asked in surprise and confusion, "Lock, what's going on?"
"Didn't you promise to take me to see Ymir? Why is Eren here?"
Lock smiled and said, "Because... I was lying to you."
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