An abandoned stable somewhere in the Trost District.
The Survey Corps members who had broken through the Military Police Corps' blockade were resting here.
Hange's squad had already gone to the capital city to find Erwin.
Mikasa stood guard at the entrance.
Levi sat shirtless on a broken wooden stump, letting Sasha beside him clean the wound on his arm.
Aside from the traitor Lock's early warning, it was also fortunate that he had reacted quickly and hadn't completely stepped into Kenny's encirclement.
Otherwise, the injuries wouldn't be this minor.
After nearly an hour of effort, Sasha had managed to remove most of the shrapnel. She really had no way to deal with the pieces that were too small and embedded too deeply.
"Hiss..." Levi drew in a light breath.
Sasha, who was kneeling on the ground stitching up Levi's wound, hurriedly apologized.
"It's fine. Keep going."
Levi looked at the others who were dejectedly hanging their heads: "What's wrong? This shouldn't be your first time, right?"
"Your batch of Recruits is really something. Including Eren, there are five Titans."
"And now there's a spy from the Central Military Police Corps."
Armin hesitated for a moment, then said, "I think Lock wasn't lying to the Captain at the time. He might truly have had no choice."
"Otherwise, he could have completely cooperated with the Military Police Corps to wipe us out last night."
Levi fell silent. Of course, he knew, especially the moment Kenny appeared—he truly felt the situation was lost.
However, after Kenny's ambush failed, he didn't continue the pursuit. Instead, he turned and withdrew.
Based on his understanding of him, Kenny wouldn't do something so half-hearted.
Who could command him?
Levi looked at Armin: "So, you choose to believe what that kid wrote in the letter?"
When everyone was preparing to evacuate, they found a message left by Lock in the warehouse.
It only had two short sentences—
"[My father is a good man. He will tell you everything.]"
"[Please decide quickly. Eren is not safe.]"
Armin nodded: "I believe Lock."
Jean also chimed in: "Unless he's like that guy Reiner, he wouldn't harm us."
It was time to make a decision. Should they wait here for news from Hange and Erwin, or go directly to find that old Ash to obtain information?
Now, wanted posters with their portraits were being distributed everywhere outside, although they didn't look like them at all.
But they were indeed very famous and could easily be recognized.
Should they wait until dark to move?
But that Noble boy also said that if they were late, Eren would be in danger.
Levi was also somewhat uncertain.
At that moment, Mikasa, who was guarding the entrance, suddenly came in: "Someone's coming. Only one carriage!"
Everyone immediately became alert, grabbing their guns and standing up.
They hid in various corners, preparing to first observe the identity of the newcomers.
A figure slowly walked to the stable entrance, its shadow stretching long and filling the entire stable passageway.
The person, however, did not enter. He spoke to the "empty" stable: "Heroes of the Survey Corps, my master invites you."
Levi stepped out, looking at this white-haired servant who seemed so out of place here: "Who is your master?"
Buffon bowed and said calmly, "My master's surname is Leon. He invites you all to be his guests."
Levi glanced at Mikasa with a questioning look. Mikasa shook her head, indicating there was no one else behind him.
Levi frowned and asked, "How did you find us?"
Buffon revealed an enigmatic smile: "We have our ways. But please hurry. Our ship is about to depart."
"Fine. I'll see what tricks that father and son are playing."
... Jean stepped forward to check if Buffon was carrying any weapons.
Mikasa inspected the carriage and discovered there was another person on board.
Elise bowed to Mikasa: "Hello, you must be Miss Mikasa. I am my young master's maid."
"Hello... sorry." Mikasa approached and checked Elise'smaid'sd dress.
"It's alright." Elise also allowed her to search.
After confirming everything was safe, Levi and Buffon carefully discussed the route.
"How do we get past the Military Police Corps' inspections?"
"No one dares to inspect the Leon Family's carriage or private ship."
"Why?"
"My master says it's a privilege he gained after retiring."
"Hah. Capital City Councilors really are something."
"You flatter me."
... It was the first time any of them had ridden in such a luxurious carriage. Aside from Levi, the others were somewhat curious and restrained.
"Behave. Don't act like country bumpkins and make people look down on you." Levi didn't want to see these kids embarrass themselves.
The carriage compartment was large, and several of them weren't crowded at all, sitting inside.
Elise took a square box and a teapot from a cabinet: "Would you like something to eat?"
Levi said coldly, "Sorry. We were just tricked by your young master not long ago. We really don't dare to eat your food."
Elise thought for a moment, then opened the box, took out a small bear-shaped cookie, and ate it herself.
After finishing it, she handed the box over: "Is this acceptable now?"
Everyone looked at the Captain. Sasha's eyes were especially pleading.
Levi ultimately agreed, though he himself did not eat.
Along the way, Armin curiously asked: "Did Lock prepare this for us, too?"
Elise shook her head: "This was originally prepared by the young master for that Miss Annie. The young master said Miss Annie liked these very much."
The carriage fell silent. Even Sasha, who had been munching with puffed cheeks, stopped.
Levi snorted coldly: "How touching."
... Just as Buffon had said, when the carriage passed through several checkpoints, the Soldiers saw the Leon Family emblem on the carriage and directly let them pass.
Only then did everyone relax.
Soon, the carriage brought them to the freight docks. Everyone, wearing cloaks, followed Buffon and Elise onto the Leon Family's merchant ship.
Buffon addressed the group: "Everyone, please follow me. The master is already waiting for you."
"Ash is on the ship?" Levi was somewhat surprised.
Buffon led everyone into the ship's cabin and stopped before a door.
He knocked: "Master, they are here."
Ash's somewhat hoarse voice came from inside: "Then come in."
Buffon pushed the door open, stood to the side, and smiled, gesturing for everyone to enter.
Levi led the way inside, with the 104th Cadet Corps members following behind.
The furnishings inside the room were far from the opulence everyone had imagined. Levi found it somewhat resembled Pixis's office inthe Trost District.
That stingy old Ash sat behind the desk, looking at everyone.
Ash's gaze swept over the group, lingered on Mikasa's face for a moment, and then he shook his head.
He then looked towards Sasha, who was standing at the very edge, and his eyes lit up.
He asked Sasha kindly, "What's your name? Where is your home?"
Baffled, Sasha, following her habit, saluted this important person before her with a military salute: "Reporting. My name is Sasha Blouse. My home is in Taopa Village, Southern District of Wall Rose."
Ash revealed a smile like an elder looking at a junior and asked:
"Then, would you be willing to marry into my family?"
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