After distributing the meat to everyone, Lock asked in a relaxed tone, "By the way, when you went to see Shadis this time, did you hear him mention me?"
Jean sneered while gnawing on a piece of meat, "Instructor Shadis said he quite misses the days when he used to lecture you and Sasha."
Lock laughed, "It seems he's in good spirits."
Armin suddenly spoke up, "I just don't know why he's been keeping this a secret all this time."
Jean waved his hand and said, "It's probably because he didn't want to crush the confidence of a certain guy who's in a hurry to die."
After saying that, he looked at a certain guy across from him, with Armin in between, "Right?"
Eren put down his cup and squinted, "Jean, who are you talking about?"
Armin and Jean were both a bit surprised; Eren seemed to have regained his spirit. After all, he hadn't reacted to Jean's teasing before.
Jean said tentatively, "Is there anyone else besides you who's an 'idiot in a hurry to be reincarnated'?"
Eren grinned mischievously, "I've only recently realized that I'm actually quite ordinary. Looking at it that way, it's clearly you who's too cowardly, Jean."
Eren and Jean locked eyes, their gazes filled with nothing but the hostility of old rivals.
"Bang!"
Both of them stood up at the same time and grabbed each other's collars.
"You've gotten pretty bold lately, haven't you? You talk a big game, you boar bastard!"
"You're the one! Growing your hair long, you horse-faced narcissist!"
Armin, caught in the middle, felt his head throbbing from the impact.
"What's going on?" Hearing the commotion, someone from a nearby table looked over.
Looking at this familiar scene, Connie muttered indistinctly, "Remember, don't hit the face."
"You're going to tear my clothes!"
"Bastard!"
The two of them shoved each other into the open space in the middle, clearly intending to have a real fight.
Lock shook his head and looked at Mikasa, "Aren't you going to stop them?"
Mikasa watched Eren in the center and said, "I think it's good."
Then Mikasa glanced at Lock and said, "The scarf looks nice."
Lock knew she had recognized it again and replied with a smile, "Thank you."
Soon, more and more people gathered to watch the fight, and the noise grew louder.
Just then, the sharp-eyed Lock saw Levi walk into the cafeteria.
He immediately stood up, pushed through the crowd, and stepped in front of the two who were in the heat of their fight. Grabbing each of them by an arm, he instantly took them both down to the ground.
"Alright, that's enough."
Lock pressed down on their shoulders and said impatiently, "Do you think we're still in the Training Corps? With Reiner gone, I'm the one who has to deal with you two."
Upon hearing Lock mention Reiner's name, both Eren and Jean's expressions became complicated.
Just then, the noisy voices around them gradually died down as a figure entered the area.
Lock stood up and looked at the approaching Levi, "Captain!"
Eren and Jean also scrambled to their feet.
Levi glanced at the disheveled pair and said, "Lock, explain the situation."
Lock smiled and said, "Just kids fooling around, it got a bit out of hand, so I came over to pull them apart."
"Is that so?"
Levi looked around, "When you're finished eating, go to bed early. Remember to clean this place up."
"Yes, sir!" The crowd dispersed.
Lock walked over to Sasha, who was kicking her legs and whimpering, and untied her from the pillar.
"I saved some meat for you. Go ahead and eat."
Sasha thanked Lock through her tears and rushed over to the table.
Lock walked out of the cafeteria, intending to head back to the dormitory, but unexpectedly saw Levi sitting alone in a corner of an alley.
As Lock approached, he heard Eren and the other two talking on the other side of the alley.
Only then did he realize that Levi actually had the leisure to eavesdrop on the brats' conversation!
Lock also listened for a while.
All three were talking about their dreams.
Mikasa wanted to return to the past, Armin thought about the future, and Eren had no dreams... only revenge... The three finally left, and Levi stood up, only to see Lock walking over with a mischievous grin.
"Captain, still out here caring for your subordinates so late?"
There was no sign of embarrassment on Levi's face. "Yes, your mental states are directly related to the operation the day after tomorrow."
He glanced at Lock. "Given how cold-blooded you are, I don't have to worry about you."
Lock shrugged, having no intention of arguing.
He then asked casually, "By the way, Captain, I haven't asked where you buried Kenny's head?"
"After all, he taught me a few things, too. I wanted to pay my respects."
Levi said calmly, "I burned it. A guy like that doesn't need something like a tombstone."
"That's a shame then."
"Now get lost and get some rest. There's a mountain of prep work tomorrow." With that, Levi turned and left.
"See you tomorrow, Captain." Lock waved at Levi's back...
The setting sun hung burning on the horizon.
On the outer wall of the Trost District, countless Lifts were operating continuously.
The "Titan Guillotine" was still slaughtering the scattered Titans drawn in by the crowd on the wall.
At the Trost Corps Headquarters, Zackary, Pixis, Nile, and various high-ranking officials of The Corps came to see off the Commander of the Survey Corps and all the Section Commanders.
Without superfluous words, both sides exchanged military salutes in a solemn and dignified scene.
Off to the side, Lock was also saying goodbye to his father, who was in a wheelchair.
"That girl,l Eli sees, likes you. Why don't you say a proper goodbye to her?"
Lock clearly understood what his father meant by "goodbye." With a dark expression, he snapped, "I'm your son, not a pig you use for breeding!"
"Besides, I'm not Rod!"
Ash said seriously, "You'd better not be. After Rod fathered the current Queen with his maid, he couldn't have any more children even if he wanted to."
Lock mocked, "Are you any different?"
Ash barely said, "You brat, just wait until you come back to find a younger brother competing with you for the family inheritance!"
"I won't leave you a single cent!"
Lock said indifferently, "Who cares!"
...The two of them grew louder, and since their conversation involved the Queen, the expressions of the high-ranking officials nearby became rather unpleasant.
Pixis, however, was laughing merrily.
Levi frowned and shouted, "Lock, it's time to go!"
Lock acknowledged him and turned back, "Wait for me to come back, old man."
Ash hesitated for a moment and said, "Don't worry about that thing. Use it when you need to!"
"Got it!"
As Lock followed behind the Section Commanders of the Survey Corps, Hange suddenly leaned in and asked curiously, "What did your father just tell you to use, Mr. Lock?"
Just as Lock was about to speak, Levi cut in, "If Ash couldn't even say it out loud, it's probably diapers or something."
Everyone burst into laughter.
Lock laughed, "Captain Hange, would you believe me if I said it was the Power of the Titans?"
The laughter froze. Hange looked visibly startled, "Really?"
Levi said flatly, "Hange, there's never a word of truth out of this kid's mouth. You'd be a fool to believe him."
Lock chuckled, "The Captain knows me best."
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