The concerns of Pixis and Erwin were eased by Gale's inventions. Both commanders realized that in order to create these new weapons, it was necessary to have absolute control over the government's resources.
There was no doubt that Gale was focused on a common enemy, and all his plans were simply for the benefit of humanity.
To have all of this ready, Gale barely slept. Therefore, how much time did he really have left to abuse his power?
"Levi, how is the expedition beyond the walls going? Erwin said he wanted to go to the Shiganshina region—how far have you reached?" Hange crouched down and washed her hands with water from a bucket.
Levi stood by the factory wall, looking at the gleaming steel machine gun on the grass, and said calmly, "It was no different from before. Half a year has passed, and the distribution of the Titans we explored last time has changed. If I had known you had built this, I wouldn't have left the walls."
"A month ago, who could have imagined something like this would come to light?" Hange exclaimed, drying her clothes and glancing around discreetly. Suddenly, she approached Levi and whispered, "More importantly, I think I've recently discovered an incredible secret."
"What?"
"Gale—that kid might be from the future. Because think about it, who else but someone from the future could invent so many things in such a short time? So I think he might have traveled through a time tunnel and come here from the future."
"Really?"
"Huh? Don't you get it? He's from the future—a person from the future!"
"And what if he is?"
"Think about it! He could be the mastermind behind some evil plan. Maybe in the future, someone from the Time and Space Administration—or even a fat blue talking raccoon—will come here to carry out some strange experiment."
"Only you would worry about something like that." Levi's gaze did not leave the Anti-Titan Gatling Gun as he said, "As long as that brat can send those shitty Titans to hell and change this shitty world we live in, that's all that matters."
"As long as we win, that's all that matters."
Hange choked on her words and finally let out a sigh. "Levi, is that really what you think?"
"Didn't you also help that brat build the weapon?" Levi asked as he walked away.
"Where are you going?" Hange shouted at Levi's departing figure.
"I'm going to sleep for a while. Wake me when it's time to eat." Levi waved his right hand.
…
In the capital, the central government convened parliament that very night.
"We will now vote on whether or not to implement the 'Plan to Reclaim Maria.' Those in favor, raise your right hand; those against, raise your left."
With his hair slicked back, Hennes stood on the stage, his piercing and cold gaze sweeping across everyone present.
Erwin was the first to raise his right hand, followed by Pixis, and soon all the councilors had raised their right hands.
"Now, let us announce the results."
Hennes struck the seal in his hand, producing a crisp sound.
"The Recovery Plan following the fall of Wall Maria will be set in motion. The team responsible for its execution will depart from the capital on April 3 and is expected to return on April 28."
"Thank you all for your hard work."
…
That night, the carriage of the Hawthorne Merchant Guild stopped in front of the princess's palace.
Accompanied by Hennes, Gale stepped out of the carriage and entered the palace through the main gate.
Historia was reading in the study by candlelight. She had much to learn. Gale, as someone who constantly advised her, had found her some books on politics and the humanities to read.
As a princess, she needed to know how to interact with the public. When appearing in public, she had to project an impeccable image and be extremely careful with her words and actions to maintain her image before the people.
So far, she had maintained this image successfully. Her smile was very comforting, and she enjoyed great popularity in the capital.
She even had a private fan club.
Products related to the princess often experienced increased sales, even if they were no different from similar items.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Gale knocked on the door. "It's me, Gale."
Quick footsteps were heard, and the door opened suddenly. Historia, dressed in a long gown, blinked and said, "Gale, you're here. Do you want to play chess together?"
"Next time," Gale said, patting Historia on the head. "I came to say goodbye. I'll be leaving the capital the day after tomorrow to participate in the operation to reclaim Wall Maria."
"I see…" Historia lowered her head slightly, but quickly forced a wide smile and extended her arms in a polite embrace.
"Have a safe trip."
"Do you have the documents in the safe?" Gale asked seriously. His words startled Historia.
"Yes, they're all there…" Historia whispered, thinking the worst.
"Remember, if for some unfortunate reason—"
"You won't die!"
"Historia…" Gale sighed softly at her reaction.
She was his backup plan in case he died. She held in her possession blueprints and the most important secrets surrounding this world.
Gale was not immortal, and worse still, with Kenny out there, he could die at any moment without even realizing it. That was why, in order not to leave all his promises behind, he had entrusted his final will to Historia—a safe with a code she did not know.
Hannes had the code, and the orders were simple: if Gale died, that code was to be given to Historia.
For Gale, the fear of death was nonexistent; what he feared was dying without accomplishing anything in this world.
"Take care. I won't die… A queen does not cry, Historia," Gale said, embracing her and feeling his chest grow damp from the tears of this young queen.
"Who lied to you about that?" Historia asked angrily.
"Well, I guess that's how queens are, right?"
…
After a long while of calming Historia and briefly confirming the planned schedule with her, Gale returned to his mansion followed by his entourage of guards.
"Was there any mail today?" Gale asked as he took off his jacket.
"Yes." The middle-aged woman handed him a piece of paper. "It's a letter from Wall Rose."
Gale nodded, took the envelope and the oil lamp, went upstairs, and said to the woman, "Tell Ymir to come see me."
"Yes." The woman nodded.
Gale placed the brass oil lamp on the wooden table, sat on the soft sofa, and opened the envelope to read it.
The handwriting in the letter was not the one used within the walls; it was Marleyan script, which had some similarities to the one used inside the walls, but Gale was still unable to read it fluently.
The ones who responded to his letter were Reiner and Bertolt.
As for why those two replied, it was because he had used Annie's identity to establish "secret contact" with these two warriors from the other side of the sea.
After waiting a while, a woman entered the house.
She had neatly combed black hair, a few dark freckles on her cheeks, and was tall.
She had a white towel around her neck, her hair was wet, and her skin was flushed from being soaked. She wore only a short-sleeved shirt and shorts.
As soon as she entered, she sat on the sofa without any courtesy and began chewing the homemade cookies on the plate.
Gale did not mind Ymir's attitude; after all, it had taken him too long to bring her to his side, and she was his greatest secret.
"Ymir, could you take a look at this letter? What does it say?" Gale handed her the letter.
"They've already replied? That fast?" Ymir took the letter and read it.
"Yes, after all, half a month has already passed," Gale said, closing the study door.
"The letter you sent before was received. They said they understood, that they would stay safe until you uncover everything about the interior, and told you to be careful."
"That's all?"
"That's all."
"That's very concise. I hope they stay put for a while." Gale rubbed his temples and took out a stack of worksheets from the drawer.
There were already words written on the paper. They were letters left behind by "Annie." During the three days she received training at the Chamber of Commerce, she attended a literacy class, and these letters were written at that time.
Gale asked Ymir to imitate the handwriting and write a letter using Annie's script.
On the table, Gale looked at the letter written by himself, transcribed by Ymir in her language.
"I have managed to infiltrate the palace. I will contact you again as soon as I have information. Remain in the refugee area and do not expose yourselves."
The news of the Female Titan incident circulated only within a very small circle; not many people in the capital knew about it, much less in the distant pioneer zones of Wall Rose.
Ordinary people simply felt that their quality of life had improved, but did not know why.
In this place without telephones or radios, communication was extremely difficult.
So, to prevent Reiner and Bertolt from doing anything unusual, Gale came up with many methods, and the first of them was the use of letters in Annie's handwriting.
But a problem arose—how could he write letters that those two would understand? He did not know the script used in Marley, much less the shorthand of their writing.
That was why, over the course of a month, he tracked down Ymir and, through a careful approach, gained her trust. Through her secret channels, he was able to send these letters.