"The Survey Corps is back! The front gate is about to open!"
Accompanied by a loud shout, the long-silent bell of Shiganshina District rang once more.
A crowd quickly gathered at the city gate, watching the massive entrance slowly rise.
Some faces were curious, some expectant, some prayed, and others wore expressions of disdain.
Under countless gazes, the Survey Corps, led by Captain Keith, rode into the city.
This time, no wounded soldiers were dragging themselves forward, no defeated expressions, no despair.
Instead, the members of the Survey Corps held their heads high, their eyes firm and resolute.
They had reason for confidence.
They made history. Not only did they establish an outpost deep beyond the Wall, but they gathered valuable new information on Titans, laying the groundwork for future expeditions.
The people around could feel the shift in the atmosphere.
Compared to previous missions where losses were catastrophic, this time the majority returned.
The public whispered: "Was the Survey Corps mission a success?"
Even a few bold souls dared to voice doubt, glancing at the triumphant-looking Keith.
"Captain Keith, tell us what you found!"
But, following orders, no one revealed a single detail.
Lock stood in the team, his face hidden beneath a hood. After the bloodshed, he radiated a cold, silent aura—a vacuum that no one dared approach.
As the team pressed forward toward the Shiganshina base for repairs, a familiar voice broke through the tension.
"Lock, over here!"
"Lock!"
Armin, Eren, and Mikasa waved excitedly.
Lock pulled back his hood, smiled faintly, and waved at them, though he didn't stop.
They followed the group, exhausted after two continuous days of travel, nerves strained outside the Wall.
Upon entering the base, they almost collapsed from fatigue.
Meanwhile, in the captain's office…
"You want to ask for leave? And take your equipment with you?!"
Keith, Erwin, and Levi were all surprised.
But once they remembered Shiganshina was Lock's hometown, the picture became clear—though still puzzling.
"Why take your gear out?" Erwin asked, calm but curious.
Lock met his gaze without hesitation.
"I want to upgrade the equipment," he replied bluntly.
"Upgrade?"
"Didn't I tell you I was a blacksmith before?" Lock feigned innocence.
The three officers exchanged subtle glances.
Even if Lock was a blacksmith, how much skill could he really have?
Still, they'd witnessed his talent—unlimited potential.
Without further question, they permitted his request.
After leaving the base station with his gear in tow, Armin, Eren, and Mikasa ran toward him.
"Lock, are you hurt?"
"Do I look injured?" he replied, rubbing Armin's head out of habit.
Just as he moved to proceed, Mikasa stood silently by his side.
Lock shook his head lightly and ruffled her hair without favoritism.
This little girl—so pure, so quiet.
Along the way, Armin became an incessant torrent of questions, wondering aloud about the world beyond the Wall and the battles with Titans.
Lock, careful not to reveal too much, gave them a brief account of their time outside the Wall, the giants they'd encountered.
The three listened with wide eyes, their curiosity insatiable.
As Armin pressed on, never stopping his barrage of inquiries, Lock suddenly wanted to rip off his sweaty socks and stuff them into the boy's mouth.
Having barely escaped the relentless questioning of Hange, he now faced a "hundred-thousand-questions ghost" again.
It was… too exhausting.
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