Looking at Lock standing by the tree and staring at him, Grisha, who was slightly confused, suddenly woke up, sweat trickling down his back.
He quickly stood up, stepped a few paces away, drew a knife from his belt, placed it against his palm, and eyed Lock with caution.
"Are you really Lock?!"
"Uncle, you don't even recognize me, do you?"
Lock pretended to smile bitterly.
Grisha frowned so tightly it seemed he could kill a fly.
"Then you… you are…"
"Do you want to ask how I know about you?"
Without waiting for an answer, Lock continued,
"I accidentally entered your basement and found some interesting things."
"You went to the basement!"
Grisha's shock was obvious.
His mind raced, trying to connect every possible detail about Lock.
Finally, he slowly sheathed the knife.
Seeing this, Lock knew his bet had paid off.
Grisha Yeager was not the type to pursue personal gain.
He was a man willing to sacrifice himself for his ideals.
He had principles.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone alone to the Reiss family manor after the Wall Maria breach.
He wouldn't have asked Frieda Reiss, holder of the Founding Titan, to use her power to end this farce and save his wife, children, and Mikasa.
Even knowing Frieda would refuse—thanks to memories revealing the future—he still wanted to try.
It was conceivable that if Frieda had agreed, everything could be different.
But Lock knew that was impossible.
Back to the present: Grisha, though shocked, quickly recovered and looked at Lock in confusion.
"Since you already know about me, why don't you report my identity to the royal government? That would be enough to grant you a lifetime of glory."
In truth, what Grisha most wanted to ask was why Lock didn't appear in any of the future memories he'd glimpsed.
But he didn't ask.
Even if he did, Lock wouldn't answer—perhaps because he didn't know either.
After all, Lock was just a civilian, with no access to Titan secrets.
"Uncle, my joining the Survey Corps doesn't mean I'll serve the royal government.
You'll see soon enough."
Lock said meaningfully.
"But I didn't see you."
Grisha said bluntly.
"It doesn't matter…"
Stepping closer, Lock continued:
"What's important is that I believe our ultimate goal is the same."
"What is your goal?!"
Grisha felt Lock seemed so strange—so unfamiliar that doubts flooded back.
"Freedom!"
Lock's expression became serious.
"First, we must realize freedom for the Eldians on Paradis Island.
Then, we'll liberate those enslaved by Marley, living under the blue sky in slavery."
"Do you really believe that?"
Grisha stared deeply into Lock's eyes, unwilling to miss a single detail.
A faint hope flashed in his eyes.
Being alone on Paradis Island, carrying the weight of national freedom, and suffering the side effects of Titan power…
Grisha was tired.
No one relieved him of that burden.
No one shared the pain.
Until now.
Lock appeared—exciting, yet surreal, like a dream.
What Grisha saw was Lock's unwavering gaze.
The little acting skill he displayed when facing Erwin now worked perfectly.
There were no flaws.
Lock showed no trace of cover or deception.
He hadn't reported Grisha to the government but risked his life to protect him.
It explained many things.
Still, Grisha couldn't believe him completely.
His heart was conflicted, as if two villains stood before him.
One, urging him to trust Lock, to share the revolutionary cause.
The other, whispering to seize the Titan's power and kill Lock to prevent future trouble.
Grisha struggled, unable to decide.
At that moment, Lock spoke again:
"Uncle, I know it's impossible for you to fully trust me now.
But I hope you'll postpone taking the Founding Titan's power, for the time being."
"Why?"
Grisha asked.
"Because the Reiss family is still useful.
I want to gain higher status and power through them."
Lock said sincerely.
Upon hearing this, Grisha's eyes widened.
"Lock, you want…?!"
A shocking thought crossed his mind.
He suddenly felt Lock more unfamiliar than ever.
How could a boy of fourteen harbor such ambition?
Of course, not fourteen.
If Lock knew Grisha's doubt, he wouldn't say a word.
He was not stupid.
"That's right.
I want to climb higher, gain greater power, accumulate more strength,
and eventually overthrow the royal government within the wall.
Then use Paradis Island as a base to develop power and liberate Eldians in Marley."
Lock's voice was solemn.
His eyes revealed fanatical determination.
Grisha had seen this expression before—among members of the Eldian Restorationists in his youth.
They were always so full of idealism and resolve.
But reality dealt them harsh blows.
His son Gaomi ruined everything.
Thinking this, Grisha couldn't help asking,
"Lock, with what you just said… I don't think we can overthrow the royal government.
They've ruled for over a hundred years, deeply entrenched in the hearts of the people.
It's too difficult to shake."
"In the face of absolute power, all obstacles vanish."
Lock smiled.
"As long as we master the Founding Titan's power,
The tens of thousands of Titans outside the walls will obey us."
"That would indeed be enough to shake the regime,"
Grisha whispered,
"but… I can't do this.
Unless I have royal blood, I can't activate the Coordinate."
"Royal blood… If I recall correctly, Uncle, your first wife was a descendant of the Fritz family?"
Lock asked casually.
Grisha nodded, guilt and longing in his eyes.
"But Dina had royal blood.
She should be dead.
Even if not, she has become. a Pure Titan… and I don't know where she is."
Upon hearing this, Lock's eyes sparkled calmly.
"Uncle, what if I told you…
I saw a Pure Titan resembling Dina in Shiganshina District before.
Do you think it could be powerful enough to overthrow the government inside the wall?"
"What?!"
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A/N: Advanced Chapters Have Been Uploaded On My Patreon
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