There was no more communication.
Reality didn't give Lock and Kenny a chance to speak privately any longer—because the main force arrived.
Erwin took the lead, bringing Levi, the Survey Corps, and the remaining combat forces of the Central Military Police against the human enemies. When they arrived, they saw the crystallized Annie Leonhart.
Everyone was shocked by the sight, but powerless to do anything.
After attempting to strike the hardened crystal with blades and finding no results, they accepted the situation reluctantly.
Fortunately, this entire "prison break" incident took place on Kenny's side. The Survey Corps wouldn't bear all the responsibility, and Annie hadn't escaped. Even though she was crystallized and couldn't be taken out or interrogated, she hadn't run. The delivery was still technically successful—it was now up to the royal government to decide what to do next.
Without lingering for long, they carried Annie into a transport wagon, and the entire force returned to camp.
On the way back, Erwin turned to Lock with a rare smile.
"Lock, you've done a great job again this time."
He spoke gently, without a trace of reproach for Lock's unauthorized actions.
Lock lowered his gaze slightly. "I was reckless this time."
Erwin waved it off. "If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have been able to secure the Female Titan. Your merits far outweigh your faults."
Then, lowering his voice as only Levi was nearby, Erwin asked, "Any thoughts on her crystallized state?"
Lock spoke just as softly. "Our blades can't cut through it. Heavy weapons like artillery would endanger her life. I think it's better to leave her as she is for now. This state isn't harmful to us."
Erwin fell silent at that. Levi glanced briefly at Lock, his expression unreadable but his eyes flashing with faint surprise.
As they neared the camp, Erwin nodded decisively. "Alright. I trust your judgment."
"Thank you," Lock replied quietly.
Compared to Annie falling into the hands of the royal government, especially the Reiss family, the current situation was undeniably better. If they handed her over, she might be interrogated, killed, or have her Titan power extracted. None of those outcomes was ideal.
Through Ymir's testimony, Erwin had already glimpsed the corruption and incompetence festering at the heart of the royal government inside the Walls. Even if her words alone couldn't be fully trusted, a small crack had opened in the dam—and once that happens, doubt only grows.
Those who willingly joined the Survey Corps were dissatisfied with living as livestock within the Walls. They sought freedom, knowledge of the outside world, or held higher ideals: to liberate humanity.
Erwin belonged to the latter group—his resolve was firm, his goals lofty.
As Commander, he was more decisive and daring than many within the establishment. Though Ymir's claims were the only source, Erwin's actions showed his choice clearly: he believed her. That alone put him at odds with the royal government's ideology.
From the moment he learned Ymir's identity and chose not to report it, he had effectively set his course. The only path left was forward—alongside Lock.
Back at camp, Erwin took Levi aside. Lock watched them leave and thought to himself, "Your choice isn't wrong. Time will prove everything."
Turning back to his tent, Lock immediately noticed Petra, Oruo, Eld, and Günther gathered outside, waiting for him.
"Lock, are you alright?" Petra asked, worry flickering in her eyes.
"What could happen to me?" He gave a small, reassuring smile.
He then looked at Oruo, Eld, and Günther, who stood there like defeated recruits. "What's wrong with all of you?"
Petra chuckled lightly. "They were sulking. The Commander ordered us to stay in camp, and they didn't get to see any action."
Her smile was a relief; she understood far more than she let on. The thunder and lightning from earlier had been unmistakable. Seeing Lock return safely had lifted a heavy weight from her heart.
Oruo and the others only looked more dejected.
Then, curiosity got the better of them.
"Captain, what happened out there? Did another Titan appear?" Eld asked.
Before Lock could reply, Oruo and Günther jumped in:
"That lightning—exactly like when Titans appear!"
"And the direction… it was near the Central Military Police camp!"
They practically pieced the situation together by themselves. Lock found their quick analysis impressive—but also mildly exasperating.
"Alright, enough," he interrupted. "It's handled. Get some rest. We leave at dawn and return to Mitras with the Central Military Police."
"Mitras?" Oruo, Eld, and Günther exchanged uneasy looks.
They didn't have the best impression of the capital.
Lock nodded firmly. "This mission had a big impact. We have to report directly. You don't need to do anything special—just stay at the base."
"That's a relief," the three sighed in unison.
But Petra and Ymir's expressions shifted subtly—nervous, tense.
Lock noticed and shot them a sharp look of warning. In the coming confrontation with Kenny, both Petra and Ymir would play crucial roles. They couldn't afford to be exposed prematurely.
Ymir wasn't much of a concern now; she could control her Titan powers at will. But Petra, who had only recently inherited Titan power, was still unfamiliar with it. Her personality and inexperience meant she couldn't transform freely yet.
Lock knew that eventually, he'd have to force her to learn—whether she liked it or not.
But that was a story for later.
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