"What do you want to gain?!" Rod Reiss asked, his tone steady but his gaze sharp.
At the same time, he waved his hand, signaling the surrounding Anti-Personnel Control Squad members to disperse. He then walked forward calmly, with Kenny Ackerman following at his side, amusement flickering in his eyes—almost as if he were praising Lock's performance.
Ignoring the theatrics of the old man, Lock replied without hesitation,
"Power. I want power."
"Just that?" Rod's lips curled slightly.
As the true ruler within the Walls—wielding both political authority and the power of the Founding Titan—Rod's own thirst for power was no longer about conquest. As long as the Reiss family's divine lineage remained unchallenged, delegating power was acceptable. Just like Kenny: as captain of the Anti-Personnel Control Squad, he operated with immense freedom. He wasn't under any military branch's jurisdiction, answered only to Rod, and enjoyed privileges even higher than the Four Military Branches. He was, in essence, a fifth force inside the Walls.
Lock's demand for power didn't unsettle Rod. In fact, it reassured him. He preferred ambitious subordinates to those without desire—ambition could be shaped, controlled, or rewarded.
Lock stood calmly. "That's all I want."
"Then I'll give you power," Rod decided swiftly. But before Lock could respond, his tone shifted.
"But… you have to prove your worth. I don't like reckless beasts."
"I was the one who proposed the Corps' conjecture about the Titans," Lock said evenly. "And those conjectures have all been confirmed."
Rod's expression stiffened. He didn't like surprises.
"What conjecture?" he asked.
"Unlike mindless Titans, some Titans possess command ability—and their original forms are most likely human," Lock explained.
While speaking, he observed Rod closely and clearly saw the flicker of composure breaking in the man's eyes.
"Humans… that's impossible," Rod muttered in disbelief.
"Why not?" Lock countered with a faint smile. "Our operations in the Stohess District confirmed my theory. The Armored Titan, the Colossal Titan that broke Wall Maria, and the Female Titan that infiltrated our ranks—they're all human."
Rod leaned forward. "Do you have any other discoveries?"
"Not yet," Lock admitted. "It's a pity. Captain Kenny and I managed to defeat the Female Titan, but she crystallized herself. With our current technology, it's impossible to break through her crystal without risking her life."
Rod's eyes narrowed. "You didn't report this to me, Kenny."
Kenny shrugged nonchalantly. "I was drunk last night. Forgot."
Rod's brow furrowed. "You forgot something this important?"
Kenny remained unfazed. "Well, now you know."
The Anti-Personnel troops might have sworn loyalty to Rod, but in reality, their loyalty lay with Kenny. Rod knew this and couldn't push the matter too far. His gaze returned to Lock—young, highly skilled, and sharp-minded, even on par with Kenny—a dangerous mix. Yet precisely the kind of asset Rod valued.
"Yes, Lock. I like you more and more. Stay by my side, and I'll give you everything you want."
Lock shook his head lightly. "I think, in the current situation, it's more valuable for me to remain in the Survey Corps than by your side, my king."
He glanced subtly at Kenny. Kenny immediately looked elsewhere, feigning ignorance. Rod caught on a step late and nodded thoughtfully.
"That's acceptable. If you learn anything new about the Titans, I expect to hear it first."
"Understood," Lock replied.
Rod's expression softened into satisfaction. "Don't worry. I won't mistreat my own people."
The weight he placed on the words "my own people" was deliberate. Lock understood the underlying message—Rod's trust in Kenny had wavered.
Lock shared only the intelligence that would inevitably surface soon, carefully holding back the crucial details. Rod was visibly impressed but increasingly cautious. A subordinate with both exceptional combat ability and intelligence was both an asset and a threat.
Used correctly, Lock would be Rod's sharpest weapon. Used carelessly, he could become a blade turned inward.
Rod's mind moved quickly. Kenny had grown too independent, and until now, he had no alternative but to rely on him. But with Lock in the picture, that changed. He could use both men to balance each other, maintaining his dominance at the center.
Rod felt clever, envisioning his power balanced perfectly between the two blades.
What he didn't realize was that Lock and Kenny had already reached a private agreement. He was the one being deceived.
After leaving Rod's temporary underground residence, Lock emerged to the surface. Without wandering, he returned straight to the Survey Corps base. He remained aware of the eyes watching him from the shadows—but he didn't give them a single opening.
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