Yago opened the box, and a nearly brand-new set of vertical maneuvering equipment lay inside.
Where did this vertical maneuvering equipment come from? Of course it was taken while the smugglers were digging a pit—bah, retrieved. He was a soldier, after all; taking back equipment was perfectly normal, right? Recruits of the Training Corps were soldiers too. Yes, that's how it was, Yago told himself in his heart.
Of course, he wouldn't let these weapon-reselling smugglers off either. What? Let him do it himself? Yago wasn't stupid. Although his strength, speed, and perception were all very strong, that didn't mean he could deal with two adults who might be carrying deadly weapons like muskets. Turning into a Titan was an option, but if Yago really did turn into a Titan, he absolutely couldn't let those two smugglers go. Killing people was still something Yago couldn't quite accept at his current stage.
So he chose the best solution: find the Garrison soldiers guarding the forest and let them handle it. The Garrison soldiers usually just accumulated seniority; if they could add one or two merits to their records, not only would they receive generous rewards for completing the mission, they might even get a chance to join the Military Police.
They hit it off immediately, and the Garrison soldiers who received the news hurried over.
Now everyone was happy. The Garrison soldiers earned merits, and Yago got the vertical maneuvering equipment he had been longing for. From now on, he wouldn't even have to spend money to enter the forest—how wonderful.
...
Ten minutes later.
"No way!!!" Yago's wail echoed through the forest.
Fully equipped, Yago discovered in despair that this set of vertical maneuvering equipment was actually broken. Broken. Broken. Broken.
He pulled the trigger on the hilt—no response. He checked the gas canisters; the gas was still plentiful.
There were plenty of blades in the housing as well. He drew one—it was extremely sharp. With just a light swipe across his hand, it cut Yago's skin. A faint steam appeared, and the wound on his hand healed quickly.
Although the equipment was damaged, it didn't dampen Yago's enthusiasm. Since he was already at it, Yago decided to directly disassemble the vertical maneuvering equipment.
Of course, not right now. He packed the equipment back into the wooden box, held it in his arms, and left the forest. At the forest exit, he ran into that pair of Garrison soldiers.
Sure enough, the Garrison soldiers were very tactful and didn't spare the wooden box in Yago's arms a second glance. Of course, even if they checked the box, they wouldn't say anything. Although vertical maneuvering equipment was also a controlled item, compared to muskets it was nothing.
After all, vertical maneuvering equipment was used to deal with Titans, while muskets were used to deal with humans. In fact, if the Garrison soldiers knew that this vertical maneuvering equipment also came from smugglers, they wouldn't be happy, because high-level smugglers mostly only dealt in muskets. Wasn't it good as it was? Catching this group of smugglers meant only muskets—and could only be muskets.
Carrying the vertical maneuvering equipment home, Yago hesitated for a moment, wondering whether to take it back. First, the origin would be hard to explain; second, Eren and the others might not agree to him disassembling it.
After thinking for a moment, Yago hugged the box and walked toward another place.
...
Night fell.
"I'm back!" As the door was pushed open, Yago's lazy voice came through. Eren, Mikasa, and Armin, who were eating dinner, all looked up. Wearing his uniform, Yago came back carrying a small piece of smoked meat.
"You're back? Come eat dinner. Eh—where did the smoked meat come from?" Lucia wiped her hands on her apron. Seeing the smoked meat in Yago's hand, she was quite surprised. But thinking of Yago's abilities, she felt relieved. Back in the refugee camp days, when Yago went into the forest with them to pick mushrooms and such, he could always occasionally catch little rabbits or frogs. Back then, they couldn't worry about cute little animals—everything went into their stomachs.
"Ah, this? I caught a squirrel in the forest today and traded it with the butcher over there," Yago said, half true and half false.
Eren's mother, Carla, also walked over at this time.
"Is that so? Then it's perfect—I'll make some smoked meat patties for you. Aren't you going on a picnic tomorrow?"
"I also made some egg cakes and snacks today. Yago, bring them along tomorrow too," Lucia agreed.
"Okay."
Eren waved his spoon and said unhappily as he looked at Yago's uniform,
"Hey! Yago, did you secretly go train? That's too much—how could you not call me?"
Yago raised an eyebrow.
"You want to go too? Then are you going to leave Mikasa and Armin behind?"
Mikasa's gaze immediately changed, dark and heavy as she looked at Eren. Although Eren was usually straightforward, even he could feel that something was off with Mikasa at this moment. That chill seemed like it could swallow him whole.
So Eren quickly said, "How could I leave Mikasa and Armin behind? I mean, how could you hide it from us and train in secret!"
Only then did Mikasa's expression return to normal. Watching this, Yago held back his laughter and didn't answer, while Armin helplessly played the mediator.
"Eren, let me discuss something with you," Yago suddenly said mysteriously.
"What is it?" Eren was taken aback.
Yago deliberately leaned close, then suddenly shouted, "In the future, when you and Mikasa have kids, let me be their godfather!"
Mikasa: "!!!"
Eren: "!!!"
Armin: "!!!"
Mikasa's face instantly turned red, and she couldn't help sneaking little glances at Eren. Eren, on the other hand, excitedly retorted loudly,
"What kind of joke is that! I—Mikasa—anyway, don't make jokes like that!" But his flushed face showed that Eren wasn't entirely resistant at this moment.
Armin: "Eh, Yago's idea is really special. Then I'll be the second godfather!"
Eren said angrily, "Hey! Armin, why are you making jokes like that too!"
As he spoke, he looked at Mikasa. A trace of disappointment flashed in Mikasa's eyes. He didn't know why, but Eren felt a sharp pain in his heart—very painful, as if he were losing something.
"Something like that… at least wait until after we've driven out the Titans…" Looking at Mikasa, Eren's tone unconsciously softened.
Yago: "Ha, then I'll take that as you agreeing! Armin, remember—you're the witness!"
Armin: "Got it, I'll remember!"
Eren: "You—you guys know when to stop!"
Mikasa: "....." (Inner thoughts: So embarrassing~~)
Carla looked at the kids, her heart both comforted and a little bittersweet.
Lucia patted her shoulder and said, "The kids are growing up so fast. Eren and Mikasa really are a good match."
Carla's gaze was gentle as she looked at Eren.
"This child is sometimes too impulsive and always troubles Mikasa to take care of him. I hope that when Eren grows up, he'll take care of Mikasa too. No matter how strong Mikasa is, she's still just a girl."
Lucia: "Don't worry. Children always soar higher than we imagine. They won't let us down."
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