[You'll regret blowing your cover this early]
On that particular day, Annie was caught up in one of her busiest days. The entire capital was buzzing with the latest news about the Titans that had managed to breach the walls of the Trost district. Amidst all the chaos and commotion, she quietly went about her mission, determined to track down the Eldian who had inherited the power of the Founding Titan.
Annie, Reiner, and Bertholdt initially had a straightforward plan: they intended to enlist in the Military Police. They thought this would bring them one step closer to their ultimate target. Up to this point, they had carved their path through the land, instilling fear as they moved closer to the heart of the kingdom, yet they still hadn't uncovered what they sought.
Even though they never voiced it, deep down, they understood that the mission they once believed would be a breeze was gradually gnawing at their very souls. How could it not be? The weight of guilt for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people was no laughing matter. Even though they had managed to cope with it up to this point, deep down, they understood that this sense of relief wouldn't last forever.
Annie was definitely the one who grasped this better than anyone else in their little trio.
She could already tell that her comrade had transformed into someone completely different. She has known Reiner since they were kids, and all those shared experiences and memories now felt like they had been twisted into something unreal. It was as if she could no longer recognize the person he had become.
Annie had shared her thoughts with Bertholdt, thinking he was still someone she could rely on to inform Reiner. However, she noticed that Bertholdt had also shifted in a similar way, leaving her feeling lost and uncertain about her path.
So, even though she wasn't on board with breaking through the wall again, she felt powerless to make them stop or even just ask them to think twice. She decided to push forward, longing for the moment when she could break free from this mission and head back to her hometown.
"Today feels a bit different, doesn't it?" Annie stood outside a clothing store, muttering to herself as she glanced at the displays in the window. It showcases the top-notch quality they offer, making it clear that they cater to a clientele from the upper class of this kingdom.
Today, not many people showed up to appreciate it—almost no one, really. In this shopping district, it was striking how few civilians were around. The only figures moving about were those in Military Police uniforms, much like Annie, each carrying their long-barreled rifles with a sense of purpose.
Following the shocking events in the Trost district, the reigning king of Eldia took swift action by issuing an emergency alert. This order emphasized that the capital city of Mitras would serve as humanity's final stronghold against the looming threats.
The city, once vibrant and alive with the warmth of the Eldian people, has now transformed into a shadowy place, completely dominated by the Military Police. The tension in the air was palpable, almost visible on the faces of the soldiers around them.
Despite everything that had unfolded over the past 24 hours since Reiner and Bertholdt executed their plan, much had changed. However, it was this morning that Annie began to sense something was off.
"I can't shake the feeling that they're tailing me," Annie muttered under her breath, glancing over her shoulder. Just a few meters back, two figures cloaked in long robes seemed to mirror her every move, their presence unsettling as they trailed her through the quiet streets. She was savvy enough to recognize that they weren't just a bunch of thugs.
Ever since she accepted this mission, she kept her guard up at all times. This heightened awareness made her more attuned to the happenings around her. Plus, her indifferent demeanor allowed her to read others effortlessly, all while keeping her true identity under wraps. Marley had shown her many skills and lessons that would help her become a warrior, just like Reiner always mentioned in his stories.
She had a few options on the table, and one of them was to lead them to a deserted alley and handle things quietly. If she played her cards right, she might even get the answers she was looking for. However, she couldn't shake the feeling that this might just be a setup.
Annie was so caught up in keeping an eye on the people trailing behind her that she completely missed the fact that someone was already waiting for her in the alley where she was about to step.
"At last, we find ourselves together once more."
Annie's senses kicked into high gear as she noticed the man lurking in the shadows of the alley. At first, she struggled to place him, the dim light making it hard to see his features. But when he stepped into the sunlight, the tension in her body began to ease, and she felt a wave of relief wash over her.
"Kaiser, are you in on this too?" Annie asked, her tone taking on a touch more seriousness. "I won't hold back if you get in the way of what I'm trying to accomplish."
Annie didn't need to do any complicated math in her head to realize that the people trailing her could show up in this alley at any moment. She thought deeply about whether to take the plunge and make the first move. After all, Kaiser stood right in front of her without any 3D gear on, and she noticed he wasn't holding a weapon either. This gave her a sense of confidence, making her believe she could easily come out on top in a confrontation.
"Look, if I say no, I know you won't take my word for it. So how about you just trust me this time and come with me to a different place, one that's safer?"
Annie was convinced that Kaiser was fully aware of what was going on. He kept glancing over her shoulder, creating a sense of urgency that was hard to ignore. She did her best to stay calm, but the footsteps behind her were becoming unmistakably louder. Just as she planned to unhook the rifle strap and shift into a hand-to-hand combat stance, she noticed Kaiser already making his way toward her.
"Don't do it. You'll regret blowing your cover this early," Kaiser cautioned in a low voice. However, to Annie, his demeanor came off as aggressive. "If you're interested, I'd be happy to share what I know while you join me."
Annie paused for a moment, taking a deep breath as she weighed her options before finally nodding and agreeing to go with him. She simply raised her eyebrows in surprise when she spotted two carriages waiting for them on the other side of the alley. As she entered the carriage at the front, she spotted Milch, dressed in her nun's habit, already inside. She greeted Annie with a warm smile that instantly made the atmosphere feel welcoming.
Milch gave a light knock on the wooden wall behind her, signaling to the driver that everything was set. Before long, they could feel the wheels beneath them start to roll forward.
"So, what is going on here-"
"It's likely the Scout Regiment, the ones who've been tracking you," Kaiser jumped in, cutting off Annie's question. "From what I've gathered, they're beginning to suspect there's a traitor on the human side. Honestly, I wouldn't be shocked if they sent out more people to keep an eye on things."
Annie found herself pondering a few conclusions after listening to Kaiser's explanation. She wanted to steer clear of the whole titan conversation with him, but the confusion swirling in her mind made it hard to ignore. So, she decided to just sit in silence for a bit, letting her thoughts settle.
It was as if Kaiser could read her mind when he casually remarked, "You can trust Milch. Honestly, she's not your typical nun. She knows just as many secrets as I do."
Kaiser wasn't quite sure what she had in mind, but when he saw Annie's flat expression remain unchanged, a wave of disappointment washed over him. Before too much time had passed, she finally mustered the courage to speak up and ask:
"I can't help but wonder if the Scout Regiment genuinely thinks there's a traitor?"
Annie's eyes suddenly widened, and a look of dawning realization crossed her face. It hit her that she had overlooked something crucial. If the Scout Regiment had reached their current conclusion and dispatched someone to keep an eye on her, it could only mean one thing: "Reiner and Bertholdt... did they—"
"Whatever you're thinking probably isn't true since my source didn't mention anything like that. So, your friend is probably still out there just playing the fool," Kaiser chimed in, noticing Annie's body ease up a bit.
As their journey came to a close, Annie could hear the close neighing of horses, signaling that their carriage had finally come to a stop. She kept her gaze locked on Kaiser, watching intently as he swung the door open.
"I've got a bit of business to take care of after this, so I'll drop you off first," he said, keeping his tone casual and expression neutral as if everything was perfectly fine. Annie's suspicions began to rise again as she realized that this was definitely not the dormitory she called home.
"Where is this?" Annie said quickly, "I'll be fine heading back to my dorm, so if you could just take me-"
"This is the largest church in the city of Mitras," Kaiser said, pulling the carriage door open wider so Annie could get a better look at the impressive structure ahead. "You'll be staying here for a bit, at least until things settle down again. Of course, you can still return to your dorm whenever you want and do whatever you want."
Just as Annie was about to speak, a sweet, melodic voice floated through the air from behind the gate, calling out, "Kaiser! You really found her this fast?"
"You already know Historia, so you can rest assured that this place is safe," Kaiser said once more, a warm smile spreading across his face as he gestured back to Historia, who was making her way over.
"I see," Taking a deep breath, Annie stepped down from the carriage. She tried to study more about Historia, who was younger than her but ended up encountering something completely unexpected.
Although Annie had been acquainted with Historia since their days as cadets, she knew that their relationship was, at best, somewhat that of a stranger. Yet, the warmth radiating from her waist, combined with the way their bodies were pressed together, felt undeniably real. She was puzzled about where Historia found the courage to wrap her arms around her in a hug. On top of that, her bright and cheerful demeanor stirred up an unusual feeling in Annie. This situation felt just like those times she spent hanging out with Kaiser.