A Night of Preparation (4)

Mina's POV

Unconsciously, I gave her a smile of gratitude. "Thanks, Blake." And without any hesitation, I lifted my hand to shake hers. "Let's meet again someday."

"I'll look forward to that!" 

"Oh, but before you go," As I promptly pulled her hand for the distance between us to lessen, Blake gasped in surprise, one that I'd decided to ignore. "Can you do me a little favor? I need to bring some medical supplies for this mission. Can you provide me with some?"

"Medical supplies?" She closes her eyes to mull it over, torn and conflicted. "It'll be a bit hard, but it depends on what you'll use it for… I guess." 

"That's great!" Giving her a small grin as mischievousness takes over the reins, I giggled. "I'll leave it to you then. Okay? Just give it to a man named Moblit Berner."

"Huh?! Wait- Miss Carolina!" 

Now unto the next problem….

After leaving Blake to her own devices, I eventually found myself walking to where the others were currently located. It'll be a bit awkward… no, scratch that. It will be SUPER awkward once I get there.

But can anyone blame me? I just witnessed my father being pressured by the weight that this cruel world has brought, and he's only 15! Fucking destiny and its unfair rules. And yet… I also couldn't blame the others for pressuring Eren since, in reality… He's the only one who can give this land an opportunity for freedom.

"Damn it." I noticed the other passerby flinch after hearing the sound that my forehead produced after I bumped it into the nearby wall. "Why is it so hard to protect him?"

There are too many variables that push Eren to become who he is in the future. Except for my world, Ymir said that all the others had produced the same result: mass genocide, temporary peace, and then the repeat of the Titans' existence just after Eren did everything to vanquish it. 

The devil must love to torture every living organism. He's the embodiment of sadism, after all.

"Why are you so protective of him anyway?"

With a sigh, I replied. "Do you even have to ask-"

Wait.

Upon widening my eyes after hearing that voice, I paled. It took me a lot of courage just to twist my whole body to see the man I'd disrespected earlier.

Fuck.

By the distance, I can hear Ymir laughing her ass off already.

"C-captain, uh, I…" Who knows if he can even hear how loud my heart is beating right now, and I sincerely hope that he doesn't! With a crack of my voice, I continued. "I'm so sorry-"

But before I can even finish that sentence, something warm was placed on top of my head, soothing the inner turmoil inside my head. Realizing what he's currently doing, I eventually found myself biting my lip to contain whatever sound it may produce.

Even more so after seeing him construct a small yet noticeable smile. 

"It's been a while since someone got mad at me. It's a surprise, but I kind of expected to hear those words from you."

"..."

Ah…

"Levi…" Hundreds of images instantly passed through my mind, one that involved the man before me. But nothing could ever beat seeing him so relaxed and peaceful. However, even after hearing those words and just before I showed any form of vulnerability, I begged to differ. "Please punish me. What I did was clearly out of the line."

"I refuse. Stop fucking ordering me. What are you, my superior?" With a sigh, the captain's hand eventually went down to pat my shoulder instead. "Four eyes already laughed at me for being told off by a child, so let's just put it behind us and move on." 

"…"

Is Captain Levi an angel? Just how can he forgive me that easily?!

"And besides," He gave the weapon that was attached to my leg a long glance before returning his attention to the path in front of us. "You'll teach me how to use that, right? As compensation."

"Ahaha." 

Compensation, he says.

But there's no way I can say no to that now, right? "Once this battle is over, let's do it." 

"Glad to hear that." 

After finally taking another step inside this warehouse, my gaze eventually wandered to the man behind Captain Levi, following us with his head facing downwards. 

"You've seen it," I whispered, but loud enough for us three to hear. "The evacuation."

"And yet he still refuses to speak." With a click of his tongue, Captain Levi gave the pastor a nasty glare. 

So… am I right to assume that he's being threatened to keep his mouth shut? 

Adding my glance with Captain Levi's deadly ones, I found myself staring at the pastor's downcast expression.

"…"

My only plan was to use Annie, but if it's him…

"Have you ever thought about changing sides, pastor?" 

Those words, filled with unexpectedness and curiosity, surprised both of them, quickly earning the attention of the guilty man. 

Captain Levi was about to open his mouth to speak but eventually stopped after our gazes connected. It was amusing to see him understand what I was trying to do, so I took it as a chance to continue.

"Seeing your expression filled with guilt and regret makes me wonder how you even learned about the truth behind the walls." After taking one step nearer to him, I began to question him. "If there's someone behind you, can you trust them with your life?"

A second was all it took for us to see his next expression.

He can't.

But instead of responding to my question, the pastor simply decided to ignore me as he continued to walk forward. 

"Rude." 

Captain Levi hummed in agreement before we followed the pastor from behind. 

After walking a few more steps inside the building, a certain brunette eventually made her way toward us. Her curious gaze landed upon Levi's figure before shifting it towards mine. She probably wants to ask how we're faring, but a more pressing matter needs to be attended to.

Without wasting any more breath, she asked, "Have you had a change of heart yet?" 

But instead of giving her an immediate reply, the pastor simply looked down again, fueling the rage within the captain. "We don't have time for this! You know, don't you?!"

Of course, he does. I thought to myself while crossing my arms over my chest.

"Will you talk or not?! Make up your mind already!"

"I cannot say anything." Finally, he replied. His tired voice was similar to that of my father, only older. Nonetheless, his response didn't satisfy anyone who heard it. Our irritation only grew by the second. "The other believers are the same as I, which will never change."

With a stomp and a sigh, Captain Hange irritably spoke. "Well, thanks for nothing! We're so grateful for all the help you've been!"

But before she could stomp her way out of this space, the pastor added a few words that eventually gained everyone's attention. I could only lean my head toward the man beside me as we continued to listen to the pastor's speech. 

Is this how he preaches to the citizens? I can vaguely recall how aggressive this man can be, yet now, he seems too tamed and timid. How infuriating.

After what seemed to be an eternity, he finally said something comprehensible to my ears. "I can inform you of a name, which, under their sacred will, we were instructed to monitor."

"Monitor?"

Monitor… Ah.

My eyes widened upon realizing to whom he was referring, one that I have carelessly done while being beside this grumpy yet sensitive man.

Captain Levi noticed how I reacted.

Fuck.

But before he could even question why I reacted like that, the pastor continued. "That person joined the Scout Regiment this year. Their name is…"

"Krista Lenz."

Now, the pieces have come together. Soon, after the scenario that broke Eren's trust, a more annoying story would begin. Honestly, humans versus titans are much simpler to understand in this goddamn complicated world, so upon reaching that point of Eren's story, I experienced numerous headaches just from thinking how monstrous humans are.

What more during our time in Marley? Damn.

Upon hearing her name, Eren immediately told us to quicken our pace since the said girl was currently on the front lines. He even managed to bump into Sasha, who had been noticeably behind him all this time. Poor girl, that made me chuckle. 

I was about to join them in their preparation, but not until the pastor's gaze eventually landed on my figure, thoroughly assessing my physical state. Surprisingly, the next words that came from his mouth were directed to me.

"What you're doing is dangerous." 

Hearing that line coming from this selfish and ignorant being, in short, bewildered me. I'm sure everyone heard it because just when Captain Hange was about to leave, she and Moblit suddenly halted in their steps. Eren, Mikasa, and Armin froze as well.

Captain Levi lifted his eyebrows in confusion while I decided to ask why he said so.

And in addition, I added: "Were my assumptions earlier correct? Is that why you're warning me?"

It probably took a whole lot of effort not to say yes, but he did, which I applaud him for doing. "If you're going to continue this path of learning what the truth is, you'll die."

Death.

It's been a while since someone threatened me. How amusing.

"So, someone is deliberately forcing you not to speak?" I chuckled, amused at our current situation. "Wonderful, what a great hint."

"Listen to me!" His timid and lifeless voice was gone, and because of me, it was suddenly replaced with rage and fear. In his aggressive state, he unconsciously stepped forward and leaned his body nearer to mine, prompting almost all soldiers nearby to flinch. And yet, unsurprisingly, the captain beside me also took a step forward in a way of showing his act of defense if ever something did happen. Noticing that small shift almost made me smile.

Almost.

But in the face of this selfish man, there was no way I could currently break face. So, there I stood, tilting my chin up to counter his belligerence. 

One that he might not have expected. Nonetheless, he proceeded to vent out. "Changing sides? You can't even protect yourself! If you continue this… they'll kill you!" 

"…"

Oh.

Ahaha.

Unconsciously, I lifted my arm and tried to hide the grin forming on my face. Naturally, it failed to go unnoticed when I spoke. "Bullseye."

Now, another unknown piece is added to the puzzle.

Looking aside, Captain Hange's comical gaze pierced through the useless pastor. She was probably wondering who 'they' are, but alas, we aren't exactly in a situation wherein we can discuss the answer to that question. My gaze was about to shift toward the trio, but something within me forced that action to stop, unaware of the forming sentiment welling up deep inside my conscience.

So, instead of thinking about that, I decided to answer this enraged man. "Thanks for the warning."

"But tell them to get in line."

Confused, the pastor's rage visibly lessened. "Huh?" 

While smiling amidst this dark scene, an emotion so familiar began to rise, one I've wholeheartedly decided to embrace. "They're not the only one who wants me dead. Good luck with that."

"That's right, young Yeager," Ymir whispers, grinning along with me. "Don't forget who our true enemy is,"

The devil.

The true enemy of this world.

*****