The Iron Fortress traveled west all the way to Beautiful Country, where Gothic spires and Baroque palaces glittered in the sunlight, as though the place had not been affected by the Kabaneri at all.
But Hange and the others were in no mood to admire the scenery.
After passing through the Portal, they arrived in the Technology World...
The same military fortifications appeared before them.
But once the captain of the Covert Operations Squad presented his credentials, their attitude changed completely.
"This way, sir." The man in charge bowed respectfully.
"They don't need to be inspected either."
"Understood. Let them through!" At his command, the soldiers withdrew and the gun emplacements stood down.
"It must be nice to have authority," Kurusu remarked despite himself.
"Envious? Then work hard to get stronger!" Among those escorting Shari, a masked man with only a pair of white eyes showing offered him that reminder.
"Less talking, more doing!" The captain swept his gaze over them, then led them into a dedicated vehicle.
The black car was made from tough materials and even came equipped with heavy weapons.
Hange sat beside Ayame. Bored, she cautiously asked, "Princess, why do you think Shari attacked you?"
"I... I don't know either." Ayame seemed downcast. After a moment of silence, she said, "Mima clearly doesn't care about taking control of the Shogunate."
Erwin rubbed his chin and ventured, "Could he have acted on his own?"
"You mean he ignored his superior and came to attack us himself? Why would he do that?"
"You'd have to ask him."
Using the conversation as cover, Hange secretly exchanged glances with Erwin and the others, asking what they should do next.
He signaled for her to wait and see.
Those mysterious, powerful people remained unusually quiet, letting them discuss things freely.
The