Everyday life and a few words from the author
Yago glanced at the departing Marley youth a few times, but a muttered remark caught Yago keen hearing, "A bunch of arrogant brats. Without the Eldians' bloody battles, Marley wouldn't have the peace it once had. So ungrateful, the Eldia Soldiers the front lines really don't deserve it."
Although the voice was soft, it was very clear to Yago, and the tone was full of regret, respect, and sympathy.
Yago turned around in surprise. The muttering voice belonged to the Old Woman in front of him. This surprised Yago. He had heard that the older generation of Marley were extremely disgusted with the Eldians. This was the first time Yago had seen an elderly Marleyan sympathize with the Eldians.
So Yago naturally steered the conversation to the recent war between Marley and the Middle East.
Have you heard about the war between the Middle Eastern Union East? I hear things aren't going well on the front lines.
The Old Woman curled her lip and said, "How would an old woman like me know about these things? It's none of our business to interfere in war. It's better if there's no war. When there's war, everything goes up in price. Now a loaf of bread costs twenty copper coins."
But Yago wasn't truly concerned about the war, so Yago asked the question that had been bothering him, "I think I heard you mention the Eldians earlier. A large portion of the Marley Army is Eldians. Could they be influencing our forces? What are your thoughts on these descendants of demons?"
Upon hearing the words "Demon Lily," the Old Woman's expression changed slightly, and she slowed down her needlework. Looking at Yago, the Old Woman was momentarily at a loss for words.
After a long silence, the Old Woman finally spoke, "Children, you are still young. You should learn to see the world for yourselves. It has always been said in Marley that the Eldians are descendants of demons, but have you ever seen an ordinary Eldians?"
Yago and Annie exchanged a glance and then shook their heads in unison.
The Old Woman continued, "Eldians are just like us ordinary people. There's no place like a demon here. They're all the same as us. Take off the Armband on your arms, and who can tell the difference? I'm over sixty years old, unlike those young people who talk Train."
The Eldians brought Marley many victories, but the Eldians received nothing in return, except for a Medal on their uniform from their Marley Officer. In truth, we Marleyan should be grateful for the Eldians' bravery and sacrifice.
My child, I'm not speaking for the Eldians, but the Eldia Soldiers on the front lines are indeed bleeding and sacrificing for the Marley.
Yago was somewhat surprised. Did even Old Woman from the Marley countryside know so much?
A rumbling sound rang out, startling Yago. He turned to see Annie clutching her stomach and looking down. "Ah, Annie, is that your stomach growling? Are you hungry?"
Hearing how loud Yago's voice was, Annie blushed and gently punched Yago.
Come to think of it, she had some breakfast on the ship this morning, and it seems she hasn't eaten anything since then. It's already afternoon, and the Train has been traveling for almost three hours, so it's no wonder Annie is hungry.
But this was on an ordinary Train, and there didn't seem to be any food to buy. Yago awkwardly touched his pockets and found only his purse full of gold coins.
Seemingly sensing Yago's predicament, the Old Woman lifted the blue cloth covering the basket next to her seat. Inside the rather large basket were several large pieces of bread, a small glass jar that looked like a jam jar, and several large sausages.
The Old Woman smiled and handed Yago and Annie two pieces of bread and two sausages. Yago and Annie thanked her profusely and offered to pay, but the Old Woman waved her hand and refused, saying, "It's just some country food, what's the big deal? You're too careless, young man. You're strong and healthy, what if your girlfriend goes hungry?"
Yago just smiled when he heard this, then broke the sausage the old woman had given him in half and gave it to Ani. A little secret: Ani can eat Yago!
Yago's act of handing over the sausage surprised Annie. "What are you doing!"
"Are you worried that Annie won't have enough to eat? Is it enough? How about I share half of the bread with you? Last time, Annie, you ate a whole pie in front of me, you probably ate it all."
"!!" Annie was a little embarrassed and annoyed when Yago said he could eat a lot.
Their playful banter amused the Old Woman opposite them.
The Train continued its journey, and soon after, at a rural station, Old Woman, hunched over, struggled to gather her belongings in preparation for disembarking. Yago and Annie got up to help, carrying the Old Woman's luggage and some bottles and jars off the train.
As Yago bent down to put down the basket covered with a cloth, the Old Woman smiled, patted Yago on the shoulder, and said, "Thank you, child. Live happily with your girlfriend."
The Train started moving, and the Old Woman waved goodbye from the window until Train completely left the station. On top of the bread in the Old Woman's blue cloth-covered basket, a beautiful gold coin lay quietly.
After saying goodbye to the warm and kind Old Woman, even though they didn't know her name, Yago and Annie felt a rare moment of relaxation.
However, thinking of the Rumbling that Big Eren's Memories, which almost flattened the entire Marley Continent, and that the Old Woman's village was probably doomed as well, Yago's heart felt slightly heavy.
The Rumbling — Yago had always been reluctant, or rather, afraid, to confront this term, because the cost of activating it was far too great, too great for anyone to bear. There were many kind-hearted people in the world, like the Old Woman.
Paradis Island has too few options; only the Rumbling can shake the world. Yago doesn't have a definite answer on what to do next, but he has to try his best.
A slight weight settled on his arm. Yago looked over and saw Annie leaning against him, her eyes closed. Her even breathing indicated that Annie was asleep. Without thinking much of it, Yago slowly took off his Trench Coat and gently covered Annie with it. Then he looked out the window.
P. S. This is a more slice-of-life chapter, so please bear with me Fate. The appearance of Yago has changed many Fate Titan, so most of the Marley arc needs to Muzi original (·●·). Although there is an outline, Muzi thoughts are still a bit complicated, so I wrote this slice-of-life chapter to fill in the gaps in my thinking (○ﾟεﾟ○).
The Marley arc will cover a great deal of material, and many plot points left unresolved in Marley earlier chapters will need to be addressed. For example, the protagonist's time-traveling memories, which have been a source of curiosity, the protagonist's "half-time traveler" identity as mentioned by the author, and Doctor Ebson with the Artificial Titan, which were the biggest foreshadowing in the Muzi. All these secrets will be revealed in the Marley arc.
Speaking of Muzi, I might as well give you a little hint: many readers speculate that Doctor Ebson is a time traveler, and that Yago's memories come from the Doctor. Hehe, is that really the case? Please stay tuned! (=^▽^=)