A test

Pieck grew increasingly impatient as he was being pestered. The Marley Officer named Hauge refused to let go of Pieck, no matter what he said.

Pieck's patience quickly wore thin, and her expression gradually turned cold. She was already quite annoyed, and if this guy insisted on making things difficult for her, she wouldn't mind taking action. She believed Captain Magath would be on her side.

"Don't stop me! I'm going to teach this damned Eldians a lesson today, and show her what respect is!" Hauge shoved his Comrade aside and raised his fist, as big as a sandbag, to smash down.

Pieck silently closed his eyes, having taken the punch first, now he had a good reason to retaliate.

However, the pain that Pieck expected did not occur. Instead, he felt his arm being gripped loosen, and then Hauge let out a scream comparable to that of a pig being slaughtered.

She opened her eyes in confusion and found that Hauge's arm, which was thicker than her thigh, was being held down by a slender hand. When her gaze shifted to the face of the person who held the hand, Pieck's breath caught in her throat.

The man was Yago. With ease, Yago grabbed Hauge with one hand. With just a slight exertion, Hauge felt as if his arm was being clamped by a steel vise.

"Ouch! Tom! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Let go! Let go now!" Hauge shouted as he stammered.

Seeing this, Yago increased the pressure on his hands, and Hauge's face turned liver-colored. His legs went weak and he almost collapsed, but his Comrade caught him in time.

"Brother, we're all comrades, there's no need to go too far! Hauge acted impulsively, he didn't mean to provoke your Warrior Unit, don't do this!" Hauge's Comrade pleaded for Hauge. Although he didn't know who Yago was, he figured that only the Warrior Unit would stand up for the Eldians. Besides, Yago's rank of Colonel was higher than theirs, so he certainly didn't want to mess with Yago.

Some of the Marley Officer who had been watching silently earlier also began to speak up. They hadn't said anything before because Hauge had bullied Pieck, an Eldians, and had just watched the show. But now that their "own people" were fighting, they started to say nice things.

Yago found it amusing, then loosened his grip and released Hauge, Hauge immediately plopped down on the ground. Before he could say anything, his Comrade helped him up, and they staggered away.

The surrounding crowd dispersed in a flurry. As Yago watched the crowd leave, he glanced back at Pieck briefly before turning to leave.

But suddenly a discordant voice came from behind him, "Halt! Yago Norman, what are you doing here? What's your purpose?"

Yago continued walking as if he hadn't heard, but he soon stopped because Pieck was now blocking his way, staring at him menacingly.

"Are you calling me, warrior?" Yago asked, feigning indifference.

Pieck looked at Yago, who had a puzzled expression, and sneered, "Yago-san, no need to pretend anymore. We've seen him more than once on Paradis Island. I have great faith in my memory."

Yago's face hardened, and he said coldly, "Warrior, although I don't know what you're talking about, I don't know who this Yago-san you're referring to is. Besides, what is your relationship with this person? Why did I hear you mention Devil's Island just now?"

Pieck was slightly taken aback. Still being stubborn even at this point? Excellent acting! Yago's resolute attitude made Pieck hesitate a little. Upon closer inspection, she realized that the "Yago" in front of her did indeed seem to have slight differences from the one on the island. Did he have a scar on his face?

The more Pieck thought about it, the more uncertain she became. Her initially firm stance softened immediately, but she still doubted Yago. She couldn't believe that two people in the world could look so alike, especially since one was Eldians and the other a high-ranking Marley Officer.

But this stalemate couldn't go on. Pieck thought for a moment and decided to take a risk and bluff Yago. Suddenly, Pieck's expression relaxed, and he even showed a relaxed smile.

Then he spoke, "Yago-san, stop pretending. Although I don't know your purpose in coming here, I want to say that I want to cooperate with you. This war has made me see through the ugly face of the Marleyan. We Eldians from outside the island have suffered endless oppression under the rule of the Marleyan. That's why I've decided to pledge allegiance to Paradis Island. Yago-san, please believe in my sincerity."

Pieck spoke half-truthfully. Why half-truthfully? Because Pieck did indeed have the idea of joining Paradis Island, provided that she had an advantage there and that her family and friends wouldn't be harmed.

If a Marley Warriors were to defect, and the Officer in front of him was truly Yago, even if he didn't believe him, he would at least hesitate for a moment, right? Pieck's observation skills were quite sharp; once Yago showed the slightest hesitation, Pieck would notice his flaw.

However, to Pieck's astonishment, after hearing her words, Yago didn't hesitate for a second. He immediately drew his pistol and pressed it against Pieck's forehead, then shouted angrily, "Eldians bastard! What are you saying? Are you a traitor? As a Marley warrior, how could you betray Marley? Who exactly is Yago? Are you a spy for your Eldians? What is your purpose in infiltrating the Warrior Unit?"

Yago's sudden takeover left Pieck stunned. Before she could react, Yago had her hands under his control, and then her lips were suddenly touched by something cold—a cold, thick Gun Barrel was shoved into her mouth.

"Don't even think about becoming Titan. Your identity has been exposed, you traitor!" Yago said coldly, his finger on the trigger.

Sensing the genuine killing intent emanating from Yago, Pieck panicked and frantically tried to signal that he had something to say. Yago, seeing this, moved his pistol slightly away. Pieck mumbled, "Reciprocity, reciprocity, Jiang Guan Ding Wo Qie Si! (Misunderstanding, misunderstanding, sir, let me explain!)"

After a long silence, Yago put away his pistol and asked in a feigned indifference, "So, you mistook me for Titan Warriors from Demon Island? Are you testing me?"

Pieck nodded quickly, "Sir, it's because I once infiltrated Paradis Island with War Chief Zeke that I admitted my mistake. The test just now was out of necessity. I am utterly loyal to Marley!"

Yago snorted coldly, "Whether what you said is true or false is none of my business, but I will report everything you just said to the higher-ups. You'd better watch yourself."

After saying that Yago turned and left. At that moment, Bagg, who was heavily pregnant, came over. "Brother Loa! Why didn't you say goodbye before you left!"

Pieck's expression was unpredictable as he watched Bagg with his arm around Yago's shoulder.