A joke

"Gentlemen, please remember our motto: We are striving for the Eldia Restoration!" Floch said emphatically, looking at the Soldiers standing before him.

The Soldiers standing before Floch were also deeply moved. "Yes!!" they clenched their fists and placed them on their left chests, palms facing down, in salute. If Yago were here, he would be surprised to find that this was the very etiquette prevalent in his Eldia Revival Army. Had it actually spread to Paradis Island?

Indeed, those gathered here are all members of the Eldia Revivalists on Paradis Island. From having nothing a few months ago to now having a massive following of several thousand, Floch's contribution is undeniable. It can be said that half of the core members of the Restorationists were personally persuaded by Floch to join.

Furthermore, because the Imperialists's power was growing increasingly formidable, even the highest-level Parliament was powerless to stop Imperialists expansion. At this time, there was a need for someone or some method to curb the Imperialists's expansion.

The emergence of the Restorationists naturally gave the leaders of Paradis Island hope—a hope to curb the continued development of the Imperialists.

Frankly, for the high-ranking members of the Paradis Island Parliament, is there even a need to choose between the Imperialists and the Restorationists? Establishing the Eldia Empire? An empire would certainly have an emperor, but the question is, if the Eldia Empire were truly established, would that emperor be willing to be a figurehead? Would the high-ranking members be willing to return the power they hold to the emperor?

The Restorationists is different. The Eldia National Restoration does not mean the restoration of the Royal Family, nor does it mean that their power will be taken back. Therefore, after weighing the pros and cons, it is not surprising that the high-ranking officials would choose to support the Restorationists.

With the tacit approval and support of Parliament and the upper echelons, the development of the Restorationists can be described as smooth sailing, and their members cover all Three Military Branches.

In front of everyone, Floch explained in detail the intelligence that Yago had transmitted from outside the island. Of course, this was with the permission of the higher-ups, and the classified parts were naturally not told to ordinary Soldiers.

Floch spoke with great passion, and as the Soldiers listened, they gradually gained a basic understanding of the world outside the island.

Unlike the Imperialists, which focused solely on the oppression and cruelty inflicted on the Eldians by humans from other countries outside the island, the Restorationists emphasized the advanced technology and customs of those countries.

The two factions also differed in their attitude towards their Eldia compatriots in Marley. The Imperialists made no mention of the Eldia in the Internment Zone, instead repeatedly emphasizing the need to declare war on all nations hostile to Eldia and rebuild the glory of the Eldia Empire. Perhaps the compatriots in the Internment Zone were subconsciously ignored or even considered enemies by them?

However, the Restorationists advocate liberating all oppressed Eldians in other parts of the world, uniting all Eldians, and reviving the Eldia People.

Among the Soldiers participating in the Restorationists rallies were many Training Corps, most of whom were just fourteen or fifteen years old and were easily swayed by their inner emotions.

Both the Imperialists and the Restorationists have a considerable number of Training Corps members.

"Alex, what kind of person do you think Yago Norman, the founder of the Restorationists, was?" Louise, still wearing her Training Corps, asked her Comrade with a hint of admiration, her fists clenched.

Alex, who was with Louise, was not wearing a uniform because it was a rare day off. He had gone home to visit his mother and happened to run into Louise on the way to the gathering, so he came along with her.

Hearing Louise's question, Alex stroked his chin thoughtfully. "I think Senior Yago must be a very mature, steady, far-sighted, calm, and wise person! Just like Commander Erwin of the Survey Corps before, right?" Alex imagined Yago's image.

But he may not know that the person who truly influenced him to dream of joining the army was Yago. When he was a child, Iago suddenly appeared and the Titan breached the city walls, forcing young Alex and his mother to flee their home, Trost District.

However, countless Soldiers wielding steel swords fought valiantly and reclaimed their homeland from the Titan.

Some time later, little Alex returned home with his mother and bumped into a Soldiers in uniform. Although he couldn't remember the man's face, Alex would never forget the Sword of Extermination that seemed to gleam in the sunlight. At that moment, little Alex had only one thought in his mind: So cool!

Now, Alex has fulfilled his childhood dream, donning the uniform of the Sword of Extermination Yago Norman, seems to have pointed him in the right direction: he will strive for the Eldia National Restoration!

In a corner away from the crowd, Hitch couldn't help but smile as she watched Floch's impassioned speech on stage. Then she turned to the person next to her and asked, "Hey, Annie, this Restorationists was started by Yago, you know. Why aren't you participating?"

Hearing this, Annie, who was next to Hitch, rolled her eyes. "Did he force me to participate? What kind of logic is that? I have no interest at all. Let him play outside if he wants!"

"Oh my! What's wrong? Why does our Annie sound so sour? Are you jealous?" Hitch teased, putting her arm around Annie's shoulder.

A-Yi, who was standing beside the two, secretly covered his mouth and smiled.

Seeing Hitch laugh at her, Annie pushed her away shyly, but Hitch's words really struck a chord with her. Yago hadn't sent any news for months, only various intelligence reports about Marley. Annie eagerly awaited letters from Yago from Hizuru, but the letters never mentioned her.

Who wouldn't be angry? A doll in Annie's room had Yago's name sewn on it, and now that doll has no less than a hundred steel needles stuck in it.

After a few jokes, Hitch suddenly cupped Annie's face in her hands, clicking her tongue as she looked at him, leaving Annie completely bewildered. After a while, Hitch deliberately sighed and said, "Such a pretty face can't even attract Yago. Has that guy found someone new?"

"What nonsense are you talking about?!" Annie grabbed Hitch's hands.

"But seriously, Annie, don't you really miss Yago?"

Annie's eyes suddenly dimmed, but she had no interest in lying to her best friend, so she nodded honestly, "I want to, but... he..."

Hitch: "Since you miss him, why don't you go with the Hizuru to find Yago next time they come?"

Annie was startled by his words. "What are you talking about? Hitch, go to Marley?... Go to Marley..." Annie fell silent as she spoke, seemingly deep in thought about going to Marley.

Hitch: "Hey?? Wait, Ah, Annie, I, I was just joking, don't take it seriously. Next time, you can just write a letter to urge that idiot Yago, right?"

Suddenly, as if she had made up her mind, Annie raised her head and said, "Yes! Hitch, you're right!" After saying that, Annie ran away.

Hitch turned to A-Yi and asked, "Annie said yes, it must mean writing letters, right? A-Yi, you probably think so too, right?"

A-Yi, the honest boy, shook his head and said, "I think Annie wants what you said at the beginning."

"How could that be! I was just joking! How could Annie take it seriously?"