Zofia's confession

"Zofia? Where are you taking us? The meeting is about to start!" Falco asked, puzzled.

Udo and Colt also looked puzzled, while only Gabi seemed preoccupied.

Zofia wasn't in the mood to explain, so she gave a few perfunctory replies and focused on hurrying on her way.

However, this couldn't go on. The oldest and most composed of them Colt, couldn't take it anymore. He stepped forward, grabbed Zofia's shoulder, and squatted down, saying earnestly, "Zofia, you said you need our help with something very important, but you also need to tell us what exactly it is that you need our help with?"

Zofia was speechless. She turned her head and looked around. There wasn't a single person in sight at the quiet alley entrance. This was different from what Sister Aili had said. They had walked so far and there was no one at all.

So Zofia paused, preparing to think of another excuse, when Gabi unexpectedly erupted, rushing to Zofia and grabbing Zofia by the collar.

"Still lying to us! Zofia, are you going to keep this from us? Why? Why did you betray Marley? Why did Eldia Revival Army? Didn't you once say you would be a warrior fighting for Marley? Why did you do this?"

Gabi's words shocked the people around her. Falco's eyes widened. "Gabi! What are you saying? What kind of joke is this??"

Udo stammered, "No, no, no, Gabi, you, you, how could you talk nonsense?"

As the oldest Warrior Candidate, Colt knew how serious Gabi's words were—they were accusing Zofia of betraying Marley!

Marley Warrior Candidate Marley? How terrible and ridiculous! If true, Marley will be forever shamed.

Colt said sternly, "Gabi! Don't talk nonsense! Do you know what will happen if Captain Magath hears what you just said? If he hears you and Zofia, you will be punished, and you might even lose your status Warrior Candidate!"

But Gabi ignored her, her brown eyes even beginning to mist over. Her voice trembled with tears as she said, "Ask Zofia yourselves! Is what I said true? I heard her conversation with Aili —joining this Eldia Revival Army, liberating these Eldians!"

Aili? That's a Titan Warriors! If what Gabi said is true, Aili is also a member of the Eldia Revival Army, then the consequences could be dire.

Colt looked at the silent Zofia, somewhat incredulous, and asked hesitantly, "Sophia, Zofia Gabi, is what Gabi said true?"

Zofia lowered her head and clenched her fists, seemingly struggling. Finally, with a determined look in her eyes, Zofia raised her head and said loudly, "That's right! I've joined the Eldia Revival Army! Sister Aili said that our Restoration Army is for the liberation of all Eldians! So that no one will be trapped in this cramped Liberio Internment Zone anymore!"

We want all Eldians to live normal lives, not the kind of lives they endure, where they are discriminated against and even trampled upon! We want future Eldia children to grow up happily, not to struggle and torment like we are, pitifully clinging to the hope of some kind of Honorary Marleyan!

Zofia became increasingly agitated, her words growing more and more impassioned. Everyone stared at her in disbelief; was this really the same aloof young woman from before?

"So! Brother Colt! Falco! Udo! and Gabi! Join us! Instead of clinging to this Honorary Marleyan identity that nobody respects, why not join our Eldia Revival Army and fight together to liberate the Eldians? What do you say?" Zofia looked expectantly at her companions.

Falco and Udo were so shocked they couldn't speak, while Gabi stood frozen in place, tears streaming down her face. Only Colt seemed to have recovered, but Colt knew very well that they were now in the capital of Marley —what could they possibly do?

Although Colt didn't care about Marley's survival, he cared about his family and his Younger Brother Falco, and for their sake, he dared not take any risks.

"I'm sorry, Zofia, we can't promise you anything. I hope what you said earlier was a lie. Now, we should go back!" Colt's face darkened as he slowly approached Zofia.

Zofia took two steps back. Although she was a little scared, she tried to reassure her friends, "Brother Colt! Trust us, we can do it!"

Colt looked remorseful, but still walked resolutely towards Zofia. "I'm sorry, Zofia, but I can't let Falco be in danger."

Just when Zofia was at her wit's end, a gentle voice came from behind her, "Well done, Zofia. The Eldia Revival Army is honored to have such an excellent member as you. Leave the rest to me."

The sudden sound immediately attracted everyone's attention, and under everyone's gaze, a tall and straight figure gradually appeared.

When the man's face was fully revealed, Colt and his companions were immediately startled. The man in the black Trench Coat looked so familiar. Colt was the first to remember, and exclaimed in surprise, "Captain Loa?!"

Upon seeing that familiar face, and reminded by Colt, Falco and the others all remembered the Marley commander who had temporarily taken command of them at the front. But what was he doing here? And what had he just said about "our Eldia Revival Army"? Could it be...?

When Gabi saw Yago appear, she seemed to recall some unpleasant memory; her body trembled with fear, and she took a step back.

Sure enough, upon seeing Yago appear, Zofia became excited, "Boss Yago!!"

Yago ruffled Zofia's silver-white hair and said with a smile, "Well done, Zofia. I need your help with something later, is that alright?"

Zofia nodded repeatedly, "Of course!"

Colt couldn't hold back any longer and rushed forward, saying, "Captain Loa! I don't know what you're talking about, but I'm sorry, we have to take you and Zofia back!"

After saying that, Colt clenched his fist and charged at Yago.

But to Yago, Colt's movements were full of openings. With a slight sidestep, Iago dodged Colt's punch, and then, in the instant Colt's body froze, Yago grabbed Colt's shoulder.

Pulling him backward, Colt immediately lost his balance and fell towards Yago. Yago bent down, instantly circled behind Colt, and suddenly exerted force, executing a powerful back throw. Bang! A dull thud echoed as the fall left Colt dazed and disoriented, unable to move.

When Falco saw his Older Brother being beaten, he panicked and rushed towards Yago while shouting anxiously. When Udo saw Falco rushing over, he also shouted and lunged at Yago.

Needless to say, Yago grabbed the two little ones, one in each hand, and lifted them up by their ankles like suckling pigs.

"Are you going too?" Yago glanced at the trembling Gabi, Gabi was so frightened by his words that she sat down on the ground.

"Zofia, then please go find Reiner for me and have him come here to see me," Yago said to Zofia was staring in disbelief.