Floch
Although his waist was being pinched painfully, Yago's heart was warmed. Without a word, he turned around and hugged the delicate body behind him.
At this point, only Annie could casually pinch Yago like this. Our comrade Annie is very dissatisfied with Yago's neglect of his family these past few days, and this dissatisfaction reached its peak after learning that Yago was going to lead the army on an Overseas expedition.
Doesn't that bastard Yago know how worried Aunt Lucia was about him? He just left without even saying goodbye! And what about me? Doesn't he know how much I missed him? Hitch was right, men really don't cherish what they have! Filled with resentment, Annie decided she had to teach that bastard Yago a lesson!
That's what they said, but Annie was also startled by Yago's sudden hug. All the resentment that had been in her mind just now vanished. Because of the height difference, Annie was lifted off the ground by Yago, and her little face was now facing Yago directly.
Looking at the handsome face so close to hers, Annie's face instantly turned bright red, starting from her fair neck.
Yago looked at Annie's flushed face, as if she were a ripe red apple, tempting him to take a bite. Of course, Yago actually took a bite; she was his wife, why be polite? He wasn't like Eren, that simpleton.
After a while of affectionate contact, Yago gently touched the tip of his nose to Annie's high, straight nose before putting Annie down. If Hitch were here, Hitch would definitely jump up and down, saying that Annie was being disobedient. Where did her initial determination to teach Yago a lesson go? How come she's practically snuggling into Yago's arms now?
"I didn't go back because I didn't want my Mother to worry. This war is no child's play. It might be even more brutal than the war I experienced in Marley. This isn't just a war between two countries, but a World War could involve dozens or even hundreds of countries, or even..." Yago, supporting Annie's shoulder, slowly uttered, "... or even a war for the survival of us Eldians, and indeed all of humanity."
"War is cruel, I don't want to lie, but, Annie, even I'm not sure I'll survive. And we Eldians have to participate in this war if we want to change our Fate. Annie, actually I'm selfish, I don't want you to come along, it would be too dangerous." Yago confided in Annie.
He did have this idea—to keep Annie out of the picture—and had discussed it with Mr. Leonhardt. But both Yago and Mr. Leonhardt knew Annie's personality; she wouldn't agree. Before leaving for the campaign, Mr. Leonhardt patted Yago on the shoulder, "Promise me you'll come back safely with Annie, and when you return, we'll have a grand Wedding!"
Gazing at the boundless sea, Annie couldn't help but hug Yago tightly around the waist, whispering, "Yago, wherever you are, I will always be with you. Don't even think about leaving me behind, never!"
"Floch! Come on over for a drink! It's some Wine I finally managed to save up!" Politely declining his colleague's invitation to drink, Floch left the cabin alone and went to the deck.
Night had fallen, and a brilliant starry sky hung overhead. The shimmering moonlight was reflected on the sea, and a gentle sea breeze instantly cleared Floch's somewhat drowsy mind.
Walking to the railing, he took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and lit a match. This leisure product from the outside world, like Wine, was very popular in the army. Although there were strict military orders to control the circulation of cigarettes and alcohol, Soldiers who liked good cigarettes and alcohol would always find all sorts of strange ways to sneak some.
When did it all begin? Floch didn't know. Sometimes he was confused. His life wasn't actually that complicated or exciting. From childhood until he joined the Garrison Regiment, Floch didn't really have any outstanding achievements. Later, he joined the Survey Corps out of a burst of enthusiasm, and that's when he realized how cruel reality was.
Witnessing his comrades lose their lives before his eyes, and witnessing the kind Squad Leader Scott die to save him, perhaps it was from that moment that Floch first had a goal: to destroy all the Titan and avenge his Squad Leader!
But what happened next far exceeded his expectations: Eldia, Marley, the walls, the Titan. When the truth of the world was laid bare before him, Floch, like Commander Erwin, temporarily lost his fighting spirit and didn't know what he should do next.
Later, the higher-ups on Paradis Island approached him, hoping he could help the Restorationists develop and thus curb the growing Imperialists. Floch didn't know much about the Restorationists, and although he had heard of Yago Norman's deeds, he wasn't particularly interested. He figured it was just to create some trouble for himself, so Floch agreed to the higher-ups' request.
Perhaps it was talent? Or Fate? The Restorationists grew stronger and stronger, and after the Imperialists' Coup, they even became the largest organization on Paradis Island. As a veteran of the Restorationists, Floch suddenly became a big figure.
Later, the Parliament decided to let him inherit the power of the Colossal Titan —yes, the Colossal Titan that had destroyed the peace of their Paradis Island.
When Floch saw Bertholdt, he was actually a little skeptical. Could such a tall, simple-minded young man really be the Colossal Titan who destroyed the city walls? The contrast was too great, and Floch didn't quite believe it. But the expression of pain and relief on Bertholdt's face shocked him.
After inheriting the Colossal Titan, Floch's perspective on things changed. How to put it? Whether it was Bertholdt destroying the walls or Floch annihilating nearly ten thousand Marley Army with a nuclear explosion in the Marley Capital, Shiobys, the feeling of looking down on mortals and casually trampling on life.
Aside from bloodthirsty madmen and butchers, almost every host of Colossal Titan would feel pressured and burdened by the feeling of trampling on life.
Although he repeatedly told himself that he was trampling on the enemy, Floch's heart still trembled at the sight of the hellish scene before him. Was this weakness? Or was he being influenced by that young man named Bertholdt?
The cigarette was quickly finished, and it didn't matter how much he thought about it anymore. It was just occasional sentimentality; that's human nature. Floch actually liked smoking too, but he knew how to restrain himself, just like in the Restorationists. Even though he didn't really admire Yago that much, he would definitely lead the Restorationists Soldiers to fearlessly Dedicate Your Hearts to the restoration of Eldia!