The tavern
"I don't know if this war is good or bad." Hange stood by the window, sunlight reflecting off her glasses and creating a kaleidoscope of colors.
Inside the office, Levi sat in a chair, expressionless, holding a cup of black tea, stirring it slightly with a small spoon in his right hand.
Hearing Hange's sigh, he said calmly, "Since when have you been so concerned about the meaning of war? As the Commander of the Survey Corps, you almost never concern yourself with the Corps' affairs. Erwin really shouldn't have entrusted you with the position in the Commander place."
Hange turned around, gave Levi an exaggeratedly helpless look, and said casually, "Oh, I didn't expect you to think of me like that? Levi, as your best friend, you've really hurt me~~ Besides, I'm your boss, is it really appropriate for you to speak ill of her in front of her?"
Perhaps annoyed by Hange's exaggerated expression, Levi clicked his tongue and said nothing more. Erwin, behind his desk, found the interaction between his two old subordinates quite amusing.
"Speaking of which, Erwin, I'm sure you have some unique insights into this war, right?" Levi remained silent, Hange naturally turned her attention to Erwin, who was watching the drama unfold. At the same time, she genuinely didn't understand the war.
Perhaps because she spent some time in the outside world while exchanging and learning technology in the Hizuru, Hange generally held a friendly attitude towards the humans in the outside world. Or rather, apart from the Titan, Hange was not very supportive of waging war.
However, Erwin would not have such thoughts. During his time in Hope City, Erwin not only helped the Eldia Revival Army stabilize Hope City, but also used this rare time to Erwin, learn, and understand everything about the world outside the island.
Erwin's office is filled with a considerable number of books, especially those recording the history of various countries and even the world, which may be due to Erwin's influence from his father since childhood.
When Erwin was fighting the Titan, he hid his selfishness in the greater good. To every Soldiers of the Survey Corps and the people of the island, Erwin was a qualified and admirable Commander. But to Erwin himself, he was a selfish and petty person.
Therefore, Erwin can be upright but is by no means pedantic, especially after learning about world history and understanding the true situation of the Eldians in the world. Giving up war out of kindness is simply incomprehensible. If Yago really has no choice in the end and launches the Rumbling to destroy the world, Erwin will most likely not object.
However, Erwin's thinking was also exceptionally thorough. Although the Eldians' situation was still extremely dire, there was always a chance for them to rise up. This World War that broke out without warning was simply a golden opportunity given to the Eldians by heaven.
Erwin keenly noticed the interests behind the war, or rather, the interests that could be seized after the war, and he believed that little Yago thought the same thing.
Erwin smiled, not directly answering Hange, but instead saying, "It's not important, Hange, Levi. This is a rare opportunity. Tonight, try to gather all your Survey Corps colleagues and give it a try with a gathering outside the island."
"A party? Erwin, you weren't like this before. Has the extravagant life outside the island corrupted you?" Hange originally wanted to ask Erwin for his opinion, but after Erwin interrupted her, she forgot about it.
"Brother, did you really know that leader of the Eldia Revival Army before?" Inside the tavern, a group of Marleyan surrounded a portly fat man, listening to him boast about his various exploits on the battlefield.
Upon hearing the fat man mention that he had met Yago Norman, who was disguised as a Marley Officer, everyone immediately perked up and gathered around. Some of the quick-witted and sensible people had already brought out several glasses of beer and snacks such as peanuts and beans and placed them in front of the fat man.
Bagg tilted his head back and gulped down a large mouthful of beer to moisten his throat. Seeing that someone had thoughtfully brought him several more large glasses of beer, he nodded in satisfaction, then began to boast.
"You guys had no idea back then! That bastard actually became the Commander of the Eldia Forces! Tell me, wasn't that like handing lambs to a tiger's mouth? I really don't know how those idiots in Command Headquarters conducted the vetting!" Bagg shouted angrily.
Someone asked, "So how did you meet him?"
"Me? Well, I was a quartermaster at the time. I happened to be inspecting his unit. You probably don't know how much that guy fawned over me when he first saw me. He was all smiles, calling me 'Brother Bagg' over and over, giving me gifts and bowing." Bagg said, wiping his greasy mouth.
"Wow! Really? Is that Eldians really that shameless?"
"My God, the Eldians are absolutely wicked!"
"Huh? No, didn't you notice anything strange about that guy?"
Bagg stiffened his neck, widened his eyes, and said, "I knew right away that guy wasn't a good person, so I taught him a lesson! That guy! Slap! Slap! Slap! I went up and hit him with several big slaps, and that kid didn't dare to fart a word, he was begging me to go easy on him with snot and tears streaming down his face."
Bagg's boasting caused a stir among the Marleyan. They never expected that their Marleyan had such a warrior. The leader of the Eldia Revival Army was beaten so badly that he didn't even dare to fight back? It sounded really awesome!
Burp, Bagg gave a regretful look. "What a pity. I only thought he was a sycophantic flatterer. Who would have thought he was Eldians? Ah, it's my fault. If I had been more decisive, our Marley might not have suffered this calamity!"
Bagg's words caused a stir, with many Marleyan harbored grievances expressing their regret, followed by a barrage of insults. There were quite a few Marleyan in Hope City who were dissatisfied with the Eldians overthrowing them, mainly from the "elite" class like Bagg, who had once held a significant position in Marley. After the Eldia Revival Army occupied Hope City, these so-called high-ranking individuals who usually considered themselves superior were naturally subject to purges.
However, the truly ambitious and spirited Marleyan had already escaped Hope City through various means, and people like Bagg were destined to only be able to boast and indulge in empty talk in the dimly lit taverns.
"Oh no! Eldia Soldiers are coming! Some bastards reported us! Everyone, run!!" Suddenly, a sharp alarm shattered the lively atmosphere in the tavern, and a group of Marleyan had just been full of enthusiasm suddenly scattered in all directions like headless flies.
"Damn it! Fatty! Get out of the way! You're blocking the door!!" Just moments ago, Bagg, who had been called a warrior, had successfully blocked the narrow back door of the tavern with his enormous body. Now everyone stopped pretending and angrily cursed the fat man to move aside, but Bagg was also on the verge of tears. He had eaten too much and was too fat, making him completely stuck!
(Muzi apologize for the lack of updates during this period, but Muzi really couldn't help it. My studies are too heavy. Muzi nine exams in a month, and I just can't find more time to update. I apologize and feel ashamed Muzi this. I hope you can forgive me. ≥≤)