Two women meet

Knock knock knock!

Hearing the knock, Aili walked nervously to the door, gripped the doorknob with her left hand, took a deep breath to prepare herself, and then turned the doorknob. At that moment, her right hand was also tightly gripping the Spiked Ring on her index finger.

However, when she opened the door and saw Ivanor's familiar and charming face, Aili breathed a sigh of relief and released her hand from the spikes.

"Wow! Aili-chan! It really is you! I missed you so much! I came as soon as I saw the signal we agreed on! I didn't expect you to be here even earlier than me! Hugs!" Ivanor exclaimed in surprise, then pounced on Aili, ignoring the strange look on her face, and hugged Aili tightly, even spinning her around.

Because of her height, the tall Ivanor was almost half a head taller Aili, so she easily hugged Aili tightly and rubbed her face against Aili's silver hair like a cat.

Aili was also stunned for a few seconds by Ivanor's sudden "enthusiasm." After regaining her senses, it took a lot of effort to escape from Ivanor's clutches. Her smooth silver hair was now a mess. Aili complained while combing her hair, "Can't you be a little more reserved? It's like this every time we meet. We're both girls!"

Ivanor, resting her chin on her hand, smiled at Aili. "Why be so reserved? Every time I see Aili-chan, I can't help but feel an urge. Aili-chan is the cutest girl I've ever met! I just love being close to Aili-chan!"

Aili was also about to succumb to the woman's cheesy words, and blushed as she quickly changed the subject.

A moment later, Ivanor said confidently, "Relax, when have I ever lied to you? Don't worry, I'm in command of the Far East Army in Twilight Town now. I can mobilize the five thousand troops and thirteen Warship here at any time."

Aili: "Are you... serious? I mean, do the Far East people really trust you that much?"

Ivanor casually picked at his nails. "Those Far East people are eager to become Ebson's servants. What can I do? Just bring up Ebson's banner, and those Far East people will practically strip down to their underwear for you. So, it's very simple."

Aili was stunned. This... is it really that amazing?

Seeing Aili's adorable expression, Ivanor felt a sudden itch to pinch her cheek. He strode forward, reached out, and excitedly pinched Aili cheek, exclaiming, "So cute! I can't resist! I want to pinch her! I just want to pinch her!"

"Ouch! Let go! Let go!!" Aili was both embarrassed and surprised, and hurriedly slapped Ivanor's hand, which was met with the latter reluctantly letting go.

The conversation went quickly, and the Far East Soldiers outside the building were very dutiful, standing ramrod straight with their weapons at the ready. Anyone who dared to approach the building was immediately shouted at loudly, although the cigarettes in their mouths looked somewhat out of place.

"Iva, can I really trust you? You know, that Ebson seems to be offering you more. Are you really willing to join our Eldia Revival Army?" Aili asked cautiously.

Seeing Aili's earnest expression, Ivanor knew she deserved a similarly earnest answer. After a moment's thought, Ivanor said, unusually seriously, "I'm willing, Aili-chan. Although I really want to say that I'm doing this for the future of the Eldians, I grew up in Europe, and to be honest, I don't have a strong sense of identification with Eldia. To be a little selfish, actually, I'm not doing this for Eldia at all, but for you, Aili-chan!" As Ivanor spoke, she gave Aili a deeply affectionate look.

Although Aili felt goosebumps all over, she was inexplicably relieved, as if subconsciously thinking that it was normal for Ivanor to speak like that.

"Then, then, on behalf of the Eldia Revival Army, I welcome you to join us." Aili extended her hand.

Ivanor cheered, ignoring Aili's hands, and immediately opened her arms to hug Aili, "Yay! From now on, I'll be all close to Aili-chan every day!"

"Hey! Let go! What's crowding in front of you? And there are two of them??"

After a long while, a tall figure emerged from the building. The Far East Soldiers, who had been enjoying a cigarette, quickly exhaled through the cigarette butt, stomped on it several times with his boot, and then saluted sharply, "Sir!"

Ivanor nodded, raised his head arrogantly, and ordered, "Let's go, back to Command Headquarters." He then walked towards the military vehicle. At the same time, a figure with a veiled face followed closely behind Ivanor. The Far East Soldiers instinctively reached out to stop him, shouting, "Halt!"

Before the Far East Soldiers could utter another word, Ivanor's expression suddenly changed. He put his hands on his hips and yelled, "Damn it! Who told you to yell at my darling?! Open your eyes and look carefully! Look! This beautiful woman is my darling! From now on, show her respect, you hear me?!"

Suddenly, Ivanor ripped off the veil covering Aili's face, revealing Aili astonished and bewildered expression. The Far East Soldiers were equally astonished. "Ah? No, sir, she, you, woman, baby!?" The Soldiers stammered, feeling as if they had seen something incredible. But Ivanor merely snorted and then pulled Aili onto the military vehicle.

After a long while, a Comrade patted the shocked Soldiers on the shoulder, "Hey buddy, take it easy. What's his status? What he does isn't surprising. Don't be so surprised."

"I'm not surprised by this..."

"Then why are you standing there like that?"

"I'm lamenting how unfair life is! Two such beautiful women ended up together, and I'm almost thirty and still single! It's just not fair!"

"..."

Inside the military vehicle, Ivanor maintained a faint smile in front of Aili. However, when Aili turned to look out the window, Ivanor smile vanished, replaced by an unprecedented coldness and aloofness.

"I'm sorry, Aili-chan, please forgive me for telling you a little lie," Ivanor thought to herself, but the moment Aili turned around, Ivanor's face returned to that smile tinged with bitterness.

"Didn't you say that Reiner and the others, along with A-Yi and the others, would go with Aili? Why are they all here now? Aili went alone?" Annie stared at Yago with wide, beautiful blue eyes, unable to believe her eyes.

Yago nodded. "Yes, I believe in Aili."

"Don't believe me! That girl is so naive, what if she gets lost and gets sold?" Annie said angrily.

Yago muttered, "Sold them? Who has the ability to kidnap such a huge Titan?"

Annie: "You dare talk back!?" (Clenches her fist, making a cracking sound)

"Wait! Annie! Spare me!!! Yame ro!"