The beginning: Infiltration

Aikent City, a very ordinary city in the Middle East, was occupied by the Far East Army with an unstoppable advance in the early stages of the war.

While the Far East Army occupied Aikent City, a military base was also being built in a valley more than 20 kilometers from Aikent City and was heavily guarded.

No one knew what was inside this military base, not even the Far East Army guarding it. All they knew was that many people were sent there every day: Allied Army Soldiers captured on the front lines, prisoners from Far East countries' Prison, and Middle Easterners had been resisting in the occupied territories. This military base was like a man-eating demon; the Far East Soldiers had only ever seen people go in, never seen anyone come out alive.

Emerging from this military base was only one terrifying weapon: a horrifying crimson mist. The Allied Army called this mist, which could turn ordinary people into terrifying Blood Titan, "Demon Mist." Many Far East Officer on the front lines also referred to it that way in private. No one knew where this Scarlet Mist came from; everyone felt only deep fear of it.

Very few people know the details of this military base. Only the highest-ranking officials of the Far East Countries are aware of it, but even these high-ranking officials are extremely wary of it and dare not mention it too much. The military base has no name, but the Far East Soldiers privately call it the Scarlet Base. Over time, everyone has accepted this name.

The Far East Forces stationed at the Scarlet Military Base consisted of a full-strength Infantry Regiment, several armored companies, and a newly established Air Force base nearby. The entire valley had been almost completely cleared of trees, replaced by countless sentry posts and bunkers, as well as numerous fully armed Far East Soldiers patrolling the area.

A convoy was traveling on the asphalt road. Two trucks filled with Allied Army Prisoners were in the center of the convoy. Among them were Marleyan, Middle Easterners, Indians, and others. Everyone's face was unusually ashen, which meant that the Allied Army had heard about this Scarlet Base.

Screech of brakes echoed as a checkpoint halted the convoy. The leading Far East Officer stepped forward, about to conduct a routine check, when the driver of the lead vehicle impatiently slammed a document and a badge into the Officer's face. "Hurry up! Stop dawdling! Everything needs approval. Don't waste my time. The base urgently needs people. If you waste any more time, you can't afford to incur that lord's wrath!"

The Far East Officer was stunned by the shout. What was he doing, a mere driver acting so arrogantly? But before the Officer could react, the driver deliberately revealed Ivanor sitting in the passenger seat. Ivanor had his eyes closed, arms crossed, looking like he was sleeping comfortably.

Upon seeing Ivanor, the Far East Officer trembled instantly. It wasn't from excitement at the sight of a beautiful woman, but rather from his long service at the Scarlet Base. He naturally recognized Ivanor's appearance and knew Ivanor identity—she was that high-ranking official's subordinate. Could he possibly stop her?

The Far East Officer immediately returned the documents with both hands, waved for his subordinates to let them pass without even glancing at them, and then saw them off with a smile and a salute.

"Take your time, take your time, please. Hey, what's that?" The Far East Officer paused for a moment. What was going on in that truck bed? He thought he saw someone carrying a bunch of Steel Pipes? And glaring at him? After a moment of confusion, the Far East Officer assumed he was seeing things. He figured he'd rather go fishing than waste his time like that.

Inside the truck bed, A-Yi frowned slightly, turned to her Older Brother, and said, "I think someone saw me just now."

A-Wu's gaze sharpened, and he asked seriously, "Are you sure?"

A-Yi hesitated for a moment before nodding. As Ackerman, her intuition was quite sharp.

With a whoosh, a flash of cold light appeared, and A-Wu stood up abruptly, pulling Blades from his scabbard. His tone was icy. "Were those Far East people from earlier? I'll go take care of them now to avoid alerting them!" Just as A-Wu was about to jump out of the carriage, a pair of hands pulled A-Wu back in time.

Yago: "It's alright, we're almost at the base, there's no need for that. Besides, A-Wu, if you make a mistake, it would really alert the enemy."

A-Wu: "I don't need the Thunder Spear, a knife is enough. I won't alert the enemy!"

Yago shook his head helplessly and pressed A-Wu back into his seat. "Sit still, it's your turn to put in the work later."

Inside the carriage, the group, already prepared, was ready to go. It was the well-prepared Yago leading the assault team. With the help of Ivanor, Yago led Aili, Reiner, Porco, Pieck, A-Yi, and A-Wu to infiltrate the Scarlet Base and launch a surprise attack on Ebson. Ani, Annie - A-Two, A-Three, A-Four, and others were waiting outside the base to provide support.

The person who opposed the plan the most was probably Annie. Yago tried to persuade him for a long time, but to no avail. In desperation, Yago could only pretend to agree to Annie's request. When the group was separated, he asked A-Two to hold Annie back, while he led Aili and the others to set off immediately.

I bet Annie is furious right now. I really don't know how I'm going to face Annie later.

While Yago was having a headache, Pieck had been obediently sitting with his knees drawn up, suddenly asked, "Yago-san, this operation must be quite important, right? We've heard about Ebson's status. For such an important mission, you're taking us along. Do you really trust us? You know, we've cooperated with Ebson before; we're both Marley Warrior Unit."

Pieck was naturally referring to herself, Reiner, and Porco. Their identities as Marley Warrior Unit were somewhat awkward, something Pieck knew all too well. During her time with the Eldia Revival Army and on Paradis Island, the complex emotions in the eyes of her fellow Eldia were unmistakable.

Yago smiled and shook his head. "Well, Pieck, that's a good question. Trust, to be honest, I don't really trust you guys. However, I do believe in one thing."

Pieck asked curiously, "Believe in what?"

Yago: "Eldians don't lie to Eldians. We're all fellow countrymen. Lying to your fellow countrymen would make you constipated for a week."

Pieck: "..."

Reiner: "..."

Porco: "..."

"Haha, just kidding. Actually, I know that whether it's Reiner, Porco, or you, Pieck, you probably don't really want to carry that power, right? Everyone has times when they have no choice, like Pieck, your father; Reiner, your mother; Porco, your Older Brother."

If I could, I truly wish the Titan Power had never appeared in the world, so that we Eldians could live freely like other races. But reality is always cruel, and Fate always has a price to pay.