Finale: The agreed signal

"The old site of the Scarlet Base is right here, on the outskirts of Aikent City Fas Province the Middle East. Now the Fas Province has been assigned to Marley. However, coincidentally, Aikent City is located on the border between the provinces of Fas Province and Rhine Province in the hands of the Far East people."

The World War has only recently ended, and the situation is still somewhat tense. The Marley and the Far East people have deployed a large number of troops in this border region. If we want to rescue Commander Yago, we will inevitably have to enter this chaotic border area. However, we cannot guarantee that there will be no accidents during the rescue operation. If the situation gets out of control, our identities will be exposed.

The recently resolved conflicts between Paradis, Marley, and the Far East could very well reignite, even sparking another World War. Paradis is currently at a crucial juncture of development and absolutely cannot afford to be bogged down in war again; otherwise, we would be failing Commander Yago's long-held expectations."

In the pitch-black night, inside a makeshift tent lit by lamplight, a stern-faced Officer from the Restoration Army pointed to a map and analyzed the current world situation for the people in front of him.

To assist Annie and the others in rescuing Yago, Selina had been planning within the Restoration Army for a long time, even personally investigating and selecting personnel from various units. The secret force of over two hundred people now infiltrated into the Middle East is definitely the elite of the Eldia Revival Army. The leader of this rescue force is the unknown Officer standing in front of Annie now.

In fact, the Officer rarely spoke along the way, and even when Annie and the others approached him to talk, he would not open his mouth. As a result, no one even knew his name. They only knew that the Restoration Army Soldiers called him Colonel. By splitting into multiple groups and using disguises, the group successfully infiltrated the Middle East.

But tonight, this "mute" Colonel, contrary to his usual behavior, put on the uniform of the Restoration Army and gathered a rescue team, giving a detailed account of the current world situation.

"In short, my advice is that we must not rush to rescue Commander Yago so rashly, otherwise we may very well ruin what Commander Yago has worked so hard to achieve today."

Hearing the Colonel's words, Annie frowned, then slammed her hand on the table. "You mean our actions might escalate the conflict? But does that mean we should give up? No, I won't accept that outcome! I must save Yago! Even if it means another World War!"

The Colonel looked calmly at Annie and said softly, "No, Commander Annie, please don't misunderstand. Our determination to save Commander Yago is equally unwavering."

At that moment, a Soldiers from the Restoration Army Soldiers lifted the tent flap. Wearing an unfamiliar blue-purple uniform, he saluted the group and firmly reported to the Colonel, "Colonel, report! All troops are in formation! Ready for battle!"

With a whoosh, the colonel in military Colonel stood up and led the way out of the tent. In the dim moonlight, two hundred fully armed Restoration Army soldiers stood straight, their hands gripping their weapons motionless, their eyes filled with determination and resolve.

Aili looked at the Soldiers who had suddenly assembled with some surprise. "Everyone, why all of you so suddenly? And what's with your uniforms? They look so familiar... aren't these Middle Eastern Army uniforms?"

The Colonel did not answer Aili, but solemnly saluted his men, his right fist clenched horizontally in front of his chest – the salute of the Restoration Army.

"Colonel, what are you doing? Why?" Annie stared wide-eyed at the Colonel in disbelief, as if she had guessed something.

The Colonel smiled faintly, then reached out and removed the epaulets bearing the Paradis flag from his shoulder. A hint of reluctance flashed in his eyes as he tossed the epaulets into the crackling campfire at his feet. He then took off his uniform and threw it into the fire as well. The Restoration Army Soldiers behind him followed suit, throwing everything they owned that could prove their Eldians identity into the fire.

The firelight illuminated the faces of every Restoration Army Soldiers, creating a solemn and awe-inspiring scene.

"Commander Annie, I've said before that if our Paradis are exposed, it could trigger another World War. But what if we're not Eldians?"

Annie's blue eyes were filled with shock, "You..."

The Colonel looked at his men, observing their Middle East uniforms, and slowly began to speak, "The Middle East has been divided between Marley and the Far East, and tens of millions of Middle Easterners have lost their country. Among the Middle Easterners, perhaps one in a thousand would not want to witness the destruction of their homeland. Among the tens of millions of Middle Easterners, there are at least tens of Middle Easterners who refuse to submit. Therefore, Commander Annie, from this moment on, my men and I are warriors of the Middle East restoration forces."

We have discarded and burned all identification documents; we are all nameless, and no one will be able to recognize our Eldia identity. We will do our best to cover you all in Aikent City. We will proactively attack the Marleyan and Far East people garrisons, drawing all attention to us. And Commander Annie, please, you must, you absolutely must, bring back Commander Yago, bring back the Eldians, the Eldia Revival Army, and the hope of Paradis!

With a swift movement, the two hundred Restoration Army Soldiers saluted Annie and his men. The Colonel then handed Annie a pre-prepared map. "Wait for our signal. The Scarlet Base is in the highest mountain on the Aikent City. The Marleyan and Middle Easterners are also facing off nearby. Leave that to us; we'll provide maximum cover for you!"

After saying that, the Colonel turned and roared at his men, "Attention! Left turn! Move out!"

Upon hearing the order, the Soldiers of the Restoration Army immediately straightened their chests and ran into the darkness with unwavering determination in their eyes.

Annie gazed at the map in her hand, then looked up at the army that was gradually disappearing into the night. The Nameless Ones? To avoid revealing their Eldians identities, for Paradis, and even more so for Yago.

The metal epaulettes, licked by the flames, twisted and deformed, gradually melting into molten iron.

"Their departure will likely..."

Annie gripped the map tightly. If Yago were here, he certainly wouldn't have agreed to sacrifice over two hundred lives to save him. "But Yago, I had no choice. I promised everyone I would bring you back!"

The moonless night was exceptionally quiet, and the biting wind was like a murderous monster. Apart from the crackling of the campfire, there was no other sound.

The entire rescue team waited with solemn expressions for the Colonel's agreed-upon signal.

Soon, boom!! The earth seemed to tremble violently, and in the pitch-black night, a light seemed to rise in the distance. It was the light that represented the explosion of the Marley garrison's ammunition depot, and also the agreed-upon signal.

Annie stood up instantly, a cold glint in her light blue eyes. "Yago, I'm here!"

Rescue Team: Annie, Eren, Mikasa, Aili, Ivanor, Reiner, Pieck, Porco, Bazel.