Military Corps Headquarters.
"Terrible news! The Drus Research Institute has been bombed, Hange has been abducted, and the Titan Cell Serotonin they developed has been stolen!" said a telegraph operator under Gal.
"Do we know which faction did it?" Chen Si asked.
"We're not certain yet. Most likely Soviet agents, though there's a small chance it was Marley's Codename Agents, who haven't shown themselves in a long time," Gal replied.
"If the Soviet Union is involved, we're in trouble. The Soviet army is twenty-two million strong. Even with their outdated weapons and equipment, we still can't stand against them. If the Soviet Union declares war on us, they could occupy all of Paradis Island within four days at most and slaughter every native inhabitant," Gal said.
"Understood," Chen Si replied.
This time, Chen Si intended to act himself.
His current strength wasn't enough to stand against either Drus or the Soviet Union. He could only ensure his own safe retreat, but the crux of the problem was that his power remained incomplete.
Wall Rose.
"What brought you here to see me all of a sudden?" Levi asked, sitting on a bench by the street.
"Have you been happy lately?" Rather than answering, Chen Si asked a question of his own.
At those words, the corners of Levi's mouth lifted slightly, his eyes brimming with happiness as he recalled his days. "Very happy. I never thought I'd deserve a life like this."
Suddenly realizing something, Levi turned sharply toward Chen Si. "Did something happen on the front lines?"
Chen Si looked at Levi, unsure how to begin. Was he supposed to ask Levi to give up his life and become the final piece of his power?
When Chen Si didn't answer, Levi lowered his eyes slightly. "You need me, don't you?"