"What exactly are you trying to say?"
Xiate glanced at him, her brow creasing slightly.
"I just think... I just think what Bai Yu is doing is wrong. Taking an innocent person's life to save someone else's."
Armin's eyes were earnest, filled with what seemed to be pity for the little girl.
Just then, a hand rested on his shoulder. Armin instinctively turned and saw Eren looking at him with his head slightly lowered.
"Armin, I understand how you feel, but this isn't something we can interfere with. Do you understand?"
He and Mikasa had come with Armin.
Annie said nothing. She stood off to the side with her arms folded, leaning against a tree trunk and quietly watching them from behind, seemingly lost in thought.
"But... but why is he in such a hurry? Titan inheritors only have thirteen years to live. Couldn't he wait a few years? That..."
Before he could finish, Xiate suddenly interrupted him.
"Enough, Armin. Don't entertain that idea again."
"But..."
Xiate stopped looking at him and turned her gaze toward the two figures beneath the large tree in the distance.
Time slowly passed, and the sky gradually darkened, but the little girl in Bai Yu's arms showed no sign of boredom or impatience.
She simply watched the sun slowly sink. Just then, a figure approached and set some food down beside them.
Bai Yu stopped telling his story and turned to see Xiate and Annie.
"Thank you."
Xiate shook her head. The little girl also turned toward the two women, her eyes suddenly lighting up.
"Big Brother Bai Yu, it's them! Are they members of your squad? The companions who helped you and Her Majesty defeat, um... that 120-meter Titan? They're amazing!"
"It was nothing."
Xiate gave a brief, indifferent reply, then turned