"Ming!"
Xiate and the others watched a figure emerge from the Titan's back. Bai Yu, who stood nearby, had long since prepared a cloth and wrapped it around the figure before him.
The familiar fragrance of liquor drifted to his nose. Bai Yu said nothing, merely gathered Ming into his arms, slowly stood, and leaped down from the Titan's body as it began to evaporate.
"Let's go home."
Bai Yu spoke softly, as though addressing those around him, or perhaps Ming in his arms.
Xiate and the others hurried after him, unable to stop glancing at Ming. His sleeping face was utterly peaceful, and only then did they finally feel at ease.
The others nearby who had witnessed the earlier scene still hadn't recovered. As they watched Bai Yu approach, they involuntarily stepped back. Levi remained where he was, quietly watching Ming and Bai Yu with his lips pressed together, his thoughts unreadable.
In the distance, Erwin watched them in silence before finally turning to leave.
Even long after Bai Yu had left, those around them remained dazed. Levi glanced behind him, and his chilling presence snapped Petra and the others out of their stupor.
"Hey. We're leaving."
Levi spoke flatly, turned, and led the way out. Petra and the others hurried after him.
Only then did everyone else come to their senses. But before Levi had taken more than a few steps, he stopped again and swept an icy gaze over them all.
"No one is to say a word about what happened today."
There were only a handful of people present, all elite members of the Survey Corps. Naturally, they agreed with Levi's order, especially since this concerned Bai Yu. Armin was rather quiet, but he showed no intention of objecting either.
Seeing their reactions, Levi withdrew