Chapter 223 222

When Lock returned from the bay, the headquarters was already busy with preparations for departure. Petra moved between offices, passing reports, while Ymir sorted supply documents. The smell of ink, metal, and dried paper filled the room. Every desk was covered with maps, formation plans, and civilian registration lists.

Just as Lock entered, Dana Fritz appeared at the doorway, boots still covered with traces of salt and sand.

"You're back," Lock said, his tone steady — not surprised at all. The timing was exactly as they had planned.

"I've cleared everything within thirty kilometers," Dana replied, brushing her hair behind her ear. "All wandering Titans are gone. I kept a few nearby and fixed them at the seabed. If Marley sends warships, they won't return."

She stated it lightly, but Petra heard the steel under her voice. There was no softness in the way Dana spoke about using Titans. It was decisiveness born from survival, from being part of the Restorationists, from losing her family and future once already. After Grisha's disappearance, Dana had stopped hiding that side of herself.

Petra's eyes narrowed slightly.

This woman is not gentle. She is dangerous.

Ymir sensed it too. The air around Dana carried a quiet authority: not the kind born from command, but from something older — survival, bloodline, purpose.

Lock nodded. "Good. You've done well. Do you want to see Eren and the others before we leave?"

Dana snorted. "Dear Captain, I'm not a tool."

"So you're not going?" Lock asked calmly.

Petra cut in before Dana could answer, "Ronan, I haven't visited Eren and Mikasa in a long time. Let's go together."

Ymir raised a hand lazily. "I'm coming too. If I stay in this office one more minute, I'll turn into furniture."

Lock smiled. "Then tonight, we go together."

"Hey, hey, hey!" Dana protested. "You all just decided that without my opinion?"

"Aren't you going?" Petra asked sweetly.

Dana's mouth twitched. She felt the provocation clearly. "…I'll go."

But Lock noticed the tension at the edge of her expression. For all her confidence, Dana Fritz was nervous. Not about Titans. Not about wars.

About family.

By evening, they arrived at Eren's house. The gate creaked open, and three small figures in the yard turned instantly.

"Lock!"

"Lock, you're back! You're really back!"

"Next time, I'm going with you!"

They rushed toward him — Eren with burning eyes, Armin with shining curiosity, and Mikasa with quiet intensity.

Lock laughed helplessly. "One at a time. Let's go inside first."

They grabbed his sleeves and pulled, leaving Petra, Ymir, and Dana standing outside.

"…Feels like we're invisible," Ymir muttered.

Petra sighed. "It's always like this."

Dana inhaled deeply and followed, steps careful — almost timid. For all her pride, she did not know how to face this house, these children, this woman who had once shared a husband with her.

Inside, Karla greeted them warmly. Her smile faded only for a heartbeat when she saw Dana — then she stepped forward on her own initiative.

"Welcome," Karla said. "Come sit."

Dana exhaled. Her shoulders loosened. She sat.

Lock barely had time to stand before Uncle Harry slammed a hand on his shoulder and forced him back down.

"Lock!" Harry boomed. His voice could shatter wine bottles. "Is it true? You're taking people outside the Walls?"

"About a hundred thousand," Lock replied casually.

Petra nearly dropped the cup she was holding.

Ymir paused halfway through a sip of tea.

Dana's eyebrows twitched.

Eren and Armin immediately lit up.

"Take us!"

"I want to go too!"

"Let us join, we're ready!"

But it wasn't Lock who answered them.

Mikasa stepped forward, placed herself between them, and spoke coldly:

"No."

"Why not?!" Eren protested.

"It's unsafe."

Her voice was quiet, but unshakeable. Eren froze. He respected her strength; he feared it a little, too. Armin shrank back beside him.

Lock simply watched with amusement.

Then he turned toward Uncle Harry and Aunt Martha, who were tense with worry.

"This migration is not like Shiganshina," Lock explained. "They won't be used as bait. They won't be fighting. They will farm, build houses, and grow a future."

"So there will be no casualties?" Harry asked.

"No," Lock said, tone unwavering. "We'll build a safe road. Anyone who wants to see the outside world will be able to go."

Harry blinked. "You mean you want to eliminate all Titans?"

Lock shook his head.

"Why eliminate them?"

The room fell silent.

None of them knew the truth: Titans were a resource. Weapons. Tools. And once Dana mastered her control…

They would build with Titans.

Why kill power?

Harry didn't understand — and Lock didn't explain. The topic shifted naturally when Karla and Dana returned from the kitchen with hot dishes, and soon the house filled with warmth: steam, light, laughter, voices.

For a moment, they were simply a family.

Dinner lasted long, but eventually Lock stood from the table.

"Tomorrow," he said, "we begin the migration."

Eren jumped up. "Take me with you!"

"No," Mikasa answered instantly.

"I didn't ask you!"

"But I'm right."

Eren deflated.

Armin swallowed. "Will we… ever get to go?"

Lock rested a hand gently on his head.

"When the road is ready," he said. "When it's safe. Then yes. You will see the ocean."

Armin's eyes sparkled.

Mikasa looked away — hiding relief.

Eren clenched a fist, determination burning.

They walked back through the dark streets later. Houses glowed, windows warm. The night smelled of wood smoke, salt, and wind.

Petra hugged her coat around her. "They were happy to see you."

Lock nodded.

Dana walked a little behind, silent. When Petra slowed her steps, Dana spoke quietly:

"They accept me."

"They do," Petra replied. "People here are simple. Kind. They just want honesty."

Dana laughed once, bitterly.

"I have been many things. Honest was never one of them."

Petra's eyes softened.

"But here," she said, "you can start again."

Dana looked ahead at Lock's back — tall, steady, unyielding.

"I hope so," she whispered.

Night deepened. Lanterns swung. The wind coming from the north was cold.

Petra watched Lock from the corner of her eye.

"You really trust Dana?" she asked.

"I trust her goals," Lock answered. "For now, they align with ours. That's enough."

"And if they don't?"

Lock didn't hesitate.

"Then I'll kill her."

His voice was calm. Like stating the weather.

Petra shivered.

Ymir sighed. "You're terrifying."

Lock said nothing.

He simply kept walking — eyes fixed on the darkness ahead.

Because tomorrow they would lead a hundred thousand people outside the Walls.

And the first road to the sea would open.

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