Chapter 226 225

The moment the Pure Titan lurched toward the convoy—only to abruptly turn and flee in the opposite direction—Onyankopon's eyes narrowed in shock.

"So this is the Founding Titan's power… incredible."

His gaze slid toward the surrounding Survey Corps soldiers—men and women who stood tall, disciplined, and unshaken even before a Titan.

If before he viewed the people of Paradis as simple island-dwellers, then now… they were something else entirely. A hidden force. A nation with terrifying potential.

Having served in Marley's military, Onyankopon understood very well what Pure Titans truly represented. To see them respond like trained hounds—repelled with a single influence—struck him to the core.

A technologically backward island… but with unmatched strategic power.

If Paradis Island ever reached true mastery of the Founding Titan, or worse, if Lock were pushed into a desperate corner and forced to unleash a forbidden command… the consequences would shake the entire world.

A single order could drown continents in Titans.

For the first time, Onyankopon looked at Lock not as a young commander—but as a world-shaping threat.

And at the same time, as the only possible ally who could help the Volunteers avenge Marley's atrocities.

This is the ally we needed, Onyankopon realized.

This is the only path toward justice.

Lock knew nothing of Onyankopon's shifting thoughts.

Riding at the front, he was fully focused on the long-term plan—finalizing the placement of post stations, lookout towers, and defensive barracks along the northern route.

"Five days on horseback… nearly half a month on foot."

Lock murmured to Petra, Historia, and Ymir, all of whom rode beside him with a large, detailed map spread across their saddles.

"Supply and safety determine everything. Once those two are stable, the northern road becomes permanent."

The girls marked terrain, water sources, cliffs, and river bends as Lock spoke.

"After the civilians are settled at the bay," Lock continued, "we begin road construction immediately."

And thus, the great northward march continued.

With nearly 70,000 civilians and 3,500 soldiers, the pace was painfully slow.

What was once a five-day journey stretched to more than half a month.

But eventually, the shimmering blue horizon appeared.

And then—

"Is that… the sea?!"

"Blue water—what does it taste like!?"

"You can drink it after you drink it—go on."

"Are you insane?!"

A wave of awe swept through the civilians.

Even many Survey Corps soldiers, hardened by years of training, felt their breath catch at the vast, endless ocean stretching before them.

The bay area—once quiet, empty, and desolate—was now exploding with life.

The entire coastline filled with tents, workers, wagons, and supply caravans moving in every direction.

Thanks to Dana Fritz, every Titan within fifty kilometers had already been driven away.

The soldiers assigned settlements along the ridges and cliffs, careful to avoid areas vulnerable to storm tides or natural disasters.

And with nearly 70,000 laborers, plus the technical leadership of Onyankopon and the other Volunteers, construction exploded forward at an unprecedented rate.

Lock's days were packed with military planning, oversight, and security coordination.

But with Petra, Ymir, and Historia handling a mountain of administrative tasks, Lock found himself unexpectedly free.

This earned him three pairs of increasingly irritated eyes.

Especially whenever they saw him riding off with Dana Fritz.

Petra and Ymir were visibly annoyed; Historia was too gentle to complain, but the discomfort in her eyes was obvious.

But Lock was not traveling with Dana for leisure—he was preparing defenses.

For days, the two of them surveyed the region, driving Titans into a valley thirty kilometers west of the bay.

By the time their operation was complete, 167 Pure Titans were contained in the valley.

Another 45 Titans rested dormant beneath the seabed—waiting to ambush any Marleyan warships that dared to approach.

Dana wiped the sweat from her forehead. "These will be useful when Marley retaliates."

Lock nodded.

"With your current control, managing a hundred Titans at once is stable enough. As your mastery improves, we expand the perimeter."

Dana's eyes flickered with both pressure and pride.

She knew Lock's expectations were enormous.

And she also knew that failure was not an option.

Meanwhile, in the bay, the development continued at explosive speed.

The cliffs shielded the settlements from winds, natural stone ridges provided defensive positions, and the vast harbor could eventually accommodate warships and trade vessels.

The new world outside the walls—the true beginning of Paradis Island's expansion—had officially taken shape.

And for Lock, this was only the start.

"The north will become our stronghold… our gateway to the world."

He looked toward the open sea, its endless blue surface reflecting the future he intended to seize.

"And Marley will come.

When they do… we'll be ready."

---

Please DO Check It Out: Naruto: Hinata Is My Waifuu!!!!

A/N: 40+ Advance Chapter Has Been Uploaded.

Support: /Narrator_San