Recap:
"I told you Captain." Declared the MP, speaking through his damaged mouth. "It's no use. The Scouts will come to an end, one way or another."
We waited tensely as the long grass began to ruffle. My fingers tightened on the blade and I took in a deep breath. If anyone had to die tonight, it wasn't going to be me.
"Leviiiiii." A voice called softly but loud enough for my ears to pick up the familiar tone. "Leviiiiii."
I sighed in relief and stepped out from the cover of the tree trunk.
"Weapons down. It's Hanji." i shook my head in amusement. She always had a way of cutting through the tension. Including in the most inappropriate of times.
"How can you be sure?" Levi hissed, still tense. I gave him a flat look and jerked my thumb over my shoulder, just as Hanji called him again.
"Leviiiiii."
He copied my face.
"Oi brats, permission to shoot Squad Leader Hanji."
As Hanji and one of her team joined at the trees, she handed over a crumpled piece of paper to Levi. Shoving the injured MP against the base of a tree, he unfolded the creased parchment and scanned it over. Silence followed.
"Captain?" Armin questioned quietly, braving for the wrath of Levi. However, Hanji beat him to it.
"That is a copy of the news article that just went out this morning. The Scouting Legion has been judged as innocent and the MP government as guilty for treason against Humanity, all triggered by the successful coup d'etat led by Commander Erwin."
There was a bout of silence, while that statement sunk into our heads.
Innocent? Coup d'etat? Erwin?
My mouth dropped open and the MP began choking in shock. At that sound, we all broke into cheers that even Levi couldn't be bothered shushing. Hanji giddily joined us, grinning like her usual maniac self. However, it wasn't long before her serious mask fell over her features.
"Despite the good news and the callback of all MP officers, we still have the missing issue of Eren and Historia. I have a theory on that."
Levi raised an eyebrow at her, skeptical. She shook her head.
"Let's continue on our way to Rod Reiss' land and I'll tell you on the way."
My eyes widened at her statement. How did she know we were heading there?
Once we had packed up and began travelling, did Hanji begin explaining. Hanji, Levi, Mikasa and Armin sat in one of the carts, the rest of the 104th sat in the other, while the remaining rode on our own individual horses. I kept Streak cantering beside Levi and kept an ear out of the conversation. There was a ruffle of her uniform and out of the corner of my eye, I see her pull out a thick paper report. Luckily, being her usual self, she spoke loud enough for me to hear over the chorus of hoof beats.
"I had an investigation on Rod Reiss' history and family, when we initially found out about Christa being Historia. Rod Reiss owns a huge piece of land, just outside of the Wall. On the day that the Armoured Titan destroyed Wall Maria, bandits stormed into his land and wrecked everything in their path. Including a small chapel located on the outskirts. According to the reports, the chapel was set on fire, with the entire family unfortunately inside. His wife and five children perished in the fire, with Rod Reiss being the sole survivor."
"Sounds a little far-fetched to be honest. Otherwise, he was just extremely lucky." I called, frowning at the thought.
"Right as always, Rina." she teased, "The reports also stated that the chapel walls had been completely destroyed, which is extremely unlikely due to the fact that they were made of stone and that it had been bandits that ransacked the place. Actual bandits would loot what they could and then run for the hills, not spend time to light the chapel on fire and stick around to pull down the stone walls. ALSO-" Hanji paused dramatically, holding the report up above her head, "after everything seemingly calmed down, Rod Reiss spent the next period rebuilding the chapel to what it once was."
"Dedication for a man who doesn't seem to be openly religious." Levi murmured, "Good thing we're going in prepared. There must be something hidden there."
"Speaking of hidden," Hanji dropped the report to the floor of the cart and leaned forward. "You lived with Kenny for how many years and yet how did you not know he was Kenny the Ripper?"
"I only recently found out his last name was Ackermann. Oi." Levi then glanced over at Mikasa and her own silent gaze looked up to the Captain.
"Do you know him? Is he some relative of yours?"
Mikasa looked down before going into her family history. Deciding to ponder on the situation, I nudged Streak away from that cart and headed up to the other. Sasha and Conny led the horses while Armin and Jean were crouching on the wooden cart, fixing up some barrels.
"How's the preparation going?" i questioned, taking in the sight of the cart full of barrels.
"So far so good, Squad Leader Hazura! We've made a few already and the final couple will be done soon." Armin answered.
"Can you tell us where we're heading?" Sasha chimed in. I looked up and called the directions to Sasha, who was glancing back at me, reins still in her capable hands.
"Keep heading in this direction for a few more miles. We're heading to Rod Reiss' land, specifically, the chapel. If you see it in the distance, let us know and then Captain Levi will fill you in."
"Yes sir." She answered and turned her attention back to the distance.
"Let alone fill me in." I muttered, before shaking my head. If I wanted to know what was going in that head of his, I would have to strive and be patient.
"Hazura!" Levi voice barely carried over to me and I instantly reined in Streak until we were again next to the cart. Hanji was in deep conversation with Armin, while Mikasa was staring off determinedly into the distance. I threw Levi a smile.
"Yes, Captain?"
His eyes narrowed at the unfamiliar greeting and silently held out a hand. I raised an eyebrow at it. Rolling his eyes at my hesitation, he shook it once more.
"I don't want this plan to be heard by the idiots in Wall Sina so sharing a horse will have to do for now." He sarcastically stated.
I blinked. Right, with our multiple conversations going, plus the creaking of the carts and canter of the horses, there was no way of Levi informing me of the plan of attack without yelling it out. I leaned over and grabbed his right arm with my left before heaving. He vaulted off the side of the wooden cart and easily slipped onto Streak behind me. His hands immediately reached for my sides as the horse leapt over uneven ground.
"Don't tickle me or I might knock you off." I warned, grinning.
"You would knock me off if I did something you didn't like, regardless of what it was." He countered. I chuckled.
"You know me too well, Levi. Now, what's this brilliant plan of yours?"