Chapter Twenty:

The sun had set, casting the Scout headquarters into darkness. The only light came

from the few torches mounted on the stone walls, their flames flickering in the cool night

breeze. Most of the scouts had retired to their quarters, and the grounds were quiet,

save for the occasional clink of armor from the night guards patrolling the perimeter.

Tiana was in her workshop, the warm glow of a lantern illuminating her face as she

carefully reviewed her notes. Her latest project—a compact, portable energy

source—was nearly complete, and she was excited about its potential applications.

Levi stood by the door, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp, watching her work. He

was always on alert, always vigilant, especially at night when the darkness could hide

many dangers. He trusted his instincts, and right now, they were telling him to be ready.

Tiana glanced up from her notes, sensing Levi's intensity. "You're quiet tonight," she

observed, her voice soft in the stillness. "Is everything alright?"

Levi's eyes didn't leave the shadows outside the workshop window. "Something feels

off," he replied quietly, his voice a low murmur. "Stay close."

Tiana nodded, recognizing the seriousness in his tone. She had learned to trust his

instincts; they had saved her more than once already. She carefully set her notes aside

and stood up, moving closer to him, her heart beating a little faster with a mix of

apprehension and trust.

Just then, there was a faint noise outside—a rustling sound, almost imperceptible, but

enough to catch Levi's attention. His hand went to his blades, his body tensing, every

muscle ready to spring into action. He signaled for Tiana to stay behind him, his eyes

narrowing as he listened intently.

The noise grew louder, closer, and then—footsteps. Levi's mind worked quickly,

assessing the situation. It was too late for any of the scouts to be out, and the guards

knew better than to make noise. This was something else. He didn't need to see them

to know—Marleyan spies. They were back, and this time, they were after Tiana's

research.

Levi moved swiftly, positioning himself against the wall beside the door. He gestured for

Tiana to stay silent, his eyes sharp and focused. The door creaked open slowly, and a

figure slipped inside, dressed in dark clothing, moving with stealth and precision.

Another followed, their movements silent and deliberate, trained for infiltration.

Levi's grip tightened on his blades, his mind racing through his plan. He'd been

expecting this—waiting for it. The Marleyans wouldn't give up so easily, not when they

knew what Tiana was capable of. They'd try again, and he'd be ready.

He waited for the right moment, his breathing steady, his body coiled like a spring. The

first spy moved deeper into the workshop, their eyes scanning the room for any sign of

the research. The second stayed by the door, covering their exit. They hadn't seen Levi

yet, hadn't noticed the shadow moving with silent precision.

Just as the first spy reached for Tiana's workbench, Levi struck. He moved like lightning,

his blades flashing in the dim light. He was on them before they could react, his blade

cutting through the air with lethal accuracy. The first spy didn't even have time to scream

before they collapsed to the ground, their weapon falling from their hand.

The second spy turned, eyes wide, but Levi was already there, his foot connecting with

their chest in a powerful kick that sent them crashing into the wall. The impact knocked

the wind out of them, and before they could recover, Levi's blade was at their throat, his

expression cold and unyielding.

"Talk," Levi ordered, his voice low and deadly. "What are you after?"

The spy gasped for breath, their eyes darting around, looking for an escape, but there

was none. Levi pressed his blade closer, a thin line of blood appearing on their skin.

"Talk," he repeated, his tone colder now. "Or I'll make you wish you had."

Tiana watched from behind Levi, her heart pounding in her chest. It always mesmerized

her to see him like this—so fierce, so controlled, every movement a precise calculation.

She felt a mix of fear and awe, knowing that this was what he did best—protecting,

defending, eliminating threats without hesitation.

The spy coughed, their eyes filled with fear. "We… we were sent to retrieve the

research," they stammered. "The device… Marley wants it. They know what she's

working on. They want to use it against you… against Paradis."

Levi's eyes narrowed, his grip tightening on his blade. "And where's your backup?" he

demanded. "There's no way they'd send just two of you for this."

The spy hesitated, their eyes flickering with panic. Levi pressed his blade harder, and

they flinched. "Outside," they gasped. "Waiting for a signal… there are three more."

Levi nodded, his expression calm but deadly. "Good," he said simply. "Tiana, stay here.

Lock the door behind me. Don't let anyone in."

Tiana nodded, her voice caught in her throat. "Be careful," she managed to whisper, her

eyes filled with concern.

Levi gave her a small, reassuring nod. "Always," he said quietly.

He moved with swift precision, dragging the spy to the door and pushing them outside.

He was a blur of motion as he darted out into the night, his eyes scanning the darkness

for any sign of the remaining spies. He knew they wouldn't give up easily. They were

trained, just like him, and they'd be prepared for a fight.

He caught sight of a shadow moving near the far wall and fired his ODM gear, propelling

himself forward with incredible speed. He landed silently behind the first spy, his blade

flashing out and cutting them down before they could even draw their weapon. He

moved to the next, his movements fluid and deadly, each strike precise and lethal.

The last spy, seeing their comrades fall, turned to flee, but Levi was faster. He fired his

gear again, swinging in a wide arc and landing in front of them, his blades ready. "You're

not going anywhere," he said coldly.

The spy raised their hands in surrender, their eyes wide with fear. "Please," they

begged. "I was just following orders. Don't kill me."

Levi's expression didn't soften. "Orders?" he repeated, his voice icy. "And what were

your orders?"

"To… to retrieve the research," the spy stammered. "And… and eliminate anyone who

got in the way."

Levi's eyes narrowed, his grip tightening on his blades. "You failed," he said simply.

"And now, you're going to tell me everything you know."

The spy nodded frantically, desperate to save their own skin. "I will, I will," they babbled.

"Just… don't kill me."

Levi kept his blade steady, his eyes cold. "Start talking," he ordered. "And don't leave

anything out."

Back in the workshop, Tiana waited, her heart pounding in her chest. She heard the

sounds of the struggle outside, the brief clashes of metal, the muffled cries, and then

silence. She held her breath, her eyes on the door, waiting for any sign of Levi.

A moment later, the door opened, and Levi stepped inside, his expression calm but his

eyes sharp. "It's done," he said simply, his voice steady. "They won't be coming back."

Tiana let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding, relief flooding through her.

"Thank you," she said softly, her voice filled with gratitude. "You… you saved my work.

Again."

Levi nodded, his gaze steady on her. "It's my job," he replied quietly. "And I'll keep doing

it. No matter what."

Tiana smiled, a small, grateful smile that warmed her heart. "I know," she said softly.

"And I trust you. Completely."

Levi gave her a small nod, his expression softening just a fraction. "Good," he said.

"Because as long as I'm here, you're safe."

Tiana nodded, her heart still racing but filled with a sense of calm. She knew she was in

good hands—better hands than she could have ever asked for. Levi was always ready,

always plotting, always watching. And she knew, without a doubt, that he would do

whatever it took to keep her safe.

….

In the grand, dimly lit war room of Marley's military headquarters, a tense atmosphere

hung over the assembled generals and warriors. The room was filled with maps and

documents, each detailing the current state of their war efforts, the positions of their

forces, and, more importantly, the elusive island of Paradis. At the head of the room

stood General Calvi, his face lined with frustration and anger. He stared down at the

most recent report, his eyes narrowing as he read over the details of yet another failed

mission.

The warriors of Marley—Zeke Yeager, Pieck Finger, Reiner Braun, and Porco

Galliard—stood nearby, their expressions varying from frustration to silent

contemplation. They had been in this room many times before, but the current situation

was unlike anything they had faced. The constant failure to retrieve Dr. Tiana Belrose

and her research from Paradis was becoming a stain on their record, a point of

embarrassment that none of them could ignore.

"Another failure," General Calvi growled, slamming the report down onto the table.

"Another team sent to Paradis, and not a single one returns. All because of one man—a

single soldier who seems to be everywhere at once."

Zeke, standing with his arms crossed, frowned slightly. "Captain Levi," he said, his voice

thoughtful. "Humanity's Strongest Soldier. I know first hand that his title is not without

merit."

General Magath, his face a mask of barely concealed irritation, spoke up, his voice

sharp. "It's not just that he's strong," he said. "He's relentless. Every attempt we've

made to capture Dr. Belrose, every plan, every strategy—he's thwarted them all. He

never leaves her side, not even for a moment."

Reiner, who had been listening quietly, chimed in, his tone measured but concerned.

"From what we've learned, Captain Levi is always with her. Even when she sleeps, he

stands guard outside her door all night. He's always watching, always ready."

Porco, clenched his fists, his frustration clear. "How can one man be so…

unstoppable?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief. "Isn't there anything we can do?

Any way to get past him?"

Pieck, more reserved but equally frustrated, shook her head. "It's not just about getting

past him," she said quietly. "It's about the fact that he knows we're coming. Every time.

It's like he's always one step ahead of us."

General Calvi let out a low growl, his eyes blazing with anger. "We've underestimated

him," he admitted, his tone begrudging. "And that has cost us dearly. Dr. Belrose's

research is vital to our efforts. If Paradis continues to develop her technologies, they

could gain an advantage we cannot afford."

Zeke nodded, his expression serious. "The Titans alone may not be enough to ensure

our victory," he said. "If Paradis can create weapons, devices, and technology that rival

or even surpass our own… we could be facing a far more dangerous enemy than we

ever imagined."

Pieck leaned forward, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "We need a new approach," she

said. "Something Levi won't see coming. He's too well-prepared for our current tactics."

General Magath slammed his fist on the table, frustration evident on his face. "Then

what do you suggest?" he demanded. "Do we send in more spies? More warriors? Or

perhaps a full-scale assault on their headquarters?"

Zeke shook his head, his tone calm but firm. "That would be suicide," he said. "Levi is

one thing, but the rest of the Scouts are not to be underestimated. A full-scale assault

would be noticed before we even got close. No, we need something more… subtle."

Calvi rubbed his temples, his mind racing with possibilities. "We know their

weaknesses," he said slowly. "Their lack of resources, their limited manpower. If we can

exploit that, create a diversion…"

Pieck nodded, a small smile forming on her lips. "Yes," she said. "A diversion that would

pull Levi away from Dr. Belrose, even if only for a moment. That's all we need."

Porco looked between them, his eyes wide with anticipation. "But what kind of

diversion?" he asked. "Something big enough to get his attention, but not too big that it

puts the whole operation at risk."

Reiner, ever the strategist, thought for a moment, then spoke up. "What if we made it

look like there was a threat to one of their other key locations?" he suggested.

"Something that would require Levi's immediate response. He can't be everywhere at

once."

Zeke nodded slowly, considering the idea. "It's a start," he said. "But we'll need to make

sure it's convincing. If Levi suspects a trap, he'll never leave her side."

General Calvi grunted in agreement. "We need more information," he said. "More

intelligence on their movements, their routines. We need to know exactly when and

where to strike."

Pieck turned to Zeke, her expression serious. "You have contacts in Paradis," she said.

"Can we use them to get what we need?"

Zeke nodded, a small, calculating smile on his lips. "I believe so," he said. "But it won't

be easy. The Scouts are not as trusting as they once were. We'll need to move carefully,

quietly."

Magath, still fuming, crossed his arms over his chest. "And what about Dr. Belrose

herself?" he asked. "What if she's not where we expect her to be? What if she's

moved?"

Calvi's eyes narrowed, his voice cold. "That's a risk we'll have to take," he said. "But if

we can lure Levi away, even for a moment… that's our chance. That's when we strike."

Zeke nodded in agreement. "Indeed," he said. "We've underestimated Paradis once. We

won't do it again."

The room fell into a tense silence, each member of the Marleyan leadership lost in their

thoughts, their minds racing with the possibilities, the risks, and the potential rewards.

They knew what was at stake—knew that capturing Dr. Belrose and her research could

tip the balance in their favor. But they also knew that as long as Captain Levi was with

her, every move they made would be met with fierce resistance.

Calvi finally spoke, his voice firm and resolute. "Prepare the next mission," he ordered.

"Gather the intelligence we need, and make sure the diversion is convincing. We only

get one shot at this. Let's make it count."

The warriors nodded, determination in their eyes. They had faced many challenges

before, but this… this was different. This was a test of their skills, their resolve, and their

ability to outmaneuver an enemy who seemed to be always one step ahead.

And as they began to formulate their new plan, they knew one thing for certain: they

would not rest until Dr. Tiana Belrose and her invaluable research were in their hands,

and Captain Levi—the man who had thwarted them at every turn—was finally out of

their way.

For now, the battle continued, the stakes higher than ever. And in this war of shadows

and secrets, only the cunning would survive.

….

The conference room at Scout headquarters was dimly lit, a long wooden table

dominating the center, surrounded by worn chairs. Maps and tactical documents

covered the walls, a testament to the countless hours spent strategizing within these

walls. Today, however, the room held an air of heightened tension. Commander Erwin

sat at the head of the table, his steely blue eyes sharp and focused, his posture as

commanding as ever. To his right sat Hange, her usual curiosity tempered with a rare

seriousness. Across the table, the core members of the Scouts—Eren, Mikasa, Armin,

Jean, Connie, Sasha, and others—waited with bated breath.

Levi stood at the side of the room, his arms crossed over his chest, his expression as

stoic as ever. Beside him, Tiana sat quietly, her gaze darting around the room, a mix of

nervousness and determination in her eyes. She hadn't expected to be pulled into this

debriefing, but Levi had insisted, his reasoning clear: he wasn't going to leave her

alone, not after the latest attempt by the Marleyan spies to breach her workshop and

steal her research.

Erwin cleared his throat, his gaze sweeping across the room before settling on Levi.

"Captain Levi," he began, his tone even but commanding. "Report."

Levi nodded, stepping forward, his eyes meeting Erwin's. "Last night, we intercepted

another attempt by Marleyan operatives to infiltrate headquarters," he said, his voice

steady and calm. "They were after Dr. Belrose's research again. Three spies managed

to breach the outer perimeter. Two entered the workshop. I neutralized the threat before

they could retrieve anything."

Erwin's eyes flicked to Tiana, who sat beside Levi, her hands folded in her lap. "Dr.

Belrose," he said, his tone softer but still authoritative. "Are you alright?"

Tiana nodded, straightening in her seat. "Yes, Commander," she replied. "Thanks to

Captain Levi, I'm unharmed. But it's clear Marley is not going to stop trying to get their

hands on my work."

Erwin nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Indeed," he said quietly. "Which means we

need to rethink our security measures. It's becoming clear that their interest in you and

your research is more intense than we initially thought."

Hange leaned forward, her elbows resting on the table, her eyes bright with curiosity.

"Did you get any information from the spies?" she asked, looking at Levi. "Anything that

could tell us what Marley's next move might be?"

Levi's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression grim. "One of the spies mentioned they

had backup," he said. "Three more outside the perimeter. They were supposed to

provide support if the mission went wrong. I took care of them too, but they didn't have

much useful information. They were low-level operatives, likely expendable."

Jean, sitting across from Levi, raised an eyebrow. "So Marley's getting desperate," he

remarked, a hint of concern in his voice. "They're willing to throw away their own men

just to get to Tiana's research."

Eren, who had been quiet until now, leaned forward, his eyes intense. "What's the plan

then?" he asked, his voice firm. "We can't keep playing defense forever. If they keep

coming, eventually they'll get through."

Mikasa, always close to Eren, nodded in agreement. "We need to find a way to stop

them," she added, her voice calm but determined. "Before they try something even

more dangerous."

Erwin nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Agreed," he said. "We need to be proactive,

not just reactive. But first, we need to ensure Dr. Belrose's safety. Captain Levi, I want

you to continue your assignment as her personal guard. You're not to leave her side

under any circumstances."

Levi nodded sharply. "Understood," he replied. "I haven't and I won't. She's not out of

my sight."

Tiana glanced at Levi, a small, appreciative smile tugging at her lips despite the

seriousness of the situation. She had come to rely on Levi's presence, his constant

vigilance. She felt safer with him around, knowing that he would always be there, ready

to act.

Hange turned to Tiana, her expression curious. "Tiana, is there anything in your

research that you think Marley might find particularly valuable?" she asked. "Something

they'd risk this much to get their hands on?"

Tiana took a deep breath, thinking carefully. "I've been working on several projects," she

explained, her voice steady. "But I think what they're most interested in is the portable

energy source I've been developing. It's small but powerful—enough to power their

equipment in the field for extended periods without needing to resupply. If they got their

hands on it, it could significantly enhance their operational capabilities."

Connie leaned back in his chair, his expression serious. "So, they're after the tech," he

said. "They want an edge in the war. Makes sense."

Sasha nodded, her eyes wide with concern. "But if they keep coming, they'll eventually

figure out a way to get past us," she said. "We need to do something more… something

to keep them from trying again."

Armin, always the strategist, leaned forward, his brow furrowed in thought. "Maybe we

could set a trap," he suggested. "Use their own tactics against them. If we make it look

like Tiana's research is vulnerable, they might make a move, and we could be ready for

them."

Levi's eyes flicked to Armin, his expression thoughtful. "It's risky," he said. "But it could

work. We'd need to control the situation, make sure they don't actually get close to

Tiana or her research."

Erwin nodded, considering the idea. "A controlled risk," he said slowly. "It could draw

them out, give us the opportunity to capture higher-level operatives who might have

more information."

Eren nodded, his expression determined. "And we could finally start going on the

offensive," he said. "Take the fight to them."

Hange grinned, clearly intrigued by the idea. "I like it," she said. "But we'd have to be

very careful. One mistake, and they could take the bait and get what they want."

Erwin turned to Levi, his expression serious. "Captain Levi, do you think you could

orchestrate this operation?" he asked. "Ensure Tiana's safety while setting up a trap for

the Marleyan spies?"

Levi nodded without hesitation. "I can," he said firmly. "But I'll need full control over the

operation. And we'll need to make sure Tiana is prepared. If they see any sign that it's a

trap, they'll back off, and we'll lose our chance."

Tiana nodded, her expression determined. "I'm ready," she said. "Whatever it takes to

keep them from getting their hands on my work. I trust Captain Levi."

Erwin nodded, a small, approving smile on his lips. "Good," he said. "Then that's what

we'll do. We'll prepare the trap, and we'll be ready. In the meantime, everyone stays on

high alert. No one goes anywhere alone, and no one lets their guard down."

The scouts nodded in agreement, a renewed sense of determination filling the room.

They knew the risks, knew the stakes, but they were ready. They had faced worse

before and come out stronger. And now, with Levi leading the charge and Tiana by his

side, they would be ready for whatever Marley threw at them next.

As the meeting concluded, Levi turned to Tiana, his expression softer but still serious.

"Let's get back to your workshop," he said quietly. "We have preparations to make."

Tiana nodded, standing up and gathering her notes. "Right," she agreed. "And thank

you, Levi… for everything."

Levi gave her a small nod, his eyes steady on hers. "Just doing my job," he said, his

voice low. "Let's keep it that way."

Levi moved through the halls of Scout headquarters with purpose, his mind focused on

the plan. Every detail had been meticulously prepared, every possibility accounted for.

The trap was set, and now all they had to do was wait. He had handpicked a small team

of scouts for this operation—only those he trusted implicitly, who could move as quietly

and quickly as he did. The others were stationed at key points, ready to respond at a

moment's notice.

The night was dark, the moon hidden behind thick clouds, casting the headquarters in

deep shadows. The perfect cover for what Levi had in mind. Tiana stood beside him,

her expression calm but her eyes alert. She had insisted on being involved, and while

Levi would have preferred to keep her out of harm's way, he knew she needed to be

part of this. She needed to see it through.

"Are you ready?" Levi asked her, his voice a low whisper.

Tiana nodded, her gaze steady. "I'm ready," she replied, her voice quiet but firm. "Just

tell me what to do."

Levi gave her a small nod. "Stay close to me," he instructed. "And when I give the

signal, move behind the workbench. Keep low and stay out of sight. We want them to

think you're vulnerable, but I'll be right there."

Tiana took a deep breath, steeling herself. She trusted Levi completely, knew that he

would keep her safe. "Got it," she said, her voice steady.

Levi turned to his squad—Eren, Armin, Mikasa, Jean, Sasha, and Connie—all

positioned around the room, hidden in the shadows, their weapons at the ready.

"Remember the plan," he said quietly, his voice carrying just enough to reach them. "We

wait until they're inside, until they're committed. No one moves until my signal."

The scouts nodded, their expressions tense but determined. They had rehearsed this,

gone over every detail. They knew what was at stake, and they were ready.

Outside, the night was silent, save for the faint rustling of leaves in the wind. Levi's eyes

were sharp, his senses heightened. He could feel it—the tension in the air, the quiet

anticipation of the hunt. The Marleyan spies would come, just as they always did. But

this time, they wouldn't be leaving.

Minutes passed, each one stretching longer than the last. Tiana kept her breathing

steady, her eyes on Levi. She could see the focus in his expression, the calm readiness

that always seemed to surround him. He was like a coiled spring, always on the edge,

always prepared to strike.

Then, they heard it—a faint rustle, a soft whisper of movement outside the workshop.

Levi's eyes narrowed, his hand tightening on the hilt of his blade. He gave a small nod

to the scouts, signaling them to be ready. The trap was about to spring.

The door creaked open, just as they had anticipated. Two figures slipped inside, moving

with the same stealth and precision as the last time. They were dressed in dark clothing,

their faces covered, their eyes scanning the room. They were cautious, but not cautious

enough. They didn't see the scouts hidden in the shadows, didn't notice Levi standing

just out of sight.

Tiana moved behind the workbench as Levi had instructed, keeping low, her heart

pounding in her chest. She could see the spies moving closer, their eyes locked on the

workbench where her notes were spread out, seemingly unguarded. They didn't know it

was a decoy, a carefully prepared lure to draw them in.

The first spy reached the workbench, reaching out to grab the papers. Levi waited, his

muscles tense, his mind focused. He knew they had to be patient, had to let the spies

think they had the upper hand.

The second spy moved to the side, positioning themselves near the door. Levi's eyes

flicked to Mikasa and Jean, giving them a small nod. They moved silently, shifting into

position, their blades ready.

Just as the first spy touched the papers, Levi gave the signal. He moved with blinding

speed, his blade flashing in the dim light. He was on the first spy before they could even

react, his blade slicing through the air with lethal precision. The spy crumpled to the

ground, their weapon falling from their hand.

The second spy turned, eyes wide with surprise, but Mikasa was already there, her

blade cutting through the air, a swift, clean strike that dropped the second spy before

they could raise an alarm.

Connie and Jean moved in, securing the bodies, making sure there were no more

surprises. Armin stepped forward, his eyes scanning the room, looking for any sign of a

third spy. But there was nothing. The room was silent, save for the quiet, steady

breathing of the scouts.

Levi turned to Tiana, his expression calm but intense. "Are you alright?" he asked, his

voice low.

Tiana nodded, her heart still racing but a relieved smile on her lips. "I'm fine," she said,

her voice a little breathless. "It worked… it really worked."

Levi nodded, his gaze sweeping the room one last time. "Good," he said quietly. "But

stay alert. There could be more outside."

As if on cue, a faint noise came from outside—a scuffle, followed by a low grunt. Levi's

eyes narrowed, his senses on high alert. He signaled to the scouts, moving toward the

door with careful, measured steps.

He pushed the door open just enough to see outside, his eyes scanning the darkness.

Two more spies were approaching, moving cautiously, their eyes darting around. They

hadn't seen what had happened inside yet; they were still waiting for a signal from their

comrades.

Levi slipped out, moving silently along the wall. Mikasa and Jean followed, their steps

as quiet as his, their weapons ready. They moved with the precision and coordination of

a well-oiled machine, closing in on the spies from either side.

As they reached the spies, Levi struck first, his blade slicing through the air in a blur of

motion. The first spy went down without a sound, and Mikasa took the second, her

blade cutting through their throat with a swift, silent motion.

Jean and Connie moved in, dragging the bodies out of sight, their movements quick and

efficient. They knew they had to be fast, had to get rid of the evidence before anyone

else noticed.

Levi turned back to the workshop, his expression calm but focused. He knew they had

won this round, but he also knew that Marley wouldn't stop. They would keep coming,

keep trying. And he would be ready. Always.

He stepped back inside, his eyes meeting Tiana's. "It's done," he said simply. "They

won't be bothering us again tonight."

Tiana let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding, her shoulders relaxing.

"Thank you, Levi," she said softly. "For everything."

Levi nodded, his expression softening just a fraction. "It's my job," he replied quietly.

"And I'll keep doing it. No matter what."

Hange, who had been watching from the shadows, stepped forward, her expression a

mix of excitement and admiration. "That was flawless, Levi," she said, her voice filled

with genuine praise. "You've got a real talent for this."

Levi gave her a small nod. "We're not done yet," he said. "We need to make sure there

are no more out there. I want everyone on high alert until morning."

Erwin nodded, stepping into the room, his expression one of approval. "Agreed," he

said. "You did well, all of you. But we need to stay vigilant. Marley won't stop until they

get what they want."

Eren, standing near the door, nodded, his expression determined. "Then we'll be ready,"

he said. "We won't let them take Tiana or her work. Not ever."

The room was filled with a renewed sense of determination, the scouts nodding in

agreement. They had faced many threats before, but this was different. This was a

battle not just for their survival, but for their future.