It was already noon when Rayan arrived at the Survey Corps headquarters.
"They haven't returned yet?"
"They're new recruits, they have a lot to learn."
At the entrance of the headquarters, Rayan chatted with a Survey Corps member and learned that the 104th trainee squad had been led away by Erwin for training early in the morning and hadn't returned yet.
"Hey, how was it? Was the King very dignified?" the Survey Corps member asked Rayan gossipily. After all, Rayan's story was almost universally known within the walls. Surviving the battle outside the walls and even being received by the King and awarded the Warrior's Medal. This kind of experience could be considered a legendary tale in some ways.
"Not bad."
"That's great, I haven't even seen the King's face. But then again, the King only stays in Sina and never comes to Rose."
As the two were talking, they saw a line of figures on horseback approaching in the distance, and the leader was none other than Commander Erwin.
"They're back."
Behind Erwin were some veterans, but most were still new recruits. Those Rayan was familiar with were all among them.
As they got closer, they also saw Rayan in his suit, and they were all somewhat surprised, wondering why he had come here.
Rayan saw Christa in the middle of the group. When she saw him, a joyful smile immediately appeared on her face. She wanted to speak, but looking at Erwin in front, she swallowed her words but still waved at him.
Erwin naturally also saw Rayan. Seeing this suspect, he was somewhat excited. And the fleeting light in his eyes was also caught by Rayan.
Sure enough, Erwin suspects me a bit...
Rayan was certain. Speaking of which, this suspicion had existed for a long time.
When he returned from outside the walls three years ago, Erwin had asked him a bunch of questions, many of which were trick questions. Fortunately, with his adult soul in a child's body, he barely managed to get through them. But Erwin must still have had doubts in his heart.
Later, when Erwin gave his speech recruiting members when the training corps graduated, Rayan also felt his intentional or unintentional gaze fall on him, but at that time, he couldn't be completely sure.
But now, he was almost 100% certain that Erwin suspected him of being an intelligent Titan.
After all, he had already deduced that the enemy was lurking within the military, and it was very likely to be a soldier from this batch of new recruits. So, perhaps he had also investigated his affairs in the training corps. He must have known about the incident of sabotaging the vertical maneuvering equipment simulator. So, suspicion was normal.
At this moment, the group arrived at the gate. Rayan took the initiative to come to Erwin's front. "Commander Erwin, I am Rayan Kafka, a member of the Military Police from Stohess District in Wall Sina. I have come here today to see my classmates."
"You may."
Erwin nodded, looking at him. "However, you only have one hour to catch up. After that, they have new training tasks."
"Alright."
After Erwin finished speaking, he rode his horse into the headquarters. The new recruits, hearing Erwin say they could catch up, immediately dismounted and surrounded Rayan.
"Hey, Rayan, no wonder you're in the Military Police, you even have money to buy such nice clothes!" Connie said with envy, reaching out to feel the material of the suit. He couldn't afford such clothes even with several months' salary.
"Just something I wore to see the King."
"Rayan, I read in the newspaper that your district took down a robber gang yesterday! Did you go too? Were the robbers scary?"
Rayan nodded slightly and said, "Not bad."
Because of someone's instructions, the newspaper didn't report that this was done by the new recruits led by Rayan, only vaguely mentioning the Military Police Regiment. This way, others naturally didn't know the truth.
Of course, Rayan didn't feel the need to tell everyone he met that he had led the people to catch the robbers; it wasn't very meaningful.
"Rayan, long time no see," Eren said as he walked over.
L Rayan looked at him. Indeed, Eren had been taken away by the military after transforming into a Titan, and it had been almost half a month since they last met.
"Yeah."
"I didn't expect you to join the Military Police."
"..."
Everyone else looked a little awkward upon hearing this, clearly feeling that saying such things at this time was inappropriate. However, that was just Eren's way. The current him wasn't as decisive as he would be later, and his emotional intelligence was also a bit lacking.
But even so, Rayan quite liked him. After all, at this stage, Eren was still a good friend who thought of others.
"Um, Rayan, how is it in the Military Police? Is the training tough?" Armin smoothed things over as usual.
"Definitely not as tough as yours."
"Of course!" Jean said unhappily. "We only get to sleep for less than six hours a day, and the rest of the time we're training! Unlike you guys who just enjoy yourselves all day!"
Rayan was too lazy to respond to these complaints.
"Alright, alright, let's not talk about this anymore. Let's go in and tie up the horses properly first."
Everyone went through the gate as they spoke, and it wasn't until everyone else had gone in that Christa and Ymir came over from behind.
"Christa, you've become even more beautiful."
Rayan said with a smile. No matter what, after three years, his relationship with these two was definitely the best. The joy he felt at seeing them now was genuine.
"No way!" Christa raised her hand and lightly punched his shoulder, her lake-blue eyes full of delight. "Don't talk nonsense!"
"Hey, shorty, did you come here just to hit on my Christa?" Ymir said, crossing her arms over her chest and sizing him up and down. "Looks like you've learned some bad habits in the Military Police, dressing all fancy."
"Long time no see, venomous tongue." Rayan didn't argue with her. Looking at the two of them at this moment, he actually found himself at a loss for words.
Actually, he didn't have any particular purpose for coming this time, just simply wanting to see the two of them. Although he had told Annie about the "30% death rate," he actually knew that with Ymir's protection, Christa wouldn't become part of that "30%."
So, he was just making an excuse for himself. After all, it was actually quite simple; he just wanted to see his familiar friends.
"I'm a bit hungry," Rayan said, looking at the two of them. "As the 'hosts,' aren't you going to treat me to a meal?"
"Huh?" Ymir raised an eyebrow.
"Okay!" Christa interrupted Ymir. "But we're not going out to eat, we can only eat in the mess hall. But the food here is very delicious, much better than it was in the training corps!" As she spoke, she thought of something and looked a little embarrassed. "Of course, it definitely can't compare to your Military Police food..."
"I say, have you guys imagined the Military Police as some kind of paradise?"
Rayan was a little depressed. In everyone's eyes, it seemed like the Military Police didn't have to work, had particularly high salaries, and ate particularly well.
"Huh? Isn't it?" Christa blinked her eyes curiously.
"Let's talk as we walk."
The three of them headed towards the mess hall, and Rayan also talked about the general situation of the Military Police.
"That kind of life you imagine does exist, but only officers can live it. We first-year recruits have the most work. The salary is also average, and the food is only slightly better than in the training corps. Didn't Potato Girl say before that if she went to the Military Police, she could eat as much meat as she wanted every day? If she really went, she would probably regret it to death."
Rayan was right. The Military Police seemed quite good on the surface, but in reality, the living conditions weren't much better than the other military branches. After layers of exploitation from above, the benefits that could finally reach the soldiers were meager. Of course, if you survived the first year as a recruit and became familiar with the higher-ups, you could also transform from the exploited to the exploiter.
"So that's how it is..." Christa hadn't expected the Military Police to be like this. Ymir, on the other hand, curled her lips disdainfully. "No matter how bad it is, it's better than the Survey Corps, right? At least you don't have to worry about dying in a Titan's mouth."
"That's true."
Rayan thought, but some people are much scarier than Titans.
"Speaking of which, Rayan, you joined the Military Police because..."
"Actually, I also find it quite boring," Rayan said. "Joining the Military Police wasn't entirely my own intention. You should understand that the government needed a spokesperson who had returned from outside the walls, and they chose me. Of course, I could have refused."
"But you didn't," Ymir said.
"Of course I couldn't refuse!" Christa immediately said. "That would definitely be dangerous, right!"
"Maybe..."
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Need More Chapters
Every 300 Power Stones
2 Bonus chapter
Every 500 Power Stones
4 Bonus chapter.
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