Rayan ate breakfast while reading the newspaper.
In the world within the walls, newspapers were the only source of information for the public besides word of mouth. Under the rule of the royal government, the content was naturally filtered and lacked anything truly important. However, the news that occupied the main page caught his attention the most.
The Survey Corps will launch its 57th expedition outside the walls tomorrow. With a "monster" accompanying them, can they bring back significant results this time? The title itself was sensational. Rayan looked at the content and, as expected, the entire article first spent a large portion describing the past disastrous expeditions outside the walls before mentioning Eren.
The description of Eren almost exclusively used the word "monster" in quotation marks, clearly indicating that some people had deliberately instructed the newspaper to do so. The aim was to tarnish Eren's image, and even the entire Survey Corps' image in the eyes of the public.
In fact, since the battle of Wall Rose last time, the public's impression of the Survey Corps had improved a lot.
It was precisely because the Survey Corps had returned in time that they were able to delay the Titans at the breached outer gate for an extra half hour. This allowed the vast majority of residents living in the Trost District to successfully evacuate into the inner city of Wall Rose.
Afterward, it was also due to the joint efforts of Eren, the Survey Corps, and the Garrison Regiment that they successfully recaptured the lost wall, creating the first victory in the history of mankind within the walls.
And the people of the Trost District weren't blind; they naturally saw all of this. However, in other districts where people didn't understand the situation, many were misled by the newspapers.
Because the newspapers focused not on the Survey Corps bravely fighting the Titans, nor on how hard Eren worked to seal the wall; instead, they reported on the destruction caused by Eren after transforming into a Titan and his suspected tendency to attack humans. In short, they portrayed him as a dangerous figure.
This was also why many people agreed with Military Police Commander Nile's proposal to dissect Eren during the trial. If it hadn't been for Levi's quick-witted kick and President Zackly's decision to overrule the objections, Eren would probably have been sliced up for research by now.
"Yo, Captain Rayan, having breakfast?"
Hitch suddenly appeared out of nowhere, leaning close. Rayan glanced at her. She was wearing a long dress and had put on delicate makeup.
"You look very beautiful, Hitch. Are you going on a date?"
"No, just making myself feel good~ I don't have any men I fancy right now," Hitch said, sitting down on the side. "Captain, about tomorrow's area patrol, I asked for sick leave for Annie."
Tomorrow, huh.
Rayan's hand holding the bread paused in mid-air, then he nonchalantly put it in his mouth and took a bite.
"Sick leave? She was full of energy yesterday."
"Oh, you know, that girl thing," Hitch winked. "You men wouldn't understand."
"...Is that so? Then I'll go find a doctor later. A doctor's diagnosis report is required for sick leave."
"Hey! Captain, aren't you being a bit too... heartless?"
"Why should I be kind to someone who's trying to deceive me?" Rayan looked at Hitch. "Confess honestly, or there's no way she's getting leave."
Hitch hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "Alright, alright, honestly, Captain, you're too rigid, insisting I say it. She's going on a date."
"A date?"
"That's right, a date~" Hitch said, her eyes fixed on Rayan's face. However, to her disappointment, she couldn't discern anything from Rayan's expression.
"What, what? So the captain doesn't have any feelings for Annie."
"Huh?"
"I thought since you're from the same district, there might be some... strange relationship between you," she said, sighing. "Looks like I was overthinking it. Indeed, two strange people wouldn't get together. But it's good too. If they did, wouldn't it be strange plus strange, even stranger?"
"...Why didn't she ask for leave herself?"
"Oh dear, Captain, you're too slow on the uptake," Hitch said with a grin. "Even for someone with Annie's personality, it would be very embarrassing to bring up something like a date herself, wouldn't it?"
"Is that so."
"So, Captain, you'll agree, right? Help a good thing along."
A good thing... huh.
Rayan didn't answer directly but instead looked at Hitch and asked, "Hitch, with your personality, would you proactively help someone else? Annie must have promised you something, right?"
"Huh?" Hitch looked a little displeased. "Is that the kind of image I have in the captain's eyes? That's really hurtful..."
"Cut the act."
"Hehe." Hitch instantly shed her sad expression, resting her chin on her hands. "Captain, you're really smart. I certainly wouldn't help someone for nothing."
"If you tell me what that favor is, maybe I'll consider approving the leave."
"..."
Hitch sighed helplessly. "Captain, you really like to get to the bottom of things... Well, it's nothing much really. A few days ago, a senior officer forced a case on me. In exchange, I transferred the case to Annie. She said she would investigate it today."
"What case?"
"It's just about a rich girl who ran away from home," Hitch shrugged. "If you ask me, she probably eloped with some handsome young man, will have fun outside for a few days, and will come back when she runs out of money. There's no need to make such a fuss about it."
Hearing the words "rich girl ran away from home," Rayan immediately frowned.
"Is that rich girl surnamed 'Straussman'?"
Hitch looked at him in surprise. "Captain, how do you know?"
"..."
This was quite a coincidence.
Rayan thought to himself that he had just been asked by Elliot yesterday to investigate his missing daughter, and today this case happened to fall into Annie's hands.
Well, that works out.
"I'm also investigating this case," he said. "Where is Annie now?"
"Uh, she seems to have gone to that Straussman family to investigate the situation."
"Mm." Rayan quickly finished the bread in his hand, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and stood up. "Alright, I approve this leave. Go have fun."
"Okay~"
...
What must be done must be done, no matter what.
Annie walked down the street, listening to the occasional passersby discussing things, thinking to herself.
"What do you think will happen with tomorrow's expedition outside the walls?"
"Need you even ask? A lot of people will die again, for sure."
"Those Survey Corps people are such idiots."
"If you ask me, maybe they'll be wiped out by that 'monster'."
"Who's to say they won't..."
The sound of their discussion faded away. Annie subconsciously looked back, not knowing what she was looking at. Realizing she was a bit distracted, she shook her head slightly and refocused on walking.
Soon, she arrived outside a large area of connected villas. She rang the doorbell, and a man dressed as a butler came out.
"Hello, may I help you?"
"I'm Annie Leonhardt from the Military Police, looking for Elliot Straussman."
"Looking for Master? Please come in."
The butler seemed to have been notified in advance and let her in without asking for confirmation.
He led her to a door and knocked. "Master, Miss Annie Leonhardt from the Military Police has arrived."
A steady voice came from inside the room. "Please come in."
Annie walked in. Elliot was standing by the window, looking out. He turned around. "Please have a seat."
"Excuse me."
Watching Annie sit down on the chair, he said, "Did Rayan send you?"
"No," Annie frowned slightly. "Why do you ask?"
"Oh?"
Elliot thought for a moment and nodded slightly. "I see. First, may I ask if you are here to investigate my daughter's matter?" Seeing Annie nod, he continued, "It seems you came through the normal reporting channels. But to be honest, about my daughter, I already asked Rayan Kafka from your Military Police to investigate yesterday... You should know him, right?"
"...Yes, he's our captain."
Annie obviously hadn't expected this situation and was momentarily at a loss for words.
Elliot: "I told him everything I know, you should still"
"Please tell me again. We will investigate this separately, it will be more efficient," Annie took out a small notebook for recording from her inner pocket.
"..."
Elliot glanced at Annie but didn't refuse. "Alright, there isn't much information anyway." As he spoke, he sat down, took out a cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag. "No matter how busy my daughter and I are, we always have dinner together. So, two nights before I submitted the search request, that day she didn't show up, and this has never happened before."
"When was the last time you saw her?"
"The day before she went missing, during dinner."
"At that time, did your daughter behave any differently than usual?"
"Not that I saw."
"Please tell me about your daughter's social circle, places she frequented, and what she's been doing recently?"
"I don't know."
Annie stopped recording and looked at Elliot. "You don't know anything about your daughter?"
"That's right. She hasn't done anything since she graduated from Einrich University three years ago."
"Her major was?"
"Chemistry. As I said, I don't know her because we don't interfere in each other's lives. I don't care how she has fun outside."
"Does your daughter often go out to have fun?"
"That's just an example; I don't actually know what she does."
"Could it be a kidnapping?"
"No, no one has demanded a ransom from me."
"What is your relationship with your daughter like?"
"Average. I have no idea what she's thinking."
"..."
Annie was silent for a moment. "I don't think there's a father who knows what his daughter is thinking."
At this moment, the butler walked in again from outside the door, walked up to Elliot, whispered something in his ear, and gave him a piece of paper. After reading it, Elliot silently put the paper away.
"So, is there anything else you'd like to ask?"
"No, that's enough for now. I'll come back to bother you if I find anything."
"Please do."
Annie gave him a deep look and turned to leave the room.
Elliot also burned the note to ashes and said to the butler, "Prepare the carriage, I need to go out immediately."
Coming out of the villa's front gate, Annie was about to leave when she saw a familiar figure leaning against a large tree not far away. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the foliage, adding a touch of languor to him.
He was leaning against the trunk, arms crossed over his chest, seemingly resting with his eyes closed. Annie turned to leave discreetly, but she had just turned around when she was called out.
"Hey, Annie. Are you also embarrassed about asking for leave to go on a date...?"
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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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