Chapter 409 - 409: Different Circumstances

"This beef noodle soup is so good, Zofia, eat more. Oh right! No chopped scallions in my bowl, thank you!" Airi turned her head and raised a hand toward the owner cooking noodles nearby as she shouted loudly.

"Got it!"

Compared to Airi's healthy appetite, little Zofia naturally couldn't eat much. But what Zofia cared about most wasn't whether the beef noodle soup tasted good. She hadn't come to see Airi just for a meal.

While Airi stared eagerly at the incoming bowl of noodles, Zofia asked the question on her mind.

"What about the thing I told you last time? Can I join the Eldian Revival Army too?"

Across from her, the chopsticks Airi had been biting slipped from her mouth and clattered onto the table. A conflicted expression appeared on her pretty face. After a while, she finally answered,

"Mm... how should I put this, Zofia? You should know too that the Marley Warrior Unit no longer exists. And Serena and the others strongly oppose setting up another Warrior Unit. Without the Warrior Unit, we don't need Warrior Candidates anymore. Most importantly..."

"Little miss, your beef noodle soup is here!" The enthusiastic owner carried over a huge bowl of beef noodle soup with double portions of meat and placed it beside Airi.

As a liberated Eldian, the owner was filled with gratitude and respect toward every soldier of the Eldian Revival Army.

Every time he saw these Eldian soldiers wearing brand-new uniforms, he felt a sense of pride welling up inside him. It was completely different from how people used to look at the Eldian troops who fought for Marley. The Eldian Revival Army had already earned the recognition and support of the million Eldian civilians living in Hope District.

Besides, any owner-chef would be happy to meet a customer with a good appetite, especially a pretty girl like Airi who could eat so much.

After thanking the warm-hearted owner, Airi picked up her third bowl of beef noodle soup. While noisily slurping noodles, she vaguely explained to Zofia,

"The most important thing is that you're still too young, Zofia. Serena and several division commanders have strictly emphasized that no Eldian under sixteen years old is allowed to join the Eldian Revival Army."

Hearing Airi's explanation, Zofia's little face immediately fell. Even the delicious noodles suddenly lost their flavor.

"Why? Even if we're not adults yet, we still want to contribute to the revival of the Eldian people."

Airi chuckled a little and freed one hand to poke Zofia's forehead with her finger.

"You silly girl. Fighting for the Eldians is our responsibility. Why are kids like you trying to get involved? We fight for Eldian revival, but children like you are the hope for the rise of the Eldian race. That's what Serena said. So little Zofia, if you really want to contribute to Eldian revival, then study hard. The future of the Eldian people needs all of you to help build it."

Even so, the disappointment in Zofia's eyes still couldn't be hidden.

And truthfully, Airi genuinely didn't want the girl in front of her to become involved in war anymore.

That's right. War.

As the Sea-Diving Titan warrior, Airi could be considered one of the absolute upper echelons of the Eldian Revival Army. Naturally, Serena had told her quite a few things.

Very soon, the Eldian Revival Army would face a great war that could sweep across the entire world.

This world war would determine the future fate of the Eldians.

Would they continue sinking into decline, perhaps even disappear from the world entirely?

Or would they straighten their backs and proudly declare the rise of the Eldian race to the entire world?

The process would never be smooth. Sacrifice would definitely be unavoidable.

Even Airi herself had no confidence that she could survive safely until the end of the war, even with Titan powers.

Actually, Airi wasn't particularly brave, nor did she possess lofty ambitions.

Even when she spoke to Zofia about fighting for Eldian revival, she herself only half-understood those grand ideals.

But Airi knew one thing clearly.

Her family was living well now.

There was no more oppression from the Marleyans. No more countless restraints and hostility.

Her mother and younger siblings were living happily now.

Her mother had found a well-paying job at a textile factory, and her younger siblings had all gone to school—the free public schools established with the support of the Eldian Revival Army.

For Eldians, life now finally had meaning and hope.

Airi might not understand all the grand principles, but she knew that if they wanted this kind of life to continue forever, then she had to devote all her strength to protecting it.

And that was also the shared will of every soldier in the Eldian Revival Army.

"How about this, Zofia? Once Yago arrives in Hope District, I'll talk to him and let you become a reserve little soldier of the Eldian Revival Army. Then the moment you turn sixteen, you can officially join us. Sound good?"

Airi couldn't stand Zofia's pitiful expression, so she half-jokingly tried to comfort her.

Sure enough, Zofia's eyes instantly lit up.

"Really? You can actually do that?"

"Of course! Would I lie to you?"

...

Elsewhere, Gabi walked alone down the street.

The yellow armband symbolizing a Warrior Candidate was no longer on her arm. The pedestrians on the street also paid no attention to a mere child.

That strange feeling of being ignored and overlooked left Gabi somewhat confused.

She wandered aimlessly like that for a while before eventually reaching a place she didn't recognize.

Then, the aroma of bread and meat floss drifted into her nose.

Since it was noon, Gabi's stomach growled embarrassingly.

"Gabi?"

At that moment, a familiar yet slightly unfamiliar voice sounded behind her.

Gabi subconsciously turned around and immediately saw a familiar face.

Falco's short blond hair was slightly messy, and beads of sweat covered his forehead, making it obvious he had just been working hard. He wore a miniature apron stained with flour, and even his face and nose were dusted with flour.

Seeing that it was Gabi, delight appeared in Falco's eyes.

"So it really is you, Gabi! I haven't seen you in so long. Are you here to buy bread?"

Gabi turned back in surprise.

In front of her was a modest-sized bakery. Business seemed excellent, as many customers were lined up outside buying bread.

The delicious aroma of bread and meat floss had come from there.

A small sign hung above the store:

"Grice & Braun Bakery"

"Falco... th-this is your family's bakery?"

"Yep! My parents and Udo's parents opened it together. My brother, Udo, and I all help out here too. Oh, right, never mind that for now. Udo definitely misses you too. Come visit our home!"

As he spoke, Falco directly grabbed Gabi's hand and led her into the bakery.

Gabi's mind hadn't fully caught up yet, so she simply allowed Falco to pull her along.