Chapter 414 - 414: Tavern

"I don't know whether this war is a good thing or a bad thing." Hange stood by the window as sunlight shone across her glasses, refracting into multiple colors.

Inside the office, Levi sat in a chair expressionlessly holding a cup of black tea, lightly stirring it with a spoon in his right hand.

Hearing Hange's sigh, he said flatly,

"Since when did you start worrying about the meaning of war? As the commander of the Survey Corps, you barely ever concern yourself with the Corps' affairs. Erwin really shouldn't have handed the position over to you back then."

Hange turned around and made an exaggerated helpless expression at Levi before saying loudly,

"Eh? I never thought you'd see me that way. Levi, as my best friend, you've really hurt my feelings~~ Besides, no matter what, I'm still your superior. Is it really appropriate to badmouth your boss right in front of her?"

Perhaps disgusted by Hange's over-the-top expression, Levi clicked his tongue and stopped talking. Behind the desk, Erwin watched the interaction between his two old subordinates with visible amusement.

"Speaking of which, Erwin, I'm sure you must have some unique insight into this war, right?" Since Levi refused to respond, Hange naturally shifted her attention to Erwin, who had been quietly watching the show. At the same time, she genuinely couldn't understand this war.

Perhaps because she had spent some time in the outside world while studying technology in Hizuru, Hange still held a mostly friendly attitude toward the people beyond the island. Or rather, aside from Titans, Hange wasn't very supportive of starting wars.

But Erwin would never think that way.

During his time in Hope District, Erwin hadn't merely helped the Eldian Revolutionary Army stabilize the city. During this rare period of peace, he had also been observing, understanding, and studying everything about the outside world.

Inside Erwin's office were piles upon piles of books, especially books recording the histories of various nations and even the world itself. Perhaps this was also due to the influence of his father from childhood.

Back when fighting Titans, Erwin had once hidden his own selfish desires beneath the banner of righteousness. To every soldier of the Survey Corps and every citizen inside the walls, Erwin was a qualified and admirable great commander.

But to Erwin himself, he was a selfish petty man.

Because of that, Erwin could be upright, but he would never be foolishly idealistic. Especially after learning world history and understanding the true situation Eldians faced in the world, abandoning war out of mercy was simply incomprehensible. If Yago truly had no other choice in the end and decided to unleash the Rumbling to destroy the world, Erwin would most likely not oppose it.

However, Erwin's thinking was also exceptionally thorough.

Although the situation of the Eldians remained extremely dire, there was still room for change. This sudden world war that erupted without warning was practically a heaven-sent opportunity for the rise of the Eldians.

Erwin keenly noticed the benefits hidden behind the war—or rather, the benefits that could be seized after the war ended. He believed that little Yago was probably thinking the same thing.

Erwin smiled and did not answer Hange directly. Instead, he said,

"It's not important, Hange. Levi. Opportunities like this are rare. Tonight, try to gather all our comrades from the Survey Corps and see what gatherings in the outside world are like."

"A gathering? Erwin, you weren't like this before. Has the luxurious lifestyle of the outside world corrupted you?" Hange had originally wanted to continue asking for Erwin's opinion, but after he changed the subject, she immediately forgot about it.

...

"Did you really know the leader of the Eldian Revolutionary Army before?" Inside a small tavern, a group of Marleyans surrounded a fat man, listening to him brag about all kinds of deeds from the battlefield.

The moment they heard the fat man say he had once known Yago Norman, who had disguised himself as a Marleyan officer, everyone immediately became excited and crowded around him. Some clever and attentive people had already brought over several mugs of beer along with peanuts and other snacks, placing them in front of the fat man.

Bagge tilted his head back and gulped down a huge mouthful of beer to wet his throat. Seeing people thoughtfully bring him even more beer, he nodded in satisfaction before beginning his boasting in full force.

"Back then, you guys have no idea! That bastard even became the commander of an Eldian unit! Tell me, wasn't that just walking into a trap? I seriously don't know how those idiots at headquarters carried out their inspections!" Bagge shouted angrily.

Someone asked, "Then how did you meet him?"

"Me? At the time, I was a military quartermaster. I happened to inspect his unit. You guys probably don't know how flattering that bastard was the first time he saw me. His face was practically blooming with smiles. Standing beside me, he kept calling me 'Bagge-san' over and over while giving gifts and bowing nonstop."

"Whoa! Seriously? That Eldian was actually that shameless?"

"My god, Eldians really are rotten to the core!"

"Wait, then didn't you notice anything suspicious about him?"

Bagge puffed out his neck and widened his eyes.

"I knew at first glance that guy wasn't a good person, so! I gave him a brutal lesson back then! That bastard! Smack! Smack! Smack! I went up and slapped him several times. The kid didn't even dare speak back at me. Snot and tears everywhere while begging me to spare him."

Bagge's bragging made the surrounding Marleyans gasp in shock.

They never expected there had once been such a warrior among Marleyans. The leader of the Eldian Revolutionary Army had been beaten so badly he didn't even dare fight back? Just hearing it felt fucking satisfying!

After letting out a drunken burp, Bagge revealed a regretful expression.

"What a pity. Back then, I just thought he was some flattering little bootlicker. Who would've thought he was actually an Eldian? Sigh... blame me too. If I'd been a bit more decisive back then, Marley might not have suffered this disaster."

Bagge's words immediately drew a chorus of sighs.

Quite a few Marleyans with complicated feelings lamented how unfortunate it was before launching into another wave of curses. There were actually many Marleyans in Hope District dissatisfied with the Eldians overthrowing them, especially former "elite" upper-class people like Bagge who once held decent status in Marley. After the Eldian Revolutionary Army occupied Hope District, these self-important upper-class figures naturally couldn't avoid being purged.

However, any Marleyan with true courage and determination had long since escaped Hope District through various means. People like Bagge were destined to spend their days bragging in dark taverns to satisfy themselves.

"Oh shit! Eldian soldiers are coming! Some bastard reported us! Everybody run!!"

Suddenly, a sharp warning shattered the lively atmosphere inside the tavern. The Marleyans, who had just been passionately worked up moments ago, instantly scattered in panic like headless flies.

"Fuck! Fatass! Move! You're blocking the door!!"

The same Bagge who had just been praised as a hero had successfully clogged the tavern's narrow back door with his enormous body. At this point, nobody bothered pretending anymore as they furiously cursed at the fat man to move aside.

But Bagge himself looked like he was about to cry.

He'd eaten too much, gotten too fat, and now he was completely stuck.