Chapter 105 A New Perspective

"Hey, kid! You borrowed my Titan, and now you're done with it? You think you can just walk away?"

Hanji's voice carried across the camp as she spotted Ryo. Arms crossed, her sharp gaze locked onto him.

"Eh? Captain Hanji, is there something you need?" Ryo touched his nose, suddenly uneasy. Something about her expression made him nervous.

Ryo wasn't sure how to handle Hanji. She was unpredictable—serious one moment, then laughing and eccentric the next. While he respected her, their few interactions left him wary.

"Hehe, do you think I don't have a reason to stop you?" Hanji leaped from her carriage, striding toward him with a mischievous grin. Before Ryo could process what was happening, she threw her arm around his shoulder.

"Um…" Ryo hesitated, glancing around nervously. He dismounted from his horse, aware it would be improper to remain on horseback while a superior addressed him.

"I see potential in you, kid! How about joining my squad to help us out?" Hanji's tone was casual, but her grip on his shoulder was firm.

Ryo opened his mouth to respond, but Hanji continued before he could speak. "Oh, right, you're in Levi's squad. No problem—I'll talk to him. We go way back, so I'm sure he won't mind."

"Wait, Captain Hanji—" Ryo began, but she was already dragging him along.

"Let's go find him! He's probably with the commander right now," Hanji said cheerfully, completely ignoring his protests.

Ryo, meanwhile, didn't dare move a muscle. Not only was she his superior, but she was also a woman, and the last thing he wanted was to accidentally offend her. He resigned himself to being pulled along, his awkward posture making him look like a reluctant duck caught in a hunter's grasp.

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Inside the command tent, Commander Erwin was deep in discussion with a clerk. His sharp eyes scanned the battle statistics laid before him, his brow furrowed.

"Once the casualty count is finalized, notify the other corps. We owe them a report," Erwin instructed.

"Yes, sir. What about Levi's request?" the clerk asked, glancing at Levi, who stood nearby with Mike.

Erwin leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. "I'll personally write to my old contact. He should be willing to assist us." With a dismissive wave, he sent the clerk on their way.

As the tent emptied, Erwin pulled out a map and laid it on the table. The markings on it caught Levi and Mike's attention.

"What's this?" Mike asked, stepping closer.

Erwin smirked faintly. "Our latest discovery." He began cross-referencing the map with a standard issue, adjusting the scale and adding new annotations.

Mike frowned. "Captain, isn't this approach a bit… risky?"

"It might seem that way," Erwin admitted, "but after what we encountered, this step is necessary."

Mike studied the map for a moment longer before nodding. "Understood."

Erwin turned to Levi. "What do you think of the new recruit, Ryo Carter?"

Levi's expression didn't change, but he paused thoughtfully before replying. "He's strong."

Erwin raised an eyebrow. "I know he's strong, but is he trustworthy?"

Before Levi could answer, Hanji's voice rang out from outside the tent. "Captain, can we come in?"

All three men turned toward the entrance as Hanji burst in, practically dragging Ryo behind her. Her arm was slung around his shoulders, nearly choking him as he awkwardly tried to maintain his balance.

"Come in," Erwin said, his previously serious expression softening into a faint smile.

Hanji marched in, grinning from ear to ear. Ryo, on the other hand, looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him whole.