[DISCONTINUED] Entangled in the Strings of Fate ~ Attack on Titan (Levi x OC)

07. Their Last Expedition, His New Resolve

Erwin threw the folder to the muddy ground. Some white sheets revealed themselves from within it.

"What the fuck are those?!" Levi shouted angrily.

"It was a bluff." "...What?" Levi narrowed his eyes when he heard the man. Erwin nodded.

From her position, Aile watched the two. It slowly also became clear to her. "So this is the squad leader's plan..." She muttered slowly.

-Flashback-

"Recently, there is a rumor going around the military police," Erwin began. "It is about a group of underground thugs that always managed to slip away from the MP."

It's a no wonder if we're talking about the MP here... Aile remarked inside her mind.

Erwin slowly shook his head. "You might be thinking it's usual, but they won't caught my interest if they're only a group of ordinary thugs," he said as if he could read Aile's mind.

Aile raised a brow. "Really, sir?"

Erwin nodded. "They are said to be quite adept at wielding the 3DMG."

Aile widened her eyes in surprise. "The 3DMG? But how?" She asked, still with widened eyes.

"That's also interest me," Erwin shook his head. "I want to confirm it with my own eyes, but right now I couldn't. That is where you come, Aile."

The woman brought her head closer to the desk. "I want you to find this group for me." Erwin said.

Aile slowly nodded. "Sure. You asked the right person, sir." Aile found herself said confidently. She immediately covered her mouth. "I mean..."

Erwin flashed a thin smile. "That's what I wanted to hear from you, Aile." He continued nonchalantly.

Aile coughed a bit as she regained her composure. "May I ask, sir?" "Sure, go ahead." "What are you planning to do after I found them?"

Erwin nodded to himself. "Good question. Aile, when some ordinary people could wield the 3DMG well, there's only one thought that would crossed in your mind, wouldn't it?"

Aile slowly nodded. "I think I get what you mean, sir." "Good. But before that," Erwin said while standing up from his chair. "There is also someone who wants them." He said while looking through the window.

Aile clicked her tongue. "Is it the MP, sir? Or?" "They didn't come from the military," he cut in. "But I'm sure he wants to exploit the group's ability against us." Erwin turned to look at the woman, and took out a file folder from his vest.

"They'll most likely be hired to take this document, and then dispose of me."

Aile widened her eyes in utter surprise, but didn't say anything.

"Seems like that man haven't found this group yet, but eventually he will. I want you to find them first, but don't report to me immediately, because I still don't have enough evidence,"

"Evidence?" Aile kept her face stoic while questioning the word.

"I'll tell you when the time comes. You just need to watch over this group. Let the man make his move first... And when you're sure you're being watched, that's the time we'll make our move. Understand?" He said before keeping the document back in his vest.

Aile looked hesitant.

"...May I ask again, sir?"

"Of course."

"What I comprehend about the mission is, my task is to find the thugs group and watched over them. But... what's the connection between them and that document in your possession?"

Erwin flashed her a mysterious smile, and Aile immediately knew that she wouldn't get any answer from him.

Erwin twined his fingers after he sat down. "For this mission, you'll be relieved from your duty as a soldier until I said so."

"And that's all you have to do."

-End of Flashback-

Levi slowly lowered his blade from Erwin's neck and fell down to his knees.

"My friends..." He gritted his teeth, tears started to glisten his eyes. "...if only I didn't leave them, they wouldn't..."

"Don't blame yourself," Erwin said. "You had made your choice back then. It's no one's fault if the outcome didn't go as you wanted."

Levi didn't budge. His stare was still locked on the muddy ground, with his eyes refusing to let any tears leave. "...."

"Now Levi," Erwin looked down to the man. "This time, instead of making a deal with me... I want you to choose."

Levi slowly raised up his face. Still staring to the ground, his facial expression was dark and lifeless.

"Regret your choice and return to the darkness of the underground, or accept your decision and go towards the light, together with the Survey Corps."

Levi flinched. He slowly lifted up his gaze, staring wide-eyedly at Erwin.

"When you regret your choice... your senses will become dull. Then all that's left for you is to die." Erwin continued on.

Erwin lowered down his voice. "So which will it be, Levi?"

Levi slowly averted his gaze. He glanced at Aile behind him, who was looking at him in concern, and the stump of Isabel's head near her.

The black-haired man slowly stood up. Looking straight into Erwin's eyes, Levi's eyes now flashed with new resolve.

"Fine. I will follow you, Erwin Smith... and I'll make sure to never regret the decisions I make."