NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 34: Chapter 34: Annie and Christa
The streets of Trost District were bustling with people. The atmosphere was relatively peaceful. No one noticed the two extra figures atop Wall Rose.
Haruto found a secluded spot, then leaped down into Trost District with Annie in his arms.
As she looked at the familiar yet foreign surroundings, Annie's emotions were complicated, though her expression remained its usual icy calm.
To end everything here and escape completely.
Annie glanced at Haruto beside her.
As long as he was here, even someone as selfish as her might be able to find a happy ending.
"I'm heading to the Training Corps."
Annie said.
He nodded and watched the girl leave, he had other matters to attend to. Annie quickly returned to the Training Corps' base.
At the outer perimeter, she was stopped. After confirming her identity, someone went to report to the Training Corps' head instructor. Before long, a bald man strode over quickly.
It was Keith Shadis, the main instructor of the 104th Training Corps.
He was Annie's immediate superior. Seeing Annie, Keith first sighed in relief, but then his face hardened as he sternly questioned,
"Annie Leonhart! Tell me, where exactly have you been for the past three days!?"
Keith's expression was terrifying. The sheer pressure he exuded was suffocating. But to Annie, it had little effect.
"Three days ago, during the Training Corps' leave, I went out to buy daily necessities. On my way, I was abducted by human traffickers. They took me to an underground city in a neighboring district. During the sale, I retrieved my gear and escaped."
Annie recited the excuse she had prepared beforehand. Fortunately, she had disappeared during the Corps' monthly leave. Otherwise, vanishing from inside the Training Corps with no explanation would have been impossible to justify.
Keith's expression darkened further.
"You're telling me that a human trafficker saw your uniform and still dared to abduct you!?"
After all, Annie was wearing the Training Corps' uniform.
There were indeed many audacious traffickers within the walls, some even kidnapped children in broad daylight or engaged in outright abductions.
But none had ever been bold enough to provoke the military. That would be a death sentence.
However, Annie calmly replied:
"Yes. Perhaps because of my appearance and the high selling price, they decided to take the risk."
Having spent a month in the modern world, it seemed Annie had picked up some of Haruto's bad habits. She could now say something like this without hesitation.
Keith stared at Annie for a long moment.
In the end, he turned away and left with a single parting remark: "It's good that you're back. Get back to training."
Then he walked away.
Watching Keith leave, Annie let out a quiet breath and then headed toward the Training Corps' barracks.
Calling it a barracks was generous—it was actually just a massive wooden lodge.
One room for the boys, another for the girls.
Everyone lived together, with only thin partitions between them. Hygiene was poor, and privacy was nonexistent.
Haruto and Annie had arrived very early.
It was still dawn.
Training hadn't started yet.
The 104th trainees were still resting inside the barracks.
Just as Annie reached the entrance, about to step in—
A girl pushed open the door.
The two collided.
The petite girl fell backward, landing on the ground, but before Annie could react, the girl was the first to apologize.
"Sorry."
Annie looked at the similarly blonde-haired girl with a complex expression.
She reached out and helped her up.
"Thank you!" The girl hadn't even looked clearly before expressing her gratitude. It was obvious; she was an extremely kind-hearted person.
Christa.
Her real name was Historia Reiss.
Annie, who knew the story of the Titans, recognized the girl's true identity.
She was of Eldian royal blood.
Pushing unnecessary thoughts from her mind, Annie stopped overthinking. What she needed to do now was help Haruto contain the Titan power and then escape from here.
At that moment, Historia finally got a clear look at who had bumped into her. Her eyes widened in surprise, and then, overjoyed, she grabbed Annie's hands.
"Annie! You're finally back! Everyone was so worried about you; you were missing for three whole days! Are you okay?"
Faced with Historia's concern, Annie coldly shook her head.
"I was kidnapped by traffickers but just managed to escape."
Annie's cold demeanor didn't surprise Historia. After all, Annie had always been like this.
However, hearing Annie's words, Historia's eyes widened in shock.
Kidnapped by traffickers!?
Historia instinctively wanted to offer comfort but didn't know what to say.
The conversation at the door woke up the others in the barracks.
A few trainees came out and, seeing Annie, froze for a moment.
Then they immediately gathered around her with concern, asking what had happened.
Listening to her comrades' worried inquiries,
Annie felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
She was lucky to have met that person.
She had another choice, she wouldn't have to harm them like in her original fate. Historia, ever observant, noticed Annie's emotional turmoil. With her small frame, she gently pushed the crowd aside.
"Everyone, Annie just got back and needs rest. Let's not bombard her with questions for now!"
Hearing this, the others nodded in agreement.
Annie looked at Historia.
Historia smiled at her warmly.
Such a gentle person.
But remembering Historia's past suffering—
And the cruel fate that once awaited her—
Annie once again felt how merciless this world truly was.
After that, Annie joined the others as they headed to the training grounds.