[This Chapter Is Sponsored by Emilio Gonzalez! Everyone, please thank him in the comment!]
Numerous centers of power within the walls have now fallen under the control of Lin Yi.
Take Hannes, for instance. Lin Yi has elevated him to a commanding position within the Garrison Corps, stationed at the Trost District. He wields considerable influence, comparable to that of a feudal lord with military authority in ancient times.
Three years have since passed.
Time slips away swiftly.
As per the rules governing life within the walls, when individuals reach the age of sixteen, they are presented with two choices: either enlist in the military or conform to the government's directives, assuming the roles of laborers in mining or agriculture.
Due to the confines of space within the walls, everyone must pay a price and labor diligently to survive.
Though this edict might seem draconian, its applicability within the world within the walls is indisputable.
Those who opt not to enlist are branded as cowards.
Consequently, a majority of young individuals choose to join the military upon attaining this age.
However, even if they do decide to enlist, they are required to undergo training at the military camps, mastering the use of omni-directional mobility gear, and completing a series of courses before they are permitted to choose the specific military unit they wish to join.
In the wake of the fall of the Shiganshina and Maria's Wall, the criteria for enlistment set forth by the government have been further heightened.
Since Maria's downfall, it has become an incessant reminder that not just the Survey Corps but everyone might face the Titans at any given moment.
While the prospect of training camps may not pique Lin Yi's interest, he is well-versed in the original narrative. After the fall of Maria, Marley's faction ultimately decided to infiltrate the world within the walls. Thus, Lin Yi, assuming the guise of a civilian, has orchestrated Mikasa's participation in this training camp.
That explains Lin Yi's directive for Mikasa to enroll in the training camp.
As for Eren, in order to forestall any unforeseen complications for the central character in the original plot, Lin Yi decided to have Eren continue with his training in the Scout Regiment.
Simultaneously, Lin Yi has another task at hand.
Initially, Marley dispatched four individuals as hosts for the Titans' powers. Yet, only three actively took part in the Battle of Maria.
The fourth host, an inheritor of the Attack Titan, met an unfortunate fate shortly after landing on the island. Devoured alive by a Pure Titan, the Attack Titan's power passed to this devouring Titan, which regained its sentience and adopted the moniker Ymir.
The choice of this new Pure Titan to identify itself as Ymir might stem from the name of the original Ymir Fritz, the Founding Titan.
The origins of the Titans trace back 2,000 years ago when a girl named Ymir Fritz acquired the Titan's power. Hailing from a small nation named Eldia, Ymir spared a group of pigs that were meant for the soldiers' hunt. This act prompted King Fritz of Eldia to command Ymir to take the pigs' place, transforming her into the hunted prey of the soldiers. While fleeing, Ymir tumbled into a lake beneath a hollow tree, encountering an enigmatic spine-like creature and attaining the Titans' power.
Ymir indeed acquired the power of the Titans but didn't attempt to flee. Instead, she returned to Eldia and ascended to the position of queen. She bore three daughters with King Fritz: Maria, Rose, and Sheena – the very names that were later bestowed upon the three walls encircling Paradis Island.
Subsequent to an assassination attempt, Ymir gave her life to shield King Fritz. Ymir's demise occurred in the 13th year after acquiring the Titan's power, explaining the 13-year lifespan that all subsequent Titan Shifters share.
King Fritz was unwilling to relinquish the Titan's power, compelling his three daughters to consume Ymir's remains, thereby ensuring the continuation of the Titan's legacy.
Ymir's consciousness didn't truly fade away; instead, it became ensconced in a spatial coordinate referred to as the "Paths." Within this coordinate space, all Pure Titans are created from sand.
Across generations, the Fritz family stabilized the number and forms of the Titan's powers to a count of nine.
While this narrative might evoke elements of fantasy, Lin Yi remains intrigued by the enigmatic sea creature. It succeeded in transforming a former slave into a being akin to a deity.
This latest incarnation of Ymir, however, differs from the Ymir of two thousand years prior. Instead, she is an ordinary individual inheriting the power of the Jaw Titan, in accordance with the original plot.
Following the turmoil that ensued after Maria's collapse, the original story posits that she should have infiltrated the city and joined the training camp. Yet, intelligence gathered by Mikasa's reconnaissance mission suggests her absence.
Evidently, Lin Yi's actions have catalyzed a butterfly effect, reshaping the original narrative.
Fortuitously, Marley's representatives are participants in this training camp, effectively placing them under Lin Yi's vigilant observation.
The camp's leader has already been won over by Lin Yi, effectively becoming a pawn serving his interests.
"What's unfolding?"
Lin Yi is somewhat perplexed, knowing that if Ymir hasn't entered the city, only two possibilities remain: she has either already been captured as part of Marley's plan to reclaim the Titan's powers, or she continues to wander on Paradis Island.
Irrespective of the circumstances, Lin Yi is steadfast in his determination to seize an opportunity to venture outside the walls.
Achieving this would require the cooperation of the Survey Corps.
However, recent years have seen the Survey Corps adopt a detached stance, refraining from impeding or engaging in collaboration with the development of the Lin Family Merchant Group.
One can safely assert that there is no link whatsoever between them and Lin Yi.
Today, Lin Yi's destination lies within the Survey Corps, where Herys, once again, acts as his messenger.
Survey Corps headquarters.
Erwin occupies the main table, an introductory letter adorning the adjacent surface.
Following the heavy losses sustained during the last expedition beyond the walls, coupled with the absence of leads, the reputation of the Survey Corps has suffered.
In recent years, they have refrained from undertaking another expedition beyond the walls.
"The leader of the Lin Family Merchant Group – I wonder, friend or foe?"
"Why dwell on such thoughts?"
This time, the response comes from a striking woman. Donned in a military uniform and sporting a ponytail, she pairs her appearance with black-framed glasses.
Her name is Hanji Zoe, the commanding officer of the Fourth Squad within the Survey Corps.
"At the very least, he presented an introductory letter. He appears to be quite courteous. By the way, I've heard that the boss of the Lin Family Merchant Group is quite the handsome gentleman... hehe, is that true?"
While Hanji's beauty is evident, her demeanor sharply contrasts with her looks.
Erwin massages his forehead in exasperation and chooses to ignore her.
Hanji, however, remains undeterred in her questioning.
"Isn't that right, Commander? You should have encountered him at the royal awards ceremony two years ago, correct?"
With Hanji's interjection, a palpable lightness imbues the room's atmosphere.
In response, Erwin's lips curl into a faint smile.
While Lin Yi is a merchant, his influence sprawls expansively and intricately. His presence is felt in almost every sector, including even the royal family. Undeniably, he stands as a formidable figure that demands respect.