After securing a relatively better spot for Carla, Eren, Mikasa, and Armin inside an old warehouse, Hannes finally felt some relief knowing they had a place to rest. Meanwhile, other refugees around the docks were arriving in droves, desperately seeking shelter. They were all crammed into stables or makeshift tents, despair evident on their faces.
Eren, sitting beside his mother, was still filled with anger and determination. Yet, for a moment, he felt a slight relief knowing Carla now had a more comfortable place to rest.
"At least you're safe, Mom," Eren whispered softly, though the rage still burned in his heart.
Meanwhile, Katsura—who had been silently observing—felt uneasy. Seeing the condition of the warehouse, Katsura was offended. "Captain Katsura should not be staying in a place like this," he muttered quietly, gazing at the warehouse with dissatisfaction.
Once Hannes made sure everything was secure, he headed towards the warehouse door. But before he could leave, Katsura called out to him, his voice louder than usual. "Oi, Hannes!"
Hannes, exhausted after spending the whole day helping the refugees, turned around with a confused expression. "What is it now?"
Katsura approached with confident steps, his eyes narrowing. "I want to know why you thought I, Captain Katsura, deserve to stay in this filthy place. Do you think I'm some beggar?!"
Hannes frowned. "A beggar? I'm just trying to help you all. This is the best place I could find on short notice."
But Katsura seemed to ignore Hannes' explanation. "Do you not know who I am? Captain Katsura is not just anyone who can stay in a place like this! I have enough treasure to buy a house in Wall Rose. Don't lump me in with the rest of these refugees!" He gestured towards the large sack he always carried, implying it was filled with enough wealth to live in luxury.
Eren, overhearing the argument, immediately stood up, his anger boiling once more. "Katsura, what are you talking about?! We're all refugees here! You're no better than anyone else!"
Mikasa, though calm, clearly disapproved of Katsura's attitude, giving him a sharp look. "We should be grateful we found a place for Carla. Don't talk about wealth in times like this."
However, Katsura remained unfazed. "You don't understand! You might be satisfied with this pile of straw, but Captain Katsura has bigger ambitions!" He dramatically raised his finger in the air, as if delivering a grand speech. "I, Katsura, will show the greatness of a true freedom fighter! I won't live like an ordinary refugee. I'll buy a house in Wall Rose before anyone else realizes the fall of Wall Maria!"
Hearing this, Eren grew even angrier. "Do you really care about others? We all lost our homes, and all you care about is living comfortably?!"
Armin, usually more patient, spoke up this time. "Katsura, I know you have your own way of thinking, but right now we're all in the same situation. Living in luxury isn't important right now. We need to survive."
Katsura glanced at them, full of confidence. "Ah, you still don't understand the vision I carry. This is a chance to make life better! And I, Katsura, won't waste this golden opportunity."
Mikasa glanced at Hannes, who just shrugged, not wanting to get further involved in the argument. "I don't know what's going on in his head," Hannes muttered softly.
Eren, no longer able to contain his anger, stepped forward and pointed at Katsura. "You won't get away with this, Katsura! You saved us, but you also... betrayed us with your attitude! We can't let you keep acting like this!"
Katsura scoffed, still filled with confidence. "Ah, Eren, Mikasa, Armin... You will see that what I'm doing is for the good of everyone. You may still be trapped in your feelings of pity and sorrow, but I will lead you to the path of true freedom!"
He quickly turned, adjusting the treasure sack on his back, and said with conviction, "Let's go! I'll show you how Captain Katsura's brilliant strategy will succeed!"
Mikasa, still uncomfortable, finally said, "Katsura, don't drag us into your mess."
But before anyone could say more, Katsura began walking towards the narrow streets between the buildings in Wall Rose. "Come on, follow me! I'll prove I'm not just an ordinary refugee!"
With disbelief, Eren, Mikasa, and Armin eventually followed Katsura. Even though they knew Katsura's attitude often didn't make sense, a sense of curiosity began to grow within them. What was this strange man really planning?
They walked through the narrow alleyways that were not yet crowded with refugees. Thanks to Hannes' information, they knew that news of Wall Maria's collapse hadn't yet reached the entirety of Wall Rose, meaning there was still time before the larger wave of refugees arrived.
Katsura finally stopped in front of an old, quiet building with boarded-up windows and a notice posted on the front. "Here it is," Katsura said with a wide grin, "the house I'm going to buy with my treasure."
Eren frowned, staring at the building in confusion. "This... is an empty house?"
Katsura nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, it's an empty house, and I'll buy it before anyone else comes! I'll live comfortably here, while you can stay in the stables if you don't want to join me."
Mikasa looked at the building skeptically. "Are you sure this is a decent house?"
Armin, paying closer attention to the details, said, "It might be an empty house, but given the current situation, people will be looking for places like this in the next few days. If Katsura really can buy this place, he might be able to set up a shelter for all of us."
Eren, though still angry, began to consider Armin's words. "I don't know... I don't like Katsura's way of thinking, but if he's right... at least we could have a better place for Mom."
Katsura smiled triumphantly. "That's the spirit I need! Get ready, all of you will witness how Captain Katsura achieves a great victory!"
End of Chapter 12