[Led by Qingque, the group headed towards the starskiff docking area.]
[While walking, March 7th's gaze was suddenly drawn to something in the distance.]
["Stelle, look, what's that…?" March 7th gasped, quickly pulling out her camera to snap pictures.]
[It was an enormous tree that pierced the clouds, its thick trunk standing firm like a pillar holding up the sky. Unfortunately, it was only a bare, severed section. From a distance, it looked like a dragon peering out from the clouds, both desolate and awe-inspiring.]
["That is an ancient tree known as the Ambrosial Arbor, once a proud treasure of the Luofu." Tingyun also stopped walking and explained to the group.]
["People from the Sky-Faring Commission are this knowledgeable about history too?" Qingque said in surprise. "Impressive. Hardly anyone from the newer generations can explain its origins. They say this Ambrosial Arbor is a remnant from when the ancient Xianzhou ships sailed beyond the skies."]
["Though it looks like just a half-dead tree from afar, according to 'Dreams of the Imperial Capital: A Record of Splendors,' at its peak, its volume 'climbed to the vault of heaven, with stars hanging from its branches'!"]
["Uh… what does that mean?" March 7th didn't quite understand.]
["It means the tree was so tall it could reach the sky, and its branches could hang down the stars," Welt explained.]
"The miracle left by the Aeon of Abundance when They manifested on the Luofu… Seeing it like this, it truly is majestic."
"However, no matter how lush it was at its peak, now it's just a lifeless piece of dead wood."
"Reiner, that's quite a blunt way to put it."
In the forest outside Maria Wall, Reiner, Bertolt, and Annie, who were responsible for the survey, lay on the branches of a giant tree, chatting idly.
The Survey Corps had dispatched four squads to conduct reconnaissance and gather intelligence under the pretext of "investigating the light screen's effect on Titans." Initially, Reiner didn't want to take on this mission, but considering the team only included Annie and Bertolt, he finally agreed.
As the Warrior unit from the Marley military, the three of them rarely had the chance to chat so comfortably in such a quiet environment.
"Reiner, have you heard? About what happened in the capital…" Bertolt cradled a warm cup of black tea in his hands, initiating the conversation. "People from the Military Police Brigade say research on 'longevity' has already begun in the capital, and the current direction is related to Titans."
"Some even in the royal palace pointed the research on longevity towards Eren… but that was quickly suppressed."
Mentioning Eren, Reiner suddenly felt the temperature around him grow chilly. It was hard to tell if it was due to the damp moisture in the forest or the mountain mist swirling through the trees after nightfall.
Annie was the first to break the stiff atmosphere.
She shrugged, her delicate face full of puzzlement and disdain. "Heh, quite the opposite… if you want to live long, it's best to stay far away from that kind of thing, right?"
Since inheriting the power of the Titans, their remaining lifespan was only thirteen years. No matter how you looked at it, they were the farthest group from "longevity," right?
"Why would people in the capital connect Titans with 'longevity'?" Reiner asked, confused.
"They based their judgment on intelligence from the Survey Corps."
Bertolt calmly took a sip of his black tea. "Titans lack reproductive ability yet have threatened humanity for centuries. This is inextricably linked to their nearly endless lifespan… doesn't that connect to immortality?"
"However, what troubles them is that after a Titan dies, its flesh vaporizes and dissipates, leaving only a massive skeleton. They originally intended to cut off chunks of Titan flesh to experiment with as longevity drugs…"
"Ugh…" Reiner suddenly felt nauseous.
"How absurd… So, their research has stalled?" Annie sneered.
"No, on the contrary, it should be said they've made rapid progress." Bertolt said. "Remember the last ingredient in the prescription Stelle gave to Dan Shu? 'Vidyadhara Marrow'… which is part of the dragon race's spinal cord. Inspired, the nobles thought of Titans again and planned to use Titan spinal cord as the key ingredient for longevity drugs."
"Oh… Well, it's impressive those guys have such an appetite." Reiner found it even more disgusting. "If they yearn for longevity so much, they should try Zeke's spinal fluid."
"But for them, would becoming a Titan count as a form of… 'Mara-struck' in some way?"
[Stelle took one last look at the Ambrosial Arbor and followed Qingque away.]
[The group took a detour and soon boarded a starskiff heading towards the Divination Commission.]
[Qingque cheerfully walked up to the main gate, only to find it suddenly locked.]
["Huh? That's strange. The main gate is locked? It's never been locked before… And no one reminded me to bring a key…" Qingque called out towards the gate. "No matter how bad the cafeteria food is, you can't just shut your guests out!"]
[March 7th looked disdainful. "Are you really from the Divination Commission?"]
[Stelle: "Is it possible you've been fired?"]
["That doesn't make sense." Qingque scratched her head, looking puzzled. "I've already been demoted to managing the library. What else could she possibly want?"]
[But soon, Qingque put the matter aside and smiled confidently. "Don't panic! The Divination Commission has more than just this gate. I know a place for emergency entry and exit."]
[She then led the group to a side door of the Divination Commission.]
["You seem very familiar with this. You must have slacked off and used this side door quite often, right?" March 7th teased.]
[Caught red-handed, Qingque not only showed no guilt but didn't bother hiding it at all: "You have a sharp eye, miss. Everyone working at the Divination Commission calls this door the 'Gate of Carefree Escape.'"]
["If we have nothing to do, we often slip out through here to enjoy ourselves for a few hours."]
"A few hours?!" Asaba Harumasa's eyes widened. How long was a regular workday anyway? Didn't that mean aside from clocking in and out, they were basically free to do whatever they wanted?
Asaba Harumasa lazily sprawled across his desk: "When is the Divination Commission opening a branch in New Eridu? I desperately need this job—"
...Killing intent!
There was killing intent behind him!
Asaba Harumasa instantly felt as if needles were pricking his back and quickly sat up properly at his workstation.
Tsukishiro Yanagi stood behind him holding a stack of forms. Even without saying a word, her intimidating presence could be felt throughout the entire office.
She adjusted her semi-rimless glasses on the bridge of her nose; the look in her eyes behind the lenses was as sharp as a wolf's... and he had just complimented the assistant manager on being pretty and cute yesterday!
"Harumasa, what do you desperately need?" Tsukishiro Yanagi's tone was downright murderous.
"Haha, Assistant Manager, n-nothing…" Asaba Harumasa swiftly took the forms from her arms, sweating profusely. "I mean… I desperately need this job."