Classroom of The Elite x AOT: Wax Wings

Vol 6.5 - Faith in Men

[Reupload. Original Date Uploaded: 23 October 2024]

[Reason: A lot of people didn't receive notifications for this chapter. Perhaps it's due to the content or Wattpad being strange. There's also my need to fix the formatting. Either or—it's a bit annoying.]

Read carefully kiddos~

This is a big one!

I swear I blacked out and somehow there were 10k words in my face...

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Location: Prison
Time: Late Afternoon

"Erwin, have you gone senile?"

Levi's voice cut through the room, sharp with disbelief.

This plan wasn't just risky—it was suicidal.

They were about to put their trust in men who had led a genocide against their own people not even a few weeks ago.

Levi couldn't believe it, and from the look on Hange's face, she agreed with him.

A few weeks ago, after the incident in Trost and before the Trial of Eren Yeager, a disaffected member of the OFTL had approached the Military High Command. This individual had leaked Kiyotaka Ayanokouji's plans, revealing that he had planted a device to listen in on the Trial.

It was this information, combined with a series of well-coordinated tactics, that allowed the military to uncover one of the OFTL's hideouts in Mitras. The leak gave credibility to the source, leading to further collaboration. The leaker, apparently a high-ranking OFTL member, testified about Kiyotaka's growing mental instability, though the true identity of the informant was never revealed.

Over the weeks, this rogue member provided valuable intelligence: radios, locations of weapons caches, and strategic plans. The military and Survey Corps had used this information, even though some aspects—like the OFTL's plans to capture them—remained suspiciously absent. The culmination of all this was a trap set for Ayanokouji in Mitras, a last-ditch effort to outmaneuver him.

Yet, Levi felt sick knowing that Erwin had kept this from him.

"I assure you, Levi, I haven't lost my mind. This is Kiyotaka Ayanokouji's plan," Erwin responded, his tone measured but resolute.

Levi sneered, frustration bubbling to the surface. "You didn't even tell me any of this? All the secrecy—you knew Ayanokouji was their leader, and you didn't do anything? I could've..."

His voice trailed off, his fists clenching at his sides.

"...There wasn't enough solid evidence," Erwin said quietly, his eyes calm. "Bringing unverified claims to court would have damaged our credibility. And in the eyes of the public, if they learned this information came from a defector within the OFTL, their trauma and hatred would turn against us. Against the Junta."

Levi grimaced, knowing Erwin was right. But it didn't sit well with him—this idea of manipulation. Of using people, innocent people as human shields and bait... He trusted Erwin's judgment, but this was dangerous territory.

"So, risking more lives, letting Ayanokouji act..."

"It would remove all doubt," Erwin explained. "Once caught, Kiyotaka Ayanokouji won't be seen as a strategic genius or some famous detective. He'll be labelled for what he truly is—a terrorist. And the information will be seen as credible, justifying everything we've done."