Late Night Stories Vol. 15 Levi "A Story of Fond Remembrances
"Umm… Captain Levi, where did you go this afternoon?"
The squad was in the rebuilt old castle that served as the Survey Corps's old headquarters. At dinner, Eren asked Levi the question in front of the rest of the squad assigned to observe him.
"…Were you spying on me, Eren?"
"N-No! I was just cleaning windows like I was ordered when I happened to see you leaving, Captain."
Eren shook his head after his superior's displeased tone sent a twitch through his should. Eld, a senior corpsman, calmly joined the conversation.
"Today, the Captain went to visit a patron who helps support our expeditions."
"It's normally the Commander's job, but there was a child in the family who just had to meet Captain Levi. It sounds like he's the kid's hero,"
Petra added. Eren nodded in understanding. If he were in the same circumstances, he too would probably want to meet Levi, humanity's strongest.
"…Did it all go well? You needed to be careful to begin with in that situation, but you had to deal with a child on top of that, too," Günther said, trying to show appreciation for his superior's effort.
Levi let out a big sigh and nodded. "Just barely…" he began
Supporters of the Survey Corps tended to be those who had grown rich through commerce. Those who seemed to have something to gain if a survey went their way… Their plan were to monopolize any mineral or land found and use it in their own business.
Because they had already known of Erwin's image of being a silent hero, Levi was able to get through the situation with a customary greeting.
After securing a promise of further support, well-dressed, clever-looking girl called out his name.
"…Yeah. That's me, Levi."
"That's incredible! I've always been enamored by Survey Corpsmen. Please keep it a secret from father, but I'm going to enlist to try to be a soldier once I turn twelve! Tell me, how big are the Titans? Do they speak? It's said they eat people, but where do they start eating them from?"
The innocent little girl who lived in the interior and had only learned of the Titans through hearsay sent a barrage of questions Levi's way. While they bored him, he answered them in a cool tone.
"How big are they…? It depends. Some are three-meter-classes, about as big as the spear hanging over there, and some are fifteen-meter-classes, about as tall as this house. Some of them howl…but I don't know what they're saying. And it depends on the Titan when they eat people, too… Some crush us before they eat us, and others only bite off half of person before throwing them away."
Though Levi intentionally tried to make things sound brutal so that she'd hurry up and leave, the girl's interest seemed to remain.
"So if I go through training, can I become a Survey Corpsman, too? I want to see the outside world!"
Levi found himself looking downward when he saw the girl's clear eyes.
"…Do you like your dad and your mom?"
"What? Yes, I love them."
"What would you think if you were suddenly not able to see them again?"
"You need to be prepared for that if you want to join the Survey Corps," Levi said in his own, unique way. "So… Pick whatever path is best for the things you hold dear," he said. The girl thought for a moment, then looked up.
"…In that case, I'll become an even richer merchant than Father!" she declared. "Then I'll give lots of money to the Survey Corps's activities!"
"…That's amazing, Captain! Just when I thought you'd be drained by having to deal with a child, you secured us a future patron!"
Eld and the others jokingly laughed as Levi sipped his tea with a sigh.
"I told her the truth, that's all… Don't laugh."
Levi was satisfied with his own performance, too, having kept his mouth under control and completing his mission without incident. If that merchant's daughter had gone on to beg and fuss about joining the Survey Corps, it could have been blamed on him.
"…Brats really are straightforward."
From the corner of his eyes, Levi noticed Eren with a surprised expression on his face. He closed his eyes and placed his cup on the table.
SOURCE: Attack on Titan: Short Stories 2