Chapter 97: Reiner, Sit Down.
Marleyan Empire, Liberio Internment Zone.
Tonight, the usual deadening oppression of the zone was gone, replaced by festive lights and decorations around the plaza where a high stage had been erected. Flags of various nations fluttered in the night breeze. A strange mix of scents filled the air: the aroma of food, the sweat of the crowd, and a restless agitation, like the air before a downpour.
Representatives and journalists from various countries, along with Marley's own dignitaries, were already seated. Countless residents from the internment zone had been organized and gathered around the periphery of the plaza, awaiting the "historic declaration" that was said to decide their fate. On the surface, it looked like a peaceful celebration, but beneath it, dark currents churned.
…
Meanwhile, in the basement of the abandoned building beside the plaza, directly beneath the stage, dust motes danced in the faint light filtering down from above.
Eren stood in the shadows, silently watching the figure curled up in the corner.
Reiner Braun.
"Reiner, sit down," Eren's voice was frighteningly calm, devoid of any emotion. He gestured to a dusty, broken chair nearby.
Reiner's body went rigid. He stiffly shuffled over and sat down heavily, the movement almost like kneeling. Cold sweat instantly soaked his hair. He couldn't understand. Eren… how is he here? Is he here to kill me? Or—
"It's been a long time, Reiner," Eren said, his gaze sweeping over him.
Reiner opened his mouth, but only a choked sound came out. He couldn't speak. What could he say? Apologize? Confess? All words felt powerless now. He could feel the heavy pressure emanating from Eren—the look in his eyes was one that had waded through mountains of corpses and stared into the abyss.
Eren lowered his head slightly, as if recalling something, his voice low. "I don't understand. Why, Reiner? That day, why did Mom… have to be eaten by a Titan?"
"Because… that day, we broke the Wall."
"Why did you break the Wall?"
"To infiltrate during the chaos, observe the King's movements, seize the power of the Founding Titan, and save the world."
"I see. If it was to save the world, then I suppose it couldn't be helped…"
Reiner didn't dare meet Eren's eyes.
"You said it back then, didn't you? That you'd make us die in the most painful way possible. Is that why you're here today?"
"Did I say that?" Eren mused.
"You've probably forgotten."
"I did used to think that everything across the sea was my enemy," Eren admitted. "But I came to see for myself. There are unpleasant people, sure, but there are good people too. You were just taught to think that way." He paused, his gaze softening slightly. "Reiner, you must have been suffering back then too, right?"
This sudden "understanding" was more devastating to Reiner than any harsh condemnation or judgment. The deepest layers of his pretense and internal struggle were completely stripped bare. Reiner suddenly clutched his head in agony, falling to his knees.
"Listen— No, that's not it, Eren—" Guilt, fear, despair—all the emotions broke through at once, drowning him completely. "It was me… I wanted to be a hero— I wanted people to respect me— It's all my fault." He looked up sharply, his bloodshot eyes meeting Eren's. "I'm the reason your mother was eaten by a Titan."
The roar of the crowd outside drifted faintly into the basement. It was Willy Tybur's voice, amplified, echoing throughout the Liberio internment zone.
"The history of the Eldian Empire is filled with sin and oppression!" Willy declared. "However! One hundred years ago, the hero Helos joined forces with my Tybur family! We defeated the devil King Fritz and sealed away the Founding Titan! That is how we achieved the peace we enjoy today!"
"But in truth, this was merely a fabrication!" his voice boomed. "It was King Fritz himself, heartbroken by the persecution of us Marleyans, who, upon inheriting the Founding Titan, immediately conspired with my Tybur family to create a Marleyan hero! He led most of his people to Paradis Island and swore a vow renouncing war! The one protecting us all along was the King within the Walls, the one we despised!"
"However, everyone!" Willy's voice rose dramatically, full of inflammatory power. "Now, that peace has been shattered! A rebellion has occurred on Paradis Island! The Founding Titan has been usurped! King Fritz's pacifist ideology has been cast aside! This puts the entire world in grave danger once more! And the one opposing peace is—Eren Jaeger!"
"Most critically," Willy continued, his voice dropping to a grave tone, "Eren Jaeger is not of royal blood! He is not bound by the Vow Renouncing War! He possesses the potential to unleash the Rumbling! If the Rumbling is activated, none of us will be able to stop it! He will destroy us all! Our cities and civilizations will be flattened!!"
Outside the basement, Willy's voice grew more impassioned: "I hate my bloodline! More than anyone, I wish for the eradication of all Eldians!"
Inside the basement, Reiner knelt, pleading with Eren: "I can't stand myself anymore! Eren— please, just kill me!"
Tybur's voice echoed from outside: "But I do not wish to die, because I was born into this world! I appeal now to all nations of the world! Cast aside your differences and unite! Let us join hands and fight the devils of Paradis Island to the bitter end! I, Willy Tybur, on behalf of my family, on behalf of all peace-loving people, hereby—formally declare war on Paradis Island!!"
In the basement, Eren looked down at the completely broken Reiner and spoke his final words softly: "And so, Reiner… I will keep moving forward. Until all my enemies are destroyed."
As the words left his lips, the last trace of "human" warmth vanished from Eren's eyes, replaced only by cold killing intent and unwavering resolve. He no longer suppressed the boiling power within him.
BOOM—!!!
The ground shook violently. The stage above was blown apart by a massive force erupting from below. Amidst the swirling dust and debris, a terrifyingly grotesque Titan rose up, its bones exposed, its muscles knotted together.
The Attack Titan.
Before Willy Tybur's terrified and despairing eyes, the Titan's massive jaw snapped shut. Blood sprayed. A giant foot came down, crushing the entire stage and the dignitaries' seating area into ruin.
Panic. Screams. Chaos. In an instant, the plaza became a living hell.
"ENEMY ATTACK!!!"
The Marleyan military reacted instantly. Searchlights converged on the Titan. A barrage of artillery fire rained down.
The ground shook again. A massive, crystalline war hammer materialized out of thin air, gleaming with a cold light as it swung down toward Eren. At the same time, the other Titan shifters, who had been on standby, launched their counterattack.
The War Hammer Titan, Lara Tybur.
From the flank, the sharp sound of tearing air heralded the attack of the small, swift Jaw Titan. In the distance, the cannons mounted on the Cart Titan began to take aim. Several Titans appeared simultaneously, coordinating with the powerful firepower of the Marleyan army, instantly forming an encirclement.
Eren's Attack Titan staggered under the blow from the war hammer. The Jaw Titan's claws left deep gouges in its body. Shells continued to explode against its form.
Just as everyone thought the intruder was about to be subdued, something bizarre happened.
From the body of the besieged Attack Titan, a blinding emerald-green light erupted! The phantom image of a dark brown Magical Girl dress overlaid the Titan's body, its skirt billowing, green light flowing around it.
The terrifying form of a Titan. The ornate attire of a Magical Girl. The fusion was bizarre beyond measure.
A Magical Titan.
An aura combining primal ferocity with mysterious energy exploded outwards, far exceeding its previous level.
Eren looked up. The Titan, now clad in the magical dress, let out a roar that shook everyone to their core.
The next second, with terrifying speed, it charged forward, not retreating, but attacking the War Hammer Titan head-on.
Across the entire plaza—whether Marleyan soldiers, representatives from other nations, or the members of the Survey Corps watching from afar—everyone who witnessed this scene was stunned speechless.
What… what is that thing?! Since when do Titans wear clothes?!
…
Simultaneously, in various corners of Liberio, a deep blue streak of light flashed—Levi appeared at his designated position. Hange and Mikasa zipped through the air using their ODM gear.
The fangs of Paradis Island were fully bared. The targeted assassinations of Marleyan high command, military installations, and the Warrior candidate barracks had officially begun.