On the other side, Erwin closed the cover of the third notebook. Only after completing the final lines did he understand why Asahi had given him those two choices.
He was not yet ready for all of this. Perhaps in the future, when he had experienced more loss and more suffering in his role as commander, he would be able to accept all of this with indifference. But right now, at this very moment, the person who knew the truth was just a newly appointed commander.
Erwin didn't know that his original destiny was exactly as he had foreseen. Unfortunately, the moment he was about to grasp his dream of finding the truth was also the moment he perished.
Because of Asahi, everything had been diverted from its original trajectory.
Just as someone had wished.
Erwin carefully tucked the three notebooks away, carrying a mixed state of mind as he walked outside.
Looking at the familiar faces of everyone in the Survey Corps, he desperately wanted to announce this truth immediately but had to hold back. Not everyone was like Erwin; the majority would likely be deeply shocked or even panic-stricken. Overall, it would cause more harm than good.
"Asahi, how much more do you actually know..."
Erwin muttered. Although Grisha's notebook only spoke about the outside world and the Marley Empire, it also contained some information related to the situation inside the Walls.
For nearly a hundred years, the outside world had developed leaps and bounds, while the inside had stagnated. If it wasn't because of the government, then who else was responsible?
Thus, Erwin could accurately confirm. The true "enemy" the Survey Corps would soon face was not the Titans, but those who had concealed the truth.
But overthrowing the current government was neither easy nor difficult; the most important thing was the aftermath. Asahi could see it, and Erwin could see the same thing.
And then, the two met again.
"Well, even an outsider like me was shocked. Are you holding up?"
"Honestly, no. I wasn't ready for this. But what can be done? Once you commit, you have to follow through."
Erwin forced a bitter smile. Actually, there was one thing he hadn't said: he wasn't worried to the point of losing sleep because he still had a strong ally in Asahi by his side. As long as he remained on their side, they might not win, but they were certainly on the side of the unassailable.
"So, what else do you know?"
"The Royal Family, the true situation inside the Walls."
Asahi began recounting how he returned to Shiganshina that night, found the three notebooks, was tracked by the security forces, found the Royal Family, temporarily eliminated the conflict between Grisha and the Reiss family, and then learned even more "shocking truths" from Frieda and Rod.
"Erwin, are you alright?"
"Perhaps... so..."
In the quiet field, Erwin sat down on the ground. Although his worldview had been shattered once again, he smiled.
His father was not wrong; he was not delusional.
"Erwin, what do you plan to do next?"
"First, restore the strength of the Survey Corps. Then, I will take the opportunity of my visit to Sina to see if there is anyone in the military with the same aspirations or dissatisfaction with the current aristocratic-controlled government."
Erwin wasn't so naive as to think they could just develop the Survey Corps to the point where they could confront the government. Feasibility aside, even if it were possible, the officials and nobles wouldn't allow it. Therefore, finding allies in the military was the smart choice.
Despite being one of the three main military branches, the Survey Corps had the smallest numbers, the least financial backing, and virtually no real power. The other branches were the opposite.
"To persuade them, evidence alone is not enough. I'm afraid I also need you to come along, Asahi."
"When do we leave?"
"In two days."
"That's good. We'll leave together in two days."
...
One day passed since the Reiss family's sanctum was breached. It was now another night.
Rod Reiss walked step by step down to the cave area beneath the chapel. Because of the phosphorescent rock, he could easily descend without an oil lamp.
Rod's expression was now very tense, mixed with anger. Since last night, the relationship between him and Frieda had rapidly deteriorated, almost to the point of estrangement. Rod wanted to maintain the status quo, but Frieda wanted to break free.
It wasn't because she feared Asahi threatening her life, but she genuinely wanted to escape this cruel fate.
Rod reached the central area. There, Frieda had changed into a tight military uniform, which she had taken from the guards.
"Frieda, what in the world are you doing?! Why are you dressed like that?!"
"I'm leaving. I called you here only to inform you of that."
"Frieda!"
He yelled, rushing forward to grab Frieda's wrist, only to be immediately pushed away by her.
"You... you possess the Founding Titan! If something happens to you..."
"Then what? We lose the Founding Titan? Do you know, Father, the thing you always call 'God' has brought nothing but suffering. Look at our family members eating each other. Do you think that's fun?!"
Frieda also exploded.
Initially, upon receiving the Founding Titan, she had always wanted to become a savior, freeing the people from the threat of Titans. Otherwise, who could accept the act of eating their elders?
Thinking back, she now only felt nauseous.
After inheriting the Founding Titan, she knew that all the suffering the Eldian people endured inside the Walls was nothing but a joke. The 145th King feeling guilty and wanting to atone was not wrong. But by what right did he make the entire Eldian race endure the sins?
And because she inherited the Founding Titan, she also knew that this whole mess originated from the Fritz Royal Family itself. Afterwards, she herself was eroded and replaced by the will of the 145th King, trapped in a mental prison, watching herself no longer be herself.
Toward Asahi, she was not afraid; on the contrary, she was extremely grateful to him.
Frieda decided she would no longer be a link in this cycle of suffering and only suffering. She would walk her own path.
Rod also understood the torment of the inheritors, but compared to their suffering, he was more afraid of losing the power he held within the Walls.
If Rod was truly a father who cared for his family, he would have wholeheartedly agreed to his daughter's decision. Unfortunately, having tasted the sweet nectar of power, every action or word "seemingly for family and loved ones" was actually just a ploy to retain real authority.
In that, Frieda was the most crucial tool.
A flicker of disappointment crossed her eyes. In truth, she could have run away early without saying anything. However, deep down, she still held a faint hope that her father would understand her, that she didn't mean to betray her family. Unfortunately, Rod's reaction thoroughly disappointed Frieda.
"I will side with that person."