Click—he installed the flintlock firing mechanism onto the musket. The Central Military Police officer Sid wore a grim expression.
The Survey Corps Commander Erwin Smith could not be spared—this was the order of the true king. The convoy escorting Erwin and the Survey Corps was already very close to the capital.
Sid understood they had to act immediately. Once they entered the capital, the Central Military Police would have almost no chance to make a move.
After all, the one sitting on the throne in the capital was nothing but a fake who thought only about eating all day.
The real power of the capital was in the hands of those nobles and soldiers, and those people could not be guaranteed to stand on the side of the true king.
Still, there was an unexpected bonus. Sid tucked the musket close to his body.
The defection of Military Police Commander Nile had delighted Sid and his group. Of course, it was the Central Military Police who had leaked information about the true king that prompted this commander to defect.
Although the Central Military Police all followed the royal family, wherever there are humans, there is conflict.
Within the Central Military Police there were different factions as well. The most obvious were Sid's faction and the action squad under the executioner Kenny.
There were conflicts between the two sides. Sid's faction advocated returning the Reiss family to the throne, believing only that could intimidate the rabble.
As for Kenny's action squad, Sid could clearly feel that their loyalty was questionable. To a large extent, they seemed to follow Kenny as their leader while neglecting the royal family.
But now was not the time to argue about that—at least not now. At present, both factions were carrying out their respective tasks.
The action squad was reclaiming power for the royal family, while Sid's faction handled the rabble.
With the Military Police's defection, Sid's ambitions naturally grew larger. The Military Police in the capital held an absolute advantage in armed force.
The nobles' guards were not worth mentioning, and on the army's side, only Commander-in-Chief Zackly had a meager force.
Sid decided that he would cleanse this worm-eaten capital for the king.
Even at the height of his pride, Sid did not forget what he had to do now.
After hiding the musket, Sid lifted the tent flap and stepped out. Military Police Commander Nile stood outside with a cold expression.
Seeing Sid emerge from the tent, Nile said nothing and simply followed him.
"Commander Nile, you've made the correct choice."
Light seeped faintly through the seams of the tent where Erwin was being held. Many Military Police and Central Military Police were guarding the area.
A large group of Military Police followed behind Nile. Sid paid it no mind, because his own Central Military Police had also gathered.
Sid suddenly threw open the tent. His eyes tightened—Erwin was not bound as he had imagined. The chains that had once restrained Erwin lay on the ground.
Erwin sat calmly on a chair, as if deep in thought.
"Survey Corps Commander Erwin Smith, you probably don't know why I'm here. Listen carefully, I am acting on the orders of—"
Before Sid could finish, Erwin cut him off.
"Did the king on the throne send you to kill me?"
Sid choked on the words, then shame and anger surged up.
He sneered. "That useless glutton can't command us. Erwin, the one judging you is the true royal family!"
Erwin's gaze was profound. "So the one on the throne is a false king?"
"What does it matter to you? You'll be dead soon!" Sid mocked.
Erwin let out a long sigh. "Then consider it satisfying the doubts of a dying man."
Sid let out a strange laugh. Why satisfy a dead man? Still, Sid felt that letting this once highly respected, soon-to-die Survey Corps commander know these things didn't really matter.
As Sid spoke arrogantly, Erwin finally understood everything.
The one on the throne truly was a false king. The real royal family hid behind the scenes. Had this so-called king simply abandoned his people?
Allowing those foolish nobles to run rampant? Was such a king really worthy of being king?
Not to mention another secret Sid revealed—Erwin's father, or rather, all humans like Erwin's father who fantasized about the world beyond the walls, those who dared to think boldly and invent, had all been quietly eliminated by the Central Military Police.
"The world inside the walls has no need for those twisted theories! With a king, that's enough! Those people all deserved to die!" Sid said excitedly.
Erwin clenched his fist. He had always known his father's death was no accident.
After taking a deep breath, Erwin looked at Nile. Nile's gaze also fell upon Erwin.
"Enough talk. It's time for you to close your eyes forever," Sid said.
Then Sid suddenly drew the hidden musket and aimed it at Erwin.
Bang!
Blood dripped onto the ground, splashing into blooming crimson flowers.
Sid's eyes widened as he stared in disbelief at the hand holding the gun.
Half of his severed hand fell to the ground, still gripping the musket that had not had time to fire.
The pungent smell of gunpowder smoke rose from the muzzle. Nile maintained his shooting stance.
The intense pain brought Sid back to his senses. Outside the tent, chaos erupted, accompanied by sporadic gunfire.
Sid was no fool. He immediately realized he had been played by Nile.
"Nile! You—betrayal!" Sid screamed miserably.
Nile did not spare Sid another glance. He walked straight to Erwin's side.
"Thank you, Nile," Erwin said sincerely.
Nile neither confirmed nor denied it, only muttering,
"You should thank yourself. I only believed you after reading that letter. The difficult part now is persuading Commander-in-Chief Zackly and the others, and those troublesome nobles."
"The nobles—didn't these Central Military Police already provide a solution?" Erwin said, looking at Sid on the ground clutching his severed hand and wailing.
Nile's body stiffened at the words, and he asked in surprise,
"What do you mean?"
Erwin did not answer, only shifting his gaze toward the tent entrance.
A figure burst in, a trace of blood still on his face. Those dead fish eyes stared straight at Erwin.
Blood still stained Levi's blade. As he entered the tent, Levi said,
"The Central Military Police are dealt with. Aside from a few diehards, the rest surrendered. You succeeded."
Erwin stood up from the chair. Nile hesitated for a moment, then followed Erwin.
"Commander-in-Chief Zackly and Commander Pixis will arrive soon. Oh, and it seems the Eastern Front Commander Randy Wald has come as well."
Erwin looked outside the tent. The Survey Corps had regained their freedom and arms. Their Wings of Freedom cloaks still fluttered. The Central Military Police bearing the crown insignia on their chests lowered their heads as they were detained.
"The Eastern Front… Wald…"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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