"Yo, Rod, what a touching scene. A father and daughter recognizing each other. I really hate to interrupt, but those soldiers who overthrew the royal government will be here very soon. I don't think their muskets and blades will show any mercy."
Kenny said frivolously. Before him stood an altar formed from crystal pillars. It was on this very altar that Uri once transferred his power to his niece Frieda.
And now, just like Frieda back then, Historia—wearing a white robe—was being held tightly by Rod, his face full of guilt.
As if trying to make up for all these years of neglect toward Historia, Rod had been constantly apologizing and confessing his remorse to her since yesterday.
It had to be said, Rod's seemingly sincere repentance did stir a faint sense of familial affection in Historia's heart.
Kenny despised Rod's hypocritical mask. Compared to Uri, Rod was nothing but a pile of trash—weak, cowardly, and irresponsible. Back when Historia's mother was executed, he didn't dare utter a single word. And now he was pretending to be something he wasn't?
But Kenny didn't expose him. He had his own considerations.
"Kenny, didn't I order you not to come and disturb us?" Rod released Historia, displeasure showing on his face.
"Kenny, I trust your strength, just as Uri once trusted you. The Reiss family will not forget your contributions. But right now, what you need to do is protect the ceremony!"
Kenny lowered his head. The black top hat shaded his face as a cold smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"As you command, my king." The last words, "my king," carried unmistakable mockery.
But Rod paid it no mind. He motioned for Kenny to withdraw. Kenny casually touched something hidden inside his coat before turning and leaving.
And the other person present was completely ignored.
Eren, who had already regained consciousness, watched their conversation with his own eyes.
His upper body was bare, tightly bound by iron chains. Even his mouth was stuffed with a small ball (don't get the wrong idea), leaving him unable to speak.
"Now, Historia, it's time to fulfill your destiny. Inherit your sister's power. From the usurper Eren, take back the power that belongs to the royal bloodline!"
Rod's face was filled with fanaticism. As long as the royal power was reclaimed, what did a mere coup matter? This island was, in the end, the island of the Eldian royal family!
But Historia's expression suddenly changed. Sister? Did she even have a sister?
As that thought arose, a sharp pain pierced Historia's head. Fragmented images seemed to flash before her eyes. Instinctively, she asked Rod,
"Father, what sister? Do I have a sister?"
Rod's expression grew complicated. He sighed.
"It seems Frieda sealed your memories. Just as well, Historia. It's time you learned about our family's past and our responsibilities."
With that, Rod grabbed Historia's hand and pressed it onto Eren's back as he knelt there bound.
Eren was also struggling. The chain of events had forced far too much onto the shoulders of this fifteen-year-old boy.
Eren couldn't understand the conversation between Historia and that noble, but he roughly grasped that this noble was the true royal blood.
From what the man in the top hat had said earlier, it seemed the royal government outside had already been overthrown. Did Captain Levi and the others succeed?
How were the comrades of the Survey Corps doing? And Mikasa—Eren's thoughts uncontrollably turned to the girl wearing the red scarf.
But before Eren could think further, Historia's slightly cold small hand pressed against his bare back.
A sensation like an electric shock surged instantly from his back straight into his brain. In the next moment, like a film reel playing, scene after scene appeared simultaneously in both Eren's and Historia's minds.
...
"The situation is not optimistic. According to the unanimous testimonies of those nobles, the royal family appears to possess the ability to alter the memories of the people inside the walls. Only a small number of nobles are unaffected." Erwin spoke with a grave expression as he laid out the battle plan.
The two commanders and Commander-in-Chief Zackly need to remain in the capital to stabilize the populace and the military.
Therefore, the command authority for this operation against the Reiss family has been handed to Erwin, who will lead the entire Survey Corps in executing the mission.
"Memory manipulation? If necessary, my blade will slit his throat before that happens." Levi's killing intent was palpable.
Hange pushed up her glasses.
"I don't think we need to worry too much. The Reiss family probably can't use that ability for the time being. Otherwise, our operation couldn't possibly have succeeded."
"That's a reasonable guess. In fact, we suspect that the Reiss family kidnapped Eren precisely for this reason."
A glint flashed in Levi's eyes. "So we still have to rescue Eren, right?"
Erwin nodded.
"How's Mike?" Hange suddenly interjected.
Levi gave her a strange look. "Didn't expect a freak like you to actually care about humans?"
Because of Hange's intense research obsession and enthusiasm toward Titans, Levi had very bluntly given her the nickname of a humanoid abnormal.
"Mike has multiple fractures. He won't be able to rejoin the unit for now."
...
"Mikasa, wait. I have something to ask you." Yago rode his horse closer to Mikasa.
Mikasa only tightened her scarf and said nothing. Ever since Eren was taken away, she had been like this. Armin and the other comrades had tried to persuade her for a long time to no avail. After learning this, Yago decided to talk to Mikasa himself.
Unfortunately, faced with Yago's attempt at conversation, Mikasa still ignored him completely.
Seeing Mikasa's cold demeanor, Yago chuckled. Heh, kid, believe it or not, one sentence is enough to make you speak.
"Mikasa, you like Eren, don't you?"
The moment those words fell, it was as if the world collapsed. Mikasa's facial expression instantly lost control, revealing a look of complete bewilderment.
"Y-you, what are you saying? That's not it..." Mikasa stammered, but at least she finally spoke.
Yago, however, wore a somewhat disdainful expression.
"Hey, Mikasa, you don't actually think no one can tell, do you? Mikasa liking Eren among the 104th Training Corps is as obvious to everyone as Sasha being a glutton."
A flush of red spread across Mikasa's face.
"N-no, it's not like that. I just, just—"
Yago didn't listen to her explanation. Instead, he suddenly started criticizing Eren.
For something like this, shouldn't the boy be the one to speak up? Being taken care of like that by Mikasa, even an idiot like Sasha should've figured it out by now. As expected, Eren is even dumber than an idiot!"
"Don't say that about Eren!" The moment Yago called Eren an idiot, Mikasa immediately shot back. As for Sasha... well, the poor Sasha was automatically ignored.
Seeing how Mikasa defended Eren, Yago smiled and asked,
"Mikasa, you care about Eren this much. Then what exactly do you take Eren for? A lover?"
That single question pierced straight into her heart, leaving Mikasa frozen. A lover?
"We're about to reach Reiss territory. Stay alert and prepare for combat!"
The sudden call to battle preparations gave Mikasa an excuse not to answer. She hurriedly left without responding, but perhaps she already had an answer in her heart.
Yago simply watched Mikasa's retreating back.
"Eren, you'd better not let Mikasa down."
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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