The next day, Eren's trial was held within Wall Sina.
After the brutal beating from Levi, Eren officially joined the Survey Corps. With his addition, Commander Erwin began preparations for the 57th expedition beyond the walls.
By noon, a carriage stopped outside Lucien's modest residence.
"Mr. Lucien."
The familiar voice of the Shop Owner carried through the courtyard. He entered with a broad smile, though his eyes betrayed a hint of unease.
Lucien was in the middle of his morning training—balanced upside down on one arm, the other tucked behind his back. Sweat rolled down his well-defined muscles, glistening in the sunlight. His steady breath and unshaken focus gave off a raw, disciplined energy.
"Why are you here?" Lucien asked calmly, not breaking his rhythm.
"Tsk, tsk… how do you even manage that?" the Shop Owner muttered, his round belly bouncing slightly as he watched with envy. When Lucien didn't respond, the man cleared his throat. "Anyway, thank you for your warning last time. If I hadn't gone to Wall Sina early, I'd probably be Titan food by now."
"I just gave you a reminder," Lucien replied, smoothly switching hands midair.
"How did you know the Titans would breach the wall?"
The Shop Owner's curiosity was obvious. If he could predict such events, he could move his goods ahead of time and make a fortune.
"Did you get that information from the Survey Corps?"
"Something like that." Lucien's voice was casual, his tone unreadable.
"I heard Commander Erwin personally invited you to join the Survey Corps," the Shop Owner said, his grin widening. "You're bound to rise in rank soon. I like to keep good friends, so if you get any valuable news, remember to tell me. And this house—it's yours now. I'll have it repaired right away."
Lucien didn't refuse. "No problem."
The Shop Owner chuckled, clearly pleased. "I like straightforward people like you."
"Suit yourself," Lucien said flatly.
Just as the man was about to summon workers, a soldier wearing the Survey Corps uniform landed gracefully in the yard using [Geppo], his cloak fluttering.
"You're Lucien, right?"
Lucien stopped his training and straightened up with a quick backflip, wiping his sweat with a towel. "What is it?"
"Commander Erwin wants to see you immediately."
Lucien glanced at the Shop Owner, who raised both hands. "Go ahead. I'll take care of the house."
"Give me three minutes."
Lucien dove into the nearby river, the cold water washing away the heat of his training. A few minutes later, he returned, changed into fresh clothes, and followed the soldier toward the Corps headquarters.
Half an hour later, they arrived at Erwin's office.
Inside stood several familiar faces: Erwin, Levi, Hange, Mike, Oruo, Petra, and Eren among them—eight or nine in total, the core of the Survey Corps elite.
"Report. Lucien has been brought," the soldier said.
"You may rest," Erwin replied. The man saluted and left, closing the door behind him.
"Yo, Eren," Lucien said casually as he dropped into a chair, greeting the nervous boy beside him.
Eren hesitated, remembering how Lucien hadn't helped when he was cornered by Kitz the day before. He'd looked frightened—had even drawn his blade like the rest.
"Sorry about yesterday," Lucien said simply, then turned toward Erwin and Levi. "So, what did you call me for?"
The time to act against Eren hadn't come yet. It was better to move carefully for now.
"The time we agreed upon has come," Erwin said, resting his hands beneath his chin, eyes narrowing as he studied Lucien.
Lucien tilted his head. "I think the Survey Corps is too dangerous. The Garrison Regiment might suit me better."
Levi snorted. "You and I are the same kind of people. Don't try to play scared."
At Levi's words, several elite members—Hange, Mike, Oruo, Petra—quietly moved to guard the doors, hands hovering near their blades.
Lucien raised an eyebrow, tapping the table lightly. "Hey… what's the meaning of this?"
Then he met Erwin's steady gaze—and understood.
A smirk curved his lips. "Let me guess… you're suspecting me. You think I, like Eren, can transform into a Titan—maybe even the Colossal or the Armored Titan. That's why you want to keep an eye on me, isn't it?"
The faint flicker in Erwin's expression confirmed his suspicion.
Hange's eyes gleamed with fascination, almost thrilled at the possibility. Mike, Oruo, Petra, and even Eren looked at their commander in disbelief.
Erwin had told them to surround Lucien but hadn't explained why. Could he really be another Titan shifter?
Everyone's focus turned to Lucien, tension thick in the air.
Finally, Erwin raised his hand, signaling them to stand down. His voice was calm but firm. "It seems you're not."
Lucien blinked. "You believe me that easily?"
"My apologies," Erwin said simply. His instincts told him Lucien was human. Still, part of him remained uncertain.
"You seem to know something," Erwin continued, eyes sharp.
Lucien leaned back, fingers interlaced. "From what happened with Eren, it's not hard to guess. The Colossal Titan and Armored Titan are probably humans too. They could be hiding in the Garrison Regiment… or the Military Police… or even in this very office."
He swept his gaze across the room, meeting each pair of eyes in turn. "Everyone here is a suspect. Even you, Commander."
Silence fell over the office. The tension was suffocating.
He wasn't wrong. Ever since Eren's transformation, they had all silently entertained the same thought—that the other intelligent Titans were once humans as well.
"The Titans Eren transforms into—and the Colossal and Armored Titans—are different," Mike muttered. "They act with reason… intelligence."
Levi crossed his arms, his voice curt. "In that case, he's definitely not one of them."
Lucien smirked. "You don't suspect me? Fine. But I'll still suspect all of you. Who knows—maybe you, or you, or even you…" He pointed at Mike, Oruo, Petra, then Levi, his expression half serious, half mocking.
Mike scowled. "You're spouting nonsense."
"Maybe you're the Titan," Oruo shot back.
Lucien shrugged. "You can't be sure. Maybe it's Commander Erwin."
The room stiffened. Mike and the others opened their mouths to argue, but Erwin lifted a hand again, his calm voice cutting through the tension.
"Lucien is right. Everyone is a suspect—including me."
"Commander…" Levi's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Today, you officially join the Survey Corps," Erwin declared. "Levi, Hange—you'll take him to the new outpost later. Keep this discussion confidential."
"Yes, sir."
Lucien didn't reply, but the faint smirk tugging at his lips said enough. He had accepted.
The room relaxed at last, but in Erwin's mind, one thought lingered.
Lucien Graves knew far more than he should.
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