"Is the Colossal Titan's power a curse? Why do you say that?" Armin asked, puzzled after hearing Bertholdt's words.
Bertholdt looked at the confused Armin and explained,
"Once you possess the power of the Colossal Titan, whether willingly or by force, your hands will be stained with countless lives. That blood will be engraved in your heart, in your mind, tormenting you endlessly… until you leave this world."
Armin thought of those who died because the Colossal Titan destroyed the wall—even his own grandfather. He fell silent. Looking at it this way, the Colossal Titan truly bore countless blood debts. For those who had lost loved ones because of Titans… could they ever forgive Bertholdt?
Bertholdt struggled to prop himself up, swaying as he stood, a hint of helplessness on his face.
"I used to think I wasn't wrong. I kept telling myself that I had to be that wrong. In Marley's wars, I told myself I was fighting for Marley, that it was for my family to become honorable Marleyans.
When I came to Paradis Island, I told myself it was just so I could return. Back then, I truly hoped that you people living inside the walls were demons. That way, I wouldn't have to bear any burden at all. But… but…"
As he spoke, a layer of mist actually formed in Bertholdt's eyes.
Armin noticed Bertholdt's loss of composure and stood up as well. But compared to Bertholdt's height of nearly 1.9 meters, Armin, barely under 1.7 meters, looked somewhat small and thin.
Armin wanted to comfort him. He could hear the regret in Bertholdt's voice.
"But why… why are idiots like you so real? Why do you make me feel regret? Why aren't you truly demons? Do you know what it felt like for me to watch Thomas, to watch Ilse, to watch those idiots I spent three years with die right in front of me? They all died because of me!!" Bertholdt continued through gritted teeth.
Armin finally managed to cut in. Honestly, the conversation just now had put him at a disadvantage—something completely unlike his usual self.
Armin stepped forward, grabbing Bertholdt by the shoulders.
"Bertholdt! What's the point of saying all this now? Like you said, so many people died because of you! So aren't you going to do something about it? Or are you just going to stand here whining like a woman?"
Armin grew more and more agitated.
"You weren't like this before! Bertholdt, do you remember? Back in the Training Corps, how popular you were? Everyone clearly saw you as the most reliable companion. Now, Bertholdt—you still have a chance! Help us! Make up for the mistakes you made!"
Armin felt there was hope. If they could win Bertholdt over, it would be incredible news for Paradis Island. After all, having someone inherit the Colossal Titan came with significant risks. No one could predict what would happen after inheritance—it was full of uncertainty.
Ymir's Jaw Titan and Historia's Jaw Titan were two completely different extremes.
Compared to an unknown successor, Bertholdt could undoubtedly wield the Colossal Titan's power with mastery.
But before Armin could say more, Bertholdt interrupted him. "Have you seen Nicolo?"
Armin: "Nicolo?" He thought of the freckled girl who had walked out of Bertholdt's cell not long ago.
A complicated expression appeared on Bertholdt's face.
"Yeah… Nicolo. Who would've thought? That stubborn girl… just because I once put a coat over her, she's remembered it all this time. Armin, do you know? Aside from you, she comes the most—almost every day, talking to me. I'm already tired of listening."
Armin knew Bertholdt's identity as the Colossal Titan. But for many ordinary Survey Corps soldiers like Nicolo, they didn't know the truth about Bertholdt and Reiner being Titans. The higher-ups of Paradis Island had deliberately hidden parts of the truth.
Most people might know that Titans had infiltrated humanity as spies, but they didn't know those spies had been hiding within their ranks for so many years.
After all, that might make some civilians think the government was incompetent.
"That girl said she likes me. She said she started liking me from the moment I gave her that coat. She even said she joined the Survey Corps because of me. How ridiculous… it was just a coat…
She also said her parents died in the Trost District—on the very day she was about to graduate from the Training Corps. That day, a piece of debris from the wall destroyed by the Colossal Titan crushed her home."
Bertholdt's voice suddenly filled with endless sorrow. He slowly turned, looking at Armin. His eyes were bloodshot, his voice choked.
"So, Armin… do you understand? I… I don't want to carry all of this anymore. I'm… tired."
Armin: "Bertholdt, I… I'm sorry. I didn't know."
Bertholdt suddenly said seriously, "Armin, I have one last request. Can you… take me outside to see the sun again?"
Take Bertholdt outside? But what if he tried to escape? Could everything he just said be trusted? Armin hesitated.
.....
On top of a tall building outside the prison, A-Five stood quietly, wearing the new-style Vertical Maneuvering Equipment, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.
Soon, the sound of the prison gate opening caught his attention. Then, two figures walking out drew his gaze.
He recognized Armin—he had seen him before, and Armin often came here. But the person beside him made A-Five frown. He looked familiar… wait! That person—wasn't he the one imprisoned in the crystal? How could this be!?
Whoosh! Without a moment's hesitation, A-Five drew the blade from its sheath. The grappling hooks fired, gas burst out, turbines spun rapidly, providing ample power—A-Five shot toward Bertholdt at high speed.
.....
The moment he stepped out the door, the dazzling sunlight made Bertholdt squint. As the sunlight fell on his body, that warm feeling brought him a long-lost sense of ease.
"So comfortable…"