"The Far East, the Blood Titan? What is happening to this world?" Inside the not-so-spacious living room, Willy Tybur sat on the sofa muttering to himself. His once smooth and elegant blond hair was now a tangled mess like a bird's nest, and the beard on his chin clearly hadn't been trimmed in days, making him look disheveled.
His azure eyes were bloodshot, and Willy Tybur looked exceptionally haggard. Commander Magath was greatly shocked upon seeing him like this. The difference between the current Willy and the spirited, righteous man who had once plotted Marley's future with him was simply too great.
Of course, on his way to the Tybur family estate, Magath had already heard some unfortunate news regarding the Tybur family. On the night the Eldians occupied the capital, the soldiers aboard the train carrying the Tybur family mutinied during the escape from the city. More than a dozen Marleyan nobles, including the Tybur family, suffered savage looting and slaughter. Willy Tybur's parents, children, wife, and many other relatives were all unable to escape disaster.
In the end, only Willy's eldest daughter, Fine Tybur, survived because a lieutenant who still retained some sense of reason protected her amidst the chaos.
Fine thus became the sole survivor of the Tybur family.
After learning this news, Willy completely fell into despair. After helping Magath become the new Marleyan General, he withdrew from Marley's upper circles entirely.
Now, even with General Magath personally visiting, Willy barely reacted. It was only after Magath informed him about the events in the Far East that the stagnant look in Willy's eyes finally shifted.
But when Willy saw the intelligence reports about the green poisonous gas and the Blood Titan, he let out a miserable laugh and looked at General Magath.
"Look at this. What does this amount to? Eldians have always been called devils, and every nation fears the power of the Titans. But Magath, look at humanity now. For the sake of war, they're turning their own kind into devils. Isn't that laughable? Hahahaha."
Magath looked at the broken Willy and opened his mouth, wanting to comfort him somehow. But could he and Willy truly be considered friends? Could he and this Eldian truly be friends?
"The Tybur family has always believed the Eldians were guilty. Our ancestors shared the same ideals as Karl Fritz. In order to atone, we helped Marley overthrow the Eldian Empire. But now? We sincerely wanted the Eldians to atone, yet now there are people willingly reaching out toward demonic power. General Magath, what do you think should be done?"
Willy suddenly changed his tone, his voice becoming severe. The despair in his eyes also turned chilling. Magath was startled before finally reacting.
"Willy, you mean... the Far East must be eliminated first?"
Willy straightened his body, his gaze deep and resolute as he slowly spoke:
"The world absolutely cannot allow another race of devils to rise again. Magath, I believe that's exactly why you came to see me today. If it were only about the capital, you would never have come here."
Magath stood up, his resolute face looking toward Willy. Without saying anything else, he left the Tybur family villa. But as he passed by Willy, he lightly patted his shoulder, like the silent comfort of an old friend.
News that the Marleyan General had visited the Tybur family quickly attracted the attention of people with ulterior motives around the estate. Soon, word spread that the Tybur family fully supported General Magath.
Just as Willy had said, Magath came mainly to secure the Tybur family's support rather than seek Willy's help or advice. After all, the Tybur family's hidden influence was enough to shake the very foundation of Marley.
And now, obtaining the Tybur family's support meant that all those forces behind them would also fully support Magath.
That was precisely what he wanted.
Not long after Magath left, the deep look in Willy's eyes suddenly dimmed once more. His straightened back bent again as he returned to his original exhausted state.
Another slender figure quietly sat beside him.
The War Hammer Titan, Lara Tybur, looked at her older brother with deep sorrow in her heart. Unlike before, Lara was no longer wearing a maid outfit, but rather a normal set of women's clothing. Paired with her cold and elegant face, she truly carried the bearing of Marleyan nobility.
Looking at Willy, Lara hesitated before finally speaking.
"Brother, pull yourself together. You can't collapse. The Tybur family can only rely on you now. And also..."
As she spoke, Lara glanced toward the villa entrance where General Magath had departed and voiced the confusion in her heart.
"Why, Brother? If things truly happen as General Magath said, Marley will join the war in the Far East. But if that happens, what about the capital?"
Willy took a deep breath and looked at his younger sister. Lara only had less than five years left to live now. Some things hurt just thinking about them.
"Lara, we are no longer the Marley we once were. Power, sin, lies, vanity... the Tybur family has done too much over these years. So much that people fear us. So much that we came to control Marley itself.
But the blood flowing through our veins is still Eldian blood. That is a fact for this life and for eternity. No matter what we do, we cannot escape our Eldian bloodline. Unfortunately, almost all Eldians no longer consider the Tybur family to be Eldians. How laughable."
Willy suddenly let out a mocking laugh.
"Brother!" Lara looked at him worriedly. She could not understand the meaning behind Willy's words, but Willy merely waved his hand, signaling her not to ask further.
Lara lowered her head and fell silent.
After an unknown amount of time, Lara finally raised her head again.
"Brother, go see Fine. She's already recovered well and should be discharged within two days. She keeps crying for her father."
Hearing Fine's name, Willy's heart suddenly cramped violently, shrinking as a sharp pain spread from his chest.
His child...
Lara said softly, "Brother, Fine has recovered. One year from now, let her inherit the War Hammer. My mission should come to an end."
"No! Absolutely not!"
The moment he heard that his only remaining daughter should inherit the War Hammer, Willy instinctively rejected it. But then he saw the stunned expression in his sister's eyes.
"No, Fine cannot. She's only ten years old. We can't do this. Lara, one year from now, I will inherit the War Hammer!"
Lara widened her eyes and urgently tried to persuade him.
"Brother! What are you saying? You can't! You are the pillar of the Tybur family! You're still young. You can still have more children!"
But Willy merely shook his head firmly.
"No! I've already failed Fine once. I cannot personally push her into the abyss as well!"