Historia looked at the massive Titan crawling in the distance, her eyes filled with complex emotions.
After a long silence, she said softly, "I'm sorry, Eren."
"At that time... I really intended to turn into a Titan and eat you..."
"If Lock hadn't appeared and called out to me... I might have made an irreversible mistake."
Hearing this, Mikasa gave Lock a grateful look, only to see him smiling and flashing a peace sign at her.
Mikasa turned her head away with a strange look in her eyes.
Historia continued, "I didn't do it for the sake of humanity or anything like that back then; I just didn't want to be hated by my father anymore..."
"However..." Historia's gaze gradually became resolute. "Now, the time has come to part ways!"
Watching Historia, Lock's eyes were full of relief...
"Hey! Stop right there!"
"I'm talking to you, can't you hear me? You bastard!"
"Stop right now! Rod Reiss! I'm talking about you!"
"You short-legged old man!"
Eren, who had been trying to remotely control the Rod Reiss Titan, suddenly stopped. He realized he had said something insensitive...
Levi was quietly watching him from behind.
Lock was struggling to hold back his laughter.
Hange, who had been observing the Rod Reiss Titan, noticed Eren had stopped and said, "Well, it seems there's no reaction at all."
Hange turned back and asked Eren, "What else did you do back then besides shouting?"
Eren thought for a moment and began to punch forcefully in Rod's direction, repeatedly ordering him to stop.
"Still no reaction," Hange said, looking at Rod.
At that moment, Levi noticed someone approaching.
"Levi!" Erwin arrived on horseback. "How is everyone?"
Levi replied, "Only Hange was injured."
Hange waved and shouted from the wagon, "Hey~ Erwin!"
Erwin nodded. "It seems no vital organs were hit."
Levi continued, "We also caught the culprit who took Historia and Eren."
Lock followed Hange's lead, smiling and waving at Erwin.
Levi added, "But this guy did contribute quite a lot; it should be enough to atone for his crimes."
Erwin was somewhat surprised by Levi's attitude. It seemed Ash's son had played a major role this time.
"Everyone did a great job!"
Levi said, "I have too much to report to you."
Erwin asked the most pressing question: "What is that Titan?"
"Rod Reiss." Levi looked at Erwin. "We need your opinion now, Commander."
...
Orvud District, Corps branch.
Not long after they arrived, a local Garrison Regiment Soldier ran over. "Everyone, please gather in the conference hall as soon as possible. The strategy meeting is about to begin."
"Understood, we'll be there shortly," Levi replied.
Moblit supported the injured Hange as they headed to the infirmary.
Lock led Historia down from the wagon.
Levi walked over. "Historia, I forgot to tell you earlier, there's something you need to do."
Lock, knowing what was coming, clicked his tongue.
"According to Erwin's instructions, after this battle is over, you are to become Queen as the true heir to the throne."
The expressions of everyone present changed, while Lock looked somewhat displeased.
"Qu... Queen... Historia?" Sasha cried out exaggeratedly.
Levi looked at Historia. "Even though the coup was successful, the people won't be convinced by the Survey Corps ruling. We need a legitimate heir to the throne."
"A rightful claim to take back the royal authority from the False King."
Lock curled his lip. "So she just goes from being a puppet of the council to a puppet of the Survey Corps?"
"The Survey Corps might as well have left the False King in that position."
Levi looked at Lock, his tone remaining calm. "Lock, this isn't just the Survey Corps' decision; your father was also involved."
"If you have an objection, you can go back and question your father first."
Lock wanted to say more, but Historia reached out and grabbed his sleeve.
"It's okay, Lock."
"I know you promised Ymir that you wouldn't let me do these things, but this is indeed the responsibility that comes with the name Historia Reiss."
"Besides, whether or not I become a puppet... I think that's up to me!"
Lock turned to look at her. After a long pause, he suddenly smiled. "Then, when you are coronated, I'll give you a special gift."
"You'll definitely like it."
Historia also began to smile. "Okay, I'll be waiting."
She walked past Lock and stood before Levi. "I agree to the Survey Corps' decision, but Captain, I have one condition."
"What condition?"
Historia looked toward the sky. "Please let me put an end to my own fate with my own hands!"
With his back to Historia, Lock lowered his head, his face expressionless.
He seemed to be thinking about something...
Historia, having put on her Omni-Directional Mobility Gear, slowly walked into the meeting room.
Her companions from the 104th Class, who had arrived earlier, stood in a row, having specifically left a space for her.
She walked over to Mikasa's side and heard Mikasa whisper to her, "Once you become Queen, you'll be able to punch that shorty."
On her other side, Lock also leaned toward Historia. "Don't listen to Mikasa. She's just egging you on to help her get revenge for the Captain bullying Eren."
Mikasa glanced sideways at Lock.
Lock acted as if he hadn't seen it...
The meeting began with a report from a scouting Garrison Regiment Soldier regarding the current information on the Rod Reiss Titan.
"The current position of the Rod Reiss Titan has been confirmed. It is located approximately 20 kilometers northeast of the Orvud District and is approaching at a steady speed."
"It is predicted to reach the Orvud District by dawn!"
"That is all!"
After hearing the report, Kitz, the Commander of the Orvud District Garrison Regiment, looked at Erwin. "Commander Erwin, let's hear your suggestion. How do you plan to evacuate the residents?"
Erwin said, "There will be no evacuation."
"What?" Kitz hadn't processed it yet.
Erwin continued, "The residents will stay in the Orvud District as they are."
Realizing Erwin was serious, Kitz's anger flared. He stepped forward, grabbed Erwin's collar, and shouted, "What are you thinking, Erwin?"
"That Titan will be here by dawn!"
Across the conference table, Hange, whose right arm was in a sling, said, "That Titan is an Abnormal Titan."
Kitz shot back, "So what?"
Hange explained, "The target Titan is an Abnormal attracted to densely populated areas. Furthermore, it's an extreme case that ignores small villages and heads directly for walled cities."
"If we move the residents to Wall Sina for refuge now, the target will be drawn there, destroying the walls as it moves in a straight line."
"Eventually, it will reach the most densely populated capital, Mitras. This would deal a devastating blow to humanity."
Erwin grabbed Kitz's shoulders and said sincerely, "In other words, we must take down that Titan outside the walls of the Orvud District."
"And to lure it, a large number of residents must remain here."
Erwin shifted his tone. "Of course, protecting the citizens is our duty as Soldiers. Even if we fail to eliminate the target, we must do our best to protect all residents."
"We will now report to the people of the Orvud District and the surrounding areas that an emergency evacuation drill is required."
"Prepare to move the populace in advance."
Kitz was convinced. "It seems... that's the only way to do it."
Erwin finally added, "The target is massive and slow-moving. The fixed cannons on the wall will be very effective."
"And if that still doesn't take it down..."
Erwin looked at Eren, who was standing opposite him. "I will deploy the full strength of the Survey Corps."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the hall looked at Eren with various expressions.
Lock yawned.
He planned to go take a nap in a bit.
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