"Use a Titan?" a soldier said in disbelief.
"Have a Titan help us? That sounds like something out of a dream…"
"It's not a dream. Whether that Titan is an abnormal or not, under the current circumstances, letting it rampage longer would be more beneficial to us," Mikasa analyzed calmly.
"This is the most realistic and best way for us to survive," Chen Si added.
Mikasa was momentarily stunned. How did my brother say exactly what I was about to say? Is this what it means to be in sync?
She looked at Chen Si. He blinked. She blinked back.
Chen Si felt like he was watching a show. The lines seemed familiar, so he blurted them out on impulse—only to realize they were Mikasa's lines.
Mikasa worried about the strain on Chen Si's body. She didn't know how many times he could use that power, and she hoped the abnormal Titan would attract more attention.
Chen Si had no intention of saving things before Eren was exposed—there was no need. Sooner or later, the truth would come out. Hiding it would only prevent him from freely using his abilities. This time, Chen Si chose to reveal his lightning power.
Even if the royal government learned that within the Walls there was a human who could command lightning and another who could wield the power of the Titans—what could they do? He wouldn't obediently let himself be captured. To hell with the royal government.
With just him and Eren, they would be enough to overthrow the regime entirely. There was nothing to fear.
"It's fine. That Titan looks stronger than the others. There shouldn't be a problem," Connie said.
"No problem. Its strength is enough to crush the surrounding Titans. We'll wait for the outcome. While more Titans are gathering, we should find a chance to leave," Chen Si said.
Everyone nodded. After finding full gas canisters, they searched around and eventually located an enclosed attic where they entered to rest.
"Armin, you need to prepare yourself for the possibility that that Titan is Eren," Chen Si said.
Mikasa nodded. "Armin, that Titan is very likely Eren transformed."
"Eren… is a Titan…" Armin had already begun to believe this possibility after observing for so long.
"Yes, Armin. What we need to do now is prepare for questioning from those fools in the royal government. Since my ability has also been exposed, I'm not suited to act as a mediator anymore. We can only rely on you," Chen Si said.
"That's really a headache… By the way, Chen Si, why exactly can you release lightning?" Armin asked, utterly confused.
"I think it might be hereditary," Mikasa said, clenching her fist. "Because I also feel a power engraved in my blood."
"Yes, that's right. It's hereditary," Chen Si nodded.
He thought Mikasa's explanation was good—it was easy to justify. If necessary, he could claim the Ackerman family genes had mutated. Most people inside the Walls probably wouldn't understand the technical explanation anyway, but they'd grasp the general idea.
He certainly couldn't say it was some "VIP system" that granted him powers after he killed a fish. Not only would they not understand—it was unnecessary to explain.
"Even so, the royal government will definitely make things difficult for you and Eren. Ahh, what should we do?" Armin clutched his head in frustration, rapidly brainstorming.
"It's fine, Armin. At worst, Eren and I will just storm the royal government and kill until they accept us," Chen Si said with killing intent.
"That's not a bad idea," Mikasa nodded.
"Ahhh! That's not a good idea at all! Mikasa, Chen Si, calm down. I'll definitely come up with something," Armin hurriedly tried to stop them.
Though Chen Si wasn't worried in the slightest, he still nodded.
"How much do you know about that Titan?" Reiner asked seriously.
"As long as we can be saved, who cares about that?" Connie shrugged.
"Yeah… being rescued is what matters," Reiner said with a smile.
Annie glanced at Chen Si, still weighing the possibility of exposure in her mind.
"Have you used your Titan power in front of Chen Si?" Reiner asked Annie quietly, now somewhat uneasy himself.
Annie shook her head.
"Given Chen Si's personality, the chances that he was joking are probably higher," Reiner analyzed.
"Have you thought about how to deal with him? Even if he's not the Founding Titan, he could still become our… enemy," Annie said hesitantly.
In her heart, she thought Chen Si was a good person—someone worth befriending. But suddenly she remembered something he had once said.
Be friends with my father…
Annie hugged her knees and buried her face in them.
"Annie, what's wrong?" Bertolt asked with concern. He knew whenever Annie sat like that, she was in a bad mood.
"Nothing," Annie replied coldly.
"Is it because of Chen Si…?" Bertolt guessed.
"I said it's nothing!" Annie suddenly snapped at him.
"S-sorry, Annie." Bertolt quickly waved his hands and lowered his head in disappointment. He had always liked Annie but never knew how to express it.
He cast a slightly resentful glance at Chen Si. It seemed like he was the one who made Annie like this.
"Let's test him," Reiner said, ignoring Bertolt. He had long known about Bertolt's feelings. Standing up, he slowly walked over to Chen Si's group.
"Hey, Chen Si, Mikasa. Armin looks pretty anxious. What's wrong?" Reiner said, sitting down with a casual wave.
Mikasa nodded in acknowledgment.
"Well, since something happened to Eren, everyone feels bad," Chen Si sighed. Oh? The Armored Titan is here to probe me? Then I'll treat him well.
"Don't be too upset. Maybe Eren is somewhere safe right now, waiting to be rescued," Reiner comforted.
"Yes… just like the three of you from your hometown…" Chen Si suddenly paused.
Reiner's heart skipped a beat.
"…might be rescued by a handsome and dashing guy like me, haha," Chen Si leisurely finished.
Reiner exhaled in relief. What a narcissistic guy… Though he does look pretty handsome. Annie seemed somewhat concerned about him too… and Bertolt…
Reiner shook off his wandering thoughts.
"Reiner, if Bertolt were a Titan, what would you do?" the anxious Armin suddenly asked.
Reiner froze again, cold sweat running down his back.
Damn. Is this a test? When were we exposed? Did someone see Bertolt during the breach? Damn it. What do I do…