"Still… this almost feels like we ended up helping the Titans. And the fact that someone caused trouble right when the equipment inspection was happening—it's a bit too much of a coincidence," Armin Arlert said, frowning slightly.
"Yes, sir!"
The two soldiers conducting the inspection packed up their papers and left.
Reiner Braun let out a long sigh of relief.
Was it just because the Military Police were here…? Am I overthinking this?
Armin Arlert couldn't tell, but Reiner's earlier reaction had felt… off.
Both Annie Leonhart and Reiner had been acting strangely. It can't be that so many people have something to hide… I'm probably just too tense, Armin thought, taking a deep breath.
The Night Before – Fallen Soldiers' Cremation
The flames roared as the bodies of the fallen were cremated.
Around the fire, the members of the 104th Cadet Corps stood in heavy silence.
Historia Reiss gazed into the flames, her eyes dim for a moment. Then, Chen Si's face flashed through her mind, and her determination reignited.
Jean Kirstein looked around at everyone's dejected expressions.
Sasha Blouse was sobbing quietly.
Connie Springer was crying openly.
Everyone was filled with regret…
Who would've imagined this kind of hell before becoming a soldier…?
Jean walked over to the furnace, crouched down, and picked up a fragment of bone.
Marco… I can't even tell which one is yours anymore… If I hadn't become a soldier, I wouldn't have to worry about who's next to die…
"Are we just going to give up the tactical progress bought with hundreds of thousands of lives… and continue living like livestock, waiting to be devoured by Titans?"
"I'll devote my life to driving out the Titans. Our bones may turn to dust, but humanity will endure."
The passionate words of Eren Yeager and Chen Si echoed in Jean's mind.
I understand that… but not everyone can be like you, Eren—charging toward death without fear… or like Chen Si, a monster strong beyond reason. How could you ever understand what it's like to be weak…?
"Don't be angry. Listen… Jean isn't as strong as Chen Si or Mikasa, so he understands the weak better. That's why he can make the most rational decisions based on reality. You're suited to be a leader. Being by your side makes me feel safe."
Marco Bott's words resurfaced in Jean's mind.
Trembling slightly, Jean stepped forward to face the others.
"You guys… have you decided which branch to join yet…?" he asked uncertainly.
"I'm joining the Survey Corps—to fight alongside Chen Si!" Historia said firmly, raising her fist.
"I… I'm joining the Survey Corps too!" Jean shouted, clenching his hands as he struggled with himself. His voice broke as he began to sob.
"Even Jean, who wanted the Military Police the most, is choosing the Survey Corps… Annie says she'll join the Military Police… Maybe I should too… But what Chen Si and Eren said keeps echoing in my head…" Connie muttered, conflicted.
"If someone told you to die, would you?" Annie said calmly.
"Of course not!" Connie replied, startled.
"Then just follow your own will. Why listen to others?" Annie said.
Connie fell silent, still struggling.
"Historia looks far more driven now than when she first joined. If you can find a goal like hers, maybe you won't feel so conflicted," Annie added.
"Historia? I think it's because of Chen Si. She's always liked him, right? I wonder if they're already together… If they are, it makes sense she'd want to be in the same regiment… Maybe I should get a girlfriend too…" Connie muttered.
"Are they close?" Annie asked, slightly taken aback.
"To be honest… I once ran into them late at night—they were leaning together, watching the moon. I think they're probably together," Connie said.
"Maybe that's why Chen Si joined the Survey Corps—he has people like Mikasa and Historia he wants to protect. If you find something precious enough… dying for it might become something unavoidable…" Armin said, his gaze lowering.
Annie's pupils trembled slightly.
A storm surged in her heart—then her eyes dimmed again.
Was I deceived…?
Reiner's earlier words echoed in her mind.
"Annie… there's always been someone I couldn't let go of. That person is you."
"Yes… when there's someone you must protect, there are things you have no choice but to do," Annie murmured, clenching her fists.
In her mind, the image of her father completely overshadowed Chen Si.
A mix of anger and grievance toward Chen Si surged within her. For a moment, she wanted to stand before him and demand:
What am I to you, Chen Si…?
…But in the end—
Forget it. It doesn't matter.
"Annie? What's wrong?" Armin asked, confused by the shift in her expression.
"I just thought about my family… and someone I don't like," Annie replied calmly.
"I see… You seem like a kind person, Annie. It's hard to imagine someone you'd dislike. You've been advising us not to join the Survey Corps—there must be a reason you chose the Military Police, right?" Armin said, probing gently.
"Even Jean, who wanted the Military Police most, changed his mind. People… can change. I just want to survive," Annie said after a brief pause.
Survey Corps Old Base – Castle
"Ding! Scan complete. No transmigrators found in the current world other than the host and player Winyaad."
Chen Si, who had just returned from the execution, was feeding a llama when he froze.
"None found? Are you kidding me? If there are no transmigrators, then what does 'online count: three' even mean?" he complained.
"The system only provides information based on objective reality. The system will never malfunction unless the host dies."
Chen Si clicked his tongue, then fell into thought.
No transmigrators… but aside from me and Winyaad, there's still one more 'online' presence… what does that mean? It must be someone with special abilities.
The Source of All Living Matter? Or some hidden powerhouse?
Whatever. As long as they're not a transmigrator, it's fine.
Chen Si relaxed slightly.
Abilities in this world can't be that overwhelming. Otherwise, how could everything still end under Eren's Rumbling? If someone truly had the power to stop him, they would have appeared by now.
So either that person is weaker than Eren… or they're some reclusive figure who never intervenes.
In either case—nothing to worry about.
Please drop some power stones support me at my
PS: Access advance (100+) chapters at
Patreon: NanamiTL