Covert Infiltration
(At the suggestion of our readers, from this chapter onwards, the character Armin will be referred to as Armin.)
Upon receiving news of the successful operation, military leaders from the Orford District rushed to the city closest to Reiss Estate.
The meeting room was solemn. President Zackly sat in the main seat. As the commander of the Three Military Branches and the main leader of this revolution, it was only right that he sat in this position.
Commander Pyxis and Commander Randy sat together. This time, unusually, Commander Pyxis wasn't drunk; instead, he looked serious.
Beside them were two older Commander wearing the uniforms of the Garrison Rose, the one with the mustache being Heron Ethan, Commander of the Northern Theater of the Garrison Regiment, and the one with mostly gray hair being Loang Soke, Commander of the Western Theater, who was also a veteran military officer.
Also present were Naik, representing the Military Police Brigade; Erwin, representing the Survey Corps; and Keith, representing the Training Corps; all the military representatives had arrived.
Only a few minor Nobility were present as representatives of the Nobility; in terms of status, Randy Vald was present, was probably the most senior Nobility.
Under Zackly's ruthless methods, a large number of Nobility who colluded with the false Royal Government were arrested. After the arrests were completed, it was discovered that almost all the major Nobility had been wiped out.
However, this meeting could not be perceived by the public as a military dictatorship, so several respected minor Nobility, as well as representatives of the Wallist Church and the president of the Capital Chamber of Commerce, were invited.
At the very end of the meeting sat the youngest face among all those present, with Black Hair Black Eyes: Yago Norman.
Those who knew about Yago would certainly not underestimate this young Soldiers: a possessor of the Titan Power, an outsider from the human world beyond the walls, and a key figure who knew the world's intelligence.
And so began the meeting that would decide the future of humanity on the wall.
"The military has now basically stabilized. Most Soldiers are of one mind with us. Of course, a small number of Nobility Officer may be dissatisfied, but the situation is settled, and they can't cause any trouble," Zackly explained.
"Well, regarding the Nobility, the main concern is whether they will be implicated, but we can guarantee that we have absolutely not participated in any of the False King's affairs or actions. We have also been kept in the dark." A Nobility representative spoke cautiously, a little sweat on his forehead. Forgive him, this was the first time in his life he had seen so many high-ranking officials.
"The Merchant Association is fine. We are doing our best to maintain market balance. Of course, there is still some instability." The Merchant Association president was a highly respected elderly man.
"The masses are the most unstable group, and I believe you can all understand that." The Wallist Church may be speaking on behalf of the masses.
"As expected, the public is certainly dissatisfied with the military's control of the government," Randy said.
Pyxis looked at Erwin and said, "So, Erwin, how's the child? We need her."
Erwin nodded. "Historia Reiss is safe for now."
"What else is there to say? Just let that little girl inherit the Throne and shut the people up," Commander Heron said nonchalantly.
"Heh, what? You just overthrew a False King and now you want to install another puppet king?" Yago sneered upon hearing this.
"What do you mean?!" Commander Heron was immediately displeased, but of course he couldn't lash out, because he knew Yago's identity.
"Let me remind you again, Historia may be a pushover you can easily bully, but she also inherited the Jaw Titan, one of the Nine Titans. I believe you are aware of the power of the Intelligent Titan, and besides, she has us backing her up." Yago's words clearly indicated that Historia had powerful backers.
Zackly seemed to want to explain, "This isn't the time to talk about that. We're discussing having that child inherit the Throne. No one wants to treat her as a puppet; a king should have the dignity of a king."
Yago: "That sounds nice, but why should I believe you? You can know a person's face but not their heart."
Immediately, the meeting erupted into a heated argument. Yago took a firm stance, ultimately concluding that the entire matter depended on Historia's attitude, and the military was not allowed to coerce or morally blackmail Historia.
Historia was with her fellow New Recruits at that moment.
"It's alright, Eren, it's not your fault. We should be grateful that we stopped my father's plot. He just wanted to create another puppet."
"Dr. Grisha was probably thinking about the future of humanity. The so-called Founding Titan power can't play its proper role if it's left in the Royal Family. Perhaps it can only truly exert its power in you," Historia comforted the somewhat dejected Eren.
Hearing Historia's words, Eren finally regained some energy, and Mikasa and Armin, who had been worried, breathed a sigh of relief.
"Historia is right. I also believe that Mr. Grisha would not kill indiscriminately. He once risked his life to treat patients, make medicine, and save the entire Shiganshina district," Armin agreed.
Eren looked down at his palm, recalling his father's past, and then said resolutely, "Fine, I must find out the secret my father left in the basement!"
Sunlight streamed through his fingers onto his face, the warm, dry sunlight making Pieck, accustomed to the damp, sticky feeling on the back of Titan's necks, feel somewhat uncomfortable.
The area was filled with pedestrians, busy vendors, women buying groceries with their children, and occasionally Soldiers from the Garrison Regiment wearing the Garrison Rose patrolling with Flintlock on their backs.
"It's very comfortable, War Chief. But, are we really going to fight here?" Pieck asked casually.
Beside her were Zeke, Reiner, and Bertholdt, their faces covered. They had somehow infiltrated the Orford District. One had to admire the Courage of the Marley Warriors, or perhaps they were simply relying on their Titan Power to act so recklessly?
"Very interesting. The demons on the island are much more powerful than I imagined. That flying device is amazing, and I didn't expect there to be newspapers here." Zeke exclaimed in admiration.
Reiner and Bertholdt remained silent. Compared to Zeke and Pieck, they had lived on the island for five years. What difference was there between these so-called demons and normal people?
Bertholdt was so filled with guilt that he contemplated suicide. Without their destruction, the people the Walls might have continued to live peacefully.
Reiner was even worse; Bertholdt discovered that Reiner seemed to be experiencing mental problems.
After finishing today's news, Zeke closed the newspaper, a strange glint flashing in his eyes behind his glasses. "Eren Jaeger, and... the real Royal Family?"
"Hey, you guys, what are you doing sneaking around like that?" A garrison Soldiers looked at the four people who were wrapped up tightly, felt a little strange, and frowned as he asked them.
"Bertholdt, it's your turn to play."