Let's talk (part two)
"The Colossal Titan is a curse? Why do you say that?" Armin asked, puzzled by Bertholdt's words.
Bertholdt, seeing Armin's confusion, explained, "Possessing the Colossal Titan, whether willingly or unwillingly, will leave your hands stained with countless dropes of blood. That blood will be etched into your heart, in your mind, tormenting you until you leave this world."
Armin thought of those who died because the Colossal Titan destroyed the walls, even his own grandfather. Armin fell silent. It seemed the Colossal Titan truly bore countless blood debts. Could those who lost loved ones and families because of the Titan forgive Bertholdt?
Bertholdt struggled to his feet, swaying as he stood, a hint of helplessness on his face. "I never thought I was wrong. I just told myself that I had to be wrong. In the war in Marley, I told myself that I was fighting for Marley, to make my family proud Marleyan."
When I arrived at Paradis Island, I told myself that I was only there to go back. At that time, I truly wished that those of you living inside the Walls were demons, then I would have no burden at all. But, but..."
As he spoke, Bertholdt's eyes welled up with tears.
Armin noticed Bertholdt's lapse in composure and stood up as well. However, compared to Bertholdt's 1.9-meter height, Armin, who was less than 1.7 meters tall, appeared rather small.
Armin also wanted to comfort Bertholdt, because he could hear the regret in Bertholdt's tone.
"But why are you idiots so real? Why do you make me feel regret? Why aren't you the real demons? Do you know how I feel when I look at Thomas, look at Ili, and see those idiots I've spent three years with die in front of me? They all died because of me!!" Bertholdt continued through gritted teeth.
Armin finally got a word in edgewise. To be honest, his conversation with Bertholdt had put Armin in a very passive position, which was quite unlike Armin usual style.
Armin stepped forward, placed his hand on Bertholdt's shoulder, and said, "Bertholdt! What's the point of saying all this? Like you said, so many people died because of you! Aren't you going to do anything about it? Or are you just going to stand here like a woman, constantly grieving?"
Armin grew increasingly agitated as he spoke, "You weren't like this before! Bertholdt, do you remember? How popular you were in the Training Corps? Everyone considered you their most trusted comrade. Now, Bertholdt, you still have a chance to help us! To make up for the mistakes we made!"
Armin felt hopeful. If they could win over Bertholdt, it would be great news for Paradis Island! After all, there were still many risks involved in letting someone inherit the Colossal Titan. No one could predict what would happen after the Colossal Titan was inherited; everything was full of variables.
Ymir's Jaw Titan and Historia's Jaw Titan represent two different extremes.
Unlike the unknown successor, Bertholdt was absolutely adept at wielding the Colossal Titan.
But before Armin could say anything more, Bertholdt interrupted him, "Have you seen Nico?"
Armin: "Nico?" He thought of the freckled girl who had recently walked out of Bertholdt's cell.
Bertholdt wore a complicated expression. "Yes, Nico, who would have thought that this stubborn girl, just because I gave her a coat back then, she'd still be nagging about it now? Armin, you know what? Besides you, she comes here the most. She comes to talk to me almost every day. I'm so tired of hearing it." (See Chapter 27 for details. PS: Don't call me meticulous, and don't call me petty either.)
Armin knew Bertholdt's identity Colossal Titan, but for many lower-ranking Scout like Nico, they were unaware of Bertholdt and Reiner's Titan identities. The higher-ups on Paradis Island also consciously concealed some of these secrets.
Most people may know that Titan have infiltrated humanity as spies, but they don't know that these spies have been lurking within their legions for so many years.
After all, this might lead some people to believe that the government is incompetent.
"This girl said she likes me, that she's secretly liked me ever since I gave her the coat, and even said she joined the Survey Corps because of me. How ridiculous, it's just a coat... She also said that her parents died in Trost District, on the very day she was about to graduate from the Training Corps. On that day, a piece of rubble from the Colossal Titan's breach in the wall crushed her home."
Bertholdt's words were suddenly filled with endless sorrow. He slowly turned around, looked at Armin, his eyes red, and said with a choked voice, "So, Armin, do you understand? I... I don't want to carry all of this anymore. I'm tired."
Armin: "Bertholdt, I... I'm sorry, I didn't know."
Bertholdt suddenly said seriously, "Armin, I want to ask you one last thing. Could you take me out to see the sun one more time?"
Should they take Bertholdt out? But wouldn't he take the opportunity to escape? Could they really believe everything he just said? Armin hesitated.
On a high roof outside the Prison, A-Wu, dressed in a new type of Omni-Directional Mobility Gear, stood quietly, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.
Soon, the sound of the Prison door opening caught his attention, followed by two figures walking out of the Prison.
Armin was someone A-Wu recognized, having met him once before, and Armin was a frequent visitor. However, the person beside Armin made A-Wu frown; he seemed familiar. Wait! That person! Wasn't that the guy trapped in the crystal? How could it be!?
Whoosh! Without a moment's hesitation, A-Wu drew the Blades from its sheath, launched the grappling hook, spewed out Gas, and spun the turbine at high speed, providing ample power. A-Wu rushed toward Bertholdt at A-Wu speed.
The moment he stepped out the door, the dazzling sunlight made Bertholdt squint. The warm sunlight on his body brought Bertholdt a long-lost sense of relaxation.
"That feels so good."