The Choice Within
In Hope City, the peaceful lives of the Eldians were once again disrupted after the arrival of the New Army from Paradis Island and the allied forces from the Orient countries.
In recent days, countless curious Eldia have gathered at the Military Camp where the New Army is stationed on Paradis Island. To these Eldians, their fellow Military Camp from the legendary Paradis Island are simply too mysterious. They have only heard about the existence of Paradis Island compatriots from the Marleyan, and now that they have the opportunity, they naturally want to see for themselves whether their rumored compatriots are like themselves.
Many Marleyan living in Hope City also joined in the fun.
The New Army Soldiers on Paradis Island were not happy to be treated like monkeys in a zoo, and they were also full of curiosity about the outside world. However, due to military orders, most Soldiers were not allowed to leave the Military Camp.
In order to promote exchanges between the Eldia Revival Army and the Paradis Island New Army, Yago and Selina have been organizing mutual learning and exchange activities for Officer from both sides, and have also held numerous exchange activities for rank-and-file Soldiers.
The armies of the Orient nations, led by the Hizuru, were all stationed in Military Camp Hope City. This was a joint request from Selina and the Orient high command. The New Army of Paradis Island was, after all, Eldians, so it was reasonable for them to be stationed in Hope City. However, the Orient nations themselves were a small alliance, and even the leading Hizuru did not have complete confidence in controlling this army.
So the two sides hit it off immediately, and the troops of the Orient countries took the initiative to station outside Hope City. However, despite the stationing, the Orient countries were very active in military exchanges. Although the Officer of the Orient had not fought in many serious wars, most of Officer were top students who had graduated from world-renowned military academies.
There's no doubt about that. While the countries of Orient, especially Hizuru, have been vigorously developing their economies by leveraging their own commercial advantages, they have never considered giving up on the military and have been consciously training a large number of outstanding Officer and Soldiers.
For example, in Hizuru, even becoming a basic Squad Leader Officer requires being a graduate of a military academy, and the requirements for higher-ranking Officer are even stricter. It can be said that Orientals who graduated from a top military academy may not become a general, but Orientals general must be a graduate of a top military academy.
"Aili-chan, long time no see!" Before Aili could react, Pieck gave Aili a big hug, which caught Aili off guard. She stared blankly at the chains on Pieck and Porco's hands.
The chain was only a short section, welded to an iron ring, and both Pieck and Porco wore one on their right hand.
Are these shackles? But no, they're not restraining anything. And why are Pieck and Porco able to roam freely around the Military Camp on Paradis Island? Aili's mind was filled with confusion.
That's right, Pieck and Porco were wandering around the Military Camp filled with the New Army Paradis Island army. In Aili's opinion, even if Boss Yago didn't want to kill these two well-known veteran Marley Titan Warriors to seize their Titan Power, he should at least keep a close watch on them, right? How did they manage to escape?
Moreover, the Soldiers of Paradis Island around them seemed to ignore the two men, as if they were used to seeing them. These were two Titan Warriors, after all. If they were to suddenly attack without warning, the consequences would be dire!
However, Aili's worries were completely unnecessary. In a corner unnoticed by the others, two or three figures stood secretly, wearing complete Omni-Directional Mobility Gear, their Thunder Spear ready to fire, and their dark Black Eyes concealing a terrifying killing intent beneath their calm demeanor.
If Pieck and Porco make the slightest move, Ackerman Squad, secretly ordered by Yago, will strike immediately, severing their limbs, leaving them only with a breath of life. Titan spinal fluid will also be readily available to strip them of their Titan Power at any time.
Of course, this was a last resort. The iron rings on Pieck and Porco's hands were the bottom line. Ordinary shackles could not control a Titan Warriors. However, these iron rings were not for controlling them, but a symbol, just like the Armband that the Marleyan forced the Eldians to wear. This was a symbol of Pieck and Porco's opportunity to make amends and atone for their sins.
Although she was puzzled, Aili had worked with Pieck and Porco for a while, and with Pieck's deliberate attempt to strike up a conversation, Aili had talked to them quite a bit.
Porco, standing beside him, remained silent, but listened intently to what Aili was saying about the situation in the Marley Capital, no, the current Hope City, as if he were trying to strain his ears.
Upon hearing Aili's description, a strange light flashed in Pieck's eyes. Could it be that the Eldians could live such a simple yet happy life?
Suddenly, a strong feeling welled up in Pieck's heart. She wanted to go home and see her father and her family. Pieck wasn't the only one with this feeling; Porco felt the same way.
However, leaving the Military Camp was easier said than done. Pieck wasn't stupid; she was very clever. Although Yago allowed them to wander around the Military Camp on Paradis Island, Pieck was certain that someone was secretly watching them. If they even had the slightest thought or desire to escape the Military Camp, their fate would certainly not be pleasant.
It wasn't entirely hopeless. Pieck suddenly looked at Aili with hopeful eyes. Aili felt a little uneasy under Pieck's gaze. "Aili-chan, I want to ask you for a favor. Please, please help me, please!" In the blink of an eye, Pieck's big eyes filled with tears, and he pitifully grabbed Aili's shoulders and pleaded.
"Hey! Don't do that! Let go, let go first! My clothes were just washed yesterday, and they're snotty! They're snotty!!"
After packing his simple luggage—not much at all—a small suitcase containing a few changes of clothes, some personal items, and a family Photograph, Coris took a deep breath, turned around, waved goodbye to his family, and then walked out the door.
The sound of her mother's cries still seemed to echo in her ears, her father's angry roars were still clear, and her Younger Sister didn't understand her either.
"That's their Eldians war! What are you getting involved in? Don't forget who you are, you're Marleyan, and a Marley soldier at that! And now you're telling me you want to help the Eldians fight? You bastard!"
Last night, after Coris offered to join and help the Eldia Revival Army, Coris father, a hot-tempered Marley Veteran Soldier, nearly overturned the dining table, his angry roar almost shattering Coris's eardrums.
His mother cried and tried to dissuade him, and his Younger Sister looked at him with strange eyes, but Coris's heart did not waver in the slightest. He had lived on Paradis Island and lived with the Eldians. He knew that the so-called title of demon was meaningless. He did not do it for any other reason than to follow his heart. So, on this bright morning, Coris resolutely left.
He waved goodbye to those behind him, not knowing if his family saw him say goodbye, but he had no regrets.
(For those who have forgotten Coris's identity due to the passage of time, please refer to chapters 76 and 161.)