The beginning: pursuit

While the world was in chaos, things were just as turbulent within the Scarlet Base.

Ivanor walked into the tall building, and Bazel came up to him, winking and saying, "How was it? Did I do a good job at the beginning? Nobody doubted me, right? Haha, I think I have a talent for acting." Ivanor ignored him completely and walked past him straight ahead.

Bazel watched Ivanor's retreating figure, scratching his nose sheepishly. "They're partners, after all. Is it really necessary to be so cold?"

Ivanor walked to the tightly closed door at the end of the street. She tried to calm herself down, to appear as calm and even slightly pleased as possible. Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door.

A cold "Come in" came from behind the door.

Ivanor then pushed open the door. Inside the tidy Laboratory, Ebson, wearing a white lab coat, was sitting comfortably on a sofa with his legs crossed, his back to the door. In front of him was a large black and white screen, which was now divided into dozens of small images.

The scene is filled with disgusting Blood Titan, as well as a few figures that occasionally flash by, and a Titan that nimbly leaps between Steel Buildings.

Ebson turned around and saw it was Ivanor. He immediately stood up, his previous cold attitude completely changed, and his voice sounded warm and gentle, "It's Iva, my child. It's so good to see you!"

Ivanor quickly lowered his head and bowed, his tone extremely humble, "Doctor, have I... have I completed my mission?"

Ebson walked enthusiastically to Ivanor's side. The tall Ivanor was no shorter than him, but her presence was far less imposing. In fact, her body trembled slightly when Ebson approached her. Ebson seemed not to notice these details, and took Ivanor's arm, leading Ivanor to the sofa.

Then he poured her a glass of red wine himself. Ivanor accepted the glass with some trepidation, while Ebson looked at the black and white screen with satisfaction. When he saw a figure flash across one of the images, the excitement in his eyes was almost undisguised.

"Iva, I'm so glad. You're a good boy. I'm so glad that when those foolish people tried to win you over, you took the initiative to find the Doctor. You deserve a lot of credit for successfully bringing in Yago this time!" Ebson clapped his hands gently.

Ivanor nodded hesitantly. Ebson looked back at the screen, watching the massive Winged Titan weave between the buildings. His previously gentle gaze turned fierce, a cold smile playing on his lips. "What a pity about that kid, Litt. He's too arrogant. I've given him chance after chance, but he's disappointed me time and time again. He'll never know what he's missing. But you're different, Iva. You are the children I trust most. I will lead you to the pinnacle of life! Now, children, bring Yago back to me!"

Ivanor quickly stood up, his eyes gleaming with a hint of fanaticism, and shouted, "Yes, Doctor!"

Ebson saw the fervor in Ivanor's eyes and nodded in satisfaction. He thought, "The more polite words you say, the better. You start to believe them yourself. Now, in Ebson's eyes, everyone is just a tool to help him reach the top."

Only after leaving the Laboratory and entering a secluded corner did the fervor in Ivanor's eyes vanish without a trace. Seeing that no one was around, Ivanor turned his head away with a disgusted expression and spat, "You old bastard, disgusting! To your very liking, sob sob sob, Aili-chan, please don't blame me! It's all that woman's fault! I, I didn't mean to lie to you, you have to forgive me..." Ivanor muttered sadly as he threw the note from the deepest compartment of his pocket into his mouth.

Alone in the Laboratory, Ebson stared blankly at the figure on the monitor screen: Yago, Yago Norman, the boy who had rekindled his hope for the highest ideals. Damn it, he was Norman too! Norman! Like an inescapable curse!

Whenever he thought of Norman, Ebson felt a surge of resentment. Why? Ebson himself didn't know. Countless nights, Ebson had asked himself why he felt this resentment. Was it jealousy? Was he jealous of Norman?

Ebson mistook his resentment for jealousy of his former best friend, so he did not regret killing his best friend with his own hands and taking everything from him. From his best friend's blood, he gained a considerable amount of advanced knowledge and power.

With this knowledge, he successfully achieved his current position. The once-declining Louis Family was revitalized under his leadership. He even took control of the Far East and easily transformed this weak Far East into a powerful force that could now ignite World War and instill fear in the world.

With this knowledge, he also gained access to the highest level of life that his close friend had been researching and trying to reach. Ebson originally thought that this would dispel his jealousy and resentment, but in reality, his resentment only intensified, burning like a raging fire within him. He had already obtained everything from Norman! Why was he still like this?! Wasn't it because he was jealous of Norman?

He gained Norman's knowledge, but not Norman's memories. He didn't understand any of this, nor did he know why Norman was such a genius. Unable to quell his resentment, Ebson could only attribute it all to the fact that he hadn't yet obtained that supreme power.

"As long as I obtain and become that supreme being, my heart will be absolutely satisfied! Yes! That's it!" Ebson told himself countless times, but deep within his heart, a barely perceptible voice said, "No! This is not what you want!"

"No! This is what I want!" Ebson roared without warning, violently kicking over the sofa. His Black Eyes instantly turned crimson, with Crimson Lightning dancing within them. At the same time, deep within his pupils, a hideous shadow, invisible to ordinary people, twisted and writhed like a long, struggling centipede.

Within the azure Paths, Eren and Zeke stood atop a Sand Dune, with the sky-high light path coordinates behind them.

Further beyond the coordinates of the light path lay a boundless, boiling, scarlet Blood Lake. The lake seemed to be boiling, its viscous, scarlet water constantly engulfing the fine white sand, and Blood Lake volume was continuously expanding. At this moment, a petite figure stood on the edge of the Blood Lake.

The Founding Titan Ymir's frail body was so insignificant in the face of the boundless Blood Lake, but the ever-expanding Blood Lake seemed to be alive, clearly avoiding the small patch of Sand Dune where the Founding Titan Ymir stood.

Standing quietly and obediently on the Sand Dune, a unique scene flickered in the eyes of her Great-Grandmother, eyes that shone like stars.