Orvud District, regimental branch headquarters.
At midnight, torches burned all around them. Everyone tethered their horses in the center of the square, while Hange went to the equipment department to requisition new gear.
"Everyone, please assemble in the lecture hall. The strategy meeting will begin shortly," a messenger called to Levi.
"Understood," Levi replied.
"Historia, there's something else you probably already know," Levi called.
Everyone gathered around. Chen Si yawned. Whenever his electric energy wasn't full, he grew sleepy like an ordinary person. He still had forty percent left and figured killing Rod shouldn't be a problem.
"These are Erwin's instructions. Once this war is over, you'll become Queen as the rightful heir to the throne," Levi said evenly.
"Historia's going to be Queen! Your Majesty!" Sasha exclaimed.
"But Historia finally managed to get away from the Reiss Family... uh, how should I put it... she broke free... and now we're making her..." Connie faltered, feeling that this was rather cruel to Historia.
"What is it? If you have something to say, spit it out," Levi said evenly.
"Connie means Historia finally escaped the Reiss Family and got to be herself, and now we're making her shoulder her family's duty again... what I'm saying is, it's not fair to her!" Jean suddenly raised his voice.
"Even if the coup succeeds and the military takes over the country, the people won't obey us. We need a rightful heir to the throne, someone to represent us in reclaiming the crown from the false king," Levi explained, his eyes flat and lifeless.
"I understand. In short, the regiment's next mission is to make me Queen, right?" Historia said, lowering her gaze.
"Historia..." Armin said, unable to bear it.
"It's not a mission," Chen Si said slowly, lifting his eyes to Historia.
Historia looked