"Hange, let's put the selection of the Female Titan's successor on hold," Erwin said as he stepped out of the cell.
"Uh, the Wall Maria Retaking Operation is about to begin. Aren't we going to choose someone?" Hange asked in confusion.
"The Female Titan's power isn't particularly outstanding. Adding the Colossal Titan's power will be enough, and there would be resistance to passing on the Female Titan," Erwin said pointedly.
"The new attack equipment we developed might be able to break it open. But, Erwin, could there be another way to obtain the Female Titan's power besides inheritance?" Hange asked, pushing up her glasses.
"I had someone test that equipment. It can kill ordinary Titans, but it can't break open the hardened crystal. As for another way..." Erwin considered it briefly.
"The bonds within the 104th Cadet Corps run deep. Could we persuade Annie Leonard to switch sides?" Levi said flatly, his dead-fish eyes unruffled. He understood Erwin better than anyone. The man didn't even value his own life, but the 104th Cadet Corps also had two exceptionally stubborn members.
"Against an external enemy, Chen Si would be our sharpest blade," Erwin said meaningfully.
"Do you mean that if we persuaded her to switch sides, she might become an internal enemy?" Hange asked in confusion.
Erwin shook his head, then turned to the two soldiers. "Cole, Anthony, seal off the training grounds and take Bertolt there. Prepare for the inheritance."
"Yes, sir!" Cole and Anthony immediately escorted Bertolt out of the cell, and Erwin followed them.
"Hey, Levi, you don't really want anyone else from the 104th to inherit it either, do you?" Hange couldn't help asking as she watched Erwin leave.
"Who knows? But I trust Erwin's judgment." Levi gave no definite answer.
"During this coup, Erwin even purged