"Armin, this war can end, but withdrawing from Marley is out of the question. This strategic buffer zone was bought with the lives of two hundred thousand soldiers from Paradis Island. We cannot simply hand it over," Chen Si said, looking at Armin.
"Two hundred thousand... Chen Si, if we hadn't entered Marley in the first place, wouldn't we have avoided all those deaths?" Armin asked doubtfully.
"Then if the Survey Corps hadn't ventured beyond Wall Maria in the first place, wouldn't we have avoided all those deaths too?" Chen Si countered.
Armin was momentarily at a loss for words. Why was Chen Si so determined to eliminate other nations' military power? Was peaceful coexistence with powerful nations really impossible?
"Chen Si, you're twisting the argument. Going beyond Wall Maria was about reclaiming our homeland, but leading the Survey Corps into Marley was blatant aggression! We in Eldia will never be aggressors!" Hange suddenly stepped forward and declared.
"Hange, it's been two years since I asked you about the trolley problem. Have you found an answer?" Chen Si asked.
Hange paused briefly at that. "Why do we have to choose to sacrifice either group on the two tracks? We could destroy the train instead. Then neither side would have to die!"
Yet hearing Hange's words seemed to bring Armin a sudden realization.
The corners of Chen Si's mouth lifted, and he shook his head. Ignoring Hange, he turned back to Armin. "Armin, the choice is yours."
With that, Chen Si turned and left.
"Armin! Remember, in these negotiations, you can agree to any terms as long as they don't involve Paradis Island itself!" Hange said solemnly.
Pain and conflict crossed Armin's face. His lips trembled before he pressed them tightly together. "Hange, what if we Eldia people aren't either of