Erwin and Hange bent down together to examine Carla.
Hange pressed two fingers against Carla's neck, shook her head, and sighed.
"Your mother is gone."
Beside them, the light faded from Keith's eyes. Utterly devastated, he collapsed to the ground.
"Carla... no..."
It struck Eren like a bolt from the blue. His fists clenched around Carla's sleeves, his face twisted in anguish. Tears and snot ran into his mouth, but he didn't even notice.
"It's all because of those damned Titans! I'll drive every last Titan out of this world! I'll slaughter them all, every single one!" Eren roared, his voice hoarse.
Chen Si stared silently at Carla's body and her tear-streaked face.
He hadn't expected that, even after he had done everything he could to build a good relationship with Annie, she would still come and choose to do this. This time, she had even unleashed Titans on the camp.
Annie...
He clenched his fists. Electric arcs crackled across his body as his killing intent surged.
"Eren, Chen Si, I'm sorry for your loss." Erwin slowly rose to his feet. Knowing that comfort would do no good, he said nothing more. He, too, knew what it felt like to lose someone dear.
"We aren't the ones who'll need condolences. They are," Chen Si said, his eyes cold and murderous.
Zhang Surou opened her mouth at the sight, but said nothing.
Chen Si... could you have been manipulated too...?
Eren lay across Carla's body, sobbing uncontrollably. His whole body convulsed as he let out earth-shaking wails and screams.
"Chris, do you think I'm strong?" Chen Si suddenly asked, looking down at Carla's body.
"Yes. Stronger than any of us, at least," Zhang Surou answered honestly.
"Why is it that every time... I can't save them? Mrs. Ackerman, Aunt Carla... again