A/N: Hello, readers! Another chapter is here! Enjoy!

edited on july 12th, 2022 @ 3:36pm

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𝓒𝙷𝙰𝙿𝚃𝙴𝚁 𝙵𝙾𝚁𝚃𝚈-𝚂𝙸𝚇,
𝓒𝙷𝙸𝙻𝙳𝚁𝙴𝙽 𝙾𝙵 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙵𝙾𝚁𝙴𝚂𝚃.

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"IT'S CALLED A 'GAS WEAPON.' The gas contains some of my spinal fluid. Breathing just the slightest amount makes Subjects of Ymir freeze up. They can't control their bodies and lose consciousness. On my command, I send the Power of the Titans to the coordinate via Paths. That's why the people of that village obeyed my orders." Zeke explained.

"It's not 'that' village. It's Ragako." Levi corrected. "Don't forget the name of the village you slaughtered, you bearded shit."

"Well, I didn't want to do it. But if I hadn't, and they found out I was sided with Eldia, I couldn't have brought hope to this island. You know, I told you all this when I landed on the island. Why do you keep asking?" Zeke questioned.

"You don't have a shred of guilt in you and it shows. You may or may not want to save Eldia, but those lives meant nothing to you." Levi said.

"You can't have been popular. You think you know everyone's feelings." Zeke claimed.

"I do know." Levi stated. "And I was popular enough."

"Well, ain't that great? So? When will Eren and I begin the test?" Zeke asked.

"I'm not the one to decide. We're waiting for the order from HQ." Levi replied.

"Tell them if they think they have time to wait, they're gravely mistaken." Zeke said.

"I can agree with you on that." Levi told him.

"Captain Levi! Section Commander Simon!"

A Scout came up to the two and whispered something in their ears. "What?" Levi said in surprise.

"Is that true?" Simon asked, also in shock.

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Zeke was reading a book. "Zachary was killed?" Levi asked.

"Yes. The Yeagerists practically have control over everything within the walls. It is believed that all the chaos is being caused by Zeke, through Eren and Yelena."

"And then?" Levi questioned.

"Eren will be brought to Zeke, following the Yeagerists demand."

"Is Pyxis really going to obediently roll with it?" Simon asked.

"As you say, the commander remains steadfast."

"The military plans to have someone eat Eren, right? By our hands." Levi asked.

"That's right."

Levi had a look of anger on his face as he remembered the death of his comrades.

"You gotta be kidding me. This has got to be a joke. If it's about feeding someone to a Titan, there's a better option." Levi claimed.

"Eh?"

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"What do you mean? Zeke's spinal fluid is in the wine?" Jean asked, gripping onto Niccolo's collar.

"I don't have any proof. But... The first survey ship has a lot of these wine packed in. A short-term surveying voyage does not need wine, much less one that many." Niccolo explained as Connie was trying to wash the wine out of Falco's mouth.

"One more time." Hange said.

"And also... Just as I started to settle here as a cook, I was told to serve it to the military, staring with high-ranking officers."

"One more."

"By who?!" Jean questioned.

"Yelena." Niccolo answered, looking away. "As far as I know, she was the only one who acts on this. I'm not sure about the other volunteers."

Hange looked towards Onyankopon. "I-I've never heard about this before." He claimed.

"But that doesn't make sense! Eldians will freeze once they drink Zeke's spinal fluid, right?" Connie asked.

"That's what Zeke said. It's not like we have anyone who saw that happen, so we can't even confirm it. But... The effect of that one lie is enormous. We won't even suspect getting dozed with his spinal liquid if we don't see the symptoms." Hange explained.

"But... still... That's just your theory, right?" Jean questioned.

"Yeah. I have no proof. But every Marleyan soldier knows about it. Just how Zeke's spinal fluid has been used in the past. Around ten years ago, Marley took down the enemy nation's capital in one night. Hundreds of Titans appeared in the town out of nowhere, after all. They must be plotting to do something like that. Though, why must I get the military higher-ups to drink that suspicious wine is beyond me." Niccolo explained.

"So when you took that wine from me back then... it was to protect us?" Jean guessed.

"Dunno. Just what am I doing? I was supposed to survey the island of devils and save the world. Now that I told you all about this, I'm sure I won't live for long. But Mr. Braus. I still can't be as forgiving as you, but... I hope this can make up even a little for what I did." Niccolo clenched Jean's arms. "I tried to kill a child... What's wrong with me?"

"Niccolo..." Artur muttered.

Hange was trying to wash Falco off in the bath along with the others when they suddenly heard Onyankopon shout.

"What's wrong?" Hange asked, opening the door only to see Floch pointing a gun at Onyankopon.

"Commander?" Floch questioned.

"Floch?" Hange exclaimed in shock.

"Glad to find you." Floch turned around. "You should know Zeke's location. You're going to take us to him."

"Listen, we have no intention to oppose you guys." Hange informed.

"We already rejected that offer. We won't negotiate with the military." Floch claimed, making Hange narrow their eyes.

"And why is that?" Hange questioned.

"It was Eren's decision. Commander Pixis would never bet the fate of the island on our hand. He's probably busy right now trying to devise a plan to steal the Founder from Eren when they're showing us the way." Floch replied.

"You're delusional. Or is that what your friends from the Garrison told you?" Hange asked.

"Do I look like one of your kind-hearted subordinates who will answer all your questions?" Floch countered. "Or should I prove it to you that I'm no longer your subordinate? Please come with us."

"Dammit! How did they know we're here?" Jean asked as Niccolo looked over.

"Griez? Was this all Yelena's order?" Niccolo asked.

"Niccolo. You've gotten too close to Eldians. I knew this day would come. I was right not telling you how to contact them." Griez replied.

"Listen to me, Floch! There is no time for us to fight amongst ourselves! Wine contaminated with Zeke's spinal fluid has been served throughout the military! We're being manipulated by Zeke through his plan!" Hange argued.

"Even if that's true, the idiotic military police will just look even stupider." Floch said. "Is that all?"

Hange gasped. "I didn't say anything about the military police drinking the wine." They said as they got handcuffed by one of the Yeagerists. "Could it be... You guys knew about the wine?"

Floch turned around and smiled while a finger was in front of his mouth. "Please keep your voice down within the restaurant." He said as Hange got taken away.

"We're going ahead."

"Yeah."

"That voice just now... Did you come with Floch and the others?" Armin asked.

"Yeah."

Blood was dripping on the white table cloth. "I wanted to... talk with you guys." Eren said.

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A/N: Another chapter is finished! Thanks for reading!

Word Count: 1200 words.