Chapter 124: Ymir 'Comes Clean'
Ymir's Cell.
The air was tense.
Eren slowly walked up to Ymir. He didn't rush to question her. He just stood there quietly, watching her with those deep eyes—calm, yet carrying a pressure that saw through everything.
"Ymir," Eren finally spoke. "You know humans exist outside the Walls."
Ymir's body tensed instantly. She looked up at him.
"You know of a country called 'Marley'."
Ymir's pupils shrank. How could he know that?!
"You know 'Eldians' are seen as 'devils' spawn,' hated by the entire world."
"You know the 'Power of the Titans' is passed on by eating the predecessor."
Ymir snapped her head up, her eyes filled with horror and disbelief. Isn't he Eren? An Eldian born inside the Walls? How could he possibly know these things?! Who… who is he?!
"You… who are—"
"Who I am isn't important," Eren cut her off. "What's important is that I know this is the truth. The cruel truth of how this world works."
"I know Marley is scheming to take the 'Founding Titan'."
"I know they see us as 'island devils' that must be eliminated."
"I know the 'Paradise' plan was just a way to stall for time."
"I know Historia's royal blood is just a tool for certain factions inside the Walls."
Eren's words were like hammer blows, striking Ymir's deepest fears.
"They won't let her go, Ymir. Whether she's used as a sacrifice inside the Walls, or captured and used by Marley… she will never be truly free."
Ymir's face was deathly pale, her body trembling violently. Eren's words had dissected her deepest fears.
"You want to protect her, don't you? Protect her with your life. But you can't do it with your current power, or the scraps of information you have, or even by siding with Reiner and the others. You'll only drag both of you into the abyss."
"But, Ymir," Eren took a step closer, staring directly into her eyes. "I can. We can protect her together."
Ymir looked at him, confused.
"I need you, Ymir," Eren said. "I need you… to tell the Survey Corps high command, to tell Commander Erwin… more of the truth for me."
Ymir was stunned. "Tell them for you? Why? Wouldn't it be better if you—"
"Some things, if I say them now, will only cause trouble and suspicion," Eren interrupted. "My source of information… cannot be revealed right now. But this truth must be known as soon as possible."
"And you, Ymir, are the most suitable person. You're from outside the Walls. You've experienced being a Pure Titan. You've had contact with Reiner and the others. If you reveal all this, it will be more believable and acceptable to them."
"I will tell you all the key information you need to know. About Marley's societal structure, their technology, their policies towards Eldians. About our altered history. About the origin of the Nine Titans and the 'Coordinate.' About the 'Vow Renouncing War.' I will tell you everything."
"What you need to do," Eren continued, "is take this information, organize it skillfully, in your own way, and tell Erwin and Hange. You can say it's from your own observations over the years, things you overheard from Reiner, and 'memories' left over from your time as a Titan… I'll help you fill in the details."
"Ymir," Eren held out his hand. "This is our deal. You become my 'proxy' for revealing the truth. You will tear open this world's cruel facade for them to see."
"In exchange—" Eren's voice was clear and firm. "I, Eren Jaeger, with all my power and all my influence, will ensure the safety of Historia and you, at any cost. I will protect both your futures."
Dead silence filled the cell. Ymir's heart pounded, her mind in chaos. Eren's plan was bold, insane, even despicable. He was using her to hide himself.
But… he was right. Historia's identity was exposed, and her situation was extremely dangerous. Eren's knowledge and his power… for the first time, she saw a possibility that could truly protect Historia. Becoming a proxy to deliver forbidden truth was a huge risk, but if it was the only way to buy Historia's safety…
She thought of Historia's clear, trusting eyes. She thought of her words, "I will stand with you."
The long deliberation ended. Ymir slowly raised her head, meeting Eren's gaze. The fear and hesitation were gone, replaced by the resolve of someone burning their bridges.
"Okay," she said, her voice hoarse. "Tell me. Tell me everything. For Historia… I'll be your 'proxy'."
…
The Interrogation Room.
It was relatively dry and clean. A table, a few chairs. The lamp cast three long shadows: Erwin Smith, Hange Zoë, and Levi Ackerman. The high command of the Survey Corps.
Opposite them sat Ymir. Her restraints had been removed, and she was in a clean prisoner's uniform. She looked exhausted, but her eyes were clear, holding the calm that comes after making an impossible choice. The atmosphere was heavy.
"Ymir," Erwin spoke first. "You said you had something important to tell us. Is it about the truth of the outside world?"
Hange leaned forward. Levi leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his face impassive, his gaze locked on Ymir.
Ymir took a deep breath. The words Eren had whispered to her, words that could overturn their entire world, echoed in her mind. They were crazy, dark, but true. She closed her eyes, then opened them, and began to speak slowly. Her voice was hoarse and trembled slightly, but it was clear.
"This all starts from a long time ago… Our ancestors, the Eldians… The Founder Ymir Fritz, made a contract with the 'Devil of All Earth' and gained the Power of the Titans. Her descendants devoured her power, forming the Nine Titans. The Eldian Empire once used this power to conquer the continent…"
Hange's pen scribbled furiously across her notebook, the shasha sound filling the silence.
"But… a hundred years ago, the 145th Fritz King, who inherited the Founding Titan, grew weary of conflict. He believed the Eldians were sinful… So, he incited a civil war and led most of his people to this island, Paradis. He used the Founder's power to build three great Walls, and erased the memories of all the Eldians inside."
Erwin and Levi's pupils shrank. Erased their memories?!
"Yes," Ymir continued. "Your ignorance of the outside world, your confusion about history, it's all thanks to that King. He also made a 'Vow Renouncing War,' binding future inheritors of the Founder and forcing them to abandon any resistance."