Chapter 135: Eren, Too, Is a Slave to Something.
Paradis Island.
The sky over Shiganshina District was clear for the first time in ages. There was no more Titan steam rising to the heavens, signaling the end of an old era. Beyond the Wall was the endless sea. The salty wind blew over the newborn land, carrying an unknown chill.
Under the shadow of Eren Jaeger's absolute power, the Jaegerist faction was now firmly in control of the island. Officials from the old Royal Government had either vanished or, seeing the writing on the wall, had fallen silent to protect themselves.
Historia Reiss remained the queen in name. She lived in the depths of the royal palace with fine food, rich clothes, and Ymir by her side, enjoying the peace Eren had promised them. Eren had fulfilled his vow. No one dared to disturb their tranquility.
Except, the Queen's decrees no longer made it past the capital's high walls. The Jaegerist soldiers, their eyes burning with a steadfast fanaticism, obeyed only the orders of their "leader," Eren.
Beneath the oppressive calm, dark currents churned. The rifts were growing, especially between Eren and his closest comrades.
"Eren."
In the temporary operations room, Erwin Smith's voice broke the silence. He stared out the window at the rising sun. Its golden light pierced the clouds but could not illuminate the depths of his eyes.
"We have seen the sea. We have cleared the century-old threat from within the Walls. The next step is to understand the enemy—Marley. And the entire world outside. Know ourselves and know our enemy, only then can we formulate a perfect plan. But you… you have grounded the veteran soldiers who swore to dedicate their hearts to Paradis, trapping them on this island."
Erwin turned slowly, looking directly at Eren.
"Tell me, Eren, are you trying to turn us all into caged birds? To strip us of our right to fight for our own destiny, all in the name of 'protection'? Do you truly believe that kind of 'safety' is what we need?"
Eren's body tensed almost imperceptibly. He instinctively lowered his gaze, avoiding Erwin's eyes, which seemed to see right through him. He didn't answer. The air grew heavier.
Armin looked at Eren, worried. "Eren," he began, "didn't you always chase after freedom? Wasn't that longing for the outside world the very flame that drove both of us to this day? You've paid so much for that freedom, and the Survey Corps has made immeasurable sacrifices. Are you going to extinguish that flame with your own hands now? Tell me, is this really the future you want?"
Eren remained silent, his heart seemingly encased in an impenetrable wall, shutting out all questions and all pain.
Levi leaned against the cold wall, arms crossed, saying nothing. His brow was furrowed with a mixture of weariness and understanding. He remembered Kenny's dying words, whispered in his ear.
"Everyone I knew was the same. Drunk on somethin'… be it booze, women, God, family, the King, dreams, kids, power… Everyone had to be drunk on somethin' to keep on goin'. Everyone… was a slave to somethin'."
Levi's gaze fell on Eren's tense profile, his expression complex. The face that was once so young was now carved with a heaviness and resolve that didn't belong to his age. Is this brat… now just drunk on the illusion of 'protecting his comrades'? As if, without it, he can't face the tragic end that's waiting for him?
What an infuriating and hopeless kid. And yet, the one person he couldn't bring himself to abandon.
"Eren!" Mikasa Ackerman took a step forward, her dark eyes filled with an unshakeable resolve. "Whatever suffering and sin you're carrying, I will carry it with you! We are family. No matter what the future holds, I will not let you walk it alone!"
Eren's head snapped up. "I DON'T NEED YOU TO!" he almost roared. "I didn't come back just for you to make that choice! All of you just need… to live. Safely. That's enough!"
Hange quickly stepped in, trying to ease the tension, forcing a stiff smile. "Alright, alright, Eren, don't get so worked up. We all understand what you're trying to do, really. You've done more than enough for us. We promise, absolutely! We won't go making any contracts with that little white thing, right, everyone?" She looked around anxiously, hoping for agreement.
"But," Armin seized the opening, his voice rising slightly, "even so, Eren, we at least need to understand the true situation of the outside world. How far has Marley's technology advanced? What is their military composed of? This basic intelligence is the foundation for any plans we make. We can't just rely on your vague memories forever. That's too passive."
Eren was silent for a moment, his furrowed brow showing his internal struggle. "Marley's technology…" he began with difficulty, a frustration and helplessness in his voice he didn't even realize was there. "I don't have… specific blueprints or detailed schematics in my head. I only remember what I saw… The iron birds that fly in the sky, the weapons that can destroy the Walls in an instant… the firearms their soldiers had, that could fire over and over…"
He closed his eyes, as if trying to sift through the chaotic memories of blood and fire, searching for any useful fragments. Back then, all I could think about was 'Tatakae, Tatakae'… I don't remember… the key technical details… Dammit…
He opened his eyes, a flash of defeat in them. "The research here on the island can proceed based on the vague concepts I can provide and my knowledge from the last life. For example, they have machines driven by energy other than steam, and devices that can transmit voices over long distances. As for specific intelligence gathering, we'll wait for Floch and the others to return. I will personally oversee the Jaegerist faction's reconnaissance of Marley and the outside world. You… must stay within the Walls. For now."
"I can't guarantee your safety if you're too far away. Until I can ensure your absolute safety… you'll just have to bear with it."
Hearing this, everyone's heart sank. Erwin didn't argue further. He understood that in Eren's current state, any attempt to make him let go would be futile. But his clenched fists showed his own unease.
Armin opened his mouth, but all his words dissolved into a single, complex sigh. He knew Eren's paranoia, and he could vaguely guess at the iceberg of the "price" Eren was paying. They all understood that Eren's decision was almost impossible to sway with words. And to act against him was even more impossible. Militarily, no one on the island could stand against him. Emotionally, he was burdened by the curse of a time loop and an obsession to save them. In this dire situation, with all-out war a constant threat, any internal conflict would be suicide. It was unwise.
It seemed their only hope was to wait for a better opportunity. And perhaps the intelligence Floch brought back could become a new turning point.
…
Dusk. The setting sun painted the windows of the Jaeger home a warm, orange-red. For the first time in ages, the dinner table was filled with the simple, peaceful warmth of a normal family.
Carla placed a steaming pot of stew on the table, the aroma filling the room. Grisha, a gentle smile on his face, listened patiently as Mikasa and Armin recounted amusing, harmless stories from their cadet days. Eren ate quietly, a barely perceptible smile on his lips. He hadn't told his father that Zeke had turned to dust. Right now, this was enough. His family was here. His most important comrades were here, within reach. He had to protect this, no matter the final cost. He would pay it gladly.
Across the table, Mikasa and Armin looked at Eren's profile, and their eyes, in unspoken agreement, were filled with a deep, shared worry. The calmer he appeared, the more they could feel the violent, all-consuming undertow churning just beneath the surface.
…
At the same time, in distant Marley, a dark night shrouded an unfamiliar coastline. The only sound was the crash of waves against the rocks.
Floch Forster, leading a hand-picked team of elite Jaegerist soldiers, had just set foot on the hostile continent.