The condemned prisoners shifted uneasily. For a moment, it felt as though their very existence had been dismissed—but still, they answered Reiner's question one by one, each story heavier than the last.
Andy's voice trembled.
"I… found a Marleyan's wallet. When I tried to return it, he claimed a dollar was missing. The security team arrested me on the spot."
Meters spoke next, bitter resignation in his tone.
"That day, the eldest daughter of the Howard family went for a stroll. I only saw her from a distance. Her servants accused me of defiling her with my gaze. They arrested me immediately."
Everyone's eyes turned to Seema, who had kept silent. She hesitated, then lowered her head.
"I worked as a gardener in a Marleyan household. One day, I wore a plastic hairpin… it looked too much like the pearl hairpin the lady of the house wore. When she noticed I was younger than her, she accused me of having an affair with her husband. They arrested me, and I ended up here."
Reiner exploded.
"Just because of this?! One dollar short, an extra glance, a hairpin—these are reasons to throw people in prison? Do you think I'd believe such ridiculous excuses?!"
"This sort of thing is very common," Annie replied coldly. "Step outside the internment zone, and you'll find these 'reasons' everywhere."
"Impossible!" Reiner shot back, his voice rising. "Our country is fair and just. Marley doesn't wrongly accuse good people! Look—even though we're children of the devil, Marley forgave us and made us Warriors. We were given the same rights as humans! A nation so generous would never treat innocents like criminals!"
Annie's brows drew together. "Have you ever even lived outside the internment zone?"
"No! As soon as I was of age, I was selected as a Warrior candidate!" Reiner declared proudly. "I was taught all my life that if I became an Honorary Marleyan, I could wash away the stain of being a devil and live alongside my mother and father! All I need to do is work hard, and I can have a good life!"
Silence fell. Annie said nothing. Zeke said nothing. Even the condemned were speechless.
The truth was laid bare: Reiner had never seen the world beyond the walls Marley had built for him. Everything he knew came from his mother's words and the doctrines of his superiors.
This was why Zeke could not move too quickly. To shatter the faith of a child raised to worship Marley was to invite rage, not reflection. Convincing them would take time.
Still, the reactions spoke volumes.
Reiner was the loudest, loyal to Marley with near-religious fervor.
Annie, willing to question, showed little attachment to the concept of "country." Her sharp words revealed both defiance and courage.
Marcel and Bertolt stayed quiet, as always—followers, too timid to think for themselves.
"That's enough, Reiner," Zeke cut in smoothly, breaking the tension before it reached its peak. "Understanding doesn't come in a single day. We've stayed too long already—it's time to move."
"But—"
"No buts." Zeke leaned down, his fingers closing around Reiner's armband. With a swift motion, he tore it from his sleeve.
The strip of yellow cloth, symbol of "Honorary Marleyan" pride, fell in tatters to the ground. Reiner's eyes went wide, his chest heaving.
"We can't wear these if we're going inside the Walls," Zeke said flatly.
"…" Reiner's lips parted, but no words came. Somehow, what Zeke said rang true.
Annie tugged hers free without hesitation. Bertolt, after a pause, followed. Even Marcel gave in.
Zeke pretended indifference, his tone almost casual. "Strange, isn't it? It's been so long since I've taken this off. Without the armband, we look no different from them."
Reiner bristled.
"We're not the same! We're Honorary Marleyans! We're registered! Even without the armband, we're recognized as Marleyans!"
"If that's true," Annie asked sharply, "why don't you live with your father?"
The words struck like a blade. Reiner's face froze, wounded pride twisting into silence.
"Enough," Zeke said. He turned from Reiner and faced the condemned. "What's your decision?
Will you come with us inside the Walls, or stay behind?"
"I absolutely refuse to serve the devils!" Andy spat, shaking his head.
At the same moment, Marcel stepped forward, his voice urgent.
"Sir! We can't bring them. The Walls are filled with dangers we don't yet understand. Survival isn't guaranteed even for us. If we bring three untrained civilians, we risk the mission itself!"