"Asahi, is this truly important?"
Erwin questioned him back. An impatient discomfort stirred within him. As he had said, he had pursued the so-called "truth" since he was a child. Erwin always presented himself as an exemplary leader, but deep down, he was somewhat selfish, willing to sacrifice everything, including himself, to grasp the truth.
The two faced each other. After a brief pause, Asahi spoke.
"Of course, it's different."
"For example, a bird in a cage has two choices. First, open the cage door to freely explore the outside world and then learn the truth. Second, learn the truth about the outside world and then decide whether to open the cage door. Once the cage is opened, it is no longer a cage."
Ultimately, the choice still revolved around "truth" and "reality."
The first choice, exploring on one's own, advancing step by step. It prevents one from being "overwhelmed," enhancing the capacity for acceptance, so that when they finally reach the long-awaited but cruel answer, they won't fall into despair.
The second choice, knowing everything in advance. Either one collapses, or they strongly overcome it.
Both have their pros and cons.
"My father... was a very good teacher."
"As his son, I heard many things I had never seen in books, including his hypotheses."
"The books say that humanity outside the Walls is completely gone, and we are the only survivors, migrating into the Walls and settling down, generation after generation."
"Ridiculous!"
Erwin's voice changed. His emotions were clearly unstable at this moment. Even he, a person who always maintained composure and calm, couldn't understand why his emotions were fluctuating so much.
"The books published by the government are full of contradictions. History before the Walls were erected and the Titans appeared is blank. It's as if someone deliberately erased it."
"My father then hypothesized that the government, in some way, was able to brainwash the entire population. Otherwise, it's impossible for there to be no record whatsoever from 100 years ago."
Hearing this, Asahi was surprised. It must be said that Erwin's father was truly a talent. In a situation where information was severely limited, to be able to accurately hypothesize the actions of the Founding Titan—if he wasn't a talent, what was he?
Unfortunately, based on Erwin's tone, the outcome of this story seemed tragic.
"I was very excited to tell my friends that hypothesis, which accidentally reached the ears of the Military Police. They kidnapped, tortured, and killed him, then disguised it as an accident."
"I am very sorry."
"This foolish son was responsible for his father's death. In the moment I stood before his grave, I cursed my own ignorance."
Erwin's tone became mournful. He turned away, one hand resting on the desk as if deep in thought.
"We, the Survey Corps. We weren't created to exterminate Titans; our mission is to seek the truth. And in that endeavor, we fall, one person after another, dozens, hundreds... I can't even count how many Survey Corps soldiers have fallen before me."
"However, I still remember that they are still here, existing in the spirit of every Survey Corps soldier. All of them want to know what they are fighting for."
"Asahi, this isn't just my delusion, is it?"
"No, I have seen it."
"Then show me the truth. No matter how brutal it is, I must know. Ignorance truly brings happiness, but it's only a false happiness that shatters with a touch. I... I don't want that."
"Very well."
Asahi nodded. Erwin's choice was very important. Not only for himself and the Survey Corps but also for his plan. To simultaneously overthrow the old government and maintain political stability within the Walls, military force wasn't everything; an underlying force was needed for maintenance.
This time, Asahi would place his trust in the Survey Corps.
He took out the three diaries. Incidentally, Grisha did not take them back. He said that if Asahi had found them, he could keep them. Asahi was not polite about it; having these three notebooks would make the explanation process much simpler.
"What are these?"
"Written by Grisha Yeager. He, like me, is an outsider."
"Take your time to appreciate them. I'll step out; just call when you're done."
Asahi left, leaving Erwin alone in the office. He picked up the three notebooks. They were clearly just a stack of papers, but he felt as though he was lifting a boulder.
"Well then, here we go."
Erwin mumbled, flipping to the first page.
...
Asahi walked out of the refugee camp. Keith Shadis had resigned and was no longer there. The Yeager family was reuniting, so it was inappropriate to disturb them. Erwin was locked in his office, so Asahi had nowhere to go, deciding to stay outside.
"Hey, you, are you that idle?"
"Just lazy."
Interrupting Kenny's grumpy remark, Asahi lay down on the ground, quietly looking up at the sky and clouds, one leg propped on the other. The sky was still so blue; only the changes in the people beneath made them see the sky differently.
Soon, he would be very busy. Cleaning up the old government inside the Walls, expanding military strength, finding ways to deal with external threats, and most importantly, figuring out how to extract the Titan power without harming the inheritor.
All of this had to be done within six months, before Grisha's deadline. Six months sounded long, but once he started working, it would pass like a fleeting breeze.
While the two were chatting, or rather, while Kenny was complaining nearby, Asahi suddenly sensed two people heading toward them.
"Is that the Survey Corps?"
He was a little suspicious; not many people knew of his existence. However, to minimize complications, he turned toward Kenny Ackerman.
"Go hide."
"Huh? Why should I hide? Aren't you afraid I'll run away?"
"Even if I let you go, you couldn't escape. Hide. Two people are heading this way. It's not time for you to show your face yet."
"Tsk... troublesome."
Kenny left, lurking nearby. A few minutes later, the two people Asahi mentioned appeared.
"He can sense people from hundreds of meters away... Truly a monster."
Kenny's expression was now that of a seasoned wolf, somewhat sinister, completely unlike the cynical, constantly complaining demeanor he showed in front of Asahi.
Of course, this was intentional on his part, trying to get Asahi to lower his guard. Unfortunately, no matter how much he pretended, Asahi paid no mind. Asahi never thought he could win over a person with just a simple fight.
As for the two people who just arrived, they were indeed from the Survey Corps, one male and one female.
The male had a somewhat... small build, with long black hair parted down the middle and hanging down both sides. He had a cold, scowling face, as if he was annoyed, and lifeless eyes. The initial impression was not of a very friendly person.
The female had an unremarkable face but was compensated by large, bright eyes. And they shone even more intensely when she looked at Asahi, making him shiver. She had a ponytail and wore square-rimmed glasses. For some reason, this girl gave him the feeling of a typical research student in a laboratory, only having replaced the white lab coat with a military uniform.