When it came to Hizuru, Lillian actually didn't know very much about the country—one could even say he knew almost nothing.
However, he did have a fair understanding of the ethnic group known as the "Easterners." Back when the Eldian Empire ruled the world, it had spared no effort in promoting a policy of so-called "racial intermarriage." Other ethnic groups were encouraged—or even forcibly compelled—to marry Eldians, all in the name of what the empire called "ethnic purification."
In truth, this was entirely about Eldia's ambition to unify the world. The more people who carried Eldian blood, the more people the Founding Titan's Coordinate power could affect. If the entire world became Eldian, then with a single command, the Founding Titan could alter anyone's mind at will. At that point, it would be no different from a god.
Unfortunately, this policy was so deeply inhumane that it only intensified resistance across the globe, ultimately allowing Marley to successfully divide the Titan powers and bring about the fall of the Eldian Empire.
Of course, the War Hammer Titan family claimed that the king who fled inside the walls had deliberately surrendered. According to them, he believed his predecessors had committed unforgivable sins, and so, to atone for the suffering inflicted on the world, he abandoned war altogether and led part of his people to the island. Whether that story was true or not, no one really knew. The vow renouncing war might lend it some credibility, but the problem was that even now, no one knew the exact terms of that vow, leaving Lillian with no solid ground to speculate on.
Regardless, the "ethnic purification" policy had been enforced for a time, resulting in Eldians now being scattered across every nation. This was one of the reasons the rest of the world feared the Rumbling. If the Founding Titan were to secretly enter a major city and activate the Coordinate, suddenly unleashing countless Titans, very few countries could withstand that kind of catastrophe.
As a result, not only Marley, but other nations as well established designated "communities" for Eldians, forcing them to live together in confined areas. Of course, those countries weren't as extreme as Marley—they merely restricted residence rather than building full-on concentration camps.
That said, this was only possible in times of peace. If the Rumbling were ever activated even once, most countries would likely eliminate those Eldian districts immediately to remove the threat. Even then, it wouldn't completely solve the problem. Many people concealed their heritage to avoid discrimination, meaning a significant number of those with Eldian blood were mixed in among the general population.
"But Hizuru didn't really carry out large-scale purification, did it?" Ymir asked after listening.
"That's right," Lillian nodded. "As a long-standing ally of Eldia, Hizuru did gain certain advantages. One of them is that they were relatively relaxed in this regard—there wasn't much intermarriage between the two sides."
That made sense. The physical differences between Eldians and Hizuru's people were stark—from skin tone to body structure. Intermarriage would have been far too conspicuous, and mixed-blood children would stand out immediately.
Mikasa was a perfect example. She often drew attention not because her beauty was overwhelmingly striking, but because it was unusual—distinct. The manga even repeatedly described her as having "uncommon features." That was the unmistakable mark of mixed heritage; you could tell at a glance.
Because of this, there were very few people with Eldian blood in Hizuru, and they were difficult to hide. You could identify them almost instantly. This was also one of the reasons Hizuru wasn't particularly afraid of the Rumbling.
"I see," Ymir said. "No wonder Hizuru is willing to make contact with the people inside the walls." Annie nodded as well, understanding dawning on her face.
"Ymir, Annie—what do you think Hizuru really wants?" Lillian asked, probing their thoughts. "What do you think they're after?"
"Resources?" Ymir said.
"Hegemony," Annie replied.
Lillian nodded. "They might want both."
He felt that Hizuru wasn't merely interested in the island's resources. In fact, as Annie suggested, it was entirely possible that they wanted to revive their former glory.
Back before the Eldian Empire fell, Hizuru, as its ally, had benefited greatly. But after Eldia's collapse, when the wall fell and everyone pushed it down, Hizuru also became a defeated nation, losing much in the aftermath.
Perhaps some among them were unwilling to accept that fate, hoping to use the power of the Founding Titan to blackmail the world—helping Eldia rise again, while Hizuru reclaimed global dominance alongside it.
If that were the case, then Hizuru and Zeke were likely on the same side. However, what the people inside the walls wanted was merely equality—at least for now. In the short term, their goals might align around securing the island's safety, but in the long run, their objectives would inevitably clash.
"This is such a headache," Ymir sighed. "I should just take my Historia and run away together."
"Not a bad idea," Lillian said.
Annie looked at him speechlessly.
The three chatted for a while longer. Soon after, Annie said she had recovered some strength. Dawn was approaching, and it would be best to seal the wall now—before the Titans woke up and started causing trouble again.
Descending from the wall, Lillian and Ymir stood aside while Annie walked to the massive hole in the outer gate of Wall Maria—the one kicked open by the Colossal Titan. After a brief moment of preparation, she suddenly cut her finger.
Whoosh—!
A sound like mud being poured out rang through the air. Unlike a normal transformation, Annie's body rapidly expanded into a massive gray-white form. Before their eyes, it shifted from liquid to solid, like sculpted clay, enveloping the gaping hole in the gate.
"It's done!"
Seeing the gate completely sealed, Lillian quickly rushed over and leapt to the nape. Annie disengaged voluntarily, and Lillian grabbed her arm, pulling her free with force. Compared to ordinary transformations, separating the body from a hardened form was far more difficult. If one forced it while exhausted, they might not have enough strength to escape at all. Without outside help, the human body could easily be sealed inside and assimilated.
"Did it work…?" Annie asked weakly. Her blonde hair was slightly disheveled, her eyes lowered.
"Yeah. It worked."
Lillian looked at the hardened sculpture. Even after the main body separated, it didn't evaporate, standing firm and solid. Ymir stepped forward and kicked it hard twice—the sculpture didn't budge, while her own leg hurt instead.
"This thing's insanely hard!"
"If it weren't, how would it stop Titans?" Lillian replied.
Supporting Annie, he said, "Ymir, go get the backpack. Bring some food."
"Got it."
After eating and restoring some energy, the sky finally brightened. From atop the wall, they could clearly see the crimson sun slowly rising, morning chill spreading through the air.
Thud, thud, thud…
The sound of heavy footsteps followed. Lillian glanced at the Titans beginning to gather below the wall, picked up his scythe, and said, "You two rest up here. I'll go down and clear out a batch first."