章節 42: Gathering Clouds(3)

Reiner peeked through the periscope once more; there were a group of riders galloping along the broad path that wove through the thick forests beside it.

Still nothing.

He turned to the man beside him and gave a weary shake of his head.

"Are you sure ... they will pass by Utgard Castle?" Bertholdt said.

Reiner's jaw tightened. "It's the best bet we have. We've already sealed off most of the main roads they can take to return to Karanes or Trost. If they're returning to either of those places they'll have to pass through here. We'll wait until we run out of food."

"And if they don't? Besides, it's not guaranteed they would return to those places after all. What if their new hideout is somewhere behind Nedlay or Chlobra instead?"

He took out a map and unfolded it on the stone floor. "Then we have no choice, we'll destroy the gates of the western district of Chlobra on Wall Rose, followed by Utopia, Karanes and Trost again. Even if they have Eren, I refuse to believe that there are boulders huge enough to seal them back in each one of those districts."

"But Annie isn't around anymore to lure the titans …"

"It'll work. With no way to seal the walls, the areas will have to be abandoned. The fall of Wall Rose should be enough for Paradis to self-destruct. If the Tybur Family's information was correct, the true king should be bound by some kind of vow renouncing war so he won't be able to act - Paradis will be annihilated and the threat of rumbling removed. We'll have at least something to show to Marley when we return."

Bertholdt stood up. "But what if the Tybur Family's information is wrong? We'll become sinners for letting the whole world perish, Reiner! All it will take is a roar from the Founding Titan to activate the colossals within the walls. Marley and all the other countries will be wiped out!"

Reiner sized up to him, anger like sharp barbs forming on his words. "What other choice do we have? Tell me! Return to Marley in this state? If we do, our families will probably be turned into pure titans to be used as weapons. We'll be eaten; our powers passed onto the next warriors. So that's an option to your liking?"

No one spoke amidst the heavy silence that hung. Slumping back against a corner of the rampart walls, Reiner uncorked a bottle that hung on his waist and let the water run down his dry throat. If their actions really caused the rumbling to happen, it would make him one of the worst mass murderers in history; being the mastermind behind the deaths of millions of people.

It's not like he wasn't one anyway ... no. He was different. He was just simply purging Eldian Devils. Taking the lives of Eldian Devils wasn't murder ... it wasn't murder ...

"I'll follow what you've suggested, Reiner. If it comes to that." Bertholdt finally broke the unnerving quiet with a low voice and he moved beside him. "It's time for you to rest, you've been keeping watch for over nine hours already."

Relieved that Bertholdt had finally been convinced by his argument. He moved away and flopped backward onto the stony ground.

This was all his fault. His incompetence. He underestimated the strength of Paradis Island, and never thought that Annie would lose in her titan form; let alone be captured.

They had failed their mission terribly, losing both the Female Titan and Jaw Titan. Even now, they still weren't certain about who exactly held the Founding Titan. Eren Yeager was a suspect, but he wasn't sure.

"We would be able to rescue Annie too if Zeke was here." Bertholdt's voice sounded.

"It's already been five years since we snuck into the walls, the War Chief's probably still in Marley along with Pieck. Motherland still needs to rely on them to deter the Middle Eastern Alliance from making any movements." Reiner stared up at the clouds. "They still harbor a grudge against the Marley Empire for the treaty of Eisenburg and will jump at any sign of weakness."

Their War Chief, Zeke - the most powerful amongst the warriors. There was surely no one in Paradis who could defeat him. The exploits of Captain Levi, humanity's strongest soldier, were impressive. However, Reiner was still certain their War Chief would wipe the floor with Levi easily.

With Zeke, success was a given. Amongst the warriors, he distinguished himself the most in the war against Duclaria six years ago - taking down the enemy's mighty capital overnight with a scream; plunging it into a killing ground of the transformed titans.

But for the War Chief to show up here was impossible. It would mean that the Marley Empire was taking a huge gamble with their security. She would only have the Cart Titan left as a deterrence, and ...

"If the Warhammer Titan actually made a move and showcased its fabled power," Bertholdt said. "It would be enough to intimidate our enemies and free up Zeke to help us."

"Well, one can hope. The Guardian of Kensea hasn't shown itself for over a century."

"I wonder how it looks like." Bertholdt paused. "I've heard there's a statue of it in Kensea. But as Eldians ... I doubt we'll ever get a chance to visit the capital."

Reiner's eyes closed. The Warhammer Titan; a being that had a god-like status back in their motherland. It was controlled by the Tybur Family which followed a policy of non-interference in both war and politics.

All children in the Marley Empire, including himself, were taught from a young age about what the Warhammer Titan represented. It was the undying protector of their capital; invincible in battle and the ultimate symbol of Marley's Strength.

Its greatest contribution came in overthrowing the tyranny of the Old Eldian Empire with the help of the legendary hero, Helos. This resulted in both of them cementing their revered status in the annals of Marley's History.

"-Reiner."

Turning in the direction of the voice, his gaze fell on Bertholdt; who was gesturing at him to come closer.

"Your gamble has paid off. They're here."

His body jolted upright at once.

"I don't see Erwin though, there's only Eren and Mikasa," Bertholdt spoke again as he peered through the periscope.

Reiner took a deep breath and steeled himself.

He had to do it. This was his duty. Eren Yeager was an enemy; an Eldian Devil from the Paradis Island who had to be taken down. He was definitely doing the right thing. They were the reason why the Eldians around the world had suffered, the cause of all their problems.

The Eldian Devils from Paradis Island were evil … they were evil … they were evil ...

All the time he had spent with Eren and the other soldiers was simply a facade, an illusion. He shouldn't be having second thoughts about fighting against someone like him - Eren wasn't a friend but a foe. He was an Eldian Devil who deserved no sympathy.

He gritted his teeth. "That's actually better for us, let's begin."

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