The expedition outside the walls was underway.
After leaving the gate, the soldiers quickly spread out into a long-range scouting formation, each advancing to their designated position.
Because this area was also a residential district when Wall Maria hadn't fallen, there were many houses. However, after the fall, they all became good hiding places for Titans. When passing through them, unlucky soldiers would be eaten by a large mouth that suddenly appeared from nowhere.
But the other soldiers couldn't turn back at this time. They had to quickly leave the town and reach the plains before they could deploy the formation to its maximum extent.
Half an hour had passed since the expedition outside the walls began.
Erwin remained firmly in the center of the formation, constantly observing, making judgments based on signal flares from different directions, and choosing a direction of advance to avoid Titans.
Everything was going very smoothly, so smoothly that even Erwin found it hard to believe.
What he didn't know was that the life-snatcher who should have been on the battlefield was currently being held by the person he suspected in a dark basement.
And her companions were filled with incomprehension and urgency at this moment.
What's going on...
Reiner rode his horse forward, his gaze involuntarily turning towards the right wing. "Annie, why haven't you appeared yet..."
Annie looked at Rayan, waiting for the future he spoke of.
Rayan was silent for a long time before finally speaking.
"Annie, first of all, I want to state that although I am a member of the Eldian Restorationists, I do not agree with the organization's ideology."
"Ugh..." Annie was clearly surprised that he would say this.
"The goal of the Eldian Restorationists is to liberate their compatriots and ultimately achieve the restoration of their nation. But how is this to be done? Establish a country based on this island, or seize, or rather, reclaim Marley's territory? Undoubtedly, many in the Restorationists lean towards the latter, and that means endless war."
Rayan said, "Actually, I don't have such grand ideals. What I want is very simple: for the people I care about to be safe and happy. But to achieve this simple goal, I have to go through an incredibly difficult process."
Annie looked at Rayan, who then mentioned the title of a novel she had never heard of.
"There's a novel I really like called 'The Godfather.' It conveys this philosophy of life: the first step is to strive to realize self-worth, the second is to take care of your family with all your might, the third is to help kind people as much as possible, the fourth is to speak out for your community, and the fifth is to strive for national honor."
"Many people can't even take care of their parents and friends, yet they shout 'die for the country' all day long. Is that okay?" Rayan smiled self-deprecatingly. "So, what I want is just to be able to take care of the people I care about."
For some reason, Annie felt a pang of bitterness in her heart as she listened.
"But how can intact eggs exist in a destroyed nest? The people I care about are on this island. If this island is destroyed, then the people I care about will also disappear. Can I accept that? No." Rayan said, "So, the future I want is a future where this island is safe, where the people on this island are safe. I can't achieve this future with my own strength, so I need you."
"..."
Suddenly, Annie was somewhat grateful that her mouth was stuffed with high-fiber material. If it weren't, she wouldn't know how to respond.
"Annie, now I want you to temporarily put aside the word 'mission' in your head. Think objectively, if this island is destroyed, will it really be a good thing for you 'honorary Marleyans'?"
Rayan sneered. "When the birds are gone, the good bow is stored away. When the cunning rabbit dies, the hunting dog is cooked. Once that day comes, and Marley truly becomes the world hegemon, your fate won't be much better than the people on this island."
Annie lowered her eyes. She had to admit that Rayan was telling the truth.
In fact, not to mention the future, even when they were children a few years ago, they were strictly controlled during training and often scolded by Marleyan officers.
However, even so, they were taught, taught that the people on the island were devils. As long as they eliminated the devils, they would also be liberated.
However, when she came here and destroyed the wall that day, she witnessed what true hell was like. A question arose in her mind.
It was what Rayan had said before: were the people inside the walls devils, or were they, who destroyed the walls, the devils?
Was doing this... really right?
She hadn't mentioned this question to anyone, not even her two companions. Because they were too firm, especially Reiner, whose unwavering determination made it impossible for her to express her true thoughts.
And whenever she felt wavering, she would silently recite the words her father had once told her.
What must be done must be done, no matter what.
Destroying the wall and capturing Eren were both things that had to be done.
However, now imprisoned and trapped by Rayan's means, after the initial anger, she felt a strange sense of relief. She also knew that this was escapism.
It's not that I didn't go to carry out the mission, it's that I was caught by Rayan, so I couldn't go.
It's not that I didn't go to kill those soldiers, it's because I couldn't go.
What else could such thoughts be but escapism...
"But Annie."
Rayan walked over, reached out and pressed his shoulder, bringing his face closer, his eyes fixed on Annie's eyes. Both could see their own pupils reflected in the other's.
"But, as long as we cooperate, we can save this island. Save the people on this island and the Eldians in Marley."
"You must think it's impossible, right? That's right, Marley's technological capabilities do crush those within the island, the two sides are almost incomparable. But, don't forget that the island also possesses the power of the 'Coordinate'."
Rayan said, "You may know about the 'Vow Renouncing War.' As long as that exists, the king within the island will not attack Marley. Even if the walls are broken and all the humans on the island perish, he won't, because that first king believed it was 'atonement.' And you also tested this by destroying Wall Maria."
"What I want to say is that your thinking was correct. The king within the island will indeed be affected by the Vow Renouncing War passed down through generations. While obtaining the power of the Founding Titan, he will also be brainwashed, inheriting the ideology of the first king of the walls... But, things have changed."
Rayan dropped a bombshell, and Annie's eyes immediately widened.
"The power of the Founding Titan has already been stolen... that power is no longer in the hands of the royal family. And after a person of non-royal blood obtains it, they will not be brainwashed by the Vow Renouncing War... you guessed right. It's Eren, the power is in him. And you should understand the extent of his hatred for the enemy..."
"It can be said that this power in his hands is the worst thing for Marley, because his strong purpose and accumulated anger, once he masters the Coordinate, you should understand what will happen."
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Need More Chapters
Every 300 Power Stones
2 Bonus chapter
Every 500 Power Stones
4 Bonus chapter.
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