"The Tybur family?" Erwin's tone was sharp. "I've never heard of such a name!"
He was trying to pick holes in Zeke's words — anything that could prove this outrageous story false.
But Zeke didn't flinch. His calmness was chilling. "Of course you haven't. The Tybur family lives outside the walls. Your ancestors retreated here because of their betrayal. But don't worry…" His voice turned cold. "I've already assassinated every last one of them — except for the War Hammer. There's no Tybur family left in this world."
The weight of his words crashed into Erwin like a hammer. He stared hard at Zeke, his mind racing. "Then… Are there are humans outside the walls? How many?"
"A lot," Zeke said simply. "Remove those with Titan blood, and the rest outnumber you by a hundred to one."
"What—!"
The entire Survey Corps froze. The revelation shattered everything they'd believed since childhood — that humanity outside the walls had been annihilated by Titans, and that their ancestors had built these walls to survive.
But now Zeke was saying they were the Titans.
"That's absurd!" Miche finally snapped, striding forward. "Zeke, you've already lied once before humanity itself! Don't you dare feed us another story! Take back your words before it's too late!"
Would he draw his blade?
Zeke only smirked. "Before you try to kill me, at least let me introduce my family — the Fritz royal family."
"There's no need!" Miche barked. "We know the royal family better than you ever will!"
But Erwin held out an arm, halting Miche with a quiet gesture. "Let him speak."
Zeke clasped his hands behind his back and began, almost like a lecturer recounting history.
"The story told at the trial was false, but the core of it — the truth — was real. Two thousand years ago, the first King Fritz and the progenitor of the Titans bore a child. Their descendants were no longer ordinary humans. They were rulers — of both the kingdom and the Titans themselves."
He paused, letting the silence stretch. "Only those of royal blood can command the power of the Founding Titan. That power allows the king to control all those who share the same bloodline. In other words…" His gaze locked onto Erwin. "You, the people within the walls, and the Pure Titans outside — all of you live under the will of the Founding Titan."
A collective gasp rippled through the group.
"Nonsense!" Miche roared. "If Titans could control humans, we'd all be dead already!"
Erwin straightened, his jaw tight. "Exactly. I've never felt any outside force controlling me. The decisions I've made — they were my own. My will, not someone else's."
"The Founding Titan didn't control you," Zeke replied coolly. "It controlled your ancestors. It erased their memories and replaced them with a fabricated story: that Titans destroyed humanity, that only a few survivors fled here, and that the walls are humanity's last refuge. Once that lie took root, it became history."
Everyone stood silent, thunderstruck.
For Erwin, the words hit deeper than anyone could imagine. His father — a teacher — had once told him that human history was riddled with contradictions, that certain truths might have been deliberately erased. Now, that theory stood before him, spoken by the very man he wanted to distrust.
"So…" Erwin whispered. "You're saying the Founding Titan can rewrite memories?"
Zeke nodded. "Yes."
Erwin clenched his fists. "How do I know you didn't make this up — because of what I once told you about my father's theory? Just like how you used Hange's mention of Levi and Mikasa's shared surname to invent that ridiculous Ackerman story during your trial?"
"Every word I'm telling you now is true," Zeke said evenly. "And if you don't believe me about the Founding Titan's power, perhaps Kenny can testify."
"Kenny?" Erwin blinked. "Levi's uncle?"
Levi's expression instantly darkened. His face all but screamed: Don't. You. Dare.
"Yes," Zeke said. "He's served under the Founding Titan for years. Conveniently, he's here right now."
Then, raising his voice, Zeke called toward a nearby wall, "Kenny! You've worked for Uri and Frieda Fritz. You've seen them use their power to alter memories countless times. As an Ackerman, their power doesn't affect your family — so your memories should still be intact. Tell them what you saw."
A lazy laugh floated from behind the wall, followed by the flick of a lighter. "Heh… that's right. I've seen it plenty. People having their memories rewritten, entire crowds forgetting who they are. If you want, Commander, I can even make you a list."
"Don't believe him!" Miche snapped, stepping forward again. "He's probably lying for Zeke!"
Kenny chuckled, smoke curling lazily around him. "Lying? Come on, would I lie about something like this? Fine then — I'll swear on something precious to me." His voice turned mockingly solemn. "If I'm lying, then let my dear nephew Levi lose ten centimeters in height!"
Bang!
A gunshot cracked through the air.
"Oi!" Erwin flinched and immediately grabbed Levi's arm, forcing his pistol downward. The surrounding villagers turned in alarm.
Erwin smiled stiffly. "It's fine! Just—just a kid messing around. Nothing to worry about!"
The villagers blinked, then nodded in understanding. "Ah, it's just a child. That's all right!"
They returned to their work.
Levi's eye twitched violently. "Who the hell are you calling a kid?" he hissed, glaring daggers at both Erwin and the wall where Kenny was cackling uncontrollably.
Erwin sighed and whispered, "Next time, shoot quieter."