The courtroom—at last.
The echo of boots filled the corridor as the Survey Corps escorted Zeke toward the chamber where his trial would begin. But before they could enter, a line of Military Police Brigade blocked the doorway.
"Hold it! Routine inspection!"
The scouts exchanged glances. Reluctantly, Keith Shadis raised a hand. "Fine. Check."
The gendarmes moved in with smug faces, inspecting each prisoner. When they reached Zeke, one of them frowned.
"So this is the man who can transform into a Titan?"
"Yes," Keith replied flatly.
The soldier's expression hardened. "Then why are these shackles so loose?! Are you out of your minds?"
The "loose shackles" referred to the long-linked cuffs binding Zeke's wrists. They allowed minimal movement—enough for comfort, not escape. Compared to the heavy restraints he'd worn when first captured, these were merciful.
Keith tried to explain. "We've confirmed he can't transform without injection. He's effectively human right now—there's no need to—"
"Who knows if he's faking it?" the officer snapped, cutting him off. "If he transforms here, he could crush a dozen people in one step! We can't risk that!"
Before anyone could protest, another soldier stepped forward with new restraints—short-chained cuffs that forced the arms behind the back.
"For the safety of the king and the people," the gendarme declared proudly, "we demand to change the prisoner's shackles!"
The Survey Corps fell silent. There was no legitimate reason to refuse.
Zeke's arms were wrenched behind him and locked. A gag was shoved into his mouth.
Erwin frowned deeply. He had seen prisoners bound before—but gagged? Even for a Titan shifter, this was excessive.
Then came something worse.
One gendarme produced a syringe.
"What are you doing?" Keith barked.
"Anesthetic," the soldier replied coolly. "We don't know if this man might transform. Only full paralysis guarantees safety before the king and the people."
"Isn't that too much?" Keith protested.
"It's all for the King and the People," came the self-righteous answer.
The scouts could only stare, speechless.
"Wait," Erwin suddenly interjected, his tone tight. "Zeke requires an injection to transform into a Titan. Your needle isn't—"
The gendarme rounded on him, offended. "What are you implying? That this is Titan serum? Are you accusing me of treason?"
Erwin fell silent.
"Do you think the Military Police Brigade would ever endanger the king's safety?" the man continued angrily.
"…Of course not," Erwin said at last, lowering his gaze.
"Hmph! Insolent," the man muttered, and drove the syringe into Zeke's neck.
Within moments, Zeke's body went limp. When the soldier released him, he collapsed completely, only his eyes still moving—furious, but helpless.
Erwin's stomach turned. This isn't right.
The soldier nudged Zeke with his boot, then laughed. "Good. He's not immune to anesthetic, at least."
They hoisted the unconscious man up and started dragging him toward the courtroom.
"Wait!" Erwin's voice was sharp now. "Where are you taking him?"
"From this point on," the officer said arrogantly, "Zeke Yeager will be under the custody of the Military Police Brigade until the trial concludes."
"No," Erwin replied instantly. "He remains our responsibility."
"Survey soldier, mind your place!" the gendarme barked. "This is the royal capital—beneath the king's feet! The Military Police Brigade act in the king's name!"
Erwin's blue eyes narrowed. "Then tell me, are the gag and injection also royal orders?"
"…No," the man admitted, bristling. "They are our own precautions. We can't allow a monster like this to stand unrestrained before His Majesty."
He turned to move again—but Keith's deep voice cut through the air.
"Hold it."
The gendarmes froze. They didn't dare shout this time.
Keith's glare was cold. "We captured him. Now you appear at the last minute to steal our credit? Is that it?"
"That's not what we—this is the capital. Once inside the walls, it falls under our jurisdiction—"
"I don't care about jurisdiction," Keith snapped. "You can escort him, but my people will go with you. He doesn't leave our sight."
The gendarme hesitated, then nodded stiffly. "…Fine."
Keith turned. "Erwin, choose someone."
Erwin's eyes moved over his squad, then stopped. "Levi. You go."
"Huh?" Levi blinked. "Why me again?"
Erwin's tone dropped to a whisper. "Watch them. Don't let the Military Police Brigade pull anything."
"Tch." Levi sighed and stepped forward. "Fine. But I didn't sign up to babysit."
The gendarmes stared in disbelief as the short, slight figure walked up to them.
"This?" one sneered. "You're sending him to guard a Titan shifter? Are you short on actual soldiers?"
He leaned closer mockingly. "Tell me, kid, if you met a real Titan outside the walls—could you even survive?"
The answer came faster than a blink.
A small, precise fist shot upward, slamming into the man's face. Blood sprayed. The officer collapsed flat on his back, groaning.
"Captain!" the other soldiers cried.
Levi dusted off his gloves. "Sorry. I don't like people who block my light."
Without another word, he bent down, lifted the sedated Zeke as if he weighed nothing, and started toward the courtroom.
The gendarmes gawked. "H-He's carrying him—by himself?!"
"Is he even human?" one whispered.
A Survey Corps soldier nearby smiled faintly. "That 'kid' has only been with us a month. During the fall of Shiganshina, he singlehandedly killed thirty-nine Titans and assisted in zero."
The Military Police Brigade went pale.
"Thirty-nine… in one night?!"
They all stared after Levi's retreating form.
"…That's not human."