"Th–this…"
Armin stood frozen in place after seeing Chen Si kill soldiers from the Garrison and knock Captain Kitz unconscious. He was so terrified he could barely speak.
"Eren… Chen Si did this so people would accept the fact that you're a Titan… that's why he offended the regiment…"
Armin said to Eren, tears welling up in his eyes.
Eren looked completely confused, staring in disbelief at everything happening before him.
What was going on?
Was I really the only one who didn't think I was a Titan?
Eren slowly raised his hand and looked at his palm.
I'm a Titan?
Why does everyone keep saying I'm a Titan?
"I agree!" Mikasa was the first to raise her hand.
Afterward, Mikasa turned toward the crowd, her eyes filled with killing intent.
Everyone was startled, and the crowd immediately became restless.
"I… I agree."
A soldier who had been rescued by Chen Si at the supply station raised his hand shakily.
"I agree too!"
"I agree!"
More and more people began declaring their support.
Chen Si watched the crowd continue to voice their approval, then turned his head toward a group that remained completely silent.
"Hey, what about you?"
Chen Si stared intensely at those who hadn't spoken up, but they still showed no reaction.
What's going on?
Chen Si felt puzzled. They seemed strangely confident.
"Commander Pixis!"
A soldier who had nearly collapsed under Chen Si's gaze suddenly shouted in panic.
Chen Si looked up toward the platform.
A bald man with a goatee slowly stepped forward. The crowd immediately turned their attention to him.
Commander Pixis.
"Stand up, Captain Kitz. Just like before—you have a tall and imposing body, yet inside you're as timid as a deer."
Pixis glanced across the crowd before narrowing his eyes slightly at Chen Si.
"Commander Pixis…"
Kitz stopped pretending and slowly climbed up from the ground. A puddle of urine could be seen where he had been lying.
Rico and Mitabi, standing nearby, both looked at him with disdain.
"Report, Commander. The traitor who violated military orders has been executed by me. Captain Kitz failed to notice the situation in time. Please do not blame him," Chen Si said first, accusing the dead soldier before anyone else could.
"What? You—"
Kitz didn't know how to respond.
If he refuted Chen Si, it would mean admitting that he himself had violated the regiment's order token.
If he said nothing, the dead soldier would have to take the blame.
After weighing the situation and glancing nervously at Pixis beside him, Kitz chose to remain silent.
"Soldier Chen Si, I am not so senile yet," Pixis said in a deep voice.
"Haha… of course the truth can't be hidden from you, Commander. But rest assured, everyone agreed with the execution. Everyone here can testify. I merely followed the will of the people."
Chen Si smiled brightly, showing eight teeth, scratching the back of his head as if he were completely harmless.
"Soldier Chen Si, public support obtained through force will not last. I hope you remember that," Pixis said, narrowing his eyes meaningfully.
"Yes, sir! I will keep your lesson in mind!" Chen Si saluted.
The moment Chen Si saw Pixis step forward, he knew the matter was already settled. What followed would merely be words to preserve the regiment's dignity.
"Commander, Chen Si resisted arrest at headquarters and killed soldiers in defiance of orders. I believe that even if he is the top graduate, he must still be punished."
Rico, clearly displeased with Chen Si, quickly voiced her suggestion.
Pixis slightly raised his hand.
Understanding the signal, Rico fell silent.
"Soldier Chen Si, although you have made contributions in resisting the Titans, you carried out punishment on your own authority. Therefore you must still receive disciplinary action.
"I hereby announce that Chen Si will be stripped of his title as the top graduate and will lose the qualification to join the Military Police Regiment. The title of top graduate will now be inherited by Mikasa Ackerman."
Pixis's voice was steady and powerful, like the tolling of a bell.
"Chen Si, do you have any objections?"
Pixis suddenly opened his eyes wide, his gaze sharp like a wolf's.
"Uh… no."
Chen Si didn't care much about the title of top graduate anyway. Giving it to Mikasa wasn't bad. Besides, he had never planned to join the Military Police.
"Cadet Ackerman, you are also suspected of disobeying orders. However, the circumstances are understandable. I hereby revoke your qualification to join the Military Police, and you will inherit the title of top graduate. Do you have any objections?"
"No," Mikasa replied calmly.
She knew this was already the best possible outcome. Although she didn't know the reason, Pixis had chosen not to make things difficult for them.
"Commander, does that even count as punishment?"
"Chen Si was the top graduate! What more do you want?"
"Have you forgotten? In past years the top graduate often became the commander of the Central Military Police. Even if they killed us or confiscated a minor noble's property, no one could do anything to them."
"I heard the current Central Military Police commander once killed a hundred MPs himself…"
"Shh! Watch what you say."
The Garrison soldiers whispered among themselves.
"Hey, Mitabi… do you think the commander is planning to…" Rico whispered.
"I think so," Mitabi said with a helpless nod.
They had already figured it out.
Commander Pixis wanted to recruit Chen Si and Mikasa into the Garrison.
This… is supposed to be punishment?
Kitz silently complained to himself but dared not object.
"Now then, regarding how to deal with Eren Yeager…"
Pixis stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"Commander Pixis! Eren is extremely valuable! He can definitely contribute to humanity! I have a battle plan that requires Eren's Titan power. I swear it on my life!"
Armin suddenly saluted and shouted passionately.
Well damn. I was planning to steal your line and watch the show, but you still beat me to it.
Armin really does care about Eren…
Chen Si suddenly had a rather mischievous thought—but quickly suppressed it.
"Is that so? Then I'll give you a chance to explain your plan," Pixis said before turning and walking away toward the inner district of Wall Rose.
Later — Military Hospital
On a hospital bed, Mina slowly regained consciousness.
"Mina! You're awake!"
Historia, whose brows had been tightly furrowed, immediately relaxed and cried out in surprise.
"Krista… where am I…?" Mina asked weakly as she looked around.
"You're in the headquarters military hospital. Chen Si and Armin saved you. The other doctors were too busy, so Aunt Carla has been taking care of you," Krita said, holding Mina's hand tightly.
"Chen Si… Armin…"
Mina tried to sit up but found she couldn't and collapsed back onto the bed.
"Don't move! I'll go call Aunt Carla!"
As soon as Historia finished speaking, she hurried out.
Before long, Carla returned with Historia, carrying a bowl of medicinal soup.
"Mina dear, you suffered a heavy blow to the back of your head, which caused a severe concussion. You can't get out of bed yet—you need plenty of rest. Drink this medicine."
Carla gently blew on the soup and handed it to her.