Nile gritted his teeth. Forget it—don't complicate things.
Eren was carried on someone's back, while Nile and another soldier lifted Chen Si—bed and all—toward the underground cells.
Along the way, passersby whispered among themselves.
Feeling the crowd's gaze, Nile's face burned with embarrassment, and he quickened his pace.
"Isn't that the hero Chen Si? Why is the Military Police carrying him away?"
"Are they arresting him?"
"That can't be right. Why would they carry him if they're arresting him?"
At that moment, Pixis stepped forward, cleared his throat, and shouted to the crowd:
"Our brave frontline soldier, Chen Si Ackerman, is about to be judged by the Military Police! But rest assured, I, Commander Pixis, will make sure he is rescued!"
The crowd erupted in an uproar, instantly filled with righteous anger.
"Commander Pixis, you must save Chen Si!"
"He's a good man! How could he be arrested?!"
Many people here knew Chen Si. Quite a few were refugees from Wall Maria who had once received his help.
Pixis was leveraging public opinion—laying the groundwork for the upcoming trial.
Military Police Underground Prison
"Hey, take it easy! Be careful, alright? If I get bumped or bruised, my body might lose control. Can you take responsibility for that?"
Chen Si lay on the bed, shifting into a more comfortable position, propping his head up as he watched the two Military Police soldiers carrying him.
The veins on their foreheads bulged, but they didn't dare lash out. They carefully carried the bed into the cell.
The two soldiers prepared to bind Chen Si's hands and feet with iron chains.
"Ahhh! I'm scared of chains—I'm gonna discharge electricity!"
Chen Si suddenly shouted.
The two soldiers jumped back in fright, hurriedly locking the cell door.
"I'm scared of iron doors too—"
"Don't push your luck! Let's go!" Nile roared, turning and leaving with the others.
In another cell nearby, Eren lay unconscious.
Chen Si got off the bed and gathered lightning, preparing to break the iron door—but realized he didn't have even a drop of power left.
He kicked the door hard. It bent slightly.
Another kick—it bent a bit more.
Damn! This special cell is tough. His injuries hadn't healed yet, so he stopped trying.
He looked around. The prison was dim, lit only by a few torches. It was damp, built underground. Then he glanced at Eren in the next cell, still asleep.
"Oh! Eren!"
"The Rumbling has started!"
"Marley is attacking!"
"Paradise Island is doomed!"
"Eren, your head got cut off!"
Chen Si shouted for quite a while, but Eren didn't react at all. After thinking for a moment, he continued:
"Mikasa is being chased by Titans!"
"Armin is being chased by Titans!"
"Ah! Eren! I got eaten by a Titan!"
Suddenly, Eren's eyes snapped open. He shot upright, gasping, fear filling his eyes, then clutched his forehead.
"Eren? You're awake?" Chen Si blinked. Coincidence? He only woke up when I said I died?
"C-Chen Si… where are we?" Eren asked, confused.
"Oh, nothing much. Paradis has been destroyed. We've been captured by Titans," Chen Si replied casually.
"What did you say?!" Eren was shocked. He jumped off the bed, only to be yanked back by the chains on his arms, falling against the headboard.
Hearing the commotion, Chen Si suppressed a laugh and became a bit more serious.
"Just kidding. Eren, did you dream about anything just now?"
"A dream… I think I did, but I can't remember," Eren said, rubbing his temples, exhausted.
"I see." Chen Si understood.
Looks like he still needs to come into contact with the queen to trigger his memories…
Should I let him awaken them? He's dreamed about me before—that means he saw a future where I exist. Maybe things will turn out differently.
If he makes contact, maybe he won't fall into despair and darkness… I'll ask him what future he saw.
Chen Si made up his mind.
Footsteps approached, growing louder before stopping outside the cell.
Chen Si looked up and saw Erwin and Levi standing there—along with a woman… a beautiful one. This must be Krista.
Chen Si subtly admired her outfit. It looked completely out of place, like she had crossed over from another world—how did she manage to get that bodycon skirt and those black stockings?
When Chen Si himself had crossed over, something strange happened—his body became younger, and even his old school uniform came with him, along with his sneakers.
"Hey, brat. Even in prison, you seem to be in quite the mood," Levi said, noticing Chen Si staring at Chis.
"So this beauty is Miss Chis? She looks quite a bit taller than Captain Levi," Chen Si said.
"…Hm?"
Killing intent burst from Levi as he stared at Chen Si, hand gripping his blade.
"Hehe, little brother, saying things like that will get you into trouble—but I like it," Chis said, covering her mouth as she laughed.
"Ahem. Chen Si, I am Commander Erwin of the Survey Corps. You are currently detained in the Military Police's underground prison. We were only just granted permission to meet with you," Erwin said, interrupting them.
"Hello, Commander Erwin." Chen Si straightened unconsciously at the sight of the serious blond man.
Before him stood the leader who, in the original story, led the most tragic charge in human history—Erwin Smith.
A man who could, with a single speech, drive hopeless recruits to charge toward the Beast Titan—a true master of persuasion, and a cold, calculating leader.
For his ideals, he would sacrifice anything—even his own life.
A ruthless man, yet undeniably great.
Levi glanced at Chen Si, who had suddenly become respectful, then at Erwin.
Still as persuasive as ever, he thought.
Looks like the kid's a fan of Erwin, Krista mused.
"Commander Erwin? Captain Levi?" Eren shouted from the next cell.
"It's us. Our next plan requires your strength. I will do my best to request President Zackly to absolve your crimes," Erwin said.
"Thank you," Chen Si nodded. At least for now, he wasn't in any condition to fight an entire Military Police unit.