After hearing the decision, Eren looked somewhat dejected.
Am I really a monster…?
He lowered his head and looked at the chains on his hands. If that's the case… the fact that I haven't been executed yet is already lucky…
Come to think of it, Chen Si and Mikasa never feared me…
"There will come a day when you'll be begging the monsters in front of you," Chen Si said calmly, unusually not mocking him.
"Chen Si…" Eren murmured.
At that moment, a series of hurried footsteps approached.
"So you're Eren? Long time no see! You're alright, right? Sorry to keep you waiting so long—but you can finally get out now!"
Hange Zoe said excitedly.
Mike Zacharias unlocked Chen Si's cell, put handcuffs on him, while Hange did the same to Eren. Then they led the two out.
"I'm a Squad Leader of the Survey Corps, Hange Zoe. He's also a Squad Leader—Mike Zacharias," Hange introduced.
"Hey, do those Military Police really think a pair of handcuffs can restrain me?" Chen Si scoffed.
"Haha, of course I know! It's just for show—we still have to give those old men some face," Hange laughed.
Mike leaned in close to Chen Si and Eren, repeatedly sniffing them.
"Hey man… are you into guys or something?" Chen Si shuddered, clearly uncomfortable.
"Talk less," Mike shot him a glare.
"Ah, that's just Mike—he has a habit of smelling people he meets for the first time. Don't worry, it doesn't really mean anything. Despite how he looks, he's extremely strong," Hange said casually.
A flash of Mike's tragic death suddenly crossed Chen Si's mind, and he couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Mike could be considered the strongest among ordinary humans—unlike Levi, who had Ackerman blood. Mike truly had nothing special backing him.
"Ah, we've been chatting too much—we're here," Hange said, pushing up her glasses.
Four soldiers grabbed Chen Si and Eren. Eren was roughly dragged inside.
"Hm?" Chen Si shot them a warning glance. The other two soldiers swallowed nervously and only pretended to escort him into the courtroom.
"Although this is our own decision, we can only blindly trust you. Good luck," Hange said seriously before closing the door.
Inside the courtroom, Chen Si looked up at the ten-meter-high ceiling. A medieval painting was embedded above—depicting a group of naked men fighting.
He scanned the room. On both sides stood rows of military representatives. Behind them were civilians and merchants. At the highest platform stood nobles and decision-makers. Directly ahead sat the judge and President Darius Zackly.
Chen Si and Eren were forced to the center, each bound to an iron pillar.
Chen Si tested the handcuffs—they were indeed strong, but he could break free, though it would cost him some injury.
Looking around, he finally saw Mikasa Ackerman, her eyes filled with worry and pain. Chen Si smiled slightly and nodded.
Mikasa looked as if she wanted to rush forward immediately, but she knew that would only make things worse. Tears welled faintly in her eyes as she nodded back.
Eren also looked in surprise toward the witness stand, where Armin Arlert stood with Mikasa.
"Let's begin. You are Eren Yeager, and you are Chen Si Ackerman, correct?" Zackly asked calmly.
"Yes," Eren replied.
"Yes," Chen Si answered as well. He had long since stopped correcting the change to his surname. At least it reminded him of his former identity from China… though such a place didn't exist in this world.
"You are soldiers who have sworn to dedicate your lives to the royal family, correct?" Zackly asked.
"We fight for everyone within the walls—not just the royal family," Chen Si said calmly. He originally wanted to say "for the people," but chose to give Zackly some face instead.
The two nobles present looked displeased upon hearing this.
But Zackly—who despised the royal government deep down—showed a faint glint behind his glasses.
"Oh? Is that so? You sound like a responsible soldier," he said neutrally.
Well said. The royal family can go to hell, he thought inwardly. This young man has some restraint—he didn't speak too bluntly. But saying this much already proves he isn't loyal to the monarchy.
Zackly needed people like this alive—people who could disrupt the royal government.
"This is a special tribunal fully handled by the military, not bound by ordinary law. Your lives will be decided by me. Any objections?"
"Of course. I trust that President Zackly will make the wisest decision," Chen Si replied with a faint smile.
"Chen Si…" Eren said nervously.
Armin grew anxious—didn't that mean they would have to accept whatever verdict was given?
Mikasa stared at Chen Si, already thinking about how to break the handcuffs and carve a path of blood to escape with him.
"You understand, then. Your existence cannot be hidden. It must be made known in some form—otherwise, it will create a threat beyond the Titans themselves," Zackly continued.
Chen Si agreed. Simply put—if their situation wasn't resolved, it could lead to unrest or even civil war.
"This session will determine how to deal with you. First, the Military Police, then the Survey Corps, will present their proposals. Military Police, you may begin."
Zackly set down his documents and looked toward the Military Police commander, Nile Dok.
"Yes! The Military Police propose: Eren and Chen Si's human bodies should be thoroughly examined. After extracting all information about their abilities, they should be executed."
Chen Si's expression darkened. They said it right in front of them—use them for research, then dispose of them.
"While it is true that Eren Yeager used Titan power to stop the attack, and Chen Si Ackerman used lightning abilities to eliminate enemies, their existence also creates instability. After extracting all information, we may grant them the title of 'Hero of Humanity' before executing them."
Before Nile could finish, a priest from the Wall Cult, Nick, interrupted furiously.
"This is completely unnecessary! Eren has desecrated the walls built by divine wisdom—he is an invader from outside! And even worse—because of Chen Si Ackerman, a ridiculous cult called the 'Church of Thunder' has appeared, worshiping him as a god! This is blasphemy against the true god! They must be executed immediately!"
What the hell? A 'Thunder Church'? You're just making things up to get me killed, aren't you?
Chen Si glanced at Nick with disdain. He remembered Nick as a devout man—yet here he was, lying outright just to condemn him.
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