At that moment, a commotion erupted outside the courtroom.
"Release the great God of Thunder! He is the divine being sent by heaven to save us! How can you treat our savior like this?!"
A middle-aged man with a mustache shouted, his face flushed red.
"If you anger the Thunder God, the lightning won't strike the Titans—it'll strike us instead!"
"Release Chen Si!"
"Free the Thunder God!"
Outside, a group of Military Police faced hundreds of agitated people. All of them raised their rifles, while someone was sent inside to report.
The courtroom doors opened, and a Military Police soldier hurried to whisper something into Nile Dok's ear. Nile's expression darkened, and he immediately ordered his men to fire warning shots and disperse the crowd—suppress them if necessary.
"What is it, Commander Dok?" Darius Zackly asked.
All eyes turned toward Nile.
"Mr. President, there are over a hundred followers of the 'Thunder Church' outside causing a disturbance. They are demanding the release of Chen Si Ackerman. I've already ordered suppression," Nile reported.
"Oh? No need for suppression. Fire warning shots to disperse them, but do not harm civilians. Don't forget—the purpose of this trial is to prevent unrest, not create it," Zackly said calmly.
"Yes, sir!" Nile quickly relayed the order.
What the hell? I actually have fanatics now? A Thunder Church?
Chen Si was stunned.
Eren was equally confused—and even a little jealous. Chen Si already has people forming a religion around him… why don't I? He felt oddly bitter.
"Continue, Commander Erwin Smith," Zackly said.
"Yes! I, Erwin Smith, 13th Commander of the Survey Corps, propose that we accept Eren and Chen Si as official members. We will use Chen Si's lightning ability against enemies, and Eren's Titan power to reclaim Wall Maria. That concludes my report."
His tone was completely steady, almost mechanical.
The entire courtroom erupted into discussion.
"That's all?" Zackly asked, slightly surprised.
"Yes. If we utilize their power, we can retake Wall Maria. The priority of this matter is obvious," Erwin replied.
"I see. Then tell me—where will future expeditions beyond the walls begin? Dot Pixis, the gate at Trost District has already been sealed, hasn't it?"
"Yes. The gate likely cannot be opened again," Pixis answered.
"I propose we depart from the eastern Karanes District and gradually advance toward Shiganshina, reestablishing a route," Erwin said.
The merchant representatives strongly objected, clashing with civilian representatives who supported reclaiming Wall Maria. The merchants argued that reinforcing the remaining walls should be the priority—only to be opposed again by Nick.
"You pig—what makes you think the Titans will give us time to reinforce the walls?"
Levi Ackerman said coldly, his deadpan eyes fixed on them.
"You're all talk. All you do is manipulate grain prices—you're the reason a single loaf of bread costs 50 coins now! With me and Eren here, humanity has the strength to strike back at the Titans!"
"It's time to show them humanity's fangs! The Titans make us starve—then we'll eat their flesh and drink their blood!"
"Wall Maria has always been sacred, inseparable human territory—we will never abandon it! Believe in us—we will lead humanity to victory!"
The courtroom was shaken. A prisoner awaiting judgment had turned the trial into a speech—and his words were electrifying.
"Exactly! Mr. President, officers—please trust us! Chen Si and I will drive the Titans out and reclaim Wall Maria!" Eren shouted, fired up.
"I support this!"
"We support it too!"
The voices of the civilian representatives quickly drowned out the merchants' opposition.
"This soldier is far too persuasive. He cannot be allowed to live—it would be detrimental to us," a marquis muttered darkly to another.
"Indeed. Let's see how Zackly rules," the other replied.
"Brother…"
Seeing her brother treated this way, yet still devoted to humanity, Mikasa Ackerman's eyes grew moist—both pained and moved by his resolve.
"A natural-born leader…" Erwin narrowed his eyes slightly in surprise.
"He's just like you—good at brainwashing people," Levi muttered.
Erwin didn't deny it. In fact, he was already thinking about having Chen Si stand beside him during future recruitment speeches.
"Impressive words—you almost moved me," Zackly said, suddenly pouring cold water on the atmosphere. "But according to the Trost District battle report…"
Armin and Mikasa tensed immediately.
"After transforming, Eren attacked Mikasa Ackerman. And Chen Si killed an artillery soldier—though there were mitigating circumstances. But who can control individuals with such power?"
Zackly set down the document, posing the sharp question.
Erwin and Levi exchanged a knowing look—this was the key issue. That meant there was still room to maneuver.
Mikasa glared angrily at Rico.
"Do you expect me to falsify the report? Hiding the truth won't benefit humanity," Rico said earnestly.
"Which one is Mikasa Ackerman?" Zackly asked.
Then he looked at her.
"Did Eren attack you? And were you present when Chen Si killed that artillery soldier? Is that true?"
Mikasa fell silent.
"Concealing the truth won't help him," Rico reminded her.
Mikasa looked at Chen Si. He gave a slight nod.
"…Yes. That's correct," she said through gritted teeth.
Eren was horrified.
I… tried to kill Mikasa…? The realization shook him deeply.
"But Eren's role in sealing the gate was a great achievement. And Chen Si killed the artillery soldier because we were about to be hit by cannon fire."
"Moreover, Chen Si eliminated many enemies on the front lines and saved several soldiers, including myself. I hope this will be taken into consideration," Mikasa said, sweating slightly as she looked at him.
"I believe that testimony contains too much personal bias," someone interjected.
"Mikasa Ackerman lost her parents at a young age and depended on her brother, Chen Si Ackerman. Later, she was taken in by the Yeager family."
"According to our investigation, there is another shocking fact: at the time of the incident, Eren Yeager, Mikasa Ackerman, and Chen Si Ackerman were all only nine years old—yet they killed three adult kidnappers."
"Even if it was self-defense, three children stained with blood at such a young age… I must question their humanity."
"Should we really entrust humanity's future, resources, and talent to people like them?"
The entire courtroom fell into an uproar.
After all—nine-year-olds killing adults was something most people found hard to accept.
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