Starting the next day, the 104th Training Corps began learning the long-range enemy detection formation devised by Erwin, under Squad Leader Ness's instruction. They were also informed of their respective positions within the formation.
Reiner, who was intent on locating Eren's position, noticed that Eren's location was not marked on the formation map. He frowned.
So I'm still under suspicion… No more delays. During this expedition beyond the walls, I must capture Eren! Reiner resolved inwardly.
Survey Corps Castle
Erwin's Office
At this moment, humanity's top combat forces were gathered together: Levi, Miche, Chen Si, Winyaad, and Hange.
"Erwin, have you made some major discovery?" Hange pushed up her glasses, unusually serious.
"Erwin, you've finally decided to say it?" Miche said, arms crossed.
Levi leaned against the wall, waiting for Erwin to speak.
"We have confirmed the identities of the Colossal Titan and the Armored Titan," Erwin said slowly.
"Really?!" Hange exclaimed excitedly.
"Yes. But the most severe truth is this—there are nine Titans like them. Eren is one of them. Our enemies have named them as follows: the Founding Titan, the Attack Titan, the War Hammer Titan, the Beast Titan, the Armored Titan, the Jaw Titan, the Cart Titan, the Female Titan, and the Colossal Titan," Erwin said calmly.
"What? There are nine Titans like that?" Even the usually composed Miche was shocked.
Hange, meanwhile, was already flushed with excitement, pacing in circles.
"Hey, Four-Eyes, get a grip," Levi said, shooting her an annoyed glance.
"Named… Does that mean…?" Miche grasped the key point, his expression shaken.
"That's right. Our enemies come from beyond the sea—they are humans, just like us!" Erwin's voice trembled slightly.
"What?!" Hange and Miche blurted out in shock.
Levi's pupils contracted and expanded—he was clearly deeply shaken as well.
"According to intelligence Chris obtained from Sawano Kawa, we are located on an island called Paradis. We are surrounded by an ocean far greater than any lake or river. Across the sea lies a vast continent called Marley, home to many human nations. Our enemies come from the most powerful country on that continent—their technology and military strength far surpass ours," Erwin continued.
"So that's how it is… Then those Titans are…" Miche's pupils trembled.
"They're all transformed from humans. Unbelievable…" Hange muttered, frowning.
"So this world really is like hell… I thought leaving the Underground meant escaping the abyss," Levi said quietly, his gaze shifting slightly. Did Isabel and Farlan truly escape that hell…?
"Levi…" Winyaad said softly, gently squeezing his shoulder.
The atmosphere grew heavy.
"The fortunate part is that they have not yet treated us as their primary enemy. Marley is currently engulfed in war. That means we have time—to develop and possibly attempt contact with the outside world," Erwin said, looking at everyone.
"Just tell us what we do next," Levi said.
Miche and Hange also turned to Erwin, waiting for his decision.
Erwin walked slowly to the window, his back to them, deep in thought. Then he turned around.
"I have a long-term plan. But our first step is to capture the Colossal Titan, the Armored Titan, and the Female Titan. Before Chen Si and Eren joined us, this would have been impossible—but now, it's within reach," he said, glancing at Chen Si.
Chen Si nodded in agreement.
"Why must we capture them? Why not just kill them on the spot?" Miche asked.
Levi also looked at Erwin—he had the same question.
"We can't kill them! They're invaluable research material!" Hange suddenly burst out excitedly.
"Our intelligence indicates that the powers of the Nine Titans can be inherited—but it requires an injection called Titan serum. If we capture those three Titans and inherit their abilities, we will gain the military strength needed to fight Marley," Erwin explained.
Miche nodded after hearing this.
"But we don't have Titan serum, do we? That's probably not something we can produce within the walls… Could it come from the Titans themselves?" Hange asked.
"That leads to another crucial piece of information. Titans are actually a race—just like us. We are called Eldians. After being injected with Titan serum, Eldians can transform into Titans. That means those people could potentially be turned to our side," Erwin said calmly, dropping a revelation that shattered their worldview.
"…Unbelievable," Miche said, holding his forehead as he tried to process everything.
"So even we could turn into Titans? Eldians are a race? Then why would they help Marley attack us?" Hange asked in confusion.
"Marley seeks to obtain the power of the Founding Titan within the walls. It currently resides with the Fritz royal family. Among the Nine Titans, the Founding Titan possesses the ability to control all Titans. Marley has begun to lose ground in war—that is the weapon they hope to rely on," Erwin continued.
Chen Si glanced at Winyaad and quietly gave a thumbs-up. Impressive interrogation skills… even without seeing the future, the information is completely accurate.
Winyaad winked playfully in response.
"So we actually have such a powerful force within the walls? Then why hasn't the Fritz king stepped forward to resist the Titans?" Hange frowned.
"That brings us to our next step after capturing the Titans. Given the royal government's policy of non-resistance, I have decided to overthrow the current regime, install a new monarch, and establish a new government," Erwin declared.
"And who will become the new king? You?" Levi asked.
"No. The new ruler must possess royal blood. It cannot be me—otherwise the people would not accept it," Erwin shook his head.
"That's not urgent. When the time comes, we can just grab a priest from the Wall Church. There's no way he doesn't know who he's been serving," Chen Si said casually.
(He deliberately didn't reveal Historia's identity. Since she was important to him, he decided to let her choose for herself in private whether to become queen.)
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