A/N Sorry for the late-ish update. My computer broke down and I had to move everything to my laptop.


...

"What is all of this?" Levi demanded the moment they were in his office.

"The solution to this mess my ancestors created," Lyla countered calmly.

"And why didn't I know anything about this?"

"Because I didn't tell you."

Levi glared at Lyla irritably.

"Yes, I know that. The part that I want to know is why," he ground out. Lyla sighed and said.

"I didn't tell you because I knew you would worry and because I knew that you would do something to prevent me from doing so which—"

"OF COURSE I WOULD'VE STOPPED YOU!" Levi shouted out. "Do you know what kind of place the Underground City is?"

"—which is a thing I cannot afford happening," Lyla finished with a pointed stare. "Levi, you know that I lived there before."

"Yes, when you were young and under your parents' care," said Levi with exasperation. "See, there's a difference. Most people say that they 'survived' not 'lived' in that place. Saying that you 'lived' there just shows that you've grown somewhat in a sheltered environment, under your parents' protection. You looked like that from the beginning. Looking so innocent and pure and all cute in that pretty white dress—"

"You thought that I was cute?" Lyla asked with a smug smile.

"Yes, who wouldn't? Ugh, that's not the point here. The point is you decided such a thing without my acknowledgment."

"Levi, everyone was surprised. All of them didn't know," said Lyla in a soothing tone.

"Hange didn't look all that surprised," Levi retorted. At this, Lyla shuffled uneasily.

"Well… Yes, I did tell her. She's the Commander after all."

"So she's worth telling and I'm not?"

"It's not like that!" Lyla contradicted with frustration. "Look, I wanted to tell you. It's true! But I also knew you wouldn't like my idea—"

"Obviously."

"—But I have to go there and you know why. Levi, I'm sorry but I didn't want to worry you."

"I don't know how not telling me and setting a bomb like this is 'less worrying'," said Levi critically. Lyla sighed,

"I don't know. It seemed like that at the moment."

Finally, Levi sighed in defeat. He wrapped an arm around Lyla and hugged her tightly.

"I just don't want you to get hurt," he mumbled out as he buried his head in the crook of her neck. Lyla gently patted his head.

"I'll be fine. You do your job, and I'll do mine. Nothing bad is going to happen. I'll be really careful and stay on alert at all times. And even though I'm not trained, I am a Magician. Give me some credit."

"One hell of a reckless Magician…" Levi again mumbled. Lyla chuckled and pulled away.

"So, when are the articles coming out?"

"It'll come out around this afternoon I guess."

"It's going to cause an uproar between the people. You know, if they find out that the whole world wants to kill them."

"Yeah, yeah. All the people were worried about that part, but Historia decided to just let them know the truth, didn't she?"

"Yes, I guess she didn't want to hide the truth anymore after her ancestors hid it for 100 years. And it's 'Queen' Historia, Levi. I don't mind what you call her as long as it holds some respect but other's will surely say something about it."

"Tsk," was all Levi said or rather responded.

...


...

"The human eating titans were actually humans called 'the Descendants of Ymir' who share the same origin as us. Our King built a wall 100 years ago and made us believe that there was no humanity outside the wall by distorting our memories with the titan ability. But humanity did not go extinct and call us, the Descendant of Ymir, 'the People of the Demon'. In the close future, the enemy will invade us under the pretense of obtaining the land's resources. The attack by the Colossal Titan 5 years ago is only the start of this"

The young journalist recited the article. The other old journalist said in a worried tone.

"The article is already out but… how much of this is true?"

"At least it fits all the answers to our question," said Hange. "Well, of course, we don't want to believe such truth."

The old man just silently filled another cup of tea for Levi.

"Thanks," said Levi in a dry tone.

"So how are the people take this information?" Lyla asked.

"It all varies. Some just take it in as it is, some just laugh at it, some still question the military government and connect this whole story with conspiracists. It's caused havoc as you worried."

"It can't be helped," said Hange. "Research and report is our job. The information is just trusted to the people who receive it." She then took a sip of tea. "I guess that's what's different from the former King."

The old man smiled.

"We're very proud of you people. As a person who lives inside these walls, or as a person who also works."

Hange seemed genuinely surprised.

"Thank you," she muttered. On the other hand, Levi said evenly.

"Then I guess you won't mind fluffing us up a bit in the next article?"

"Levi!" exclaimed Lyla in a reprimanding tone. The two journalists smiled. But that smile soon faded.

"What should we do now?" the old man asked. "Just as we hated the titans and wished they were gone, the world views us as some harmful monsters. If because of that… If that hell repeats itself until we're all gone…"

"It won't," said Lyla firmly. She wrapped her hands around the old man's hands. "It won't," she repeated. She then asked in a timid tone.

"How are the people taking the other information."

"Ah, yes. You must be the Magician."

Lyla nodded.

"We also published a separate article about Magicians but most people don't believe it. And of course, most of them don't think kindly of waiting three more months," said the old man with a frown. Lyla sighed deeply.

"Guess I have my work cut out. I'll soon give you a definite date. I'll be giving a short… speech. Please write another article about that."

"Of course."

Levi slowly stood up.

"Well, we must go now."

All of them stood up and the two journalists saw them off.

When they arrived at the HQ Lyla and Levi changed into her uniform and went to the hall. Lyla found that all of the Survey Corps was already there.

"How did the meeting go?" Armin asked.

"Not bad, I guess good?" Lyla answered.

"Hello, Heroes of the Walls."

All of the Survey Corps turned their heads. There stood Hitch in her MP uniform.

"Didn't know you would be here, Hitch," said Jean.

"Oh, just came to see the little show of you guys getting medals," she replied.

There was a heavy silence. Everyone was aware of Hitch's interest in Marlo. Jean started slowly.

"Marlo was… brave even until his death. Right, Floch?" Jean placed a hand on Floch shoulder. He seemed startled by the contact.

"Yeah…" He mumbled out. "Marlo was one of the newbies like me. But he led us all. The field's situation was a disaster and the Survey Corps was facing the possibility of getting wiped out. Even when everyone was lost in fear he inspired others to go forward. He was a great guy."

"I know," Hitch said. "That's why he didn't listen to what I said."

"But at the last… even he must've regretted his decision," said Floch. Lyla lifted her head and looked at him. Hitch's eyes widened. She turned around.

"Thanks. Don't do anything stupid because if you do, I'm gonna make sure to laugh at you guys."

She then left. After a moment Jean burst out.

"What did you say that for?"

"Someone had to tell the truth," said Floch. He then glared at Armin. Armin stared back a moment, then started quietly.

"I knew that you were desperate to save the Commander.

"Yeah, because I thought he was the right choice, not you. It wasn't only me. Everyone thinks like that. Everyone who read the report thinks that the Commander is the right choice."

"Do you know anything about Armin? You don't even know about him," said Eren in a heated manner.

"Of course I don't know. I'm not his childhood friend and I'm not even on good terms with you guys. But I know why Armin got chosen. It's because you two and Captain Levi were swept by personal feelings. You personalized the injection and made an unreasonable decision."

"I think it's a good time for you to shut up," said Eren as he stepped forward. Lyla took hold of his shoulder and called in a warning tone.

"Eren."

Floch laughed.

"Eren, you always think you're right, don't you? That's why you didn't give up until the last like a brat you don't know when to stop. On that perspective, Mikasa is more like an adult. At least she gave up in the end. Lyla even went as far as fighting Mikasa. She thought that it was right to save the Commander."

Lyla's eyes widened as she took a step back. Jean interfered.

"Hey, what're you doing. It's a place to honor the memories of our deceased comrades. Why are you bringing up all that now?"

"You, Connie, and Sasha didn't do anything. You just watched right? In what right are you getting medals? Who do you want to pay your respects to? Tell the truth to the next batch of newbies so cowards like me don't come in. What are you going to do without Commander Erwin? Of course, there's no way of using small fries like me other than as disposables. But even so, don't we have the right to at least think whether it's worth it or not to come in?"

There was another beat of silence. Lyla could sense that everybody was watching them.

"Floch is right. It should've been Commander Erwin who lived," Armin started. "I don't have the solution to turn the tables around."

Lyla raised a hand to stop him.

"Stop right there Armin." She then turned to Floch.

"So you think Commander Erwin was the right decision?"

"Yes, and I know you thought like that too. That's why you fought Mikasa, isn't it?"

Lyla's eyes widened in mock surprise.

"How do you know how I think? Or even what's the right decision? Hell, even I don't know what the right decision is. The reason I fought Mikasa was that she was trying to kill our superior. And because at that time Levi decided to choose Erwin. He was the one entrusted with the injection, and I respect and trust his judgment."

Lyla sighed out.

"Sure, Commander Erwin may be more experienced and skilled, but his dream was to see the basement. Armin's dream was to see the ocean. You see, the size and the picture they draw is different. To be truthful, I don't know which one is the better choice. You keep whining 'there's no Commander Erwin, what're we going to do? It should've been the Commander and not you Armin who should be here.' Boohoo, big deal. It already happened and can't be changed so suck it up, kid. Instead of complaining and whining why don't you actually do something useful for a change. Besides, it should be me who's whining if there should be any."

Everyone looked at her. Lyla continued.

"I could've lived a happy comfortable life in the Marley Empire. Instead, I had to run inside these walls in the Underground City without a proper explanation because my parents decided to betray the empire only to get murdered. In the process, I find out that my hometown is actually a maniac country that changes innocent people into monsters to use as weapons. After that, I wake up in an unknown place to see two crazy children kill three people, then go live with a creepy kind man who never shows his basement and a lovely woman. But then I had to just watch helplessly as that woman gets crushed, struggle to manage to take care of three kids, and join the Survey Corps and yeah, that's a simple walk down the street. I have creepy nightmares and have to worry who'll die next, I hear voices and wonder if I'm going mad or not. After that, I just found out that my ancestors are responsible for this whole fucking mess just because they were curious if it was possible to make 'artificial Magicians'. As if." Lyla snorted out, making quotation marks with her fingers. "And now I have to worry if that foolish Ackerman over there would commit suicide or not because he lost his Master. So don't you dare start whining or complaining because if you do, I'm going to too. Starting with the cliché 'why me' line."

Lyla finished this all in one breath. Floch –and possibly anybody who were watching— just stared at her. That's when Levi walked up and said in a monotone voice.

"Come on brats, line up. The ceremony's starting."