This series originally write in Indonesia, i'm thinking to write this in english. i'm not sure if there's a mistake here and there. i completely open with critics since english isn't my first language. the story set up in years 845, Titan and walls never exist. Mikasa is currently 19 years old, and Levi is in his early 30s.
enjoy reading!
Levi remembers clearly Erwin's word that morning. In fact, his commander said it so straightforwardly made Levi wonder if Erwin was the one who had struggled with him for the past ten years.
Hanji, the four-eyed woman also said something so important, frankly, she said. "Think about it, Levi. The king asked me for this directly."
Levi also remembers what he once told Kenny the Ripper, long before he joined the military, when Kenny offered him a position to join the Military Police serving the Kings in Mitras. "I don't serve anyone, Kenny." Levi said at the time.
The following year he met Erwin and he decided to joined the military as he earned the title of Captain and lead Special Operation Squad, the Scouting Legion has the best soldier and responsiblity to fight against the marley's colony. By the time he visited Kenny, the old man laughed at him, saying that he was licking his own saliva. "Basically we are slaves, to serve something." the old man taunted him, after he told him that Levi was joining the Scouting Legion.
"I don't serve anyone. I'm fighting for freedom." Levi replied, to which Kenny replied, "Isn't that the same? You fought for the freedom of this country, it's the same as serving the King."
Kenny's sneer got no reply from Levi, either wrong or right after all, it's relative. Whatever it is, Levi remains adamant that he does not serve anyone. He only fought to escape the marley state and gained his freedom. Kenny does have a selfless mouth, Levi was lucky at least as a child he remembered to have manners from his mother. Apart from Kenny who likes to mock him, especially criticizing Levi's height which is slightly below average, Levi still often visits Kenny's residence in the luxury area of Stohess District.
Sometimes, Kenny's rude words…. strangely, sounds reasonable, advice from his uncle also often helps him to clear his mind. Levi never been a person to has a grudge on a person anyways, after Kenny left him down there, after showing him how to survive of course "in harsh way" which mean, in Kenny's way. Levi accidentally met Kenny up there after so many years passed since Kenny left him. He asked the old man why he left him, Kenny laughed so hard too hard untill the pub owner almost kick them both out. But Kenny was asking him what on earth he asked that. Levi insisted to get the answer, the old man taunted him, saying that father figure is not his things to do.
As now, he somehow managed to have a "relationship" with his uncle. Occasionally, Levi visits him. After whatever Erwin and Hanji said this morning, it's tolarable to hear what the old man's word, that old man likes to babble anyways.
Shortly after he knocked on the wooden door in front of him, a middle-aged woman a little older than him opened the door. It's always sharp-eyed woman who opens the door, Levi knows only a little about Kenny's surprisingly married this woman, Traute Caven. Kenny's own subordinate in Military Police.
"Levi," she greets briefly.
"Is Kenny inside?" asked Levi.
"Sure, come in."
As usual, Levi takes himself to the living room, where Kenny the Ripper is reading the newspaper with his morning coffee. Hearing step of more than one person, Kenny lowers his newspaper, his sharp eyes catching Levi's figure on the doorstep. "Oi, Levi, I didn't know you were going to visit this morning," Kenny said as he rolled up his newspaper. Levi takes his usual seats.
"Levi, do you want tea?" asked Trauten briefly. "Tea sounds good. Thank you, Trauten." replied Levi.
"I suspect you're oftenly here only to have my woman's tea," Kenny sips on his coffee, his eyes clearly wrinkled as he grins.
"Tch. I don't even visit that often," replied an exasperated Levi to hear a super-lame joke from his uncle. "I still wonder why Trauten agreed to marry you." he comments.
"For the record, I'm the one who agreed to marry her, you know she's crazy about me, Shorty. And don't doubt my charm in attracting young women, even though I've been at the end of 60 years," Kenny replied.
"Are you keep saying those rumors about me, Kenny?" Trauten coming up with a tray filled with teapots and cups. Her voice, which sounded firm didn's stop her warm eyes whenever she looks up to Kenny. He unsure how many time exactly he visits Kenny, he still couldn't believe his own eyes watching his uncle Kenny the Ripper stare at his wife, a little less sharper, calmer. Which he only showed to Trauten Caven.
"Hey, that's not rumors. Everyone in the Military Police knows that as a fact," said Kenny, his wife pouring Levi's tea. "Thank you," Levi said politely. "Ah, I might be crazy hearing him. I'm going out to the market. Please enjoy your time, Levi," Trauten said.
"Thanks for the tea, Trauten." says Levi as he nods.
"So what's going on here? I heard your team's last operation has successfully regain the country's south harbor from Marley's Military in the south sea, about next week the King will hold a victory party on the royal palace because for the first time in a hundred years Paradis will be able to regain access to the outside world."
"Yes the Scout Legion indeed succeed. But also many soldiers were killed in the operation. My team with elite ranks, mostly dead," Levi said.
"Sure, Shorty. The blood, the sweat, the life you sacrificed for the freedom of the country you dreamed of, you think it's worth it? Your soldiers have sacrificed their hearts without knowing the end result."
"Tch, thank you for comforting me with your words. Tell me, Kenny. Why are you so pessimistic about the fate of this country?"
"Pessimistic or optimistic, it doesn't matter. I'm realistic, I'm not someone like you who's willing to jump straight forward into sacrificing my own life or my colleagues. Why do you think I joined the military police and worked under Uri? Because in order to gain the freedom of our clan. I count every life. You know, no matter how strong you and I are, we can't save everyone."
"Hearing you count your lives, considering you've killed over 100 Military Police soldiers amazes me. Do you know they still call you Kenny the Ripper until now even after you retire?"
Kenny laughed. "That was long before I knew Uri. The good thing is, I don't have to kill people in the Military Police right now, at least clan members aren't being slaughtered anymore. Hey, even if I married a Military Police officer, isn't that ridiculous to think about?" he said.
"But sooner or later, Marley will invade this country." Levi comments.
"I don't care about war, it's Uri's business, didn't I tell you, we work under the same people? Listen Levi, what I care about is my self and the remaining clan members, you know I'm a jerk, human nature is selfish. But I have to protect the Clan after what happened to your mother."
"You did it. Long ago, you were the leader of this clan, and protected it. Is Rod Reiss looking for the family in Shiganshina's District?"
"After what he did 10 years ago to Maria's branch family? I don't forgive him. I know he can't accept that in fact, Uri is on my side not him. I'm not sure, if already he heard any survivors of the incident I think he'll be back on his move."
"What's going on? Wasn't the Ackerman persecuted has already done 30 years ago? After you've made peace with the King? Why is the Reiss family still haunting the Ackerman Clan?"
"That's because the Ackerman clan and Reiss clan are back in alliance, through me and Uri, Rod Reiss knows that and he doesn't agree with it."
"Isn't he obedient to King Uri Reiss?"
Kenny chuckles, "Rod is a jerk who has nothing but royal blood running down his body. He wants to monopolize Ackerman's business. I only respected Uri all my life,"
"I hear that the Ackerman and Fritz clans used to be the strongest clans in the country and they were an alliances. Why did the Fritz clan turn their back and persecuted the Ackerman Clan instead?"
Kenny laughs hard, again. "Who do you think built this great land? You think the Fritz Clan can build it by them self?"
Levi shook his head, unsure.
Kenny strokes his thin bearded chin. "That's right, I've never told you this. My grandfather told me this only to the main family from generation to generation."
Kenny sighs before starting his story, "In the past, when the first King built this country he was assisted by two other powerful Clans, the Ackerman Clan which was gifted strong physically and intuitions abilities greater than any other human being. We were called as a monster but in human body. Legend says, over 2000 years ago there was a giant monster called Titan that is now extinct, the Ackerman Clan is an accidental result of the Eldian Empire's experiments of sub product of Titan. And the power we have now, can be passed down to the next generation, that's the reason why we Ackerman Family have this nonsense power. Our clan, more than 2000 years helped the Fritz Clan build this Eldian Empire and made the Fritz clan as the King through the generation. We were the warriors of the Empire."
Levi listened carefully, never once hearing about this story from Kenny.
"Another clan, the most feared in the world, is the Shogun Clan."
"Shogun clan? The Shogun clan is the same as the Asian clan, right? Hizuru state in the west sea, you mean?"
"That's right, it used to be the Shogun Clan, now days people called it Asian Clan or the Oriental Clan. You know why does Marley never attack Hizuru Nation? And Hizuru has never had an alliance with any other country? It's because the whole world is afraid of Hizuru."
Levi couldn't believe he'd heard of it, "The rumors aren't true, is it?"
Kenny raised his eyebrows. "The Shogun Clan is gifted with magical abilities in each of them, they have various ability, I don't know for sure. But what as I heard that they have the ability to heal them self quickly, they can read the future, or kill people without having to hurt someone directly, they say the Shogun Clan is a witch. While we, the Ackerman Clan are the assasins."
"The reason of Eldian Empire used to be so advanced and glorious of their pride era, the world was so afraid of Paradis, because they had two of the strongest Clans on earth." Kenny continued.
"Then with all the powers of the two Clans, why did the Fritz Clan become the leader of this country instead of Ackerman or Shogun clan?"
Kenny lean his back to the sofa, he's thinking for a second "I don't understand either. That was 2000 years ago. My grandfather said, The first King Fritz of Eldian Empire was a wise king, and his descendants were gifted with the same wisdom."
"Then if it is true that the two clans helped King Fritz, why did the 145th king, Karl Fritz order to persecuted the Ackerman and the Shogun Clan?"
"That's because Karl Fritz is a jerk. Many say he was the worst king in history, which led to Paradis being colonized by Marley until now. He was not a reflection of the Fritz Clan, he is inferior and envious of the abilities of both Clans and loses votes whenever there was an important decision-making, he envied the Ackerman Clan's growing business and wanted to control it or the fear of the Shogun Clan continuing to warn him that in the future Paradis will be destroyed. He was thirsty for wealth and libeled the people that the Ackerman Clan and the Shogun clan were trying to overthrow the king. So starting 100 years ago Karl Fritz ordered his soldiers to persecuted both clans to the brink of extinction."
"And then… both clans lived in hiding?"
Kenny nodded. "In the past the Ackerman Clan had more than 1000 members, all persecuted by the royals, those who managed to live, hiding their lives in the underground city of Sina like you and Kuchel, some hid their identities as the Ackerman Clan, some ran away from the city, far to the Shiganshina's mountains."
"Then, why didn't the Shoguns split up and hid like the Ackermans? I don't think I ever knew there was a Shogun Clan in Paradis."
Kenny chuckles, "Didn't I tell you the Shogun clan is a bunch of witches with magic? They had predicted a massacre by the kingdom and fled to the northwestern region before Karl Fritz issued the decree and closed the port until now. And you've met the Shogun Clan, Levi. Do you remember the last massacre by Rod Reiss in the Shiganshina mountains?"
Levi nodded, "Last family Branch alive."
Kenny chuckles but Levi's notice his anger, "Charlie Ackerman. Poor guy, he didn't have a chance to live long. You know his wife was the last descendant of the Shogun Clan within Paradis Island."
Levi remembers the poor black hair woman. "Ah... yes. I remember her face was very foreign and too pale-skinned."
"The last Shogun clan is still in Paradis. So are the remaining Ackerman Clans not just the two of us."
Levi nodded. "The child, that doctor Yaeger adopted, right?"
Kenny rubbed his thin beard, "Yes. I hope you visit her once in a while," he said. Levi shakes his head, "I don't think it's necessary. I'm sure she's fine. I heard Yaeger family is a fine family and has a big influence on his medical knowledge. Is the girl still a close relative of ours?"
Kenny shook his head, "No. The Family branch of Maria city is very far from our descendants, from Sina. The lineage of our ancestors is very distant, the Shiganshina family is the lineage of the Ackerman Wives, while the Sina and Rose families are the direct lineages of Keirren Ackerman, the first Ackerman whose leadership was passed down to the Sina family. We have a very far ancestors."
"Alright," Levi replied briefly while sipping his tea, "It all doesn't matter, the persecuted is over."
They fell silent for a moment, then Kenny said, "By the way, you're digging your own grave, Levi."
"What do you mean?" asked Levi, his gaze swooping toward Kenny.
"I knew join the Scouting Legion wasn't a good idea from the beginning, heis veryinterested in you."
Levi looked at him completely had no idea what Kenny just said, "Tell me what do you mean, uncle."
Kenny laughed, "I'm surprised Erwin Smith hasn't said a word to you," he continued.
Levi's eyes turned a little, his brain returned they re-conversation this morning with Erwin.
"You know that?" Levi asks, carefully.
Kenny laughed this time, "Uri told me."
"Tch. In the end I... can't have my freedom." murmured Levi, he stared at the smoke that came out still billowing free of the teapot, then they re-conversation this morning with Erwin.
"Levi. Get married as soon as possible." That's erwin's first word as soon as he entered his commander office this morning. Levi doesn't answer it, seeing Hanji sitting next to Erwin with her usual over-exicted look, Levi just thinks this is their way to comfort his endless grief.
"You called me so early. Just to say that?" Levi's scorn, but Erwin's serious face slowly fed him up.
"Uri Reiss, the 148th king of Paradis asked me to recommend you get married soon..."
At the time Levi didn't trust his own hearing ability. What on earth The King think that way. Still in confusion, Erwin's next statement was even more weird "... with Frieda Reiss." Erwin continued.
It took Levi a few seconds to answer, he replied with a scorn, "Don't joke." Levi replied.
"He said in his letter, if you already had a woman he wouldn't force you. I suggest marrying someone immediately before you are actually betrothed to Rod Reiss' eldest daughter."
"Erwin. You know I don't deal with the royal family."Levi warned him.
"He's going to entrust Frieda Reiss to you. Looks like he's attracted to you because you' re the strongest human soldier right now." at that time Hanji commented.
Levi raised his hand, as if to dismiss all those nonsense conversations, he stand up abrutply and walked out of the room, not willing to know further, because it all completely made no sense.
"Find another reason. You know I'm not planning on marrying someone." Before he actually out of the room, he heard, "I find no other reason, but you have to marry someone." Erwin said.
And now that he's over here, he intends to ask Kenny for his opinion on what he should do.
"I have no interest in marrying anyone," murmured Levi.
Kenny chuckles, "Believe me getting married isn't that bad. What's worse is that you have to marry a member of the Royal Family."
Levi laughs sarcastically, "Can't you asks Uri?"
"And say you're my nephew is an Ackerman too? Hm, I think he's going to come after you pleasingly,"
"Tch." Levi muttered angrily.
"You know, the royal family's orders are not negotiable. You're lucky Uri Reiss still gives you a choice and won't force you if you already have a woman." Kenny grinned, "Joining the scouting squad makes you stand out. Come on Levi, which woman isn't interested in the strongest soldier in the country?" Kenny commented with a laugh, mocking him while Levi sneer at him.
"I'm going to run away," says Levi.
"They'll search you untill they found you alive or your dead body. You're an important assets of this country and I can't do anything about it. You've lived a life of hiding and running away. Are you okay with that?" asked Kenny. Levi fell silent, he couldn't answer he was fine with that choice.
"Don't you have a women?" joked Kenny.
Levi gives him a cynical stare, irritated by his uncle's attitude, "Wow... Don't get angry. I was just asking. Hm, you can marry one of your soldiers or a woman out there, you know Trauten once said that in town they always talk about you, she said you're quite popular among women."
"I don't marry my subordinates or strangers."
They remain silent for a few minutes, Levi dissolves into his own mind as does Kenny who rubs his beard while closing his eyes.
Levi sighed. Kenny opened his eyes, advancing his seat, with both of his elbows resting on his knees, his fingers linked, the old man's gaze serious, then Kenny Ackerman grinning. "Well, Levi, would you like to take this brilliant advice from your uncle?"
Levi looked at him, sometimes his uncle's idea doesn't make sense.
"... what?"
"I'll find you a woman."
Levi snorts, "I've survived so far without a woman, I'm fine without her."
"I know. But the king gives you two choices, you have to choose one of them," Kenny replied.
"And this is your uncle's special request," Kenny said, a grin painted on his uncle's face, "Well, he's not entirely a stranger. This afternoon we will go to Shiganshina."
"Shiganshina?"
"We will visit relatives. We go to the Yaeger family's residence."
"Don't tell me-"
"What's her name?" Kenny leaned back on his back while stroking his chin thinking hard, the old man almost jumped from his chair moments later, "... Ah yes! I guess... Mikasa? Mikasa Ackerman?"
i also received review/critics.