"That can't be right… Why would they eat with us, share information about Eldia, and then simply ask us to spread rumours among the Marleyans?" Cliodhna was deep in thought. She recalled what Arnulf told her and shivered. Nine titans, each with a unique power, and one of them can transform all who bear the blood of Ymir into titans, the greatest weapons of war to ever exist. Sitting on the ground and not paying attention to anything besides her own thoughts, Cliodhna didn't notice when a beetle landed on her fiery red hair.

— Are you still thinking about the devils' empire? — Darragh calmly removed the insect from his sister's hair. — I'll be damned, it sounds as if myths and legends are indeed real.

— Do you think I made the right decision? To side with those inhuman creatures so that our island can be free?

Darragh shrugged. He squatted on the ground besides her and began mindlessly drawing lines on the dirt with his finger.

— I'll be honest with you, I wouldn't mind erm… How do they say it? Being integrated into their empire.

Cliodhna turned to look at him with eyes that showed a mix of revulsion and scorn. Darragh promptly lowered his gaze in shame.

— B-but Arnulf told us the Founding Titan can cure diseases, wipe out epidemics, and improve the Eldians' blood and bodies! Imagine our descendants living in a world free of strife such as theirs!

She remained in silence. Noticing that his sister didn't want to talk at that moment, he stood up and walked away, leaving her alone. "I can't even hunt properly with all of this going through my mind. The Fomhóire elders reluctantly agreed to free the island of Marleyan influence but my willpower is even greater than theirs." Another memory resurfaced on her mind:

"— … and we can regenerate from any injuries. Do you notice how my hand shows no scar whatsoever even though you clearly saw the deep slash I inflicted on myself before coming here? — Arnulf explained.

The elders were amazed and whispered to each other in their own tongue. A fire illuminated the tribe, with a great amount of Fomhóire surrounding the Eldians and listening to their tales and information.

— Mister Eldian, are you really immortal? Don't you have a weak point? — Asked a little girl in Paradisian. An older woman reprimanded her for speaking out of turn.

— What did the little girl say? — He asked an interpreter.

— She asked if you're immortal and if you have a weak point.

— We do have a weak point. We can be easily killed if one manages to hit the left heel. — He replied. The interpreter translated the answer to the child, who smiled devilishly upon hearing it."

"Even if they transform into giant monsters, even if they are nigh immortal, there's still a way to kill them. What a fool, revealing his weaknesses to us!" A rough plan formed in her head. They would use the Eldians to expel the Marleyans and, pretending to be allied with them, would kill each bearer of the Nine Titans.

On another part of the tribe, Ulrika, Sören, and Arnulf discussed with each other. Due to not speaking Paradisian or Marleyan, Sören and Ulrika were not able to understand a thing of last night's reunion. Sören raised his voice.

— How much did you reveal?

— Enough to make them trust us.

— How much is enough, Arnulf? Enough to make them murder us in our sleep?

— You're too naïve, both of you! Do you really think I simply gave away information?

Ulrika nodded in understanding. Sören took some seconds to understand what he meant. Arnulf then explained:

— Information can turn the tides of war. That is why I sent the Fomhóire to spread the rumour Eldia is advancing and why I told them we can only transform twice a day, for example.

— A friend can turn into a foe and vice-versa. We're learning so much, aren't we, Sören? — Ulrika asked, lightly punching his shoulder.

— Yes, there is much I don't understand yet. I'll have to trust you more, Arnulf. You frequently make the right decisions, even back in Eldia you were regarded as a man with incredible foresight.

— Foresight… — Arnulf muttered.

His gaze suddenly became empty, something that was ever more frequent as of lately. Ulrika and Sören humorously theorised that Ymir could be relaying instructions directly to his mind and that perhaps he was merely a tool made flesh. Meanwhile, within Arnulf's mind, a memory from the future was being sent back to him.

"— We agree to become vassals of the Eldian Empire, to send monthly tribute, and to allow the bearers of the blood of Ymir to settle our lands.

Cliodhna was the one pronouncing those words. She then knelt on the ground and kissed a pale and delicate hand. Another chieftain came and made the same vows, knelt, and kissed the hand the same way. He looked at the person to whom the Paradisians were bending the knee and saw Hildegard, fully clothed in royal garb with a golden crown on her head. She looked devastated somehow."

He reassured himself that everything would go according to the plan, but why was the queen so melancholic? The memories didn't always come complete to his mind. He felt that it was probably for the best. The future visions weren't always pleasing.

…

— Let us begin the meeting. — A despondent Hildegard said.

Seven of the Nine Titans were present, along with their advisors and heirs, all sitting around a long rectangular table in a room in the Fritz castle. Arnulf's and Sören's advisors were participating so that they could relay their masters about what happened when they returned from their mission. Hildegard had enormous bags under her eyes; she had not slept well for two days and had apparently cried just before the meeting. Sigrid took the initiative and began to speak:

— Brothers and sisters, you surely noticed the absence of two of our fellows. We hope they are fighting bravely against the Paradisian barbarians and the Marleyans. — She looked across the table at each person present. — Unfortunately, that might not be the case. There is a possibility they were captured or even killed.

— So you suggest we rescue them if they're alive or massacre the Paradisians if they're dead? — Grimwald commented.

— It would be better if you'd not interrupt me, Cart Titan. — Sigrid replied. — But yes, that is essentially what I propose. Who votes in favour?

Seventeen of the twenty-three present raised their hands in agreement. After some seconds, Hildegard raised hers as well. Sigrid and Hodritz looked at each other in surprise.

— Did you finally decide to make good decisions like your father, Princess? — She asked sarcastically.

— I just want this to end. And I will end this myself. — Hildegard answered gravely. She rose from the chair and asked: — Those who don't agree won't need to get involved. Those who do are free to accompany me during the campaign.

"At long last we'll be able to fight!" — Hodritz thought, barely containing his excitement. The queen's attitude was entirely unexpected and even made him momentarily forget the plans for Jurgen's succession. Sigrid fell deep in thought, thinking about what could have made Hildegard, a complete pacifist, take such a decision. Did her predecessors' memories influence her? For now, she would go agree with the queen's plans and think of something along the way. As for Hodritz, she saw him as a useful piece in this game, yet he became barely rational every time he had the opportunity to fight. All he could think about was war, battles, and bloodshed.

Sometime later, after the meeting, Hildegard approached Eckhart and Gesine Haugen, the Female Titan's heir. She was a petite woman with brown wavy hair. Her face resembled Ingvild's features greatly but with a more innocent and youthful look.

— What a charming young girl. — She said as Gesine blushed slightly.

— You humble me, your majesty...

— Are you taking good care of her, Eckhart?

— Of course, Hilde! It is my duty to do so.

— Very well. — She turned her face towards Gesine again. — I assume your sister was brought here as well. Shall we make the preparations for your rite of inheritance?

— She grows ever restless, my queen. I need to... — She paused, the weight of what she was about to say sinking within her. — I must devour her as soon as possible

— We shall see to it tomorrow. Be prepared.

Gesine stared at Eckhart for an instant. It seemed she had something to say to the queen, but the man was entirely oblivious to it.

— Why don't you wait for me outside, Eckhart? I want to talk about some details with the queen.

— Is it about inheriting the Female Titan? Don't worry, I remember when it was Ingvild's turn. I can help you with it. — He replied.

— In fact, I was expecting a visit from you, Eckie. You can join Gesine tomorrow, right? — She looked at Gesine, who reacted with a wink. — We have much to talk about as well.

His face became entirely red. He could only nod in agreement. A slave led him to another room. After making sure they were alone, Gesine leaned in and said:

— There's a conspiracy brewing, my queen. Some people want to remove you from the throne.

— What? — Hildegard recoiled. — How did you come across this information?

— I was approached by... — Gesine hesitated. — By Sigrid Tybur. She told me she knew a way to avenge my sister, who will die due to the decisions of our "inexperienced queen", as she said.

— Sigrid... And then?

— I agreed to being a part of the plan so that I could relay the information to you. They want to make Jurgen Fritz, your uncle, the new king.

Which was more dangerous, the enemies outside the borders or the enemies within Eldia? Hildegard paused to process what she had just heard. Judging by what she had read and heard, court intrigues were by no means rare.

— It's good Eckhart is here today. Thank you for your loyalty, Gesine. We'll see each other tomorrow.

— It is my duty to serve you, my queen. Have a good night.

Hours later, at Hildegard's quarters, a sweating Eckhart panted in exhaustion. Now laying at Hildegard's side on her bed, he put an arm over his forehead to wipe the sweat.

— You're incredible, Hilde! Oh, I love you so much!

He turned sideways and kissed her many times all over the face. Hildegard faked a smile but remained silent. After some more minutes of compliments, Eckhart fell asleep, his arm placed over her chest. Once more, Hildegard was unable to sleep. She had finally experienced sex, yet felt it was strange, perhaps not as great as other women commented. Was it because it was her first time? Was it because Eckhart was not a good lover? She had to endure the ordeal in order to set her own plans in motion. "Jurgen will only take the throne once my term is over. I will make him and his co-conspirators dance to my tune."

...

Grimwald, outside his installations, enjoyed a drink while watching the moon and the starry sky. Something had been bothering him. His advisor, a mature man with a long black beard and a serious countenance, approached him from within the estate.

— Having trouble sleeping, lord Grimwald?

— Adalbern? Don't worry about me. It might be late, but my eyes are not yet heavy.

— I've known that contemplative look for a long time... Even back when you were a mere brat.

— Heh, you see right through me. I'll tell you. — He breathed in deeply, as if collecting his thoughts. — Hildegard changed.

— I fail to see the problem, my lord.

— How? It was too sudden, wasn't it? As if something snapped within her. — Grimwald wondered.

— Perhaps it's related to the memories you titan shifters inherit. — Adalbern suggested. — King Anders, too, used to be softer.

— What did she see in those memories? I can only imagine. Such a gentle girl turning into another bloodthirsty monarch... And here I was, thinking Eldia would finally change...