— So this is the situation of Paradis?
— Yes... We are almost sure the Marleyans fled further south. The cities were evacuated and only soldiers remained to defend them. — Cliodhna answered.
The Chieftess of the Fomhóire and the Queen of Eldia communicated using Arnulf as an interpreter. Hildegard's expression was at the same time serene and calm, while Cliodhna tried with all her might not to run away. The famed Founding Titan was right in front of her and the pure titans outside protected the city from eventual invaders. Furthermore, the absurdly skilled girl who severed Cliodhna's arm was right there acting as the queen's bodyguard. Hildegard breathed deeply and stated in a relieved tone.
— I'm happy to hear that. It makes our work easier.
— I can send emissaries to the other tribes once you've stated your terms, but the Marleyans are a different issue. Are you going to... — She swallowed her own saliva. — Command your titans to devour them?
— No. You will send emissaries to the city-states as well, and they will inform the remaining Marleyans to send their leaders to this city-state so that we can decide the future of this island. — She noticed Cliodhna's reluctant but terrified expression. — I am counting on you.
Cliodhna left without further words. As soon as she left, Ulrika commented:
— The queen herself will lead the negotiations... — Noticing Hildegard did not reply, she continued: — Don't you think this is dangerous?
— This building is surrounded with titans. I need but to issue a simple command and they will deal with the threat. There's an Ackerman to protect me as well.
— If I may ask, what caused such change in your demeanour? From what I've heard from Sören, your majesty commanded the titans to attack the Beast and the Warhammer without hesitation.
Hildegard paused trying to think of an answer besides "Sören was in danger."
— I saw many things in my predecessors' memories. I believe their influence changed me to be more like them. — She answered, knowing it was only partially the truth.
Ulrika reminisced Hodritz boasting about how he destroyed a city-state by himself. She nodded to herself with a slight smile. "Can the memories teach you how to mask your feelings?" — Ulrika thought but dared not to speak.
Days later, two men dressed in checkered fabrics and animal skins appeared at the gates of the city-state of Cilisianum. A heavily armoured guard shouted from a watchtower:
— Halt! Who goes there?
— We are envoys sent by the Fomhóire! — They replied.
— The Fomhóire... Wasn't it the tribe that left the alliance? — The guard asked one of his colleagues. — State your purpose!
— Eldia wants peace.
— Did you become servants of the devil? You mock the ways of justice! We were informed of how Veseliacum was destroyed by the titans!
— Tell your masters to storm these gates, no mortal man can break their stride! — Another guard joined the conversation. — We prefer death to submission!
The Fomhóire envoys left under insults and threats. One more city-state rejected the invitation to deal for peace. On another part of the island, Cliodhna herself accompanied the emissaries despite being told to rest since the injury from the severed arm was still healing. She felt it was her duty to take this matter on her own hands. They arrived on horseback at the beautifully carved walls of Sacra Paradisiaca, the city-state that better preserved Marley's religious customs.
— What do you want, barbarian? — A soldier asked from the top of the wall.
— Tell Legate Gnaeus Ignatius Castus that the chieftess of the Fomhóire wants to parley.
He didn't take long to call the Legate seeing as the barbarian knew his full name. The gates opened after some minutes and the Fomhóire rode in. Marvellous statues of unknown deities and creatures ornamented the city-state. Many temples, one for each god, were scattered amidst the clusters of houses. Cliodhna stopped to look at a sculpture of a man piercing a titan's head with a spear.
— Beautiful, isn't it? — Said a deep masculine voice from behind her.
The Legate had pitch-black hair and steely grey eyes. His scars danced as he smiled and talked.
— This is our future saviour. The Titan Slayer who will put an end to the calamity that is the Empire of Eldia. — Gnaeus explained. — It might be wishful thinking from nowadays' faithful but they need someone to pray to.
— You don't know what you're talking about, Legate… I've seen them…
— I have seen the titans and the destruction they can cause. — He interrupted Cliodhna. — They are like flames engulfing our good works. Their terror reigns supreme in the continent.
— Mere beasts that do the bidding of the Founding Titan… Or so I was told. — She added.
— Sacra Paradisiaca is but a shadow of what Marley had been before the gaping maws of the titans devoured our best men and stole the lives of so many. — He seemed to be ignoring Cliodhna. The Legate continued: — And so, if the mighty nation of Marley fell to the titans, what will be of the Paradisians? Where are your magnificent buildings, your delicate art, your powerful army?
— I see where this is going. — Cliodhna stated with furrowed brows. — Despite your blatant insults, we have no one else to turn to.
Gnaeus chuckled while covering his smile with the back of the hand.
— And what can the red-haired barbarians offer? Stone spears? Bear skins? — He asked, holding back his laughter.
— The Founding Titan, together with the Beast, Warhammer, Armoured, and Attack titans destroyed Veseliacum and occupied Ala Nova using a contingent of pure titans. They see us, the Fomhóire, as their allies since we worked together with two of their titans for a short time.
— I… see… I knew about Veseliacum but the rest is unheard of. — He could barely hide his shock. — So you have… information and unrestricted access to their base of operations?
— Precisely. Now, do you mind not treating us as stupid barbarians?
— We have much to talk about, Chieftess Cliodhna. Come, I will order the best food and drink for you and your companions.
…
— Father… I believe now is not the time to press this issue. Hildegard will surely subjugate Paradis. If she's able to do that, then I'm sure she will have no qualms about crushing the neighbouring states. — Eckhart advised.
His father, Jurgen Fritz, despite being a middle-aged man, looked much younger. The hair and beard retained the golden colour, and his green eyes were full of ambition. Jurgen calmly sipped on wine while listening to his son. Despite not showing it, he was incredibly upset with the turn of events. A slave boy holding a golden jug quietly stood in the corner of the room, watching but likely not understanding the conversation.
— It was the same with your uncle. Something changed Hildegard. — Jurgen pondered. — We must find out what caused this.
— Father, if I may ask… Why shorten Hilde's tenure if she has changed for the better? I believe the people of Eldia will no longer be dissatisfied with her. — Eckhart inquired.
— Boy, I know she does not have what it takes. Our ancestors look down on Hildegard. A compassionate queen does not befit our mighty empire. — He answered while raising his now empty glass of wine so that the slave would come and refill it.
Eckhart nervously began to bite his nails. His heart was deeply conflicted about this conspiration that could deeply change the history of Eldia. On one side, his own dear father, claiming to be a better ruler and likely having the ability to steer the empire towards his designs. On the other, his betrothed with whom he fell in love not too long ago. The silence was broken when the slave boy accidentally let some wine drop on Jurgen's toga, whose strong slap to the face made him stagger.
— You cretin! Bring me clean clothing before I hit you again! — His face was red with anger.
Holding back tears, the boy said sorry with an accent over and over before leaving the room quickly. The other slave who stood at the door turned his neck to peer inside. His eyes met Jurgen's.
— And you, what are you looking at? Fetch someone to clean this mess at once!
The slave did not say a word. Hasty footsteps could be heard from the hallways. Jurgen threw the cup at the ground before sighing deeply and massaging his temples.
— These beasts in human form… They need to be trained properly and with discipline! This batch of slaves from the lower lands beyond the Aquila River is about to drive me mad!
Eckhart thought to himself that he had never seen Hildegard treat her slaves the same way, not even before inheriting the Founding Titan. Anders, too, was oddly tolerant with them. His father began talking again.
— I've been with Hildegard on some of our "visits" to the battlefield during Anders' tenure. She almost vomited more than once upon seeing mere animals being put on their places. Do you think a woman like that…
Eckhart began to dissociate while Jurgen rambled on. He just wanted to see her again, to feel her smell, to touch her soft skin, and to run his hand through her silky golden hair. "It's no use. I can't let Eldia be ruled by my father's iron fist." His heart was indeed entirely swayed by Hildegard. Jurgen's firm hands landed on Eckhart's shoulders, bringing him back from the daydreaming.
— Look into the eyes of your father, boy. You have been acting strange lately. — He said with austerity.
— Is that so? W-well, I must have eaten something spoiled or… — He tried to make up an excuse but Jurgen's piercing gaze interrupted his train of thought.
— Sigrid Tybur has told me some concerning conjectures. I pray to Ymir she's wrong! — He released Eckhart's shoulders and ruffled his hair. — And again, by Ymir's holy name, I swear I will eliminate any undesirable weed that dares to grow on my beautiful garden.
Silence. Four slaves entered the room. Two of them promptly began cleaning the mess, while another two helped Jurgen change clothing. Eckhart felt nothing but fear, as if he was cornered by a pack of wolves and a pride of lions at the same time.
— For whom the gods destroy they first make mad… — Eckhart whispered a Marleyan saying he had read from one of their epics.
— What did you say, boy?
Eckhart excused himself and quickly left the presence of his father. "What will I do now? My death is almost guaranteed!"