Marco held his elbow out to the side. "You can lean on me, if you need to," he said.

"I'm fine," Celine said, keeping her eyes fixed ahead.

The pair were walking behind Captain Levi down a quiet hallway in Military Police Headquarters. Neither had been to this wing before since it was generally inaccessible for anyone ranked below a captain. The intimidating nature of their surroundings was amplified by the two Military Police soldiers acting as guards at their back.

"If you're sure," Marco said, slowly lowering his arm.

"I can tell how you're looking at me," Celine said. "Stop it."

Celine caught Marco flinch from the corner of her eye. The reaction caused an unpleasant squeeze in her chest, but she kept her eyes locked ahead. A strong appearance at this moment meant everything; true or not.

There was a bruise running down Celine's back from the nape of her neck to her hip. Various scratches covered her cheeks and arms from the explosion, the skin around her eyes and lips cracking from where she'd been exposed to wind whipping over her face for hours on end. She knew that she looked anything but fine. She also knew Marco was smart enough to know he wouldn't get anywhere trying to push her on the matter.

Levi came to a stop at the end of the hall. He knocked on a door to their right before entering. The door was held open for Celine and Marco by another soldier as they took in the sight of a long table in the center of a well-lit room.

The occupants of the table sat with their backs to the window opposite the door. It reminded Celine of when she was summoned to the courthouse to give her statement concerning the Trost attack. Just like then, Nile and Erwin were regarding her with level expressions. The main differences were the inclusions of Levi taking a seat between Hange and Erwin, Celine's Section Commander Anthony Walldrin to Nile's right, and … an older man with a trim beard whose likeness Celine had only ever seen drawn in the newspaper.

Dhalis Zachary was the Commander-in-Chief of all three military regiments. He was also seated front-and-center at the table across from Celine. She immediately regretted not taking up Marco's previous offer for support since reaching out to cling to him now would certainly be a dead giveaway she was fighting the urge to collapse. When Marco put his hand over his heart in a salute, Celine jumped to follow suit.

"At ease."

Dhalis tilted his head to inspect Celine over the frames of his spectacles. "Have a seat," he said, indicating the chair facing the table. Celine gladly took him up on the offer. Marco stood at her shoulder.

"I have been told you've been briefed through Captain Levi of the charges brought against you," Dhalis said. He kept his eyes on the short stack of papers before him, speaking in a tone as if a soldier blowing up a section of the wall was an everyday occurrence. "Is this correct?"

"Yes, Premier Zachary," Celine said. "Although, the charges–"

There was a tap to her shoulder. Celine snapped her mouth closed.

"Keep yourself composed," Marco had said. He'd leaned against the wall adjacent to Celine's cell less than two hours prior, having kept his eyes averted when she changed into the fresh set of clothes he'd brought her. The time they had been given to speak privately before the tribunal had been undesirably short.

"I've heard about Premier Zachary from Armin," Marco had continued. "He values facts above all else. Bringing too much emotion into your statement could be detrimental."

"If they wanted something detached …" Celine had said, buttoning up her shirt. "... they should've had me do a written statement."

Marco had chuckled. "Fair point. But we're playing by their rules, so do your best to convey the truth of what happened in a way they'll accept."

"Before we get started," Dhalis said, bringing Celine's thoughts back to the present. "Do you have any questions, Private Bodt?"

"I have … a few," Celine said. She cleared her throat to correct the waiver to her voice. "I was told there was certain information which would be withheld from me until this time. One thing I'd like to know is if the location was found for the hole in Wall Rose where the Titans were getting through."

"From what I've been told," Dhalis said. "There was no hole." He glanced at Erwin on his left. "Correct?"

"That's correct," Erwin said, keeping his eyes ahead.

"Not until she decided to make one herself, anyway," Levi said. A wave of malice radiated from Celine in his direction before Erwin's words sunk in.

"Wait," Celine said, brows furrowing. "No hole? Then where did the Titans come from?"

"That's still under investigation," Dhalis said. "Anything else?"

Another tap came to Celine's shoulder. She was already aware she couldn't ask about the mission to capture the Female Titan; by all accounts she wasn't supposed to be involved. Marco had already confirmed it was a success, although he grew quiet when pressed for details before quickly changing gears to talk about the tribunal.

At this point it was expected for Celine to move on. The second tap to her shoulder from Marco was ignored.

"What did you find inside the wall?"

Dhalis's lax demeanor grew stern. Erwin mirrored this expression while Nile and Anthony exchanged looks of apprehension.

"First I would like to hear from you concerning what you know on the matter," Dhalis said.

"Nothing," Celine said. "I assumed the inside of Wall Rose was just stone." Her gaze drifted to the side. "Captain Levi was the one who said you found something inside."

The collective gaze of the room's occupants shifted to Levi. He seemed unconcerned by the attention.

"She confessed easily enough to causing the explosion," Levi said. "I figured she'd tip her hand if she heard we found something inside the wall. Based on her reaction, I don't believe she knows anything – she doesn't have the skill to play innocent."

Even though he's helping me, Celine thought. I still want to strangle him.

Dhalis mulled on this for a moment. "I see," he said. His attention moved back to Celine. "If there are no other questions, then I'd like you to recount yesterday's events starting from the time you arrived to Wall Rose to collect an inoperative cannon in need of repair."

Huh.

Celine was aware this was her tribunal, but the deflection was clear. Whatever was inside the wall was something important … something important they didn't want her to know.

This was noted and cataloged for later. Celine began to recite the occurrences of the day prior in the flat, practiced manner she'd gone over with Marco. Her conversation with Unit Captain Hannes, including his instruction for her to head west, was corroborated by the captain's own report.

When she got to the part in her statement concerning her tampering with the gas tanks, she was surprised Anthony stayed silent. Erwin seemed to be the only one interested enough to probe about the mechanics behind what she'd done. Celine wasn't sure if she should've been grateful or terrified of the fact the head of the Tech Department had nothing to say on the matter.

The statement shifted to Celine recounting her first encounter with a group of Garrison soldiers at a manned outpost. Dhalis held up a hand and asked her to pause.

"Do you deny …" he said, lifting a sheet of paper to better read the information. "... the statements of Brian Keygrave, Maria Connors, and Hannah Cloven, when they claimed you gained their assistance in clearing the tracks so you could continue your survey of the walls with the consideration that you had neither the authorization to transfer equipment, or the authority to continue along the wall further than the outpost Unit Captain Hannes advised?"

Celine opened her mouth.

"It doesn't matter," Anthony said. He smiled when Dhalis looked his way. "Pardon me, Premier Zachary, but Celine Bodt was a Unit Captain. She possessed the authority to do both those actions."

Celine didn't bother to close her mouth.

What.

"I wasn't aware she possesses that rank," Dhalis said, frowning. "Why isn't it stated here in her file?"

"Because she's no longer a Unit Captain," Anthony said as if it were obvious. "Celine here was the Unit Captain of her own specialized division in our department's archive system. Unfortunately, she lost this title this morning when I learned she'd been seen by multiple witnesses tampering with military equipment in an unauthorized manner. Fooling around with gas tanks isn't a particularly serious offense, but this did earn her a demotion. She's now back to being a private; her official title within our department being junior technologist."

What the hell is he doing?

Anthony was lying straight to the face of the Commander-in-Chief. All Celine had to do was deny his claims to get the man court-martialed and possibly executed.

"Ah," Dhalis said. He had flipped through a stack of bound papers, his finger running along something toward the bottom. "Yes, here it is. Celine Bodt was in fact a Unit Captain at the time of her instatement in the Technical Department."

He wasn't lying?

Celine stared at Anthony in shock.

This entire time … I was a Unit Captain?!

When Anthony's sunny expression shifted to bathe Celine in its glow, a shadow passed over like an eclipse. Something within Anthony's gaze gave Celine the distinct feeling the helping hand she'd been offered was anything but free.

"If that is the case," Dhalis said. "We can look over the concerns over Private Bodt's authorization to traverse the length of the wall. She was simply following protocol. Continue, Private Bodt."

"Right," Celine said, the word slow on her tongue. She looked away from Anthony and fought to push down the uneasy feeling in her gut. Celine was far from shy, but the gazes of everyone in the room began to feel like an army of insects crawling over her skin.

There was a tap to her shoulder.

Shit, Celine thought, taking a deep breath.

I can't make Marco worry.

Celine schooled her features. She continued with the events of the previous day in a steady cadence.

"… it was at that point I spotted a castle under attack in the distance," Celine said. "I was surprised, since Titans aren't normally active at night. There had to have been at least a dozen of them, if not more. I could see the soldiers who were–"

Celine paused, wringing her hands in her lap. She felt guilty the question in her mind hadn't been asked sooner.

"Were they alright?" Celine asked. "The people in the castle?"

"Two of our senior soldiers didn't survive," Erwin said. There was a slight dip to his shoulders. "They gave their lives protecting the new recruits who were trapped inside the tower. Everyone else was recovered with minor injuries."

But?

There was a wave of … something which spread across the members of the table. An important piece of information was being withheld. Just like with the wall, Celine knew there would be no point in probing further.

Another thing I'll have to follow up on later, she thought. Those seem to be stacking up.

"That's good to hear," Celine said. "It was a grim situation; I'm glad there was anyone who made it out alive. Seeing what was happening … I was doubtful the cannons at the outpost had the range to hit anything close to the castle, but my intention had been to reposition them and attempt to offer any help I could."

"From what I understand," Dhalis said. "Based on the incident in Trost, you're considered proficient in cannon operations. You should be able to properly explain the cause behind the stores of ignition powder igniting."

"I can," Celine said. Her expression hardened. "The crates exploded because I fired at them with a flare from a distance of roughly forty feet."

There was a range of emotions:

Nile and Hange looked confused.

Erwin, Dhalis, and Levi seemed intrigued.

Anthony smiled like he was watching a particularly interesting stage show.

"I assume you have an explanation," Dhalis asked.

"I believe you, Celine," Marco had said earlier. "Considering everything that's been going on … what happened to you isn't beyond imagination. Just use as much evidence as you can."

"I encountered a Titan," Celine said. Backs were straightened as her observers perked up in their seats.

"This Titan climbed up the side of the wall – there might be scratches or other indications of such on the north side. I hid from it for a short time before it caught me, then we … spoke."

Hange stood up so fast her chair went clattering across the room.

"What?!" Hange said. Her nails dug into the table as her hands shook. "It spoke to you?!"

"Yes," Celine said. She couldn't stop the following wave of irritation. "You know, you haven't shown an ounce of concern for me since I've been back, and now–"

"What did it say?" Hange said, speaking over Celine. "Did it speak in complete sentences? Was its grammar structure similar to ours? Did it ... did it have an accent?! A Titan accent?!"

Celine scowled. "... I don't know why we're friends."

"Enough."

Dhalis hit his palm against the table. He stared down Hange until the object of his attention dropped her gaze in a sheepish manner. There was a moment where no one spoke as Hange left the table to fetch her chair.

"A Titan capable of speech," Dhalis said. He didn't appear particularly convinced. "Have you heard of such a thing, Erwin?"

"No," Erwin said. He regarded the man beside him from the corner of his eye. "That isn't to say there have been no encounters with Titans who could understand speech – Eren Jaeger and the Female Titan in our custody being two instances."

Dhalis nodded. His attention returned to Celine. "Continue."

Celine described her encounter with the abnormal Titan. There was a moment when Erwin reached to the pile of papers before Dhalis, finding one toward the bottom and speaking to Dhalis in hushed tones. This caused a line to form between Dhalis's brows. Celine was encouraged to continue.

"It wanted to know about the ODM gear," Celine said.

This was the first time anything along the lines of worry passed Anthony's face.

"And what did you say?" Dhalis asked.

"Nothing," Celine said. "The Titan was sitting near the crates of ignition powder. It was at that point I fired."

The mood shifted as if everyone had been collectively holding their breath. Anthony leaned over in his seat and began whispering something to Nile.

"Did you kill it?"

Celine looked at Levi. She noted the novel sensation of being regarded by him in a way that made it seem like she wasn't garbage.

So, nothing short of killing Titans earns your respect, Celine thought. That must be why only the Scouts find you tolerable.

"Unfortunately, it survived," Celine said.

Celine related the Titan's counter attack, and how she was able to escape by the skin of her teeth.

"The ODM gear it had in its possession," Anthony said. "Do you believe it was destroyed in the explosion?"

"I would think so," Celine said. "I can't say for certain the Titan didn't protect it, although it seemed preoccupied with half its body on fire."

The three members of the Scout regiment were the only ones who showed signs of finding this amusing.

Sadistic bastards, Celine thought, fighting to keep a smile from her own face.

The glasses on Dhalis's nose were removed. He rubbed his forehead and frowned at the papers before him.

"I have two reports here," he said after a moment. "One is a description of the damage inflicted upon the wall and the surrounding area. Various factors align with your retelling of events, and would explain why a cannon from outpost fifty-three had been found among the wreckage of Utgard Castle. Commander Erwin also brought my attention to a report submitted by a Scout private, Conny Springer, who spotted an abnormal Titan with a very close physical description to what you've expressed.

"At this time, I believe further investigation of the wall is warranted to confirm the damage was a side effect, and not the sole intention, of you triggering an explosion. Your commanding officer has already enacted his judgment on the matter of your equipment tampering, which leaves your sentence for the damage to Wall Rose. Normally this would be execution."

I wish he wouldn't say something like that as if it's nothing, Celine thought.

"I will make my judgment on the matter when we have more information," Dhalis said. "For the time being you are relieved of duty. You are to remain detained; the level of security under which you will be held will be up to your commander. Another tribunal will take place at the time I have reviewed more information and am ready to make a decision. Is this understood?"

"Yes, Premier Zachary." Celine stood, putting her fist over her heart in a solute. "I will await your ruling on the matter, sir."

"That is all," Dhalis said. He got to his feet without offering Celine a second glance. "I'm taking lunch. Nile, Erwin – we'll reconvene this afternoon when Pyxis is able to join us."

"Yes, sir," Erwin and Nile said in unison. All eyes remained on Dhalis as he strolled across the room, a soldier holding the door as he stepped into the hall.

"You did well," Marco said, patting Celine on the shoulder. "Premier Zachery is a fair man – he'll be sure to absolve you once he reviews the evidence."

"We can only hope," a chipper voice said.

Anthony offered Celine a hearty clap on the back. She winced, but held up a hand when Marco moved to speak in protest.

"I thought you may've been a one-trick pony," Anthony said. "But you have a penchant for thinking outside standard limitations. I hope you're cleared to return to work soon, since that's a skill I'll be happy to utilize."

'Standard limitations,' Celine thought.

It sounds like he's calling me smart. What he's really saying is that I bend the rules. What the hell is it he's doing that he would want someone like me?

"I'll be more than happy to return to work," Celine said, matching Anthony's cheery tone. "It'll mean my head will still be attached to my shoulders."

Anthony laughed. "That'll be the desired outcome, hmm?" He placed a hand on her shoulder, leaning into her ear. "I hope you'll keep in mind some of the things you learned today, former Unit Captain."

Celine watched Anthony's departure over her shoulder. She was doing a better job keeping a level expression than Marco, the furrow to his brow speaking volumes on his displeasure.

"Well then."

Nile stopped before Celine. This was the first time he'd said anything to her the entire tribunal. The look on his face made Celine think he'd been more than a little uncomfortable during the proceedings.

"You're getting transferred out of the cells," Nile said. "I spoke to Erwin, and you're going to be placed under a security detail similar to a few other people of interest at the moment." Nile's gaze lingered on Marco before returning. "Keep your head down during that time – I'm tired of seeing your name pop up in case files."

"That's the both of us," Celine said. An uncomfortable feeling squirmed in her gut. "I'm sorry to be causing you trouble."

Nile frowned as if her skin had turned orange. "Ah … it's …" he said. There seemed to be some trouble finishing his thought, and Nile offered Celine and Marco a hasty nod before making a swift departure.

He's starting to make me feel bad for him, Celine thought as she watched him go . Nile needs a vacation like Wall Maria needs a patch job.

"Celine!"

Celine's hands were scooped up. She winced at both the intensity of the grip and the stare being thrown her way.

"I'm sorry, Celine," Hange said, squeezing Celine's fingers. "I was so busy; there was no time for me to visit you earlier. You forgive me, right? That's perfectly understandable, isn't it? How can I make it up to you? Sweets? Wine? Maybe those goose feather stuffed pillows?"

The look on Celine's face had grown increasingly apathetic as Hange spoke.

"Stop trying to bribe yourself into my good graces," Celine said.

"Oi," Levi said, standing near the door. "This isn't a social gathering. Get over here – we're leaving."

There was some success in Celine wriggling her fingers free as she, Hange, and Marco stepped into the hall after Levi. Hange still stuck to Celine like glue as the group began to walk.

"I'm sure you must have a lot of questions," Hange said. "I promise I'm going to tell you everything later, alright?"

Levi turned to regard Hange over his shoulder. "You're telling her nothing."

"After that …" Hange continued, ignoring Levi entirely. "... I have a list of questions about the talking Abnormal. I'll visit you around dinner; how does that sound?"

"It sounds like I'll spend another evening doing nothing but talk about Titans," Celine said.

"I know!" Hange said, the sarcasm flying over her head. "I'll see you then! I'll bring the good wine!"

Hange's departure was like a candle being snuffed out. The following silence was a stark contrast to the flutter of commotion only a moment prior. It was nearly a perfect replay of that morning when Celine and Marco had walked behind Levi to the tribunal, this time going much further as they walked nearly the entire length of Headquarters. A few guards marked another restricted area which had a number of armed Military Police soldiers stationed every few feet.

This area is normally rooms for soldiers requiring ongoing medical attention, Celine thought, looking about in unease. Why is it so guarded all of a sudden?

"Marco!"

The doors to the left had glass windows, letting Celine get a glimpse of what looked to be a canteen. A young Scout soldier with shoulder-length blonde hair stood in the threshold and watched Marco in concern. "What happened? Is your sister alright?"

"Yes, thankfully," Marco said. He gestured to Celine. "Armin, this is my sister, Celine. Celine, this is Armin Arlelt – we were in the same class in the Cadets."

"I remember Marco telling me about you," Celine said. A gentle smile grew on her face as she offered her hand. "He says you always have the best stories. It's a pleasure."

"Ah," Armin said, somewhat bashful as he accepted Celine's handshake. "It's not really anything impressive; just stories I remember my grandpa used to tell me. But now that I'm seeing you again, I remember you from the warehouse in Trost. You–"

Levi's voice drowned out Armin as the captain regarded the group from down the hall.

"Am I going to have to dig into that thick head of yours before it gets through you're a prisoner, and not a guest at a social club?"

There was a yelp. Celine broke her stare with Levi, pulling away from Armin as the boy shook out his hand.

"Oh dear," Celine said, doing her best to keep her tone light. "My apologies if that hurt. I was startled by how resoundingly stupid my escort must be to think my security detail includes a vow of silence."

Levi's eyes narrowed, a shadow falling over his features. Armin balked as Levi turned to approach.

"Sorry, Captain!" Armin said. He raised his palms in a placating manner. "I didn't mean to cause trouble! I was just checking on Marco and making sure everything was alright!"

"Then get the hell out of here and stop slowing us down," Levi said. He came to a stop before the group, shifting his gaze to Marco. "You already have a security detail assigned; you're dismissed."

Marco's expression hardened. "No. I'm staying with Celine until she reaches her quarters."

Levi matched Marco's demeanor. "That wasn't a request, brat."

"Call him a brat again."

Celine took a step forward, her eyes boring into Levi.

"Call him that again," Celine said slowly. "And see what happens."

"It sounds like you're trying to threaten me," Levi said. He reacted to Celine's attempt at intimidation by putting himself well within her personal space. "Is that really the position you want to put yourself in considering your situation?"

"That depends," Celine said. She didn't dare to blink; muscles tensing in anticipation of the need for a quick reaction. "How much of a coward are you, Captain?"

"I-it's alright!" Marco said. He stepped in front of Celine, forcing a smile to combat Levi's scowl. "I'm sorry, Captain. I … I misunderstood. I'll get going."

Marco turned to Celine. He placed his hands on her shoulders, appearing dismayed when he noticed her trembling.

"We'll talk later, alright?" Marco said. He bent to Celine's level as he forced a reassuring smile. "Everything is okay, Celine."

"Don't speak to me like I'm a child," Celine snapped. The twitch to Marco's shoulders gave away that he'd been doing just that; Celine recognizing a trick he'd picked up when getting their baby sister to calm down from a tantrum. He would get down to Suzy's eye level, speaking to the child in the same sort of tone he was using with Celine just now.

"I may be unreasonable, but I'm still your elder," Celine said. Despite Marco's efforts coming off as somewhat demeaning, the sincere nature behind his eyes had her backing down from throwing herself into a pit she couldn't climb out of. Consequences weren't something Celine normally considered. When things only affected her, they didn't matter. Those actions became more complicated with the addition of a boy with a pair of brown eyes matching her own.

"I'm alright, really," Marco said, his smile growing more genuine. "I'll talk to Armin for a bit, then head over to find where they'll have you staying. Just … remember you're hurt, so take it easy."

Celine looked at Marco like he'd spit in her tea. She sighed and turned away with a nod. "It's fine. I'm sure it wouldn't be good for it to get out that a Scout captain had his teeth kicked in by a lowly junior technician, anyway."

"Celine …" Marco said, the good-natured hint to his smile wavering.

"You can live in whatever fantasyland you want as long as you walk at the same time," Levi said.

Celine locked eyes with Levi, flicking her thumb under her front teeth as she stepped forward. The furrow to his brow made it obvious the full impact of the gesture flew over his head. Celine lifted her chin with a smirk as she pushed past him to make her way down the hall.

. . .

Marco hummed in a worried fashion. His sister didn't look back; hands clasped behind her back in a casual manner as she stepped down the long hallway. Captain Levi studied her for a moment before he turned to size up Marco and Armin.

"You're supposed to be this kid's security detail," Levi said. It took Marco a moment to figure out who he was speaking to, looking over his shoulder in time to regard the pair of soldiers at the other end of the hall straightening their backs in attention. They were giving Marco far more space than normal, although that had been the case ever since Captain Levi had been present.

"You Military Police bastards better do your damn job and keep him in your sights," Levi said. He turned away, following after Celine without another word.

"That was …" Armin trailed off. He seemed to be struggling to find something to say. There was a good chance he was worried any observations he may have concerning Marco's sister would offend him in some way. He watched Celine and Levi turn a corner before continuing.

"It takes a lot to stand up to someone like Captain Levi. And what she just did …"

"Please don't tell anyone about that," Marco said, quickly growing self conscious over how quickly he blurted out the request. He'd been praying no one would recognize that Celine's gesture had been an insult which citizens of the Interior used to call someone a coward. He'd witnessed more than a fair share of drunken brawls start in that fashion back when he did nightly patrols.

"Celine is … hard to intimidate," Marco said with a nervous chuckle. "I admire her for that, but I'm glad they didn't actually fight."

"Me, too," Armin said. He turned to regard Marco. "Things could've gotten bad. Captain Levi's been a bit on edge, so I'm certainly not going to tell him about … what just happened. I was actually coming to talk to you about the news we found out."

"News?" Marco said. "What do you mean?"

"Come on, Eren and Mikasa are here, too," Armin said, opening the door to the canteen. "Something happened at Utgard Castle; no one's telling us what's going on, but we have some ideas on how to find out."


"Out of morbid curiosity," Celine said. "Is there a particular reason you hate me, or did I just get lucky?"

A few minutes had gone by in a tense silence since Celine had left Marco and Armin behind, Levi walking in tandem at her side down an empty hallway of Military Police Headquarters. The sound of their footfalls echoed from the walls as a moment passed.

"Is selective deafness among your collection of supposed talents?" Celine asked.

"Shut up, already," Levi said. "I needed a moment to make sure I wasn't missing anything. The list is extensive."

"Oh?" Celine said. She placed a hand on her cheek in feigned bashfulness. "You make it sound like I'm on your mind a lot. Oh, dear … now I feel shy."

Celine smirked when Levi's frown deepened.

"You think you can make your own rules," Levi said, keeping his eyes ahead. "Just like every other entitled pig from the Interior, you've not only turned a blind eye to the suffering of those beneath you, you've capitalized on it. You use manipulation and tricks to get ahead instead of putting in the effort. I know the only reason you made it out of the Cadets was because of your family's connections; the same reason why you were allowed to enter the Tech Department. I'd say you're underqualified, but considering the shit show that's the Military Police, you're a perfect fit."

Celine hummed. "It's interesting; you don't normally have much to say, but when it comes to matters that concern me, you go on and on."

To Celine's disappointment, Levi didn't take the bait. She looked ahead with a shrug before continuing. "I'm not sure which it is: you either don't realize, or don't give a shit, about how you show just as much of a self-righteous attitude as I supposedly do. If you want an example of someone who looks down on those you view as beneath you, a mirror would suffice."

"How I view others is of no concern," Levi said, guiding them to the right when the hallway split. "I fight for the good of all humanity, not just for those in the Interior."

"And I don't?" Celine said. "Do you think if that Abnormal Titan had said it was only going to devour the people of Wall Rose, I would've invited it over for tea?"

"I think most wouldn't have been able to keep their composure and act as you did in the situation you faced," Levi said. This earned him a look from Celine as if he'd suddenly grown a second head. The last thing she'd been expecting to hear from him was a compliment.

"However," Levi continued, "the decision in that moment was a simple one: whether you would die in cowardice, or take the enemy out with you. Things would change if the stakes were different; if you had to choose between the lives of the majority of humanity outside Wall Sina, or saving the few who fill your pockets with gold and your ears with empty promises."

Celine pondered the statement for a moment as they went up a set of stairs. "I don't think I can counter that." There was no surprise when Levi scowled.

"You've already decided to hate everyone who resides here in Sina," Celine said. She regarded Levi from the corner of her eye. "There exists no answer from me you'd accept."

The pair came to a stop outside a door flanked with two guards. Levi gripped the handle. "What you just said is a simple-minded answer."

"I'm aware," Celine said as he opened the door. "I just want to make sure that if you're going to hate me, you're not imagining I'm someone I'm not. I would rather have you hate me for who I am."

Levi looked over his shoulder to meet Celine's gaze. He held it for a moment before stepping inside the room and making arrangements for her security transfer.