Chapter 42

In year 852, everyone has been training for fear of the upcoming war that is predicted to happen in 2 years, Eren, Aya, Dina, and Katrina are helping Historia with a lot of documents, while Peter and Odom have been helping Commander Shadis with training the new Cadet Corps because of their parents.

They are also contacting the Anti-Marley volunteers and talking about the technologies and what Marley is doing. And today, the port is complete and they're welcoming their first outside visitor from Paradis' sole friendly nation, Hizuru. With the ambassador, Kiyomi Azumabito arriving.

In the meeting room, Lady Kiyomi takes out a crest and says, "Do you recognize this family crest?"

Mikasa gasps as she holds her wrist, "That's..."

"Show it, Mikasa." Eren says.

"But my mom said to keep it a secret." Mikasa says.

"You showed it to us when we were little. It's a secret meant for today." Aya says.

Mikasa sighs as she takes off her bandage and shows the symbol, much to the Hizuru's surprise. "Before she died, this symbol was passed down to me from my mother. She said I should pass it on to my child."

Kiyomi walks over to her and places her hands on Mikasa's shoulders while she hunches over. "What an admirable deed! Over a century ago, the shogun we Azumabitos descended from had a son. He was on friendly terms with King Fritz and often came to Paradis. After the Great Titan War, Hizuru was defeated and in disarray. In the confusion, a child of the shogunate was left behind on the island. You're the lost descendant of our nation's ruler! You're the hope of Hizuru!"

Mikasa is shocked, her eyes are wide as she clutches her wrist with the other hand tightly.

During a break in the meeting, some members of the military express their doubts.

"I still don't get what a nation is." "Anyways, now we've got leverage with Hizuru!" "What if it's a trap?" "I suppose we should ask Yelena's opinion." "No! That's exactly what they want!"

"One thing is for certain:" Pyxis says. "The sea has joined us to the world, but we're still a child learning to walk. We should sit quiet and hear what others have to say."

At the same time, Historia turns to Mikasa. "Hey, why'd you only show Eren and Aya that symbol?"

"Huh?" "You've never taken off your wrist wrap for anyone." Historia says.

"Well that's..." "You seem happy." Eren says.

"I am! You, Aya, and I were both born with a heavy burden to bear!" Historia says. "There's nobody else I'd rather rely on!"

"Yeah..." Aya says with a slight frown.

"It's a historic day for both our nations. Today is only possible thanks to the one who brought us together, Zeke Yeager." In the meeting, Kiyomi says, "After meeting with him in secret, we agreed to an arrangement under the condition we were able to meet Lady Mikasa."

She shows the ODM gear in front of the table. "Zeke Jeager said if we cooperate with him, our nation may just helm an industry that restores it to its former glory. And yet, he hasn't even prospected your reserves. But a resource like that in this age of modernization would be worth its weight in jewels and treasure."

"So I'm being used as a pretext?" Mikasa thinks with anger.

"Yelena said the talks would go well since the Azumabitos are money grubbers." Hange thinks.

"After all, it's not worth the risk of coming here unless money is involved." Pyxis thinks.

"And? What exactly is the arrangement you have with Zeke Yeager?" Historia asks.

"As you know, Zeke Yeager has a secret plan in mind. To achieve it, Hizuru's cooperation is needed. Here are his three points to protect Paradis from the rumbling." Kiyomi says.

"First is the test run of the Rumbling- to release a sample of its power and show the world its devastation. Next is Hizuru's cooperation. Your military must be strengthened until the use of the rumbling isn't necessary. And lastly, the Founding Titan, the Neumann blood, and a Titan with Royal blood must be passed down. That's the third point. Since Zeke's time is almost up, he will pass on the Beast Titan to someone in Paradis."

"Even if weaponry advances, the rumbling itself is powerful." Erwin thinks. "Unless we get rid of it, inheriting Titans will continue for generations to come. Is it right for us to push this problem on our descendants to save ourselves now? Of course not, but..."

"Very well, we'll pick the next successor of the Beast Titan in these days. As long as the rumbling is tied to our survival." Historia says.

"After years of getting trampled on, now we've gotta breed like livestock?" Eren asks in anger. "If that's the price of getting to live, Zeke Yeager can take his damn plan and shove it! It's too dangerous to gamble on having the rumbling. We need to spend our time exploring what other options are available to us."

"Eren..." Aya is showing concern.

Dina says, "I have to agree with Eren. We can accept the first two points, however, the last point needs some correction. Of course, as Zeke's mother, I don't want my son to die because of the Titan's curse, however, I'm not going to allow Historia and Aya to breed children just for that. I did the same thing and what did it get me? I was sold out by Zeke and then turned into a pure Titan."

"I see." Kiyomi sighs. "But we still have our trade, right? What you're going to do with that is not associated with our nation, right?"

"Of course...money makers..." Aya thinks.

"You have our deal." Historia says as they talk about the financial plans.

After the meeting, Aya and Eren are alone and Aya says, "Eren... back at the meeting, I was wondering... since we have been dating for two years, and I want to know if you really don't want me to bear a child?"

Eren says, "Aya. Of course, I want to have a family with you, it is just... I don't our child to be a tool instead of a human being. And Zeke was right, he only has 3 years left while I only have 6 years. But I'm not going to make you a tool just to transfer Titan powers as well."

"So do you have a plan in mind?" Aya asks.

"Mother and I have been trying to use the Coordinate to see if we can break the Curse of Ymir, however, we have failed a lot of times because Founder Ymir refuses to talk to us. I was thinking maybe we need the power of the 12 Titans with us to break the curse."

"Power of the 12 Titans? How?" Aya asks.

"I don't know. But we still need to find a way to get the other 4 Titans. Especially since you still haven't had the power of the War Hammer Titan with you." Eren says.

"I know..." Aya frowns. "Recently, I also feel that my power is becoming stronger as well. But I want to know what is different between the power of my Ackerman blood and the Neumann blood..."

"Both of them have the Titan abilities without turning into a Titan?" Eren asks.

"I still think there is more that we haven't figured out..." Aya says. "Do you think I can summon any weather as Katrina did, fly in the sky like Odom? Or maybe even look to the future like you did?"

"Have you tried it before?" Eren asks. Aya shakes her head, "No... I was scared, if one wrong move, I will also cause your death... I don't want that..."

Eren sees the tears coming out from Aya, he quickly gives her a hug. "Me too. I was also scared I would cause your death as well... that's why we have to work together."

"Yeah..." Aya says. "Let's go back to the office, I'm sure that my Dad and your Mother must be wondering where we are."

"You're right." Eren says as they all leave.

At the same time, Katrina is reading books and Floch enters her room. "Are you still trying to find something from your father's books?"

Katrina notices Floch and says, "Oh, hey. Floch. Yeah, my Dad leaves a lot of knowledge about Marley's medics, I think it will be beneficial if we are going on a war with Marley in the future."

"So we're going to fight Marley?" Floch asks. "What if we lose more people?"

"Not if I learn this and spread the knowledge to the doctors and nurses here. We might be able to save more of them." Katrina says.

"Still, I can't believe you manage to save Commander Erwin's life... how long have you been learning with the medics?" Floch asks.

"My Dad would teach me how to make drugs with his supervision, and I still remember that I have to make sure my Mom didn't see it. She forbade us to go to the basement, that's why my Dad tried to teach me in my room instead." Katrina says. "I was never one to join the Survey Corps, but after getting the Weather Titan, I decided to join the Corps with my brother and my friends. As for how I perform surgery, let's say that being a Titan gave me healing abilities so I could use them with a lot of practice."

"I see..." Floch says. "You're really kind, you know."

Katrina blushes a little and says, "Thank you."

Odom is now sitting with Mikasa, who seems to frown a lot, "Hey, Mikasa, are you okay?"

"Oh, Odom." Mikasa says, "I was still thinking about my parents..."

"Ever since we took back Wall Maria, you've visited their graves a lot often." Odom says. "But to think your mother is related to Hizuru, even though they were a bunch of money lovers..."

"I know... I was never one with money, but it is because of them that we have been creating a lot of new weapons and even the construction of the Paradis Island." Mikasa says.

"We have a lot of resources to create the best weapons and technology, but the problem is that we don't have the means to create them. And Hizuru really helps us a lot, however, according to Eren, they might refuse to help us trade with other nations. But it might be better if we think about it."

"How come?" Mikasa asks with confusion.

"What if people use our resources against us? What if our traders want our resources so they can use them to destroy Eldians like us?" Odom asks. "We've already had Marley using our Titans against us..."

"I guess you're right about it..." Mikasa says while holding her head. "Headaches again?"

"Yeah..." Mikasa says, "Katrina says that my headaches might be related to the trauma in the past... She has been making some painkillers for me."

"I see." Odom says, "I hope you get better."

"I hope..." Mikasa says. Just then, Peter comes and says, "Odom, there you are. Aunt Dina wants us to meet her."

"Okay. I'll see you later, Mikasa." Odom says as he leaves Mikasa, leaving her alone in her thoughts.

Here is a new chapter, and as you can see, I decide to reveal Katrina and Odom's love interests. I actually like the Yeagerists and in my opinion, I would definitely want the Rumbling to happen. And this chapter also marks the episode where Hizuru comes into the anime. I hope you like this chapter and the next chapter will be the talk at the railroad.