Chapter 46
The Dina Squad, Levi Squad, Annie, Hange, and Levi are now arriving at Marley, they can't believe what they're seeing.
"So there really are towns past the walls... and people living in them, too." Connie says.
"Don't say that kind of thing around others." Jean says.
"Yeah, yeah. I know." Connie brushes it off.
"At long last... we will be the first who live within the walls to step foot on land outside of them... what did I just say?"
"You could say we're all going back to our roots on this mission." Hange says.
Armin notices Annie's face and he asks, "You're back in your hometown, aren't you happy?"
"Don't get me wrong, I'm happy that I get to see my father again, other than that, this place brings me bad memories." Annie says. "Wanna have a seat?"
Armin nods as he sits beside her. "I realized that I hadn't said thank you yet."
"Huh?" "For coming to talk to me over all those years. Thank you."
"Oh yeah." Armin says.
"I was so lonely, I thought I was gonna lose my mind, the only thing I had to look forward to was listening to you and Hitch... tell me why? Why bother talking to a prisoner who has been no use when her powers are gone? I mean... there must've been girls out there more fun and cheerful than me, right?"
"Annie, I did it becuase I trust you." Armin says.
Annie frowns and says, "I get it, you're a good person. So you're even willing to talk to an enemy like me, right?"
"You're not our enemy anymore, Annie." Armin says. "I know you have done a lot of bad things, I did too. But that is what makes us who we are now."
"Who we are, huh..." Annie says.
"Though I still can't believe you even brought those two with you..." Levi mutters while looking at both Erich and Carla in Eren and Aya's hands.
"If you think I'm going to be left behind, then you're wrong." Aya says. "Though I'm sorry, Eren. That you need to wear gloves..."
"It's fine. I don't want them to touch me since I don't want them to be dead with us." Eren says. "I don't know if they have the Neumann powers inside them, but I'm not risking to try and see if it's right."
Once they all get to the city, Oyankopon greets them and says, "Welcome to the continent of Marley. Allow me to guide you to Miss Azumabito's Estate."
Connie Springer, Sasha Blouse, and Hange Zoë are shocked to see a car for the first time and behave as though it is some kind of animal. Levi Ackerman encourages Onyankopon to intervene before they try feeding one with carrots.
They also get to an ice cream shop and they all try to taste it. "Ngh? This thing is cold!" Sasha says.
"What is this?" Connie asks.
Then they also persuade others to try it out. Levi mutters, "So much for trying to blind in...'
"It's fine, no one's going to think we're those island devils." Hange says.
Annie notices Eren and the others stay cool, she asks, "Compared to them, you seem calm."
"Yeah, we knew everything about here through our parents' memories. However, Eldians in the Internment Zone rarely get to eat it, right?"
Annie sighs, "Yeah..."
As they take in the sights, Levi catches a young boy with a fez lifting Sasha's purse and tells the kid that it does not belong to him loud enough that others overhear. The Marleyan crowd takes it poorly. The boy is an immigrant who does not speak their language, and the Marleyans assume he must have snuck aboard a ship and discuss making an example of him to discourage others.
Sasha tries to intervene, saying that she has her purse back so no damage is done, but the Marleyans are still hostile and insinuate that the boy could be a Subject of Ymir who slipped in from another country. Seeing the boy's fear, Levi scoops him under one arm and clarifies that he never said the child was a pickpocket and the purse is his older sister's. Nobody buys the excuse, but Levi and the other soldiers run off with the boy. Though happy to be free, the boy thanks Levi by stealing his purse before leaving.
In the Estate, they manage to meet Kiyomi. "I see... so that happened to you? It is true that as blood testing technology has improved, the issue has arisen of subjects of Ymir who have escaped Interment being discovered around the world. At the height of the Eldian Empire, it was considered around the world to be proof of one's high-born status to have a subject of Ymir in one's bloodline. But as the empire crumbled, the aristocracies who fawned upon Eldia found themselves being chased from their nations. This is the state of the Eldian people outside the walls. And so I must admit it will be very difficult to carry out our plan of Paradis forming friendly relationships with other nations."
Everyone doesn't say anything as they frown, Armin says, "Still... if we abandon the path of peace... we'll have no option but to conspire with Zeke and his plans. We'd put our fate in his hands and be forced to sacrifice the lives of the children that Historia and Aya will bring to the world...'
"Yes... and we're here in order to avoid that future. Our hopes are riding on this "Association to protect the subjects of Ymir" appearing at the International forum being held tomorrow." Hange says.
Dina frowns, "We still don't know this association's guiding beliefs."
"Yes... We'll need to watch carefully from a distance for now. If it does look like we could cooperate with them, only then..." Hange says.
"You will declare that the island of Paradis seeks peace." Kiyomi finishes. "It goes without saying that the Azumabito Clan too would like to help bring about this peace, but just how realistic do you believe this plan to be?"
"We understand how difficult it is. And how dangerous. But that being said, we still have no choice but to give our best efforts here." Hange says.
"Very well." Kiyomi nods.
Mikasa looks around and asks, "Where are Eren and Aya?"
Everyone realizes that the two of them aren't present, so they quickly rush outside to find them. Mikasa finds the two of them in front of a refugee camp.
"Eren, Aya, you do realize that you're our enemies' most wanted target, don't you? We've all been running around looking for you..."
Eren just points at the tent, with the boy who stole Levi's money waving at them with his family.
"The boy from the market? Did something happen?" Mikasa asks.
"These people live here after losing their homes to war." Aya says. "Regular life stopped for us one day. Everything was taken from us. All of their freedom was taken away."
Eren says, "Mikasa, why is it that you care about us? Is it because we saved you when you were a kid? Or is it because I'm family?"
"Eh? Huh?" Mikasa is confused. Eren says, "What are we to you?"
Mikasa stammers a little and she says, "You're... family..."
Before she can continue, the man offers them something warm to drink as the rest find them. Eren says, "Perfect Timing."
They enjoy a meal together and after the two groups warm up, it turns into a party. Dina, Levi, Hange, and Oyanpokon find them drunk with the refugees in the morning.
"Hey, guys... What are you doing?" After Dina wakes all of them up, they realize the mess they made. Levi mutters, "That's why I don't like alcohol... but I'm disappointed with you, Aya..."
"Sorry, Dad..." Aya says while holding her head a little.
Eren says, "Back to business... we're going to hear the forum for the "Association to Protect the Subjects of Ymir", right? I want to say don't get your hopes high."
"What do you mean by that?" Hange asks.
At the fourm, the speaker says, "We seek aid for the displaced subjects of Ymir scattered across the nations! These refugees were never once Eldians, nor do they have anything to do with the dangerous ideologies of the Eldian Empire. They are nothing more than victims who deserve compassion, forced by the Eldian Empire into creating offspring! It is only the devils of that island who deserve our hatred, now as ever! The devils who escaped to that island a hundred years ago are the ones we must abhor! Our enemies are the devils of the island!"
Everyone cheers after that, causing Hange, Dina, Levi, and the others to frown. Eren wants to leave, but Aya grabs her hand and shakes her head.
After the meeting is over, they are back at Kiyomi's estate. Annie says, "So you hear what they're saying, what are you going to do then?"
"It seems like peace talks ended just like what Eren has predicted..." Armin frowns. "Damn it..."
Eren says, "We know this is going to happen, that is why we have some news to tell you about it."
This causes the others to listen to them. Eren says, "5 months later, the Declaration of War will happen. During these 5 months, we Dina Squad will be staying in Liberto."
"Are you crazy? You're going to stay here without us?" Armin asks. "But what about Paradis? What about the Eldian Empire?"
Aya says, "Before leaving, we've already got approval from the Queen, the Premier, and Commander Erwin. You don't need to worry about that."
"But..." Mikasa frowns.
"I don't know what Erwin is thinking, but if you think I will agree to this, then you must be out of your mind." Levi says.
"I have to do this, Dad. Marley wants my power, they won't kill me." Aya says. "And I'm capable of protecting myself."
"But what about the children? Where are you going to stay?" Hange asks.
Dina says, "Eren and I managed to talk to Zeke, it seems like my old estate was still good to use even though it was abandoned. Ever since they thought I have become a Pure Titan, they thought I was dead, but it was also where Zeke hold secret meetings with the Eldian Restorationists."
"Then I'll come with you as well." Mikasa says.
"No, Mikasa." Eren says, much to her surprise. "Eldia needs you, you will be heading back with Armin and the others."
"But..." Mikasa says.
"Mikasa, we are not going to leave for too long." Aya says. "We will return and I promise we will get all 12 powers of Titan back."
Hange sighs, "If this is your choice, then I don't think I can stop you. What about you, Annie?"
Annie says, "I know it might be selfish, but before you leave, can you let me find my father and bring him with you?"
"Of course." Hange says, "But you have to be careful. The last thing we want is to get caught by others."
"Trust me. It will be fine." Annie says with a sigh.
And here is a new chapter, and as you can see, the difference between the Manga and the story I wrote is that Annie is on Eren's side after Marley abandoned them. And instead of leaving without saying anything, Eren and the Dina Squad decide to inform them that they're staying here. I hope you like this chapter, and the next chapter will begin the life of Marley.