Nearly two hundred years have passed since the first titan Ymir's soul was split into nine. Eldia, a rapidly expanding empire, was founded upon the backs of the titans, who made the empire's military prowess unmatched. While the empire grew, many surrounding peoples and cultures were enslaved, wiped out, or even forced to breed more subjects of Ymir, the ruling race of Eldia.
…
The sun shone through the clouds in a bright blue sky. The wind gently moved the grass and the trees' leaves. It would have been a good day to spend with the family if it weren't for a battle. Sören Brandt was once again invited to witness the Power of the Titans in action. He was the next in line for inheriting the Armoured Titan after all. The enemies, a heterogenous mix of Marleyans and mercenaries from uncivilised tribes, were in battle formation over a hill overlooked by a small stone fort, their spears, bows, swords, and trebuchets ready. They had the terrain advantage, and this would have given them a better chance of survival were it not for the fact that their enemy was Eldia.
It looked like it would be a defencive battle despite the enemies being in battle formation outside the fort. Sören's uncle, Klaus, stepped forward, quite a distance away from the war camp. He wore a white armour that contrasted with his black hair. He looked back at Sören, smirked, and cut his own hand with a knife. There was a great and bright explosion and a titan in its place a few seconds later. The generals and the upper echelon of the military cheered as the titan walked to meet their enemies. The giant had a muscular build, with wide shoulders, thick limbs, and hardened white plates all over its body. Even the eyes, reflecting the sunlight like metal, were armoured. The ground boomed with each step while Klaus walked with confidence.
It would be over soon, the enemies always ended up trampled by the titans. This time, the Founding Titan was not available to help, because another battle, far greater in scale, was being fought on Eldia's southwestern border. The plan was to have the Armoured Titan kill most of the enemies and destroy the fort, followed by the cavalry, which would strike down survivors. Sören simply looked in wonder. He felt a hand touching his shoulder. It was Heinrich, his childhood friend and candidate for the succession of the Beast Titan. His brown beard and hair were overgrown, and his hazel eyes looked energetic despite the general neglect for the body.
— It is simply amazing seeing one of the nine in action, isn't it?
— Indeed. I never tire of seeing how the Armoured takes no damage at all. — Sören replied.
— I just wish we can fight together in the future. You're lucky that your tenure is already guaranteed. — He sighed.
— Is your brother still at it? He doesn't even come to watch the battles.
They suddenly went silent as they looked wide-eyed at the Armoured Titan. He had easily breached the fort walls by simply running into them. The enemy troops were scattered. Arrows and stones were uselessly thrown at him. He destroyed the trebuchets one by one and thoroughly made sure the fort could not be used again by reducing the walls to mere scattered bricks. He signalled with his hand in the distance. The cavalry on the camp moved out, all armed with spears.
— Another victory for Eldia. — Heinrich said.
— As usual. It's good that I won't have to worry about damage when I fight like my uncle in the future.
— Yes, I've heard that previous Jaw Titans were damaged by trebuchet stones. I bet it was simply because of the user's neglect, the Jaw could have easily dodged the projectiles.
As Heinrich talked, Sören's mind thought about other things. His lifespan would be cut short to thirteen more years, he would have to kill without hesitation, his responsibilities would be even greater… If only there was another eligible heir of age. Strangely, the Brandt clan was composed by many children and many elders, and the few adults abstained from inheriting the Armoured.
Heinrich waved his hand over Sören's eyes.
— Are you listening to me?
He stared blankly at Heinrich.
— Have you ever stopped to think that we'll die early? That we'll kill hundreds of thousands?
— Erm… Yes, but why bring it up now? — Heinrich scratched his own head.
— Doesn't that upset you?
— Why? We're doing this for the glory of Eldia! It is as our ancestors wanted. Besides, these other people are inferior to us. Blessed are the subjects of Ymir who can channel part of her power!
Sören decided not to talk anymore. His fate was already decided. Liking it or not, he would inherit the Armoured Titan. The other Eldians in the war camp cheered as Klaus came back, still in titan form. The non-Eldian auxiliaries stood silent, trembling in fear.
— You see that, boy?
Sören turned around to look at the middle-aged man who spoke to him. It was Alexamenos, that despite not being an Eldian, was a high-ranking officer. He apparently was the advisor of a king and tricked the entire court, in the end leading to the Eldian army "peacefully" conquering the kingdom. His greying hair was short, and a stubble covered his lower face.
— You will inherit this power. By Ymir, I wish I was an Eldian like you! — Alexamenos said enthusiastically.