In what appeared to formerly have been a Marleyan general's office, two people stared at each other. One on the verge of a breakdown and the other strangely relaxed considering the situation. She walked back and forth, anxious and at a loss for words.
— What do I even say? What you did was unthinkable! — Hildegard finally exclaimed.
Arnulf still maintained his relaxed posture. "This is where the memories led me. They told me what would happen." — He thought to comfort himself. His visions about this very moment were unclear, but he knew the fate of the empire was in this queen's hands.
— I did it for Eldia. To ease your burden, to fulfil Ymir's will, the Attack Titan will continue to move forward.
— Why blame Ymir for what you've done? She's just a... — She paused to stop herself from talking about the girl she saw on the Paths. — She's long gone, yet people have been using her to justify their atrocities.
— Passing through the ruins, the Paradisians will see how terror will rise should they think about rebelling. Would you prefer to attack them with pure titans yourself?
Hildegard became silent for a moment. She saw similar scenes in her predecessors' memories. "The only way towards peace is to eliminate those who threaten it." — A phrase her grandfather constantly repeated to himself during his tenure.
— I care not for your justifications. You acted on your own, therefore going against my orders.
— How will Your Highness punish me?
— House arrest for the remainder of your tenure. Three years, is it? You are to not leave your estate, much less Gerber territory until the next Attack Titan inherits your power.
Arnulf chuckled, making Hildegard's face turn red from frustration. However, she contained herself and sat down. Overtaken by stress, she put both hands on her face and leaned down to cry. "I thought I was prepared. I thought I had newfound strength. This has been nothing but grief to me! Maybe I should have died with Octavia back then..."
— War will find you. War will bind you. War will change you.
— Are you trying to comfort me? All of this is driving me insane! Go, leave at once! Return to your quarters and leave me be! — She shouted, pointing at the door.
— So desperate and tired, for what reason do you still drag yourself along? This inner war, can't you hold against it? You should never give in as long as you have this power.
— Silence... Leave now or I'll...
— What will you do? There are forces awaiting your fall, circling above like vultures, and they will feast on your remains should you forsake your role. Everything you hoped to do will be for naught if you desist.
She remembered Gesine's words. There were indeed certain individuals conspiring against her. Would they make better use of the Founding Titan's power? Judging from the memories of her father discussing with her uncle, things would become far worse, at least for those who did not bear the blood of Ymir.
— Just turn around and walk out the door, Arnulf. I need to think.
He bowed down.
— As you wish, Your Highness.
He walked along the hallways thinking this was unnecessary, though his heart urged him to motivate Hildegard at that moment. When was the last time he saw her smile? It was hard seeing that woman who was a little girl just a few years ago go through that.
...
"I haven't seen Saoirse for two days now. I wonder what happened." — Hodritz thought to himself.
— Lord Bjorn! I have news of Lady Saoirse! — A voice coincidentally called from behind the door.
Hodritz quickly walked towards the door and opened it, startling the courier a little. Fixing his cap which had come loose when he was surprised, he began speaking to Hodritz, who had an expectant and unblinking stare.
— I regret to inform you, my lord, that lady Saoirse is currently held captive by her own tribesmen.
— What?! How come? Have you asked them anything?
— The barbarians explained she was conspiring against their leader's plans.
Hodritz stood still for some seconds while thinking of a solution. He turned around and closed the door without saying a word to the courier. "There's no other way. I must go there personally to free her." He opened the door again and ordered his guards to call an interpreter and a team of guards. While preparing himself for the journey, his mind couldn't avoid contemplating calling a certain someone. "The monster child Anders created... She'll surely be a great asset to my guard."
Moments later...
— Oh, hello Lord Glass Jaw. — Ulrika said nonchalantly. She was polishing a sword when Hodritz came to her.
— Petulant child... I will tolerate your insults just this once because I... — He struggled to finish the sentence.
Ulrika raised an eyebrow and stopped what she was doing. The situation was becoming interesting.
— I'm listening, Bjorn.
— I need your help. There, I admitted it.
Ulrika chuckled. She turned back to grab another sword from a stand and examined it for a time that seemed like an eternity to the anxious Hodritz.
— I might help you. What would you have me do?
— You'll be my elite guard for some hours. We're going to the Fomhóire tribe. I have business there.
She nodded slowly before raising her eyebrows and widening her eyes as if suddenly remembering something important.
— What a shame! I forgot I'm the personal guard of Queen Hildegard Fritz! You should be asking her, not me, Lord Bjorn.
— By Ymir, stop with these games. What do you want me to do?
— Kneel and ask properly.
He begrudgingly lowered his knees to the ground.
— Would you please help me with some personal business, Lady Ackerman?
"What? This is not like him at all! Did Ymir change his personality for the better?" — Ulrika thought at the completely unexpected display of humbleness.
— You didn't quite ask right, but I'll help you. I just need to put my armour on, and we can depart whenever you want.
Hodritz got up from the ground, wiping his knees and wishing the flames of hell would swallow Ulrika. However, he had to contain his pride, at least on this occasion.
— I can't believe I'm doing all of this for a barbarian wench. — Hodritz mumbled to himself, looking down and wondering what kind of face Hildegard would give him upon returning. He could hear Ulrika giggling from across the room, making him feel uncomfortable again.
— If I may ask, why exactly are we going to the savages, Bjorn? — He heard her say.
— That is none of your concern. — He retorted coldly.
— Even the tone of your voice seems different. You should know I'm quite good at reading people. — He continued to look away. — You don't seem well. Something must definitely be troubling you...
A moment passed, followed by an awkward silence. He looked up and noticed Ulrika staring straight into his soul. "Damned child..." Hodritz cursed under his breath before turning around.
— I see you've finished. We depart now.
He walked away and Ulrika followed shortly afterwards. They arrived soon to the Fomhóire tribe. He instructed his guards to stay close to him, keeping watch over anyone who approached them. The soldiers were nervous about being there, yet they remained composed. They made their way to the central camp where the rest of the tribe was gathered. They met no resistance as they approached. The members of the tribe kept their distance from the foreigners. Some even hid themselves, fearing they might get involved in whatever plot was brewing inside the tribe. After a minute, a man who spoke Marleyan approached them and was addressed by Hodritz's interpreter.
— We want to meet your leader. — The interpreter stated.
The man took them to a great tent made of various animal skins. He motioned for them to enter.
— Hold on, Bjorn. This smells like a trap. — Ulrika said, grasping her scabbard.
— One of you! — He addressed his guards. — Go see what's inside.
Spear in hand, the guard opened the tent flap and looked inside.
— There's a young man and an old woman. By Ymir, how old is she? — He checked again. — A hundred?
— Ackerman, interpreter. You two come with me. The rest of you lot, surround this tent and be aware of any threats! — Hodritz ordered.
— This savage insists their leader, Darragh, is inside, my lord. — The interpreter said as they entered the tent.
Darragh was indeed inside, sitting on the ground and holding a bowl with a sort of concoction. The old woman was awake, but had her eyes closed. Her completely green tattooed face and her incredibly long and messy hair made an impression on the three Eldians.
— I know of you. You are Hodritz Bjorn, the Beast Titan. — Darragh said with a tone of melancholy.
— Correct. And I must speak of something important with you.
— I already know what this is about. Saoirse, right?
— Why are you keeping her captive, you knave? She's my... favourite whore to have around. That's what she is.
— She was part of a dissenter group and was tasked with killing you. — Darragh showed him a thin metal rod. — See this? It was supposed to go inside the opening on the base of your skull and move around to make a mess of your brains. An instant kill.
Silence. Hodritz needed time to process what he had just heard. This terrible thing had to be revealed just when he thought he had found love. "Of course, what should be expected of a barbarian? I was a fool to think I deserve anyone's affection."
— Take me to her.
The old woman began to speak in the language of Paradis. She pointed a trembling finger towards Hodritz.
— What is the hag saying? — He asked angrily.
— "A great shadow looms over you. Great misfortune will come once you leave this village."
— Nonsense. Shall we, Darragh?
They left the tent and walked to a small wooden hut. Its doors and windows were blocked and had only one opening wide enough to pass items through. Hodritz looked inside and saw around five people, Saoirse included. Once their gazes met, Saoirse screamed in horror.
— You should distance yourselves. — He told the people around him.
Upon seeing even the Eldians running away from the vicinity, the Fomhóire took off as well, leaving Hodritz alone, still looking at the small opening. He began punching the wood and cursing at Saoirse.
— You whore! You're barely an animal that walks upright, you're a mere insect! Do you know what I do with insects?
His fists were bleeding from the blows. His skin began to glow as electricity coursed around him.
— I crush them.
The explosion from the transformation launched the pieces of wood from what had been a hut a moment ago forwards with great force. Saoirse herself landed a considerable distance away from the goat-headed titan that appeared as if out of thin air. Her legs had been badly burnt and a piece of wood had lodged itself in her stomach. With booming steps, the Beast Titan walked towards her. He picked her up by the hair with two of his fingers. She barely had any strength to scream and was almost losing consciousness.
— Insect... You insect... — He repeated over and over, panting heavily.
With the other hand, he crushed her, turning the once beautiful woman into a red paste. Blood trickled down the fur of his wrist.
— Let this be a display of Eldia's might, barbarians! I shall not be merciful with anyone who defies me! — He shouted to the skies.
A memory resurfaced on his mind.
"— I'm going to tell mum! Why are you so mean to me? — Heinrich sobbed.
Hodritz wiped his shoes on the ground, leaving a mess of haemolymph and exoskeleton pieces on the ground.
— What are you crying for? It's an insect! It's disgusting that you and Sören play with them. — Hodritz answered.
— Shut up, Hodritz. Why don't you go play grown-up games with the adults if you're so mature? Leave us alone. — Sören retorted defiantly.
— Oh, I see you have another beetle there. Give it to me!
He swiped it from the small enclosure the two boys had made for their bugs.
— It's a mere insect! Do you know what I do with insects? I crush them. — He closed his hand, and a crunching sound was heard. — Disgusting, now I must wash my hands... This should teach you a lesson.
Sören, red with anger, threw himself at Hodritz and began trading blows with him in the awkward way children fight. Being older and bigger, Hodritz overpowered Sören and threw punches at his stomach, leaving him crying on the ground.
— Great, now my clothes are dirty. You will never win a fight against me, Brandt.
— I know, you stupid dumb meanie. But you'll never win your parents' love. At least my mum and dad like me.
— Why, you little...!
Hodritz's kick on Sören's ribs was enough to make him faint. Heinrich cried loudly and called for help.
— You, with the bucket! Call someone to help my friend!
Hodritz turned to look at a little blond girl carrying a bucket. Her clothes were decrepit, and she wore a white headband. She appeared to stare deeply into his soul, but her eyes were obscured."
— Huh... I don't remember a servant being there at the time, much less a child. — He said to himself.
Suddenly, a sharp and lancinating pain surged within his chest. Still in titan form, he fell to the ground, kicking up a great dust cloud.
— Oh no, this can't be good. — Ulrika said while observing from afar. She began running as fast as she could towards the titan.
Steam was already rising from its body. Grabbing the Beast Titan's fur, Ulrika climbed up towards the nape and began carving with her sword until she could find a part of his human form. At that point, the other guards had also climbed up and helped her drag Hodritz from his titan body. Ulrika felt his neck, then his wrists, and then his chest.
— I can't believe it... He's got no pulse...