AN: So, good news: I'm not dead. Bad news: it's been seven months since my last update. I'm sorry that it took me so long to update, but there were a lot of things that happened that got in the way.
I am now working a full time job which is leaving me tired nearly every day.
I suffered more bouts of depression.
I also had COVID-19 and strep throat at the same time. An awful combination.
But ultimately, one of the biggest things that took me so long is that this chapter is arguably the biggest game-changer since Annie surrendered way back in Chapter 23. It's been building up since that chapter, and now, it's time.
I sincerely hope you enjoy this chapter and props to GodzillaFollower1998 for his help with the final scene.
Chapter 79: Long Live the Queen
(Orvud District)
Even though the threat of Rod Reiss had been eliminated, the work of the Scout Regiment and the other military branches was far from complete. The dethroning of the false king along with the nobles controlling him had caused an unavoidable stir within the populace, a restlessness that had been growing for a long time. If left untreated, the civilians from every corner of the Walls would devolve into anarchy, rejecting any and all sort of order. Unfortunately, none of the military regiments were in good standing with the civilians either. From the Scout Regiment being willing to sacrifice innocent lives for their own means and ends, to the Garrison being full of cowards and alcoholics that would run away from danger when it arrives, to the Military Police turning a blind eye towards injustice within the Districts they were sworn to protect.
This was the reason that Erwin Smith, Dot Pixis, Nile Dok, Darius Zackley, and Dimo Reeves had all come together for a private meeting in a nearby conference room. They all had their work cut out for them.
"Thank you all for coming," Erwin began once he took his seat. "With the danger of Rod Reiss no longer an issue, now is the best time for us to discuss the future of our people. Nile, Mr. Reeves, you two have an ear to the ground concerning these matters more than us, so I shall let you start."
"While the details have been sparse among the populace, word is spreading to all corners of the country," Nile explained. "The government has collapsed and the Military Police as a whole cannot be trusted to keep any sort of peace."
Pixis chuckled as he took a sip of his booze. "I think you meant that your branch can't control the people anymore, Nile." He stared evenly at the glare given to him by the commander of the Military Police. "Just wanted to make sure we're all on the same page."
To everyone's surprise, Dimo spoke up in his defense. "Commander Dok took an incredible risk to be on your side. He had the chance to kill me when it benefited him and his family the most, something I probably would have done, but he chose not to."
"Hmm." Pixis took another gulp in the process. "I wonder why."
Nile let out a heavy sigh as he thought about that day. "I had ten good reasons to kill Mr. Reeves… and one reason not to." He remembered pulling the trigger, but instead of killing the merchant, the round shattered the window next to him. "It was my one chance to be free of a system that was poisoning every aspect of my life, a life that wasn't worth living. Everything that follows will be on me. No excuses."
"Hmm." For once, Pixis regarded the commander in a more positive light. "Perhaps I misjudged you."
"We need to focus on the matter at hand," Nile brought them back on track and continued with his analysis. "The people's trust in us is gone. By default, the Scout Regiment is the only regiment to have some support, but that isn't enough to turn the tide. We need a radical plan of action if we hope to keep this country from collapsing."
Zackley shook his head as if he was amused by the situation. "They are looking for heroes, people to look up to in their time of desperation. I can say with absolute certainty that none of you qualify for that role. Mr. Reeves comes close, but his influence can only go so far."
"Do you have any recommendations?" Erwin asked.
The commander-in-chief drummed his fingers on the table. "I could nominate myself, but that will not be good enough for the people. They'll complain about how I did absolutely nothing to protect them in their time of need, which brings me to the real hero of this story: Carolyn Amsdale."
"...I think I speak for everyone when I say that's an unusual choice," Dimo spoke after a moment of silence. "Why her? Aside from an assassination attempt, she had nothing to do with the Reiss family or the military coup."
A smile slowly creased the man's face. "Gentlemen, I believe that it's time I put all my cards on the table, but under no circumstances can this information leave this room." Once he was sure he had everyone's attention, Zackley began his tale. "While the events happened much differently than I anticipated, Carolyn and I have been working towards this moment for years. We wanted nothing more than to crush the spines of the sanctimonious, corrupt government within these Walls. Her position as a defender of the people against the Military Police had to strike the perfect balance. Not too much as to become a visible threat, but not too little as to not get noticed. The original plan called for her husband and son to hone their skills since we all knew that the government wouldn't go down without a fight."
"So, you planned for the Amsdales to lead the way towards revolution," Erwin summed up.
"But then the young Amsdale decided to enlist in the military," he went on. "I let that slide because a young man like him needed to know how to use ODM gear. Of course, life threw some more unfortunate mishaps in our direction and postponed the revolution."
Nile's eye twitched slightly, remembering all the bodies that were mangled and torn apart from the Titan attacks. '"Unfortunate mishaps?'"
He went on as if he was never interrupted. "By then, Matthew was dead, Carolyn in a coma, and Dillon on the verge of losing it. With the government closing in, I decided to cut my losses. I withdrew the little protection Carolyn had left and… encouraged Dillon to deal with her as he saw fit."
The room dropped several degrees as Erwin's eyes narrowed dangerously. Levi had briefed him on the circumstances that happened in Dauper, especially concerning the cadets. The Scout Regiment almost collapsed from within, and, knowingly or not, Zackley helped instigate that by his actions towards Dillon. When he spoke, it was clipped, precise, and cold. "So you chose to have her eliminated one way or the other to protect yourself. And Dillon was, what? Collateral damage?"
"The boy killed his own father and got into bed with the enemy," Zackley explained. "We don't know enough about his powers except that they are fueled by his emotions. His very presence could've caused irreparable harm to our country, so he needed to be dealt with. I knew you would try to come up with an excuse like you did with Eren and Annie about how invaluable he was, but I knew better. You just needed to open your eyes to the truth. Seeing as how I haven't seen him among the Scouts, I'd say I was successful."
Erwin took a deep breath and let it out. "I can appreciate pragmatism more than most, but you put the Scout Regiment, my soldiers, at risk all just to prove a point and cover your tracks. We exist to save humanity, not perform to the whims of a politician."
"Are you about to attempt to take the moral high ground? You, of all people?"
"No," he answered, shaking his head. "What I'm saying is that there are two hundred different ways I can make you feel… discomfort. I suggest you keep that in mind for the future."
Now, it was Zackley's turn to glare at the commander. "Are you threatening me, Commander? Need I remind you that it's because of me that you're not swinging in the breeze for the public to gaze upon? You owe me your life."
"As I've said before, you're a pragmatic man, Commander Zackley. I have no doubt that you can find creative ways to remove me, but we both know that's not going to happen. You need me as much as I need you. So, if you are willing to destroy everything you've worked so hard for, I'll be waiting."
Dimo decided to cut through the tension before things could get more heated. "Let's get back to the topic at hand. What do you believe is the best way to stabilize this country and how does Carolyn fit into that plan?"
Zackley removed enough envelopes for the group from his jacket. "I made sure to have it written down so we can get our story straight. I even have a copy for Carolyn when you see her again."
It is said that those in glass houses should never throw stones. That being said, the more he read the document, Erwin couldn't help but view Darius Zackley as a conniving, despicable genius.
(Dauper Village)
"For many years, Carolyn Amsdale and Darius Zackley have been working together to achieve the end of the corruption within the Walls. She made the sacrifice of placing the target on herself and her family so that Darius could pull the proper strings to prepare for that moment. She would suffer so that no one else had to. By being a voice of rebellion within Wall Sina, even as taking clients of the common citizens, she allowed other voices to be heard, such as Dimo Reeves of the Reeves Company. Through his influence, she amassed a growing volume of civilians dissatisfied with the norm, even those within the Interior.
"Through her actions, she allowed a sergeant of deep connections to the throne named Kyler Hauer to come forward with shocking news: the king was nothing but a figurehead for the highest nobles to speak through. In truth, the true, royal bloodline belonged to the Reiss family. Rod Reiss, the head of his estate, kept it quiet, and sent his illegitimate daughter away. Carefully, Carolyn contacted Berg Newspapers and began providing them this crucial information to be used when the time was right. Unfortunately, Kyler was assassinated along with the husband of Carolyn, Matthew Amsdale. Before Carolyn could join them in an untimely demise, she was rescued by her son, Dillon Amsdale, and the Female Titan, Annie Leonhart. She has since been under the protection of the Scout Regiment.
"With the information she provided, she was able to rally the Scouts to keep Dimo Reeves safe and aid Darius Zackley in the swift takedown of the government. Rod Reiss himself was executed for treason, and now his daughter, Historia Reiss, will now ascend to the throne under the watchful gaze of the military. None of this would have been possible without Carolyn's actions behind the scenes. She has secured the prosperity of the Walls and all who dwell within for generations to come."
Once she was finished reading the note, Carolyn couldn't help but let out a chuckle. "I have to give it to him: Darius knows how to tie up loose ends."
"Would you be saying that if he didn't make you a hero?" Levi questioned. "All hail Carolyn Amsdale, right?"
"I'm not that vain. It's just nice that despite all the chaos that unfolded, things will finally settle down."
"Don't try to bullshit us," he warned. "We all know what kind of woman you are."
"What are the odds? I know what kind of people you are." Carolyn stood up, looking as poised and determined as she did when she was a lawyer. "But I think the time for talking and finger-wagging has come to an end. I'm getting what I want and you're getting what you want. Leave it at that and save your breath."
The captain rolled his eyes, but he did unlock her cell door.
Inwardly, Carolyn couldn't believe that this was happening. After all she had suffered, the sacrifices she made, she was finally being rewarded. The journey had been worth it if it meant reaching this moment.
Of course, Levi attempted to sour said moment by slamming her against the wall. "Let's make this clear, you smug bitch. We're going to be watching you very carefully. You're in the spotlight now. There isn't a move you can make without us finding out about it. Jeopardize our lives for your insane ambitions, and I promise you that I will-"
"Captain, what did I say about wasting your breath?" Carolyn interrupted casually, silently daring him to strike her. "But if you want to stretch the limits of reality to assume that I have an ulterior motive, I can play that game. Marley wants me dead; therefore, I have no motivation to betray you. Case. Closed. Now, kindly let go of me and save the bullying for those children you enjoy smacking around."
To his credit, Levi didn't react in anger. He knew that's what the woman wanted. Besides, unless she actually did something to threaten him or the others, he had no cause to beat her up. With that in mind, he released her.
Brushing herself off and smoothing out the wrinkles in her clothes, Carolyn asked, "I trust that I will be protected on my way to the Capital?"
Hanji finally spoke, wrapping her arm around her shoulder as if she was a good friend. "Don't worry. We'll take good care of you. Besides, this'll give us time to arrange your heroic appearance."
That made her confused while she was led outside. "What are you talking about?"
"See, everyone loves a good story, and I picked out the right one for you." Hanji let out a creepy giggle, something she hadn't done in a while. "You were captured by the MPs and, despite the beatings they gave you, you held strong. And then we saved your life, making you eternally grateful."
Carolyn's eyes widened, realizing what the Section Commander was planning. Unfortunately, there was nowhere for her to escape to. She was stuck with the maniac. "You do realize how petty this is, right?"
"A bit," Hanji admitted. "You and I are cut from the same cloth, so I can't be too mad for who you are. But you still chose to keep the truth about the outside world hidden from us for 20 years. Lots of lives could have been saved. And even that's not the real reason." She pushed her against the wall of the building, the cheerful demeanor vanishing. "I watched a dear friend of mine die recently, and I'm still upset over it. So I'm gonna take a leaf out of Levi's book and let off some steam. Don't worry, though." Hanji cracked her knuckles. "I'm a professional."
While Carolyn was having the cover story beaten into her, Levi was approached by Markus for, hopefully, the last time. "Y'all caused me and mah village nothin' but trouble ever since ya set foot here," Markus began. "Ah ain't even gonna pretend to like ya. All I'll say is that if the new ruler causes us more grief than the previous one, Ah'm gonna shove a few arrows through yer eyes."
Levi was tempted to give a biting response. Despite the unusual circumstances, this was still a victory. "Thank you," he said sincerely.
The chieftain heaved a sigh. "Not like we had much choice, but… yer welcome." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. "Ah promised that Annie girl Ah'd put Dillon under mah protection from ya, but there's a recent development." The grave expression on his face did not bode well. "Dillon is gone."
"It's not surprising," Levi responded, though he knew that this was going to be a major headache down the line. Even after everything that had happened, the kid never ceased to cause him problems. "Any idea where he went?"
"He wrote it all down in this letter," Markus answered, handing Levi the paper. "It's not good."
Quickly, he skimmed over the contents and found his eyes widening with every word. This went beyond stupid. It was downright suicidal. "He went after the Titan Shifters," he managed to mutter. "Alone." And judging what he read, he shared much of the blame for this disaster.
(Orvud District; One day later)
Historia thought that all the revelations were left behind in those crystal caves. After hearing Erwin's private declaration to her, she knew better. "You want me to take the throne?"
"Yes," he answered as if it was the simplest notion to grasp.
The blonde stared at the commander, her jaw falling open. She was waiting for the other shoe to drop, a break in his facade, but she found none. He was being serious. So, upon realizing that, she strode over to a wine bottle that had been left over from the previous meeting. She had never taken even a sip of alcohol in her life, and yet, with barely any hesitation, she lifted up the bottle and gulped down an impressive amount. The liquid burned her throat something fierce, and though she coughed harshly, she was able to digest it.
Erwin couldn't help but smile in amusement. "Feeling better?"
She slammed the bottle down, panting heavily. "Not even a little."
"Good, because I need Historia Reiss to listen, not a barely-understandable drunk." He approached her slowly and steadily. "I know that this situation is far from ideal, but you are the only one who can sit on that throne. Anyone else—"
"Would be too hard for you to manipulate towards your own ends," Historia interrupted, fixing him with a glare. It seemed that her time with Rod increased her backbone. "The only thing I have going for myself is my name. I know nothing about ruling a kingdom outside of some books I read as a child. You don't want a queen, Commander. You want a puppet, a mouthpiece."
"And if it's a sacrifice you must make for the sake of our country's survival, what then?" he responded evenly. "Would you doom your people in a fit of moral outrage?"
"Don't you dare try to guilt trip me!" Historia demanded, her voice rising. "And stop pretending that our country's survival means anything to you."
Erwin's eyebrows raised slightly. '"Pretending?' What makes you believe that?"
Historia took a deep breath and released it. She was given an opening, and it was time to take it. "You're a charismatic leader, Commander. You have such a way with words that you could have easily been a politician if circumstances were different. But underneath those words, the declarations of 'fighting for humanity's survival,' there's no real conviction."
"And what has drawn you to such a conclusion?" he asked as if he was unfazed by her words.
"Everything that had to do with Annie when you captured her," she answered. "That was my first clue. I could buy trying to gain the upper hand on the Titans by capturing her, but then you took it a step further and nearly destroyed Stohess. There was no care for civilian lives or your Scouts' lives. You didn't even care about Eren's life. All it
"The plan was successful and it bore more fruit than any of us could have predicted," Erwin pointed out.
"That's the official line, but we both know what really happened. The only reason you got what you wanted was because Dillon defied your orders. In fact, most of the victories this country has achieved were because of Eren, Annie, and Dillon. The only thing you contributed to the situation was the body count."
"Hmm." His stoicness remained strong. "So, if I'm not after humanity's survival, what do you think the reason is for my actions?"
"Answers," was her immediate response. "That's the only motive you could possibly have, Commander. What else could there be?"
Erwin gazed at Historia for a moment before letting out a heavy sigh. "Don't call me Commander. Not in this room. As of right now, we are both equals. Two people trying to make it through this world."
She said nothing, but she did give him a nod. Clearly, he had something to say.
He did not disappoint. "I was just a boy when they told me my father died in an accident. 'Lost control of a horse,' they said. 'Broke his neck.' Everyone bought the tale except for me." He began to pace around the room. "A week before his death, he had told me, in secret, that he believed our records from before the Walls' creation were destroyed. And no one knew what really happened because their memories had been erased. Life began inside the Walls as intended. I was so amazed by this explanation that I told my classmates at school all about it. My foolishness cost my father his life. Yes, the government pulled the trigger to cover up the truth, but I was the one that gave them that gun. Ever since I killed him, I swore an oath to prove that my father was correct. No matter the actions I took, no matter the compromises I made, my will would be done. Nothing mattered compared to my obsession."
In the reflection of the window, he could see the faces of every Scout that had died under his command, watching him carefully. "My Scouts, my soldiers, died believing their sacrifices would further humanity's ascension out of this cage. A righteous commander would see them die as men. But the truth is that they died as stepping stones for my own ambition. I see their faces. I remember their names. It's the curse I chose since I became Commander of the Scout Regiment. But do you know what the damndest thing is, Historia?" Erwin turned to face the young woman, the weight of his sins bearing down on him. "I didn't achieve my dreams; it was handed to me by a man who sought to save the woman he loved from herself. His act of compassion allowed me to know the truth of this world, and I can't help but despise him for that. The blood on my hands amounted to nothing. Now, my only role left is to be the commander of the Scout Regiment."
Historia was at a complete loss for words. Even though her initial assessment of Erwin was correct, it ran far deeper than she could have imagined. By all rights, she should hate him, but she couldn't bring herself to. Maybe because hearing him admit the truth was enough for her. Maybe she understood what it was like to pretend to be someone they weren't. Maybe she just didn't have the strength to hate anymore. "Erwin…" Just saying his name without the title felt weird. "…why are you telling me this?"
"You wanted the truth, so I'm giving it to you," he explained. "You were right about one thing: it would have been preferable to have you as a puppet, but our current circumstances require something far riskier." He removed two envelopes from his jacket and slid them on the table over to Historia. "One envelope contains a lie that the general public must believe. It has nothing to do with the truth of the world outside these Walls. Rather, it has to do with the circumstances regarding the coup. In order to gain the trust of the people, we have to lie to them one last time and stick with it."
The blonde was quite irritated at the thought of having to deceive an entire country. Unfortunately, if she believed in the greater good, then that meant making the sacrifice of her morality. "And the second envelope?"
"I have no idea as to the exact contents," Erwin confessed after a moment's hesitation. "All Darius would tell me is that it contained a restructuring of the entire military that will put the people's mind at ease for your eyes only. Anyone else who reads it beforehand has the opportunity to alter it to their own ends. He even said that if I glanced at the inside of the envelope, he would have me shot. The power is in your hands, not mine." He stared at the woman directly in her bright blue eyes. "You're the only chance we have of stabilizing this country, Historia. I may be a fraud of a commander, but I am still a good judge of character. I don't believe that you will turn your back on us."
There was a part of Historia that wanted to do just that. Run away from the entire country and live a life of seclusion where no one would ever bother her again. After all she had suffered, it seemed like the just reward. But she couldn't bring herself to commit an act of reckless selfishness, even if it meant risking more pain for herself down the line. She couldn't abandon her friends, her… people.
"Live your life with pride in your heart." Ymir had said something like that to her a long time ago. No matter the woman's actions, her words rang true, especially in this moment.
The moment Historia unsealed the envelope, she was no longer a Scout. She was no longer another person. She was the true Queen of Eldia.
"Annie…
"There is so much I want to say, I don't even know where to begin, honestly. It's been a difficult pill to swallow, but I've come to realize that I've been doing more harm to you, my friends, and the people within these Walls than good. I've allowed my emotions to get the better of me over and over again, I've ignored the warnings of everyone much smarter than me, and worst of all… I put you in a position where you had to constantly pick up the pieces whenever I crumbled. You were always there for me, and I was barely there for you when you were suffering far worse than me.
"Words can't even convey how sorry I am for failing you. I should have been the soldier everyone rightfully expected of me. I should have been stronger than this, but I wasn't. In fact, because of my actions, I nearly destroyed the Scout Regiment out of sheer stupidity. I could have gotten you and the others killed. That was unforgivable. You were right to walk away, and as much as I wish to seek you out, I know that I have no right. Not after everything I've done.
"The only thing I can do now is give it everything I've got to make amends. I'm heading straight for Shiganshina to put an end to the Shifters there. The one thing I have going for me is that they are woefully unprepared to fight a Psion. It may just be enough to take them all down. But there's still a chance that I might fail, and if I do… don't come looking for me. The last thing you or the others need is to deal with an unstable idiot who can barely get through a day without breaking down. If I can't beat them, then I refuse to let them take me alive. It's the least I can do.
"Despite everything, I really do love you, Annie. It may not have seemed that way sometimes, but I do. I just wish that my actions spoke louder than my feelings or intentions. But above all else, I wish you happiness, Annie. I'm sorry I failed in giving that to you.
"Love, with all my heart, now and forever…
"Dillon."
What was left of the letter could be found crumpled up in the corner. Upon closer examination, one could find remnants of tears that had stained the paper. The source of said tears was currently sitting on a chair facing the wall, eyes puffy and red.
Despite the fact that many of the things Dillon said in the letter were true, Annie knew that she bore the weight of responsibility on her shoulders. Because of her actions that began in the 57th Expedition, she pushed him to the brink, and he stayed there. His best efforts to fix the problems that plagued them both ended with disaster. Instead of allowing him to keep trying, she should have found a way to get him away from the Scout Regiment for a while so he could mentally recover. Sure, their talks helped immensely, but it wasn't enough for what they really needed: time to breathe.
She would have continued to feel sorry for herself were it not for the knock on her door. With enough training, she was able to mask her emotions, so that's exactly what she did as she went to see who was disturbing her. When she opened the door, she was unable to contain her surprise. "Mikasa?"
Even with several bandages wrapped around her head and one of her eyes blackened, Mikasa was up and about. She looked like she hadn't slept in days, which was probably accurate. And yet, she was a woman with a mission. "Annie. Can I come in?"
Annie hesitated for a moment, but she allowed her inside her temporary quarters. "How's Eren?" she asked as she closed the door. "I thought you'd still be by his side."
"Armin is watching over him for now," Mikasa explained, taking a seat. She still had dizzy spells for now. "He's still unconscious, but… he'll come back soon."
"And yet you left him to see me." Annie would be lying if she said she wasn't curious. "Why? Come to settle the score once and for all?"
She shook her head and took a deep breath. This was hard for her to say, that much was obvious, but it needed to be said. "I never trusted you, not after everything you've done. I thought Dillon was a fool for risking everything for a sadistic monster who caused me and my family so much pain. Reiner and Bertholdt were the faces of destruction, but you've always been the face of cruelty."
Annie nodded silently. What could she say in response to the truth?
"I didn't care what anyone said: I've been waiting for the moment you'd stab us in the back again. There's no way in hell someone like you could ever change. I even prayed for an excuse to kill you." Mikasa's eyes drifted to the floor, her expression filled with shame. "But then, when you had the chance to run away, leave us all to die in those caves, you didn't. You almost sacrificed your life for us. Half of us hated you, yet you stood your ground. And that look on your face, that ugly, skinless, giant face-"
Okay, Annie was going to take some offense to that.
"-you were content. If it meant dying for us, you were okay with that." Mikasa let out a sigh. She still couldn't believe what she was about to say. "Annie, you've changed, and I'd be an idiot to ignore it. You're still somewhat screwed in the head, but then again, I think we all are. I don't hate you anymore. In fact, I… I feel like I can forgive you."
The blonde recoiled as if she had been struck. "Did Kenny give you brain damage or something, Mikasa? You can't be serious."
"I don't joke around," she shot back. "And if I did, it wouldn't be for something like this."
Annie shook her head, heading over to the corner where she tossed the letter. When she spoke, she sounded frantic. "You've lost it. You can't—you can't forgive me. I killed Marco, I killed your adoptive mother, I destroyed your home, I crushed Eren under my foot, and that's not even going into the things I did before I came to this island."
Despite her head screaming in protest, Mikasa stood up, eying the blonde curiously. "Why are you so desperate for me to hate you?"
"Because people like me can't be forgiven, Mikasa. It's stupid!" She shoved the letter into the Asian's chest. "Dillon is gone. Because of me, he's off to go kill himself in an attempt to kill the other Shifters."
Her eyes widened in horror as she quickly skimmed the note. "How long ago was this?"
"One or two days ago. Levi just gave this to me. It's too late. He's either dead or a prisoner, and there's nothing I can do about it." In a fit of self-hatred, she grabbed a nearby vase and threw it on the ground. "Damn it!"
Mikasa was worried about Dillon, especially considering his condition the last time she saw him, but thanks to her mental and physical exhaustion, her anxiety did not take her over. Instead, she just listened.
Annie sunk onto a couch, burying her face in her hands. "You know what the last thing I told him was before I broke up with him? That he was a sinking ship, and I had to get out. I was the one responsible for him sinking in the first place. It got so bad that he had to depend on an imaginary goddess in his head for guidance. He lost it, and I just watched. He saved my life and I threw it in his face." She looked over to Mikasa with tears filled up in her eyes. "The only thing I'm good at is destroying lives, Mikasa. You can't forgive a monster like me. Not you."
Mikasa stared at the Shifter for a long time. She knew exactly what Annie wanted her to say, and she had no intention of giving it to her. "Get over yourself," she told her, her tone hardening.
Annie recoiled as if she had been slapped. "What?"
She scoffed. It was time for the gloves to come off. "You think I need your permission to forgive you? Who decided that? I don't know if you enjoy being miserable, Annie, but I'm not going to play a part in it."
"It doesn't make what I did-"
"Of course it doesn't!" she interrupted harshly. "You're still the same Titan that destroyed my home, my friends, and God only knows how many lives. Forgiveness isn't about me giving you a clean slate; it's about letting go of my hatred towards you. We are not friends, but at least I can stop imagining myself stabbing your eyes out on a daily basis."
Annie couldn't bear looking at this woman, her harshest critic, in the eyes anymore. It was too much to handle all at once. "Then what happens now?" she asked quietly.
"I work with you, I fight for you, and I move on. If you're the woman I think you are, you will, too." Mikasa let out a groan as she held her head. Apparently, shouting helped exacerbate her injuries. Still, she wasn't done. "And if Dillon is alive, we'll bring him home. If he's not, then we'll avenge him. Deal?"
The blonde let out a heavy sigh. She remembered the forgiveness that Dillon had given her back when they were still together. But then, the words of another friend came to mind. "When I told the others at Castle Utgard who I really was, Sasha told me that I was trying to be a better person, that I was trying to find redemption. I told her it was bullshit, but I was lying to myself. Despite what I've done, I want to be a better person than I ever was. I don't deserve anyone's forgiveness, but you chose to give it to me anyway."
"Then don't insult us by throwing it away," Mikasa told her. "Take it and move forward."
Annie wiped her face until her tears were gone. She hated crying, especially in front of other people. That being said, this was the wake-up call she needed. "I never thought I would say this, but… thank you, Mikasa."
"You can thank me by answering one question," she responded, leaning forward. "Why did Eren lose it the other day? He talked to you before he transformed, so it had to be something you said."
She had a strong feeling that question would be coming. The Scouts hadn't given her permission to share this information, but considering what happened with Eren, the truth had to come out. "Brace yourself. This isn't going to be easy to hear…"
(Mitras)
One week after the death of Rod Reiss, the time had finally arrived. Through the power of the press, hundreds, if not thousands, of people came together in front of the castle within Mitras. All of them, rich or poor, noble class or lower class, had one thing in common: they were anxious about the new regime. Their lives were about to be changed forever with this new regime.
Each military branch sent in soldiers to make sure the peace was kept, though Commander Dok sent in MPs undercover. Considering how much his regiment was currently hated, it was best not to put targets on his men. Of course, if the civilians didn't like what the new queen had to say, a riot would be the inevitable outcome and the entire country would be lost.
Darius Zackley was the first to speak, giving a summary of recent events. Well, his version of recent events. He made sure to sprinkle in how he and Carolyn were instrumental in pushing the Scouts to help take down the corrupt government. A plan that was years in the making had finally come to life.
"...and the tyranny of the False King was destroyed," Zackley finished up. "Were it not for the bravery of Commander Erwin Smith, Captain Levi Ackerman, Section Commander Hanji Zoe, and every soldier under their command, we would not be here to tell you of these happenings. But we cannot also forget the bravery of those who never wielded more than a flintlock in their entire lives: Dimo Reeves, the people of Berg Newspapers, and, of course, Carolyn Amsdale."
He gestured to the woman next to him, who had a bandage over her eye and several bruises scattered across her face. The beating Hanji gave her was quite convincing in garnering the sympathy of the audience. The looks they were giving her, the adoration and silent praise, was more than enough to put a smile on her face. It was all worth it.
"Their actions will go down in history as those who brought light into a country corrupted by darkness," Darius continued.
That spurned most of the crowd into applause, though it was still hesitant. They still had yet to hear from the woman who would be leading them.
"But my words will not be enough to sway you, I am sure. All I can do now is present the young woman that will lead you into a new dawn, a new era for our country. Without further ado… Historia Reiss."
The petite, blonde woman stepped out of the shadows in the fanciest clothes ever to be worn by royalty. She wore a floor-length, white gown and a red, flowing cape that marked her status as that above everyone. Her normally long hair was now tied up neatly in a bun for what was about to come next. While her face was neutral, inwardly, Historia knew terror.
For the third time today, she wondered what had possessed her to go through with this. The throng of people stretched out as far as she could see, their faces staring up at her. Hard faces. Cold faces. Hungry, drunk, hopeful, calculating, desperate. Historia recognized the emotions on each face, recalling an echo of experience in each. She knew the almost savage hunger that lurked under those expressions, desperate for hope after so much despair. And after everything these past few months, she knew they were salivating for good news. For the confirmation that they would no longer have to live like animals, waiting for their next kill.
And while she wanted nothing more than to appease those wishes, Historia now knew how careless such a move would be. Erwin had been firm in her preparations for this moment, that she could only give so much truth without accidentally enticing uproar. But the worst part, the bitterest thing about this whole experience, was that she had to lie.
"Hello, everyone." She stood with her back straight, shoulders set and voice clear. She looked into the middle of the crowd and, like Erwin had told her, it did make addressing them that much easier. "I am Historia Reiss."
Silence reigned among the people, though she could see their judgmental eyes. She's just a child, they were thinking. How could a girl in a fancy dress hope to lead an entire country?
Don't let them see you sweat. She thought as she spoke carefully. "I know that I'm not what you expected, and I feel the same way. I was just a simple soldier within the Scout Regiment trying to make a difference. Now I find myself standing before you to be judged harshly for what is to come."
Realizing that she was getting nowhere with that line of monologue except for making herself sound woefully unqualified, she sought for a different angle. "I once read a book that had a very telling statement: 'Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.' Whatever the case may be, I now have a duty to every single one of you no matter your lot in life. It would be so easy to attempt to rally you against the Titans with grandiose speeches on how we'll defeat the cannibalistic giants outside our borders."
Amidst the people, she could see the faces of her comrades scattered among them. Her friends were giving her looks of encouragement and smiles. They believed in her, even after everything.
"The truth is," Historia felt a new bubble of strength rise within her, "our enemies are not those which linger outside our Walls. They're the ones who have been inside our Walls from the very start. The ones who have hidden in the shadows and bide their time, waiting to strike us at our weakest." She looked among the crowd and saw a new light, a growing interest. She had them now. "They are the enemy that can look like any one of us, who can sit and break bread with us, and take all the time they need to stab us in the back.
"The truth is our war is no longer as simple as it has been for so long. It has become one of shadows. One where our sole strength is the faith we have in each other, in the comrades we have fought and bled with together. The Titans may have broken our Walls but this new enemy has done the one thing the Titans would never have done in a million years."
She let that hang in the air for a moment, bait dangling on the end of a line. She watched them lean in, eager, waiting, hungry.
Then, she told them: "They humiliated us."
A murmuring began to rise in the crowd.
"They turned us against each other."
The murmuring rose.
"They took everything that was good about us and twisted it. We almost destroyed ourselves!"
Shouts of agreement rose amidst the murmuring.
"Look at the last few months, all this rage and conflict. They ruined everything we've spent centuries protecting, they broke our faith in each other, and perhaps we deserve that. For our idiocy, for our complacency, perhaps we deserve to be broken!"
The murmuring evolved into shouts, some in agreement and others in protest.
"And yet!" she said, pitching her voice above the rising crowd until they were quieted down. "And yet, here we are. People of each Wall, rich and poor, each branch of the Military, standing together as one. It's because of that and that alone, that we were able to survive the horrors that have plagued us!"
Historia leaned against the podium, taking a moment to catch her breath. The crowd returned to their silence but upon seeing their determination and rising support, she felt her weariness dim as though she drew strength from them. Perhaps she was. Perhaps this was what it felt like to be a ruler. "This has been our darkest hour, but I promise you, the dawn is coming, But it will only come in full, with all its light and promises, if we stand united. United and free!"
Jean could only stare in awe without blinking. "Wow, she's really good at this," he whispered with awe.
Connie shook his head with a rueful grin. "Are you shocked? I'd say it's proof that she really is noble."
"Yeah," Sasha agreed, quietly. She watched Historia, dressed in white like an angel and addressing her subjects, drawing out their fears and doubts and replacing it with hope, and felt a sting of sadness. "Ymir, ya have no idea what yer missin'. Ya'd be so proud…"
Historia was on a roll. "And to ensure that we will always stand together, that our new enemy will never again be able to poison our Walls; all military branches will be evaluated and reconstructed. Every grievance, every blemish, every wrong you have known and suffered will be beaten out! Never again will the Scouts throw away your lives and their lives so thoughtlessly. Never again will the Military Police be allowed to sit and grow fat in false security, taking advantage of everyone around them and breaking the vows they swore to uphold. Never again will the Garrison fail to maintain our Walls and turn their attention to the demons within their bottles. To make sure that we will never again be infiltrated and infected as we have been, I will oversee the construction of the fourth branch of our military, one that monitors and hunts any enemy agents that try to sliver into our home. This branch will ensure that each branch of the military runs to peak efficiency so that we may never again fall into the squalor that we had been living in. So that never again you, the ones we are to protect, have to fear us!"
That brought up the loudest cheer yet. This particular change was contained in the sealed envelope Erwin had given to Historia. It was the ultimate olive branch, a way to prove to the people that there would be change. The commanders of each regiment clapped silently, but they knew that this was going to affect them greatly, be it good and bad. If they sought to continue their roles, they would have to bite the bullet and adapt without resistance. In Pixis's case, he had a sinking feeling he'd be seeing less of his trusty flask.
"We must change. We must grow. If we are ever to stand against any enemy that threatens us, let us stand as a nation with pride! Let us be proud to be the People of Eldia!"
In over a hundred years, the Eldians had finally regained their name.
"People of Eldia, huh?" Levi echoed thoughtfully.
Erwin nodded wordlessly, and he wouldn't comment on the fact that his captain was starting to smile a little.
Then, Historia turned to Zackley and knelt before him. It was time.
The commander-in-chief brought out a golden crown ordained with diamond-shaped rubies. It had been specially crafted for the woman. With no hesitation, he placed it upon her head.
The weight of the country became more real than ever, and yet, Historia Reiss stood once more. She had chosen this path, and she would see it through. "I ask each and every one of you, just as I have asked those who stand behind me, dedicate yourselves to the building of this brighter tomorrow with me. For the sake of our children. For our children's children. For the next one hundred years!" She snapped into a salute, slamming her fist against her chest. "I dedicate my heart to you and this future! Will you follow me!?"
"Long live Queen Historia!" someone in the audience shouted. "Long live Queen Historia!"
The crowd took up the chant, louder and louder until it seemed the Walls roared along, some even went as far as to return the salute. It was at this moment that Historia allowed herself to smile. Not because she had done a good job rallying the people, but it was because she was not alone, nor would she ever be again.
In the back of the crowd, a hooded figure watched the spectacle with a smile on her face.
"Well done, sweetie," Ymir said. "I'm so proud of you."
AN: Yup. Ymir is back and not dead. When I focus on her again, you'll see what happened that put her back in the Walls.
If I could describe this chapter in one word, it would be revolution. After everything that had happened, there was no way the status quo could ever be maintained. Everyone needed to change, especially the military branches.
Anyone who's been following this story knows that I've been quite critical of the Scout Regiment. While I believe that in comparison to the other branches they are the lesser evil, they still have massive problems. The presence of Dillon and Annie within the branch only made those problems much more evident. Whether I did a good job or not on those issues is up to you, readers. Bottom line is that the Scout Regiment needs to undergo a transformation, at least in this story.
Of course, I have to address the moment that probably pissed you all off: Carolyn Amsdale getting to be the hero. I can guarantee you that none of you are more angry about it than I am. One of my biggest dilemmas when writing this chapter was how the military would be able to prevent the people from devolving into anarchy after everything that happened. The canon story had been busted straight to Hell, so there was no hope for that. But then, I realized that, outside of the Scout Regiment, no one knew the truth about Carolyn. If she was set up to be a champion of the people, that would make her advocating for Historia Reiss a lot easier to swallow. Trust me when I say I was furious that I had to use her in order to prevent chaos from unfolding.
I'll get to Erwin's scene last.
The scene between Annie and Mikasa was something I had been planning for a long time, but I was never sure how and when I would implement it. I decided to put it here so that we could finally close the door on Eren and Mikasa's hatred towards Annie as well as set up a certain conflict down the line. My only gripe is that I feel like the scene was too short, but then again, Mikasa isn't the type to go on longer than she has to. Still, I hope it was satisfying enough.
As I stated above, GodzillaFollower1998 helped write the coronation scene; specifically, Historia's speech. I made a few adjustments here and there and added some lines to make sure it all flowed smoothly. That was another crucial point of the story. If Historia couldn't win them over by killing Rod Reiss, then she would have to be very good with her words. Considering that Erwin and Carolyn were present, I think she had the best instructors on how to persuade people. And yes, dear readers. This means that Queen Historia Reiss is not going to be a front for military rule this time.
I'm hoping that the announcement of a fourth regiment came as a shock to all of you. The best way I can simplify the purpose of the branch, it's that they take the role of Internal Affairs. I haven't decided on a name or an emblem for this new branch yet, so I welcome your suggestions and ideas.
But now, it's time to discuss my favorite scene of the entire chapter: Erwin laying it all out for Historia. It's difficult for me to explain why I love it so much, but the best way I can explain it is that Erwin is choosing to be honest when putting up a front is not an option anymore. He takes off the mask he wore for so long because there's nothing else he can do except put his faith in the woman before him. But guys, please don't latch onto the "I despise Dillon" statement too hard. Read the entire speech so you understand Erwin.
But now, I can officially state that the Uprising Arc is over and done with. The Return to Shiganshina Arc is at hand. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, I look forward to your reviews, please contribute to my TV Tropes page, and I'll see you all in the next one.
