A/N: A little rushed, but we need to kind of get ahead in the story.

Guest 4: Being a Gen Z-er myself, I really believe they can go fuck themselves. The ones who will be offended by what I said typically tend to be entitled and have an extremely tenuous grasp on reality.

Guest 1: Depends, where'd the Germans find 6 million Jews?

Super Comrade: Glad to see you're enjoying it!


"P-prince?!" Okida sputtered, "I didn't know-"

"Please, don't apologize." Alto said quickly, "Perhaps this is best taken somewhere else." Motioning for them to follow him, Alto walked up to Historia.

"I need you to cover for me, for at least a few minutes." Alto asked,

Historia sighed, "Alright, but make it quick. I'm not the social butterfly you are."

Alto thanked Historia, and led Okida and Thomas outside. "I trust you aren't entirely ignorant of world events?"

Thomas answered this one, "It's been over half a year since Paradis decisively defeated Marley during the Paradis Island Operation, since then the Intercontinentia has been in a state of war with the nations within the Mid-East Alliance."

"Our victory was hardly decisive." Alto snorted, "But yes, we defeated Marley temporarily and they're now occupied in the southeast. However, the Operation made something else apparent, Eldia is behind. Woefully behind. Should Marley invade Paradis in force, we would have no chance of fighting back effectively."

"You're asking us to develop military aircraft." Thomas asked indignantly.

"Yes." Alto said, "It's hasty and immoral, but this is the only route that's presented itself to us."

"We accept." Okida said quickly.

"Okida!" Thomas looked at his lover, shocked.

"Excuse us-" Okida pulled his lover aside, "This is a chance, Thomas. Mitsuba won't fund us anymore, but Paradis is more than willing to."

"But we have no idea if we'll be able to develop any aircraft there-"

"I'd like to mention one more stipulation." Alto told them, and they quieted.

"I'd like you to work with the Eldian Kaiserreich's own in-house military development division, the Corps of Engineers."

"Corps…of engineers?" Okida asked quizzically.

"They developed the vast majority of our modern weapons. I believe that with their help and your expertise I can obtain satisfactory results."

Okida bowed, "Thank you, your highness." Okida bowed, "We won't fail you."

Thomas glared at his lover, but nonetheless, nodded and bowed as well.


"What was that?!" Thomas exploded when they were alone.

"I helped us, that's what it was." Okida countered, "I know I ran over you-"

"That's the understatement of the century. You drove over me with a freaking car!" Thomas said, "Have you ever considered that we'd be completely abandoning everything we worked for? All the networking that we built?"

"Don't give me that!" Okida countered, his voice rising as well, "Who would help us in Hizuru once we'd been abandoned by Mitsuba. You know damn well that Mitsuba was our last shot at a sponsor in this nation. Asi, Nakajima, Fuzen all rejected us because of our work and it's lack of success, who else would take us?"

"I don't know!" Thomas shouted, "I just…wanted to figure things out together." He sat down.

Okida kneeled to face his lover, and pulled him into the hug. "I hurt you, didn't I?"

"..."

"I'm so sorry…" Okida said, "I didn't know."

"You're impossible to stay mad at." Thomas smiled, before kissing his lover on the cheek. "But…you're right. We have nothing left here at this point."

"We will succeed." Okida said confidently, "I'm sure of it, after all, we can't win if we don't fight."


The next few days after the party were a swamp of work for Alto and Historia. Practically every Hizurian company - and several from outside Hizuru as well - sought a relationship with Paradis. Not to mention the countless reporters seeking exclusives with the Royal Family of Paradis, Hizurian military officials coming to advise the Eldians on various military matters, and the occasional foreign diplomat scoping out the Kaiserreich and it's leaders.

However, a few Alto was sure to make note of. One was Fuji Conglomerate, a major mining and resource extraction company. It alone was responsible for nearly 32% of all of Hizuru's raw mineral production.

So imagine Alto's surprise when the Executive Officer himself came to negotiate. As it turned out, Jimatsu Fuji was actually Half-Eldian, something that was rare for someone of his high-standing. The man turned out to be quite friendly and onboard with Alto's plans, and even offered to vouch for Paradis with other international corporations, an offer he was more than happy to accept.

Another was a meeting with Quartermaster Admiral Heriko Nagumo, the admiral in charge of the Hizurian dockyards and factories responsible for naval production.

Similar to Fuji, Nagumo was more than happy to aid Paradis, although Alto suspected it was more on the part of gaining a new ally against Marley than any sort of goodwill towards the Island.

However, Alto was quick to defer him to Rita Iglehaut, as she was the one who should be dealing with those things.

Aside from those, Lord Kafig made several gestures of wanting to arrange a similar visit to Britannia.

In a surprising move, Oda gifted the Scouts with a fresh and fully crewed zeppelin, allowing them to conduct quick independent travel whenever necessary. Also allowing for quick travel between Paradis Island and Hizuru, a journey which would take nearly two weeks could now be done in three days.

In fact, while the larger ships were yet to arrive on Paradis, for the past several days zeppelin and commercial plane travel had occurred quite commonly. Transporting engineers and essential personnel for companies who wanted to set up on Paradis.


April 28th, 851 - Paradis Island, Smithson Airfield

"And here we are!" Hanji, who had returned on a separate Zeppelin paid for by the Hizurian government, spread out her arms "The Island of Paradis!" She looked around "Woah…they really worked on this stuff!"

The sight Hanji was viewing was the first civilian airfield in Paradis. Stationed right in the middle of Wall Rose, it had practically become a tourist site for the native Eldians within the walls, who came to admire the sight of planes and Zeppelins ferrying foreigners back and forth.

The airfield was quite neat and clean. The runway for planes was freshly paved, a mix of various sized hangars housed planes of various purposes and sizes, some even housed Zeppelins. While most of the crew were foreigners, there were a few native Eldians, who were quick to sign up and get trained in the operation of the airfield.

Okida and Thomas hauled their things of the Zeppelin as a horse-drawn carriage came for the trio.

"So…Hanji, you lead the Corps of Engineers?" Thomas asked,

"Yep! I was originally a Titan Researcher in the Survey Corps, but after the Battle of Shiganshina, I transferred to the Corps of Engineers, although I still do serve with the Survey Corps as well." Hanji leaned forward, "Now, I want to hear everything about planes! I swear up and down that I'll try my best to keep up.

Thomas and Okida looked at eachother, and shrugged.


"...so you have everything figured out except how to make the aircraft lighter, because the materials you use make it too heavy to fly effectively?"

"Pretty much."

"Hmm…so what metals have you tried to use?"

"Iron and steel. We tried fabric, but it was too weak for a monoplane design."

"Did you try using the steel to support the fabric structure, or just fabric?" Hanji asked,

Thomas and Okida gasped, "Why didn't we-" Okida began

"-think of that?" Thomas finished.

"Actually, I have something better." Hanji stated, "I'll show you once we get to Pertland."


Pertland Industrial City

The carriage pulled up to a factory within Pertland, where the Corps of Engineers had set up shop.

"Before we start, I should explain some things. You see, a core part of our Anti-Titan weapons called ODM Gear are their ultra-hard steel blades, which are both light, but also extremely durable, which they need to be, to cut through a few feet of titan flesh."

"You're suggesting we can use the same material to make planes?"

"Tell me, have you heard of iron bamboo?"

"Yes, but it's a weed. It can't be used as firewood or a building material, it grows everywhere, and its extremely difficult to cut down due to its metal-like properties."

"Yes, but you see, iron bamboo was - for quite a while - used as the metal that made the blades, in fact, it still makes up the majority of the alloy that we call ultra-hard steel."

"What?!" Thomas was dumbfounded, "You're saying that iron bamboo can be used?"

"I thought the outside world would've figured that out?" Hanji asked, genuinely confused.

"No! As I said, the world treats iron bamboo as a weed."

"Well, let's get started!"


"I believe the first place we should visit is Britannia." Alto mentioned to Historia.

"Britannia? Why them?" Historia asked,

"Kafig seems more amicable to Eldians, and they seem like the next best nation for Eldians aside from those in the Intercontinentia."

"Nonetheless, shouldn't we head back to Paradis?" Historia asked, "Hanji has already gone back."

"You should return, I would like to gather more allies from around the world." Alto told her,

Historia sighed, "Alright, I see no reason to complain." Historia said, "Do what you do best."


While Historia and the Scouts (with the exception of Mina) took the Zeppelin back home. Alto, Mina, and his Royal Guard were headed in another direction, to the Britannian Empire.

Kafig turned out to be quite amicable to the idea of Alto visiting Britannia, and sent a telegram letting the government know of their arrival in advance.

When they first landed, the first thing Alto noticed was how much more mechanized everything seemed. The buildings were made out of brick and various types of stone, rather than the artistic woods and steels of Hizuru. The people dressed similarly, with formal suits, ties, and caps rather than flowery kimonos. Even the commoners were dressed in a fashion akin to those of factory workers.

Speaking of factories, several smokestacks could be seen in the distance.

"Welcome to Britannia." Kiyomi muttered to him, Oda had sent her along to act as a bridge between Eldia and Britannia, as well as ensure Hizurian interests were maintained.

Alto nodded, and stepped forward.


"Please be still your highness!" The beleaguered maid insisted.

"I see no point to this." First Princess Adrianna La Rose complained. "Instead of courting foreign nations for their resources - Eldians no less -'' She spat the last word out, as if they were the root of all evil in the world "Why doesn't he try improving life for Britannian's at home? We're outsourcing so much labor from the colonies that our own people are losing their jobs, just so companies can pay their workers a little cheaper."

"I agree that His Royal Highness's priorities are out of order. But nonetheless you are the First Princess of Britannia. Not to show would mean great disrespect towards the Eldian Kaiserreich-"

"Since when have we cared what devils think?" Adrianna snapped, "They oppressed our people with their titans for years, they can't expect us to be friendly to them."

"Nonetheless, it would not only be a poor showing to the Eldians, but to the nobles of the nation as well."

Adrianna rolled her eyes, but sighed and proceeded to still herself as Kristina worked on her hair.


"It's quite nice of them to invite us to their palace for dinner." Mina smiled,

"Yes…" Alto trailed off,

"You look worried." Mina stated,

"I am, Britannia may be one of the better nations for Eldians, but I've heard the conditions here are worse than Marley's. Perhaps I can influence them to improve the living conditions here."

Mina didn't reply.


The convoy pulled up into the palace driveway, and even Alto had to be amazed by the grandiosity of the palace. It seemed to combine the mechanical texture and structures of the native Britannians, with the artistry of Hizurian architecture.

The palace was quartz colored, with a series of symmetrical and ornate windows overlooking the entrance. In the center of the lawn was a golden statue with an angel wearing a crown and pointing a sword forward, something Oda stated represented the Britannian monarchies' divine right to rule the nation.

A group of soldiers in stiff red uniforms proceeded to help Alto and Mina out, where they were met with a man in front of a group of soldiers.

The man appeared to be middle aged, with a cleanly shaven beard giving him a wise but simultaneously somewhat young look. He was dressed in a clean red uniform, with various medals and decorations adorning it.

Beside him was a girl about Alto's age, dressed in an outfit that seemed to be a cross between a dress and a suit, giving her something of a secretarial look. Nonetheless, she stared at Alto with a fierce disdain.

"I am Emperor Richard Rose the Sixth, and beside me is my daughter, Adrianna La Rose." Richard reached out, and while his face betrayed nothing, his handshake was unusually stiff, through which Alto realized that they wouldn't be here at all if there weren't some serious ulterior motive.

Adrianna was far more readable, she didn't even move to greet or show any sort of courtesy towards them.

Richard proceeded to lead them into the palace, where it was even more elaborate. Red and gold adorned virtually every surface, giving the entire place a regal feel.

"So, is it true that you're a titan shifter?" Richard asked,

Alto nodded, "I am one of the Ten, the Flare Titan."

Adrianna gasped, they'd let a titan shifter into the palace? She instinctively dropped back several steps behind Alto, closer to her guards, who were similarly moving forward.

"I see." Richard led them into the dining hall, where an elaborate feast was laid out for them. Alto and Mina took their seats, and Adrianna sat as far from them as possible, while Richard was seated at the head of the table.

"So, why have you brought us here, Your Highness? I know this isn't out of charity. An underdeveloped nation like Paradis could hardly be worth your time."

"You're right." Richard nodded, "You see, I've seen the treaty between you and Hizuru…don't you think it's a bit unreasonable for a nation like yours?"

"I fail to understand?" Alto cocked his head,

"For example, forcing companies to adopt native Eldians as workers can hardly be considered fair." Richard told him,

"Hardly, rather, it does the opposite and prevents our economy from being flooded with foreign laborers. Our own people should mine our own resources." Alto told them,

"Well it's extremely expensive for the company." Richard insisted, "Training new workers-"

"It may be cheaper to import workers, but what about the natives? Besides, the mining will cover the costs."

Richard looked frustrated, "Still, you're demanding too much, are you aware-"

"Of my position in the world? Yes, I am." Alto cut him off, "I didn't come here to listen to you lobby for your companies."

"How dare you!?" Adrianna stood, "Are you aware of who you are speaking to you Eldian?!"

Alto leveled a calm stare, "Princess La Rose, was it?"

"...Yes." She said curtly,

"How would you feel if we were in the reverse positions?" Alto asked, causing her to sit back down.

He turned back to Emperor Richard. "Eldia is no one's pawn. We are not a Britannian Colony, nor a Hizurian protectorate. We are free." The table fell silent,

"To that end, I'd like to suggest a counterproposal. Why don't you send your Eldian population to us?"

"...what?"

"Think about it, your Eldian population in the internment zones is draining Britannia's resources. No one will hire them, you can't produce spinal fluid to use as weapons, and you can't kill them all because of the human rights issues with that." Alto explained,

"Deporting all the Eldians…" Richard muttered, Alto's previous outburst had been all but forgotten as Richard considered the proposal, "Alright. We will consider it."

Before long, Alto realized that despite making a breakthrough on one front, he'd clearly outstayed his welcome.


Adrianna stared at her food blankly, while her father tch'ed.

"Arrogant devil. Comes in my palace and rejects our generosity. Nonetheless, this is an opportunity for us, Adrianna. The nobles have been looking for a solution to our Eldian problem for years." Richard told her,

Adrianna nodded, "Yes, at last we will be rid of our devil problem." Adrianna agreed,

'We are free.' Alto's last words echoed in her head. How ridiculous, the Eldians weren't free, they were trapped. By their past and by their barbaric abilities.

So why did her chest tighten whenever she told herself she hated them?


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