NICHOLAS VERRELL: Think about it this way, Paradis has practically been in a state of total wartime readiness for the past one hundred years, producing thousands of sets of Ultrahard Steel blades and ODMG, meaning they have to On top of that, we already know they have vast reserves of fossil fuels.

Superkoola: Very.


International Forum Part I: The Mystery Beyond the Sea

Vienza, Marley

Evangelica stared at her reflected face in the mirror as a servant busied themselves with her hair. She couldn't help but wince as the servant began doing it in its signature crown braid.

"Is something wrong? Do you not like it?" The servant paused, picking up on Evangelica's reluctance.

"No, its fine. Continue." Evangelica gave a half-hearted smile.

Despite having been back in Vienza for almost half a year now, she couldn't bring herself to reacclimate to noble life again.

'I suppose years of living as a spy would do that to you.' She thought to herself, 'I wonder what Petra or the Captain would think about this…'

Evangelica quickly stopped herself, 'Not a scout anymore.' She pulled herself together. She was a Marleyan noble, and she needed to act and behave as such.


As Evangelica made her way to the large dining area, she already found her father sitting at the table, eating silently.

Evangelica nodded, silently acknowledging his presence as she sat down next to him and a servant gave her food.

"How'd you sleep?" Wilhelm "Willy" Tybur asked.

"I slept fine." Evangelica nodded, "I noticed you stayed up late."

"Yes. I was just talking with some diplomatic staff." Willy stated,

"About what?" Evangelica asked curiously,

"Well…we officially decided to invite the Paradisian government to the International Forum."

At that, Evangelica nearly choked on her food.


"A telegram…from Marley?" Caterina questioned,

"That's right. In it, they invited us to something called an 'International Forum' but considering that these are the same people who invaded us some years prior…" Hanji trailed off,

Caterina nodded, "I can't really give an opinion on whether you should accept it or not, but I can say this - from a PR standpoint, if Marley was to attempt to harm Eldian representatives in any way then it would probably end in disaster for them." Caterina breathed, "The International Forum is generally respected as neutral ground, and as such, the host switches every time it's held. If something goes wrong, it could become a major black mark on a nation's history."

"I see…" Hanji said, "So they wouldn't try anything because it would be a foreign relations nightmare?"

"Exactly." Caterina nodded, but when she noticed that virtually every officer in the room was listening, began to quickly backtrack.

"I-I mean that is my personal opinion, really I shouldn't even be telling you guys this…" She chuckled nervously.

"Thank you, Caterina. You can go." Hanji nodded, and Caterina slunk back to her seat.

'God damn it…just what am I getting into now?' Caterina sighed to herself.

"Still…this leaves us with more questions than answers." Erwin states, "From everything she's told us - is Marley willing to take such a risk?"

Finally, Hanji got up - "Even so…we can't miss this opportunity. A large official event like this…its the perfect place to make allies!"


"Father…!" Evangelica stood, "You did what?!"

"The telegram was sent out last night." Willy explained, "It's a sealed deal."

"Father this is putting lives in danger! There's no predicting how they'll act - if they even accept the invitation in the first place." Evangelica argued,

"I'm aware of the risk." Willy replied calmly, "Which is exactly why we are taking it. We must gauge their intentions…" Willy raised his eyes to match hers, "...and find out exactly why they haven't utilized the Rumbling."

"But you might as well be broadcasting the fact that our leaders will be present! If they choose to attack with Titans it'll be a massacre!"

"I know that too." Willy explained, "Why do you think I called you here?"

"So I'm insurance." Evangelica said bluntly,

Willy nodded, "I'm sorry to use you in such a way…but the other titans and their shifters simply aren't suited for something like this."

"I understand." Evangelica got up, and walked out of the room, leaving Willy alone for the rest of his family to find him sitting there alone.


'How long has he been planning this…?' Evangelica wondered to herself.

Evangelica wasn't a fool, she was fully aware that her father had likely been planning something like this from the start, but to do something like this without telling her - then expecting her to play bodyguard for the whole thing?

Evangelica gripped her hand, 'Is that what I'm really worried about…?' Evangelica asked herself.

No. If she wanted to be completely honest with herself…

She was scared.


Free Francia Indoxina, New Pariagot

Princess Rose Rearc was out of her ceremonial armor, choosing to adorn herself in a simple white blouse and skirt as she tended to her rose gardens.

"I thought I'd find you here." A voice said from behind her, and Rose gently placed her trowel down.

"Leon." The princess addressed. "The roses are coming along quite nicely."

"My father said you inherited the Queen's green thumb." Leon smiled,

"Really?" Rose smiled bitterly, "I wonder…what would my parents think, if they were here. We're no closer to freeing our homeland from Marley, and we're barely worth the time of great powers."

Leon looked at her sadly, "I don't…" He trailed off, he couldn't deny it.

Thankfully, they were interrupted by the sudden appearance of an attendant.

"Your highness…your presence has been requested."


"It's an invitation." One of her advisors stated, offhandedly passing it to the princess like she didn't already know what it was.

Rose nodded, scanning over its contents. "It's our invitation to the International Forum."

"Yes, however, which one of us will go?" A Francian minister asked.

"Obviously - I will." Debois said confidently,

"Actually…" Rose finally spoke, "I'd like to go."

The room fell silent at this prospect, until Debois scoffed, "Out of the question. It's much too dangerous-"

"Aren't I the Princess of Francia?" Rose asked, looking around at her advisors "I think I am obliged to go."

They fell silent at that, Shaune and some others seemed apprehensive. Debois seemed annoyed. Rose took stock of the reactions.

"I should represent our nation. I am nineteen, and as the heir to the Francian throne, I believe I should speak to our allies for once."


"This International Forum…its the one about the Association to Protect the Subjects of Ymir?" Historia said,

"Yes." Eren nodded.

"It's also when you leave us." Alto turned to him,

Eren looked out the window, "Yes," Eren nodded.

"Eren." Historia turned to him, "In two years, we need to be - no, we will be at war with Marley."

Eren didn't move from his position by the window. The future events of Liberio flashing through his mind.

"Eren…" Historia looked down, "I have those memories too, I remember how bad it was. But its the only way to ensure our survival."

Historia looked down at her stomach, "I want to ensure the safety of all of us, both present and future."


January 6th, 851

"The Azumabitos have agreed to host the Paradisian delegation in their own embassy." Erwin explained to the assembled officers, "Our representatives will be Historia and Alto, while the Special Operations Squad and Royal Guard will come along for protection."

"In the event that something does go wrong. We'll carry several sets of Thunder Spears and Anti-Personnel Gear on the boat, where they'll also be discretely transported to the Hizurian estate. On top of that, all of our Shifters will be going." Hanji added, "The whole thing is being held in the Marleyan capital, so - like Caterina stated - I doubt they'd risk trying something."

"Wait." Nile stood, "If we send all our Titan shifters, wouldn't that leave the island vulnerable?"

"Right now, we're relying on our armies coastal defenses. On top of that, we can't send Eren without Alto, in case we need to activate the Founding Titan." Hanji deliberately skirted around using the term 'Rumbling'. "And if our Founding Titan is going, they need to be as protected as possible."

"If I may interject-" Pyxis stood, "-I have utmost faith in the work of the Corps of Engineers. Paradis will be safe long enough for our shifters to return in the event of a Marleyan invasion."

Alto nodded, "No one is doubting that, hence why we can do this."

Hanji stretched in her seat, "So that settles it!" She said eagerly, "If they won't come to us, then we'll just go to them!"


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