The room was so quiet that the sound of frantic and nervous heartbeats echoed in the small room. Seated at the table were five people, four of which were very notable members. Nile Dawk, chief of the Military Police, the chief of the Stationary Guard, Irwin Smith, chief of the Scouting Legion, and Dot Pixis, one of the most notable officers in the military.
However there was one oddball in the group, and honestly she had no idea why she was seated in the same room as high-ranking officials. She was just a squad leader! No one worth mentioning when it came to the other people in the room; and that wasn't even the worst. The King himself was going to join them!
"Hanji." She jumped in her seat. "Calm down." She obeyed her superior's command, taking deep breaths as they awaited for the King to arrive. And when the door knob turned, she squeaked.
"Um, hello?" A young teen came in, dressed in military attire. "I b-brought snacks…and w-wine…" He looked as if he was about to pee himself as he set said items on the table and scurried out like a scared mouse. Hanji took another deep breath.
It wasn't long before the door knob turned again and the King stepped inside. He was wearing his crown and the standard military attire, minus all of the belts and harnesses that most soldiers wore. It was dead silent when he took his seat at the head of the table. Another few minutes passed before the King spoke in a gruff voice.
"Nile, give me the details on what happened yesterday." He began, looking at some papers in front of him. The man nodded.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Yesterday a soldier in the Scouting Legion, Lance Corporal Rivaille, aided the escape of the vampire in captivity, Eren Jaeger, son of Dr. Grisha Jaeger. However, the matter of his escape was past human capabilities and we believe that he may have been a vampire while posing as a soldier since day one."
The King thought for a moment and turned to the blond male. "What do you think?"
"Your Majesty. I do not believe that Rivaille was a vampire from the beginning. I've known him since he was a child, and he never showed signs of possessing those capabilities." The King nodded a little and turned to the now drunk Dot Pixis.
"Haven't you had enough to drink?" The man only laughed.
"To be honest, Your Majesty, no I have not." He tipped his goblet back, letting the liquid glide down his throat before speaking again. "It doesn't matter what is the truth. We have a major problem; either we have vampire traitors in our ranks or vampires are not what we assumed them to be." There was a bit of silence before a rough laughter rang in the small room.
"Well put, Pixis." How the hell can a sane man laugh in this situation?! "Squad Leader Hanji." She jumped in her chair again.
"Yes Your Majesty!" She almost yelled. The King seemed to be amused by her nervousness and enthusiasm.
"What do you make of all of this?" Hanji took a deep breath. "You seemed to be the closest with the so-named traitor. Is he a threat to humanity?"
"No, Your Majesty! I believe he is an ally of humanity! I've known Rivaille since he was a cheeky brat and know full well he fights for humans. I know that the Corporal had a very strong and compelling reason for helping the young vampire boy, Your Majesty!"
Silence again; Pixis refilled his cup and drank more. It was surprising that he could still sit and not fall out of his chair.
"Squad Leader Hanji may not be informed, but everyone else seated at this table knows about the Vampire Legion, am I correct?" Hanji blinked confusedly while everyone else nodded. "I will go through it again. There is a group of organized and "thought-retaining" vampires who have threatened to breach the walls. They do not kill for fun like most, but have warned all soldiers not to seek them out. They want to live apart from humanity and live in peace."
Hanji's eyes were practically popping out of their sockets. Someone like her was normally not supposed to know such sensitive and confidential information, so she was completely and utterly shocked at this new development.
The King listened further to the pleas of the men at the table. Irwin pleaded that Rivaille and the rest of the vampires be spared along with Hanji while Pixis and Dawk vouched for humanity. They discussed and deliberating for three hours before the King stood up.
"I've made my decision."
The next day a warrant was issued to every soldier in the military. Hanji stayed alone her room, clinging to her bed sheets. Irwin put on a brave face as he relayed the news to his soldiers.
"As requested by the King, His Majesty, the following individuals are hereby under a policy of "kill or capture". Dr. Grisha Jaeger, Eren Jaeger, Mikasa Ackerman, Armin Arlert, Bertholdt Fubar, Reiner Braun, Ymir, and former Lance Corporal Rivaille."