Despite popular belief propagated by Marleyan propaganda that all peoples in every nation despised Eldians, that simply was not true- merely a facet of anti-Eldian propaganda meant to dissuade further uprisings from the downtrodden populace.

The fact remains, however, that while many countries did indeed treat Eldians worse than Marley regularly did, not every nation fell beneath this umbrella. Some, like Hizuru, who held their ancestral alliance with the Old Empire close, treated Subjects of Ymir in their borders only slightly below the average citizen. Others, like Tlúu ts'ée'ii, who had no history with the Old Empire on which to base their hatred, simply did not, by and large, care. Yet, in the end, the majority of the Eldian population by year c.854 resided in Marley's spheres on influence, those unbiased nations beyond reach.

Even in Marley, however, there were people sympathetic to the Eldian plight.

And, it was from such people all around the world that the Association for Eldian Innocence, or the AEI Group, was born…

-The Ones Left Behind (c.861), by Gweneve Tilmann

Eighteenth Day of the Six Month, Jahr Unseres Gründers c.854

Taigh Hotel, Klakkin, Thule

Of all the places she had thought her career in the army would take her, halfway across a newly-rediscovered world was nowhere on the list.

Then again, thought one Rico Brzenska, neither was the last four years.

So much had changed in the half-decade it'd been since Her Majesty took the throne that the woman could barely keep up with it. In what now seemed like the blink of an eye, the military had been reorganised into a form that was almost unrecognisable to her, the Garrison had been no exception. And, maybe, that might have been the extent of change for her, had she not been recommended for promotion by Pixis.

And before she knew it, Rico had been assigned as the head of Lady Dina and Lady Carla's security detail. She almost wanted to say she had fallen upwards, but the amount of training and tests she'd had to pass (again, in some cases- she'd taken a good many of them prior to joining the Garrison) had seen to the sinking of that theory.

No matter what, though, she could never say that her new job was a boring one. Whatever the outcome of this trip was, Rico had secured herself a place in the history books, no doubt- amongst the first Eldians from Paradis reintroduced to the world. A place in the detail of Dina Jaeger nee Fritz, the sword with which they would use to fight the Tyburs on this political battlefield. Admittedly, said battlefield was as foreign to her as these lands were, but that wasn't her's to deal with, thankfully. That's Rheinberger's problem.

A thought came to her, unpleasing, and Rico hid a grimace as they entered the… rather extravagant hotel. A part of her felt… guilty, that she was here instead of on the frontlines, the true battlefields. How many of her comrades, of her friends, were fighting and dying to secure the future of their people, while she was here, watching the outside world's "high society" interact and dance and feast for days on end?

This isn't just a vacation, the woman reminded herself, letting her shoulders relax slightly. Everyone back home is working hard to win the war over there… and we're doing the same thing. Everything we're doing…

No matter how little a part she played in it, it was a part nonetheless- a small cog in the large machine that ever-so-slowly worked towards the revival of Eldia- and Rico took pride in that. She, like most of the Garrison, had stood idly by during the first half of the Succession Crisis, and it rankled her something fierce. Back then, she had only watched.

But now?

As the delegation's journey brought them to the hotel's third floor, Rico and the seven other plainclothes guards she served with swept the hallway with their eyes, before nodding the all clear. From the elevator, the chosen diplomats from home (the negotiators, she and the other guards had taken to calling them) emerged, and that sense of pride grew just a bit more.

She wasn't doing much, in her own eyes, guarding them all, but…

It was enough. And that was just fine with her.

For all that she was a princess, both by title and by blood, Dina had very little knowledge on how to act as one.

It had never been an issue, before, in either of her lives- her one before with Grisha, and the one she lived with Carla now. She'd never had the chance to experience life under her father's rule, back amongst the hills of the Morean- back home- and if she had, Dina had not been old enough to recall it. All she remembered of her childhood was the constant flight, fleeing from one safehouse to the next, over and over before the Marleyans finally decreed that Eldians were no longer aloud to travel outside their home Internment Zones. And, while her hosts and those who had harboured her had always shown her deference and respect, calling her by her title…

Well, to put it quite simply, she had spent her childhood living like a peasant.

And she was fine with that.

That, however, left her with the problem that Dina had absolutely no idea how to interact with 'high society.' Her first meeting with Wilhelm Tybur had only proved that.

Dina grimaced at the memory of the encounter. It was not one of her finest moments.

(She… she'd had few of those, since the nightmare had ended.)

Gott, what she wouldn't give for the simplicity of Shiganshina, of the peaceful lull that had been Carla's family and home.

My home, now, Dina reminded herself, a soft smile gracing her lips. The thought, no matter how foreign it still was, never failed to warm her heart. One day, she would repay Carla for everything the woman had done for her- for taking her in, the day her humanity had been returned to her, for holding her through the news of Grisha's passing, for…

"My lady?"

Blinking the thought away, Dina turned to the voice, sheepishly twisting her hands. "I'm sorry, I got lost in thought. Are we heading in, Miss Rheinberger?"

The brown-haired woman before her nodded. "We are, my lady. Are you ready? Both of you, my ladies?"

She didn't have to think on it for even a moment before nodding, and beside her, Carla nodded as well. Miss Rheinberger smiled back, giving her own small nod of acknowledgment before turning to lead the party inside.

When their Hizurese allies had informed them of the existence of an "Association for Eldian Innocence," Dina hadn't believed it, at first. She'd never even heard rumours of such a group existing, whilst in Marley- and, despite trusting their ancient allies, decades of Marleyan propaganda did not easily leave her mind. If there was one thing she had believed them on, it was that no non-Eldian cared for her people.

But, this AEI Group…

If they truly did advocate for the betterment of the Subjects of Ymir, then cooperation with them would paramount, in the days to come. Her little cousin had plans for the nation, if (when, she reminded herself, when) they won the war, and the first steps for those plans had to start here.

"It''ll be easier said than done, I'm afraid," Anka Rheinberger had sighed. They do advocate on the behalf of our mainlander cousins, and others in the diaspora, but… Well…"

The AEI Group, apparently, had been using Paradis as a scapegoat since its inception.

That had thrown her fellow delegates for a loop. Some had been, of course, upset by the revelation. But, Dina?

She understood why the AEI Group had done so. Her people in the Morean had done the same, after all.

It was easy to blame Paradis, both for letting the Old Empire fall and for leaving them at the mercy of their enemies. Curses aplenty had always flown at the mention of the island from her guardians during the woman's childhood, and Dina had inherited some of that hatred herself. It hadn't been something she dwelled on often, back then, but it had simmered and festered all the while- only to bubble up to the surface and explode sometime after Carla had taken her in.

Even now, the memory of her outburst brought a flush of embarrassment to her face. Bless that woman's patience,

But, that had been a few years ago, and after all they had done for her… how could Dina hate them?

(How could Dina hate her?)

Setting aside that thought for later examination, Dina looked to her companion, who merely shrugged. "Your call, dear," Carla deferred with a smile, and not for the first time, she wondered what she had done to deserve someone like Carla taking her in.

Taking a calming breath, Dina nodded. "Let's proceed, Miss Rheinberger."

Returning the nod, the woman immediately turned to enter the arranged meeting, and all the rest followed.

The room they entered was far from the fanciest Dina had ever seen, but it was an elegant one nonetheless- no doubt matching to the high standards of the Taigh Hotel. With the amount of nobility and high-ranking foreigners that used this place, there was little doubt in Dina's mind that only the best had been expended in the building's construction.

And, in the room, on the other side of a large round table, the other party awaited. Three women, four men, and seven guards outside- the same numbers they had brought. just like the Eldian delegation. And, as the Eldians approached their temporary hosts, the two groups eyed each other.

This… is the AEI Group.

From his seat, a man arose, polite smile near-hidden beneath his moustache. "Welcome, welcome," he called amicably. "My name is Monogan Bresht, and I'm- well, I suppose you could call me the head of the local Association for Eldian Innocence. Good day, all of you."

"Greetings, Mr. Bresht, on behalf of the Eldians on Paradis," Miss Rheinberger returned, and the pleasantries began. And, predictably, when Dina introduced herself to the members of the AEI Group before them, their eyes all fell on her.

"So, your Basil's daughter?" one of them muttered, "Dina Fritz?" and Dina found herself fighting the urge to freeze up.

Even after all this time, she still wasn't used to hearing her father's name spoken so boldly. Uttering it had been a punishable offence back in Marley, after her family's failed revolt, and even her guardians had hesitated to speak it. And, that asides, hearing it had always made her lament how little she remembered of her family. She'd only been three when her guardians had been ordered to whisk her away from the Morean, out of the clutches of defeat. What memories she held of them were few and far between- a blonde, bearded face here, a murmured lullaby from a woman's voice there, the brush of warmth of a child sharing her cradle…

"I… Yes, I am," she acknowledged, almost reluctantly. "Though, it's Dina Jaeger, now. I took my husband's name when we married." And it's one I intend to keep.

"Grisha Jaeger, the rebel leader?" another asked, curious. "And, if I recall correctly, a Zeke Jaeger currently holds the Beast Titan. You brother?"

Here, she grimaced. "My son," she replied, voice subdued. Discreetly, Carla took her left hand and squeezed it reassuringly, and Dina silently thanked her for it. Hearing of her son, what he had done as the Beast in the years she'd been on Paradis…

I'm a terrible mother.

Maybe, if she'd been more caring, more willing to hear Zeke out… She had justified it then, citing it was 'for the cause,' for the rebirth of the ideals that had once been Eldia, but what had it gotten her? A son who hated her, one she had pushed into the hands of the enemy, the destruction of everything the Restorationists had worked to build. Years of agnozing torture, stuck in a body not her own. If it hadn't been for Historia returning their humanity…

"Setting that aside," Monogan Bresht said politely, "I believe it's time we begin. Your reason for being here, our agreeing to this meeting… Alas, time won't stand still for us. Please, sit. I imagine refreshments will be served shortly."

Taking her que from Miss Rheinberger's subtle nod, Dina took a seat, placing herself next to the woman who'd be leading the negotiations. One would not have been mistaken in thinking it was her, who would be speaking on Paradis' behalf, but… that wasn't why Dina had been brought all this way. Politicking wasn't something she intrinsically knew, not like how, even now, the tactics of insurgency ran through her mind.

She was a symbol, here. A figure to be focused on, while her people did the true work behind her, out of sight and out of danger. And, that was fine with her. She had Carla, at least, no matter how guilty she felt for taking her away from Little Faye.

"Let's cut to the chase, then," Miss Rheinberger said, sliding a ledger of documents across the table. "We're asking tor the AEI Group's support. It's to my Queen's understanding that your people have advocated for humanitarian rights for her Subjects all across the globe. Our goals align, and Her Majesty would see us working in tandem to-"

Across the table, one of the AEI Group's members scoffed. "Work together? You very existence nearly doomed our group. We were close, damn it, to finally bringing our reforms to the Ballroom. Do you have any idea-!"

"Enough, Igor," Monogan waved off, sighing. "But, he speaks truthfully. The emergence of your Neo Eldia has, in layman's terms, fucked things up. Many of our backers are hesitant in continuing to support us, and a few have backed out entirely. None wish to catch the ire of Marley."

"Marley won't be a factor in this for long," Dina interjected, projecting an aura of confidence she was not quite sure she felt. "Her Majesty has plans for it, when the war is won-"

"If," one of the woman, Anael, if Dina recalled correctly, interrupted. "If you win the war. Marley's military record has been second to none for the last century. Not even the Mid-East Alliance could defeat them, and they were the greatest military coalition since the Defiance of Dhaghan."

"We've worked hard, for our cause," one of the women growled. "Allying with you, it'd tarnish our reputation. Advocating for the Subjects of Ymir was hard enough, without you island devils making war on Marley."

"And that asides," Monogan muttered, casting a glare at said woman for the slur, "a good portion of our campaigning for your people… has been to use your island as a scapegoat. I would apologise, but, well…" He shrugged. "We thought is necessary, at the time."

"And we don't begrudge you for it," Miss Rheinberger replied, grimacing. "Her Majesty understands that you've been doing what you thought necessary to ensure the rights of her Subjects, and she is thankful for it. However…"

Whatever she had been about to argue, though, fell to the wayside with the arrival of the promised refreshments, and Dina had to physically keep her eyes from widening. That's quite a bit of food.

"I thought Mr. Bresht said refreshments," Carla murmured amused, "not a meal fit for a noble." Yet, she did not protest, and Dina found herself hungry as well. It had been some hours since she'd last eaten, she realized. Her nerves had left her unable to stomach any breakfast that morning.

Only when the food had been made ready, and those present had begun to help themselves to its bounty, did the negotiations resume in earnest, Monogan motioning for them to continue. A que which Miss Rheinberger took.

"As I was saying," she continued, "we recognize your reasons for using us as scapegoats, and Her Majesty graciously accepts your apologies." No apologies had actually been given, Dina noted, yet the AEI Group's members had no choice but to nod as if they had given them. "And as for sponsership, Her Majesty is also willing to fund your Group's endeavours for the duration of our conflict with Marley and her allies. Should any of your investors pull out, we shall foot the bill. Twofold, if need be."

One of Miss Rheinberger's aides slid over another paper, one which the Group members all took turns looking at. "These are generous terms..." the one Mongan had called Igor muttered. "But-"

"Might I speak?"

The constant back-and-forths were interrupted by one of the AEI Group's people, a young man with hazel hair who had raised his hand to gain notice. He was the only one who had not yet spoken, having remained quite until now.

Mongan shrugged. "Go for it, Jannik. Maybe you'll have some insight to all this.

Nodding the young man, turned his focus back towards the guests… Back towards her, Dina noted curiously.

"You have to understand," he started, almost nervously, "we never thought you were coming back. The 145th King made us bereft of our Titans, and left in his wake the shattered shards of the Old Empire. And, when we realized that we had been abandoned, we did what any sane person would- we hid.."

…We?

"When we heard of your father's revolt, the families were overjoyed," Jannik continued, a wistful expression on his face. "For the first time in years, Eldia had hope. Yet, we were too far away to give aid, too scattered to bring our strength and wealth to bear, what little we had to offer. And, by the time we managed to create a meagre something enough worth sending… the Morean was lit aflame. Basil was dead, his heirs vanished without a trace, and his army broken beyond repair. We dug deep, after that, hiding ourselves once more. No longer would we risk ourselves for a dead cause. The ideals of Eldia lived on in us, and it was our duty to safeguard them till the day we might return to the promised land. That long-awaited dream."

But then, the blood-tests were announced. Our time shortened. Exposure was a matter of when, not if. And, if we were exposed, then that would be the end of us. The end of Eldia's ideals. So, with the time we had left, we poured all our wealth into the creation of a group that would hold aloft our dreams of a batter future- if not for us, then for our children, or their children."

"The AEI Group," Dina breathed, staring. "Who are you?"

"All my birth certificates shall say Jannik Tilmann," the man replied, "the son of a middle-class Duthaich family, one like many others… but I shall never forget my true name, that which my family has borne since the days of the Old Empire."

And, with that, though he could not bow, his head dipped in deference, hand over his heart. "I am Jannik," he declared with pride, "son of the noble House of Lindenlaus, the Verteidiger der Enteigneten in-absentia. And we are, as always, Her Majesty's leal and loyal subjects."

Dead silence met his declaration, before it was broken by Anael. "The hell?! Jannik, you're one of them?!"

Said man only shrugged sheepishly, before withdrawing a sealed letter from his coat's beast-pocket and sliding it over to Dina.

"And what's this?" Dina asked, carefully taking the proffered letter. She was mildly surprised to see his fellows look just as curious and wary of it as she was. He truly sprung this on them without a heads up.

"A letter, my lady, from the head of the AEI Group," Jannik replied. "Confirmation our their approval of working relations between us. That is my reason for being here- to assess you, to see if you truly are who you say you are. To see if hope has once more returned to Eldia, that the Nine-Pointed Star once more rises ascendant." Then the man smiled, one full of a myriad of emotions. "You've no idea how relieved I am to see it is true."

Monogan pinched the bridge of his nose, grumbling something under his breath before sighing. "And you decided to sit on this info for this long, man? Come off it."

"Sorry, Monogan," Jannik shrugged again, an apologetic look on his face. "Lady Hena's already approved. The AEI Group is to back Eldia with all we can give."

"That woman," Monogan chuckled, bemused. "Always playing us like a fiddle, that one. Very well."

He rose from his seat, as did everyone else seated at the table. As it would seem, the negotiations had come to an end, though from the looks on some of the AEI Group members' faces, there would be much more talking after this was all done.

"I'll have one of my people set up a meeting tomorrow," the local head told them, "to hash things out further. For now, I need to send some messages. And argue a bit with my people. You know how it is."

A light chuckle went around the table, none denying it. No doubt, Dina knew, there would be repercussions of the day's reveal rippling throughout the AEI Group in the coming weeks.

Mongan held out a hand towards Miss Rheinberger, and the woman took it and shook. "To the betterment of the Eldian people," the man spoke solemnly. "For the equality of all humanity. You have our support."

"Thank you, Mr. Bresht," the woman responded with a smile. "The Kingdom of Paradis owes you and your people a debt that can never be repaid. In our absence, you stood up for our people where we could not, and we will not forget that kindness."

And with that, they turned to leave, though not before Jannik caught Dina's shoulder, one last question to share.

"I must ask one more thing of you, my lady," he asked. "The old worlds… they died with the Empire, we believe. What salute do you speak, in Paradise? What words herald the liberation of our people?"

"Zum Sieg," she replied automatically, and the young man grinned.

"To Victory," he tested. "Apt words, Ymir willing."

And with that, the two left the room, both their objectives having been completed.

"A job well done, I'd say," Carla smiled. "Well done, all of you. Especially you, MIss Rheinberger."

Dina watched, content in her silence, as their lead envoy shook her head ruefully. "My lady, I think we've known each other long enough for you to call me Anka. Miss Rheinberger just reminds me that I'm still unmarried. My mother is rolling in her grave."

"...I thought your mother was still alive? Doesn't she keep sending you letters?"

"Shut up Rico."

As the group fell into casual banter, Dina found herself falling back to the reveal of Jannik's origins. It had never truly occurred to her, that there might have been some who had escaped the fall of the Old Empire by way of being outside the nation, That some of those who had hidden away had managed to find each other and coordinate was a balm to her heart, but… It left her wondering.

How many more of us are out there? Waiting for the call, to be drawn up? How many old banners lie waiting for the day they can be raised again?

…But, that was a question which would have to wait. They may have won a victory today, but it was minor in comparison to what awaited them. That great burden of a task, upon which the lifeblood of their nation depended on.

And oh, that a task that would be. Undoubtedly the most important of their objectives here, as well- for its outcome would determine the fate of their nation come war-end. Above all else, that was what they had come to Thule for. That which would see to the prosperity of Eldia for the next decade, if all went well.

Tomorrow, the reclamation of the Empire's gold reserves would begin.

A/N: 6 months... wooooooops. Uh, didn't think I was gone that long.

*coughs*

Aaaaaanywaaays... The AEI Group enters the fray!

For those of you who remembered their brief mention in both the anime and manga, the AEI Group (guess where I got the inspiration for that acronym) is actually the "Association to Protect the Subjects of Ymir," but I thought the name sounded dumb. So, the Association for Eldian Innocence it is.

And, what's this? Some Eldians are starting to appear from the woodworks?

With how large the Eldian Empire was, there were no doubt a few noble families who relocated elsewhere for one reason or another. And, when the Empire fell, those families went into hiding. Over the years, some of them reconnected, and eventually, the AEI Group was devised to stave off the coming reveal the blood-tests would bring upon them.

But, Eldia has returned. They aren't alone anymore.

And yes, I know I said I'd get back to the Warriors this chapter, but that'll have to wait until next time, my dear readers. Soon, hopefully!

Until next time, everyone. Zum Sieg!