The first rays of sunshine were gleaming over the magnificent port of Rodas.

The golden color of the water made for a wonderful and painting-worthy view as it complemented the maritime humidity that showed a misty air around the little yellow streetlights along the shore.

Hundreds of little lighthouses decorated the seawalk, docks and wharfs of this proud Marleyan city.

Taking in this view were the Eldians that were unboarding the whaler ship from Nossax, Syren.

The Reconnaissance Legion unboarded her in small groups so as to not wake suspicion of anything, since for all effects and purposes, they were now enemy spies in the eyes of Marley.

Sasha Blouse walked to the docks with Jean and Connie by her side, they were group 6 and had the instructions of meeting up with group 4 by 18:30 in a certain marked location on their map. They had little idea of what it was but they assumed it would take them to the Azumabito manor.

"So… this is the mainland." Sasha said with bewilderment, taking in the sights of the waking city's port district.

"I really don't have first thoughts when I can't get out of my head the massive bronze testicles we saw when we were passing below that statue." Connie said somberly.

"Yeah, they said that statue is considered a marvel of the world, but I didn't think they had sculpted balls in it. Mainlanders certainly don't mind staring at them when their ships are passing through." Jean added.

Unknown to them islanders, they not only had to be careful about the ears of military personnel, but also of scammers and tourist hunters, for all three could be listening in to what they say.

"That statue, and yes a marvel of our world, would be Helos. Built by our first consul after the Insurgence against the Old Eldian Empire, pride of our city. The heroic port of Rodas welcomes you outlanders!"

Immediately after realizing it was a possibility, the three legionnaires froze.

"Speaking of, where are you gents from? I heard you call us mainlanders." A well dressed man asked. He came with the air of a charismatic member of the merchants guild back home and was looking at them inquisitively.

So they panicked, they couldn't have possibly fucked up the mission a mere 20 steps inland. Jean had to answer quickly to get out of the spot.

"Nossax! We hail from Nossax."

The man smiled "Ah, that explains it. I see you came from a whaler ship. Hehe can't blame ya. Chartering yourself a spot in a whaler is far cheaper than a trans-oceanic cruise, half my clients opt for similar alternatives."

"What do you sell sir?" Sasha asked the man.

"how could I not have introduced myself?" The man feigned madness but masterfully smiled like a salesman again. "My name is Peter and I bring you experiences, memories and the greatness of our country of course!"

That told them everything they needed to know, he was a tourist hunter alright, but he was a guide and perhaps useful. If he was going to scam them was yet to be seen however.

"Would those experiences cost much money, 'cause we need to eat and sleep somewhere… mate" Connie said, trying to replicate what Boris sounded like.

"I'll tell you what my islander friend. I will show you the beauty of our home and if at the end of the day you didn't enjoy it, I will not accept any payment whatsoever."

Just like that, Sasha and Connie were swayed, but Jean groaned. He was from Trost, his hometown and people were all about the hustle and bustle, and this tactic was something he had seen multiple times before.

"Lead the way then." He complied nonetheless, his friends at least would enjoy this.


To its credit, they walked just a few streets into the downtown of Rodas and they had to give it to the Marleyans. It was impressive.

It was a charming blend of opulence and popular enhancement. The restaurants, pubs and theaters were adorned with pearly marble and oak wood to heighten the Marleyan oceanic heritage. There were strings of colorful flags like those in a ship hung across streets and the national banner of the seashell waving proudly from many of the buildings in this crowded and lively street.

They were mostly impressed by the people and its wide array. A lot of them were dressed very elegantly, while some others were clad in work overalls, rubber boots that reeked of salt and oil. A lot of sea dogs were to be found, they noticed. The Eldians were completely new to anything related to the sea and its culture, so they found themselves fascinated when spotting sailors and fishermen everywhere.

In essence, the main streets of Rodas screamed and shoved in their faces that this was a people and a nation forged by the waves. Its culture maritime, and its population fed and sustained by it.

This was much, much different than in the walls. They all thought. Jean and Connie were having doubts on what to make of it, but Sasha was grinning, a certain redheaded and cynical friend of hers was going to have a wonderful sandwich of reality.

They were all musing their thoughts when they were brought back to the present by a sound they had never heard before. A clanky sound that could only be described as an onomatopoeia of 'beep beep' made all three of them turn their heads and tilt them like dogs at the metal carriage that moved on its own.

It was out-fucking-rageous, a carriage that had no use of horses? How is that even possible?

"Hey Peter… what is that?" Sasha's finger shaked slightly as it was pointed towards the carriage.

The man followed their gazes and smiled "That, my friends, is a car. The vanguard in technology in our cities! Has it not reached Nossax yet?"

"Well I've sure as hell never seen one before." Jean replied.

They stood there observing the car and following its path until they realized why it was making that sound. The driver honked a couple more times because he was blocked by a crowd in its making.

It wasn't a massive multitude but pockets of cheerful people were starting to assemble, blocking the avenue the driver wanted to access. By the looks of it, this wasn't a small thing since the fanfares could be heard from not very far away.

Before they could even ask Peter what the commotion was about he made an impression of something dawning on him and they remembered that he was above all, a tourist hunter, and in his guild, 'surprises' were the daily bread.

"Ah, I can't believe I forgot to tell you about all the festivities!" He clapped and adopted a merry feeling. "As we know, Rodas is always a beautiful city. But it's not every day that we hoist the colors across every street and celebrate parades. It's the annual victory festivities!

"Naturally, you guys in Nossax must also have celebrated bigtime the fall of the Old Eldian regime. but I assure you folks, you've seen nothing like the parties we throw here in Rodas! No one in Marley can compare. I daresay no one in the whole wide world!." The salesman said ecstatically and the legionnaires were relieved to not have asked what the victory festivities were.

"Come on! I'll scour for the best spots to watch the parade!"

They followed him and soon enough were rewarded, they landed one of the last seats available in some makeshift stands for the people to appreciate the parade.

The wait lasted a little short of half an hour, not devoid of some fun facts about the festivities provded by their guide when they were alerted by the shouts and chants of people, signaling the beginning of the march.

The first thing they saw was a line of well groomed and beautiful horses with elegant riders on their backs carrying swords and pennants with the national emblem and some other symbols they did not recognize.

Next up was an allegorical car. A huge platform on wheels with a huge humanoid monster laid on its belly and a human figure with a hat and a spear poised triumphantly on the giant head. The titan's mouth and the man's arms moved mechanically with some levers, albeit discreet, showing how it worked.

The people went wild nonetheless, some even chanting praises to some 'Helos'.

At one point, the Eldians bought some snacks to mitigate their hunger and enjoy the show. For their delight (mostly Sasha's though) they did find them incredibly tasty.

The different tropes seemed to be endless, as marching bands rocking drums and playing victorious trumpets, children throwing flowers to the crowd and more horses with well-dressed riders came along. The clamor continued until the people lowered their cheers and hurrahs and bravos, for something different was making its way through the avenue.

It was a regiment of soldiers. Crippled soldiers.

The people applauded these physically broken and wounded men wearing the cream-colored uniforms they had seen from the naval task force of Marleyans invading their Island two years ago. Jean had to ask Peter what this was about.

"They are veterans of the war against the Middle-eastern alliance. The people hail them for their courage and sacrifice. They look broken, but thanks to their fighting Marley stands tall and firm against her enemies." He said passionately and turned to the other people sitting around them.

"Folks, let us honor our boys' struggle and sacrifice! Glory to our motherland's heroes!" He riled up the stands and the crowd erupted in vocal praise once more.

The three Paradisians were clapping to blend in but this brought them back to their senses, for they hadn't realized that this whole celebration was an ode to their downfall and deaths. Now that they've seen the enemy and had to cheer for it, they remembered they weren't here for a coastal getaway vacation.

This was a crucial mission for the fate of their Island.

Furthermore, Sasha thought that they sucked as spies, because only now did she notice how many of their comrades were around them.

Ophelia and Hera's heads were turned to them but she could tell it was most definitely them that were sitting on a café table within their view.

Captain Levi and Commander Hange were also in the crowd standing, the former certainly annoyed that he couldn't see a thing between all the taller people than himself.

Roger and Leonard were staring at the regiment of Marleyan soldiers as well, the latter unable to hide how furious he was about having to see them being hailed as heroes.

A lot of the other groups were there. She might've missed it in the planning or it was just a massive coincidence that the entire legion seemed to have ended up encountering the parade.

Finally, she barely spotted Eren, on a balcony on the other side of the street. He was apparently alone, no Mikasa or Armin to be seen, but he wasn't really devoid of company. Beside him stood a man with an eyepatch and a raggedy cream trench coat like the ones being worn by the soldiers, but something else stood out.

A yellow armband on his left arm, a detail that no soldier parading below in the street sported.

The man at a first glance highly contrasted with the son of the doctor in Shiganshina. He was blind in one eye, dirty and hunched while Eren was dressed elegantly and stood firm, but if one cared to throw a second glance she would notice how they looked the same. Both of them had the look of the defeated, of the despaired and the damned in their eyes.

Of course Sasha couldn't listen to what they said to each other, but they exchanged some words that the hunter girl couldn't quite read their lips to decipher and then the one eyed soldier left Eren to his lonesome.

Eren then glanced for a few moments at the sky and he too left the balcony to go god knows where.

She was, of course, reminded of his words of last night. And she couldn't kid herself, the feeling of dread grew and the possibilities of peace diminished with every chorus and every yell.

But she wasn't about to give up just yet.


Peter took the Eldians to eat a proper Marleyan meal after the parade. The islanders excused their ominous silence as being deep in thought about the crimes of the Eldian empire. Which wasn't exactly a lie, but it wasn't even the tip of the iceberg either.

Alas, they finally had something in front of them that could cheer Sasha up: The majestic and glorious food!

Niccolo was an amazing cook himself that introduced the treasures of the sea to the Legionnaire's palates, but they absolutely weren't ready for the Marleyan cuisine in its cradle.

The stews with oysters and langoustines and shrimps, the magnificence of pastas that used so creatively the blend of shrimp and butter and garlic. The subtle yet definitive touches of flavor that basil and tomato made in each dish! Sasha wasn't even aware of what she was eating, but Ymir the founder, was the food making ripples in the fabric of Sasha's reality.

It was just that good.

Sasha Blouse would be happy eating pot roast, potatoes and water or ale for eternity if need be, so it would be fair to assume she's not a good judge of the dishes. However, Connie and Jean were completely enamored by the food as well.

After several plates of the wonderful things Sasha and the others treated themselves to Peter informed them it was time for the 'caffé'.

Sasha was brought back to her conversation of the night before again and assumed their guide was referring to the drink he wanted to try.

Holding to that line of thought, now that she had her first encounter with mainlander food in mainlander restaurants, she was pretty damn excited and looking forward to making him see good and buy her a banquet of this stuff she had just relished in,

The waiter came with some cups and glasses. The contents of them all smelled strongly but incredible.

"We had quite the heavy meal, as such we must wash it down with a good coffee. It also helps to digest and not fall to the fatigue of good food." Peter explained.

"Oh! Back on the Island we call that ill of pork! Ye get all drowsy after filling up!"

Jean who was about to taste the dark drink choked on his saliva at Sasha's loose vocabulary again generating close calls.

"Interesting, I hear that in Nossax it is not possible to grow coffee beans, are you familiar with our caffé? I suppose it is a rarity back home."

Connie took the chance to talk and recover "Uh no, not at all. We had only heard about this."

Now that they had cleared the danger, it was time to try the beverages. Full of anticipation by their rich aroma, they brought the cups to their lips…and hated it.

Connie's face scrunched up as he was trying hard not to spit it out.

Jean thought it was extremely bitter but managed to swallow it, perhaps after a few more times having it he would acquire the taste for it.

Sasha, as expected, had the most infernal reaction. She was very used to the strong tastes of the forest, the wild and the gamey, even the bloody. Alas, she was not yet cut out for the wonders of caffeine.

"GAAAH! WHAT IS THIS SHIT?!" She cussed, sticking her tongue out.

The other two Eldians at the table were embarrassed by her but secretly agreed, Peter for his part chuckled.

"You'll get used to it."

Lucky for them, the beauty of the coffee bean was found in its versatility and compatibility. It wasn't long until they found something that hit the spot.


After a short break to let the caffeine do its magic for the Eldians, their guide did not spare them any breaks. They could absolutely not burn any sunlight in the midst of the celebrations, he said.

In lieu of that, before dusk they ended up on an outdoor stage. Sitting again on stands they were waiting for the curtain to open.

The legionnaires were curious about what they were in for but even Peter didn't know with certainty. At that, most of the people filling the seats seemed to be curious and expectant about it as well.

When the performance started there was just a man on the stage, but before he started talking a solemn string sound played to a slow tune. Peter informed them that they were hearing the sound of a flamenco guitar.

"Marleyan countrymen, now brothers of mine. I am a man of the southern territories, my name matters not. For I come with a tale, a tale of before my home was a part of this wide nation of ours.

The story of we the southerners during the dark days, during the days of the Empire's scum and its scavengers flying around it."

The Legionnaires couldn't say they were surprised anymore, but it was harsh to be so enthralled by the wonders this place had to offer and then be presented with the same speeches and songs and hatred over and over again. And this was barely their first day ashore.

The riff of the guitar took a more energetic pace as background actors and props were shown as the man narrated the story of 'Souplatina.' One of the southernmost provinces of Marley.

"And as such, even if the tales of what the Eldian villainy perpetrated elsewhere are the most repeated, tales of how they made sacrifices of blood and hearts to the titans across the western Ocean or how they exterminated Rago and Vare and a thousand sins more; The story of Souplatina must be passed on!"

"This is the price they paid for their arrogance in the soil they nicknamed 'Einbuch' during their stay. They paid off the local wealthy and powerful and didn't even bother sending any of the 9 titans to finish us off, for they didn't think we'd bite back.

"For decades and centuries, Souplatina weeped, her people enslaved and land renamed. Much like the rest of the world at the time, she afraid and subdued by evil.

"But unfortunately for the devils, there were still proud Souplatinians left! Souplatinians not yet corrupted by fear or greed! And they are marching head on to face them!"

The legionnaires had to admit, even if the words of the man and the props and actors were demonizing them and their history, his passionate shouts and the music stirred the soul unexplainably. There was something about the struggle for freedom that veterans of a just cause simply appreciated.

If it wasn't by the fact that they were labeled the oppressors they would join the standing ovation the spectators showed for the retellings.

"And so, the Eldian pigs, asleep over their laurels and drunk on their conquest, didn't anticipate those brave men at the crack of dawn coming from the river banks and the plains. With pitchforks raised and swords drawn, a banner unfurled with a cry for all the people to adopt as a motto. It read: Souplatina or death!"

The crowd went wild with every event that followed after the man's lips started narrating the actual insurrection and dethroning of the Eldian rule. But the legionnaires weren't moved anymore, if anything they were starting to feel claustrophobic in this open-air theater.

Still, they faked through the rest of the event just wanting to pay Peter whatever he charged them for the tour and get to the Azumabito's estate and rest away.

When the cheering subsided and the people started emptying the stands a redhead catched the eye of the hunter.

Unfortunately for the him, Sasha was not the only person eyeing him.

"DEVIL!"

With just that one word, the blood running inside the Eldians froze. As in queue the eyes of all the Marleyans turned to the scene.

It painted a man of a very senior age pointing his finger at one Floch Forster some rows away.


2/172024: Revised!