54.
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CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR — Oath Breaker
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...
-Unspecified Location; Wall Rose Territory-
An unguarded prairie schooner moves through the forest, its wheels creaking and groaning with every rut or stone in the path they roll over.
Djel Sannes, an officer of the Interior Military Police, pulls back the canvas flap and peers out at the two men steering the buggy. "Hey, are Levi 'n them actually there?" He questions, nothing short of suspicious as he briefly shares a glance with his companion; Ralph.
"They are. I promised him that I'd cooperate, so they let us go for some reason." Dimo replies smoothly, effortlessly hiding his unease behind a mask of nonchalance. Thanking his lucky stars that the shadows permitted by the forest canopy hid his sweat-dampened forehead.
Djel grumbles something unintelligible but eventually retreats into the covered sanctuary of the wagon.
Dimo tightens his grip around the reigns in his hands and shares a brief, sidelong gaze with his son; Flegel.
He didn't blame the two MP's for their distrustful nature. He couldn't… If anything, he was surprised they had managed to make it this far out from the city. Because the very premise of their late-night trip was almost too good to be true.
Captain Levi of the Scout Regiment was more than a highly reputable soldier— he was a near legend in the eyes of the common folk. He was dubbed 'Humanity's Strongest Soldier', for a reason.
He wouldn't— shouldn't— be so sloppy as to not only release a prisoner but allow that prisoner vital information of his whereabouts after the fact. He wouldn't risk his people for a possible double-crossing scheme.
But he did, and therein lies the brilliance of it all.
Dimo could've told the Military Police everything. It would've put him in their good graces once more; he was practically handing the Captain Levi over on a silver platter— alongside the wily batch of youngins that followed his curtails— after all. He could've told them, and let them plan around the ambush set to take place within this very forest. But he didn't, and he was glad of it.
Because the Military Police continued to prove how lazy and dull-witted they'd become due to their corruption. For they sent a mere two Interior Military Police to handle seven, undoubtedly well-trained Scouts.
It was as sad as it was laughable, but it let Dimo know that he made the best choice of the options given.
By this point, they were steadily approaching preplanned drop-off. And Dimo scans the area with his eyes, urging the horses to a slow stop once he spots a flash of metal in the moonlight.
It's at this moment that the hunted Scouts make their move. They converge on the wagon from all sides, weapons drawn; guns, bows, and blades alike.
…
Glancing at Ralph, Djel rises to his feet as the wagon halts. "Are we there…?" He questions aloud, poking his head out the back and over the tailgate when Reeves doesn't respond. However, he doesn't get very far as he's met with the opposing end of a military-grade rifle.
Trailing his eyes up the gun's barrel, his face pales further when he finds Captain Levi and one of his subordinates— Jean Kirstein— staring back.
Realization dawns and he turns to call out a warning to Ralph, however, Kirstein is quick on his feet. The younger male surges forward and slams the butt of the rifle into Djel's jaw, sending him stumbling backwards.
He's out before he even hits the floor of the buggy.
…
Ralph startles as Djel lands at his feet. Jumping up, he instantly understands what was happening and turns to confront the double-crossing merchant and son duo.
"Reeves, you damn—!" He begins angrily as he whirls around to face the front of the wagon; caught off-guard when he's met with the sight of a black-haired girl peering back through the flaps of canvas.
Mikasa Ackerman.
She lunges, and he isn't able to process the action in time as she slams her booted foot into his face.
He lands beside Djel in a crumpled heap, and before he blacks out, he is barely able to acknowledge the sound of the wagon's tailgate squeaking open followed by Dimo's faint voice.
"Sorry about that, pals."
…
Flegel Reeves squirms in his seat, uncomfortable and on edge as he watches some of the rogue Scouts carry the two unconscious MP's off into the darkened woodlands.
"What now? Does this really mean we're safe, old man?" He finds himself quietly questioning his father— who sat beside him, steady and self-assured as ever in spite of current events.
"There's no guarantee." His father replies just as lowly, also watching the small group move quickly— as if they were unbothered by the darkness.
Flegel looks at his father then, surprised. "You're kidding—?! Then why?!" He exclaims, yelping when his father scoldingly whacks the back of his head.
"You listen here, boy, and listen well!" His father begins sternly; his eyes like steel in their gazes firmness. "A merchant must learn to follow his nose! Not just to smell easy money, but to sniff out profit awaiting in the future…! Once you find it, bite down and don't let go. Got it…? Remember that."
It's then that Rosalie Turner approaches, and Flegel subconsciously mimics his father in straightening his posture in the presence of the girl. However, his unease must still be noticeable, seeing as the brunette offers him a small smile once she's close enough to speak.
(And whilst the pretty gesture is appreciated, it does little to ease his nerves. For he was on the opposing end of her ire, just hours prior.)
"Thanks for the help… You're both free to go now." She murmurs, tilting her head back so they could see her face fully from underneath her hood.
Finding it suddenly difficult to respond, Flegel swallows thickly around the lump in his throat and leaves it to his father instead.
"Just remember the Reeves' Company when this is all over with." His father replies gruffly, readying the reigns in his hands.
Rosalie hums, not verbally acknowledging his response as her gaze flits around the surrounding area. "Don't let your guard down— even when you reach the city. Captain Levi says to keep a low profile if you can help it. Don't make any unnecessary stops." She advises before taking a step back.
His father nods and flicks the reigns in his hands with a low "hiyaah".
For the first time that night, Flegel relaxes in his seat as the wagon jolts to a start. Feeling more than happy to leave the group of intimidating individuals behind him.
(Unfortunately, little did Flegel know, this wouldn't be the last time he would see the rogue Scouts. For he would only be dragged deeper into the conflict following the murder of his father, Dimo, at the hands of Kenny the Ripper later that same night.)
...
...
-Unspecified Location; Wall Rose Territory-
Being a so-called thug from the underground city, Levi was intimately familiar with…alternative…ways of procuring information. And while it was safe to say that this was a new level of extremes for him, violence is something he never had the fortune of shying away from. He isn't the squeamish sort.
Living with and being raised by Kenny ensured that much.
That is before he disappeared altogether. Leaving Levi to fend for himself… Only to once again show up years later, with deep connections to the First Interior Squadron.
Levi clicks his tongue at the thought, and he's consciously aware that his visible agitation sets his guest further on edge.
Although, much to his merit— even while extremely fearful— Djel Sannes wisely stays silent.
However, before Levi gets the chance to ponder the stream of thought further, two sets of approaching footsteps draw his attention away from his current task and to the heavy metal door as it's pushed open.
"Sorry we're late!" Hange apologizes as she enters with Moblit following close behind. "You're still going at it…?"
"Yeah, I'm pretty new to this." Levi admits dryly, glancing down at the bloodstained smock and elbow-length gloves.
Hange nods and turns her attention to the beaten and bound male in the chair. "Sannes! You should know that I'm also a novice at human torture, so please bear with me!" She informs lightly, appearing almost too cheerful in the face of what was about to happen.
Taking her unspoken cue, Moblit closes the door behind him and moves to stand a silent vigil in the corner.
Djel's eyes widen in alarm as the eccentric woman immediately reaches for one of the tools set out for the soon-to-be bloody job without a preamble. "Wait! What do you even want…?! Who the hell tortures without asking questions?!"
Levi looks at him, expression blank. "Oh, right… We do have some questions for you." He mutters before taking a step closer. "Where are Eren and Historia…? Why are you after Historia? What is the Reiss family's involvement in all of this?"
Djel is silent for a moment as he eyes them all with trepidation.
The said moment is apparently too long for Hange's liking, however, as she surges forward with a set of pliers in hand and grabs ahold of his arm; his fingernails being her first target of the evening.
"Too slow! Can't you see we're in a hurry?!"
…
Everyone flinches as Djel's screams echo up the cellar stairs and filter through the closed door.
"It's starting again…" Jean grumbles, mindlessly rubbing comforting circles against the small of Rosalie's back as said brunette burrows her face into her hands and heaves a weary sigh.
"…I feel like the screams are louder than when the Captain did it." Armin mutters, eyes downcast.
Sasha hunches against the table, eyes squeezed tightly shut and with her hands covering her ears; acting as if doing so would block out the haunting noise.
Connie grits his teeth and looks down at the rickety tabletop, clearly uncomfortable as he repeatedly clenches his hands into fists. "Even though I know it's to save those two— It still makes me sick."
"Let's face it… We're criminals now." Armin states, refusing to meet anyone's gaze when they all look at him. "The enemies we're fighting… We're not killing them because they're trying to eat us. It's because their views are different— No, just the group they belong to. And for that, their lives…"
"Armin—" Mikasa begins in a consoling murmur as the blond trails off.
Armin, however, eventually pushes forward. "All of us— We're not good people anymore."
The sentiment leaves a bad taste in all of their mouths, but no one could muster up an argument strong enough to denounce the truth of his words. And the responding silence is stomach churning.
...
...
…
"Sorry. I can't peel nails as well as you." Hange apologizes as she places the bloody pliers on the table; trying her best to appear unbothered despite her glassy eyes giving her away. "Just how many did you peel to get so good?"
Djel slouches in his seat, panting with exhaustion as his fingers throbbed in pain. "Too many to count…" He slurs hoarsely, only pausing for a brief moment before he looks up at her and Levi through swollen eyes. "Within these cramped walls, do you know why war has never broken out? It's because the First Interior Squad dirtied our hands to protect the peace…"
As he trails off, Djel's eyes glaze over as he thought over past excursions. "A teacher too smart for his own good… A stupid couple who tried to fly… A whore from some ranch in the sticks—! Humanity has only made it this far because we erased them! You should be thanking us!"
By this point, he was openly crying; tears streaming down his face in thick rivulets. "I've never seen anyone get more pleasure out of torture than you guys! You're monsters!"
Levi, Hange, and Moblit stay silent, and Djel takes it as a sign to continue. "But I'm not afraid. I… I have— I have the King!" He states almost reverently. "I… I believe in the King and peace within the Walls. That all of the things we've done were justified. But— To think it hurt this much…"
Pausing, Djel briefly closes his eyes and takes a deep, steadying breath before looking back up at them determinedly. "Go on and torture me to death already. That's all I ever did with this bloodstained life of mine."
The three Scouts eye him appraisingly for a minute, and Levi is the first to break the silence following the spiel. "Let's take a break." He grunts gruffly as he turns to the door.
Hange and Moblit are quick to follow. "That's troubling…" The former mutters as they step out. "I'm beginning to feel sorry for him."
Moblit leaves the door cracked as they exit, allowing the warm light cascading over the adjacent staircase to filter into the dank room.
…
Djel isn't sure of how much time passes following their departure, seeing as the concept of time became relevant the moment he woke.
However, he isn't one to look a gift horse in the mouth. He was allotted this blessed moment of solace, and he would use every second of his current isolation to strengthen his resolve before the next round of interrogation.
All he had to do, is hold out for as long as he could. They'd grow tired of his silence eventually and when they did—
"Quit shoving me! It hurts…!"
Djel jolts at the familiar voice, and he wheezes when his ribs protest the sudden movement.
It was Ralph. How could he have forgotten about Ralph?!
Looking up, Djel peers through the crack of the door. And sure enough, Hange and Levi were corralling his fellow MP up the stairs.
Closing his eyes, he puts all of his focus into eavesdropping on the conversation taking place outside.
"You're pathetic. It only took one nail to make you talk… Sannes doesn't have any nails left! You're nothing like him." He hears Levi sneer.
Ralph scoffs as he tries to crane his head back to look at the shorter male. "Like I care? That was his decision. The guy never shuts up about peace and the King…! The rest of us hate him. So, do us a favor and kill him already."
Djel felt as if his heart dropped to his stomach.
Ralph… No, Ralph wouldn't—! He would never—!
"We're not letting it happen until he verifies your story." Levi replies.
"You already got what you wanted out of me! Gimme a break…!" Ralph complains and Djel can barely hear him continue as his heartbeat roars in his ears. "Will I be getting a bed in my cell or what?"
Hange speaks next, but Djel can't make out her response. They were reaching the top of the staircase now, and the sound of their voices was becoming more and more muffled by the second.
Not that it mattered anymore. Ralph had told them everything they needed to know, and it didn't matter if Djel gave any form of confirmation or not. The damage was already done.
They weren't dealing with normal people— regular civilians who bowed under an oppressive fist. No, they were dealing with Scout soldiers.
The Survey Corps wasn't just a military regiment that was filled with wishful dreamers and naïve idiots. No… These were like-minded people of notable eccentricity.
To put it simply, they were odd individuals. Unpredictable even. They enjoyed the thrill of exploring beyond the Walls and fighting Titans. Curiosity thrummed through their veins like wildfire. If you give an inch they'll take a mile— and then some more— all because of the feral tenacity they posses that fuels their quest for the unknown knowledge.
The Scouts were the very antithesis of everything the First Interior Squad sought to prohibit. And because of Ralph's actions, they now— no doubt— have alternative avenues to get what they sought.
Djel slumps in his seat, head hung low as his vision began to blur from tears. He felt many things at this point— disappointment, sadness, fear, anger— but it was the sense of betrayal that was most predominant. It sunk deep into his bones, heavy as lead. Chilling him to the core, leaving his guts frozen in a detriment coating of frost— the kind that kills out most vegetation at the start of winter.
His overall despair was palpable, and the negativity practically oozed from his pores, making the mildewed cellar all the more depressing.
He wanted to remain loyal; stalwart in his unspoken creed to the King's desires. He wanted to stay faithful. But his strength was fading fast, because look at where his unwavering loyalty— his boundless sense of duty— had gotten him.
His fingers throb at the reminding thought.
The metal door creaks as it's pushed open. Warm light engulfs the room, making Levi's shadow more daunting than he probably realizes as said male adjusts his gloves.
Hange follows promptly, seemingly in no rush as she strolls back to the table of miscellaneous objects gathered for inflicting the most slow-burning pain. "Ready, Sannes?" She begins almost conversationally. "Let's try again… This is tough for me, too, but I'll do my best to—"
Listless and defeated, Djel opens his eyes; void of all hope. His tongue feels heavy as he speaks, but he pushes on— ready to be done with it all.
He didn't care anymore.
"Reiss is the true Royal Family."
(He would later come to find out, after being placed in a cell alongside Ralph— whom he immediately tried to throttle— that he had been played for a fool. Ralph had been reading from the script, and thusly, Djel was the one who broke his oath to their King.)
...
...
"The true royal successor…is Historia?"
Armin's dumbfounded paraphrasing of Hange's explanation did little to quell the shocked ripple that still made waves throughout the room.
Hange nods. "In other words, both Eren and Historia are likely wherever Rod Reiss is."
At this, Moblit steps forward and slams a loose leaflet of parchment against the wall with a prominent slap; unrolling it, smoothening it out with his free hand until a drawn portrait is revealed to all.
"That's him." Levi informs.
A minute or so passes, and once Hange is certain they've committed the face to memory she nods at Moblit— who then places the paper down onto the table.
"There's another thing…" She begins informatively. "We believe they plan to eat Eren in order to obtain his Titan Power."
A stunned silence fills the room.
"…Eren will be eaten…?" Armin parrots in disbelief.
Hange confirms with a nod. "Yeah… And to support this, the last I saw of Eren, he handed me a note. He said that he remembered a conversation between Ymir and Bertolt that went like this…"
..
"Do you resent me for it?"
"I'm not sure… I…don't know. You probably didn't want to eat a human either…"
..
Hange cups her chin thoughtfully. "Speculating based on that, Ymir was a Titan wandering alone outside of Wall Maria. Bertolt, Reiner, and Annie had a comrade that she ate… We know that when a Titan eats someone, they remain the same. But what if a Titan ate one of Reiner's comrades? They're humans who can transform into Titans… In other words, if a Titan eats someone with that power, I believe it's safe to assume that they revert back into a human."
She then glances around the room. "Furthermore, they obtain the power of those they eat. In the other day's battle, Reiner was throwing Titans at Eren— who had escaped… Eren has the power to control Titans with his scream. I believe that he was trying to snatch that power with those Titans. In that case, Eren is just a vessel that is bound to be replaced… Basically, if the government has a Titan of their own, they'll be the one to eat Eren."
"Then… How does Historia fit into all of this?" Rosalie inquires dreadfully.
Hange sighs, her expression perturbed. "I'm… I'm not sure. I haven't been able to factor in the necessity of her involvement."
Not willing to listen to anything more, Mikasa pivots on her heels and makes for the door, a scowl heavily set on her features.
Levi follows after her, grabbing the taller girl by the shoulder and forcing her to face him. "Calm down! Even if you go on a rampage, they're not going to give Eren back to us." He chides and Mikasa— begrudgingly— acquiesces to his logic.
Once he's sure she won't make a break for it, Levi then looks over his shoulder at the others in his squad. "Anyways, we head for the lands of Rod Reiss. Get ready to leave at once."
"Yes, Sir!"
As the group of teens begin to file out of the room to gather their supplies and belongings, Levi, Hange, and Moblit amble after at a leisurely pace; speaking in hushed voices.
"I'll go tell Erwin and James what we learned about the Reiss family. I'm sure they're waiting to hear from us." Hange murmurs.
Levi nods in accepting approval. "Right."
"We can meet up on Reiss' land. You'll hear from me at the usual spot."
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