Chapter 13: Attack On Titans, Part 2

As I approached the mountain where Mikasa’s family lived, I extended my senses.

‘There aren’t three people?’

Having reached the foot of the mountain, I quickly disembarked from the carriage.

As Grisha and I ascended the hill, a scream pierced the air.

Upon hearing it, I instructed Grisha to alert the Military Police and broke into a run.

Hoping I wasn’t too late.

I heard Grisha call out, but I ignored him and pressed on.

The situation was urgent.

Utilizing the Demonic Divine Art to enhance my speed, I quickly reached a cabin, presumably Mikasa’s home.

The open door suggested I was too late.

However, I didn’t stop. Mikasa could still be alive.

I burst into the cabin.

A man, presumably Mikasa’s father, lay dead near the entrance, and behind him, another body, likely her mother.

My senses confirmed they were both deceased.

I attacked the men holding Mikasa captive.

There was no need for the Demonic Divine Art against such weaklings.

I killed them with my bare hands.

“Impossible… Wh-Who are you…?”

“Doesn’t matter.”

I silenced the last survivor before he could utter another word.

Covered in blood, I turned to Mikasa.

“Will you come with me?”

“Won’t you die?”

She asked, and I smiled.

“Of course not. Not while you’re alive.”

“Then I’ll go with you. I don’t want to lose anyone else.”

“Good.”

I embraced her, offering comfort. I could sense her inner turmoil despite her outward composure.

I wanted to show her that the world wasn’t entirely cruel.

Two hours later, Grisha arrived with the Military Police.

They grimaced at the gruesome scene.

“Y-You’re saying these children did this?”

I ignored their disbelief, but I couldn’t ignore Grisha.

He pulled me aside, his voice laced with anger.

“Eren! Do you realize what you’ve done? You could have died!”

“But I didn’t. And if I had been any later, Mikasa could have been taken.”

“Still…!”

Grisha embraced me tightly.

“Alright, you’re safe, so I’ll let it slide, but don’t do this again…

I don’t want to lose you.

Understand, Eren?”

“Yes, I understand.”

After weathering Grisha’s scolding, I brought up Mikasa.

“Let’s take Mikasa in. She’s lost everything… everyone.

I’ll become her family.”

My judgment was clouded, likely due to inhabiting Eren’s body.

He deeply loved and cared for Mikasa.

I could feel his emotions surging through me, even though I had just met her.

“Yes! Let’s become a family!”

Thankfully, Grisha agreed. I was relieved; I wasn’t sure what I would have done if he refused.

Though, that wouldn’t have happened in the original story.

Still, I needed to hear his confirmation. I wasn’t Eren; there could be subtle differences.

A month passed since Mikasa joined our family.

Fortunately, she was adjusting well.

I had been worried initially; she was quiet and withdrawn.

But now, she smiled occasionally.

She was currently chatting with Carla.

“That really happened?”

“Yes!”

I smiled, watching Mikasa regain her cheerful demeanor.

Then, Carla spoke to me, “Eren, could you chop some firewood?”

“I’ll go with you!”

Mikasa offered, and Carla agreed.

We retrieved an axe and headed outside.

With my strength, I could have split the wood with my bare hands, but I was maintaining the facade of an ordinary boy.

“Let’s go, Mikasa.”

“Okay.”

I held her hand and walked slowly.

There was no rush.

“Mikasa, I’m sorry. If I had arrived sooner, I could have saved…”

Mikasa placed her hands on my face, stopping me.

“Don’t say that. It’s in the past. And I know you did your best. So I don’t blame you, Eren.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

I felt my face flush. I was probably as red as a tomato.

Being in a child’s body was affecting my thought process.

I would never normally say something like this.

Being comforted by a girl 20 years younger than me.

As I berated myself, Mikasa giggled.

“What’s so funny?”

“Your face is red.”

“Is that funny?”

“Yes. You look silly.”

“Then laugh all you want.”

“Are you sulking?”

“No, I’m not.”

I was not a child who sulked.

As I affirmed this to myself, Mikasa spoke.

“Eren, thank you for saving me. I realized I haven’t properly thanked you yet!”

I was speechless, staring at her in a daze.

She was beaming at me.