Chapter 42: Attack On Titans, Part 16

After clearing Wall Maria of Titans, the restoration efforts began.

While other soldiers were involved in the reconstruction, my comrades and I had other matters to attend to.

The fate of our prisoners: Reiner, Bertolt, and Annie.

“What are you going to do, Eren?”

“I’m still thinking about it.”

Armin hesitated, then spoke, “Eren, wouldn’t killing them be a bit…much?”

“Is this about Annie?”

Armin’s blush confirmed my suspicion.

“N-No, it’s just…killing them seems wrong.”

“Then how do we manage them while I’m away?”

“There must be a way…”

Armin’s lack of conviction made me realize I had been doing too much.

In the original story, countless comrades and superiors had died during the Battle of Trost District, the 57th Exterior Scouting Mission, the Stohess District raid, the Eren Yeager retrieval operation, the coup, and the Wall Maria reclamation operation.

But due to my intervention, there had been no casualties.

As a result, a sense of complacency had settled upon the soldiers.

They attributed the victories to their own strength, not mine.

Armin, too, had become complacent. Normally, he would have offered alternative solutions in such situations, but he hadn’t.

This was likely due to his lack of experience with loss and death.

While words couldn’t fully replace experience, I had to make him understand.

Armin was intelligent; he would grasp the meaning of my words.

I placed my hands on his shoulders and said, “Listen, Armin. We’re not children anymore. Mistakes have consequences. The wrong choice can lead to the deaths of our comrades. If you want to save Annie, give me an alternative.

Show me how we can contain them without me.”

Armin fell into deep thought, pondering my words. He understood their implications.

I didn’t want to endanger those within my care. If Armin wanted to save Annie, he would have to offer a viable alternative.

As I watched him contemplate, lost in my own thoughts, Armin finally spoke.

“Eren, I have an idea.”

“I knew you would, Armin. Tell me.”

His mind was finally working.

Until now, my overwhelming power had rendered his intellect unnecessary, but things were different now.

Even with my strength, I couldn’t protect Paradis Island while fighting abroad.

I didn’t have teleportation or other such abilities. Paradis Island was vulnerable in my absence.

Could they defend against an attack while I was away?

“Eren, I know what you’re worried about. You’re wondering how we can defend against an attack while you’re not here.”

“That’s right. We need a way to protect Paradis Island without me. And since you’ve brought this up, you must have a solution. Tell me, Armin, how can Paradis Island defend itself without me…?”

Armin still seemed hesitant. I needed to reassure him.

I placed my hands on his shoulders again, looking him in the eye.

“Tell me, Armin. Whatever you say, I’ll still be on your side.”

My words seemed to be the catalyst he needed.

Armin’s trembling ceased, and he met my gaze.

With the same determined look he had before sacrificing himself to defeat Bertolt in the original story.

“Eren, give me the Titan injection you acquired. I’ll become a Titan and inherit the Colossal Titan from Bertolt.”

So he remembered my mentioning the remaining Titan injection.

He was truly…

“I understand your resolve. Inherit the Colossal Titan, Armin. And use its power to protect everyone.”

As I spoke, a face flashed through Armin’s mind.

‘Annie…’

It was Annie, of course.

“I will! I’ll protect everyone!”