Chapter 43: Attack On Titans, Part 17

Having witnessed Armin’s resolve, I informed the others of my decision to feed Bertolt to Armin.

“What do you think, Mikasa?”

“I don’t mind. As long as you and Armin are safe.”

Mikasa agreed with the plan.

However, the others—Jean, Connie, Sasha—weren’t so easily convinced.

“Eren! I know you have a plan, but does it have to involve Bertolt’s death? There might be another way.”

Connie argued.

“Connie, do you have another solution? A way to protect Paradis Island from an attack while I’m away? If you can’t offer an alternative, this is a pointless argument.”

“Th-That’s true, but…”

“I don’t want to kill him either.”

“Then don’t!”

“Let me finish, Connie. I didn’t intend to kill Bertolt. But the situation demands it. Unless something changes drastically, his death is unavoidable. Unless you can come up with a brilliant strategy that Armin and I haven’t thought of.”

I apologize, Connie, but that’s beyond your capabilities. Even Armin couldn’t think of another way.

“Connie, give it up… There’s a time to argue and a time to accept. This isn’t the time to argue.”

“I don’t want to hear that from you, Sasha.”

“Then wake up! The wrong choice here will lead to more than just our deaths. Our families, other innocent people, they’ll all suffer.”

“Family… I see. This isn’t just about me. Alright, Eren, give me three days. I’ll try to find another solution.”

“Two days.”

“Thank you, Eren.”

Two days wouldn’t make a difference.

While time was of the essence, two days was a reasonable concession.

Marley had likely just realized that they had lost contact with Reiner, Bertolt, and Annie.

I wasn’t sure what would happen next.

In the original story, Reiner and Bertolt would have returned to Marley to retrieve Zeke and Pieck, but they were currently imprisoned.

Paradis Island could be attacked at any moment.

However, that was unlikely.

Based on Marley’s previous actions, they would likely send a reconnaissance team first, led by Zeke and Pieck.

I planned to capture them the moment they arrived.

We were setting up surveillance posts at all potential landing points. Unless they arrived by air, they wouldn’t be able to infiltrate the island undetected.

So come quickly, Zeke and Pieck.

I was waiting.

Two days later, Connie returned, defeated.

“Eren, let’s feed Bertolt to Armin. My brain can’t come up with anything else. I even spoke to Commander Erwin, but he didn’t have any solutions either.”

It was unlikely that Connie would find a solution that Armin and I had missed. As expected, there were no other options.

“Then let’s begin.”

I retrieved the syringe in front of the other Survey Corps soldiers and handed it to Armin.

“Armin, it’s time.”

“Yes.”

Armin’s expression mirrored my own seriousness.

Just as he was about to inject himself, Bertolt yelled.

“Guys! Help me! Armin’s gone crazy! He’s trying to eat me!”

Many of his comrades were present.

Jean, Connie, Sasha, Mikasa, Armin, Historia, Ymir, and me.

But no one responded to his pleas.

Then, Historia spoke, “I’m sorry, Bertolt.”

Her apology, however, was a confirmation of their decision. Bertolt panicked.

“No, this can’t be happening! Why me?! There’s Reiner, and we’re valuable hostages!”

Armin walked slowly towards the struggling Bertolt.

Time seemed to slow down with each step he took.

It was strange.

Standing before the chained Bertolt, Armin spoke, “Bertolt, Annie and Reiner are enough hostages. And your value as a hostage is less than the strategic advantage of me inheriting the Colossal Titan. So die, Bertolt. Thank you for your service.”

“Armin…! No, think again! There must be another way!”

“There isn’t. I’ve thought about it long enough.”

Armin whispered into Bertolt’s ear, “I’ll take care of Annie. So don’t worry and go in peace.”

“What?”

By the time Bertolt understood, it was too late.

Armin had already injected himself and transformed into a mindless Titan.

“Armin, you bastard!”

Crunch

I approached Armin, who had returned to human form after consuming Bertolt, and asked, “What did you say to him?”

Armin smiled brightly and shook his head.

“Nothing.”