The Empire Returns Chapter 20

'The Rogue Titan is revealed to be a member of the Survey Corps!'

Newspapers littered the cobblestone streets of Stohess and they all had the same headline on the front cover. The article spoke of how a new recruit was the Titan who saved Trost and how he had hidden in human form to blend in with the other humans of the Walls, it then went on to state that this Titan was on the run from the military and was being hunted down for it's crimes.

The newspaper was, obviously, a propaganda piece that was ordered to be written by the royal government and sent out to the public.

In the streets of Stohess, people stared with both horror and disgust at the sketch of the supposed 'Rogue Titan'. It was a teenage boy by the looks of things.

A fat bearded man dressed in a suit that carried around a cane stared over the shoulder of a bespectacled man to read the article, they both held similiar expressions of distaste at what they were reading.

The obese man spoke with unease." Is this Titan going to join with the forces of Wall Rose to siege Sina with those common bloods?" The way he uttered those last words made it clear that he held disgust just for the mention of that group of people.

The glasses wearing man however tried to look at the positive side." Now, now, no need to worry about that thing, the military is on the job along with The death Corps, that Titan will soon be dead and executed. Our homes will be safe." 

His words did little to reassure the human pig, but he didn't mention it again as he dropped the newspaper to the ground and tried to continue with his daily life, willingly ignoring the news of a Titan hiding inside the Walls.

However, in Wall Rose it was a different story.

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Around Trost several men and women crowded around a single newspaper, seeing that the Titan who saved their city was indeed human several were shocked at the thought, however notably unlike Wall Sina the people of Trost weren't acting out of prejudice for Eren Yeager, but rather they were outraged that the military was hunting down and attempting to kill the hero of their city.

Several civilians were visibly displaying their displeasure with the act but a single blonde girl was staring at the picture with a surprised expression. Louise could have sworn that she'd seen the young soldier from somewhere. But where was it?

Either way she was confused about why the soldiers were so against the Titan boy. He saved her city so shouldn't they be thanking him? Shouldn't they be grateful or show him kindness? It just didn't make sense to her, weren't you meant to be nice to people who are good to you? Like she is with her mummy?

Louise tugged at her mother's skirt to catch her attention and asked." Mummy, why are the military trying to hurt that boy? Didn't he help us?" 

The girl's mother didn't quite know how to answer that question, looking down at her daughter's big, innocent eyes she just said vaguely." It's not that simple dear. Even if he didn't do anything wrong he's still..."

Louise was disappointed when her mother trailed off, it seems like her mum doesn't have  a good idea of why the military are doing this either? It doesn't make any sense to her young mind, how could someone that saved the lives of an entire district be bad?

Nobody seemed to have an answer for her though.

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Reiner was patrolling around Stohess, admiring the view of several fancy looking buildings, that were far more well kept than in Wall Rose where most of the population lived, and had a relaxed expression on his face as he did his nest to fulfill his duty as a soldier. 

He's working his hardest to help the military and does his best to cheer his comrades up and keep their spirits high, because he knows that eventually he'll be able to return to his hometown if he does, all those people he knew that died and were forced out of their homes will be avenged if he does, he... can't really remember their faces but he knows that they were important to him. Or at least-

"Reiner! You have to see this!" Bertolt scrambled to get to his fellow Marleyan Warrior through the stony streets of Stohess as he clutched a newspaper tightly with an expression of uncertainty and anxiety plainly visible on his face.

Seeing the usually meek and timid Bertolt acting so worried and erratic was a strange sight for Reiner, ah Bertolt. Good, old, reliable Bertolt, they've been friends since they were kids, where they met in- Liberio- their old village in- Marley, their motherland on the continent- Wall Maria, the place which they hope to reclaim one day.

Seeing his friend breathing heavily, as though he'd ran at top speed to get to him as soon as possible, but still holding the paper into his face he asked with concern." Whoa, are you alright Bertolt, also why aren't you patrolling the north like we agreed? As soldiers we-"

"Shut up and just read the paper Reiner!" Bertort yelled with the frustration and tiredness he was feeling causing him to snap and lash out at his friend, his shout has guided the attention of some bystanders on the streets onto them.

Seeing his tall comrades actions Reiner is slightly disturbed. Bertolt has always been quiet and passive, even when they were children in- Marley where they were training to become Warriors and Titan Shifters- their village, seeing him yell at someone else was certainly a surprise.

Still though, he decided to take his fellow soldiers advice and take the newspaper he was holding up.

What it said made something inside of him crack.

First on the front cover there was a picture of the Rogue Titan who saved Trost- The Attack Titan, the missing Titan power that evaded Marley's capture- right besides... Eren!

His eyes snap up to meet Bertolt's and something inside of him feels like it shifted. Like he was a whole different person.

"What is this?" His words come out cold and calculative as his entire demeanour seems to shift from a happy-go-lucky idiot to a ruthless and merciless Warriot for Marley.

Bertolt doesn't bat an eye at Reiner's... condition, having long since grown used to the sight of Reiner changing personalities, and instead answers his question with another question." Shouldn't we get away from all these people."

Reiner hated it when he used the word people for these islanders, they weren't people, they were devils, filthy island devils that needed to die for the world to see that only good Eldians remain in this world. He needs to be a hero for both the innocent Marleyans of this world and the good Eldians of the continent that satayed behind, unlike these traitors, in order to truly atone for their crimes. In response to that Reiner glared fiercely at Bertolt who wilted away and meekly corrected himself as they walked into a nearby alley to privately discuss their plans as Warriors of Marley.

Reiner leaned against the stone wall as he crossed his arms over his chest with the newspaper still in hand as he stared expectantly at the Colossal Titan who began to explain himself.

Bertolt started speaking in a very panicked fashion." Whilst I was in the north they were handing out these papers Reiner, at first I thought that it was nothing but I overheard them talking about a Titan who could turn into a human and so I picked up one of these on the floor and I saw Eren's face on this paper along with the Attack Titan so I started reading and found out that-"

"Eren's the Attack Titan." Reiner finished with eyes wide and full of disbelief at the notion that somebody that he was sleeping besides all these years was hiding such a massive secret from his very own comrades! It was like he had no trust in any of them from the very beginning! It's a disgra-

Reiner shook his head. He couldn't lose himself like he normally did, he needed to plot with Bertolt to bring down this devil who dare strike against Marley.

Reiner tried to focus on the mission." Did the paper say anything else?"

Bertolt nodded and appeared mildly relaxed for a moment as he finally received orders from someone." Apparently the regiments have all turned against him so he's on the run. If we can somehow find him and go back to Marley then we should be forgiven for losing the Jaws."

Reiner kept his frown but thought carefully about the situation they were in. Truth be told he was desperate to go home, he misses his mother, his aunt, his uncle and Gabi, though he honestly doubts that the girl even remembers him, last time he was back at Marley she was... three? Maybe four? He honestly can't exactly remember but he does know that even back then he loved her like a little sister, he said he'd purge all the island devils for her. And he intends on making good on that promise before returning to her.

He was tired. He was sick of this place. He was sick of the misery that he'd caused, he was sick of the facade that he needs to keep up as a soldier, he was sick of the lies and deception, he was sick of the friends he'd made on this island and he was sick of murdering innoce-

Reiner cut himself off at that thought as a massive headache made his head feel like splitting open. What is he thinking?! These aren't people! He's just giving them what they deserve... right?! He's not the monster here, they are! He isn't a monster for killing a bunch of monsters and devils! 

He's not a monster.

He's not a monster.

He's not a monster!

He falls to his knees in mental anguish that made him groan as he held his head in his hands and began to spiral. Is he a Warrior or a soldier?! Is he from Marley or Maria?! Where is he?! Who is he?! What is he doing?!

Seeing his fellow Warrior's discomfort Bertolt felt a massive wave of disappointment and just asked desperately, doing his best to ignore that his partner in crime was losing his marbles." What are we doing Reiner? Please. Give me some orders!"

Reiner looked up at his friend as sweat dripped down his face and saw the panic and uncertainty on his expression that made Reiner stop to try and gather himself. He looks at the ground with both shame and resolve as he finds it in himself 

He needs to be stronger than this. He's the Armoured Titan, Marley's shield, the Titan with the best defense. He can't afford to be so... fragile. Bertolt is counting on him and so is Annie goddamnit! He can't let them down!

He stands up and orders Bertolt like he wishes." We'll try and make contact with Annie to help find Eren, getting him is our top priority right now, Annie might even be moving to take him right now though since the Scouts haven't been on an expedition yet, so don't count on her responding to a letter. If that fails then we'll find Eren and take him back to Marley. He's probably hiding in Wall Rose somewhere so we'll have to take turns when it comes to searching for him, we'll cover for each others work and hunt him down. Simple as that."

Hearing such certainty was a relief for Bertolt as he simply nodded along with his leader's words and decided that he'd follow along with the plan layed out for him. Just like he always did.

But he still had one little concern.

Bertolt frowned as he asked." What about Annie? She might have gotten impatient and already left to go get Zeke and Pieck. What do we do if she's already gone."

Reiner frowned thoughtfully at those words but answered carefully." If she already left then Zeke and Pieck might be here soon. But, we can't count on that. We have to act assuming that it's just the two of us. If the others join then that's good be we cannot count on it. Worst comes to worst we can definitely get Eren by ourselves." Reiner reassures Bertolt with words of confidence.

And why didn't he have to be? They were the Armoured and Colossal Titans. Marley's Shield and their God of Destruction. Together Reiner doubts that theirs a foe on earth that they can't defeat. As children they destroyed an entire nations military together. The Attack Titan is childs play compared to that.

Bertolt doesn't feel convinced but refrains from voicing his real thoughts and nods along with what Reiner was saying.

Having what they were going to do next layed out was more than enough for one day so Reiner's next order was fairly simple." Go back to patrolling the north, I'll get you when we make our next move."

Bertolt nods dumbly at that and starts to make his way back to the area which he was meant to be watching over as a soldier with slow and relaxed movements.

Reiner however, decides to stay in that alley for a few minutes to contemplate his life and the decisions that he's made.

He's killed so many and he's just so tired of being a Warrior, of the acts that he's had to commit for Marley. He deeply regrets not just going home the day that Marcel died, he regrets dragging Annie and Bertolt down with him and he regrets not having the will to finish their mission sooner.

He regrets so much that it hurts him.

But still, what they're doing is necessary. If it wasn't them then Marley would have sent someone else to do their dirty work. He didn't like it but he had no choice, he has never had a choice to be anything other than this.

He must kill everyone in the Walls. That's all he can do with his life.

That's what he tells himself anyway.

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Rod Reiss did his best to hide the displeasure that he felt from being in the presence of hid royal court but he could only settle for putting on a poker face which he had long since mastered.

Ever since the Reiss family, well just him, lost the Founder facing the council has been a very stressful thing for him. He used to be able to command the room and have everyone around him follow all of his commands down to the letter. This was the result of Frieda- his child- holding the Founding Titan. With Frieda dead he no longer has the power behind his word that he once did and is aftraid that the council will disobey him.

If not for Kenny then he has no doubt that they already would have.

At first he tried to cover up the fact that his family was killed by Grisha Yeager in an attempt to hide the fact that the Reiss family was no longer in possession of the Founder. But alas, his efforts proved fruitless.

The council still obey him, but he can sense that their loyalty is starting to waver, now more than ever he needs to put up a strong act in front of them. He must keep his position of power.

He clears his throat as he addresses the men in front of him." Gentlemen, as you might have heard the man in possession of the Founder is none other... that Eren Yeager. Someone who we need to retrieve as soon as possible along with a vessel for the power."

By vessel he means Historia. Or, perhaps you could call her Christa Lenz if you wanted to amuse yourself. What a sad life that girl has lead, being born because of one of his many mistakes. But even so, her tainted mongrel blood still has the power of god inside of it, she will do fine. Just as his father did, just as his brother did, and just as his daughter did.

It's his duty to keep the power of the gods alive.

A fat noble with a neatly combed haircut spoke in order to question his king in a polite fashion." Your highness, what are we supposed to do in order to capture the two of them?"

Rod merely hazed at them with zero emotion and spoke seriously." We'll hardly have to lift a finger. The Survey Corps and the rest of the military are closing in on them, I'll have Kenny kidnap Historia whilst the Founder will be brought right to our doorstep when Yeager is inevitably found. All we have to do is request that the trial be held here and once he's been proven guilty he will be sentenced death. He will die, just not by the gallows."

One of the nobles let a tiny snort of amusement show, however it was quickly covered up by a cough.

Rod allowed himself to take some comfort in the fact his family would be avenged soon enough. He's never been a patient man and he doesn't intend on starting to be one now.

Five years ago Grisha Yeager took something from him, he took his family and their Titan, he survived that day but he lost a part of himself in the process. But that wouldn't be for long. Whilst that wound would never fade, things could be done to make them easier to live with. He can only hope that his revenge and the retaking of the Founder would do just that.

He doesn't know what the world holds for him, but he does know this.

Eren Yeager must die.