The enormous ship sounded its steam whistle, the thunderous blast startling the seabirds standing atop the vessel into scattering flight.
Yago lay against the railing, staring blankly at the azure sea. His expression was more solemn than ever before, as if facing a great enemy—every muscle in his body tense.
At that critical moment, a streak of silver light suddenly flashed beneath the blue sea, as if something darted through the water.
At the same time, Yago moved. He hunched forward, eyes locked onto the sea's surface, and then...
"Ugh!—" The smoked fish bread he had eaten that morning was completely vomited up from his stomach. Slumped over the railing, Yago's taut body went limp like a strand of noodles.
That's right—what had put Yago on edge early in the morning wasn't some enemy monster at all, but seasickness.
With his stomach emptied, Yago still clung to the railing, dry-heaving.
Annie walked over holding a cup of salt-added lemon water. Seeing Yago in such pain, she couldn't help but feel sorry for him. Who would've thought that the usually carefree Yago would get seasick?
Trembling, Yago accepted the lemon water, weakly thanking Annie, then took small sips.
This enormous ship was the cruise liner that had carried the Hizuru delegation to Paradis Island. Now, after several days of talks, both Paradis Island and Hizuru had achieved their respective goals. Azumabito Kiyomi was leading the delegation back home, and cooperation between the two sides would soon begin.
"Feeling any better?" Annie asked, gently patting Yago's back.
Yago's pale face regained a bit of color after a few sips of the salted lemon water.
"Much better. By the way, where did Squad Leader Hange and the others go?"
"Them? I think they went down to the lower decks?" Annie replied uncertainly. She hadn't paid much attention to Hange and Moblit that morning.
Indeed, aboard this returning ship were four travelers from afar. Yago had voluntarily asked to hitch a ride on Hizuru's ship to the continent, while Hange and Moblit were going as representatives of Paradis Island to Hizuru.
Of course, this trip was something Hange had personally pushed for—she was extremely curious about the technology and nations beyond the island.
When he heard that it was possible to go out into the outside world, Armin's eyes had shone brighter than ever before. Unfortunately, he didn't get the chance. All he could do was ask Yago to vividly describe the outside world to him upon returning to Paradis Island—and, if possible, to bring back some books from beyond the island.
Once Armin started it, even more companions came to seek out Yago. Historia even secretly passed him a note asking if she could sneak off and follow them to see the outside world for herself.
Thinking of all this, Yago couldn't help but smile. The world beyond the island wasn't very friendly.
Two bodyguards in black suits emerged from the cabin, inviting Yago to have tea with Azumabito Kiyomi.
Yago didn't think much of it and brought Annie along with him.
Upon entering the tea room, a crisp fragrance of tea greeted them. Two young girls dressed in Hizuru attire were brewing and serving tea.
Azumabito Kiyomi was delicately sipping from her cup. Seeing the two arrive, she set it down and smiled. "Please, have a seat."
Once Yago and Annie were seated, the Hizuru girls filled their cups. At Azumabito Kiyomi's gesture, the two girls bowed and left the tea room.
Yago lifted his cup. Not knowing anything about tea tasting, he downed it in one gulp. Hmm—pretty bitter. Not as good as lemon juice.
"Ms. Kiyomi, if you have a question, you might as well ask it directly. No need to beat around the bush."
Seeing how straightforward Yago was, Azumabito Kiyomi didn't bother hiding her intent either. She asked bluntly,
"In that case, please enlighten me. Why do you oppose the Founder succession plan?"
Yago set down his cup, his gaze heavy as he looked at her.
"Ms. Kiyomi, the Founder succession plan? No—or rather, the Eldian euthanasia plan. I believe you're aware of it, aren't you?"
"...Yes. Zeke Yeager did indeed tell us his plan. But even with the euthanasia plan, the power of the Founder still needs a successor. And only your Queen Historia can pass on the Founder's power. So I don't understand why you oppose having the queen bear children to inherit the Founder."
Yago said, "That's not something you need to concern yourself with. We have our own plans for the succession of the Founder's power. As for Zeke—I think he's worrying too much."
To reenact history and have Historia, like in older Eren's memories, become pregnant with the child of some nameless nobody just to compromise? That possibility had been rejected in Yago's heart from the very beginning. He couldn't bear to let Historia face such a situation.
Before Azumabito Kiyomi proposed Zeke's Rumbling deterrence–based Founder succession plan, Yago had already persuaded Commander-in-Chief Zackly, Commander Erwin, and other high-ranking officials of Paradis Island. Thus, during the talks, Paradis Island rejected the proposal to have Historia give birth to royal-blooded heirs to inherit the Founder.
As for how Yago convinced Commander-in-Chief Zackly and the others, that was another matter. Azumabito Kiyomi was deeply puzzled by Paradis Island's stance. According to her and Zeke's plan, Paradis Island had no reason to refuse it. It was just a queen with no real power—what was there that couldn't be sacrificed?
...
"Hey! Moblit, look at this big thing—how spectacular! It's incredible that such a massive ship moves just by relying on this!" Hange exclaimed as she and Moblit stood inside the engine room at the stern, staring in awe at the enormous engine before them.
"Squad Leader, it really is amazing. I heard this thing called an engine needs to consume something called fuel to start."
"Fuel? Like lamp oil? That stuff can be used as energy?"
The heat blasting from the engine flushed both Hange's and Moblit's faces red, but not even that could dampen Hange's curiosity. Over the course of several days, she had dragged Moblit all over the ship, inside and out.
It could be said that more than half the crew now knew this slightly unhinged guest.
Everything she had seen and heard aboard the ship filled Hange with anticipation for the technology beyond the island. Azumabito Kiyomi had promised to help Paradis Island develop technology—especially military technology. As Paradis Island's representative, Hange accepted the invitation and would, together with Moblit, visit the academy that gathered Hizuru's technological achievements.
After a long while, Hange and Moblit left the sweltering engine room and went up to the deck to cool off—just in time to run into Yago and Annie, who had just exited the tea room.
Yago raised his hand, about to greet them, when the ship suddenly let out a deafening blast of its horn. At the same time, ahead of the ship appeared a fleet composed of more than ten warships. Beneath the waters near the fleet was a large, indistinct white shadow.
(The Marley Arc Begins)