The intelligence about the Imperial Faction's coup in the royal capital quickly reached Yago. When Yago learned of the news, he was actually somewhat surprised. He could foresee the conflict between the Imperial Faction and the Eldian Revival Army, but he hadn't expected the Imperial Faction to be this reckless—launching a coup outright?
No matter what, the disputes between the Imperial Faction and the Eldian Revival Army had previously only been behind the scenes. The higher-ups of Paradis Island had not clearly supported either side. Even with the victory in Marley's capital this time, the Eldian Revival Army still hadn't gained the backing of the upper echelon.
Of course, Yago could see through the higher-ups' little schemes at a glance. For them, it was best if the Imperial Faction and the Eldian Revival Army kept fighting each other. They didn't want to see either side rise completely. So during this period, to maintain balance, the higher-ups would definitely lean slightly toward the Imperial Faction.
But unexpectedly, the Imperial Faction directly flipped the table and stopped playing, launching a coup outright. Where did they get the nerve? Just relying on a few hundred Military Police and Garrison soldiers in the royal capital?
One had to know that there was no stockpile of Thunder Spear in the royal capital. Without Thunder Spear, the Eren staying in the capital was practically invincible. For the Attack Titan that had fully mastered full-body hardening, a few hundred soldiers were nothing more than cannon fodder. Not to mention that inside the palace there was also Historia, the royal-blooded Jaw Titan. Just these two Titan warriors alone were enough to give the rebels a hard time.
Moreover, ever since the railway construction on Paradis Island had been completed, transferring troops from the fastest location to the royal capital took less than half a day. No matter how one looked at it, the Imperial Faction's coup seemed like a joke.
"Airi, Annie, come back to the royal capital with me first. As for Floch… don't tell him about this for now. The Colossal Titan shouldn't be used against Eldian compatriots."
After thinking for a moment, Yago made a temporary decision.
Yago might not have considered that the Marleyan Volunteer Army was also involved behind the Imperial Faction's coup, but even if he had thought of it, he wouldn't have panicked. After all, this was Paradis Island. Marley's warriors had already bled here once. If they dared to act again, Paradis Island wouldn't mind letting them bleed here once more.
...
Inside the dungeon of the Survey Corps headquarters in the royal capital.
Blood covered the ground. Numerous Military Police lay on the floor wailing, severed limbs scattered everywhere. The commander of the Military Police looked at the bloody scene before him, his eyelids twitching wildly.
Just five people! Dozens of fully armed Military Police with rifles had been cut down by five Survey Corps soldiers wielding only blades. In the end, those five even escaped. The Military Police commander was so frustrated he felt like coughing up blood.
But Yelena, who had come with the Military Police, had no time to comfort him. Ignoring the bloody dungeon, she walked straight inside, carefully inspecting each cell.
When she passed Pieck and Porco's cell, she paused slightly. She recognized the Cart Titan and the former Warrior candidate Porco. However, Yelena only paused briefly before continuing her search.
Pieck rubbed her recently recovered hand and hesitantly said to Porco, "Does that tomboy know us?"
Porco was startled. "What? She's a woman?" (Yelena: Thanks, I feel offended.)
Soon, Yelena saw the person she wanted to see.
"Zeke, I've come to take you."
When Zeke saw Yelena, he was also surprised. He hadn't expected her to find her way here. But on second thought, with Yelena's persistence, it wasn't strange at all.
Zeke said bitterly, "What, you still have hope in me? Right now I'm nothing more than a clown being toyed with."
Bang!
A gunshot rang out as Yelena shot and shattered the lock on the cell door. She pushed the door open and walked up to Zeke. Since Zeke was sitting on the ground, Yelena crouched down as well, looking directly into his eyes and saying word by word:
"You're not a clown. You are Zeke—the Zeke destined to lead us toward the light."
Zeke's mind wavered.
Him? Light?
Ever since being deceived and played by Yago in Marley's capital, Zeke had completely begun to doubt his own abilities. Even the Eldian euthanasia plan he once took pride in had started to shake. Not being understood by his own people… was he really worth it?
During this period, although Zeke outwardly appeared indifferent and even somewhat optimistic, his heart had long fallen into silence.
But Yelena's words seemed to reawaken something within him.
He lowered his head, but soon spoke again.
"Yelena… what's your plan?"
Without hesitation, Yelena immediately leaned close to Zeke's ear and told him her plan. As she spoke, she glanced at Reiner curled up in the corner. However, Reiner showed no will to resist. After noticing Yelena's gaze, he simply turned around and stared at the bare wall.
The current Reiner had no desire to fight at all. He only wanted to stay quietly here. To him, the dim prison cell could even be considered a kind of release. The burden in his heart was too heavy.
After hearing Yelena's plan, Zeke raised his head. This time, behind his glasses, there was a trace of cold sharpness in his eyes.
Sometimes, perhaps emotions really were the things that held one back.
Zeke stood up. This time, there was a hint of confidence in him, his posture straightening.
"Let's go, Yelena. Let's go realize the great plan together."
Zeke strode out of the cell, and Yelena smiled slightly before following behind him.
Pieck and Porco stared in stunned silence as Zeke swaggered out of the cell, with Yelena following behind him.
When Zeke passed in front of their cell, Pieck couldn't hold back and called out:
"War Chief?"
That single shout made Zeke stop. Yelena also looked at Pieck and Porco, then asked beside Zeke:
"Should we bring them along? After all, they're Titan warriors. They might be useful."
Hearing this, Pieck immediately looked at Zeke. With those words, did they have a chance to get out!?
But Zeke merely glanced at them coldly, then said indifferently:
"No need. Their hearts are not with us. No need to waste time."
With that, Zeke left directly.
Leaving behind a stunned Pieck in the cell.
Pieck wanted to call out to Zeke—what did he mean not on the same side? Couldn't they at least talk about it? How could he know without even asking? Pieck wanted out!
But Zeke's figure quickly disappeared from her sight.
Pieck slumped down in frustration, but then suddenly thought of something.
The Survey Corps here had escaped, and the Military Police had already carried away the wounded and the corpses… so what about them? Would anyone still bring food?
Thinking of this, Pieck hurried to the front of the cell and shouted loudly:
"Wait! War Chief! Don't leave so fast! Let's talk!"
Porco looked at Pieck, who went from dejected to lively in an instant, and was utterly speechless.
Since when did Pieck become this… goofy?