"Thank you, Captain Levi. This truly stabilizes things for all of us," Gale said, thinking only about the future.
This had been his plan. After speaking with Napoleon, he had been told that to win future wars, he first needed to eliminate the high-ranking officers who controlled the army—specifically those who would become problems.
Gale could only think of Darius Zackly, a man who, while not an overwhelmingly large problem, definitely carried enormous weight in the government's internal decisions.
If they suddenly removed the current king and placed a young girl on the throne, it could provoke in Darius Zackly a desire to seize power for himself.
According to the commanders, that man had been the driving force behind supporting the idea of sacrificing part of the population. For Gale, that was reason enough, and he sought out Levi to complete the task.
"I don't care. Just talk—tell me what you know." Levi read the other part of the letter, which spoke of a secret even he himself did not know.
"Very well, I'll tell you about your relationship with Kenny Ackerman, which you asked about earlier."
"Speak." Levi said, listening silently from the shadows.
"It's easy to understand. The Ackerman family is, in fact, a byproduct of Titan science. The Ackermans possess strength far beyond that of ordinary people. Whether in muscle density or bone durability, they are stronger than normal humans."
After saying that, Gale continued, "However, because of their immense strength, the nobles fear them and issued an extermination order against them."
"Kenny Ackerman—he was known as 'Kenny the Ripper.' He was famous in the capital as a killer because he enjoyed murdering Military Police. Captain, you should know him."
"I know him."
"Do you know why he attacked the Military Police?"
"Could it be… revenge?"
"That's right. Kenny belongs to the Ackerman family. During the time he worked as an assassin, the government ordered the Military Police to exterminate the Ackerman family."
"Kenny lived on the run from childhood and grew up with hatred, so his primary target was the Military Police. The power of the Ackerman family guaranteed his success. However, later, for some reason, Kenny joined the Central Military Police, and the extermination order against the Ackerman family was lifted."
"Do you know why?"
Levi shook his head.
"Kenny took action against the King of the Walls at that time."
"Did the King of the Walls alter his memory?"
"Only Kenny himself can probably uncover the reasons and details behind that. Also, Captain Levi, your full name is Levi Ackerman. You also belong to the Ackerman clan—that is why you are so strong."
"Levi Ackerman… huh…?" Levi looked at his hands and once again thought of Kenny's face.
His eyes reflected a complex emotion, because Gale's words confirmed one thing: he and Kenny Ackerman were related by blood.
Levi clearly remembered the day that man found him in the brothel and pulled him away from his mother's corpse.
Levi's mother was a prostitute, and he was born in a brothel, never knowing which client was his father.
When Kenny found him, he was on the verge of starving to death.
His mother had died in bed from illness, and of course, no one else in the brothel took care of Levi.
The underground city was a miserable place where people were born without ever seeing sunlight. The brothel owner had already been very merciful by not throwing him out of the room.
That day, Kenny burst in dressed in clean clothes, saying he knew Kushner—Kushner being the name of Levi's mother.
Why did Kenny feed him?
Why did Kenny teach him how to hold a knife and fight?
Why… did Kenny abandon him again…?
Ever since Kenny left, Levi had thought about these things from time to time.
He wanted to know what his relationship with Kenny was—and whether that man… was… his father…
"That's all I know. Is there anything else you want to ask, Captain?" Gale asked from behind the wall.
"That won't be necessary." Levi replied. "Even if Kenny doesn't seem to be in the capital, I'll take care of the rest."
"Please, take care."
Levi left with his cloak, but he did not go far. Instead, he circled around, still wearing the Scout Regiment uniform, and found Erwin.
Inside an office, Erwin was working overtime, processing documents and issuing orders to the entire Legion.
Before dawn tomorrow, they had to announce the coup in the capital and spread the news to all the towns within the walls.
The handling of the nobility, propaganda, Historia's coronation ceremony, and the subsequent planning of the glass factory and the ironworks…
Although the capital had been successfully captured, there was still much work to be done, with no time for rest.
Levi greeted the soldiers guarding the door and knocked on the wooden door. "Erwin, it's me."
"Levi, come in." Erwin's voice came from inside.
Levi pushed the door open and entered, closing it behind him. He sat across from Erwin, took out a flask of wine from his waist, and took two swigs.
Erwin set down his pen and paper, looked at him, and asked, "Have you finished the task?"
"Of course. Darius Zackly is dead." Levi crossed his legs.
"That's good." Erwin nodded.
"I didn't expect you to agree with that brat's idea. He's the commander-in-chief of the three armies. Is it really fine to kill him just like that?"
"There will be many problems in the short term, but in the long term, it is undoubtedly necessary. Darius Zackly has a strong desire for power, and with him around, our plan of action would inevitably encounter obstacles."
"Do whatever you want. In any case, all I do is kill." Levi leaned back in his wooden chair. "I'll do whatever you tell me. That's my job."
"Levi, are you in a bad mood today?"
"No… just a little tired…"
"I see… If you can still walk, do me a favor." Erwin picked up a stack of documents from the table. "Take these to Hange and ask her to collect all the newspapers in the capital. By noon tomorrow, at least 1,000 copies of the special report must be urgently printed and distributed across various parts of the capital."
"Tch…" Levi waved his hand and took the documents.
"These contain scandals and information about the aristocracy that have been made public. To increase the credibility of our claims, we need to find witnesses." Erwin patted Levi on the shoulder. "I'm counting on you, Levi. This is important work."
"Where is Hange?"
"At this hour…" Erwin looked at his pocket watch. "She should be at Triss's tailor shop, making dresses for Her Highness the Princess."
Levi looked at Erwin, who had already sat back down, then stood up, took the documents, and left. As he reached the door, he heard Erwin's voice again.
"Oh, right! I'm also entrusting you with the protection of Gale and the princess. The Commander has already arranged their lodging. Make sure to take them there!"
Levi frowned, muttering, "What a hassle," and strode away quickly, as if afraid Erwin would give him even more work.
He went out and found Gale. Without saying a word, he forcibly dragged him into the tailor shop.
At dawn, the August sun rose very early.
Historia yawned as a seamstress carefully measured her height, waist, and bust with a measuring tape.
She saw Gale appear at the doorway, smiled happily, and waved at him.
Levi handed the documents to Hange, who exclaimed, "What did you say? A thousand copies, and by noon today?! Why didn't you come earlier?"
"Levi, I'll leave this place to you. I'm heading out now, or I'll be late!"
Hange rushed out of the tailor shop, mounted her horse, and was soon seen only as a distant figure riding away noisily.