Naive and Damned

Chapter 18: Bright Sky

Jean

Jean felt another sigh escape him, dreary to his bones from the constant workload. 'At least, this much will be over with shortly,' he thought, finding his place beside Armin, who stood with Hange, Levi on their other side. Sasha, Connie and a few other members of the survey corps waited a few rows back. Despite how large the ornate courtroom appeared, it was filled to the brim with various factions. The Garrison and Military Police's higher ups stood in the lowest row like himself, various witnesses and more higher-ups behind them, behind them, powerful political and wealthy figures – most noticeable, however, was the lack of press and general public.

Before them all, Queen Historia sat beside the Premier, and her two advisors behind her. For the first time in three months, she had voluntarily returned to the city from the countryside. Her baby-pump was prominent, her eyes weary as her presence demanded near-silence from all attendance.

The doors to the giant courtroom once more opened. There, guarded by two more members of the Military Police, Eren walked in.

Any remaining mutters fizzled, immediately silenced. Everyone watched the man walk down to the centre of the room, hands cuffed behind his back, blank expression on his face. He stopped, dead in the centre of all eyes, looking only forward.

Historia's eyes carried an identical emptiness. Jean felt his breath hitch. He couldn't help but wonder when both she and Eren became so lifeless – and why he hadn't noticed it before. Why none of them noticed it before. She remained sitting.

"Thank you everyone for gathering today." She spoke, nodding once to the Premier. "Today, the actions the accused, Eren Yeager, could be considered under regular law – however, due to unprecedented conditions being met, I believe these laws are inadequate to deliver proper justice. Today, I grant full decision-making authority to Premier Zachary." Historia nodded once to the Premier. "Eren Yeager, do you have any objections?"

"No, my Queen."

"Understood. Premier Zachary, abide by the words you have sworn and deliver proper justice today."

Zachary nodded respectfully to the Queen, before forwards, addressing the courtroom. "As Her Majesty has commanded. Today, we will determine whether Eren Yeager will remain as our founding titan, or if such ability must be passed to another. First, we will hear from the Military Police."

Nile straightened himself, almost straight across from Jean. "Of course, Sir. I, Nile Dock, Commander of the Military Police, believe that Eren Yeager has proven himself incompetent and incapable of his responsibilities, and is in no way fit to wield Paradis' main defence. A new, more suitable candidate must be chosen, and consume the power at the quickest possible date."

Premier Zachary did not offer an opinion. He turned to Hange. "Next, the Survey Regiment."

"Yes, sir. I, Hange Zoe, Commander of the Survey Regiment, propose this. Displacing the current holder of the Attack and Founding Titan will only cause further problems. His decisions were all for his Comrades benefit. Furthermore, this will cause outrage with the people. They see him as a hero and their beacon of hope after the events taking place four years ago, including the retaking of Wall Maria. To kill Eren Yeager would be to kill the already regimented trust in the Military."

Jean felt himself look around the room - they spoke with conviction for himself, but was the crowd affected similarly?

"Now, the Garrison. Commander Pixis?"

"My pleasure, Premier Zachary. As the Commander of the Garrison, Dot Pixis, as of now, believe Eren Yeager should remain imprisoned. Indeed, I do not believe this trial is proper." The entire room stared. A trial requested by the queen herself – could he say such a thing? Jean looked over to Historia, who, surprisingly, looked back to him. Her expression had still not moved. "Those who offered solutions have not taken further precautions have been offered to prevent another such a betrayal from happening – which should be essential. For the Military Police, we should wish to know what possible replacement would make up for Yeager's undeniable skill and experience, and the process choosing a new inheritor would include. For the Survey Regiment, they simply want us to put our trust back upon the same man who abandoned his comrades."