The Island of Devils

Chapter 3

A table with a newspaper was shown. "Four years we wasted squabbling over a peninsula's sovereignty." A Marleyan General said. "And our two main battle Titans were nearly shredded by the enemy fleet."

"'Human ingenuity surpasses and shatters Marley's Armor at last.' " He read the newspaper aloud.

"The press from other nations is commending the Mid-East Forces. Does this sound like a victory for Marley to you?" He turned to Magath. "Magath, do you care to comment?"

"General, I'm afraid the time has come. That is, humanity has eclipsed the Power of the Titans." Magath stood up. "While we've been relying heavily on Titans and colonial expansion, other nations have been developing weapons to counter us." Magath walked to a window and looked outside. "As a result, our strategy has come back to bite us in the ass." The other officers were sitting at the table staring at him.

Magath walked back to his seat. "However, if aircraft keep advancing at this rate, bombs will soon fall like rain. All while Titans, the devils of the earth, can do nothing but look up and watch." In the ceiling was a big gaping hole. Seagulls were flying in the sky.

"Do we not have any Titans with wings?" The General asked.

Magath sat on his chair, again. "General, I'm trying that the era of Titans-"

The General cut him off. "I know. In the near future, we will lose our initiative in the war. No, perhaps we already have. Though, once the heroes who crushed the Eldian devils, look at what we've become."

"If I may, General?" Zeke asked, who was sitting next to Magath. "Requesting permission to give counsel."

"Zeke, the wonderboy. Go ahead."

Zeke stood up. "We should resume the Paradis Island Operation and recover the Founding Titan." Two Marleyan soldiers stared at him.

"As Commander Magath was saying, Marley needs to develop better weapons. However, the world will not stand by and wait." The General crossed his arms, while he listened to him. "Our military needs time to completely restructure. But for that, the newspapers of the world must read this: 'Marley occupies Paradis and Wields the Power of all Titans."

"You have one year left in your term, correct?" The General asked Zeke.

"Yes, and I'm concerned that Colt can't inherit the full power of the Beast Titan." Colt, who was standing behind him, looked at him.

"I see." The General said. "In your last year, you wish to redeem yourself for your defeat four years ago?"

"That is correct." He answered. "The sick exploits of Grisha Yeager should be brought to an end by none other than me, his former son."

Kruger and Miki were also asked to attend the meeting, for Miki had the Azumabito blood inside her, and Kruger's skills rivaled the Warriors as he was asked by Zeke to attend. Kruger scowled a little, The nerve of him to speak to my Dad like that...

A cigarette was lit in Zeke's mouth. He and Colt were walking up the stairs to a balcony terrace. "Sorry I bashed you to further my agenda, Colt."

"Don't be. You were amazing. To think, an Eldian being heard by the general!" Both of them leaned against the balcony railing and looked at the sea. "There hasn't been a Beast Titan like you in its history. Sometimes it reminds me of the Founding Titan. Why are you so special?" Colt turned to Zeke, who continued to smoke his cigarette. "It's not like you have any royal blood."

"Who knows? Guess I'll be dead before we figured it out. Oh... But when you inherit my memories, you'll find out my big secret."

"Secret? What is it?" Colt asked.