The Island of Devils

Chapter 6

"Falco? Where are you headed this late?" Reiner asked. Falco was panting heavily in front of him.

"I forgot something at HQ, so I'm going back to get it." Falco said with a smile. "See you later!" He ran off and Reiner looked after him.

He ran with a wide smile. "Falco, could you do me a favor?" Eren's and Falco's conversation rang in his head. "What's that, Mr. Kruger?"

"I want to send a letter, but... if it's sent from the internment zone, they'll check it." The scene flashed back to Eren and Falco's conversation.

"That's right." "They might find out I'm not really sick, so could you send it from outside?" Eren was holding the letter.

"Sure thing. Is it to your family?" It zoomed to the letter. "Yeah. I wanna tell 'em I'm here and doing just fine." Falco grabbed the letter.

Falco stood in front of the postbox and threw the letter in.

Magath was walking outside when he noticed that other Marleyans were running hurriedly past him. He turned to a Marleyan in front of him. "Hey, why all the commotion?"

"The whole Tybur family has come to visit!" He answered.

"Excuse me?" Magath asked with wide eyes.

They stood in front of a door, with guards guarding it. Magath knocked and glanced at the guards.

"It's the Tyburs personal guard. They're not part of our military." The man beside him said.

A guard opened the door. "Come in."

They walked in and a young man with long blonde hair walked toward them. "Sorry to drop in on you. I'm Willy, the head of the Tybur family."

"Commander of the Warrior unit, Theo Magath." They shook hands. "It's an honor to meet you, Lord Tybur."

"Nice to meet you, Commander Magath. Allow me to introduce you to the family."

Children were playing around. Two old people were sitting in armchairs. A young blonde woman tried to calm down two little boys. The couch they were sitting on fell over. Another black-haired woman stood at the wall.

Willy Tybur and Magath were standing outside on a balcony. "Having managed the Warrior unit from the outset, are you able to tell which of us is the War Hammer Titan?"

"No, I haven't a clue. One might wonder if it's even here at all."

Willy laughed. "You're very astute, just like I've heard. But it's here. The War Hammer Titan is among us." The family members were shown. Willy looked down. "I came here to see the statue of Helos." The statue was shown. "A century ago, a mere human slayed the devil of all earth and became the renowned Marleyan hero who saved the world - Helos. How marvelous. So brave and beautiful, with not a scratch. Truly, the spirit of Marley."

"The spirit indeed." Magath agreed. "For within, it's empty inside."

Willy laughed again and turned around to face Magath. "You're a tough critic, Commander. I hear you're working to reinstate Marleyan conscription?"

"War, for Marleyans, exists solely inside their newspapers. They're content to just read about our lands expanding. If our tamed devils or conquered armies are eating the bullets, all the better. One hopes letting Marleyans hear the sound of bullets whizzing by their ears will be enough to stop our self-destructive march towards war."

It was silent for a moment until Magath continued. "If someone controlled Marley from the shadows, I'd tell them: It's already too late."

Willy chuckled. "You truly don't hold back, Commander. What can I say? As you noted, this nation is controlled by the Tyburs. But this path of warmongering was one that Marley chose on its own. We gave Marley both freedom and power in hopes of atonement. But in the end, Eldia and Marley were thrown into darkness. The Tyburs are responsible for that. I intend to reveal the truth to the world at the upcoming festival. My coming to see the statue was no lie. Marley is in need of a hero once more. Theo Magath... Will you join hands with me?" Magath stared at him.