Attack on Titan: Bloodline -- Version 2

• Chapter 42 •

Following their arrival at Orvud District's regiment branch, The Scouts swiftly began to unload their weapons and supplies. Many soldiers from both Regiments were scrambling from one place to the next. Levi helped Lorraine down from the carriage, holding her hands as she hopped down.

"You okay?" he asked gently.

She nodded and said, "Yes. I'm fine." He nodded in response, then reached into his pocket.

"Here," he said, handing her the shard of armour she had lost. She gasped and reached for it quickly, as if on instinct.

"Oh, thank you. I thought I'd lost it for good."

He said, "Armin found it on the ground where you went missing."

She reached up and tied the cord around her neck, tying it in a tight triple knot before wrapping her arms around Levi. He reeled for just a moment, but then awkwardly placed his hands on her shoulders.

"I'm glad you're safe, Lorraine."

"I...I was scared," she said in a whisper. He sighed and pulled away.

"Unload quickly, Scouts."

Another soldier approached the captain and said, "Commander Erwin alerted us to your arrival, Captain. Please have your Squad stand by in the hall in five minutes tops. They're almost ready to begin the meeting."

As Eren helped her out of the carriage, Levi turned and said to Historia, "Historia, I forgot to tell you, there's something we'll need you to do." She looked up at him.

"This is a direct order from Commander Erwin."

She bit the inside of her lip. Levi said sternly, "Once we finish off this Titan, seeing as you're the true successor to the throne, you'll become Queen." The group gave a collective gasp.

Sasha exclaimed, "Wait. Queen Historia?! You're kidding, right?!"

Levi said, "Erwin's coup d'etat was successful, but the people won't follow military rule forever. We need to give them a heartwarming story. One where the rightful heir retakes her crown from the pretender." Historia looked at the ground.

"Oh," she said, "I see."

Connie raised his hand and said, "H-hey, you heard what Historia was saying earlier, didn't you, Captain? 'Cause, well, to me, it sounded like, maybe, in siding against her dad, she finally broke off from that part of her life, you know?" Levi stared at him.

He lowered his hand and said under his breath, "It's just like...."

Levi said, "Like what? If you have something to say, then say it."

Connie stammered, scrambling to find words. Jean stepped forward and said, "What Connie is trying to say is that Historia finally broke free from the Reiss family and decided that she's more than just a bloodline." Levi hummed softly.

Jean continued, "So, for us to force her into another role for that reason...I...I just don't think it's fair, Sir."

Historia said, "It's fine." Jean and Connie both looked up at her.

"If my next duty is to become Queen, then that's what I'll do."

Armin stepped towards her and said, "But, Historia...?" She smiled at him.

"I do appreciate your concern," she said, "but, whether this is 'forced' on me is truly up to me to decide and I've decided."

She turned to Levi and said, "Captain, before that, I have one condition for you. While my fate is still my own, I want to put everything I have on the line. I want to fight and take down my father."