Her Majesty's Baby

Chapter 20 - Levi

Hange cuts straight to the chase, throwing all small talk out the window. "We just received word from Hizuru, and it's not good."

She goes on to explain how Kiyomi is pretty reluctant to share the island's resources with the rest of the world (are we really that surprised?), and how other nations need to see us as a threat as it provides "global stability".

We unite the world by being a common enemy. Fan-flipping-tastic.

However, there are some organisations who are sympathetic to our course, but they're considered freaks. No one takes them seriously.

Fuck. This is going to be harder than I thought.

One by one, the brats wilt, and I don't have the heart for this. I can't bear to see the heartbreak in all their eyes as only one thing crosses our minds now.

"So, does this mean we have to rely on the Rumbling and sacrifice Historia?" Eren says, and I bow my head.

"That's right," I reply, unable to meet anyone in the eyes. I know they all look at me, but only briefly. Everyone's too wrapped up in their own grief to concentrate on me.

After all, Historia means a lot to us all.

Armin's the first to break the silence. "So, that's it? They've all decided for themselves that we're the enemy, despite what our intentions are? It's like they want us to repeat the sins of our ancestors. Why can't we all just come together and find a path for peace?"

"Probably... because they don't know who we are. They don't know our faces..." Mikasa replies, just as crestfallen.

That's true. To them, we truly are just a bunch of faceless devils. Maybe if they really did learn what we're all about, then they would change their minds.

It's wishful thinking, but there has to be some open-minded souls out there.

"Well, that's it," Hange says. "They just need to learn what we're about. We could stay here, hoping that Kiyomi manages to convince some sympathetic nations, or, we could go out there for ourselves and show the world who we are. After all, isn't that what the Survey Corps has always been about?"

A hush spreads through the group and all I can do is stare at Four Eyes.

She wants us to leave the island?

My head knows it's the right thing to do. In fact, I can even glimpse Erwin right now smiling proudly at Hange as he approves of her our new mission, but my heart doesn't want to leave.

It doesn't want to leave Historia.

But I know it's for the best.

However, it seems Four Eyes has forgotten one little tidbit. How am I supposed to get Historia pregnant if we're scouting new territory?

...

We ride back to Wall Maria, the sun's rays casting a reddish glow over the land, but I'm too pissed to take any notice.

Just like before, we don't speak. We ride in total silence, and I can tell Hange is dying to say something.

The tension finally gets to her and now she breaks her silence. "Well, say something, Levi. You haven't spoken a word since we left the tracks."

I tighten my hands around the reins of my horse, gnashing my teeth. The proposal of the new mission makes sense. We should be going across the sea and meeting as many outsiders as much as possible, but I can't leave Historia. Especially with the way everything is going right now with the MPs.

She's not safe here with them. I keep seeing the way that Roeg eyeballs her, and I will punch his ugly face if he so much as opens his mouth.

"Well, at least Erwin is satisfied with my plan..." Hange remarks.