Captivating the presence of the two individuals in question gave me an upper hand.
They were fundamentally humans and hence they had fundamental weaknesses.All that mattered was exploiting it to achieve success.
"Hah, don't play with us. We aren't mere children to fall for such a honeypot trap." Spoke up Bertholdt as he waved me off with a small glimpse of sadness.
Denial was the first reaction.
I paused, choosing my words with care, letting them float in the air for a moment to seed doubt. My posture was carefully curated—casual yet subtly strained, a visual cue designed to betray an intended vulnerability.
"Considering that we are in captivity by yours truly, thinking of trying to trick either of you would simply backfire on me," I continued, my voice steady but tinged with a hint of weariness. "I don't have any way to escape other than by assisting my own captors. And it's not like you both can escape scotch-free. Dying as traitors of the very nation you served all this time would leave a very ugly and disgusting mark on your lineage.And all of this for some unknown individual or nation no one even knows. Truly a strange and worthless sacrifice of soldiers like yourselves."
It was a risky maneuver, to appear weak and cooperative, but in the game of shadows, sometimes the best light is the one you cast yourself.
"SHUT UP! DON'T ACT COY, KIYOTAKA. NOTHIN' WILL WORK," barked Reiner, his voice a harsh rasp that cut through the stillness like a knife
Anger was the second.
"When was the last time we both got promoted? When was the last time we were appreciated by this goddamm worthless place. We never even got acknowledged for the work and sacrifices we did for this hell forsaken nation."
Reiner was slowly revealing his other side, the side that I had hoped to bring out. His deep attachment to this nation was clearly evident. When someone plays a role for a long time, they begin to believe that they are the character. This was also true for people like Reiner, who had developed a strong emotional connection to this place. Therefore, my proposal had a good chance of being successful as it aligned with his values. He didn't want to see his reputation tarnished in a place that he considered his home, even if it was for a short while.
"Have you lost your mind?" Berthouldt wasn't as quick to accept this though as he tried to bring Reiner back to his senses.
"I have a question, is he really wrong? He isn't asking for much, is he? All he wants is recognition, which he will definitely get if only a select few know what happened today. If we follow my course of action, both of you may become the top candidates of our special forces, and fame and respect will be yours to take."
Bargaining had begun.
I kept nudging the deal forward. I was sure he would bite on it, I have had enough time to observe them thoroughly.
Ymir seemed like she wanted to say something, but ultimately decided to remain silent. She may have been observing my plan and was curious to see how it would unfold. Interestingly, she didn't seem surprised by their act of betrayal. However, she didn't pose a threat at the moment, so I didn't feel the need to investigate her further. all of this was trying to get some words out but she decided not to, perhaps she could see my plan in action and wanted to see where this would lead to. She wasn't surprised at all at their betrayal however, which was interesting to say the least. However she wasn't a threat at the moment so I didn't find much reason to probe into her as of yet.
"You pathetic pieces of shit ahhhhahha....hahah....this is fucking hilarious" Ymir seemed to having the time of her life as she laughed crazily, which both of them couldn't understand.
"Shut up, what if he is right...Maybe Historia, that sweet girl who patched me up...maybe if I get to the top...she and I could be a thing...wow....yes that would be nice."
Reiner was slowly getting ahead of himself.
"Maybe even Levi will respect and adore you both....Can you imagine that Reiner...I can make that happen...All you have to do is trust my intellect. If I can't you both can easily slaughter me."
I put down my final card as they both seemed somewhat happy.
But a few more steps remained, they weren't hasty yet...I will have to make them hastily and desperately accept the deal.
"Hey hey, Pause...I wanna know one thing kiddo...what's with the giant monkey back then?"
Ymir timed us out with hands that looked like stumps having cigar smoke coming out of its ends. I sometimes envy these monsters' regeneration skills. Growing entire limbs would be quite a lucrative offer.
"What....what are you spoutin' Ymir? What monkey?" Bertholdt spoke up confused.
"Well, that sucks, the way you both were speaking such bullshit I really thought you both might know something.It's clear you both are connected to him somehow, that titan is the mastermind pulling the strings and you both are the dogs being leashed and collared up trying to find your master" Ymir sighed and she mocked them a bit and simply nodded.
As I observed her, I couldn't help but find it interesting that her deduction was spot on. However, I knew she didn't possess the capabilities to deduce this far unless she had access to additional information. I couldn't help but wonder how she was able to obtain it. Despite having a vague theory, I remained silent.
"Well, aren't you so inclined...How about this, we three escape....after accepting Kiyotaka's deal. What do you say Ymir, join us....we will help you protect the person you truly cherish, Historia."
It seems Bertholdt was quite keen in this, he was quite smart. While Reiner was in a trance thanks to me, Bertholdt was still in his senses. He wanted to accept my proposal but only at a cost of accepting his deal. Not bad.
Ymir was thrown in a pit and Bertholdt was being much more confrontational, out of his comfort zone to be honest.
"You trust Kiyotaka and want to protect Historia. You have the opportunity to save both Historia's future and follow Kiyotaka's command. This world, as you know it, will end soon, and this is your only chance. While everyone else may die trying to protect this nation, your efforts to protect Historia won't be futile. You can save the person you treasure the most. Just accept it."
I didn't particularly mind Ymir leaving. If she did, it would be easier for me to get a hold of Historia later. Previously, using Historia as my pawn was hindered by Ymir being on our side. But now, I could use Historia as bait to get Ymir to become my spy and gather intel regarding the other side. The reason they wanted Ymir was to indirectly have access to Historia - that was their other motive. It was quite easy for me to read their intentions.
So please Ymir, be useful.
"Alright...."
Ymir accepted as she closed her eyes in contemplation.
"Consider this—if the end is truly upon us, would you not prefer to depart as valorous heroes rather than branded traitors? Think of those who held you in their hearts, who believed in you with fervent devotion. Would you have them remember you with their ideals shattered, their hopes dashed? The choice is yours, of course, but it's a choice that reverberates far beyond the confines of this room. It touches the lives of a thousand others—such is the magnitude of your legacy among the scouts. You were their champions, their beacons of integrity.Every moment you tried to save our comrades still remains fresh in my mind and just like the rest."
I paused letting them take it all in as I continued once more
"In their eyes, you were never mere participants; you were the very essence of their aspirations in many ways. Reiner's courage, Bertholdts calmness...all were strengths and assets. Now, as the world teeters on the brink, how will you choose to be remembered? Will you uphold the sanctity of their trust, or will you let it dissolve into the annals of forgotten betrayals? This is your moment to define not just your fate, but the enduring spirit of all who held you dear."I added this to finally make them realise what's at stake. Their human desires had to be fleshed out. This was the point where their minds would deviate from the mission towards their more earnest desires. They weren't considered as humans for their mission, just commodities. However here they were people, colleagues, brothers and friends...to the scouts.
They mattered, they weren't tools...this feeling, was a primal instinct.
Depression had set in.
"We accept it, We accept your proposition, just save us Kiyotaka." Reiner begged and Berthoudt nodded
"Here is the plan, Leave me alone and start acting as if you all are hunting the beast that appeared that day...the monkey as to say. Once the scouts arrive to rescue us, Eren and I...at least me given that Eren is unconscious will act as simply means to an end. You three tried to lure the monkey in and fight it yourselves. And given your titan powers, you three thought you had a chance. This will also explain why Suddenly Reiner decided to expose his betrayal to everyone like that. That rash action can be now used to further help with the lie. We will potray that the reason you both hid your powers was to simply wait for the appropriate moment to find the true enemy."
"It sounds farfetched....but...given it's you, we have no other option.However, you do know that just because we will leave you this time, doesn't mean there will be a next."
Acceptance was finally done.
Saying so Bertholdt took a hold of Reiner as the three finally scurried off.
"That was something, wasn't it Eren. I hope you heard the entire thing."
I said as Eren opened his eyes and tears started dripping from them
"Just why...Just why...does everything turn out like this........Why.....I hate this world..."
Eren felt despair, it was natural. But I did appreciate that he understood he had to stay mum and act unconscious until my negotiations were over.
I might have to comfort him as a reward.
I patted his shoulder and let him mourn as the scouts closed in.
"I-I....sniff...won't...trust anyone except you...sniff"
Eren was finally, completely under my control.
Wasn't that nice?
Author's note:
The whole chapter followed the 5 stages of grief:
DenialAngerBargainingDepressionAcceptance
The reason Bertholdt acted up was simply because of the way the plot was progressing, in the original, Eren wasn't able to manipulate Reiner to this extent hence Reiner took charge. but here that wasn't the case.
Also the reason Ymir agreed to it, was because of the way Bertholdt framed his deal. It was his innocent like gestures and appeal
And the reason Eren feels that is because till now, Ayanokouji is able to show just how trustworthy he is to Eren, everytime someone leaves, ayanokouji is there with eren so this was the last straw before his complete control.