"What the hell happened, Anderson?!"
At the back door of the hospital, Roger shook off the hand gripping him and shouted.
Anderson scanned the area to make sure no one was nearby, then grabbed Roger by the shoulders.
"It's the military. They got word you plan to cause trouble at the Titan inheritance ceremony. They've already sent soldiers to your home to arrest you. Why did you come to the hospital so early?"
"I come at this time every day," Roger replied. "You should know that, I told you before."
"Oh… maybe I forgot."
"But I didn't see anyone on my way here. If they wanted to grab me, why not wait until night?"
"Who knows." Anderson sighed. "Either way, you're in danger. Don't wander around."
"Then what about me? What about my grandmother? I need to see her!"
"Don't be stupid!!" Anderson grabbed Roger's face with both hands, shouting angrily. "Do you realize what's happening right now?! Do you think Marley will let a suspected traitor Eldian live?!"
Meeting Anderson's eyes, Roger finally understood the gravity of it. He gave the faintest nod.
Anderson's gaze then drifted, and his voice softened.
"When I got here, I heard struggling and screams from the ward. Roger… you were lucky. Those two soldiers didn't recognize you on sight. Otherwise, even a Warrior Commander couldn't have saved you…"
"So Grandma… she's…"
Roger's voice grew quiet, his eyes filling with tears.
Hatred hardened in his chest like ice.
It felt like choking, like his body was being ripped apart.
Seeing his junior like this, Anderson looked pained.
"Roger…"
"Don't say it, Anderson."
Roger's clenched fists broke skin, blood dripping to the ground.
He tore off his Eldian armband and stomped it underfoot.
"My grandmother and I never owed anyone, but now this is how we're treated. Fine. Then there's nothing left to say. Anderson, if Marley still stands ten years from now, it means I'm already dead! I'll make every Marleyan feel the pain of losing family! I'm done living like a pig in shit!!"
Hearing this, Anderson sighed, but nodded slightly.
He reached into his coat and pulled out a syringe filled with a milky-white liquid.
"Take this."
He pressed it firmly into Roger's hand.
Roger froze, staring at it.
"This is…"
"Titan spinal fluid. Inject it into yourself, you'll become a Pure Titan."
"But that would mean losing my mind, wouldn't it?" Roger asked.
"Yes. That's why I want you at the ceremony. You still want revenge, don't you?"
Anderson smiled faintly, ruffling Roger's hair.
Roger looked at him, and suddenly understood.
But if that was the case… then Anderson…
"Promise me," Anderson said again. "If you succeed in inheriting the Jaw Titan, run east immediately. There's a dock. Mr. Torin has a boat waiting. He'll take you anywhere you want."
"And you, Anderson? What about you?"
Roger felt the weight of the debt. He hated owing anyone.
But Anderson only smiled, turning away.
"Carry my will forward." he said.
He walked out of the hospital grounds, into the street, and vanished into the flow of Eldian crowds.
Roger's eyes brimmed with tears. He didn't know how to repay Anderson. All he could do was grip the syringe tight.
Then, two strange shapes drifted into his sight.
Looking up, he saw them—
Two airships, passing one after another over Liberio.
"Brother, look! What's that?"
"It's Marley's airships. Let's chase them!"
"Okay, wait for me!"
Two children ran past Roger, disappearing toward the horizon, disappearing into an unknown future…
---
The next day.
Afraid of soldiers at his home, Roger didn't go back. He spent the night in a filthy corner of the internment zone.
There, he stayed with stray cats, surrounded by garbage.
To avoid notice, he threw away his coat, smeared himself with dirty water, and covered his face in grime.
It would take someone an hour of scrubbing to recognize him.
All night, he huddled against a trash bin for warmth.
Passersby glanced at his bare arm without an armband.
And strangely, seeing him so wretched made even the downtrodden Eldians feel superior.
"See? That's what happens when you lose your armband."
"Disgusting beggar, a shame to Eldians!"
"Filthy trash…"
Roger ignored them all.
Though they were his people, to him they were no different from walking corpses.
Never thinking, never resisting, living only as Marley's dogs. Better off dead.
He felt contempt, but stayed silent.
He wouldn't risk stirring trouble before the ceremony.
He only hoped they, too, wouldn't want the trouble of reporting him for walking without an armband.
Thankfully, they didn't. They cursed a few times, then went on their way.
After all, Marley's soldiers were infamous for impatience and cruelty. Report someone? You'd be lucky if a rifle barrel wasn't shoved up your ass.
As the morning sun rose, Roger hobbled toward the outskirts of the zone.
That was where the Titan inheritance would be.
Marley hadn't revealed the location, but Roger knew their nature—only the outskirts would suit them.
"Even if there's an accident, it'd just crush a few stray Eldians."
That was their exact words.
By the time he neared the edge of Liberio, Roger couldn't go further.
With one crippled leg, he couldn't keep walking.
He sat on some steps to rest.
Looking out at the withered grass, he drifted into thought.
Then a voice broke the silence.
"Roger Eikam… is that you?"
Turning, Roger blinked in surprise.
"Reiner?"
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