Marley.
A courtyard.
"Willy, your chess has improved."
Two figures sat at a square table, pieces laid out between them.
One was an elder wearing the family's traditional old-style hat. The other, a young man.
The elder called him "Willy."
Both sat with impeccable posture, straining their minds over the board.
But the young man was clearly struggling, hesitant with each move, even showing signs of regret.
His heart was unsettled. It was obvious he hadn't come here for chess.
"Uncle Benson—no, General Tybur. I can't win. I resign."
"Is that so? But the match has only just begun."
The elder, Benson Tybur, still studied the board, reluctant to let the game end so quickly.
"I didn't come to play chess!"
Willy snapped, suddenly standing.
Benson slowly raised his head, watching him, waiting for the words that would follow.
But Willy couldn't meet his eyes. He turned toward the garden instead, scowling.
"Uncle, do you even realize what you've done?"
"I do. I sent my son, Roger, into the Walls."
"How dare you say it aloud?! Do you know the consequences? You've broken the family creed!"
"…"
"Uncle Benson?"
"Good nephew, better call me General Tybur. Easier for you to strike when the time comes. Killing a general branded a traitor would earn you glory in the family's annals."
"…"
Willy fell silent. His purpose was laid bare. The man who had raised him, guided him—saw right through him. Before him, there was no hiding.
*Thud!*
He set his gun on the chessboard.
The elders had already decreed the verdict. But as family head, he couldn't bring himself to kill his own uncle.
"Then tell me—why did you do it?"
"I already answered once."
"The world is ending?"
"Yes."
"By whom?"
"I don't know."
"Then why do you seek the War Hammer's power?"
"To protect the world."
"…Uncle, that doesn't sound like you. What's happened to you?"
"I told you. The world will be destroyed. I need the War Hammer's power to protect it. Since you refuse, I had no choice but to send my son inside the Walls—to claim the Founding Titan."
"To protect the world?"
"Yes. To protect it."
"Do you realize? Your son, Roger Eikam—after using Titan spinal fluid—turned into a monstrous black Titan. A hundred and twenty meters tall, wreathed in flame. He nearly burned Marley to ash! Do you know how many died that day?!"
Willy's voice rose, demanding justice for the fallen.
Benson's gaze turned blank. Though his eyes remained on the board, his mind was far away.
The clack of pieces filled the silence as he returned them to the bowl.
He lifted his pipe, adjusted his old family hat, and stared out at the garden.
"You still keep secrets."
"What?"
Willy caught his words.
Benson turned to him.
"I warn you—don't interfere with Roger. Let him choose his own path. Otherwise, a single thought could turn him into a demon."
"Why? Who is he? If he's of the Tybur line, why did he become that monster? Unless… he has royal blood?"
"If you want to know, I'll tell you." Benson sighed, setting down the pipe. "Months ago, I found my wife Jean Eikam's diary. In it, I uncovered her true past. The surname she gave me wasn't Eikam—it was Ackerman."
"Ackerman? The king's retainers?"
Willy Tybur's eyes widened as realization struck.
But then he shook his head.
"The Ackermans can't transform into Titans, even with spinal fluid. That's their fate as the king's chosen guards. Yet Roger became a colossal, burning Titan. Surely only royal blood could explain it."
"You're right. That's what I meant to tell you." Benson looked once more at the horizon. "Ackerman was the name she gave me. But her diary revealed she had once been adopted."
"The king's orphan?"
"It's possible."
"Then his power comes from royal blood… I see."
Willy understood.
If Roger bore the king's blood, then it all aligned.
But still… why the flaming black Titan, one hundred and twenty meters tall?
The mystery of the Titans had never been fully unraveled. Perhaps with pure blood, even monstrosities could emerge.
"I understand. But why send him into the Walls?"
At the question, Benson bristled.
"I've said it countless times. Reclaim the Founding Titan. Protect the world."
"…"
Since his uncle would say no more, Willy dropped the pretenses.
"Uncle Benson, if you refuse to explain to the Council of Elders, then don't blame me for showing you no mercy."
"Heh. Good nephew. All my agents in Marley, my Eikams—you've already stripped them away. One by one. You can't wait to see me dead."
"They were the elders' orders. Uncle, don't make this harder."
"Get out. I don't want to see you again."
"Uncle—"
"Out!"
"General Tybur, then in the name of the Council of Elders, I give you one day to reconsider."
"Get lost! Out of my sight! Bird Forest! Show him the door!"
At the command, Bird Forest stepped in, removing his hat and pressing it to his chest, his sparse hair revealed.
"Sir. Please."
Willy had no choice. Against his obstinate, unreasonable uncle, he had no weapon.
If he truly bore a hidden reason, why would he never speak it?
Then, uncle, you leave me no choice.
As Bird Forest escorted him out, the lock clicked behind him. Willy sighed heavily.
"Lord Tybur."
The maid bowed at the gate.
Willy looked at her, guilt flashing across his face.
"I'm sorry. It must be you, Lala."
"What's his name?"
"Roger Eikam."
//Check out my Patreon for 20 extra chapters on all my fanfics //[[email protected]/Razeil0810](http://[email protected]/Razeil0810)