Zeke opened his eyes.
The first thing he saw was Erwin Smith—and right beside him, Levi Ackerman.
Zeke: "…"
Instantly, his mood soured. Of all faces to wake up to—why Levi again?
(Getting grouchy when waking up…)
"It seems you didn't have such a pleasant time while I was gone," Erwin said lightly, smiling as he helped Zeke sit up.
Zeke could hear the smugness beneath that polite tone. This hypocrite was probably enjoying himself. He could almost read Erwin's thoughts: After endless questioning without progress, let's hand him over to someone else and change interrogation methods. And now, after tonight's events, it was clear—they'd managed to kill two birds with one stone.
"Fortunately," Zeke muttered, "I managed to save half my life." He couldn't help but chuckle bitterly as memories of Mike's "interrogation" resurfaced.
"I heard about what happened with Mike," said Erwin. "If I get the chance someday, I'll make it right for you."
Zeke raised an eyebrow. "Don't be so hypocritical. To you, that guy's your real ally. I'm just the one you're trying to win over. You wouldn't take revenge on your comrade just for me, nor would you shove Levi's head up his ass on my behalf. And if you're planning to stage some revenge drama later to make me feel avenged, don't bother." He smiled faintly. "I'll handle my own revenge."
Erwin blinked, a little thrown off. "Oh? So you're planning to eat Mike someday?"
"If you beg me not to, I won't."
Erwin: "…"
Levi: "…"
Levi's eye twitched. He's technically right, but why do I feel like I'm arguing with a child?
Just then, a soldier entered, pushing someone forward.
It was one of the kidnappers—the only one left alive. The veil had been removed, revealing an unremarkable, forgettable face. People who worked in the shadows rarely stood out; anonymity was survival. But right now, the man looked pitiful—bloody, battered, barely able to kneel.
The soldier saluted Erwin. "Captain, the others bit down on hidden poison capsules when captured. Only this one survived because we forced the antidote on him in time. We've already removed his poison teeth—he can't take his own life now."
Tragic, Zeke thought. The man's only escape stolen from him. Now he'll live long enough to wish he hadn't.
Erwin turned to Zeke. "Do you know him?"
"I don't."
But the words had barely left Zeke's mouth when the man suddenly dropped to his knees, bowing frantically.
"Master Zeke! Forgive me! I failed you! I couldn't rescue you from the Survey Corps! I'm sorry! Please, forgive my incompetence!"
Zeke: "…"
Oh, perfect. Just what I needed—a loyal idiot to blow my cover.
Erwin's eyes slid toward Zeke, sharp and questioning.
Even now, the commander was giving him a chance to explain. But if he couldn't, his fate would be sealed alongside the kidnapper's—and Mike's creative methods would make a comeback.
Zeke sighed. "If I say I don't know him, will you believe me?"
Erwin smiled faintly. "How would you like me to believe you?"
"Simple." Zeke looked down at the groveling man. "Since my status seems to be so high in your eyes… tell me, what's my name?"
The man froze. "M-Master Zeke…?"
Zeke continued coldly. "What's my last name?"
The man hesitated. "Zeke… Yeager?"
"Nope. Wrong answer." Zeke turned to Erwin. "You can take him away now."
"Ah?" The kidnapper gawked, and even the soldiers looked stunned.
Erwin recovered first. He signaled for the man to be dragged off, though his brow furrowed in surprise. "Your last name isn't Yeager?"
Zeke shot him a sideways look. "Why would it be?"
"Well…" Erwin began, but trailed off.
Right, Zeke thought. If a father and son don't get along, why would the son keep the father's name?
"So," Erwin asked, "what is your last name, then?"
Zeke didn't answer.
Erwin frowned. "Zeke, I thought we'd built some trust between us."
"Heh." Zeke chuckled dryly. "We promised trust, huh? Then why am I still tied up?"
There it was. There is no honest man in this world. The so-called "trust" they'd built only existed while he was restrained.
"Haha!" Erwin laughed awkwardly and gestured for someone to release him.
Unfortunately, Zeke's bindings were complex—layers upon layers, like a mummy's wrappings. The soldiers struggled to peel them off, fumbling with knots.
Levi's patience lasted about five seconds. Scowling, he stepped forward, drew his blade, and sliced cleanly through the ropes in one motion.
Finally free, Zeke rolled his shoulders and flexed his arms, sighing with relief.
Erwin folded his hands. "Now, can you tell the truth? Who were those people?"
Zeke stretched lazily. "I don't know."
Erwin frowned but stayed calm. "It's late. There's no point in hiding anything now."
"I'm not hiding anything," Zeke said, voice flat. "This time, I really don't know. Erwin, I've got no clue what's been happening inside your walls lately."
He looked around. They were still in the city—but not just any street. This was a Survey Corps–controlled zone, heavily guarded. Inside and out, soldiers moved in quiet patterns. Every nearby window was dark—residents long asleep.
Zeke sighed. "You shouldn't have intercepted me midway. You should've let them take me to their destination. Then you'd know exactly who's behind it."
"It wouldn't have worked," Erwin said, shaking his head. "They spotted us before the abduction even started. They were already improvising—leading us in circles, trying to lose us."
"I see…"
"So you had to act," Zeke murmured.
Erwin nodded, then looked out toward the dimly lit horizon. "But it doesn't matter now. We've tracked them this far…"
His blue eyes reflected the faint glow of lanterns beyond the rooftops.
"…and this," he said quietly, "is the capital."