Conference Room, Navy Headquarters.
"What do you know about the war?"
"According to Hange's report, the Middle East Coalition's decision to act at this moment seems to be related to Paradis Island," Erwin said slowly while looking at the documents in his hands.
"Paradis Island?" Zeke asked in confusion. "Did you provide technical assistance to the Middle East Coalition?"
"No, not at all." Erwin shook his head and said, "Paradis Island only has indirect contact with the outside world. We only export some of Paradis Island's specialized resources; we have never revealed our technology."
"However, the Middle East Coalition no longer uses oil or coal, but explosive iceburst stones, a portable and lightweight fuel used for armored vehicles and warships."
"That fuel is a specialty of Paradis Island. A month ago, all the explosive iceburst stones we exported were purchased by the Middle East Coalition."
"Gale's intention was probably that the excellent properties of the explosive iceburst stones would allow them to manufacture internal combustion engines and advanced weapons ahead of schedule."
That was true. Gale was using the technological advancements of the outside world to appropriate them as they progressed.
As the main exporters of that unique fuel from the island, while the foreign buyers did not know exactly where it was located, they could impose various rules on the purchase and sale.
That was driving the Island's technology forward much faster.
After saying that, Erwin smiled triumphantly and said, "Just today, they placed another huge order with us."
After explaining everything to everyone, Erwin closed his eyes thoughtfully, and everyone in the conference room fell silent.
After a long silence, Erwin opened his eyes, his gaze sharp.
"The plan has changed!"
"Starting tomorrow, begin preparations to send all Marleyan prisoners of war back to Marley!"
"Pieck, Zeke, the two of you will also return. Once you arrive in Marley, the seals on your Titan powers will be broken."
"The war is only just beginning; it has not yet reached a critical stage. Due to the Marleyans' suspicions, you will not be sent to the front lines."
"The selection and succession of reserve soldiers will also take time."
"After your return, immediately prepare for the rendezvous. Paradis Island's troops will arrive in Cape Town after you."
"After the troops land, the Colossal Titan will be responsible for annihilating the Marleyan navy near the port."
"The Armored Titan will cooperate with the special forces to attack the Tybur family."
"The War Hammer Titan will definitely make a move; once it reveals itself, the Founding Titan will seal its power, allowing us to successfully take the successor of the War Hammer Titan."
"And what about my father then?!" Pieck slammed her hand on the table and stood up.
This was far more radical than the original plan; it was practically an immediate war, without giving her and Zeke time to prepare.
The original plan had been to give her and Zeke at least a week to prepare and settle things.
"Marley still doesn't know about your arrest. Your father is still in the same hospital. We will rescue him. He will travel on the same aircraft as the holder of the War Hammer Titan to Paradis Island," Erwin promised, and he was not lying. He would definitely get Pieck's father out of Marley.
"Do you have any objections?"
Pieck pursed her lips, let out a long sigh, and said quietly, "I have no objections."
From beginning to end, she only had one path to choose from; if she did not choose it, she would have nowhere to go.
But she did not understand why the people of Paradis Island were so determined to take the War Hammer Titan, even going so far as to deploy the Colossal Titan and the Armored Titan, and even revealing their manned aircraft ahead of time.
She really wanted to ask: was the War Hammer Titan truly that important to Paradis Island?
But she had no right to ask; Pieck could only act according to Erwin's instructions.
"Petra, go inform the Prime Minister of the Senate immediately and deliver the message."
"Eld, go meet Commander Pixis and have him confirm the amount of explosive iceburst stones we are exporting to the Middle East Coalition."
"Yes, sir!"
Petra and Eld saluted and rushed out of the meeting room.
Erwin continued making preparations, and half an hour later, he announced that the meeting would be adjourned until all preparations had been completed before the next meeting.
Pieck and Zeke were taken back to the prisoner-of-war camp.
Zeke remained silent throughout the entire meeting, barely speaking a word.
After Zeke left, Kenny crossed his legs on the table and asked Erwin directly, "Can that monkey and that woman really be trusted?"
"We have Pieck under control." Erwin's expression became more serious as he said, "As for Zeke Yeager, the Prime Minister of the Senate told us not to worry about him. Zeke will soon realize that his secret plan is completely useless."
"Oh, really? Since that man has spoken, there's nothing we can do," Kenny said jokingly. "I have a feeling that that monkey's luck is about to get a lot worse."
...
Royal Mansion, Office.
Gale was reviewing and signing documents related to transferring Titans to the mining area.
He had returned from the coastal canyon and confirmed that it was an open-pit uranium mine with abundant exploitable uranium deposits.
At last, it was time to officially begin preparations for manufacturing nuclear bombs.
Except for the "nuclear centrifuges," Paradis Island possessed all the necessary conditions for producing nuclear bombs.
These Titans had been transferred there to accelerate uranium extraction.
Construction of the power plant had also begun.
The skilled workers who had previously participated in the construction of power plants would be transferred to Karanes District, the closest district to the canyon, to carry out the initial construction of the power plant.
It was estimated that two hundred gigantic power plants would be built exclusively for electricity generation, in order to meet the uninterrupted energy demands of the nuclear centrifuges.
Two hundred power plants were not the maximum limit; it was simply Gale's estimate of the maximum number of power plants they could build within a year.
A construction team of approximately 12,000 people and 1,000 Titans would be mobilized to the surrounding area.
Based on their previous construction speed, the exterior structures and electrical wiring of around twenty colossal Titan power plants could be completed within a month, allowing them to officially begin operation.
It was also necessary to build a railway near the nuclear plant to ensure the transportation of materials and supplies.
Magnets, steel, manpower, the industrial system: the entire lifeblood of Paradis Island had to supply the nuclear bomb production chain; even their weapon production lines would have to be suspended.
During the nuclear bomb production period, the sparsely populated Paradis Island had no energy available to participate in external conflicts.
They had to gain as much time as possible to produce the nuclear bomb before the war between Marley and the Middle East Coalition ended.
Time was running out; this was a project concerning the future of Paradis Island.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Gale looked up toward the door; hurried footsteps were coming from outside.
Historia, who had been taking a nap, woke up.
The first thing she felt when she opened her eyes was warmth and safety.
She was lying on Gale's lap, covered by his coat.
Ever since Gale returned, she would go to his office whenever she had free time in the mansion.
Of course, she did not want to interrupt his work; she simply wanted to spend more time with him.
Normally, when Gale worked on documents, she would sit beside him, either reading a book or bringing him tea and water, wiping away his sweat, and so on.
It was like returning to the past, when she had been kidnapped by the Survey Corps and taken to the weapons factory, and that was how she and Gale used to interact.
Gale was always busy, and Historia was like a little follower, always staying by his side.
Today, she had only fallen asleep because it was very late and she could no longer stay awake.
But she had originally fallen asleep on the table; now she was lying in Gale's arms, and thinking about it made her feel a sweet warmth in her heart, as though she had eaten a piece of honey.
She sat up, stretched, yawned, rubbed her face, and stood up to help Gale put on his coat.
Perhaps she had not slept at the right time; she rubbed her forehead, feeling a sharp pain in her head. Could she really be sick? Recently, her headaches had been becoming more and more frequent.