The Battle of Trost marked a brutal yet decisive victory against a relentless enemy, but the aftermath brought a different kind of battle—one fought in the hearts and minds of the people. News of Eren's titan abilities spread like wildfire, filling the air with gossip and fear.
Some hailed him as a savior, while others, terrified of his potential alliance with the Armored and Colossal Titans, demanded his immediate execution. Among those most suspicious were the Military Police, their disdain for Eren festering in secret.
Both Eren and Reiner were held as prisoners. Tortured. Their limbs parted from their bodies so that they couldn't transform. Though Reiner was seen as a threat the scout regiment considered Eren as a vital source. A hope. After all he did for humanity in Trost. And after the information he gave to Erwin.
"Shiganshina...." Erwin raised a brow as Levi glanced at Eren with a quite bored expression. "I trust you.... For now don't tell anyone.... Commander."
Over that time, whispers grew louder, especially as Dhalis Zachery, the premier of the three regiments, was dispatched by the king himself to preside over Eren's fate.
Zachery, the Premier of the regiments, the man had been bribed to ensure the death of Eren yet he rejected such offers, having a great sense of justice.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Zachery's ornate personal cart rolled into Wall Rose. It halted in front of the grand courthouse, where Nyle Doke and the Military Police awaited, their intent clear—Eren must not survive, no matter the cost. "All hail Premier Dhalis Zachery," the MPs bowed before him, eager to carry out their orders as they escorted him into the lavish court, like obedient dogs.
The courthouse in Wall Rose was an imposing structure, a symbol of the authority that governed humanity behind the walls. Its towering stone pillars stretched high into the sky, casting long shadows across the cobbled courtyard below.
The building's façade, adorned with intricate carvings of the Walls Maria, Rose, and Sina, depicted legendary scenes from humanity's struggle against the titans. Soldiers and civilians alike would glance at the carvings with reverence or dread as they passed, knowing this place had the power to decide their fates.
Upon entering, the wide, vaulted entrance hall greeted visitors with cold marble floors that echoed every step. The ceiling was painted with a grand mural, displaying the supposed divine protection of the Walls, creating an eerie contrast to the grim reality faced outside.
Heavy, ornate chandeliers hung overhead, casting flickering candlelight that gave the court an almost medieval ambiance. Guards lined the walls, their rigid posture adding to the tense atmosphere.
Beyond the hall, a set of large double doors led into the heart of the courthouse, the main hall where all critical trials and deliberations were held. The wooden doors were engraved with the royal crest, and as they creaked open, a more sinister air enveloped those who entered.
The main hall itself was vast, with tiered rows of seating on either side for the audience. The floor, made of polished dark wood, seemed almost too pristine for the blood that had metaphorically stained it over the years.
A massive, elevated platform at the far end held the judge's bench, behind which loomed a towering statue of a faceless figure, its hand raised as if passing judgment. Flanking the platform were banners bearing the insignias of the three regiments: the Garrison, the Military Police, and the Scout Regiment.
The gallery above was crowded with onlookers—commanders, priests, high-ranking officials, the occasional nobles and some commoners who had come to witness the fate of humanity's most controversial soldier.
Among the gathered crowd were several soldiers from the 104th Cadet Corps, witnesses to Eren's transformation and his actions at Trost. Mikasa and Krista were among them, her face etched with worry.
For the past week, Mikasa had been confined to the cadet dormitories, a place that felt more like a prison than a home, while Krista never left the entrance of the prison.
She had pleaded numerous times to see Eren, but all requests were denied. The longing to catch even a fleeting glimpse of him gnawed at her, making every moment in the dorms unbearable.
At the front of the court, Premier Dhalis Zachary casually removed his coat and took his seat, surveying the room with an air of indifference. He gestured to the guards, signaling them to bring in the accused.
Within seconds, Eren was led into the court. His demeanor was calm, but his dull, uninterested eyes scanned the room, locking onto familiar faces—some filled with uncertainty, others with fear.
His gaze finally settled on Commander Erwin, who subtly nodded at him, his earlier words echoing in Eren's mind: "Stay calm. They'll do everything to condemn you, but trust me, I'll handle it."
Eren took a deep breath, allowing himself to be shackled and placed in the center of the courtroom, standing alone under the scrutinizing gaze of military officials, nobility, and soldiers.
His posture was defiant, yet restrained. He was presented like a criminal, though the circumstances surrounding him were far more complex.
Finally, the oppressive silence was shattered as Zachary adjusted his round spectacles, the lenses catching the light. His presence commanded respect, and the gossiping crowd quickly fell silent, all eyes now fixed on the proceedings that would decide Eren's fate.
"Shall we begin? Your name is Eren Lenz, A recent graduate from the 104th Cadet Corps. And as a soldier, you've sworn to give your life for the good of your people. Am I right?" Zachary's voice cut through the tension like a blade, his gaze locked on Eren.
Eren just nodded faintly.
Mikasa, standing nearby, her heart pounding with anxiety, felt an overwhelming urge to intervene. But Armin's firm grip on her shoulder kept her grounded, his silent reminder to stay calm keeping her from making a scene.
"And as the Premier of the three regiments, I, Dhalis Zachary, was personally dispatched by the royalty to oversee this matter," Zachary continued, his voice carrying a cold, calculated weight. "It is I who will decide whether you live or die. Any objections?"
"No..." Eren sighed mist escaping from his mouth as his eyes scanned through his inventory dispatching unwanted or ruined weapons.
"Good," Zachary said, leaning back slightly. "You're aware, of course, that while your powers have proven useful in battle, they have also caused widespread civil unrest. The people are divided, and within a week there have been riots within various districts so as it stands, your fate now lies in the hands of the regiment that takes custody of you—whether it will be the Military Police or the Scout Regiment."
The room fell into a tense silence. Everyone knew the significance of the decision. The Military Police sought control over Eren, many already convinced he was too dangerous to live. The Scout Regiment, on the other hand, saw Eren as a beacon of hope, a vital weapon in their ongoing war against the titans.
Eren remained silent, still busy in the system allocating the system points to his attributes, increasing his skill level.
But then Nyle Doke began his predictable rant, spewing flimsy accusations. "We don't know if he's in league with the Armored and Colossal Titans. Yes, it's true he took down the Armoured Titan and fought against the Colossal but what if it was the part of their plan. A plan to kill everyone within the walls. Plus, in order to end the civil unrest subject Eren Lenz must be executed immediately." Doke declared, his tone filled with self-righteousness, filling the entire room with whispers and gossips.
Krista clenched her fists, seething inwardly. "How dare he... And why is everyone agreeing... Are they that blind?" She could barely contain the urge to lunge at Doke, but held back, watching as the Wall Priests entered the fray. Some priests, desperate to bolster their authority, proclaimed Eren as a divine figure—a savior sent by the heavens to deliver humanity from the titans.
But there were others, 'zealots' who saw him as the embodiment of evil, the "son of the devil," demanding his immediate execution to prevent further disaster.
Zachary listened with a noncommittal nod, his eyes shifting toward Erwin and Levi. Calm as ever, Levi stood beside Erwin, who prepared to present the Scout Regiment's case.
"And now, we'll hear from the Scout Regiment," Zachary stated, gesturing toward Erwin.
Erwin stepped forward, his voice steady and deliberate. He outlined the critical importance of retaking Wall Maria, unveiling the grand strategy that could only be achieved with Eren's unique abilities.
"The power to fight the titans with one of their own is humanity's greatest asset," he argued. "Eren's power will turn the tide, allowing us to confront far worse threats. Every soldier witnessed his bravery in Trost. He captured the monster who breached Wall Maria 5 years ago. He almost killed the Colossal Titan. From helping in evacuation to saving countless people. And he even sealed the breach using his Titan hardening."
Erwin then reassured the court of Eren's loyalty, "His record speaks for itself. He is not an enemy, but a trusted comrade.We stand behind him."
The atmosphere in the court shifted. Erwin's words, backed by Eren's history, forced many to reconsider. The Scout Regiment had staked their reputation on him, and Zachary seemed to be weighing the arguments more seriously now.
The tension in the room reached its peak as Levi's cold declaration cut through the noise. "And even if he turns against us... I'll kill him without a second thought." His words left the court in stunned silence, even catching Eren's attention.
"I don't know.... Can you?" Eren wondered.
For a moment, Erwin's speech seemed to have calmed the storm. The scouts, their faith in Erwin unwavering, appeared content with his plan. But the peace was short-lived.
Suddenly, chaos erupted across the court. Merchants, locals, and aristocrats, each with their own self-interest, clamored in outrage. Voices rose in discord, shouting that their funds would be wasted in another futile attempt to reclaim Wall Maria since the past attempts were the same.
"What are the chances they'll succeed? It's madness!" one merchant shouted, fanning the flames of dissent. While some others said, "Maybe he's a titan who took form of a little child and snuck inside the walls. We can't be sure. Just kill him already."
Nyle Doke seized the moment, amplifying the unrest. "This is nothing but a reckless gamble! We'd be throwing resources away on false hopes. Eren's titan power is a danger to all of us, not a solution!"
The room spiraled into disorder, with accusations and fears spreading like wildfire. It seemed as if the decision had already been made, and Eren could feel the weight of the court's judgment bearing down on him.
The fate of his life felt precariously balanced on the whims of those who saw him as nothing more than a tool or a threat. Yet amongst that chaos Zachery remained quiet observing no one but Eren.
It was his trial. It'd decide whether he gets to live or die. Why wouldn't he protest or beg for his life. He's just a damn teenager a fifteen years old kid. Zachery kept looking at him as Eren just stared back with dull, impassive and uninterested eyes.
"No one... Not even single person could lay a scratch on me unless I allow them to."