Chapter 18: The Little Fox and the Old Fox
Although Su Xiao's actions were somewhat rough, the effect was obvious. Allen had already begun to accept the fact of transforming into a giant.
"Allen Yeager, do you remember the scene when you turned into a giant? What were you thinking about at that time?"
Allen was pressed to the ground, pondering with his head down for a while.
"I don't remember. I only recall eating meat last night... I fell asleep after dinner, very deeply. When I woke up, I was in a pitch-black place. But in last night's 'dream,' it felt like someone was choking my neck. I thought my neck was about to be snapped, that I was about to die. But now, I don't feel anything wrong with my neck. I've been in a very dark place, very tired."
Allen was still in a dazed state, so his words weren't organized very well. Everyone present furrowed their brows.
This involved eating meat, dreaming, and the most bizarre part was someone trying to kill him in his dream.
"Your Honor, I now suspect that Allen Yeager has a mental problem. He must be executed."
Nile Dok suddenly spoke up, slapping a big label of insanity on Allen.
If this accusation stuck, Allen would definitely be executed.
Thump... thump... thump...
Darius Zackly lightly tapped the armrest of his chair. He could also see that Allen's condition was very bad. Based on his understanding, Allen should have had some memories. The current situation was very wrong.
As the commander of all the military branches, this Commander-in-Chief knew some of the hidden truths within the Walls.
After thinking for about ten seconds, a sharp glint flashed in Darius Zackly's eyes.
Seeing this look, Su Xiao thought to himself, *This is bad.* This dignified old fox might be up to something.
"After hearing the statements from both military branches, and considering Allen Yeager's current state, this court sentences Allen Yeager to be handed over to the Military Police Brigade for processing."
As soon as this verdict was announced, there were both those who rejoiced and those who worried on the wall.
The one rejoicing was, of course, Nile Dok. This guy looked completely surprised. In his view, Allen was very likely to be handed over to the Survey Corps for processing.
"Guards, immediately execute Allen Yeager. Soldier Bai Ye, you are also to cooperate with Allen Yeager's execution."
It seemed Nile Dok was very wary of Allen, even dragging Su Xiao into it.
"You bastards."
In the distance, Mikasa's face was expressionless. She had already made a decision in her heart.
Mikasa directly drew two blades and charged forward. If Allen was controlled by the Military Police Brigade, he was as good as dead.
Armin stood frozen in place, seemingly unable to accept the fact that Allen was about to be executed. But upon seeing Mikasa's charging figure, Armin also rushed forward. However, the clever Armin didn't draw his weapon.
"Get out of the way!"
Mikasa leaped into the air, swinging her two blades towards Su Xiao's back. Su Xiao sidestepped to dodge, choosing not to engage Mikasa. He had already understood Darius Zackly's intention.
"Form up! Shoot down these three traitors!"
Nile Dok waved his hand forward, and a row of dark gun muzzles aimed at Allen and the other two.
"Open fire!"
After Nile Dok gave the order, smiles appeared on the lips of two people present: Darius Zackly and Su Xiao.
"This old fox."
Su Xiao jumped to the side, just dodging the firing angle of the Military Police Brigade. He was also not too far from Allen. He would need to make an appearance later; he planned to play along with this act.
Bang, bang, bang...
Round lead bullets were fired from the chambers. The flight speed of these old-fashioned single-shot rifles wasn't very fast.
Allen's mind felt like it was about to explode. What the hell was happening now? All sorts of thoughts flashed through his mind.
Was he going to die? Would Mikasa and Armin be riddled with bullets because of him too?
No, he absolutely couldn't let this happen.
Allen instinctively raised his arm, bit down hard just below his thumb, and blood overflowed.
Boom!
A golden lightning bolt fell from the sky. An extremely powerful shockwave spread outwards, kicking up clouds of dust.
Su Xiao thrust the Dragon-Slaying Flash into the ground to keep his footing. The members of the Survey Corps also used various means to brace themselves; these people were all battle-hardened veterans.
The worst off was the Military Police Brigade. These people hadn't fought in a long time, spending their days bullying the weak within the Walls and even abandoning their daily training.
Hundreds of Military Police members on the edge of the wall were blown off, their screams forming a continuous chorus.
A fierce gale swept past. Su Xiao shielded his face with one hand, seeing a massive skeletal structure in the dazzling golden light ahead.
The skeleton protected Mikasa and Armin inside. Allen's figure had disappeared, likely located in the nape of the giant's skeletal neck.
"Gi... Giant..."
Nile Dok's teeth chattered as he staggered back a few steps.
The shockwave receded, revealing a massive skeleton on the wall, wreathed in sparks and steam.
Allen had just undergone a giant transformation, so this one was very incomplete. The giant's skull was exposed, and only one eye had formed, making it look terrifying and ferocious.
"Open fire! Destroy this monster!"
Nile Dok let out a hysterical roar, his voice cracking.
The Military Police members frantically began reloading, some even dropping their powder pouches.
Bang... Bang...
Sporadic gunfire rang out, but because their hands were shaking so badly, one bullet even whizzed past near Su Xiao.
The Military Police members were like mice seeing a cat when they encountered the giant. This was different from the civilians they usually bullied; giants would actually kill them. Where did they get the courage to execute Allen?
"Military Police Brigade, cease fire!"
Darius Zackly shouted in a strong, resonant voice. However, it was useless; the Military Police were scared out of their wits.
"Nile Dok, doesn't the Military Police Brigade need some reorganization?"
Darius Zackly's words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Nile Dok's head. Nile Dok's body trembled.
"Cease fire! Are you deaf, you idiots?!"
Nile Dok kicked and shoved to stop his subordinates, barely managing to control the scene.
Crack...
The skeleton Allen had spawned turned its head, looking at everyone present.
This time, the Military Police members could no longer bear the psychological pressure and scattered like birds and beasts.
The giant's arm raised. Just as everyone thought Allen was about to attack, he actually placed the giant's arm over his chest.
Currently, the giantized Allen only had an upper body, so the chest area was where Mikasa and Armin were located.
Darius Zackly stood up with a whoosh. He had remained seated calmly when Allen first transformed, showing his strong mental fortitude.
"He actually has the awareness to protect his comrades."
Survey Corps Commander Erwin's eyes widened. He seemed to see a certain possibility.
"Allen Yeager, can you hear me?"
The giant Allen had transformed into remained motionless; he had no strength left to move.
Inside the giant, Allen suddenly woke up. He was lying on the giant's spinal column.
Allen was startled and immediately struggled with all his might. As he struggled, the sparse muscles on the giant's nape disintegrated, exposing Allen's upper body to the air while his lower body remained wrapped in the giant's muscles.
"What is this?"
Looking at the skull's occipital bone, covered with a little muscle, a flood of memories surged into Allen's mind.
*'You must keep this key close to you.'*
*'When you see the key, you must remember. You must return to the basement of your home.'*
*'Because of the injection of this serum, you will lose your short-term memory, so I can't explain it to you now. Remember, you must retake Wall Maria and reach that basement. You will need this power.'*
In Allen's memory, the image of his crying father appeared. His father was holding a syringe filled with a transparent serum.
*'Their memories will teach you how to use this power, Allen. As long as you can reach the basement, you will find the truth! Forgive me. Your father had no choice but to do this. I have no time left.'*
Allen's recollection ended there. The memories after that were too hazy and fantastical. He vaguely remembered turning into a mindless giant and then swallowing something.
Although Allen's final memories were blurry, they were indeed the truth. He just didn't remember them.
The truth was that when Allen was ten years old, his father injected him with the giant serum, turning Allen into a mindless giant.
As soon as Allen became a mindless giant, he immediately developed the urge to devour humans. And his father was standing right in front of him.
So Allen devoured his father, inheriting two types of Titan powers and reverting to human form. This was also his father's wish.
After inheriting the power of the Titans, one only had thirteen years to live. His father's thirteen years were almost up.
A 'Mindless Titan' could revert to human form after devouring a 'Shifter Titan' and inherit the Shifter's power.
This was the reason why ordinary giants didn't need food but instead devoured humans. Those mindless giants instinctively hoped to devour a Shifter Titan, allowing them to become human again.
But there were tens of thousands of mindless giants and only nine Shifter Titans. The probability was truly minuscule.
After devouring his father, Allen inherited the power of the 'Attack Titan' and another, the strongest Titan power.