Chapter 44: So He Was the Second Child

Chapter 44: So He Was the Second Child

Su Xiao was the first to enter the basement, which was entirely constructed of wood.
The furnishings inside the basement were simple: a wooden desk, a chair, and two man-high wooden cabinets against the wall. Beside the cabinets were several wooden boxes filled with a large assortment of bottles and jars.
Su Xiao began searching the basement for anything valuable. He picked up several yellowed sheets of paper covered in various calculation formulas, faintly making out words like "harmonization" and "splitting."
He continued his search until he picked up a test tube from one of the wooden boxes.

**Bone Marrow of the Attack Titan**
**Quality:** Green
**Type:** Experimental Item
**Rating:** 17 (Note: Green ratings range from 10 to 30.)
**Description:** Bone marrow of the Attack Titan. Extracting the marrow reduces the lifespan of the Titan power holder. Research costs are extremely high; in-depth study is not recommended.
**Selling Price:** 3% World Source.

Seeing the properties of this test tube, Su Xiao was taken aback. It was the first time he had encountered an item that could be sold for World Source.
The possibility of obtaining the "Attack Titan power" through this marrow was very slim; this item probably wouldn't fetch a high price.
The Titan power wasn't very popular in Reincarnation Paradise. Not because it was weak, but because the cost of obtaining it far outweighed the returns.
As the annotation from Reincarnation Paradise indicated, the main use of this item was to be sold for World Source. Su Xiao chose to sell it.
This was a good start. Su Xiao began rummaging through the boxes.

A large pile of items lay before Su Xiao. Their quality was decent, but their practical use was low. They all shared a common trait: they could be sold for World Source.
Su Xiao felt this was Reincarnation Paradise's reward for entering this basement. He sold all the items.

Su Xiao got a high price, actually obtaining 6% World Source.
His gaze involuntarily shifted to Eren. The power of the Founding Titan was now inside him.
This idea was dismissed as soon as it appeared. No matter how he thought about it, extracting Titan marrow wouldn't be that easy; it likely required complex steps.
Entering the basement had yielded a total of 14% World Source, which was more than enough to satisfy Su Xiao. World Source meant attribute points, and the more, the better.
The basement was now in a complete mess from Su Xiao's search. Annie and the others stood dumbfounded at the doorway, unable to comprehend Su Xiao's actions.
The only thing in the basement that remained somewhat tidy was the desk. Su Xiao pulled out the chair from under the desk and sat down.
On the desk were items like a dried-up ink bottle and a balance scale. Eren's father, Grisha Yeager, was not just a doctor; he was also a researcher of Titanology.
Opening the desk drawer, three diaries lay flat inside.
Su Xiao took out the diaries. Reiner and the others gathered around, also curious about what was written in them.
Opening the first diary, the first page was covered in mottled bloodstains. This was the diary of Eren's father, Grisha Yeager.
The contents of the diary were as follows:
'Today is my eighth birthday. Father bought a cake, but there was too much cream. Although I didn't like it, I had to pretend to be happy; it was Father's kindness. But my little sister ate a lot, and the cream got on her little nose. As long as my sister is happy, that's fine.'
'My sister died. …Large ink stains… Those damn Marleyans set their dogs on her and bit her to death, just because we stepped out of the internment zone. We just wanted to see the airships.'
'Large ink stains…'
'Those beasts, beasts, beasts, beasts, beasts, beasts…'
'My sister's death is all my fault. It was me who suggested going to see the airships. Mother just cried silently. Father even went to fawn over those Marleyan officers. He didn't care at all that his own daughter died. I hate him. Hate, hate, hate.'
'Torn-out pages…'
'Torn-out pages…'
'I'm eighteen now. I've matured, and I also understand that as long as we are under the rule of the Marleyans, we Eldians can never be free.'
'Torn-out pages…'
'So there's an organization like this. The "Eldian Restorationists" is my true home. I'm very fortunate to have joined the Restorationists.'
'Torn-out pages…'
'Unbelievable. The Restorationist member "Owl" is actually a Marleyan government official. I finally understand why the Restorationists always manage to turn misfortune into fortune. I really hope to meet "Owl."'
'Torn-out pages…'
'Today at the Restorationists, I met a woman named Dina Fritz. She's so beautiful. My heart is racing. What is this strange feeling?'
'Dina Fritz is actually an Eldian royal. What surprising news.'
'Torn-out pages…'
'I married Dina. It wasn't for the organization; we just love each other.'

Seeing the diary reach this point, Su Xiao glanced at Eren.
"This is…"
"Eren's father's wife? That would be Eren's mother."
The few people present looked at Eren in surprise. Eren's entire family was actually from the Marley Empire.
"My… my mother's name isn't Dina Fritz."
Eren muttered blankly.
"Probably your father's ex-wife. Men have a habit of liking the new and disliking the old."
Ymir's sharp tongue struck.
"Shut up."
Although Eren's limbs were severed, his gaze was very hostile.
Su Xiao continued reading the diary.
'I will remember this day forever. I have a son! I decided to name him Zeke Yeager.'
'Torn-out pages…'
'The thirteen-year cycle for the Titan power host change is approaching. Zeke is already seven years old. For years, I have educated Zeke with the ideals of the Restorationists. I decided to let Zeke participate in the selection. Although only living for twenty years is somewhat cruel, this is for the glory of restoring Eldia.'
'Torn-out pages…'
'Unbelievable. My seven-year-old son Zeke actually betrayed us, betrayed his own parents. The Marleyan soldiers are already at the door.'
'Large bloodstains.'
The content of the first diary ended. It recorded Grisha Yeager's experiences from childhood to youth. The torn-out pages were probably irrelevant content, making it easier to read.
Su Xiao opened the second diary.
The contents were as follows:
'Whether it's luck or misfortune, I wasn't turned into a Pure Titan. It was "Owl" who saved me. But Dina was turned into a Pure Titan and permanently exiled to Paradis Island. This is the Marleyans' old method of punishing "Eldians."'
'I finally know Owl's identity. He is actually one of the two soldiers who caught me and my sister when we were young. It was that time my sister and I went to see the airships. Without him, my sister wouldn't have died. But why don't I hate him?'
'Owl's name is Eren Kruger. He possessed the power of the Attack Titan. Today, he passed this power on to me. After I became a Pure Titan, I devoured him. This is clearly revenge, but why am I so sad? I will always remember your name, Eren Kruger.'
'Owl told me the truth about "Paradis Island." That so-called First King actually signed a vow of renunciation of war with the power of the Founding Titan inside him, vowing never to go to war with the Marley Empire. That guy's head must be messed up. This stupid pig. The Marleyans are already coveting the resources of "Paradis Island."'
'Torn-out pages…'
'Successfully infiltrated the Walls. With the knowledge learned from the Restorationists, infiltrating the Walls was simple.'
'The outbreak of the plague helped me establish prestige within the Walls. Should I find a woman to start a family? That would be safer.'
'Torn-out pages…'
'Today, I met a lady by chance at a hotel. Her name is Carla Yeager. Perhaps I should pursue her. I think I'm falling in love with her.'
'Second marriage. This reminds me of Dina. How is she now? In this hopeless world, becoming a Pure Titan might be a kind of fortune.'
'I have a second son. I decided to name him Eren Yeager. Yes, this name is to commemorate the deceased "Owl," Eren Kruger.'
'Eren, your father will never indoctrinate you with any ideas again. Although you are not as clever as your older brother, you are happier than him. It was my fault before. It wasn't my son Zeke who betrayed me; rather, I betrayed Zeke from the very beginning. I'm sorry. I'm not a good father.'

Reading up to this point, everyone looked at Eren.
Eren's worldview was severely shaken. Not only was he the second child, but he also had another mother—or perhaps he should call her aunt? Though calling her "big aunt" seemed more appropriate.

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