Marley, central city.
"My sister was very strong. I knew she would win. I didn't care about dying when we were attacked, because my sister sacrificed far more than just her future, and I trusted her..."
"Ever since I was a child, I never cared that she would inherit the power of the War Hammer Titan. In fact, I envied her. But as a man, I had to lead the family in order to establish a bright path for Marley."
Willy sat beside Theo Magath, who had now taken control of the entire Marleyan military following Calvi's death.
This time, he had decided to talk about the future of all of them. It was the first time since his sister's death that he had spoken about this with someone else.
Willy was aware that his sister had been freed. To him, her death meant only one thing: war was the only path that would save humanity from the devils of Paradis.
"I will make sure those devils die. Every single one of them will be buried on that same damned island." Willy's cold tone frightened Theo Magath, who said, "We need allies."
...
A few months later...
Paradis Island, central wall.
At the beginning of April in the year 851, in the royal capital, at the royal residence.
Eren changed into a long-sleeved white shirt, over which he put on a wool shirt with the chest exposed.
His smile was very bright, but there was something in his eyes that had never been there before, a hope greater than ever before.
Eren stood in front of the mirror, with a red rose in the pocket of his jacket given to him by Gale, dressed in a tuxedo, and a flower crown placed on his head by Armin.
"Come on, Mikasa is waiting for you," Gale said, patting him on the shoulder.
"Okay." Eren took a deep breath, straightened his back, and stepped out into the sunlight.
In the garden, a red carpet and flowers were laid out, and several people were seated on both sides.
Hannes, Hange, Dina, Jean, Connie, and the Shana family were present. Besides them, there were not many people, all sitting silently and solemnly, watching Eren and Mikasa walk onto the stage.
Today was Eren and Mikasa's ceremony; according to the island's pro-natalist laws, boys and girls over the age of sixteen were allowed to marry.
On Gale's advice and because of the short life expectancy Eren still had ahead of him, he believed they deserved at least a few years filled with happiness.
As someone who had witnessed how horrible the future was, Gale knew that Eren and Mikasa deserved this.
Eren and Mikasa kissed in front of everyone and released white doves.
The gathering was so intimate that even during the banquet, Gale and Hange discussed news from the outside world.
"Last month, Marley suffered another major defeat on the front lines." Hange and Gale raised their glasses in a toast.
After the Marley incident, the difficult situation of its government became known throughout the world.
"The neighboring countries know that Marley has lost its Intelligent Titans. In addition to the Middle East Coalition, there are now seven countries involved in the war, all trying to infiltrate the battlefield, and they have secretly divided Marley's lands among themselves."
Gale, away from the others, asked, "What about international public opinion?"
"Although Marley wants to focus its attention on Paradis Island, the Middle East Coalition is far more interested in swallowing up Marley, which is right in front of them," Hange said in a low voice.
"That benefits us greatly," Gale murmured as he thought about it.
"Not that much. The Eldians who refused to escape are being used as Titan weapons on a massive scale, achieving some victories. However, this has caused Marleyan Eldians to flee abroad."
"The Eldians who remain are injected with excessive amounts of anesthetics by the Marleyan military if they are captured, regardless of age or gender, and are sent to the battlefield as reserve weapons. The reason given to Marleyan civilians is 'to allow the Eldians to atone for the devils of Paradis Island.'"
"That's just an excuse. Whether we launch an attack or not, Marley, having lost its Intelligent Titans, would do exactly the same thing it is doing now. The more they use Titan weapons, the more the Middle East Coalition will hate the Eldians," Gale said softly while looking at Mikasa's sincere smile.
"The only reason they aren't bothering us right now is because they can't spare time from the main battlefield. After Marley's defeat, they will eventually attack us. Their ambition is not only to defeat Marley, but to control the new world."
"How long will it take to build that weapon?" Hange asked, interested in knowing the answer.
"Two years, maybe more." Gale did not have an exact number.
"After today, I won't be involved in politics or matters related to transfers anymore. I'm coming back to deliver the final work. We won't be seeing each other for a long time, Hange. I want you to take care of Historia."
After saying that, Gale looked at Hange seriously.
"Two years?" Hange pursed her lips.
"Let's buy as much time as we can. Once the first one is built, the second and third will be completed quickly." Gale was certain of it.
"Then we will no longer need to rely on the Rumbling. As long as Paradis Island exists, even if the Founding Titan dies, the people of Paradis will continue to possess overwhelming military power, easily destroying enemy armies, or even the instigators of war."
"When outsiders realize this, they will be forced to accept peace under our guidance."
"Ultimately, only eternal interests exist between people, not eternal hatred."
"We can establish a pro-Eldian Federation, accepting our compatriots who were unable to migrate to the island on merchant ships."
"Through the exchange of beneficial technologies, we can unite all nations and form a vast interconnected group. The world will become an interconnected 'village.' When immigrants arrive on the island and see the Titans' labor force, their impression of them will gradually change."
"By then, at least for our generation and the generations to come, we will be able to live in peace, without fighting." Gale wanted that future more than anyone else.
"Peace..." Hange sighed regretfully. "What a false word!"
Hange watched Historia, who was officiating the wedding, recite the final prayer.
Gale smiled, picked up his glass, accepted the red wine that Eren and Mikasa served him, and drank it in one gulp.
Hange and Gale wished them the best.
"Eren, Mikasa, happy marriage."