At exactly 7 o'clock, the press conference began.
Hange, seated at the edge of the venue, looked up. The June sky above this coastal city was painted by the sunset.
The evening temperature was pleasant, neither cold nor hot. Many reporters, dressed in shirts, were taking photographs.
It was an enormous open-air venue.
The Eldian-controlled district that had originally been built there had been completely razed, leaving only the training ground used for the "Warrior Candidates."
At the center of this grassland, the Marleyans had erected a gigantic stage surrounded by electrical lines. Large floodlights encircled the perimeter.
Invited representatives from various countries sat in the front row, each with an individual seat.
The rest of the media, who had come to hear the news, sat around the perimeter.
The space was immense; Hange estimated it could hold tens of thousands of people, yet even in such a large area, movement was extremely restricted.
There were simply too many people; too many people were concerned about the outcome of this war.
Every country with even a little influence had sent a delegation, eager to obtain firsthand information.
The venue buzzed with activity as everyone discussed the content of the press conference.
Did this signify the end of Marley's hegemony?
How would the newly formed Middle East Coalition react, and what strategies would it employ?
Would they, like Marley, use their superior weaponry to oppress smaller nations?
Or was this merely a way to justify their war and project a positive image to the world?
Everyone present eagerly awaited the start of the conference, fully aware that they were at the center of the world, under the global spotlight.
The VIP seats in the front row were already occupied.
The sky gradually darkened, and night fell.
Floodlights illuminated the perimeter of the venue while the band performed a vibrant symphony, amplified through speakers placed throughout the entire area.
The curtain rose, and Levi recognized the man standing at the center.
Even from a distance, his eagle-like eyes could clearly distinguish his features.
"It's him, the one who was beside the War Hammer Titan," Levi whispered to Hange, who had been unaware of that information.
"That's Willy Tybur."
Hange leaned down to speak to Levi, who was much shorter than she was. "He's the current head of the Tybur family. The Tybur family enjoys tremendous prestige in Marley and throughout the international community. He was the one who proposed the surrender."
"He took the initiative to enter the Middle East Alliance headquarters and speak with their leaders."
Levi frowned and asked, "So if he hadn't surrendered, would the Middle East Alliance and Marley have kept fighting for longer?"
"You can't say that," Hange replied, shaking her head. "Although he enjoys a great reputation, after the Tybur family lost the War Hammer Titan, their influence in Marley declined considerably."
"Marley lost all of its Intelligent Titans, placing the Tybur family in an extremely delicate position. On top of that, Marley's continuous defeats on the battlefield and the internal condemnation of the Eldians have caused dissatisfaction among many pro-war factions."
"Marley's surrender was the result of many different factors. Willy simply followed the prevailing opinion within the country."
"Furthermore, after our attack on this city, he was the one who stepped in quickly to stabilize the situation. Without him, Marley would probably have suffered internal conflicts during the early stages of the war. Without him, Marley would have been defeated even faster."
As Hange and Levi talked, Willy's voice came through the microphone and loudspeakers.
"Thank you all for attending this press conference. I am Willy Tybur, the current head of the Tybur family," Willy said in a loud, clear voice. "Before we officially begin, allow me to tell you a story from the past."
"One hundred years ago, the Eldian Empire ruled the world with the power of the Titans." As Willy spoke, a theatrical performance began behind him. Music, actors, and props accompanied his words, reenacting a well-known story.
It was the tale of the Great Titan War, of the hero Helos and the ancestor of the Tybur family, who together defeated the evil King Fritz—a heroic story that had been passed down from generation to generation.
But when Willy recounted the story of the 145th king fleeing to the island, his tone suddenly changed.
"This is... the story everyone knows." Willy lowered his head as the stage lights dimmed. "But the truth is not like that."
"King Fritz, who retreated to Paradis Island, still possesses power."
"Thousands upon thousands of Titans, powerful enough to flatten the world, still remain on Paradis Island. Our world has not yet been destroyed purely by chance. That is the only explanation the Titan Association can offer."
Willy raised his head and spoke solemnly, "Here, I will recount the memories passed down through generations by the Tybur family and the War Hammer Titan, and reveal the truth for the first time."
"The one who ended the Titan War was not Helos nor the War Hammer Titan, but the 145th King Fritz, Karl Fritz."
"About one hundred years ago, Karl Fritz lamented the cruel history of the Eldian Empire. He was weary of the internal conflicts among his own people and, more importantly, deeply grieved by the persecution Marley had suffered."
"After inheriting the Founding Titan, he immediately joined forces with the Tybur family to create a Marleyan hero: Helos."
"Afterward, he led as many of his subjects as he could to Paradis Island, sealed the walls, and left behind a message: If their peaceful lives were ever threatened, thousands upon thousands of Titans would retaliate."
"But that was not his true intention. To ensure that his ideology would be passed down, King Fritz used the power of the Founding Titan to create a vow of non-aggression."
"In this way, Karl Fritz's ideology has been passed down from generation to generation, and to this very day, not a single Titan has crossed the island."
"In other words, the one protecting the world is none other than King Fritz, whom we have hated so deeply; it is Karl Fritz's longing for peace."
"His goal is peace. If one day Marley becomes strong enough to wipe out the royal family and the Founding Titan, then so be it, for the sins of the Eldians are too great to ever be atoned for."
"However, I hope to enjoy one brief moment of peace in the tranquil paradise within the walls before suffering retribution."
"Please, grant me this one wish," King Fritz said before leaving the continent.
"This is the truth. In exchange for preserving the stability of our race, our Tybur family allied itself with Karl Fritz to betray the Eldian Empire and hand it over to Marley." Willy's voice echoed powerfully throughout the venue.
"Our Tybur family is nothing more than a group of scheming flatterers."
The venue erupted into an uproar. Reporters frantically took photographs and wrote down every word spoken by Willy Tybur.
"The reason I am casting aside this false honor is because I have realized that our world is facing a tremendous crisis."
"Eight years ago, my homeland, Marley, sent four Titan Warriors to Paradis Island to eliminate this threat. However, those warriors disappeared without a trace."
"In desperation, three years ago, we sent our last two warriors to Paradis Island to investigate."
"The information we obtained exceeded all expectations."
As Willy spoke those words, an actor appeared.
The actor, dressed as a Titan, picked up a pickaxe and a hammer and began mining ore and constructing a railway.
"Marley's actions awakened the sleeping Eldian Empire."
"The Eldians on that island used Titans to mine minerals, construct buildings, and railways and trains stretched across Paradis Island. They built a powerful army."
"Our soldiers were captured by the people of Paradis. After showing them around the island, they sent them back to Marley with a letter expressing their wish to establish friendly relations with Marley."
"However, just as we were astonished by the photographs our soldiers had brought back, an unexpected incident occurred. They attacked our capital, the very heart of Marley."
"The goodwill of Paradis was nothing but an act. They launched a surprise attack against Marley. The Colossal Titan annihilated our fleet stationed at the harbor, while the Armored Titan and the Jaw Titan stole my family's War Hammer Titan."
"They killed thousands and then left, and to this day they have made no further moves."
"But one thing is certain: Paradis Island is definitely plotting something far greater than anything we could ever imagine!" Willy nodded, and another Middle Eastern officer stepped onto the stage.
"He's a general from the Allied Forces," Hange murmured to Levi, who was listening silently.
"It has been three years since the attack on Marley's capital, and we have been investigating the true intentions of Paradis Island," Willy said dramatically. "At last, we have made a major discovery. The ship that transported the people of Paradis Island to Marley that day was the very same merchant vessel that sold 'Iceburst Stones' internationally!"
Willy handed the microphone to the officer, while at the same time a translator translated the officer's words into standard Marleyan.
"Our war with the Marleyans was instigated by Paradis Island," said the Middle Eastern officer named Hanaka. "Paradis Island has been secretly influencing our war with the Marleyans by controlling our vital resource: the export of Iceburst Stones."
"We have uncovered their intentions. They deliberately provoked conflict between our army and Marley's, intending to wear both sides down through war so they could take advantage of both."
"However, the misunderstanding between our army and Marley's has now been resolved thanks to Lord Tybur. We were able to expose Paradis Island's sinister plot and put an end to the internal conflict."
After finishing his speech, the Middle Eastern officer returned the microphone to Willy. The two shook hands warmly before embracing.
"That's right!" Willy Tybur exclaimed. "Exactly as Mr. Hanaka said!"
"Three years ago, this strange fuel, the Iceburst Stone, suddenly appeared on the international market!"
"Paradis Island was never inactive; they were subtly influencing the entire world!"
"They have taken every Intelligent Titan, and now they are most likely manufacturing massive quantities of weapons on the island to conquer the world once again!"
"One hundred years ago, Karl Fritz used the power of the Founding Titan to build the Triple Walls, walls composed of thousands upon thousands of Colossal Titans that served as both shield and spear, protecting peace!"
"However, in recent years, something unknown has happened on Paradis Island. King Fritz's ideals of peace have been stolen. They have exploited loopholes in the vow of non-aggression, using the Founding Titan's power to turn Titans into laborers in a relentless arms race!"
"Perhaps it is because the royal bloodline prevents them from using the Rumbling, leaving them with no choice but to develop through this method."
"But even if they cannot use the Rumbling, they still represent a tremendous threat!"
"Think about it carefully. They caused the Marley Incident, seized the War Hammer Titan, and used Iceburst Stones to manipulate the international situation. Was all of that done for peace?"
"Of course not! If we continue believing Paradis Island's false goodwill and continue to indulge them, the same thing will happen again, just as it did three years ago!"
"My beloved sister was murdered by the people of Paradis Island!" Willy cried, his heart filled with grief. "But they spared my life, even though I was there at that very moment. It wasn't out of kindness; they simply wanted me and the Allied Forces to stay out of their way!"
"I long for the extermination of the Eldians more than anyone. I hate this blood, but... I do not want to die."
"Because I was born into this world, and because I want everyone to be free, two months ago I spoke with Mr. Hanaka and cleared up the misunderstanding."
"The Marleyan military has joined forces with the Middle East Allied Forces, and we have formed a new coalition!"
"Gentlemen, with such a powerful enemy before us, we must unite. Let us act! If you do not wish to one day return to the dark history of being ruled by the Eldian Empire, then join us!"
"Let us face the future together, and together destroy the devils of the island!"
The atmosphere inside the venue reached its peak as enthusiastic applause echoed throughout the area, camera flashes clicked nonstop, and cheers drowned out Willy's speech.
"Tch." Levi clicked his tongue. "They really know how to promote themselves. I wonder who threw all those Titans onto the island, and who destroyed Wall Maria."
"It seems they believe we can no longer use the Rumbling," Hange whispered to Levi.
"What should we do? Go back and prove them wrong?" Levi, knowing things had turned out exactly as Gale had predicted long ago, said, "Let's see if they still believe us afterward."
"It's useless. Even if we use a small-scale Rumbling now, they'll think the vow of non-aggression still binds the Founding Titan, and it might only make them attack even more recklessly," Hange said. "Unless..."
"Unless what?"
"Unless... we use the Rumbling to kill them all."
"Wouldn't that be torture?"
"We never wanted to see that kind of forced situation, which is why we created that weapon. Only when those who instigate war witness the consequences of declaring war will they begin to value their own lives." Hange stood up from her seat and lowered the brim of her hat.
"That's enough. Let's go, Levi. We've gathered the intelligence. Let's return and prepare for battle."
"Yeah, let's head back." Levi nodded, casting a cold glance at Willy on the stage.
Willy and the commander of the Middle East Coalition stood together on the stage.
"I, Willy, and Mr. Hanaka, as representatives of the World Coalition, hereby formally declare war on the forces of Paradis Island!"
Willy stirred the audience's emotions, and countless people erupted into cheers.
In the VIP seats, representatives from various countries were equally eager to take action.
That was because Willy had mentioned something extremely important during his speech: Iceburst Stone.
Politicians are not swayed by superficial words.
They can see beyond appearances and recognize the most tangible interests.
The Middle East Coalition had just defeated Marley, and now it was declaring war on Paradis Island.
There could only be one reason: the special resource of Paradis Island, Iceburst Stone.
They had to possess sufficient evidence proving that Iceburst Stone originated from Paradis Island.
In this era of industrial revolution and rapid technological development, whoever controlled energy would have a voice in the next era.
The Middle East Coalition had gone to war with Paradis Island because of Iceburst Stone.
They wanted to seize this resource, superior to oil in efficiency, power, and cost.
Other countries also wanted to participate and claim their share. In fact, during the two months spent preparing the press conference, the World Coalition had already persuaded many nations.
Compared to the size of an entire continent, the wealth buried beneath Paradis Island was unimaginably tempting.
The power of the Founding Titan and its enormous labor force also attracted the attention of the highest-ranking officials.
Thus, this declaration of war was born.
Once Paradis Island stepped beyond its walls and opened itself to the world, this declaration of war had become inevitable.
From that day onward, countless newspapers and photographs were printed and distributed across the entire world.
The photographs of the "gift" that Marley had received from Paradis Island three years earlier were also made public.
A letter from Paradis Island to Marley was published in newspapers, and criticism of the island's underhanded behavior arose everywhere.
A coalition was quickly formed, and Paradis Island responded.
Paradis Island's airplanes flew across the world, dropping leaflets to make their position known.