Chapter 142: Rumors, and Marley's Attack
[Non-Human Chat Group]
SpongeBob SquarePants: Wow! Everyone, I still don't get it!
SpongeBob SquarePants: In the little detective's world, when everyone saw Kyubey's power, they acted like they'd seen the scariest monster and ran far away!
SpongeBob SquarePants: But—but in this Titan world, why does everyone want that power so much?
SpongeBob SquarePants: Even though they know the price is so high, that they might turn into… waaaah… why do so many people still want it?
SpongeBob SquarePants: It's just like—just like Mr. Krabs pouncing on free money!
Squidward: Hmph. Why else? Don't ask such obvious questions, it's giving me a headache. What a waste of my valuable time. Can I have some quiet?
Monokuma: Upupupu! That's the sweet fragrance of despair, little SpongeBob! Think about it, when someone falls into a bottomless pit, even if the rope you toss them is made of spikes, they'll still scream and grab for it!
Monokuma: Watching them swing wildly on the see-saw of hope and despair, until finally—BANG!—they explode into the most beautiful firework of despair! That is the ultimate entertainment! Upupupupu!
Tom Cat: [Tom_Cat_waves_his_paw_dismissively.jpg] [Tom_Cat_hugs_a_piece_of_cheese_bigger_than_he_is,_darting_his_eyes_around_and_taking_a_huge_bite,_his_face_saying_This_has_nothing_to_do_with_me.gif]
[System Notice: New member "Black Zetsu" has joined the group!]
SpongeBob SquarePants: A new friend? A warm welcome, Mr. Black Zetsu? I'm SpongeBob!
Squidward: Oh, what a "surprise." The entry standards for this place have really hit rock bottom.
Squidward: New guy, I hope you can at least communicate in complete sentences, unlike some who just giggle "pupu" or only post childish pictures.
Squidward: Of course, even that would be better than a certain sponge who does nothing but make noise.
Monokuma: Upupupu! A new face on stage! Oh my, a blob of darkness, you look like you've got a story to tell!
Monokuma: Are you the type with the potential to stir up even greater chaos and spread even thicker despair?
Monokuma: This headmaster is super, super excited to see your "entrance exam"! Don't, just don't let me down!
Tom Cat: [Tom_Cat_dangles_a_clean-picked_fish_skeleton_from_his_mouth.jpg]
Black Zetsu: (On the screen, his pure black avatar remained perfectly still… for now.)
…
In the operations briefing room, the oppressive atmosphere from the night before still lingered. Kyubey had not responded to Armin's call. The flicker of hope had guttered and died. Disappointment was plain on everyone's faces, quickly replaced by the weight of their grim reality.
Commander Erwin tapped his knuckles on the maps spread across the table—the fragmented intelligence Floch had bought with his life. "Since we cannot count on outside variables, we must rely only on ourselves."
"Hange, integrate Floch's intel. Prioritize analyzing the scale of the 'Magical Girl' forces the enemy is likely to deploy, the conventional weapons gap, and the threat level of those 'magic-infused warships' and 'aircraft'."
"Levi, Armin, reinforce the island's defenses. All troops are to be redeployed. The highest priority is responding to a three-dimensional assault."
…
Paradis Island, within the Walls.
Whispers had begun to circulate in the streets and alleys. At first, people were just panicking about the impending threat of Marley. But soon, dissonant voices began to target Eren Jaeger.
"Isn't he supposed to be our hope? Why would he hide such important information for his own personal feelings?"
"I heard he's keeping a tight leash on his important comrades, not letting them leave Paradis."
"His comrades are comrades, but isn't everyone else's? As the savior of Paradis, his life should be dedicated to this island, not held back by pointless emotions."
"Has he… changed?"
These words, like rats and ants in the gutter, began to multiply in the darkness. The same fanatical populace that had once deified Eren, screaming "Tatakae," were now privately condemning the very person they had put their faith in. They would not allow their "symbol of hope" to show a moment's hesitation, nor would they allow their "savior" to be burdened by human feelings. Eren's power belonged to Paradis, and his will must also belong to Paradis.
These rumors, though whispered, eventually reached the ears of the Survey Corps.
…
In the mess hall.
Jean was aggressively stabbing at a potato on his tray, his brow furrowed. "Hey, Connie, did you hear? Those guys outside…"
Connie listlessly picked at his food and nodded. "Yeah… they're all talking trash about Eren. Saying he… because of us… isn't giving it his all." His voice was dry. Is it true? Are we dragging Eren down? If he wasn't so worried about protecting us, could he be more decisive? The thought was a thorn in both their hearts.
"Ohm nom nom… Meat! So good!" Sasha, her cheeks puffed out, a piece of roasted meat still in her hand, mumbled, "What're you talking about? Eren's just Eren." She blinked, then tore off another piece, chewing happily, seemingly oblivious to the oppressive atmosphere.
"Hey! Sasha! Don't you dare eat that all yourself!" Jean shouted.
"Yeah! Leave some for us!" Connie lunged.
The mess hall instantly erupted into chaos as the three of them fought over the food, the heavy mood momentarily forgotten.
…
On the other side.
Mikasa Ackerman, tray in hand, silently listened to the rumors about Eren from a nearby table. Her eyes instantly turned cold and fierce, a dangerous aura emanating from her.
"Mikasa." Armin appeared at her side, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "Calm down, Mikasa. Now is not the time to be impulsive."
Mikasa took a deep breath, the coldness in her eyes slowly receding. "But Eren… he…"
"I know," Armin said. "And that's exactly why we have to keep a clear head. We can't be influenced by these words, and we can't do anything that would make Eren worry."
Mikasa was silent for a moment, then nodded.
This oppressive calm lasted for several days. The military and civilians of Paradis Island were in a frenzied state of preparation for war. On the high walls, cannons were loaded and angled. Soldiers checked their ODM gear over and over, sharpening the newly developed Thunder Spears. The lights in Hange's lab burned all night as she tried to analyze the limited intel and find a key to victory.
Eren remained silent, merely inspecting the defense lines every day, his eyes looking more vacant than ever.
…
A piercing, agonizing alarm suddenly tore the sky of Paradis apart.
"—ENEMY ATTACK!!!"
The lookout's cry was filled with terror and despair.
On the sea horizon, a dense mass of black dots was rapidly expanding. In the lead were several monstrous steel warships, far larger than anything Paradis had ever built. Above the fleet, dozens of dark aircraft, like a flock of bloodthirsty vultures, circled and closed in.
Even more terrifying were the figures zipping through the air, glowing with lights of every color—Marley's Magical Girl corps. Their numbers were far greater than anything Floch had been able to scout.
Pieck Finger, in her dark grey Magical Girl dress, coldly surveyed the Paradis defense line. Beside her, a small but explosive figure was particularly eye-catching. It was Gabi Braun, wearing her own Magical Girl combat uniform, the one that symbolized an "Honorary Marleyan Warrior."
"Devils of Paradis!" Gabi's voice, magically amplified, boomed across the water. "Today is the day you atone for your sins against the world! This is your doomsday!"