Armin knew that Eren had done everything for the future he had seen, but why did he have to beat himself up so badly? He had been beaten so terribly.
Hearing this, Eren felt very sorry. At that time, he just wanted to push everyone away as much as possible. He was also thinking about what he should do while letting things develop naturally. He was truly sorry.
Armin believed these words should be said to Mikasa, as he had hurt her with such nonsensical words.
Yes, Eren also felt extremely guilty for saying such hurtful things. The two sat quietly by the familiar riverbank.
As Armin asked, was all this to make those who were pushed away become heroes who would overthrow Eren and save humanity from extinction?
Therefore, Eren simply said in a low voice, "Yes, that way, everyone will become benefactors to the surviving humans."
As the demon of the island, yet betraying Paradis Island and upholding humanity, everyone should become the most respected beings in this world, just like the Bar family after the Titan war.
And this way, the world would not be able to take revenge so quickly. The Rumbling would kill about eighty percent of humanity, so the remaining humans would not be able to start another war.
Hearing this, Armin could not help but be shocked. The next moment, self-reproach and guilt surged into his heart. To protect everyone, he had gone to such lengths.
Eren immediately got up and prepared to leave.
Armin questioned where Eren was going, and Eren replied, "To the place we always wanted to go."
Let's talk as we walk, and tell the story of Ymir, the Founding Titan.
Hearing this, Armin immediately followed Eren into the distance. There, they saw the "Water of Flames" they had read about in books, flowing just like a river.
Both of them were captivated by the magnificent sight before them.
For 2000 years, Ymir, the Founding Titan, still obeyed King Fritz, which is why the power of the Titans has always existed.
King Fritz not only burned Ymir's homeland but also cruelly killed her parents and tore out her tongue.
Yet, even after Ymir gained power equal to that of a god, she still chose to obey King Fritz.
Armin couldn't understand what had driven this unfortunate girl to become this way.
Eren, hearing this, responded with certainty, "When I came into contact with her in the passageway, I realized the problem. Although it seemed unbelievable, Ymir, the Founding Titan, truly loved King Fritz, and this is what had bound Ymir for 2000 years."
The two then arrived at the "Land of Ice" depicted in the book, where the beautiful aurora deeply imprinted itself on their minds.
Although Eren could not understand Ymir's true feelings deep down, her fervent pursuit of freedom was undeniable.
For 2000 years, she had longed for someone to free her from the pain of love, and that person had finally appeared: Mikasa.
Armin did not understand why it had to be Mikasa. Eren did not know why Ymir had taken a liking to Mikasa, nor did he know what choice Mikasa would make.
However, Eren was certain that all of this was the result of Mikasa's choices, and he had been constantly moving towards that outcome.
Armin knew that ever since Eren had touched the Queen's hand at the awarding ceremony and seen the so-called future, he had been alone.
This journey must have been very difficult.
Eren could no longer suppress his emotions. Whether it was slaughtering eighty percent of humanity, making the people of Paradis Island kill each other, or involving his important comrades in this battle, his mind had become completely chaotic. Influenced by the power of the Founding Titan, the past and the future coexisted simultaneously, so he truly had no other choice.
On that day, at that time, Bertholdt could not have died there, so he let him go and then directed Dina towards Carla, his mother.
Armin was so shocked upon hearing this that he could not imagine. Armin immediately clasped Eren's hand tightly. At this moment, only he could truly understand and comfort Eren. Armin invited Eren to continue walking towards the distant sea.
"Yes, let's keep moving forward."
Armin asked Eren what he thought about Mikasa. Did he think Mikasa would forget him and live happily with someone else?
To this, Eren feigned calmness and replied that he didn't know and it had nothing to do with him.
However, hearing this, Armin became instantly angry and punched Eren.
"What? You don't know?" Armin refused to let Eren continue to be evasive and treat Mikasa's love so casually. Mikasa had always watched Eren with her life at stake.
"What did you say? If I forget you, will that solve the problem?"
Looking at the disappointing Eren before him, Armin said angrily, "At least let Mikasa forget such a heartbreaking thing and make her a little happier."
The next second, Armin seemed to think of something and immediately provoked Eren, saying flippantly, "I think Mikasa might find someone good surprisingly quickly." Eren, who had been listening, instantly broke down. "I don't want that!"
Mikasa finding another man... I hope she thinks of me her whole life. After my death, I hope she remains single for at least ten years.
Seeing Eren's pathetic state, Armin didn't know what to say for a moment. He only heard Eren plead with Armin not to tell Mikasa what he had just said. "I want her to be happy, but everyone is selfish. I feel so pathetic like this. I really want to live with everyone, to grow old with Mikasa."
Upon learning of Eren's true feelings, Armin was also overwhelmed. Armin believed there must be other ways to end all this, so he urged Eren not to give up.
But Eren knew deeply that there was no other path to take. Everyone, like him, did not want to die. His actions would never be forgiven.
Looking at the devastation caused by the Rumbling, if Eren had not believed he would be stopped by Armin and the others, he would have flattened the entire world.
Armin still did not understand why Eren had done this. However, Eren himself did not know why. He just wanted to do it, no matter what. The image of his father, Grisha, flashed in Eren's mind. On the day of his birth, he was free.
Armin didn't say much. He quietly picked up a conch shell remaining by the sea. At this moment, Eren reminded him, "Time is almost up. Armin's memories here will all be erased. The next time we meet, we will have to fight each other. But when everything is over, you will definitely remember me, Armin."
Armin thanked Eren for becoming an executioner for everyone's sake. He vowed that he would not let Eren's sacrifice be in vain.
The two embraced tightly amidst the shattered footprints. Eren did not know what would happen after his death, but if it were for everyone, they would surely be able to march towards the other side of the walls.
"You are the hero who saved humanity, Armin."
Eren looked at the conch shell in his hand. He believed that everyone would be able to reach the far reaches that he could not. His thoughts then drifted back to the day before, on the cruise ship. Annie had invited Armin to sit next to her. So it was that memory that had been erased.
Falco's wings gradually dissipated in the air, and the two Colossal Titans turned into skeletons as the steam subsided.
Armin gradually awoke from the dust. At this moment, he finally remembered the memory that Eren had erased.
Just then, Mikasa's figure slowly approached Armin. Mikasa stood in the devastated battlefield, quietly holding Eren's head. Eren could finally depart in peace.
Armin tightly embraced Eren and wept uncontrollably. Mikasa also remembered that memory, the memory of Eren bidding farewell to everyone.
Armin, with tears in his eyes, said, "All of this is the result of Mikasa's choice. You, Mikasa, your choice made the power of the Titans disappear from this world."
At the same time, everyone else also remembered that memory, scolding Eren with tears, calling him a stubborn idiot, an imbecile.
Reiner was momentarily at a loss for words, thanking Eren. "Eren, you bastard, you never make things easy, even in the end."
Connie learned from Eren that his mother would also turn back into a human. The disappearance of the Titan's power meant that the inheritors of the Titans had all become ordinary people with normal lifespans. Eren had given everyone a longer life.