Reiner ultimately did not expose Annie, who had broken free from her crystal, to the military. Reiner felt that since Annie wanted to leave, he had no reason to refuse, and he wouldn't have to watch over her in the basement anymore.
Annie, for her part, expressed her relief with a lighthearted demeanor, stating she was finally free from Almin's tiresome complaints.
Upon hearing this, Reiner was shocked, having not realized Annie had been conscious for the past four years.
Annie, however, calmly explained that for those four years, her consciousness had been like a hazy dream. She could vaguely hear Reiner and Almin talking from a distance. When she couldn't hear them, she was in darkness. Through their conversations, she had a general understanding of the situation outside.
Later, upon hearing Eren's voice, she was suddenly released. Annie couldn't help but question if Eren truly intended to destroy the world.
Reiner then rode with Annie towards the outside. Countless colossal Titans were advancing towards them.
Reiner questioned Annie, asking her thoughts as she looked at the bodies trampled by the Titans.
Annie, however, simply replied, "I never thought about those things."
In the past, killing was a commendable act. To fulfill the mission of the Eldians to atone and save the world, all actions were justified.
Yet, in reality, none of that was important to her. She simply wished to return to her father's side. Annie continued to recount her past.
It turned out that Annie was abandoned by her parents shortly after birth because her blood was tested, revealing her mother's affair partner was Eldian.
Despite this, a man in the internment zone adopted such a person.
This man, who came from abroad to Marley and possessed Eldian blood, had apparently been placed in the internment camp for reasons similar to Annie's.
The man's objective was to train Annie into a Marleyan warrior, thereby improving his own life.
Since Annie could understand, he had been teaching her and "Dou Shu" (Fighting Uncle). To him, Annie's value lay solely in her potential as a warrior. As time passed, Annie had indeed become as strong as he had hoped.
Later, Annie repaid all the pain and beat him until he could no longer walk properly.
However, the man lying on the ground was quite happy about this, believing that Annie could now kill even without a weapon.
Frankly, Annie didn't care how many people in any country lived or died. She believed that lives, including her own, held no value.
This thought persisted until the time she was sent to the island for the Founding Titan retrieval plan.
That morning, the man knelt before Annie and apologized. Crying, he begged Annie to return, even if it meant forsaking her position as a warrior, her honor, and her title as a Marleyan. He only wished for her safe return.
It was then that Annie realized this man had always considered her his daughter.
Annie admitted she knew she had committed unforgivable crimes. However, if it meant returning to her father, she would have done the same thing.
Reiner was pleased that Annie was confiding in him. However, even if Annie returned home now, she might only find ruins and corpses.
Meanwhile, Instructor Shadis was having his wounds treated under the care of the training soldiers.
The training soldiers informed Shadis that this command center had been completely occupied by the Yeagerist faction. Shadis knew very well that the populace supported the Yeagerists, who would seize control of the island. As an artifact of the old era, he would naturally be eliminated.
Upon hearing this, the training soldiers immediately pledged to protect the instructor. However, Instructor Shadis berated them, urging them to obey Yeager and not to resist.
For now, everyone could only remain within the system to preserve themselves. However, the day to stand up would surely come. Until then, they must not lose themselves.
Concurrently, Armin and Sanji, at Mr. Braus's request, met with Gabi. Gabi stated that she only wanted Falco back, and then she would disappear.
Armin replied that Connie was preparing to have his mother eat Falco.
These were the Titans created by Zeke's experiments four years ago. Upon hearing this, Gabi knelt before Armin and pleaded for help, as she couldn't give up Falco.
Gabi said emotionally, "Eren, didn't he control the Founding Titan? Why not have him turn Connie's mother back into a human? He could even undo the Titanization of the Armored Titan. Wouldn't this small matter be incredibly easy for him?"
Armin was momentarily stunned. Right, Eren. He had said all Titanization on the island would be undone. This meant Annie, whom he had longed for, was also out of her crystal.
With a surge of maternal instinct, Armin ultimately decided to help Gabi find Falco. Without Armin's command, Sanji was at a loss. Armin told Sanji he should do some thinking for himself.
However, Sanji still asked Armin, "What about Eren?"
This question seemed to ignite Armin's temper. Armin yelled at Sanji, "How would I know? I'm not a god! I'm powerless!"
Furthermore, Hange and Levi might already be dead. Floch and his men might turn their guns on them. Annie might have already revived. The military command system was in chaos. Historia might also be in danger. He had no mind to think about Eren.
Seeing Armin's agitated state, Sanji realized he had indeed been insensitive. Armin also felt that it would have been better if Commander Erwin had been revived.
After speaking, Armin turned to leave. Just then, Sanji noticed that his scarf, which he had placed on the table, was missing.
Where could that precious scarf have gone?