Shadows Beyond the Wall

At night, at Ronan's home.

Unlike its once-deserted state, tonight felt unusually lively.

Eren's family of four, Harry and Martha, plus Ronan himself—seven people in total—sat together in a warm, harmonious atmosphere.

The Shiganshina District wasn't too large, nor was it too small. As a doctor renowned for his outstanding contributions during the epidemic outbreak within the Walls, Grisha's reputation was beyond question. Even the wealthy and nobility in the Interior would occasionally seek his expertise.

Coincidentally, Harry and Martha had both been patients during that epidemic. Naturally, they remembered Grisha, their lifesaver. After a few conversations and explanations, both families got along smoothly. The warmth of the gathering gave Ronan a feeling of home—something he hadn't experienced in a long time.

But good times always pass too quickly.

Because they lived far away, Uncle Harry and Aunt Martha had to leave early.

Before leaving, Aunt Martha, already aware of Ronan's future plans, tried offering some last-minute advice and persuasion.

But Ronan had already made up his mind.

Watching them disappear into the distance, Ronan whispered, "Sorry… I have reasons for doing this."

"Why not tell them face to face?"

Grisha's voice came from behind.

Turning around, Ronan saw him watching gently.

"Where are Eren and the others?" Ronan quickly changed the subject.

Grisha looked at Ronan thoughtfully, then turned his gaze toward the towering Wall beneath the night sky.

"Ronan, you seem very interested in the outside world. Aren't you afraid of Titans?"

"I'm afraid—"

He answered without hesitation. Before Grisha could respond, Ronan continued, "Because I'm afraid, I have to go. I can't let fear kill my curiosity. I don't want to live like livestock trapped inside these walls."

"Livestock…?" Grisha's eyes darkened with thought.

Seeing this, Ronan asked casually, "Uncle, I heard from Keith that you once went beyond the Wall. If you hadn't met him, you might not have come back."

At the mention, Grisha visibly tensed. His previously calm expression faltered, but he quickly recovered and spoke with composure.

"Yes, I used to wonder what lay beyond the Wall. I owe Keith my life. If not for him, I would've died out there."

A flicker of pain crossed his face, as if reliving some unbearable memory. With a note of lingering fear, he said, "Compared to Titans, human strength is far too small… Without these Walls, we'd have all been eaten long ago. I wonder… are there other humans beyond these Walls? And is there truly a sea at the end of the land?"

"Sea?" Ronan pressed gently.

It sounded casual, but his sharp gaze stayed fixed on Grisha, watching every flicker of expression.

Of course, Ronan had no malicious intent—he wasn't after the power of the Attack Titan. He wanted to live a long life, after all.

Grisha's expression didn't change, but his subtly flickering eyes betrayed his inner turmoil.

"Ocean…" Grisha murmured. "What a beautiful word. Did you find it in some old document?"

Ronan nodded.

"Yes, I came across it in a book. I just wonder if it's real. If it is, I want to see it with my own eyes."

"If the sea really exists… we'll see it someday," Grisha whispered.

"Yeah~" Ronan smiled softly.

In his heart, he confirmed his suspicions about Grisha. The man hadn't abandoned his mission. Despite having a family within the Walls, the weight of his nation's fate still pressed upon him.

Feeling the mood grow somber, Grisha smiled and said, "It's getting late. We should head back. Come visit your Aunt Carla often. She talks about you every day."

"I will~" Ronan replied with a smile.

Grisha gave Ronan a firm pat on the shoulder before turning back toward the house.

Soon after, Carla and the children came out with him.

After a short farewell, Ronan found himself alone once more.

"Power of the Founding Titan… Ymir… Attack Titan… Eren…"

As he pieced together the timeline and events of this world in his mind, Ronan sought the best point of entry into the story. But then he caught himself.

"Why am I thinking about all that now? First, I need to deal with the conscription meeting…"