The woman who lived by the hill

(61) Issues

Shinganshina
858

Connie was being forced into committing an unthinkable act against a person he appreciated, but always knew he would one day have to fight. He battered his mind for days, struggling to find a way out of this predicament although he was aware that no other option was available to him. He would have to kill her.

***

While Paradis was crushing Marley's forces, the citizens of the attacking country themselves weren't aware of the battle. Shinganshina and a few other border cities did witness soldiers galloping towards the port, but none thought too much of it, assuming that they were to be posted there in case of attack.

Mere hours after the funeral of Levi Ackerman, the Queen of Paradis made a public statement in front of the royal palace, informing her people that they would be going to war with Marley once more. Taking this information into account, the conclusion of the defence was sensible was perfectly believable. Marley was then thought to be the one who'd attack first, not the other way around.

During her announcement, Historia also mentioned the outbreak of the Blue Death in Shinganshina: "Scientists are at that location at the very moment, reporting daily. They've determined the source of the sickness to be the wells. Bacteria have infected these underground sources of water, so we advise all of Shinganshina's residents to boil any water before consumption. As a measure of precaution, we strongly encourage surrounding towns to do the same until we can safely guarantee that the water is clean and does not carry any infectious Cholera bacteria."

The Queen concluded her speech and made a discreet exit while her security dealt with the reporters, each carrying a long list of questions about her recent announcement on the war and cholera outbreak. She could not afford to waste her time with the public at the moment. At the very least, Paradis would be informed once those reporters printed that information onto some paper and distributed it all over the island.

A guard of hers ran to her side as she re-entered the royal palace and he lowered his head to tell her, "There's an issue, your Majesty."

"What is it?"

"Well, actually there are two issues."

"Tell me both quickly," said Historia. "I'm expected at a meeting with some of my subordinates."

"We've got some communication from Marley. A few men sailed to our shore waving the white flag. They came from General Barklov to tell you that the detainment of hostages is technically allowed, but that if the prisoner is a citizen uninvolved in the fighting, he will consider it as a war crime."

Historia stomped her foot on the ground and wheeled on the guard. The head of Marley was falsely accusing her?

She shouted, "We don't have any Marleyan hostages!"

"He claims otherwise," said the guard grimly. "Apparently, the hostage's name is Gabi Braun. She attended Levi Ackerman's funeral but it seems like she never got back on the ship. They noticed her absence only when they arrived at their own port... Your majesty, they're saying we betrayed the truce and kidnapped a Marleyan citizen—not to mention that she's not yet an adult."

"Fuck," muttered Historia under her breath.

She remembered the girl from Levi's funeral and knew her to be Sasha's murderer. Did some rebels snatch her before she had the chance to leave Paradis?

"The other issue. What's the other issue?"

Undoubtedly, the next thing he would tell her would only complicate things further. Historia would have to hear it and add it to the list of things affecting the good of the island.

"General Barklov wanted you to know that he considers Connie Springer a Marleyan citizen despite being born in Paradis. He says that the Allied Nations' plan and purpose is falling apart and that he is claiming the ANRs as part of his people. He will not stand for what you've done to him."

"Connie?" said Historia, her face quickly loosing its colour. Her nails dug into her palms as she asked, "Have our troops... killed him?"

"To be honest with you, my Queen, I don't know. But if they haven't killed him, then they've messed him up real bad."