Episode 10 – ‘A Sound Argument’

In Attack on Titan Season 4, Episode 10, Zeke introduces Eren and the Scout Regiment to Kiyomi Azumabito. She’s an ambassador from Hizuru, a small nation from part of the Orient (East Sea). They’re known for their engineering skills, creating advance weaponry and aircraft. When Kiyomi meets the Scouts, she asks Mikasa Ackermann if she recognizes a crest. She does and reveals a tattoo of the crest on her wrists. Mikasa says they passed the crest down from mother to daughter. Kiyomi calls it “admirable” and explains that “a century ago the shogun’s son came to Paradis since he was on friendly terms with Karl Fritz.” After the Great Titan War, Hizuru was defeated, and they left a child of the shogunate behind. The Ackermann family are descendants of that child.

Kiyomi discusses how Zeke made this arrangement possible. After giving her the ODM gear and promising that she can meet Mikasa, Zeke convinces Kiyomi to help Paradis. Kiyomi seems to be interested in Iceburst stone. We only find the stone on Paradis Island and it’s the primary source of ODM fuel. The arrangement between Kiyomi and Zeke is first “a test run of the rumbling to show the world a sample of its power”, second strengthen the military of Paradis, with Hizuru’s aid. Finally, the Founding Titan and a Titan of royal blood must be passed down. Zeke, facing the ending of his life, will pass on the Beast Titan. He will choose someone of “royal blood” and they must “bear as many children as possible.” Historia agrees to accept this plan, but Eren rejects it.

Historia’s Pregnant

This turns out to be the reason Eren didn’t trust the Scouts. After eating the War Hammer Titan, Eren claims that “there is no prison that can hold him.” Eren grabs Hange through the jail bars wants to hear “if they have anything up their sleeve.” Eren continues to distant himself from the goals of the Scouts and probably Paradis. If this continues, he will probably abandon them and go at it alone. He already tried it once, and it was a disaster (mostly). Elsewhere, Historia is pregnant. The father is someone that grew up in the same area as Historia. Roeg suspects her pregnancy was a deliberate way to avoid becoming a Titan. He thinks they should turn her into a Titan, regardless. Attack on Titan signals the Military is souring on their Queen. They seem to see her as a tool more than a person.

A year in the past, the potential alliance with Hizuru falls apart as they wished to monopolize the resources of Paradis Island. They won’t help them trade. It’s useful for the rest of the world to see Paradis as the land of evil. It brings them together. Mikasa believes that if they can meet the people outside, they might change their minds about them. Eren worries they will run out of time and they would need to determine who inherits his Titan. Mikasa volunteers, but Jean says that “it should not be her since they do not know what the Ackermanns are and it might ruin their relationship with Hizuru.” He then volunteers. Arguing that he’s smarter than Eren. Conny believes that he’s the best candidates because he’s not that valuable and can die in 13 years.

Alliances fall

In the present, Eren and the rest of the Scout’s come into conflict. Jean has always had issues with Eren, and it’s not surprising that he’s leading the conflict. However, I think he’s right. Conny accuses Eren of siding with Zeke. If true, Conny says that they “cut him down.” Mikasa warns them. She wouldn’t allow them to harm Eren, besides he only wants to protect them. Jean disagrees. He points out that “Eren used to try keeping her off the front lines, but he made Armin destroy a port and pulled Mikasa and the rest of them into the raid on Liberio.” Armin and Mikasa will talk to Eren. But will he tell them the truth? All the alliances are falling apart in Attack on Titan. I don’t think Eren can be trusted or the military. Paradis Island may not need to worry about outsides, if they destroy each other from within.