The final result unfolded as expected. Grisha decided to adopt Mikasa and me. Eren also invited us to stay with them, and we naturally accepted.
Grisha planned to take us to the town first so we could stay there temporarily. The following day, he would return to handle the matters of the Ackerman household. According to his arrangements, we would remain in town for three more days before returning.
However, I had plans of my own.
I intended to deal with Skog personally.
At the same time, I was deeply interested in the Organization Hank had mentioned. Grisha was clearly a member of that group as well. On one hand, I wanted revenge. On the other, I wanted to extract information from Skog.
No matter what, we had to reach the town first.
As for the traitor Skog, Grisha certainly had his own plans for him. Still, I needed information, and Skog was the only person who could provide it. At the very least, I had to inform Grisha of my intentions.
I looked up at him and decided to ask directly.
"Doctor Jaeger, what do you plan to do about Skog?"
"Hmm?"
Grisha seemed slightly surprised by my question. He stayed silent for several seconds before replying in a vague tone.
"I will handle him."
I frowned. His answer was far too ambiguous.
If that was the case, then there was no reason to continue circling the topic.
Doctor Jaeger, can we speak alone?
Grisha paused briefly, then nodded.
"Alright. Eren, Mikasa, stay here. Jax and I need to discuss something."
A moment later, Grisha leaned against a large tree, his expression carrying a trace of helplessness.
"Go on then," he said. "What do you want to do?"
I met his eyes and spoke without hesitation.
"I want to kill Skog with my own hands. Tonight."
"My people will deal with him, Jax."
Grisha's expression darkened slightly.
"This is an internal matter."
"If I were Skog," I replied calmly, "this amount of time would already be enough for me to escape."
I continued,
"Besides, it doesn't seem like you've truly decided to move against him yet."
Grisha pressed a hand against his forehead.
"There are things you don't understand, Jax. This situation is complicated."
"Then let's change the question."
I watched him carefully, searching for the weak point in his resolve. If I wanted the truth, the best way was to make him say it himself.
"What exactly is the pendant Hank gave me?"
Grisha answered slowly.
"It represents pain, and responsibility."
"Jax, you actually don't need to..."
"What is the pendant?"
I interrupted him, my voice completely flat.
"Don't try to placate me like I'm a child."
Grisha inhaled deeply. The atmosphere around him suddenly shifted.
"It is a token of proof."
"By giving it to you, Hank was recommending you to the Organization. More importantly, this method makes you his deputy. However, considering the situation at the time, the Organization's rules state that you will now become my deputy."
Grisha stared at me intently.
Standing there alone, the pressure he released made it feel as if dozens of people surrounded me.
"This path is filled with death and destruction," he said slowly.
"Jax, it isn't too late to regret this."
"I won't regret it."
I quietly dispersed the pressure surrounding me.
Although I didn't know why Grisha possessed such a powerful presence, he clearly lacked systematic training in controlling it. To me, this level of pressure was trivial.
I gradually released my own presence and directed it toward him.
"I'm joining..."
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