Chapter 33 - Picture (1/2)

(MC's POV)

”Everyone! Let's gather together. We are going to do something special.”

It's been a month ever since Historia has settled in with the family. It took quite a bit of effort to make her open up, even more than Annie. It's not like she was born that way. It's just that she didn't know how to be anything more than an empty shell. So, having her open up like a human being was a big achievement that we have accomplished.

Just a few days ago, she had also asked me to train her, like the one I did with Eren and Armin. And I accepted. It's not like I'm training her like Annie and Mikasa.

Unlike how I expected, the reason why she wanted to join wasn't just to protect the family, it was also the fact that she thinks she can have freedom with power. But the latter takes up bigger importance, which I'm perfectly fine with. Just a month ago, we were still strangers, so if she had such a quick change of heart, that would have been weird. Still, I need to educate her on the danger of having too much freedom and power.

Take me for example, I can be completely free, and yet, I'm limiting the amount of power I show to the real world. It will be damn easy if I just show everyone that I'm even stronger than a god, but that would be too... boring. It would be the same old script again. You show people your power, they revere you, then you feel elated, and the next thing you know, you are being feared for being the most powerful.

I can honestly say this with confidence. Kill 1 man, and you're a murderer. Kill 100, and you're respected. Kill 1000 and now you're a hero. But... the line between a hero and a monster isn't thick. It's more like they're two sides of the same coin. Different but interchangeable.

Historia is on the same pathway as these people, and that includes the old me. I can already imagine that she will show her overwhelming might as a warrior, and people will worship her. Then she becomes stronger than that, and people will start to call her a devil. Speaking honestly, I have never once witnessed that such a case has never happened once someone chose such a path. Plus, once you actually there, you would see that there's nothing at the top anyway. So I need to teach her how to have fun first before becoming strong. Or else her mentality will be too dangerous.

And here's the answer I came up with... I'm a goddamn genius. I'm positive this will definitely change her mind.

”C'MON! Gather together! We're gonna have a photo session.”

Of course, I didn't even know what a photo session means until a few days ago. It was just an accidental finding that I found when I went to the Marley country to find some cool stuff. There were a lot of amazing things, which I found incredible. A giant balloon filled with air that can fly, an airship. A boat that is powered by steam, a steam engine boat. And countless other inventions. It amazes me how versatile technology is and its infinite possibilities. Technology is amazing.

And anyway. Just like that. I get to know the camera.

Apparently you can capture a moment in time by using such a device. It's just simply imprinting light particles and store it on a special film. And so, I have learned a new trick that can mimic the camera. I can now just need to remember something and manipulate light particles to make that same image. I can also place it on somewhere and it will record those light particles for me. It's very useful. Like extremely useful. For 'good' purposes and for future references.

And thus, after everyone was gathered, I got them to pack into a group so I can take a picture.

I explained to them what the device was and they were amazed that I got the camera by just by digging a hole. Yup. That was definitely why they were amazed.

”So... you dug up a hole and found this?”

”Of course I did. You think I'm lying?”

Stupid Eren trying to doubt me. Of course, I'm not telling the truth but how are you gonna know? I'm a genius at deception after all.

”C'mon. Let's stop talking. Let's get into the position.”

Then after fiddling with the camera for a while, everything was ready. And everyone was excited to see what they look like on a picture.

”Put up your best smiles guys! Say Cheese.”

”What cheese? Why not milk?”

”Wtf Eren. Just do what I sa-”

Click* Click* Click* Click x10.

I only set the camera to only take one picture, why are there so many. This is impossible for the genius me. How can I be defeated by a mere camera? This is humiliating. Yes... it's not my fault. It's Eren.

”AHHHHH!! It's your fault Eren. C'mon guys, put up your best smiles. The films are gonna run out.”

But then everything went chaotic instead.

”What is this noise?”

ARMIN! YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO MOVE AWAY FROM YOUR SPOT!

”Chuckle* Ara ara... youth.”