Attack on Titan Episode 40: Old Story

Historia remembers telling Squad Levi about her childhood. She grew up on a farm, doing chores while her mother ignored her, spending her days reading. As Historia learned to read, she realized her situation was unusual. One day, she tried to hug her mother, who violently pushed her away, lamenting that she couldn't kill Historia. Despite this, Historia was happy to receive any attention. That was the last time she saw her mother for a long time, as her mother went to live elsewhere.

Five years ago, after the fall of Wall Maria, Historia met her father, Rod Reiss, the lord of their land. Rod said she would live with him, but before they could leave, men in black suits, including Kenny Ackermann, approached them. Kenny grabbed Historia's mother. When Historia called out, her mother denied Historia was her child, saying she had nothing to do with her. Kenny asked Rod for confirmation, and Rod reluctantly agreed. Historia watched Kenny kill her mother, whose last words were wishing she had never given birth to Historia. Kenny was about to kill Historia too, but Rod intervened and had her sent away to live quietly under the name Christa Lenz.

In the present, Rod hugs Historia and apologizes, claiming he had no choice to protect her. He tells her she is special, has royal blood, and that the Reiss family is the true royal family. He states that she is the only one who can save humanity and takes her to a specific location.

Meanwhile, Djel Sannes is reunited with Ralph in a prison cell. Sannes attacks Ralph, believing he betrayed him, but Hange Zoë reveals it was a ruse and Ralph was only reading a script under threat. Sannes breaks down, realizing his betrayal of the King was his fault alone. He warns Hange that someone else will step into his role, and humanity will never be free from their kind of work. He wishes them luck.

After leaving the prison, Hange expresses frustration with Sannes by lashing out at furniture. When Levi Ackermann enters, Hange blames a cockroach. Levi brings Hange to the rest of the squad, where they discuss Eren Jaeger likely being eaten. Based on a conversation Eren wrote down, Hange speculates that Ymir was once a Titan until she ate a comrade of Bertholdt Hoover and Reiner Braun. A Titan that eats a human with the power of the Titans will revert to human form and inherit that power. Hange concludes that if the government has its own Titan, Eren will be eaten, and his Titan power will be transferred.

That same night, Dot Pyxis meets with Erwin Smith. Pyxis apologizes for the visit and confirms he read Erwin's letter. Pyxis asks if Erwin is serious, and Erwin confirms that to retake Wall Maria, they must overthrow the government. He states his plan will not require military forces to act if his guess is correct. While they wait for news, Erwin tells Pyxis a story about his father.

Shortly after, Hange and Moblit Berner arrive with news of Historia's lineage. Erwin informs Pyxis about the true royal family and that Squad Levi is attempting to rescue Historia. Once rescued, they plan to install her as Queen and force the current King to relinquish the crown. Pyxis agrees to support the plan.

After Pyxis leaves, Erwin gives Hange the results of his investigation into the Reiss family. A soldier informs Erwin that the First Interior Squad is causing a disturbance in the city, claiming Erwin organized a murder. Erwin orders Hange to leave while he acts as the public face of their organization. He informs Hange that they will be the next commander of the Scout Regiment and places the Scouts under Hange's command.

At dawn, Erwin arrives to find Dimo Reeves' grieving family around his body. One of the MPs addresses Erwin, explaining a story that Reeves kidnapped Eren so the Scouts wouldn't have to turn him over to the government, and then the Scouts killed Reeves to silence him. The MP charges Erwin and the Scouts with violating clause six of the Humanity Charter, which prioritizes personal gain over humanity's safety. For this, all Scouts are to be apprehended. Hange and Moblit escape, but the other Scouts at headquarters are arrested.

As he is taken away, Erwin reflects on the story he told Pyxis. Erwin's father, a teacher, privately explained to young Erwin that government history books contained contradictions and mysteries. Erwin shared this with other children, and eventually, the Military Police came asking about his father. His father died in an accident that same day, and Erwin realized the government had him killed.

Erwin's father theorized that the King altered humanity's memories when they entered the Walls to make them easier to rule. This would justify killing his father for getting close to the truth. However, Erwin has come to realize that the government is not interested in protecting humanity as much as their land and wealth, and they will kill anyone who threatens their authority. He concludes there was no justification for his father's death beyond human greed.

In Stohess District, the Military Police distribute flyers for the arrest of the Scout Regiment. Jean Kirschtein takes one before he, Armin Arlelt, and Mikasa Ackermann leave the city for their camp in the woods. Armin tells Levi that if the rumors are true, the Scouts will be disbanded, and he heard the Military Police are searching for them and covering all roads. Levi states the wagon with Eren and Historia will take a day to reach Reiss territory, so they must use that time to plan. Before they can discuss further, Sasha Braus announces she hears footsteps.