Attack on Titan Episode 43: Sin

Eren Jaeger struggles to free himself in an underground chapel as Historia Reiss approaches. She tries to reassure him, stating her father is an ally to humanity and that they were wrong about him. Historia explains her father had no choice regarding the orders about the Scouts and Pastor Nick's killing.

Rod Reiss arrives, offering to explain further. Eren, remembering his kidnapping, wonders how much time has passed. He notices unusual glowing crystals forming the cavern walls and feels the place seems familiar. Rod acknowledges this, explaining that while it's Eren's first time, it's not strange for him to recognize it.

Rod and Historia place their hands on Eren's bare back, causing him to experience memories. He sees Rod and his family in the cavern, a Titan, a burning chapel, a Scout, his father's key, and himself as a child transforming into a Titan and eating his father. Rod then asks Eren if he remembers his father's sin.

Years ago, a girl with long black hair visited Historia at the farm, helping her learn to read. The girl encouraged Historia to be more ladylike, like a character named Christa in one of her books, who was kind and always thought of others. The girl suggested Historia become someone helpful and loved by everyone because the world was in pain. Historia asked if she could be like her, and the girl apologized, saying she had to leave and wipe Historia's memory until they could meet again.

In the present, Historia reels as lost memories return, realizing she wasn't alone in her childhood. Rod concludes this was Historia's elder half-sister, Frieda, who must have erased Historia's memories to protect her, and touching Eren returned them. When Historia asks where Frieda is, Rod informs her that Frieda is no longer alive. Five years ago, Grisha Jaeger killed Rod's wife and five of his children, including Frieda. Grisha, possessing the Power of the Titans, came to the Underground Chapel to steal the power of the Reiss family that resided in Frieda. Frieda, though possessing a superior Titan, was inexperienced and was eaten by Grisha, who stole her power. Grisha then killed the remaining Reiss family members, with only Rod escaping alive.

Historia asks her father why Grisha would do such a thing, but Kenny Ackermann interrupts them. Kenny informs them of a coup d'état, stating all military regiments have switched sides, the assembly has been captured, and the public knows the King is a fake. He suggests Rod finish quickly as the Scouts will arrive soon. Rod understands and sends Kenny and his Anti-Personnel Control Squad to guard the entrance. Kenny obeys, leaving with a derisive snort.

In Capital Mitras, Dhalis Zachary finishes torturing Aurille, a noble suspended upside-down and nearly naked. Zachary informs him he will digest everything from the bottom up via a tube and plans to parade him publicly weekly to humiliate him. Aurille, undeterred, tells Zachary his blood is "slave blood" and different from nobles, so he will lose his memory soon.

Elsewhere, as Erwin Smith prepares the formerly imprisoned Scouts to depart, Dot Pyxis informs him that all officials are saying the same thing as Aurille. The Reiss family must be able to alter memories, as Erwin's father suspected. Only certain bloodlines are immune, meaning if Rod gets Eren's "Scream," the coup will be for nothing. Pyxis also tells Erwin he doesn't gamble and values human lives over his own, backing Erwin's plan as the better choice for humanity. He would have fought Zachary if the government had been the superior choice. Realizing his words are bleak after a successful coup, he asks about a song where humans stop fighting.

A Scout alerts Erwin they are ready. Before leaving, Erwin tells Pyxis that humans will fight until humanity is one or less, causing Pyxis to laugh. Erwin then leads the Scouts towards the chapel in Reiss territory to rescue Eren and Historia.

As the main Scout force departs, Squad Levi continues their journey to the chapel. Levi Ackermann warns his squad that Kenny will be their biggest obstacle, advising them to regard him as Levi's equal or deadlier due to his gear. The squad expresses concerns about beating him, but Armin Arlelt thinks it's possible as training and combat experience are different.

Hange Zoë and Levi discuss Kenny's name, and Levi asks Mikasa Ackermann if Kenny is a relative. Mikasa says her parents told her the Ackermanns were once persecuted in the cities but never explained why. Her father didn't seem to be a different race like her mother. Levi asks if she ever experienced a moment when she felt a power awaken. Mikasa recalls when Eren was grabbed by kidnappers; she picked up a knife to save them both, and something changed in her. Mikasa tells Levi she has, and he explains Kenny also had such a moment, feeling an absurd amount of strength and knowing what to do. Levi himself has also had those moments.

In the cavern beneath the public chapel, Kenny remembers a conversation with his bedridden grandfather. His grandfather asked if he was killing Military Police again, which Kenny admitted. He mentioned a family branch moved near Shiganshina District but was still poor due to interference. Kenny asked why this happened if they were once warriors who protected the King. His grandfather said they were feared, not hated, by the King. The King's power could alter memories of all humanity except a few bloodlines, including the Ackermanns and the Oriental clan, who turned their backs on the King. Kenny concluded this was the reason for the persecution. He also informed his grandfather he found his sister, Kuchel Ackermann, in a brothel, pregnant by a customer, and planning to keep the child.

Above ground in the publicly known chapel rebuilt by Rod Reiss, Hange, Levi, and his squad search the interior. They find a trapdoor under a rug leading into the crystal cavern below, where the Anti-Personnel Control Squad waits. Traute Carven informs her soldiers they should expect at least seven enemies, including Levi, and this time they won't have the advantage of an ambush. She states they cannot count on the other Interior Police or the government. Traute reminds them why they joined Kenny and sought meaning in their lives, asking them to continue trusting Kenny and his dream.