Attack on Titan Episode 72: Children of the Forest

Zeke Jaeger explains to Levi Ackermann how he used his spinal fluid to transform the villagers of Ragako into Titans four years prior. He states it was a necessary act to prevent Marley from discovering his allegiance to Eldia. Levi remains distrustful, noting Zeke's apparent lack of guilt. Zeke then asks about the start date for the Rumbling test, and Levi replies it is up to headquarters. A soldier interrupts with news of Zachary's death, revealing that the Jaegerists have taken control of the Walls. The military suspects this is part of a plan orchestrated by Zeke, Yelena, and Eren. Levi reflects on his past efforts to save Eren and the comrades he lost, questioning his belief that Eren was humanity's hope.

Meanwhile, the children of the Braus family marvel at a restaurant. Gabi Braun and Falco Grice appear nervous, which Artur Braus notices. Nicolo welcomes the family and leads them to their table. Kaya points out Nicolo to Gabi and Falco, explaining he is the Marleyan who invited them and wanted to treat Artur to the food his daughter loved, suggesting Nicolo was in love with her.

As Nicolo prepares food, Greiz informs him that the Scout Regiment wants to see him. Nicolo goes to tell them he is busy, but Hange Zoë says they can talk after he finishes. Onyankopon explains the Scouts are investigating the Anti-Marleyan Volunteers' detainment and hope Nicolo can help. He shows them to a waiting room. Conny Springer speculates the room is usually reserved for the Military Police. Jean Kirschtein picks up a bottle, wondering if it is the wine soldiers have mentioned. He discusses sharing it with Conny when Nicolo rushes over and snatches the bottle. Jean tries to calm him, but Nicolo states it would be wasted on Eldians. Jean is disappointed by the remark, but Nicolo does not apologize and leaves with the bottle.

Seeing Nicolo return, Gabi prompts Falco to fake a stomachache. Falco leaves for the restroom, and Gabi follows, offering to help. They follow Nicolo into the cellar and reveal they are Warrior candidates from Marley, having ended up on Paradis after boarding an airship during the raid on Liberio. Horrified, Nicolo asks if they killed a female soldier. Falco recognizes the question's significance, but Gabi excitedly confirms she did. Realizing Gabi killed Sasha, Nicolo grabs the wine bottle and attacks her. Falco pushes Gabi out of the way, and the bottle shatters on his head. Gabi tries to rouse an unresponsive Falco. Nicolo punches Gabi and carries both of them back to the dining room where the Braus family is. He throws Gabi to the floor and tells Artur that she killed Sasha. Nicolo offers Artur a knife, stating that if Artur won't kill Gabi, he will.

Armin Arlelt enters, and uncertain of the situation, calls for the other Scouts. When they arrive, Jean recognizes Gabi and asks Nicolo what is happening. Nicolo tells him to stay away, declaring he is avenging Sasha. He holds the knife to Falco's throat, using him as a hostage. Gabi pleads with Nicolo to stop. He turns on her, asking what Falco means to her and explaining his own feelings for Sasha, stating Gabi took her from him. Gabi shouts that Sasha killed people she cared about first, but Nicolo dismisses who started it.

Artur quietly interrupts and asks for Nicolo's knife. Nicolo gives it to him. Artur explains Sasha grew up a hunter, and he knew that life would end, so he sent her out into the world where she became a soldier, shot people, and was shot herself. He states that though she left the forest, the world is a bigger forest where everyone fights for their lives. He hands the knife to his wife, Lisa Braus, who places it on the table. Artur tells Nicolo he believes Sasha died because she wandered in the forest too long, and that adults must keep children out of the forest and shoulder the sins of the past. Seeing Artur's words affect Nicolo, Lisa asks him to put Falco down. She and Artur tend to Falco while Jean and Conny restrain Nicolo. Artur also asks Gabi if she is okay, which shocks her.

Kaya sprints around the table, grabs the knife, and aims it at Gabi. Mikasa Ackermann stops her. Kaya screams, calling Gabi a murderer and expressing her belief that Gabi was a friend, as Artur and Lisa pull her away. Mikasa and Armin take Gabi out of the room.

With the immediate danger passed, Nicolo tells Hange to rinse Falco's mouth, as some wine got in it, and he suspects it contains Zeke's spinal fluid. When Jean presses him for information, Nicolo admits he has no proof, but the first Marleyan scout fleet carried an excessive amount of that wine. As a Marleyan soldier, he is familiar with the power of Zeke's spinal fluid. When he got his job at the restaurant, Yelena instructed him to serve that wine to high-ranking officers. He believes Yelena is the only volunteer involved. Jean concludes Nicolo grabbed the wine earlier to protect the Scouts, but Nicolo is uncertain, his feelings mixed. He questions his own capacity for forgiveness compared to Artur and wonders why he contemplated killing a child.

In another room, Gabi asks Mikasa why she protected her after she killed their comrade and attacked a guard. Mikasa says she has no reason. Gabi asks them to kill her instead of Falco, but Armin says they do not plan to. Gabi insists they want to, but Armin quietly refutes her, noting that killing is all Gabi thinks about, comparing her to someone he knows. Eren then walks up to the table, showing his bleeding hand.

In another part of the restaurant, Hange and Jean are cleaning wine off Falco when they hear Onyankopon cry out. They return to the dining room to find Floch Forster holding a gun to Onyankopon. Several Jaegerists point rifles at the Scouts. Floch states he will have Hange take them to Zeke. Hange says they have no intention of fighting, but Floch replies they will not negotiate with the military. He claims Eren knows Dot Pyxis will not give them control of the island and is likely plotting to take the Founding Titan from Eren. Jean wonders how the Jaegerists knew they were there, and Nicolo sees Greiz among them. Greiz says Nicolo is too obsessed with Eldians, which is why he never told him how to reach the Jaegerists.

Hange tries to get Floch to stand down by explaining that Zeke's spinal fluid is being spread through the military as part of a plan. Floch dismisses this, saying it will just make the MPs bigger idiots. Hange realizes Floch is in on the plan, as she had not mentioned MPs drinking it. Floch knocks on the closed door to Eren's room, stating he and the others are going ahead. Eren sits at the table with Armin, Mikasa, and Gabi, and says he wants to talk.