Midnight Train (Chapter)

"In the past 3 years, all the 32 destroyers sent to that island... vanished."

- Magath discussing the current situation on Paradis with Zeke.

Midnight Train is the 3rd chapter of the 23rd volume and the 93rd chapter overall of the Attack on Titan manga, written and illustrated by Hajime Isayama.

Summary
Following Marley's defeat of the Mid-East Allied Forces at Fort Slava, Zeke and Magath attend a meeting with their superior officers, who are furious to know that information of the Armored Titan's defeat is spreading to other countries. When asked for his opinion on the matter, Magath is forced to admit that the use of Titans as soldiers may no longer be a viable tactic in battle, citing the fact that much of Marley's recent conflicts with the Mid-East have involved naval warfare, where Titans cannot actively contribute. Furthermore, other countries' advancements in aerial technologies opens up the possibility of Marley being attacked from the air, in which case Titans will be completely useless as a fighting force. As the general in charge of the meeting muses at Marley's fall from power, Zeke offers to make a suggestion.

Zeke argues that, in light of Marley's predicament, the plan to regain the Founding Titan should be resumed. Although his superiors are unwilling, Zeke argues that the best way to keep hostile countries at bay while Marley rearms its military is to retake Paradis and announce to the world that they have gained the power of the Founding Titan at their disposal. The general notes that Zeke only has a year left before he must pass on the Beast Titan, and asks if Zeke intends to spend that time making up for his previous defeat on Paradis, which Zeke confirms. Impressed, the general agrees to talk to his fellow officers about Zeke's suggestion.

After the meeting, Colt marvels at Zeke's ability to speak to Marleyans as equals, and Zeke's unique abilities as the Beast Titan, noting that his ability to create and control Titans never existed in any previous holders. Zeke assures Colt that he might one day find out once he receives the Titan, and his memories, before being interrupted by Magath, who congratulates Zeke for his conduct during the meeting. Magath reminds Zeke that, in the years since he has returned to Paradis, all of the naval ships Marley has sent to the island have disappeared, and asks him for his opinion on the matter. Zeke hypothesizes that all of the ships sent to Paradis were destroyed by Eren Yeager's Attack Titan, and at least one other person with the power of the Titans. Magath agrees, and suggests using warships when attacking the island, but Zeke reveals two other advantage the Paradis forces have: devices that allow them to fly and handheld explosives designed for the sole purpose of killing Titans, and two members of the Ackerman family.

Awaking from a nightmare of the battle in Shiganshina, Reiner is greeted by his fellow Warrior Galliard. Recalling Galliard's role during the Fort Slava battle, Reiner attempts to thank him for rescuing him, but Galliard callously tells him that he was simply trying to keep Marley from losing the Armored Titan. Galliard proceeds to muse that, had he been given the Armored Titan instead of Reiner, his brother Marcel would not have died on Paradis saving him. Reiner, surprised, asks if Galliard has inherited Marcel's memories, but Galliard reveals that he has only inherited Ymir's memories. Galliard notes that in all of Ymir's memories involving Reiner, Reiner seemed to be imitating Marcel's personality by acting like someone who his friends in the 104th could count on.

Their conversation is interrupted by Pieck, who chides Galliard for being harsh to Reiner after the latter was heavily injured in battle. Reiner is concerned to see Pieck is walking with a crutch, but Pieck explains that she simply forgot how to walk on two legs after spending months in her Cartman form. Pieck suggests that Reiner go visit the Warrior Cadets to let them know he is fine, to which Reiner agrees.

In Fort Slava's harbor, Udo and Zofia talk with each other while Falco tries to assure Gabi that Reiner will be fine. As they talk, the cadets notice a group of visibly distraught Mid-East soldiers being escorted onto a boat. Udo hypothesizes that they are the soldiers who survived Zeke's Titan air-strike on the fort. Noting that their eye-witness accounts of the battle with only further sully the world's opinions of Eldians, Udo grows angry and begins kicking nearby objects until Reiner arrives to stop him. As all of the cadets, save Falco, rush to greet Reiner, Gabi excitedly tells him that they will soon be returning to Liberio, and asks him to explore Fort Slava with her. As the cadets begin to argue with each other, Reiner becomes unnerved by how similar they are to his friends when they were cadets.

That night, Colt and the surviving Eldian soldiers praise Gabi for her hand in destroying the the armored train during the Fort Slava battle while on a train back to Marley. As Reiner and Falco watch the festivities unfold, Reiner notes that Gabi will likely inherit the Armored Titan from him. Falco, dejected, notes that this will mean Gabi will only live to be twenty-seven, assuming she isn't killed in battle before then. Reiner, angered at Falco's attitude, threatens to report Falco for speaking making light of the honor that comes with inheriting one of the Nine Titans. Falco, terrified, quickly reaffirms his commitment to Marley, and his desire to inherit the Armored Titan, to Reiner. Reiner, satisfied, asks Falco to work hard to inherit his Titan, so that Gabi will not have to.

Trivia

 * The Marleyan general who makes his debut in this chapter bears strong resemblance to the real-life Danish actor.