Nick

"You... have every right to be angry. But... we did not stay silent out of malice! I do not cling to my own life as if it is something precious! I will prove that to you!"

- Minister Nick refuses to speak to Hange

Nick (ニック), often formally referred to as Minister Nick (ニック司祭), was a high standing, devoted member of the Church of the Walls, a religion that worships the Walls and considers them to be holy.

Appearance
Nick was a very tall man and older looking with noticeable wrinkles on his forehead and around his eyes, which had dark circles over them. His hair was high up on his head and was parted to the left, with the sides and back being much shorter. He wore a black cassock with three golden colored bands near the top that had the symbols of the Walls, or three goddesses or saints, on them.

Personality
Nick could be characterized by one word: extreme. Any attempt to interfere with the Walls was a sin and considered the worst kind of offense in his mind. He never hesitated to make his opinion known and was extremely quick to condemn anyone who disagreed with him. This was proven true at the trial of Eren Yeager, where he loudly called for his execution and publicly argued with a merchant who suggested sealing the Walls. Any viewpoint besides his was considered horribly wrong.

However, Nick's personality was altered substantially once he was shown the extent of the war. Since he lived within Wall Sheena, he never had to see the bloodshed, so the shock of seeing the destruction past the Wall mortified him. He never again condemned anyone or made public his opinions as he became very quiet. He converted into a bleak and depressing man; only willing to speak when it was absolutely necessary. He did still retain the secretive aspect of his personality, and refused to reveal any information about the Walls, even after seeing the horrors caused by the Titans. So great was his devotion, that even the threat of death could not sway him.

Nick did show signs of changing his viewpoint before he was murdered. While he did not reveal any secrets about the Walls, he did give the name of someone who could. His allegiance may have been changing since, as Levi Ackerman theorized, he would not reveal any information about the Survey Corps to his torturer.

History
Nick claimed that he lost his family as a result of his addiction to alcohol.

As a religious leader, Nick used his influence to oppose any modification of the Walls, be it permanently sealing the gates or even mounting Cannons on the top. Though he claimed it was blasphemy for humans to "maim" the Wall, the real reason was to reduce the risk of workers discovering the Titans within during renovations.

The Female Titan arc
Minister Nick first appears when he advocates for the execution of Eren Yeager upon the revelation of his ability to transform into a Titan. He also has an argument with a merchant who proposes modifying the Walls.

He later appears preaching in a church about the sanctity of the Walls, when Eren punches the Female Titan into the building, killing everyone but Nick. Dread fills him as he realizes a Titan is inside Wall Sheena, causing havoc across Stohess District. After Annie breaks a portion of Wall Sheena and exposes a Titan within, Nick pleads that it be covered up immediately to prevent sunlight from awakening it. Realizing that Nick knew the truth about the Titans within the Walls the entire time, Hange Zoë threatens him in an attempt to get him to reveal more, but he refuses. She responds by threatening to throw him off the Wall, but he claims to be a sinner and that it is his duty to not divulge secrets, welcoming death if he must. Hange then hesitates, but decides not the drop him off the edge and throws him back onto the Wall.

Clash of the Titans arc
Nick is later seen in a cart with Levi and Hange, traveling to Ehrmich District supposedly of his own free will, but Levi has a hidden gun pointed at him. Upon arriving he sees, with his own eyes, the suffering of the families forced to evacuate because of the suspected breach of Wall Rose. Although daunted with the reality of war and the suffering it is caused on the people, he still does not betray the secrets of his organization but tells Hange about a girl, hiding under an assumed name, who would be able to speak about some of the secrets. Eren and the others know who Nick is speaking about as Krista Lenz, and rush off with the scouts to find her.

Nick is later seen with Levi and a few Military Policemen within Trost District. The MPs start gloating about their desire to hunt Titans and harass Levi about it, asking him for their prey. Annoyed and not buying it, Levi tells him that if they really want to fight Titans they should combine their forces with the Survey Corps. The MPs all shy away from his offer, and the conversation is disrupted by the return of the advance party.

The Uprising arc
Following the traitors' failed attempt to kidnap Eren, and the refugees' return to Wall Rose, Nick is given a room in the same military barracks where Hange was recovering from her injuries. However, one morning he is discovered murdered, with several members of the Military Police Brigade's Capitol 1st Squad guarding the room. From a glimpse into his room, Hange realizes he had been tortured and then beaten to death. She immediately suspects the very officers carrying out the investigation of being the responsible party, and claims to be an old friend in order to inspect Djel Sannes' hands for evidence. Damage on his knuckles reveals his role in Nick's murder.

She relates this disturbing news to Levi and the surviving members of the 104th Training Corps, along with another disturbing conclusion. The evidence of prolonged torture prior to his death leads Hange and Levi to suspect a conspiracy within the interior, involving prominent members of the Military Police Brigade and other powerful figures. Levi states that Nick was likely tortured for information concerning the Survey Corps, but refused to betray them and was killed. Hange is deeply disturbed by his death, feeling responsible for overseeing his safety.

Later, Hange and Levi avenge his death by torturing Djel for information about the royal family. Before they ask him any questions or interrogate him, Hange and Levi are sure to put him through everything Nick appeared to have gone through, and then begin to question him.

Trivia

 * Nick shares a birthday with Mr. Blouse.

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