Nile Dawk (ナイル・ドーク Nairu Dōku?) is the commander (師団長 Shidanchō?) of the Military Police Regiment.
Appearance
Nile is an average built man with short, thin black hair that is cut closely on the sides and back. His eyes are dark in color and he sports a thin mustache and goatee. Nile is always seen wearing the standard Military Police uniform; although he wears a red bolo tie similar to that of his fellow military commanders.[2]
Personality
Nile prides himself on being a very rational individual. Whenever he is faced with a tough choice, he weighs all possible options and chooses the one that makes the most sense to him. He wanted to have Eren Jaeger executed, but was not blind to his usefulness like Pastor Nick was. He determined that the potential civil war within the Walls was too great a cost, especially considering that the Scout Regiment could not guarantee anything about Eren. However, he relented his position when Levi proposed that the Military Police would be ill-equipped to deal with Eren in his Titan form.[3] Nile is never totally committed to one way, and will change his opinion as the situation develops. A similar instance is when he questioned Erwin Smith due to him violating laws and command structure, but allowed his plan to go on since the Female Titan was already released and it would be very difficult to stop it without Erwin leading the Scout Regiment.[3]
Story
Eve of the Counterattack arc
Nile and Waltz salute Premier Zachary
Nile is seen at the place of the incoming trial of Eren Jaeger. He remarks on how the commoners are a rash lot for thinking of Eren as a savior and says that he will not let the Scout Regiment have Eren, and states that he will be disposed of by the Military Police. Nile and the rest of the soldiers then salute the head of all three Military branches, Premier Dhalis Zachary, who arrives at the location of the trial.
Nile appears as the leader of the Military Police during the trial, he advocates killing Eren due to the impending civil war, but he does analyze and weigh the different pros and cons of Eren before making his final decision. He recognizes that Eren's Titan powers had saved Trost District, but threaten the balance of power within human society. While mainly business and Wall Rose residents support Eren, most people of importance such as the clergy, view Eren as a danger.
Nile Dawk proposes to have Eren killed
Thus, Nile concludes that to avoid civil war, Eren must not be allowed to live. Eren responds by calling him and his group a bunch of cowards, and Nile wants to have him killed; however, Levi interferes by beating Eren in front of everyone. Dhalis Zachary ultimately places Eren in the Scout Regiment, and Nile is displeased that he lost the trial; however, he asks Erwin Smith how the Scout Regiment intends to perform a mission to Wall Maria.[2]
Assault on Stohess arc
After a battle breaks out in Stohess District, Nile questions Erwin's actions, saying that they are a clear act of treason against the Royal Government and, at gunpoint, orders him to remove his gear.[3] Erwin admits that he acted on his own authority and this angers Nile, he grabs him by the collar telling him that he had to have known what this plan of his would have caused in the city.
Nile holds Erwin at gunpoint
Nile calls him a traitor and believes that none of the higher-ups will complain if he executes him now. Erwin then says that Nile will be in charge, telling him to not let the Female Titan escape. Nile interrupts him and asks if he really thinks this is for humanity's sake. When Erwin says he believes it will serve as a step forward, Nile orders his soldiers to lower their guns and cuff him. Going by his suspicions, he orders to deploy all troops and focus on evacuating the citizens, choosing to let a court of law decide how to execute Erwin.[4]
The Uprising arc
When the royal government declares a freeze on Scout Regiment activity, Nile personally oversees the confiscation all of the Scouts' possessions.[5] After Nile's soldiers have taken everything, Erwin asks to speak with him personally. Nile makes it clear that he is not interested, and becomes alarmed when Erwin begins musing about whether or not the government can be trusted, and demands to know what Erwin is planning to do.[6]
Nile informs Erwin about his audience with the King
When Erwin is arrested for the murder supposedly caused by the Scout Regiment, Nile visits him in his cell, letting him know that his audience with the King has been scheduled. Ignoring the news, Erwin chooses instead to ask Nile how his family is doing and where they are currently living. Taken off guard, Nile says they should be fine, though he has not been home in a while. They live in the eastern section of Wall Rose. Satisfied, Erwin tells Nile that he is leaving something up to Commander Pyxis, and if the time comes, he will be watching for Nile's decision.[7]
The next day, Nile joins other military officials in the King's throne room for Erwin's audience. The meeting ends in Erwin being sentenced to death, causing Nile to wonder if everything is truly going as Erwin planned.[1]
Nile refuses to close the gates
Before Erwin can be led away, Anka Rheinberger bursts in, announcing the fall of Wall Rose and that refugees are fleeing towards Wall Sina. In his shock, Nile remembers his conversation with Erwin and realizes that Erwin knew this would happen. As Pyxis tries to mobilize his forces to aid in the evacuation, the government officials order that the gates to Wall Sina be shut to all refugees. Though Nile tries to reason with the officials, as there is no guarantee that admitting refugees would cause a civil war, he is angrily rebuffed merely on the possibly that a war could happen. When he does not take action immediately, he is warned that disobeying would be treason. Nonetheless, Nile declares that he will not allow the gates to be closed.[1]
At that moment, Premier Dhalis Zachary appears with a group of soldiers, revealing that Anka's announcement was a fabrication and Wall Rose has not been breached. The military arrests the officials in a coup d'état, finding them too selfish to rule humanity, and as they are led away, Nile concedes to Erwin that he has won his gamble. However, he is perplexed when Erwin is not happy with the result. Erwin warns Nile that humanity has been forced onto an even more dangerous path.[1]
Nile briefs the press
Following the coup d'état, Nile explains to the press that military's true goal is not to impose military rule on the Walls but to restore the true royal family as the leaders of humanity.[1]
In preparation for Historia Reiss's crowning as queen, Nile oversees the construction of a stage where she can be crowned in front of the public. During the coronation proper, Nile is among the military leaders who bow to Historia as she is crowned by Zachary.[8]
On the evening of the mission to retake Wall Maria, Nile stands among the other Military leaders, saluting the Scout Regiment farewell before their expedition to Shiganshina District.[9]
Return to Shiganshina arc
As Armin Arlelt explains his plan for victory against the Colossal Titan to Eren, Nile sits with the other military leaders drinking tea and worrying if the operation to retake Wall Maria and humanity's land will be successful.[10]
Nile regrets teasing Erwin
While they wait for the Scouts to return, Nile discusses with the military leaders a claim that Erwin had made once, that it was impossible for them to truly be sure that humanity beyond the walls was wiped as they had no way of leaving the Walls to be sure. Nile notes that at the time he had laughed at Erwin's seemingly ridiculous notion and made fun of him, but has since begun to believe differently. Zachary tells Nile that his only option is to apologize to Erwin once he returns. Shortly afterward, Anka notifies them that the Scouts have returned to Wall Rose.[11]
Nile attends the meeting to debrief the survivors of the mission to reclaim Wall Maria.[12]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Attack on Titan anime: Episode 42
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Attack on Titan anime: Episode 14
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Attack on Titan anime: Episode 24
- ↑ Attack on Titan anime: Episode 25
- ↑ Attack on Titan anime: Episode 38
- ↑ Attack on Titan anime: Episode 39
- ↑ Attack on Titan anime: Episode 41
- ↑ Attack on Titan anime: Episode 47
- ↑ Attack on Titan anime: Episode 49
- ↑ Attack on Titan anime: Episode 54
- ↑ Attack on Titan anime: Episode 56
- ↑ Attack on Titan anime: Episode 58