Chapter 159: Meeting Number One
Eren pushed open the heavy door, its ancient hinges moving silently despite their obvious age. The chamber beyond was unlike any he had encountered in the fortress. Where the other rooms had been decorated with tapestries and ornate carvings, this space was austere, almost minimalist in its design. Soft light emanated from crystals embedded in the walls, casting everything in a gentle, ethereal glow.
The room was spacious but sparsely furnished. A simple wooden table sat in the center, surrounded by a few chairs. Bookshelves lined one wall, filled with volumes that looked both ancient and well-maintained. The air itself felt different here – cleaner, charged with an energy that made his skin tingle.
And there, standing near the far window with her back to him, was Number One.
Even from behind, her presence was commanding. She was tall, easily matching his own height, with a figure that spoke of both grace and strength. Her posture was perfectly straight, shoulders back, emanating a quiet confidence that filled the room. Long dark hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall of shadow, contrasting sharply with her pale clothing.
She wore simple garments – a fitted white tunic that reached mid-thigh and form-fitting leggings that disappeared into soft leather boots. Despite the simplicity of her attire, there was an elegance to how she carried herself that made even the plainest clothing seem regal.
"So," she said without turning around, her voice calm and measured, carrying the weight of absolute certainty, "we finally meet."
The words seemed to resonate in the chamber, not with volume but with presence. Her voice was neither warm nor cold, but perfectly neutral – like still water reflecting the sky.
Slowly, she turned to face him, and Eren found himself looking into eyes that seemed to hold depths he couldn’t fathom. Her face was striking in its symmetry, with high cheekbones and features that suggested both nobility and intelligence. But it was her eyes that held his attention – dark, penetrating, and utterly calm.
"I am Yuki," she continued, moving away from the window with fluid grace. Each step was deliberate, controlled, as if she had choreographed every movement long ago. "Though I suspect you’ve already deduced that much. Kiada speaks very highly of your intelligence, among other attributes."