Chapter 36
Dhalis Zachary meets with Dot Pyxis, Erwin Smith, Hange Zoe, Levi Ackermann, Dina Yeager, and Katrina Yeager to discuss the syringe left behind by Kenny Ackermann.
Katrina says, "As you can see, this syringe is actually made from the spinal fluid of the royal blood titan, we've tried to make some, but they would vaporize when exposed to air. We are also making the anti-titan syringes that make the titans back to normal."
Dina says, "Even though we are still in the experient level, the titan syringe is still in process, and this one right here is the one Captain Levi gave us. We have to be careful with this one."
"In that case, instead of tampering with it, we should use it to achieve our current objective." Pyxis says.
"But who do we entrust it to? Erwin, to you?" Zachary asks.
"No, I'm no more than a wounded soldier." Erwin says. "This belongs to one of our elite soldiers who has the best odds of survival. Levi, would you keep it?"
"If it's an order, just say so." Levi replies. "Why even ask the question?"
"We can't predict in what situation we'll have to use this." Erwin says. "We'll be relying on you to make a decision on the fly. Judging when and who to use it on will be for you to choose. Can we leave that to you?"
"If this dream of yours comes true, what will you do then?" Levi asks.
"I... I don't know." Erwin says, "I won't until it happens."
"I see... All right." Levi says. "I'll do it." Then he takes the syringe.
Later on, Erwin also informs them that he is now having Dina Yeager as the new commander with her squad consisting of Eren, Aya, Katrina, Peter, and Odom. And Dina accepts the role of Commander Erwin.
"As you can see, Dina Yeager is a human who came from outside the walls like her husband Grisha." Erwin says.
"And both of them have the power of the Titans. Different from Reiner, Bertolt, and Annie, they were supportive of humanity within the walls." Hange says.
Then they talk about reaching the basement of their house in Shiganshina, and there might be all the truth they want.
"What do you think is down there in the basement?" Hange asks Dina.
"If I have to guess, it might be all of our documents of our Eldia Restorationists." Dina replies. "Or maybe things he couldn't say even if he wanted to."
"Pondering about it here won't accomplish much." Erwin says, "And not only the Titans, but we also have Aya, who has both Ackerman blood and Neumann blood. She is important because she has the powers to transfer Titan's powers without killing the previous holder, but that is when she also connects with the Founding Titan. And since the preparations are complete, the operation to retake Wall Maria starts in two days. She will be important when trying to take the powers of the Armored and Colossal."
Then Erwin says if they want to know what is in the basement, they will go see for themselves. It is what Scouts do. This places his officers in good spirits and they make preparation to spread their enthusiasm to the younger soldiers, even suggesting serving meat to their squads.
Dirk asks if they should do something about Keith Sadies keeping secrets from them, but Hange tells him to forget about him. As they leave, Marlene teases them, saying that Hange used to adore Keith. Once everyone is almost through the door, Levi shoves it closed, pushing Hange outside.
"What is it, Levi?" Erwin asks.
"It's a bit hasty, but...what will you do after retaking Wall Maria?" Levi asks. "I'd guess a defense plan comes first, but...After that?"
"Eliminating threats." Erwin says. "Outside the walls, Marley hopes to wipe out our race because of their ability to change into Titans. But how are we going to do this, we'll plan that after the basement."
"I'm asking this because you might not live that long." Levi says. "You can't exactly move like you used to. Let Hange call the shots. You'll just be dead weight. Let the good news come to you. We'll tell the others I argued till you gave in. No... That's actually what I intend. Fine with that?"
Erwin frowns and says, "I'm not. I'm fine being food. Use me as bait. The chain of command still remains. If I'm gone, then Hange. If Hange's gone, the next. It's true, this operation will be dangerous, but to humanity, it's more important than anything else. That's why I've gone to such lengths. This is all my plan. If I don't do it, the success rate will plummet."
"That's right. The operation might fail, but... If you bite the dust in the process, we're doomed." Levi says. "So just sit at your desk and keep using your head. That's the last thing the Titans would want. And for humanity, it's the best thing going for us."
"No, you're wrong." Erwin says. "Our best option is for me to gamble it all-"
"Hey, hey, hey, hey! Hold up...Keep using that bluff around me and I'll break both your damn legs." Levi says. "I'll make it nice and easy to attach them later. But the operation to retake Wall Maria will proceed with you weeping here. I'll be a bitch to get the toilet though."
Erwin reluctantly agrees that Levi's logic is sound, but he wants to be there when they learn the truth about their world, and that is more important to him than his legs or humanity's victory. Finally, Levi relents and decides to trust Erwin's judgment.
While they were chatting, Eren says, "To think you're becoming the captain, Mother. That's amazing."
"Considering that you're a Titan shifter and your skills are great, it is no wonder." Aya says.
"Though it is sad that we're not going to be in the same group anymore." Armin says.
"Yeah, how ironic, the five of us belonged to the Levi Squad right after we graduated, and now you are the ones in the Levi Squad while we go into a different squad..." Peter says.
The night before the operation to retake Wall Maria, Harold delivers a speech in the soldiers' mess hall to the Scout Regiment's rank and file. And they are having Meat for dinner.
"Tonight's the night before we retake Wall Maria!" Harold says as everyone starts to fight over the meat.
"Do the Scouts never get fed any meat?" Marlowe asks before getting punched by Sasha, who is already crazy for meat and not even Jean and Connie can stop her.
"Connie, would you knock Sasha out already?" Mikasa asks.
"I'm trying. She should be unconscious, but she's still moving!" Connie yells.
From another table, the officers watch the chaos and wonder if it was such a good idea to give everyone meat. Harold apologizes but says they now know what happens when they blow two months of the food budget in a single night.
Eren and Aya eventually tie Sasha up to a pole. Eren says, "That should do it."
"She finally ran out of energy." Aya adds.
"But can you believe this? And to think she once offered to share meet with everyone." Connie says.
"And it was ruined thanks to the Colossal Titan, or should I say Bertolt..." Eren sighs. "And that was four months ago."
"But think about it, in just four months, we're in Levi Squad, and you five get into the Dina Squad. We've climbed the ranks really fast."
"It's because you're a genius." Aya chuckles.
"Damn right you are. Let's eat before our food gets cold." Connie says.
Back in the mess hall, Jean explains to Marlo why he is being placed in the rear guard. If the Scouts threw their recruits into the vanguard they would be dead before they would receive a chance to learn. In the back, the recruits will have a chance to study what works and make it home in one piece.
"But the most useless of all is the suicidal maniac who only knows how to charge in." Jean turns to Eren. "Right?"
Eren sighs, "Jean... What do you mean by that?"
"Who else but you?" Jean asks.
"You see the funny thing is I recently discovered that I'm a pretty normal person. So hey if that's how you really see me when that just means you're a coward, Jean. Right?" Eren taunts.
Katrina says, "No fighting in the hall, you two. Are you going to do that since Mother is here?"
Eren sighs as he sits down and says, "You're right. And now that I know my soul is bound with Aya, I have to make sure that I'm not going to be the reason for her death."
"Eren..." Aya smiles.
That night, the 8 of them are walking on the road. Eren says, "I'm glad we met the commandant."
"Yeah, at least we know more about our parents..." Odom says.
"I always wonder why I can't be strong like Mikasa, Aya, and Levi... I was always jealous. But even you two and the captain... alone, you can't do much. Which is why we've all gotta find the things we can do. And by joining together, that's what makes us powerful. Every person is different, and it's all for times like this."
"Yeah..." Armin says. "I think you're right."
Then they notice a garrison walking past as he looks just like Hannes. The seven of them flinch as Dina asks, "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing..." Katrina says. "It's just..."
"Once we retake Wall Maria and defeat all the enemies coming for us, will they come back? Those days?" Mikasa says.
"Maybe we will, maybe we won't. But we'll try, but just so you know, some things are forever changed." Aya says. "And we'll make them pay for that."
"Yeah, but there's more than that." Armin says.
"The ocean, a salt lake so big that merchants could spend their whole lives and still not get all the salt." Peter says.
"You've never seen the sea before?" Dina asks, noticing their frown, she says, "I'm sorry to ask."
"It's fine, Mother." Eren says.
"There's more than just Titans outside the walls. Fiery water, lands of ice, sandy snowfields...I joined the Scouts so I could see all that." Armin says.
"Yeah, you sure did." Odom says. "And don't worry, we'll get to it sooner or later."
Eren says, "Armin, Mikasa. Do you remember that I used to think our goal is to kill our enemies, right? I think we have another goal in mind."
Aya says, "Eren... you're right. We're going to do what our parents couldn't finish. We're going to restore Eldia."
"Eldia is hated because of the bloodshed towards other nations, but now with Historia as the queen, we are not going to fight unless necessary." Katrina says.
"Everyone..." Dina smiles at them.
Armin says, "I'm going to help you out as well."
"Same for me." Mikasa says.
"Of course... right now, our first goal is to get all 12 Titans so that we can do something with it." Eren says. "And tomorrow, we'll try taking the Armored, Colossal, and probably the Beast."
While they are talking, Levi is hiding behind the wall as he is listening to them.
The next day, just before sunset, the Scout Regiment prepares to leave Trost. Led by Flegel Reeves, the town's citizens shout their thanks and good wishes to see them off. Hange is disappointed everyone found out but is not surprised given the ruckus they made the night before. Harold confesses that they bought all the meat from the Reeves Company. Though their officers are embarrassed, Jean, Conny, and Sasha express no such restraint and cheer back at the crowd.
Erwin smiles, realizing that this is the first time the Scouts have ever had a send-off like this. He roars at the crowd and basks in their enthusiasm when they return his cheer. Turning, he then draws his blade and announces the commencement of the operation to retake Wall Maria. The Scouts depart down the other side of Wall Rose and begin their ride for Shiganshina District where Reiner Braun and Bertholdt Hoover await.
And here is a new chapter, in the next chapter we'll begin the retake of Wall Maria.