Finally finished translating this chapter! Sorry for any error.
That evening Levi sat at the same table with the rest of Erwin squad in the mess hall. Erwin himself was not among them, he was sitting at the Large table in the back wall of the hall facing everyone, alongside Commander Keith and other squad leaders. The whispering voices of the soldiers disappeared completely when Keith rose from his seat to address the room. He started their evening with a tedious official speech about the reason for their celebration then sat down and everyone began their dinner in a more relaxed atmosphere. However, that was only the formal part of their celebration, shortly after that Commander Keith rose once again and with a strict voice, but a little bit less than usual, ordered them to clean the place after they are done. As soon as he left, the voices got louder again, and soldiers began to travel between tables in an atmosphere of dancing, singing and games.
Levi was sitting in relative silence most of the time watching Erwin and the others. Eld was trying to involve him in some of their conversations every now and then, joking that Mike's nose must be busy tonight with all these smells to which Mike commented that it smells so much better tonight than every day.
In the middle of those noises and as Erwin finally arrived to join his squad, they heard a loud cheerful voice approaching
"Levi! You stayed here. That's great! I'm really surprised. I thought you were gonna spend the night polishing your blades or washing your uniform." Hange laughed trying to tease him. Moblit was accompanying her holding a large tankard in his hand.
"I'm not gonna wait all this time to start cleaning, shitty glasses but you can use that time to do that instead of tripping over people and boring them with your titan bullshit" he retorted.
Erwin observed that despite their bickering, Levi seemed more comfortable dealing with Hange, her spontaneous nature might help, and that she seemed to be more familiar with Levi's personal details than him due to his busy work.
As soon as Levi spoke the word "titans" she turned to Erwin with great excitement,
"Erwin! Were you able to suggest my idea of trying to capture a living titan to the leaders?"
"No, I'm sorry, Hange. I didn't get a chance to do that" He was trying to be nice to her, the truth was he wasn't intending to do that. They barely listened to him, and he couldn't take the risk of such an unnecessary step. No matter how good Hange's intentions were, they couldn't afford her reckless ideas.
"Levi help me catch a titan. I asked Mike many times but he refused to help me" She cast a blaming look toward Mike who only wrinkled his nose in annoyance.
"Are you out of your fucking mind, four-eyes? They aren't pets" Levi's response was sharp and he sounded a little annoyed.
"We need to study them more. We barely know anything about them!"
"All you need to know is how to kill them"
"I disagree!"
"Hange-san!" Moblit interrupted her worried but he was completely ignored.
"Where are you even going to put it?"
"In the lab.." She hesitated a little. "It doesn't have to be of the large type".
Her eyes shined once again and she turned to Moblit.
"But Levi is right, Moblit. We have to prepare a place to hold the titan and keep it safe for experiments before capturing one"
"I don't think the others want to hear these details tonight, Hange-san" He whispered gently, forever her loyal assistant. They went away and Hange was still muttering a flood of ideas to him.
"Fucking crazy, is that what she understood?" Levi mumbled angrily to himself and was more confused than he looked.
"You have to give her a chance. Hange-san is really a smart womanand one of our most passionate soldiers" Erwin said after hearing him.
"Her titans madness will kill her and she can endanger others"
"Let's hope that won't happen, I always tell her to be more careful"
He was trying to keep dark thoughts out of his mind even if it was only for tonight.
"You can't always get people to understand by words sometimes you got to kick some sense into them. If you can't do it, I can".
Erwin secretly smiled at the serious expression on Levi's already cold face as he said that.
"Erwin Finally! Here you are! I thought that I have to ask for permission to see you now"
The speaker was a tall, brown-headed man with tired blue eyes, and it was clear from the way he was speaking that he had been drinking.
"James! You were sitting with me at the same table. Have you drunk enough that fast to forget that? You should be careful you are a squad leader and should set a good example" Erwin greeted him amiably despite his words.
"No, I haven't but can you forget your lectures and ideals for a second? You were sitting far from me and were busy talking with Shadis all the time. You don't have time for old friends now, eh?" He said sarcastically and turned to greet Mike.
"Ideals? I never talked about that"
"Oh please!"
"I'm sorry I've been busy recently" There was genuine regret in his words.
"Easy on him, James. He's working hard so we could make some progress" Mike interrupted.
"Of course. I know that. No one is questioning the nobility of Erwin's deeds" he took a pull from a bottle on their table. Erwin's usually stoic face looked a little bothered for a moment. You wouldn't notice it if you weren't looking for it. Maybe it was the sarcastic tone that bothered him or that he didn't think he deserved to be called "noble".
"Sit down and go easy on the drinks!" Mike tried to grab the bottle from Jame's hand but he wasn't fast enough. As soon as he tried to take it, the unsteady squad leader dodged him with surprising speed and grace then sat down with a contrasting thump next to Erwin.
"Damn it!"
"It's good to see that your reflexes are still working the same" Erwin laughed.
"Only work on useless times" he chuckled humorlessly.
Levi was sitting all this time next to Erwin sipping his tea and observing the three veterans talking and bickering. It was obvious that they knew each other for a long time, probably since their training days. He didn't miss the sarcasm notes and the sad wrinkles on the new arrival as well. He might have some trouble communicating with people but reading them was easy for him most of the time.
"Let me be Mike! We don't always get to have some good stuff here. Though I'm sure this is nothing compared to what the Military Police get" Mike nodded in agreement.
"Don't you think, Erwin?"
"Probably" Erwin's response wasn't definite. He knew where this conversation was going and he would rather avoid it if he could.
"No doubts. Those pigs won't miss a chance to get their filthy hands over anything they want".
Levi found himself talking automatically in response to Erwin's hesitation. He has his own grudge against the MPs, they have been always enemies to him since he was under Kenny's care. In addition to that most of them are lazy, corrupt and greedy. They were no different from the gang leaders of the underground.
His statement wasn't expected as he wasn't part of their conversation until then. Anyway, they were all sitting at the same table and talking loudly and it was Erwin who invited him to join as he said earlier so he wouldn't let himself feel awkward about what he said and returned his tea.
James laughed heartily at his comment.
"This your new friend, Erwin? The infamous underground thug, isn't it?"
"Got a problem with that?" Hostility was clear in Levi's voice. The circumstances of how he joined the Survey Corps were confidential as Erwin had told him. However, That didn't stop the rumours. There were many, some of them were true and others were not but no matter what he wouldn't deny from where he came and he was ready to put a mark on the face of anyone who belittles him for that.
"James..." Erwin said firmly but James was already raising his hands up apologetically.
"After seeing what you did to those Titans, No. Not at all" A sly satisfied grin was on his face.
"Sorry. I didn't introduce you to each other properly, we got caught up in the talk. This, as you seem to know, is Levi. One of our best soldiers".
"And this is James Hal. An old friend of mine and Mike since we were cadets". Erwin was trying to avoid any conflict but Levi had already calmed down after James's words.
"Nice to meet you in person, Levi. By the way, I share your opinion on the Military Police. Make sure to accompany Erwin next time he has a meeting with them. Sure he wouldn't miss such a meeting during the celebration week. Make your opinion clear to Nile too" He started talking to Levi like they were acquaintances.
"Nile?" Levi raised an eyebrow "If you agree, why don't you tell him yourself?"
"Oh, I do! Every time I see him"
Levi was confused but didn't ask further whatever that friend of Erwin was talking about he wasn't interested.
"Never mind him" Erwin told him. "Nile is an old friend".
"Our bastard friend, a squad leader in the Military Police" added James.
"It isn't Nile's fault that the government treat the Survey Corps like this and it isn't a crime to join the Military Police we all had that choice"
"I know" he took another sip and stared blankly at the bottle.
"I think it good to have someone like Nile in the Military Police"
"You really suck the joy out of everything, Erwin"
He smiled without any joy "Don't count on it very much though. I don't think you will get the support you expect from him. Nile may be a good man but he wouldn't argue with higher orders"
"It's enough to know that there is a good officer there. I honestly don't want anything else".
"I have already told you I'm not as noble as you are, my friend. Pass my regards to him and his family"
"I will" Erwin patted his back.
"You know I think he did the right thing to protect his family"
"Yes" Erwin nodded quickly. He wanted to end this conversation and wished that he could make his friend think of something else.
"I mean had my dear Kate suggested that we shouldn't join the Survey Corps, I would have not". His voice was more emotional than he intended, it must be the alcohol.
"Stop that James. You know that Kate was one of the most enthusiastic recruits to join the Survey Corps" Mike told him.
"Yeah, we were both foolish kids. We wanted to see the world and discover its secrets. I should have realized how foolish was this dream. I should have convinced her.. protected her. I should have.."
The rest of the words died in his throat. He wiped his face with one hand and seemed like he was fighting great pain.
"Mike is right and you know that. Kate wouldn't have backed out. You never could have changed her mind so stop blaming yourself".
"Oh, but the sorrow is killing me! It didn't even cross my mind back then! I never tried to. We swore to protect each other or die together. I broke my promise to her. I failed to protect her. Damn it! I couldn't even die with her. You don't know how it feels Erwin you never loved someone like that before don't talk to me like you understand it"
A flash of hurt passed through Erwin's eyes and disappeared as fast as it had appeared.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to belittle your suffering. Maybe I can't fully understand what you are going through" he paused for a heartbeat "but I knew Kate wouldn't want you to blame yourself".
"Yes. Her...She had a big heart" He mumbled with a muffled voice burying his head between his arms on the table. His body was shaking with silent sobs.
"I don't know a thing about you but that girl you are talking about, Kate, died because she believed in what we are doing. All you can do now is make sure it wasn't in vain instead of wailing over something you can't change"
Levi spoke receiving surprised looks from Erwin, Mike and James himself.
It wasn't the first time he heard such words but there was something in the way that Levi said them or maybe the fact that he was offering consolation without knowing him or ever meeting his late wife made him stare silently with tired red eyes at the cold expressions and ambiguous eyes of Levi, he said nothing.
After some time Erwin thought that his friend had fallen asleep but he raised his head off the table again looking indeed sleepy and said, "I don't think I will be here the next celebration".
"James.."
"Don't worry I won't kill myself. My Kate wouldn't love such a coward...It's just a feeling"
This didn't prevent the concerned looks from both Mike and Erwin.
"You've had too many drinks as always" Mike cut off but he kept going on as if he didn't hear him.
"Erwin Keep her dream and my dream alive. You are the only one who can do that".
He turned to Levi "I like you, new soldier. Keep slaying those titans and help Erwin. I will do my best to help as long as I'm alive".
Although it seemed like a drunk man's rambling, Levi nodded his head. James calmed down after that and rested his head on the table.
"That's enough for you tonight. Come on let's get you to bed"
After a little struggle, Mike helped him to his feet and walked him out of the hall. Erwin's eyes were following them till they were out.
"I'm sorry you got to see him like that. Squad leader James Hal is more pleasant when he is sober".
"It's alright. People can break after going through so much shit"
"Kate was his wife. Since they were cadets both of them wanted to join the Survey Corps. We were a group of friends who agreed to join together. Nile changed his mind after falling in love with a girl, Mary, and decided to join the Military Police and marry her. We never blamed him for that. James and Kate got married too but still joined the Survey Corps. She was killed by titans in one of the expeditions outside the walls. James couldn't reach her at the right time and since that guilt and regret have never left him". He thought they owe Levi some explanation.
"So you've surrounded yourself with weirdos since the beginning"
"Only the best of them". He smiled wondering whether Levi was including himself to be one of them too.
"You don't have to take all his words seriously though. Anger can make people say shit they don't mean".
Levi said seriously avoiding looking directly at Erwin.
"I know. It didn't bother me". He was surprised by the accuracy of Levi's observation. Could he possibly feel that those words hurt him? Or was it that obvious?
"Good". Levi studied Erwin's face looking for that hurt look which was no longer there. He was confident he didn't just imagine it even if Erwin wouldn't admit it.
It was true. His friend's words hurt him even if he denied that.
He knew how it feels to love someone and lose them. He loved Mary, he still did to this day even though he tried to forget her because he felt It isn't appropriate to have feelings for your friend's wife but he can't help it. And no day passed without thinking about his father who lost his life because of him. He surely tasted the guilt and loss but he can't afford to lose his focus and break down, not yet, not until he proved the theories that cost his father his life were true. What was supposed to be a relaxing night brought him many sad memories but at the same time, it made him discover more about Levi.
"You are more emotional than you look, Levi"
"What? What makes you say such a stupid thing?"
"I mean you care about others' feelings more than one would think at first glance"
"I'm not emotional. Understanding that people have weaknesses is just a basic human thing" he said defensively.
Mike finally rejoined them.
"How is he now?"
"Falling into a deep sleep"
"Good. It isn't the first time you lead him to bed after a rough night"
"Probably won't be the last" hopefully Mike thought to himself.
"At least he will get some rest, all of us should. Maybe you want to ease up on the tea, Levi it will keep you awake. How do you find it by the way?"
"Not bad. I've had better"
"Really? Where was that?" Mike snorted sarcastically.
"All the goods in Sina pass through the underground markets by smugglers including the finest black tea. Not that a bigass idiot could tell the difference"
"You son of a.." Mike started before he was stopped by Erwin.
"Now, gentlemen! Let's keep our conversation civil" They both shut up reluctantly.
Levi's eyes wandered around the hall, observing the soldiers silently. Since he was a kid he was better at observing than talking. He watched Eld who was now sitting with some new recruits. Their laughter was loud although it seemed like they were talking about titans. For a moment Levi thought he heard Isabel's laughter among them. An image of her severed head crossed his mind, he closed his eyes trying to remember her happy smile instead. She and Farlan would have loved the food tonight.
"There he is" Eld's voice brought him out of his thoughts.
"What is it?" He saw that the group of recruits Eld was talking to were around his table.
"Nothing. It's just that these guys want to have a close look" Eld said like it was a normal answer. Levi looked coldly at them, most of them looked nervous.
"Don't be rude, Eld" one young soldier elbowed him. "He means that we wanted to meet you in person" and he went and introduced himself and the others, Levi nodded at them.
"Your fighting style is really awesome"
"How are you doing that?"
"No titan is hard for you to fight!"
"I've never seen someone so fast!"
"How can I improve my skills to be like you"
"You don't even need a formation to attack"
"I hope you are always near when we are outside the walls"
They bombarded him with questions and compliments. He didn't like the extra attention but tried to get along. Farlan's voice whispered in his ear "Be social". He found himself answering them.
"I hit the weak points first. The ankles and nape"
"Keep training"
"Don't lose your focus and stay with your squad"
"I'm only doing my part"
He was uncomfortable and didn't know what to say but they seemed satisfied with his answers.
Erwin was pleased by that and Mike was amused too.
"It seems like our little friend is uncomfortable with the fame" he whispered to Erwin. "He is doing well".
"Alright, Petra. Maybe you can overcome your fear by training" Eld joked trying to tease a redhead girl who only blushed at his comment.
"Fear is natural it keeps you alive. Don't make it stop you and keep training" Levi told her directly, he didn't really like to embarrass people for no reason.
"I will. Thank you Levi-san" She said, her face still red.
The soldiers kept chatting at his table with Erwin and Mike giving Levi some peace. Other veterans came along some would sit to talk a little others were just passing by. Hange returned with Moblit who was looking drunk and sat next to them.
They started talking about Levi again.
"I think Levi is our strongest soldier now"
"Humanity has never seen a stronger soldier"
"Really? Now I want to see him in the field!"
"Do you mean even stronger than Mike?"
"No way"
"I think he is faster"
"He is small"
"Why compare?"
"Mike is more experienced"
"I want to know". The soldiers were arguing amicably, and both Levi and Mike pretended they weren't hearing them.
"We must answer that question!" One soldier shouted like it was more important than knowing the origin of the Titans.
"There is only one way to find out," A veteran said dramatically.
"What?"
"Arm wrestling!"
Although few rejected the idea saying it's not a measure of real strength, the majority of the soldiers welcomed it looking for an entrainment more than a real winner. The only problem was that both men seemed unwilling to entertain this demanding audience.
"Come on! Don't be such cowards" Hange tried to goad them.
"Hange-..san. Don't.. cause trouble" Moblit tried tiredly to stop her.
"Don't be boring, Moblit"
A confident voice spoke, "It's a good idea. Let's do it and see. Empty that table over there, please".
Erwin instructed receiving confused looks from both Levi and Mike. After seeing that he was serious Levi got up first, a shadow of a smile on his lips "Fine".
Mike was quick after him, he gave Erwin a stare that said "You bastard!" He had known Erwin for a long time and that malicious sparkle in his eyes was telling him he had already predicted the winner. Anyway, he was no coward and would love to prove Erwin wrong.
"Go, Levi!" Hange was cheering.
"You little traitor! And I was just thinking about capturing a titan for you" Mike smirked at her reaction.
"WHAT! No, you weren't!"
They sat facing each other and rolled up their sleeves revealing their strong muscular arms.
"I'm not going easy on you shorty" Some trash talk got him into the spirit. Levi on the other hand only stared at him silently he preferred to express himself through actions.
The soldiers gathered around them. There wasn't a soldier in the hall who wasn't paying attention to the upcoming match.
Some of them were standing on the tables for a better view. You could hear others making bets on who gonna win.
After everyone took their positions, the veteran who suggested the idea stand as a referee with Erwin standing next to him.
"The one whose hand hit the table first loses. Ready...Go!"
They began amid the cheers of the divided crowd, staring intensely into each other's eyes. In the beginning, their arms stayed unmoving due to their equal strength but a minute later signs of struggle began to appear on Mike's face, he was trying hard to keep his arm steady while Levi kept the cold unfazed look on his face. This struggle didn't last long as Levi increased his strength slamming Mike's hand down to the table. The whole hall went crazy!
"We got our answer! Levi is humanity's strongest soldier!" The referee announced.
Levi's facial expressions didn't change when the soldiers congratulated him but deep down he was feeling more at home than before. Although He didn't like the attention, this atmosphere is similar to his previous life.
No one touched him except for Hange who clapped his shoulder "I knew you were going to win"
"Still not catching a titan for you, four-eyes"
"Ouch. You are questioning the sincerity of my congratulation?"
"Just warning you not to think of any stupid ideas"
"This is a debate for another day"
Some friends consoled Mike and Erwin propose a toast "To the two strongest men of humanity!"
Everyone cheered raising different glasses, bottles and cups.
What Levi did next was something he had done before with any of his opponents, he extended his hand to Mike in an attempt to show there were no hard feelings. Mike was surprised by the gesture but took the extended hand and shook it firmly.
"You hold your own better than others"
"Ok, you won. Don't gloat"
"I'm not" Levi was sincere.
"Well done, Levi" Erwin congratulated him and was pleased to see the way he reacted. His intuitions were right, that match would make them more comfortable with each other even if it bruised Mike's pride a little.
Erwin sat next to him wrapping an arm around his shoulder "You fought a good fight"
"Shut up, you bastard" he retorted in a low voice.
Erwin smiled at the insult "What did I do wrong? Where is your sportsmanship, Mike?"
"You plotted for that and weren't even on my side" He hissed at him.
"I'm on no one side and I assure you I didn't plot anything, my friend. It happened spontaneously I merely gave my opinion on the matter".
"Sure" Mike rolled his eyes.
Although he wanted to win, the idea of someone else carrying the burden of being "Humanity's strongest" is kind of relieving. It wasn't an official title but it put large expectations and responsibilities on the one who bear it. Levi realized that too.
Petra and Eld from Levi Squad. Since the squad wasn't formed yet in this story. I chose to make Eld a member of Erwin Squad.
Petra and Eld from Levi Squad. Since the squad wasn't formed yet in this story. I chose to make Eld a member of Erwin Squad.