Someone was knocking.
"Sorry, Erwin," called a muffled voice. "It's Hange. So sorry."
Still half asleep, Erwin pulled the blankets over his head, trying to block out the sunlight trickling in through the curtains. Another pounding knock rattled the door.
"I'm so sorry I know you've been through it and you should sleep forever but also you need to wake up now."
He knew he should answer but couldn't make the sound come out of his throat. He would get up and open the door in a minute. But not yet.
"Okay so sorry, I'm coming in though."
And a few seconds later, someone was shaking Erwin.
"Sorry, so sorry…"
"Hange," he mumbled, eyes blinking open and then squinting in the light. "What the hell? How did you get in?"
"The door wasn't locked," she said, sitting on the edge of the bed. "I guess you forgot last night. I don't blame you, you were exhausted, and of course you were after everything that happened…"
Erwin sat up slowly, rubbing his face. His memory of the previous night was a blur of colors and faces. He remembered sitting in front of a medic for what felt like hours while his body was poked and prodded all over. When the medics had finally been satisfied that Erwin was telling the truth and his head really was the only (minorly) injured part of him, they had sent him away to wash off all the dirt and blood. He hadn't gone to bed until well after midnight.
"What time is it?" he asked.
"Just before seven."
"Levi," Erwin blurted, suddenly remembering. "Do you know if he…?"
"He made it," Hange said quickly. "I checked an hour ago. They said it was touch and go for a few hours, but he's stable now—he's sleeping."
"Okay." Erwin leaned back, relieved. "Why wake me then?"
"Right," she said. "Something bad is happening."
"We've talked about this, Hange," Erwin said, swinging his legs over the side of the bed and wincing a little. It wasn't nearly as bad as last night, but his head still hurt. "A little less vague, please."
"I swear that's all I know," Hange insisted. "Something's up with Shadis. He has this look in his eyes like he's seen something horrible, but when I asked him about it, he wouldn't tell me, and apparently he wouldn't tell Tegan or Bradley either…"
"Is that really so urgent?"
"Well, no, except that he got a message from the Capitol around five this morning—Abel was with him when he got it, and he said Shadis looked sick after reading it but wouldn't explain why. We think he might at least tell you."
Erwin frowned. Shadis had his faults, but weakness wasn't one of them. If a message from the Capitol was visibly affecting him in front of his subordinates…
"Yes, okay," Erwin said, rising to his feet. "I'll talk to him."
"Section Commander, sir!"
Pausing just outside the door to Shadis' office, Erwin turned to see two Scouts advancing from the end of the hall. After a moment, he recognized them as Julia and Dover.
"Good morning," he said, nodding. "I'm glad to see you two. How are…?"
He trailed off, realizing suddenly that he didn't actually know how many members of Levi's squad had made it back alive. For all he knew, Dover and Julia were the only two left.
"We're all just fine, sir," Julia finished as if reading Erwin's mind. "All of us."
All of us. After an attack like that—every single member of Levi's squad had survived. Erwin almost asked what the total body count had been, but then he caught himself. He would ask Shadis instead.
"We wanted to ask, sir—have you seen him yet? Squad Leader Levi?"
It occurred to Erwin that he had never directly spoken to either of these two, had never really seen them up close. They were younger than he had realized. Julia was maybe fifteen or sixteen, with bright blue eyes and blond hair that hung in curls around her face. Dover looked only a year or two older, dark-haired, his face stuck in a permanently brooding expression.
"Not yet," Erwin answered. "But I have it on good authority that he's going to be just fine."
Visible relief flooded both of their faces. Even Dover's.
"Sir…we don't think they'll let us see him, sir…but when you see him…could you tell him for us…if it isn't too much trouble…"
"Tell him thank you," Dover interrupted. "Please. Sir."
"Of course," Erwin replied. "But you should tell him yourself. I'll ask them to let you know when he's awake."
"Thank you, sir," Julia said earnestly.
"You're very welcome. Now if you'll excuse me," Erwin said, and the two Scouts stiffened into a simultaneous salute.
"Sir!" they both said before scampering off down the hall. Erwin watched them go before turning back to the office door and knocking twice.
"Commander?" he called through the door.
No answer.
"Commander Shadis, may I please come in?"
Someone was definitely moving inside.
"Excuse me, sir, I'm coming in." Erwin waited for a few more seconds, then opened the door and stepped into the office. Shadis was seated in his chair, so many papers piled everywhere that it was impossible to see the desk beneath them.
"Erwin," Shadis said.
"Commander," Erwin replied, sweeping his gaze across the papers scattered across the desk, then the piles of folders on the floor, and finally on his commander's stony face.
"Close the door," Shadis ordered. Erwin complied.
"Is something—"
"Sit down," interrupted Shadis.
Erwin sat down. Shadis stared down at his papers, head resting on his hands. With every sinew in his body, Erwin wanted to speak first, to demand that Shadis explain. He took a deep breath instead. For years he had practiced holding his tongue. He could hold his tongue a little longer.
"I'm glad you made it back," Shadis said suddenly, looking up and meeting Erwin's eyes for the first time. "You and Levi both. I thought for sure…" He didn't finish, but Erwin didn't need him to.
"Thank you," Erwin said.
"I'm sorry about this timing," Shadis continued. Erwin noticed that his commander's hands were shaking a little as he reached for a letter lying open on top of all the papers. "A letter arrived this morning…Premier Zachary sent it early yesterday."
Erwin found himself reaching for the letter. "May I…?"
"The Royal Government has officially moved to dissolve the Survey Corps."
Erwin's hand froze in midair. He stared at Shadis. "What?"
"The hearing is tomorrow at four o'clock p.m. After the arguments, Zachary will decide whether to continue funding the Scouts or to disband our regiment for good."
"They can't do that." Erwin was aware that his volume had risen above his usual careful tone, but he found this time that he couldn't bring his voice back under control. "They can't do that."
"If dissolving the Survey Corps is what Premier Zachary wants to do, he can and he will."
"Why are you still here?" Erwin had risen to his feet, hands clenched into fists, barely holding on to his composure. "Who's going to the hearing?"
"I've been trying to think," Shadis said, his voice growing quieter as Erwin's grew louder. "What to tell them, what to argue, and…" He spread his arms out in a helpless gesture at the papers surrounding him. "We have nothing. A few miserable expeditions, disproportionate casualties, and for what?"
"What do you mean, for what?" Erwin whirled away from Shadis and paced toward the window, running his hands through his hair, face growing hot. "For victory! For humanity!"
"I know that, Erwin," Shadis interrupted, "but as far as these people know, there would be no consequences if no one ever stepped foot outside Wall Maria again. Humanity could hide here within the walls forever and never see another Titan—"
"And they would be fools!" Erwin thundered.
"Who's going to convince them of that? The bureaucrats who have never even seen Wall Maria—who's going to persuade them?"
"I am," Erwin insisted, pivoting back to face Shadis. "I'm going."
"And what are you going to say, Erwin?" Shadis's expression was suddenly drawn, haggard—and infinitely tired.
"I'll think of something."
Twenty-seven hours, ten horses, and four hours of fitful sleep later, Erwin arrived at the Capitol mid Thursday afternoon. He left his last horse at the stables outside the local Survey Corps offices, which—except for the few occasions when Scout administration was visiting the Capitol on business—were usually more or less empty except for the few recruits tasked with caring for the horses.
After giving a few hurried instructions to the stable recruits, he called a carriage to take him the last two miles to the courthouse. Impatiently, he watched the Capitol buildings move slowly by outside the window. Neck craned outside, Erwin finally spotted the courthouse down the street, maybe a quarter of a mile away.
"Thank you," he yelled up at the driver, tossing a bag of coins up at him. "I'll get out here."
The driver's protests faded behind Erwin as he flung open the door, stumbled out into the street, and sprinted the last three blocks before racing up the huge marble steps and throwing open the double doors.
"Please," he panted, running up to a shocked-looking woman sitting behind a desk. "Which courtroom is the hearing in?"
"Which hearing are you…?"
"Premier Zachary's hearing!" Erwin interrupted, his patience wearing thin. "Please."
"Courtroom Five," she replied after consulting a ledger in front of her. "Just up those stairs."
"Thank you," Erwin called behind him as he ran up the stairs, taking them two at a time. Skidding around the corner, he took five extra seconds to straighten his jacket and flatten his hair. Then he flung the doors open.
Every single person packed inside the full courtroom turned to look at him. Their chatter died instantly. The room was perfectly silent.
"Good afternoon," Erwin said, still a little out of breath. The judge's bench was empty—Premier Zachary wasn't here yet. Slowly, he walked in, nodding at the faces he recognized. Nile Dok, Dot Pyxis, ?...
"Erwin Smith, thank God!" Startled, Erwin was nearly knocked over as someone threw his arms around him. Then Eli William pulled away, still gripping Erwin's shoulders.
"We got word last night that you had died on an expedition," Eli said, a mixture of relief and concern on his face. "Then there were rumors earlier this afternoon that you were still alive, but I wasn't sure where the reports were coming from…"
"Thank you for your concern," Erwin said quietly.
"For once, stop being so formal." Eli threw an arm around Erwin's shoulders, leading him to two open seats in the front row on the left side. "What happened?"
"I'll save the full story," Erwin said, "but suffice it to say that for a few hours, I was trapped outside the walls and had to find my way back."
"With the soldier who killed that Abnormal, right? Humanity's strongest—what's his name—?"
Erwin froze. "Humanity's strongest?"
"Yes, that's what everyone here has been calling him. What's his name…? Levi! Is that it?"
"They're calling him humanity's strongest?"
"That's right. The story from the report has been going around—how he kept his cool in a white-out, single-handedly killed an Abnormal, and saved his entire team—how he was the only squad leader whose entire squad survived. Did he make it back too?"
Erwin nodded slowly. Most of it was true—except, obviously, that the Abnormal kill hadn't been single-handed—but of course Shadis would have tried to highlight Levi's accomplishments in his report. Of course he had wanted the Capitol to see the disastrous expedition in the best possible light.
"Yes," Erwin replied. "He made it. He's alive."
Before Eli could reply, Premier Zachary entered the courtroom. The room fell silent. After making his way to his chair, Zachary began sorting through the papers in front of him. He scanned through the crowd, taking note of those attending. When his eyes fell on Erwin, surprise flashed through them. He gave a short nod, which Erwin returned.
"I hereby call this hearing to order," Zachary announced. "Our purpose today is to hear all arguments for and against the following motion. To wit: that the regiment of the Royal Military known as the Survey Corps shall be dissolved. Let me remind you that as Commander-in-Chief of the three regiments, my decision on this matter will be final and absolute. In other words, the Regiment Council does not have a vote. If you have testimony or evidence to offer that you believe would be helpful to me in in making my decision, you are ordered to bring it forth here. Do we have a representative of the Survey Corps present in court?"
Erwin stood.
"That would be me, sir. Section Commander Erwin Smith."
"Noted." Zachary scribbled a few words, then looked back up at Erwin. "And welcome to the Capitol, Section Commander. We're all glad you survived the ordeal earlier this week."
Erwin inclined his head. "Thank you, sir." He sat back down.
"All right, we'll begin by hearing all arguments in favor of the motion. Is the reporter ready?"
A young man, seated at a scribe's desk, nodded up at the Premier, who glanced through a document lying in front of him.
"Nile Dok," he said. "You're first on the list."
Nile, commander of the Military Police, stepped down into the center of the courtroom. Was it Erwin's imagination, or was he pointedly avoiding making eye contact with Erwin as he walked to the dais below the bench?
As Nile clasped his hands behind his back, preparing to speak, Erwin tried not to think of his old friend's actions as a betrayal. As difficult as it was to watch a former comrade from the Training Corps oppose his regiment, he acknowledged that there might still come a day when he would still need Nile as an ally, and he would have to pretend none of this had ever happened.
Politics, he thought with a touch of disdain.
"Commander Nile Dok of the Military Police, sir," Nile said coldly. "May I speak?"
"Give your testimony," Premier Zachary ordered.
"Sir," Nile began, "even though everyone in this room undoubtedly understands how many resources it takes to operate the Survey Corps, I nevertheless believe it would be beneficial to recount the full extent of Scout operations.
"The Survey Corps operates with an overall size of approximately 300 soldiers, depending on annual recruitment numbers. Furthermore, the Survey Corps maintains stables at various locations within the walls. Including reserves, at any given time, the Survey Corps is housing, feeding, cleaning, and training no fewer than six hundred horses, which they largely breed themselves. Given that fact, the Survey Corps necessarily employs a large number of horse breeders, trainers, and stable hands in addition to their manpower on the field. These numbers do not count the medics, equine veterinarians, and payroll staff who receive compensation from the Survey Corps, nor does it include the resources spent on equipment—such as ODM gear—and research and development contributing to the improvement of that gear.
"Additionally—and excuse me, as I'm sure that everyone here is aware of this too—the Survey Corps is perpetually in competition with the Military Police and Garrison regiments for all recruits who graduate from the Training Corps. This would not be quite such an important factor if not for the fact that casualty numbers within the Survey Corps are absurdly, perhaps even unconscionably high—but more on that later. To the current point, because the Scouts are constantly looking to replace lost soldiers, the Survey Corps ultimately takes many recruits who would otherwise be supplying the Military Police and Garrison regiments.
"All told, operating the Survey Corps from year to year places an enormous burden upon the Royal Government, both in monetary resources and in manpower. All this, of course, might be worth it if the Survey Corps produced consistent, valuable results—but they do not. To continue on that particular matter, I'd ask permission for my colleague, Bryn Morse, to speak."
Erwin let the air hiss out through his teeth. He hadn't expected the opposition to be this organized, this coordinated. Officer Morse, one of Nile's analysts, replaced Nile on the dais.
"Officer Bryn Morse, analyst for the Military Police, sir. May I speak?"
"Yes, please give your testimony," said Zachary, barely looking up from his copious notetaking.
"Commander Dok just mentioned that the resources swallowed by the Survey Corps would be justifiable if they contributed to a good cause. However, despite all arguments you may hear today to the contrary, they do not."
Morse made direct eye contact with Erwin. She, at least, had no qualms about looking him in the eye.
"The stated purpose of the Survey Corps is the exploration and eventual reclamation of human territory from Titan-infested lands. In general, the Survey Corps aims to accomplish this mission by setting up bases outside the walls in order to build incrementally toward retaking the entire territory.
"As of today, the Survey Corps has not successfully established a single base outside the walls. Their most notable attempt, consisting of an expedition to build a base in the trees, met with abject failure when the base was quickly destroyed by Titans. Since then, the best the Survey Corps has ever done is a smattering of small supply caches, all of which lie within five miles of the walls because the Survey Corps practically never ventures out any farther than that.
"It seems worth mentioning that the Survey Corps sent out a minor expedition earlier this week—an expedition with the simple objective of resupplying one of these caches. But even this expedition proved to be disastrous. The Scouts were attacked by an Abnormal Titan in the middle of a snowstorm, and not a single squad emerged intact—except, of course, for the team led by Squad Leader Levi…"
There was a genuine note of respect in her voice.
"…whose quick, decisive leadership not only saved his entire squad, but resulted in his success in killing the Abnormal Titan."
A murmur ran through the courtroom. More than one person near Erwin muttered something about "humanity's strongest."
"Even so, this expedition was so ill-fated that it nearly resulted in the death of Section Commander Erwin Smith, who is with us here today." She inclined her head at Erwin, who did not acknowledge her in return. "The results of that expedition are not an anomaly. Instead, they have come to be what we expect from each and every report. The Survey Corps was founded for the purpose of establishing a base outside the walls, but the Scouts can't even refill a supply cache without devastating losses. All that being said, the stated goal of the Survey Corps is not merely a formidable challenge. Based on what we have seen, it may well be impossible.
"But even a seemingly impossible goal may be worth pursuing if it is necessary. Unfortunately, there is nothing essential about the functions of the Survey Corps. Permission for Henry Blois, senior officer of the Garrison Regiment, to continue speaking on this subject?"
Zachary gave his permission. Morse was replaced by Blois, a middle-aged Garrison officer with salt and pepper hair, who announced his presence and began his argument.
"My colleagues in the Military Police have already pointed out not only that the Survey Corps takes extravagant amounts of resources in exchange for practically no results, but also that the Scouts siphon recruits from the Military Police and Garrison regiments, where those recruits are sorely needed. Officer Morse also mentioned that their stated goal might be worthwhile if it were necessary.
"But consider the fact that the walls are intact. The Titans cannot breach the walls. We are safe inside, and the Titans roam outside. It is all well and good to imagine a world where humans reclaim the territory outside the walls—but such a world is unnecessary. To put it bluntly, we do not need the Survey Corps because there is no good reason that any human should ever need to set foot outside the walls again.
"The Survey Corps wastes resources, wastes countless lives, and for nothing but a fruitless dream that ought to remain just that: a dream. Thank you."
Blois gave a slight bow before returning to his seat. Erwin stood, his cheeks hot with an anger that he shoved down in an effort to keep his expression calm and reasonable.
"Premier Zachary, may I respond on behalf of the Survey Corps?"
"Soon," Zachary replied, waving a hand for Erwin to sit back down. "Who else is here to speak in favor of the motion?"
There were many more speakers—so many that Erwin lost track of them all. Some offered personal testimony about friends or relatives who had been killed in the Survey Corps; some praised the effectiveness of the Military Police and Garrison regiments at policing the world within the walls; some made arguments that were all, to some extent, variations of the arguments they had already heard.
Finally, Zachary raised his head and asked, "Does anyone else have an argument to make in favor of the motion?"
Silence.
"Very well. Section Commander Erwin, as the only representative of the Survey Corps present, I assume you would like to speak."
"Yes, sir," said Erwin. Within seconds he was standing on the dais in front of Premier Zachary, acutely aware that every eye was trained on him. He took a single deep breath in, then out.
"Premier," Erwin began, "what makes you any different from a Titan?"
Zachary glanced up, shocked. Erwin turned, spinning to face his audience. He looked each person in the eye, lingering on those who had spoken in favor of the motion, pointing at each individual in turn.
"Or you, Commander Dok? Or you, Officer Morse?"
Most of the faces in the crowd returned his eye contact fiercely, stolidly. A few glanced away under his gaze.
"You have a head, two arms, and two legs, just like a Titan does. You eat just like a Titan does. If I slice through your neck, you will die just like a Titan will."
"Section Commander," Zachary interrupted, "is this going anywhere?"
"It is, Premier, if you will please indulge me for a moment." Erwin turned back around and faced the bench. "If Titans are shaped like us, and walk like us, and grasp and breathe and eat like us, then what is it that distinguishes you from the Titan?
"You might protest that the question is absurd. But if we decide now that we are content with our situation—that we are perfectly happy to be trapped like cattle in a pen, living lives in captivity like caged birds—then maybe we really are no different from the Titans, who live in a prison of their own on the other side of Wall Maria. If humanity lives only to eat, sleep, and work in the uneasy safety of imprisonment, then what are we if not senseless animals?
"But humans are not Titans. We are not content with a forced internment. We do not give in to Titans—not now, and not ever. Humans look beyond their immediate circumstances. Humans dream, and they fight for the sake of that dream. Humans long to be free, to fly beyond the walls. The Survey Corps was founded as a manifestation of that dream, of the very trait that makes humans human: the love of freedom, the hatred of incarceration. The existence of the Scouts is a testament to the power of humanity's will. To dissolve the Survey Corps would mean denying the heart of what distinguishes us from the Titans.
"My friends have argued that the Survey Corps has a higher casualty rate than the other regiments do. It's certainly true that becoming a Scout is a high-risk decision. But let me remind the court that every member of the Survey Corps—every single one—is a volunteer. We tell all new recruits what their odds of survival are. And yet new recruits consistently enlist in the Survey Corps. They voluntarily choose to become Scouts. Why?
"Because they understand how important the dream of freedom is. Because they want to fight back against the Titans, to explore land that we have not yet seen, to discover truths that we do not yet understand, to learn the secrets buried in the world outside the walls.
"And if you choose to dissolve the Survey Corps, perhaps you will even demonstrate that the Titans are somehow more human than humanity itself, for this reason alone: the Titans will never stop trying to break down our walls, never give up their desire to devour every last living human. If we give up our noblest dream, then the Titans have already won this battle of wills.
"My colleagues have pointed out that it costs the Royal Government something to operate the Survey Corps. Of course it does. It would be worth spending twice, even three times that amount of money in pursuit of the dream that countless fallen Scouts have given their hearts and lives for. Will you defy their memories? Will you let their deaths be in vain?"
Erwin let his last words ring throughout the courtroom. Silence followed for a moment—but it was quickly overwhelmed by a hushed mumbling that moved through the crowd. It took all of Erwin's willpower not to frown. His audience's tone was critical rather than sobered. Not the reaction he had been hoping for.
It doesn't matter what they think, Erwin told himself. All that matters is Premier Zachary.
But Zachary's face was stony and difficult to read. He didn't look much different than he had after Nile or Morse or Blois had spoken—or did he? Was that censure or approval in his eyes?
"Thank you, Section Commander," he said. "You may retake your seat."
Erwin strode back to his chair and sat down beside Eli, who leaned over and grasped his shoulder firmly.
"Good lord, Erwin, I'd heard you could give a speech, but that was something else."
"I can't tell if it was enough," Erwin muttered, staring down at his hands in his lap and noting dispassionately that they were trembling. Just the tiniest amount. No one would notice.
"Cheer up," said Eli. "You don't know yet what Premier Zachary thinks."
But as Commander Pyxis rose and gave a short, polite statement in favor of keeping the Survey Corps, Erwin kept a close eye on the Premier's minute shifts in expression, and as Eli got up to deliver his similarly diplomatic testimony, he began to fear that he did know what Premier Zachary thought. The pressure in his chest began to rise, the heat in his face became unbearable (was it showing on his face please don't let it be showing on his face), and when the Premier called for further testimony and no one answered, Erwin couldn't stay still any longer.
"Premier Zachary, sir!" he called, standing up so quickly that Eli jumped. "May I make a request?"
Zachary sighed, shuffling through his papers. "If you must."
"I have more testimony, sir," Erwin continued quickly. "More witnesses. But we received word of the hearing on such short notice that I was the only representative who was able to come. Please, sir, could I have two weeks?"
"Sir," Nile blurted out, rising from his seat across the courtroom from Erwin. "This is highly unusual. If Section Commander Erwin has more witnesses, why didn't he inform the court at the beginning of the hearing?"
"Silence," ordered Zachary. "Both of you." He turned to Erwin. "Commander Dok is right that your request is unusual." He paused, looking down at the floor, forehead furrowed in thought. "But given the circumstances—and out of respect for everything you've just been through, Section Commander—I'll grant an extension to the hearing. We will reconvene two weeks from tomorrow at nine in the morning. This court is dismissed."
Chaos broke out.
"He's nothing if not fair," Eli mused, leaning back with a sigh. "But I was sure we had lost by the end. I have to say, I'm surprised he even granted the extra time—good thinking on your part."
"He would have passed the motion," Erwin muttered, already rising to his feet. "Excuse me, Eli, but I have to go. I'll see you in a week."
"You're leaving right now?"
"Yes," Erwin said. "I have a witness to wrangle."
"Wait—Levi?"
"Not so loud," Erwin insisted, glancing around to make sure no one else in the mess hall had heard. "Nobody knows yet. I haven't even told Shadis."
"But…Levi?" Hange stared at him with wide eyes, soup dripping from the spoon she had forgotten halfway between her bowl and her mouth.
"Yes," Erwin whispered. The administration table was a respectable distance away from the others, and the hour was so late that the mess hall was mostly empty anyway—but he didn't want to take any chances.
"You already know what he'll do. He'll go waltzing in, piss off the Military Police and the Garrison for good measure, give Premier Zachary the middle finger, then threaten to fight anybody who looks at him wrong—hell, he might fight everybody if he feels like it."
"I won't let him," Erwin said.
"How?"
There was a telling pause.
"I don't know yet," he admitted. "Put the fear of God in him. Tie him to a leash. I don't know."
"I'm not sure Levi is afraid of anybody, but even if he is, I can't imagine that God makes the cut. That leash idea, though…"
"It was a joke, Hange," Erwin said, exasperated.
"Why Levi anyway?" Hange asked.
"You didn't hear them in the Capitol. They can't stand the Survey Corps, but for some reason, they worship him. They heard the report about him killing that Abnormal, and now even our most vocal detractors respect him. If anyone's support could convince Premier Zachary to keep us going, even just long enough to see more results, it's Levi."
"He's not going to be a mythical guardian angel anymore when they actually meet him," Hange said, and Erwin had to admit she had a point. Whatever benevolent, heroic image the Capitol crowd had of Levi, it would vanish entirely when a sour-faced, 5'3" gremlin came crashing through their courtroom like a hurricane.
"So I just won't let him talk," Erwin said.
"The whole point of him going is so he can talk!"
"I'll write his statement." Erwin tapped his spoon on the table, thinking hard. "He'll memorize a statement, deliver it, then sit back down. We'll leave right after the hearing, so he won't have a chance to talk to anybody."
"They'll all want to shake his hand on his way out."
"I'll tell him to just nod and smile."
"Have you ever seen him smile?"
"He can nod, then."
"Sure, you can tell him to nod—but what makes you think he'll listen to you?"
"Hange," Erwin finally said. "He's the best chance we have."
"Then we don't have a very good chance," Hange muttered, taking another bite of her soup. Erwin didn't try to argue with her.
She was right, after all.
Erwin silently cursed the freezing wind as he made his way across the grounds. If not for this godforsaken cold, maybe they would have made more progress by now, maybe they would have more results to send back to the Capitol. If only their expeditions were more focused and productive, if only Shadis would let him use the Long-Range Scouting Formation, if only Erwin were in charge…
Not yet, he reminded himself. Save the Survey Corps first.
He arrived at the ODM training ground, a three-dimensional obstacle course with ropes, platforms, climbing walls, and branch-like beams that would support the weight of hooks and lines. The members of Levi's squad were flying around the course, one of just two or three squads out practicing on this cold morning. Erwin climbed the stairs to the viewing platform where Levi stood, arms crossed in front of him, watching his squad.
"Good morning," Erwin said, walking up next to Levi.
"Morning," Levi said without looking over at Erwin. "Quinn!" he yelled. "That was pathetic! Go back and vault that wall again!"
"Sir!" came the shouted reply.
Erwin raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment on the change of attitude. Levi's eyes remained on his squad, but his next words were directed at Erwin.
"Thanks," he said gruffly. "For…you know."
"Of course. I—"
"It was stupid and risky," Levi continued. "But…thanks."
"How are you doing now?"
"Basically fine." Levi stretched his arms and winced. "I'm still on painkillers so I don't feel my ribs too much. Medics said I could come out here as long as I didn't move or fight or use my gear, so I'm pretty much useless for the next few weeks."
"This doesn't look useless to me," Erwin pointed out. Levi waved a hand dismissively.
"Yeah, whatever. Hume! Trem!" he shouted suddenly. "Stop getting in one another's way like a damn clown show!"
"But, sir, he—" Hume began to protest.
"No excuses! Cross the bridge without slamming into each another or I'll break both your knees!"
"Sir!"
"What were you saying?" Levi asked, turning back to Erwin.
"Are you well enough to travel?" Erwin asked.
Levi frowned. "Don't think I can ride. Travel where?"
"You won't need to ride—we're taking a carriage. I'm going to the Capitol on business, and I need you to come with me. Can you go tomorrow morning?"
For the first time, Levi turned to stare at Erwin. "What? What do you need me for?"
Erwin paused for a moment before answering. He had deliberated over how much of the situation to explain to Levi, and he hadn't reached a conclusion yet. He decided to deliver the information slowly.
"There's a hearing in the Capitol," Erwin said. "It's over an administrative issue. They want to hear testimony from a squad leader."
"And you want…me?"
"Like you just said, you'll be out of commission for a while. You might as well help me with some administrative work."
Levi looked like he might argue. After a moment, he turned back toward his squad instead.
"Fine," was all he said.
Early the next morning, a carriage set out north from the Survey Corps headquarters. The only three occupants were Erwin, Levi, and a driver who sat in a small cab up front, separated by a wall from the interior.
This was typically the carriage that the Survey Corps used to shuttle visiting Capitol dignitaries to and from local towns, where other transportation awaited them. That was probably why the interior was so much nicer than most things the Scouts owned. Surprisingly spacious, the carriage housed a hanging lantern, large windows with thick curtains, two expensive couches, a small sandalwood dining table, two compact beds that folded up into the walls, and overhead shelves for storing luggage. The walls were even insulated against the winter chill.
But sitting on a plush velvet sofa across from Erwin, Levi looked a little uncomfortable.
"Why isn't Shadis going?" he asked. "If this hearing is so important."
"It's a five-day trip by carriage," Erwin said. "We'll be gone the better part of two weeks. He couldn't get away for that long."
It was only partially a lie. Shadis himself had practically admitted that he didn't want to be there when Premier Zachary finally shut down the Survey Corps for good. Erwin hadn't put up a fight. He didn't want Shadis to speak at the hearing either.
Leaning forward, Erwin pulled a folded piece of paper out of his pocket.
"So," he said as he held the paper out to Levi. "I wrote your statement for the hearing."
Levi stared at the paper in Erwin's hands but didn't reach out for it. "You aren't just going to …tell me what to say?"
"No," Erwin said. "It has to be word for word. It's very important that we get it exactly right because…well. It's an important hearing. You'll see why when you read the statement."
If he could have avoided telling Levi the whole story, he would have. The less information he had, the easier it would be to control him at the hearing. But Levi would know everything the minute he read his statement, so Erwin knew he might as well hand it over and get it over with.
"Can't you just give me a summary of what to say?" For some reason, Levi sounded frustrated. "Why does it have to be exactly what you wrote?"
"I have to write training plans to send back to Commander Shadis by the time we reach Noeit, so I'm not going to walk you step by step through everything." Erwin handed the paper across to Levi. "Just read the statement."
Levi took the paper slowly, glaring at Erwin. He unfolded the statement and scowled down at Erwin's scrawled handwriting. There was a long silence. Erwin sat back, opened his notebook, and began scribbling—but in the back of his mind, he was listening for the moment when Levi realized. He waited for a gasp, an expletive, a demand for further explanation.
Instead, when Erwin glanced back up, Levi's expression was completely impassive.
"Yeah," he said finally. "I can see why something like this could be important."
Erwin was barely able to contain a long sigh. He didn't understand Levi. Maybe he never would. But as long as Levi could memorize and deliver a simple, brief statement without managing to offend anyone, it didn't matter that he was somehow perfectly nonchalant about the probable downfall of the Survey Corps.
"Start memorizing," Erwin ordered, a little more bluntly than he had intended. "I have work to do."
As Erwin leaned back against the sofa with his notebook in his lap, watching the miles fall away outside the carriage window, a nagging irritation kept him from fully concentrating on his work. At first, he pushed it away, forcing himself to slog through training plans and work schedules. But hours passed, and his patience began to wear away, and he found his mind wandering more and more.
Erwin wasn't sure exactly why it bothered him so much that Levi seemed to care so little about the plight of the Survey Corps. After all, Erwin was the one who had personally blackmailed Levi into joining. The former thug hadn't chosen to enlist. He had no personal reason to trouble himself with the future of the Scouts.
But maybe Erwin had hoped against hope that over the past few months, Levi would have grown attached to the mission of the Survey Corps. At the very least, Erwin would have thought that a near-death experience in the Titan-infested wilderness might make Levi even just a little bit invested in the Scouts' goals. He had chosen to ask Erwin questions down in the bunker, hadn't he? He had wanted to know about Erwin's ambitions, about his dreams of a free world. He had even seemed affected by those dreams.
So why was he stone cold now that those dreams were threatened?
As Erwin worked and brooded, Levi sat across from him, curled up on the sofa with his arms wrapped around his knees, staring out the opposite window. He was so statuesque that if not for the fact that his narrowed eyes were open, Erwin might have assumed that he had fallen asleep. Since looking at it for the first time, Levi hadn't even glanced back at the statement.
Sometime in the late afternoon, they stopped in Noeit. While the stables changed out the driver and horses, Erwin picked up some food and passed his training plans off to a courier who would carry them back to headquarters. Within fifteen minutes or so, they were back on the road.
"All right," Erwin said, settling back into his seat. He broke a loaf of bread in half and handed a piece to Levi, who took it silently. "Let's hear the statement so far."
For several long seconds, Levi chewed on a bit of bread. He swallowed.
"About that," he said. "I don't know why I even need to testify."
Erwin felt a sudden heat rise into his face. He pushed down the rush of anger, laced his fingers together, and leaned forward.
"You have to testify, Levi. That's the only reason you're coming."
"I don't see why you can't give the statement instead." Levi crossed his arms, and Erwin fought the urge to lunge across the gap between them and hit that irritating, offensively expressionless little face.
"God knows why," Erwin said, struggling to keep his voice even, "but the people in the Capitol see you as a hero. They care what you think."
"Don't they care what you think?" Levi shot back.
"Apparently not," Erwin said. Pressure was building up behind his eyes. "I made the best case I could at this last hearing, and Premier Zachary still would have passed the motion if I hadn't stalled him."
"Still," Levi said, staring at the floor. "I don't see why I have to give the stupid statement."
"Are you an idiot?" Erwin finally exploded. "You have to give the stupid statement because they'll shut down the whole damn Scouting Legion if you don't!"
"What?"
Levi's eyes widened. His jaw dropped. He gaped at Erwin, shock written across his face. Erwin sat back, just as startled as Levi was.
"Levi, what in the…didn't you read…?"
Then he understood.
He couldn't read.
Levi couldn't read.
Levi's expression melted from shock into a horrified realization. Now Erwin knew, and Levi knew that Erwin knew.
They stared at one another. For several long moments, neither one of them made any attempt to break the silence.
"The motion is to disband the Survey Corps," Erwin finally said. He kept his tone businesslike, as if nothing at all had happened. "I made an argument at the hearing several days ago, but the most influential figures in the Capitol are still convinced that we're a superfluous regiment that produces far too many casualties and far too few results. Like I said a moment ago, I have good reason to believe your support would carry a lot of weight with our enemies—and, consequently, with Premier Zachary."
"Oh," Levi said.
That was all he said.
"It's imperative that you deliver the statement exactly as written," Erwin said. "That's how we avoid any missteps. Now that I've finished the training plans, I'll walk through the wording with you—just to make sure you don't accidentally memorize anything incorrectly."
There was a question buried in Levi's eyes, but whatever it was, he didn't ask it.
"Fine," he said quietly, extending the unfolded paper back to Erwin. He eyed his superior suspiciously, his expression conflicted, almost incredulous. It was as if he had accidentally exposed his throat to an enemy, had expected to bleed for his error, and now he couldn't quite bring himself to trust the unfamiliar mercy he had received instead.
"What do I need to say?" Levi asked.