51.

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CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE — Subterfuge

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...

-Trost District, Wall Rose-

Bells sound in the distance, signaling the new hour to the group as they slowly make their way down an empty side street; trying to merge and blend in with the growing crowd a few feet away.

"Try not to walk in a cluster. Otherwise, we'll stand out." Levi advises lowly, but still loud enough for the teens behind him to hear. "Eren and Historia, just walk normally."

"Why is the Royal Family's flag hanging everywhere?" Connie questions, eyeing the many banners embellished with the King's crest.

Immediately, Sasha's eyes light up with recognition. "Oh! Today must be the anniversary of the King's coronation…! Once a year, they hand out a haul of rations." She explains, eyes wide as she observes the congested road.

"Calling it a haul is a bit of an overstatement…" Rosalie murmurs, visibly unimpressed.

Just as the words leave her mouth, a few Military Police make an appearance on a wooden platform— which had been erected for this specific occasion.

"We'll begin handing out rations!" One of the soldiers announces to the gathering civilians. "King Fritz has heard of Trost District's hardship and will donate the Royal Family's reserves! There's enough for everyone! Line up orderly!"

"Thank goodness!"

"Long live King Fritz!"

Sasha hums to herself as the appreciative sentiment echoes around the square. "What a King! He sure is generous!"

Rosalie scoffs under her breath, and the action doesn't go unnoticed by those in the group. "Yeah, some King." She grumbles almost spitefully, her eyes following a nearby civilian as they joined the crowd. "It's nothin' but a show. A way to bolster appeasement to the masses that are at their wit's end."

She then looks ahead, keeping her voice low as she continues to speak. "Gotta hand it to 'em, though. It's smart— given the circumstances… Quite the coincidence, too, innit? Titans are in the walls; Pastor Nick— one of the only people who'd give us a mere crumb of truth— is murdered; there's a freeze on all Scout activity; and we're on the run. But the people won't pay attention to any of this, because the King decided to donate rations."

"He's got more than he knows what to do with." Levi replies simply, and as their gazes briefly meet, he shrugs. "People are weak, especially when baited with food."

They continue walking for a few more minutes, luckily managing to pass through the commotion with little difficulty. However, unfortunately, their peace doesn't last long.

Levi suddenly pauses mid-step, angling his head as of he was trying to listen for something. And right as they're about to question him, a low sound of wooden wheels rumbling over cobblestone approaches from behind.

"Watch out! Behind us!" Levi exclaims, whirling around to locate the incoming danger; springing into action, manhandling Rosalie and Sasha— who were closest to him— by their cloaks until they were safely out of the way.

The rest of the group splits at his warning; ducking this way and that to avoid the wayward wagon as it barrels past. And in that same instance— before anyone could truly react— two men riding in the buggy reach out and snatch both Historia and Eren from where they stood.

Sasha jolts forward. "Armi—!" She yelps, her face paling as she's just barely able to catch her mistake. "I— I mean, Krista and Eren…! They got snatched away again!"

'Smooth, Sash, really smooth…' Rosalie thought, amused by the girl's fumble but not allowing it to show in case they were being watched.

She then pushes herself up from the ground with a grunt and follows after the wagon with her eyes; barely managing to catch Eren's tawny gaze as it rounds the corner. '…Here we go again…'

...

...

-Distribution Sector; Trost District, Wall Rose-

Thirty minutes later, following Eren and Historia's kidnapping, the group finds themselves smack-dab in the middle of Trost's Warehouse District. Watching from an adjacent rooftop as the duo is carted off into one of the many buildings situated by the waterfront.

Security of said structure was an issue either unworthy of concern or unthought of; seeing as those "standing guard" by its entrances merely loitered around, conversing lightly as they puffed on cigars and pipe tobacco instead of forming a coherent and secure perimeter.

"I feel like they get dumber and dumber as time goes on." Rosalie comments lowly with a huff as she leans her back against a chimney.

"They're amateurs, to say the least." Levi grunts in agreement; his eyes scouring the other buildings on the street, satisfied to note nothing of importance.

Mikasa peers over the edge of the roof. "We should hit them quickly while everyone's focused on the rations." She voices, visibly anxious to get things done in order to return to Eren's side.

Levi shakes his head when she looks his way. "Let them drop their guard first." He dismisses her, sending the girl a hard look when she opens her mouth to argue. "We don't know how many there are. It's best to take care of things as quietly as we can, so we don't put the others at more risk."

Mikasa scowls in response but begrudgingly complies with his sound reasoning. She then turns back to the warehouse below. "So what do we do now?"

"The same as last time. I wantyouto keep an eye on the inside— One of the windows should give you a good vantage point…" Levi answers, trailing off as he turns to look at the trio behind him. "You three, take out anyone on the ground that'll get in the way. Make sure to hide the evidence— and scope out the place for any more entrances, while you're at it."

Rosalie, Connie, and Sasha salute at the order. "Sir!"

After taking out the few workers loitering around outside, Rosalie splits off from Connie and Sasha; allowing them to do one final sweep of the area as she returns to Levi's side.

"Is it clear?" He asks lowly, barely sparing her a glance as she kneels beside him.

Pulling her hood back, Rosalie nods. "We got 'em all except for the guard inside. A few left earlier in a wagon— no doubt going to find whoever's in charge."

"Any alternate ways in?"

Rosalie hums thoughtfully. "Besides the two main entrances, there are a few windows— I counted six, total. But I think there's one rusted open at the back of the building… It'd be a tight squeeze, but I should be able to get through… The others are ready, they just need the signal."

Levi nods and opens his mouth to say more, only to pause when Mikasa joins them— landing behind him in a crouch. "How's it going inside?" He inquires instead as he turns to look at the new arrival.

"If we don't hurry, they'll see through Armin's disguise." Mikasa informs softly, disquieted as her gaze remains cemented on the shingles under her boots. "I feel bad for him…"

Nothing else needed to be said for the disturbing implication to be noted, and Rosalie shudders with equal parts of disgust and pity for her blond friend trapped inside.

"I see." Levi murmurs curtly, seeming to feel the same as he turns to meet the brunette's grimace with a look filled with determination. "Get into position. You know what comes next."

"Yes, Sir." Rosalie replies, readjusting her hood before smoothly vaulting over the roof's edge.

Using her gear, Rosalie hooks into the side of the warehouse and swings around the building until she spots the rusted window she noticed earlier.

Knowing the others were no doubt waiting for their way in, the brunette pulls herself up onto the windowsill and attempted to push open the pane a bit wider. It creaks in response to the sudden force and rust sprinkles from its ruined hinges, but eventually, it gives a smidge more leeway.

Satisfied, Rosalie sticks her legs in one at a time and carefully shimmy's herself through the crack until she was straddling the rafter below. Slowly pushing herself up, she scurries as quietly as she could across the beam; wincing every time it groaned under her added weight, but keeping her eyes firmly locked on the adjacent window that her friends would enter through.

"Now where do you think you're going, eh?"

Heart practically stopping at the words, Rosalie freezes mid-step. Her blood curdling at the notion of being caught— being the reason that the plan failed.

"I'm talkin' to ya, little lady! C'mon, don't be shy. Look 'ere…!"

Swallowing, Rosalie slowly turns her head and looks down— only to meet the back of the guard's head. Relief rushes through her veins at the sight. He wasn't talking to her. He hadn't noticed her. He hadn't seen or heard her moving around above him— too busy perving on Armin's disguised form.

Sighing heavily, Rosalie takes a second to compose herself. And as she observes the situation below with disgust, she meets Jean's gaze as the boy suddenly looks up and seeks her out amongst the shadowed rafters.

Jean's expression softens for a moment, visibly relieved that help had finally arrived. However, when Armin lets out another mortified squeak, his discontent returns full force; prompting him to send the brunette above a pleading look full of earnest impatience.

Giving him an acknowledging nod, Rosalie immediately turns back to the task at hand.

Reaching her intended destination in record time, she taps the glass with her knuckles three times before unlatching the lock and pushing the window open.

Mikasa appears immediately after, quickly followed by Connie and Sasha— who then split off from their group, each settling into a spot with a high vantage point; effectively surrounding the oblivious guard below.

"Where's Captain Levi?" Rosalie questions when the short male made no appearance.

"He's gone to check on the wagon." Mikasa quietly answers, only elaborating further when the brunette settles her with a look of curiosity. "We're supposed to meet up with him once we're done here. I'll explain more in a bit."

Sighing, Rosalie reluctantly nods and motions to the trio below. "That guard seems to be the only one stationed inside. But we need to move quickly before the rest come back." She then meets Mikasa's gaze head-on. "I'll follow your lead."

Mikasa merely nods in silent agreement, not expecting otherwise.

…

Following this, there's only a brief moment of stillness before they make their move. And what happens next, happens quickly and seamlessly.

With feline-esk grace, Mikasa drops down from the rafters and lands on top of the guard's shoulders, taking his distracted countenance for granted as she ruthlessly knocks him to the floor.

Thoroughly startled, he lets out a sharp cry; only to be immediately silenced by a well-aimed strike to the back of his head— courtesy of the aforementioned girl currently kneeling on his back.

Now satisfied with his forced compliance, Mikasa raises to her full height and rounds on Armin; reaching his seated form in two large strides, softly questioning his status once she is within arms reach.

As this happens, Rosalie moves to Jean's side; pulling out a sharpened hunting knife as she squats behind his chair.

"Took you guys long enough…" Jean grumbles a complaint, wincing as she begins to saw at the thick rope binding his wrists behind his back.

Rosalie places a consoling hand on his forearm. "Sorry, Jean-bo… We would've been here sooner, but Levi wanted to do this discreetly." She replies quietly, softly apologizing a second time when his pained grimace deepens. "Besides, you're okay, you big baby. If anyone has anything to complain about, it's Armin…"

"You've got that right…" Jean grouses, grunting as the knot slowly loosened; flexing his fingers as circulation began to return. "I… I don't wanna have to do this again, Rosie…" He admits in a low voice after a moment.

Sliding her hand down his arm, Rosalie takes one of his hands in hers and gives it a gentle squeeze. "I know… Hopefully, we won't have to."

Jean doesn't respond— or rather, he doesn't get the chance to, as unfamiliar voices begin to resonate throughout the storeroom.

"And you're sure, without a doubt, that it's Krista and Eren?"

"Yes. They match the description."

"They're coming back!" Jean hisses as he stares in the direction of the approaching footsteps.

For a split second, Rosalie looks up to where Connie perched in the rafters—who silently holds up six fingers in response— before glancing at Mikasa from over Jean's shoulder. "We've gotta hide! We don't have time to cut 'em loose…!" She begins, motioning to the unconscious guard a few feet away. "Hurry, get him outta sight!"

Mikasa is instantly on her feet at the order, dragging the limp male into another aisle with little effort.

As the footsteps grow louder, Rosalie follows suit and quickly ducks around a few nearby supply crates; slinking through the shadows that the many shelves provided as the group of men pass by.

…

"Huh? Where's the guard…?"

As soon as the question is asked, Mikasa leaps from atop a crate, kneeing one man in the face and rounding on another as soon as her boots touch the floor.

She grabs the second by the collar of his shirt and tugs him closer, clutching his arm for more leverage as she flips him over her shoulder and onto his back.

At the same time, Rosalie emerges from her hiding spot and clocks the man closest to her in the face; kicking him in the side when he staggers, sending him stumbling into a nearby stack of crates.

As he goes down, another approaches the brunette from behind and grabs ahold of her cloak's hood.

Gritting her teeth, Rosalie wiggles out of the garment and pivots on her heels. She then grabs the green cloth and quickly twists it around his wrists— bounding his hands together better roughly jerking him forward and into a headbutt.

"What the—?!" The last man standing exclaims, equal parts terrified and angered as he pulls out a pistol from the hidden pocket within his coat.

The sight of the weapon emboldens Jean and Armin in their struggle against their restraints. Their efforts quickly paid off as the remaining rope fibers eventually snap in two— unable to withstand the vicious movement. Now free, both spring up from their chairs, sending the wooden furniture clattering across the floor as they charge forward.

Mikasa, however, already had it covered. Backtracking, she spins on her heel and arcs her leg high; roundhouse-kicking the armed male in the face, sending him careening into the shelving behind him.

She then rounds on the remaining man— who scrambles back upon her approach but is unable to get very far as she hooks his ankle with her foot, tripping him up.

As he hits the ground with a low "oof", Rosalie steps forward and promptly slams her booted heel against his jaw, knocking him out cold before he could even attempt to plead for mercy.

Mikasa sends the brunette an acknowledging nod and turns back to her prior victim, pulling him from the destroyed shelves and rolling him over onto his stomach in preparation for binding his hands. "Connie…! Is it really just the six of them?!" She calls, briefly glancing over her shoulder.

"Yeah, that's it! Nobody else in the area!" Connie calls back in response as he drops down onto a stack of crates from the rafters above.

As all of this was being said, Jean and Armin begin making quick work of tying up the downed, unconscious men closest to them with whatever remained of the thick rope.

Believing them to be distracted, it's at this moment that the male pinned beneath Mikasa makes a move for the discarded gun. However, just as his hand inched outward and his fingers skimmed the metal, an arrow soars down from above; piercing through the trigger guard and into the floor with a dull— but still threatening— thud.

At the suddenness of it all, the male yelps in surprise and looks up fearfully, locking eyes with another brunette perched on top of an undamaged crate, bow in hand.

"If you move again, who knows where I'll hit next?" Sasha warns as she notches another arrow, keeping him firmly within her sights.

Strutting forward as Mikasa wrenches his arm back, Rosalie crouches next to the man and yanks the arrow free before picking up the gun; a taunting grin on her face. "We'll be taking this, thank you very much." She lightly croons before standing to her full height.

Mikasa shakes her head at her sister's actions as she silently accepts a piece of rope from Armin when the blond steps closer. And once she's finished tying the man beneath her up, she rises to her feet. "All right! First, we tie the rest of these guys up. Then, we meet up with the Captain."

"What do you mean?" Armin asks curiously; wordlessly accepting the pistol from Rosalie when she hands it to him, checking the safety before tucking it into the waistband of his pants.

"Captain's orders. And he sends a message, too." Mikasa replies simply as she meets all of their gazes evenly.

"Let's get things settled here first before we talk." Rosalie interjects before the taller girl could say more. She then looks down at one of the men lying at her feet as he slowly comes to, nudging his cheek with the toe of her boot— earning a whinging groan in response. "We'll probably end up coming back here. So we need it secured… Plus, I don't think these guys should hear what you have to say."

...

...

-Residential Area; Trost District, Wall Rose-

Keiji scowls and clicks his tongue, tugging on the reigns to urge the horses to a slow stop. Looking around, his annoyed glare latches onto the group of civilians loitering the street in front of him. "Hey…! Get out of the way!" He yells, his voice carrying up to those observing from the rooftops above.

Levi barely manages to catch the tail end of the order as he lands on the roof next to Nifa. He doesn't speak as he settles against the chimney to his right. Instead, he allows his sharp gaze to trail the area for a moment before settling on the canvas-covered wagon below— the one transporting Eren and Historia, to be specific.

Nifa turns to him, visibly curious at his unexpected arrival. "Captain…?"

"Well?"

Nifa's gaze falls back onto Keiji and the wagon. "The road is crowded, but nothing unusual. It's not that much farther from Commander Pixis… How's the body-double mission going?"

"A success." Levi murmurs thoughtfully.

"And yet, you don't look happy…"

"No…"

As he trails off, Levi looks around once more; suspicious as the hackles of his instincts began to rise. 'Something is wrong… The Military Police can't be behind this. They're far too arrogant— They wouldn't use amateurs… This is more like—'

His gaze once again flicks down to the street as the civilians conveniently clear out. 'Assuming the wagon was being followed, and the group was tailing their target—'

"Captain…" Nifa calls out, slightly raising from her hunkered position as she prepared to move. "The wagons almost moving again."

"Nifa… Have you ever heard about 'Kenny the Ripper'?" Levi inquires lowly, his expression remaining neutral even when she turns to him, somewhat bemused.

"The mass murderer in the Capital? The one that slit the throats of over a hundred Military Police…?" She questions in response, taking his silence as confirmation. "Yeah. But that's just an urban legend from years ago, right?"

"He's real, and the stories are true." Levi informs.

"Huh…?"

"I lived with him for a while when I was a kid."

Nifa's eyes grow wide for a moment before her brows furrow slightly. "What…? Why would you say something like that? This isn't the time to be making jokes."

Levi doesn't respond and looks away, lost in thought. 'That's right… He wouldn't care about using armatures. If a group was tailing their target, it would be from both rear angles and…a place high up with a view—!'

Instantly, dread pools in his stomach; cinching around his guts like a vice as the realization hits him tenfold. Jolting in place, Levi whirls around to look at the woman beside him.

"NIFA…!"

Alarmed, Nifa snaps to attention. Unfortunately, however, the warning comes too late. As soon as she turns to face him, a shot rings out, and not a second later she's slumped over; dead from a gunshot wound to the head.

Jumping up, Levi ducks around the chimney just as another shot is fired. Looking over, he barely catches sight of Able— better known as 'Goggles' amongst his peers— also falling from his perch upon a nearby roof.

The blond's body hits the ground with a dull thud, though the sound is practically drowned out by the screams of a woman and her young daughter on the street below.

"Yo, Levi…" An all-too-familiar voice drawls out. "You grown any yet?" Its owner questions and the taunt is immediately followed up by the sound of guns being reloaded.

Jaw clenching, Levi looks around for an escape route. However, it's then that multiple enemies— seemingly possessing new, upgraded versions of the 3DMG that use buckshots instead of blades— appear as they launch themselves from their hiding places and into the air, surrounding him on all fronts.

"YAHOO…!" The male behind him obnoxiously cheers as he too maneuvers around the chimney, two guns aimed and loaded. "Oh? It don't look like you've changed at all!"

Furious, Levi sneers and draws his blades; surging forward. "KENNY…!" He roars, however, instead of attempting to fight head-on, he does the unexpected by ejecting one of his blades— flinging it like a throwing knife.

Kenny flinches backwards and brings his arms up, blocking the attack with his gear's operating device.

Seeing as he was momentarily distracted, Levi pivots on his heels and pulls off his cloak in a flourish; successfully obscuring himself from view and allowing himself time to duck to the side as Kenny shoots off another round.

Then— after giving Nifa's form one last guilt-riddled look— Levi runs and slides down the roof's slanted peak, luckily missing the next two rounds that Kenny fires after him as he smoothly drops off the edge and into a swing; using his gear to maneuver through the adjoining alleyway with Kenny and his posse not too far behind.

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