Gründen

Found

基づく

Wall Sina, Stohess District

Slam!

"Are you out of your mind?!" Nile yelled at Erwin, who remained unfazed.

A secret meeting was underway among the commanders of each military branch: Levi, Hange, and Premier Zachary. After finally uncovering the identity of the Mysterious Titan, they chose to report their findings to Zachary first. It was ultimately Erwin's decision to bring Nile into the loop, and despite Levi's initial misgivings, he reluctantly accepted Erwin's choice. Unfortunately, Levi's concerns were validated when Nile exploded at Erwin's explanation. They had spent the last four days meticulously reviewing the testimonies of both the Garrison and the Cadets stationed at Trost. After scrutinizing every detail, they finally uncovered the identity of the Mysterious Titan, and now they were just informing Nile about their activities.

Levi was impressed that the arrogant prick managed to wait for Erwin to finish before losing his cool.

Another thing that pissed Nile off was when they explained Hange's close encounter with the Warhammer Titan. Erwin conveniently left out Ilse Langnar's name, even though it was thanks to her that they even know about Warhammer Titan's true identity. It was best to keep her out of this, at least for the time being. Faye had warned Ilse about revealing about what she knew to stay alive, so the least they could do was protect her until things calmed down. That final message Faye left Ilse was clearly talking about the Government. If they are indeed watching the military's every move, then are those corrupt already bastards aware of Titan Shifters? And if it's true, why keep quiet about it? What else are they hiding?

Screw it!

He'll leave the thinking to Erwin and Hange.

Nile balled his fists against the desk. "Erwin, do you really expect me to just keep quiet about this?" he questioned, seething with rage. "Not only did you fail to report Hange speaking to the Warhammer Titan during that expedition, but you also didn't mention that they are a Titan Shifter. And the most obvious crime in all this—you know the identity of the Mysterious Titan and waited until now to say something! And then you expect me not to breathe a word of this to anyone, and believe I'll just go along with it?!" The vein on the side of his head was about ready to burst, his face was already red. "I should arrest you here and now for acts of treason against humanity!"

Levi glared, shifting his posture as his hand gripped his blade. Erwin shot him a look that clearly communicated not to take any action, and reluctantly, he obeyed.

"Calm down, Nile. I understand your anger, but my reasons for staying silent were valid," Erwin said, unfazed by Nile's rising fury. "If I had reported the encounter with the Warhammer Titan and their true identity, it would have attracted unwanted attention from the wrong individuals."

Nile gritted his teeth.

"It's the same case with the Mysterious Titan. Not only is the shifter right here in our military, but I suspect his power is far greater than any of us can possibly imagine." Erwin felt there was more to his words, but needed more proof to confirm his theory. "Eren Yeager can control the Pure Titans and harden his Titan body to seal the breach. If he's capable of such feats, then what else can he do? These are questions that have yet to be answered."

"Including the identities of the three Titan shifters who attacked Wall Maria and Trost," Hange pointed out. "There's a strong possibility he knows their identities, and we'll need that information."

What irritated Nile even more was the fact that everything Erwin said was right. Controlling the Pure Titans and hardening the Titan's skin was one thing, but they had no clue what else the shifter might have hidden up his sleeve. A dangerous yet powerful asset should be utilized when presented to them, and he understood this. Hange also made a valid point about not knowing the identities of three shifters who wanted to wipe them all out. They were at a disadvantage. He hated to admit it, but Erwin had a solid argument.

Nile sighed, sitting back down and rubbing his forehead. "What information do you have on Eren Yeager so far?" he questioned, having conceded.

Hange stepped up, "From what we gathered, he's from Wall Maria in the south region. His hometown is Shiganshina, the very same district where the Colossal Titan breached the wall." She paused briefly before continuing, "The father is deceased, but his mother is alive and well, along with an older sister. Additionally, there are two other cadets from the same town: Mikasa Ackerman and Armin Arlert."

"And what do we know about his relatives?" Nile prodded. "Are they also Titan shifters?"

"No," Pixis replied. "The boy's father is Grisha Yeager; he was the one that cured the plague."

"The doctor?" Nile asked, clearly recognizing the name. Grisha Yeager was a respected man, and his medical knowledge earned praise from both civilians and nobles alike. He also treated soldiers with what he referred to as PTSD, without asking for anything in return.

"Yes, he was as normal as they come, but who's to say that was the case?" Pixis pondered, contemplating the secrets the man might have taken to his grave. Perhaps his son could help shed some light on that. "Carla Yeager is a simple housewife, but…" he trailed off.

"What's wrong?" Hange asked.

Pixis shakes his head. "Nothing, just some idle thinking." He recalled the report about the widow and remembered the description of her features. For some reason, a nagging feeling in the back of his mind was trying to tell him something.

"Erena Yeager is his older sister; she isn't home most of the time, so unfortunately, we don't have much information on her," Hange bemoaned. "All we know is that the two are identical twins."

"Identical twins…" Erwin murmured. "That could complicate things." It would put them in a tight position if Eren Yeager decided to leave the walls and have his sister masquerade as him. Since the two looked identical, no one would be able to tell the difference. This was an outcome they wanted to avoid at all cost. In this war against the Titans and being under government scrutiny, it would be in their best interest to have Eren Yeager on their side.

"What about the two cadets, Mikasa Ackerman and Armin Arlert? How much do they know?" Nile questioned.

"I don't believe they know anything about Eren Yeager holding one of the Nine Titans," Hange replied, recalling both of them mentioned that the Titan felt familiar but couldn't understand why. "They seem to be completely in the dark." This was likely done to keep them safe in case Eren Yeager's identity was compromised and the Military Police started asking questions. The less they know, the safer they are.

Dhalis Zachary, who had not said a word since the meeting began, spoke up. "What are you planning to do, Erwin?" he asked. "You already know his identity, so how will you proceed from here?"

Erwin wasted no time in answering, "The Scouts will monitor his movements and document his activities while he's still with the cadets. According to Keith Shadis's evaluation, he plans to join the Survey Corps. Since that's the case, he will be placed in the Special Operations Squad led by Levi."

"Tch, so I'm stuck babysitting a brat who can turn into a Titan? How fun," Levi said, sarcastic. He may jave been complaining about it, but Hange would give anything to be in his place. Eren Yeager would fit right in with her Squad, and since he appreciates her Titan theories, she was sure he'd be welcomed with open arms.

Erwin could tell from Levi's tone that he was displeased. "Think of it as a precautionary measure. Should Eren Yeager become a threat rather than an asset…you will be tasked with putting him down." It was a final measure that no one wanted, which is why it's a just-in-case scenario. He hoped it wouldn't come to that. "Right now, our priority should be gaining his trust. You will be the last resort."

Levi closed his eyes, either accepting the role as executioner or something else entirely. "Fine." His words felt bitter somehow.

Hange hopes Eren Yeager doesn't end up being a threat to humanity, which is why they'll be monitoring him. This will give them a chance to watch him closely and ascertain what kind of person he truly is.

Zachary hummed, "Then it's settled. Eren Yeager will be in the custody of Levi and his squad once he joins the Survey Corps. I trust there are no objections to my ruling?" He glanced at Pixis and Nile.

"There are no objections." Pixis replied.

"I also have no objections," Nile said, accepting the ruling.

"Then this meeting is adjourned," Zachary declared as he banged his gavel.

Everything was settled. As they left the Premier's office, Nile stopped Erwin to talk for a moment. Levi eyed them, but Erwin gestured for him and the others to go on ahead. The two walked out of the building to a more secluded area.

Nile looked hesitant to speak, then sighed. "Recently, there's been strange activity going on within the Military Police," he said. Normally, he would keep this to himself, but he'll swallow his pride for this one time.

"What do you mean?" Erwin asked.

Nile's expression turned serious as he shared everything he knew with Erwin. By the end of their conversation, Erwin's suspicions about the government had only deepened. The only silver lining in all this is that Nile swore to remain silent about the Mysterious Titan's identity. Small miracles can really happen.

' What are the secrets being kept from within the shadows? And how does it all connect?' Erwin thought as he caught up with Levi and Hange. 'Soon, the answer will reveal itself.'

-進撃の巨人-

He was being watched.

Eren can feel eyes on him—more than just one pair, but several. Most of them were hiding in the forest near the dorms, well concealed. This wasn't the Military Police's doing, which meant it could only be the Survey Corps. As he had deduced, Erwin Smith had decided to monitor him after finding out his identity. Any normal person would be unnerved by being watched constantly, but he could admit he had never been normal. For now, it seemed they only intended to watch and not approach him yet, but that was just for the moment. What would they do when he joined the Survey Corps? Would they place him on a team with one of their best and ensure he didn't step out of line? The strongest Survey Corps soldier was Levi, who, if the rumors were to be believed, had around 87 kills—all of them solo.

The number might be higher than that, but he wouldn't dig deeper into it.

This observation mission is likely their way of trying to understand who he really is and his relationships with others. Well, that's fine. As long as Mikasa and Armin don't notice and become uncomfortable, he'll leave them be. It's not like he can really do anything about them.

"Eren!" Armin called as he walked up to him. "There you are."

'I'll just let things play out as they are,' Eren thought, ignoring the scouts and focusing his attention on Armin.

The surveillance continued, but it didn't bother much, and his actions reflected that. Eren went about his daily routine with his fellow cadets. If they were expecting him to do something that would give them an excuse to bring him into the Survey Corps sooner, they were likely disappointed. His routine is as follows:

Work out at dusk.

Wash up and get dressed.

Spend time with Mikasa and Armin while being bothered by Connie and Sasha about learning his family's language.

Ignoring Jean and throwing insults his way when he becomes irritating.

Playing with Kruger.

Indulging Krista when she wants to go shopping with him and Ymir, as a way for them to understand each other better.

Just the usual routine.

They weren't just doing surveillance; they were also tailing him whenever he left the dorms to go out into town. He would either be by himself or be accompanied by Mikasa or Armin. Eren had to give them credit for staying out of sight, while making sure to keep him under scrutiny. It doesn't seem as though Armin or Mikasa have noticed anything unusual.

'As long as they don't invade my personal space, I don't care,' he thought. Only then would he have an issue.

Mikasa made her way behind the dorms, where Armin was already there waiting for her. "Sorry, were you waiting long?" she asked.

"No, I was waiting long at all," Armin replied.

"So, what was it you wanted to talk about?" Mikasa asked, her curiousity piqued.

Armin got straight to the point. "You've noticed them, right?" he asked.

Instantly, her expression became serious. "Yes, you're talking about the Survey Corps sneaking around the training grounds." She had noticed them from the beginning. "Then does that mean…" she trailed off.

Armin pressed his lips together. "They know," he said, his voice low, "The Scouts know that Eren is the Mysterious Titan." There was no point in sugarcoating it.

Mikasa felt her whole world come crashing down. No, no, it can't be! How did they figure it out?! Armin had assured her that Eren was careful to not let anyone see him, so how…

The interviews!

She gritted her teeth and realized that the Scouts didn't have a clue as to who it could possibly be, so they used the interviews to try and find out. Mikasa hadn't even considered the possibility of them employing such a tactical strategy. During their individual interviews, the Scouts recorded everything—height, weight, age, and physical appearance. They must have used that information or gone over their testimonies to finally identify who they were looking for.

"They got us!" Mikasa clenched her teeth and clenched her fists. It frustrated her to even admit that.

Armin gave her a sympathetic smile, "Yeah, I never considered they would use the interview as a way of narrowing down to only one suspect." He should have known it wouldn't take long for the Scouts to find Eren. Only four days. From the looks of it the only one's watching Eren are the Scouts, and not the Military Police. No—they wouldn't bother with watching and just take him in on charges of being a traitor to humanity. Humans fear what they don't understand, and Eren gaining the power to transform into a Titan falls in that category. A phenomenon that shouldn't be possible was made possible.

"What now?" Mikasa asked, her voice filled with uncertainty.

Armin thought for a moment before sharing his theory. "I don't think they plan on doing anything other than watching." It was true; Eren hadn't been approached, or called to meet with the Commander. "Think of this as them doing recon. If they don't see anything that requires them to take action, then Eren's life won't be in danger." He said it confidently, but Mikasa couldn't shake the feeling that these were still professional Titan killers.

"Then all they're doing is wasting time," Mikasa said, her voice cold like ice and sharp as steel.

Armin flinched.

"My specialty is lacerating flesh," she said, her cold, merciless eyes capable of making even the most hardened soldiers nervous. "If any of them is interested in experiencing my skills firsthand, then I'll gladly demonstrate."

'I hope that time never comes.' Armin couldn't help but be amazed by her courage to threaten the Scouts. And she wasn't bluffing about it, either. That was what made it even more terrifying.

"I don't think you have to go that far…" Armin said nervously. "For now, we should keep pretending we don't know anything. This way, we can protect Eren if they decide to ask us anything about him being the Mysterious Titan." They would feign ignorance and lie through their teeth, using this as a shield to protect themselves in the long run. Truth be told, he was still reeling from the fact that his best friend was really the Mysterious Titan! Back then, he had been more focused on staring in awe as he witnessed the Titan protect them, not once but twice! It was only after the assault on Trost, with Jean's own thoughts about the Titan, that he started piecing things together.

"Armin, I might be overstepping by saying this, but…" Jean hesitated for a moment before pressing on."The Mysterious Titan, I think it's Eren!"

Armin didn't say anything, just sitting there with his eyes widening slightly while maintaining his composure."How do you know?"

Jean looked down at the table. "I wasn't sure at first. In fact, it feels like I've lost my damn mind, but something inside me keeps telling me I'm not wrong." He took a moment to collect himself. "When I saw its green eyes express emotions and intelligence unlike the others…my mind started thinking." It kept racing, "Five years ago, it appeared in Wall Maria, and now here in Trost. The more I thought about it, the more it made sense." Everything started coming together, and the conclusion hit him hard.

Jean lifted his head to face Armin. "He's your best friend, and I know I'm out of line, but…" he clenched his teeth, "…it's him for sure."

Armin didn't need to hear anything else. He felt the same way as Jean.

Jean hadn't said a word to anyone else about their conversation, and he still treated Eren the same way. That was a relief. Mikasa also played a crucial role in confirming Eren's identity as the Mysterious Titan. When she went off alone to find him in Trost and was almost ambushed by a Titan, the Mysterious Titan came out of nowhere and saved her. It even checked on her well-being to ensure she wasn't hurt before getting her to safety.

"It's eyes expressed concern, then relief that I wasn't injured." Mikasa felt her face flush slightly at the memory. "Then it got me to safety and out of harm's way. Those green eyes…they reminded me of Eren."

After hearing that, how could he argue otherwise?

"Anyway, I think we should head back and pretend nothing's wrong," Armin said calmly. "We need to keep our composure and make sure not to alert Eren to anything either." His friend can pick up on the smallest emotion, so they had to act like they normally did and not slip up.

Mikasa calmed down, but she still refused to let the Scouts lay a hand on Eren.

Armin knew have to keep an eye on Mikasa to ensure she didn't threaten any of the Scouts hiding among them.

Erwin observed the members of Levi's squad as they gathered in his office, each wearing different expressions. Two weeks of them observing Eren Yeager have proven valuable, even if they didn't seem to think so. He listened intently as each of them provided various reports about his daily routine, habits, interactions, and personality. Everything appeared normal, with nothing unusual to note. Could Eren have sensed that he was being watched and managed to fooled them? That was certainly a possibility.

"That concludes everything in our observation reports," Eld said, having finished what was necessary. "To anyone else, he appears to be a normal, healthy teenager. Nothing out of the ordinary stood out as he went about his day."

"I've never seen a normal teenager wake up that early just to practice martial arts alone, and not be tired for the rest of the day," Gunther said, impressed by the strict discipline that allowed him to maintain that routine without missing a beat. "Too bad not all soldiers are as disciplined as he is."

Levi showed a little interest. While it was no news to anyone in the room that he, too, was an early riser due to his strict discipline and dedication, another factor was that he barely gets any sleep, which was why he woke up early in the first place. Guess he wasn't the only one keeping a routine.

"That's not the only weird thing about the brat," Oluo said, displaying his notes, which to them looked like gibberish.

"What the hell is that supposed to be?" Gunther questioned, looking unimpressed.

"I don't know, either!" Oluo raised his arms in frustration, "He started speaking this crazy language out of nowhere, and I was trying to write it down!" For all the good it did him, since he couldn't even understand it. "What the hell does any of this even mean?"

Hange paid special attention to that. Another language that's not native to their own?! She needed to know more! "Were you able to at least get the gist of what he was saying?"

"Actually, I managed to write down the translations," Petra interrupted Oluo before he could reply. "Thanks to Armin Arlert acting as translator, it seems Eren Yeager insulted Jean Kirstein by calling him a 'slime shitter' and 'raisin pooper." She snorted.

"PFFT!" Oluo choked on his spit.

Eld had to cover his mouth to keep from laughing.

Gunther pressed his lips together, but it was a losing battle.

Levi snorted, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly.

Mike didn't hold back, laughing his ass off along with Hange, who was banging on Erwin's desk and holding her stomach.

Erwin raised a brow. "Interesting insults." Not to mention creative.

Petra composed herself. "He mostly speaks in this other language to insult Jean Kirstein, and it amuses the other cadets to no end." Namely, Connie Springer, Sasha Blouse, and Ymir. "Eren Yeager mostly spends time with Mikasa Ackerman and Armin Arlert."

"All three of them are childhood friends, so that's no surprise," Hange said, calming down.

"Yes, he's also spent time with Krista Lenz. Judging by their interactions, it appears to be a brother-sister relationship compared to his relationship with Mikasa Ackerman." Petra thought his outing with Krista was adorable, but he was a different person when around Mikasa. She felt like a third wheel watching them hold hands out in public, acting like teenagers in love. Petra was seriously jealous!

"Elaborate." Erwin said.

Petra was more than glad to elaborate, "To be it bluntly…the two of them are perfect for each other!" she gushed. "He would fix her hair and brush it with such gentleness and care. When they went out into Trost together, he bought her three hair ornaments, a skirt, and a sewing kit for her scarf. Even taking care of her when she got a stomach ache, and stayed by her side until she made a full recovery."

Her fellow team members were speechless as she clearly veered off track, acting like a love struck girl. They debated whether they should stop her or not, but ultimately, there was no need. She snapped out of her trance and glared at them. Before any of them could react, she kicked the three men in their shins, "Why can't you three be more like him?!" she chided, uncaring of their pained groans.

"What the hell, Petra?!" Oluo exclaimed, rubbing his shin to lessen the pain.

"Was that necessary?" Eld questioned, wincing slightly.

"What did we do?" Gunther asked, looking genuinely confused.

"Hmph!" Petra huffed, crossing her arms and turning away from them. She was clearly frustrated, her cheeks flushed with irritation. "You guys just don't understand how important it is to show you care!"

"Seriously, what's with you?" Oluo asked as he stood up, "Are you jealous or something because you can't get a man–" A swift punch to the stomach shut him up real quick, and he doubled over, groaning in pain on the ground. Petra showed no remorse, secretly hoping he would regret his words.

Eld and Gunther wisely kept their mouths shut, while Levi watched with an expression of boredom. Mike snorted down at Oluo, and Hange chuckled at the scene unfolding before them.

Erwin sighed, "In layman's terms, she's considered a special existence to him."

"Ah, yes sir!" Petra said, regaining her composure and straightening up. She looked determined, ready to defend her feelings.

An early riser who trains, speaks another language, and interacts with his peers normally all without raising any red flags—Eren Yeager is shaping up to be a very interesting individual. Who taught him martial arts and a language no one here understands? And more importantly…Erwin wants to know about the previous inheritor of the Mysterious Titan. He has questions swirling around in his mind, but knows that if he confronts Eren Yeager, the boy will deny everything.

Another pressing issue is that they still don't know the identities of the Armor, Colossal, and Female Titans. The mystery deepens, and Erwin feels the weight of these unanswered questions pressing on him as he considers the implications for their mission and the safety of humanity.

"I still can't wrap my head around it. He's just a kid, and that very same kid can not only turn into a Titan but also controls them." Eld felt conflicted and concerned. Should a kid really possess such power?

"Even now, I still find it hard to believe," Gunther added, shaking his head in disbelief.

Oluo groaned, slowly getting to his feet. "If you ask me…he's more dangerous than the Warhammer Titan," he said.

Petra opened her mouth to protest, but Levi cut in, "That's right." Everyone turned their attention to him. "He's dangerous."

"Captain!" Petra exclaimed, clearly frustrated.

"That brat can turn into a Titan that controls other Titan's, and god knows what else," Levi said, not foolish enough to overlook the potential danger the kid posed. "Yeager can use his power against us the second we piss him off. He's a prime example of the calm before the storm."

And if that time comes, he was prepared to put him down. Eren Yeager was an enigma they know nothing about, and that left him on edge.

No one said a word after Levi shared his thoughts about Eren Yeager. They were so fixated on the boy's calm demeanor and impressive skills that they all overlooked the bigger picture. Eren Yeager was just a kid. And yet that very same kid possessed the power to transform into one of the Nine Titans and control Pure Titans, among other abilities. Even the Commander had said it best himself: if he could control the lesser Titans, then what else was he capable of?

All that power at his fingertips could be used against them, and he could easily abuse it if he so chose to. They would be powerless to stop him. It only took one misstep to set him off, and the storm would come crashing down on them with righteous fury.

"That's why it's important for us to stay on his good side," Hange said, breaking the tense silence. "Your concerns are valid, and none of us are ignoring the obvious facts, but I truly believe Eren Yeager is a good kid."

"Based on what?" Levi questioned, raising an eyebrow.

Hange stepped forward, "Five years ago, when Wall Maria was breached and Titans came through the wall, he didn't hesitate to transform and protect the people of Shiganshina," she said. "Do the math, Levi. How old was he back then?"

Levi did the calculations in his head but said nothing.

"Ten. He would have been ten years old," Petra whispered.

Eld, Gunther, and Oluo exchanged surprised glances, their expressions reflecting the weight of that revelation.

"Precisely, he was just a child who used his powers for the first time to defend his home from the enemy," Hange continued, her voice steady. She had read the report repeatedly and had it committed to memory. "Not only that, but he fought and won against the Armored Titan, sealed the breach, and then found the bodies of those who didn't make it." Such events would leave a mark on any child.

Mike rubbed his face with his hand. "Just ten years old, damn." What else was there to say?

Erwin showed no outward reaction, but who could say what was going on in his mind?

"After breaching Wall Rose, enemies flooded Trost with Titans, mirroring Shiganshina's devastation. Yet again, Eren Yeager saved humanity—a protector destined to always defend us."

Silence fell as the truth sank in—Hange's words pierced doubt. Eren Yeager, an ordinary heart with extraordinary Titan power, selflessly protects, not destroys. Shame washed over them—foolish fears of his anger, replaced with gratitude.

Hange teased, "Levi, Eren's joining your squad soon—maybe you'll even tolerate him!"

Levi snapped, "Silence, idiot."

Erwin smiled. "It will soon be time for the cadets to choose which branch they wish to join." He stood from his chair and added, "Let us welcome our new recruits."

-進撃の巨人-

It was here.

The day had finally arrived. Tonight was the night they would choose whether to join the Survey Corps or one of the other two branches. Eren, Armin, and Mikasa were ready to join the Survey Corps, having trained hard for this moment. There was no fear, only anticipation. The flickering torches around them and the stars above illuminated the many faces of the recruits. With their backs straight and heads held high, they waited eagerly to hear what the Commander had to say.

Eren spotted several Survey Corps members stepping up to the side of the stage first. At the center was a man he recognized instantly. Erwin Smith took center stage, his presence commanding as all eyes turned to him. It was because of this man that the mortality rate of the Survey Corps had slightly decreased since he took over as Commander. To the nobles, it wasn't seen as much of a difference, but the citizens and soldiers felt otherwise. With his overwhelming presence and charisma, it was no wonder soldiers were willing to trust him—and even give up their lives for the cause.

"Greetings. I am Erwin Smith, Commander of the Survey Corps," Erwin announced, raising his voice so all could hear. "Tonight, you will choose which military branch you wish to join. I'll be blunt and ask you this…join the Survey Corps." Murmurs rippled through the recruits, but he paid them no mind. "As all of you are already aware, the survival rate of the Scouts was only 60% because our forces dwindled during our expeditions beyond the walls. Not a very pleasant figure, but that is the reality." He paused briefly to gauge their reactions, and saw some quiver while others looked on with indifference. "Any trainees who join us will participate in next month's expedition beyond the walls. We expect thirty percent will not return." Nervous murmurs started again. "But that was in the past, as humanity now has hope in the form of two new allies—the Warhammer Titan, who slays our enemies from outside the walls, and the Mysterious Titan, who protects us from within."

The recruits present recalled the Mysterious Titan appearing out of nowhere to save their lives. While some still lost their lives, the death toll would have been significantly higher had it not been for the Mysterious Titan's intervention.

Erwin observed the recruits, his gaze settled on Eren Yeager, who maintained a stoic expression. He was impressed by the teenager's ability to keep a straight face, but he noticed the eyes of Ackerman and Artlert flickering toward Eren before returning to the stage. Interesting. It seemed the two had pieced everything together for themselves.

"For the past 100 years, we believed Titans to be mindless creatures whose sole purpose was to devour us, and nothing more. But that belief was shattered by the Colossal and Armored Titans. Five years ago, these two Titans displayed intelligence similar to that of humans. Their attack on Wall Maria made their intentions clear, their plan was ultimately foiled by the Mysterious Titan—not once, but twice." Erwin noticed most of the recruits smile at the mention of humanity's savior. "The Mysterious Titan's goal differs from theirs, which is why the Survey Corps will seek out this Titan, and gain its trust. We will ask it to fight by our side out in the open instead of lurking in the shadows."

'So that's your strategy.' Eren realized what Erwin was doing. He was leveraging the Mysterious Titan to attract more recruits to the Survey Corps and boost morale. Using a Titan that had no interest in harming humans, but instead protected them from its own kind, would pique anyone's interest. 'You're quite the sly man, Erwin Smith.'

"Anyone still willing to risk their lives, remain here." Erwin took a deep breath. "Ask yourselves, "Am I willing to offer up my beating heart for mankind?" Some of the recruits hesitated, but those that weren't stood firm. "That is all." His gaze remained fixed on them. "All those wishing to join another branch are dismissed."

Eren already knew some would leave after that. Erwin Smith was honest and straightforward. If you choose to join the Survey Corps, you must prepare to lose your life. If you're one of the lucky few who survive an expedition, then you can be proud. You've given up your heart to mankind and lived to tell the tale. His approach may be overly forceful, but it serves another purpose. Are the recruits willing to risk their lives, or not? It's their choice.

As expected, most of the recruits left. One by one, they walked away, their footsteps echoing loudly, faces cast down in either shame or cowardice. What mildly surprised Eren were the ones that remained and didn't follow suit. Thomas, Mina, and some from his squad that survived Trost were still there. Jean and Marco were also still here. How strange. Both of them had decided to join the Military Police, so why are they still present? What changed? Reiner and Bertolt stayed while Annie left. Sasha, Connie, Ymir, and Krista were there too. Armin and Mikasa stood by his side, keeping their gazes forward. Finally, it was just them left. Hanna and Annie left to join other branches, while the rest of the graduating class stayed, along with a few others.

Erwin was impressed and a bit elated that some of the top cadets had stayed behind, along with a few others. The number was more than he expected, but it was a welcome outcome. "Are you willing to die if ordered to?"

"I don't want to die!" Jean replied.

Erwin smiled, "I see. I like the looks on your faces." He noticed a fire in their eyes that he could appreciate. "I hereby welcome you all to the Survey Corps! This is a true salute!" He raised his hand in salute. "Offer up your hearts!"

Eren, Mikasa, and Armin made the salute, along with the rest of the recruits. Their expressions varied from indifference to terror and grim determination, but here they were. This was real. All of them had joined the Survey Corps.

"You all…" Armin said, surprised by those who stayed, but feeling a sense of happiness.

Mina smiled. "We told you at Trost, remember? Most of us want to join the Survey Corps."

"We'll join the fight against the Titans." Thomas added, determination evident in his voice.

Jean looked down, "This is terrible." Yet his legs didn't move like the others; he willingly stayed.

"It's not the Military Police, but we can still make a difference," Marco said, ever the optimistic.

"I'm scared!" Sasha whimpered, "But…I won't run away!"

"I don't even care," Connie said, recalling the fear he felt in Trost. He didn't just wanna run away, either.

Reiner stood firm, while Bertolt looked nervous.

Krista wasn't scared; she was determined to see this through to the end. Ymir was impressed, 'Well I'll be damned.'

"You have done well to overcome your mortal fear. You are brave soldiers," Erwin said, sincerely. "You have my heartfelt respect."

Eren doesn't know how things will play out from here, but he feels prepared. 'Soon…the real fight will begin.'

He can feel it.

To be continued…

Next time :

Tage Mit Den Pfadfindern

Days With The Scouts

スカウトとの日々