"Mom, where is Dad?"
It was the third time that day Eren asked Carla that question. Mikasa was noticeably silent, lost in contemplation without uttering a word.
Carla didn't know what Grisha had suddenly gone off to do, but because she didn't want the two children to worry, she could only offer vague excuses.
Truthfully, why wouldn't she be panicking? The Titans breached the Wall, and her husband was missing. How was a woman who worked as a waitress and then a homemaker like Carla supposed to handle this?
"Eren, stop making noise. Mom is tired."
Mikasa pulled Eren away to give Carla time to rest.
Three days had passed since the Titans broke the Wall. They were all on the rescue boat that day, witnessing the Armored Titan breach Wall Maria. And this refugee gathering area was still within Maria's territory.
No one knew when the Titans might wander into this place.
Living under such pressure, some people had even committed suicide. The Garrison and Military Police couldn't care less. To them, the fewer mouths to feed, the better. They probably wished more people would commit suicide.
The two wandered around for a bit and spotted a small figure huddled at the base of a brick wall, his face buried in his knees. Seeing the distinctive hair, Eren quickly ran over.
Armin Arlert, arguably Eren and Mikasa's childhood friend. A blonde boy who looked a bit fragile but was actually intelligent and fond of exploration. One of the few people who agreed with Eren about going outside the Walls.
However, his family was not as lucky as the Yeager family. His parents were gone, and Armin's only remaining relative was his uncle.
"Armin..."
"Eren, Mikasa... I'm so glad you two are safe."
The three chatted for a while, mainly comforting Armin about the death of his parents. Because of his two childhood friends being there, the boy's spirits lifted slightly.
While the three were gathered, a loud announcement suddenly echoed across the refugee area.
It was an urgent message.
"The Survey Corps has defeated the Titans and retaken Shiganshina! The Survey Corps has defeated the Titans and retaken Maria!"
The announcement resonated throughout the refugee camp, leaving not only the residents but also the soldiers stunned and confused. Now, they finally understood why, even after witnessing the Wall being breached, they were still not allowed to move into Wall Rose for refuge.
It turned out that a struggle was still ongoing, and surprisingly, humanity had actually won?
Was that really the Survey Corps? The group of people they always called "hopeless" and "stupid"?
Many people who were saved by Asahi that day noticed the abnormality. In their memory, the person who was slaying Titans like chickens was fundamentally not wearing a Survey Corps uniform. But because they were unsure of the situation, they dared not speak out.
Regardless, they could go home now!
There was another piece of news: the Survey Corps would be visiting this refugee area tonight. This made the children who admired the Survey Corps visibly excited. Even Mikasa and Carla, who strongly disliked Eren associating with this regiment, did not voice any objections.
And by evening, as everyone was eagerly anticipating, the Survey Corps led by Keith Shadis truly arrived.
"Oh people of Shiganshina, the Wall has been sealed, the Titans have been exterminated! Just wait a little while for things to stabilize, and everyone can return to their homes."
Keith's declaration sparked a series of cheers. It lifted the Survey Corps from the bottom of the military to the pinnacle of glory. Seeing the people continuously shouting their names as if hailing heroes, the Survey Corps soldiers couldn't help but feel emotional.
They never asked for anything more than to simply survive whenever they went outside the Wall. But who wouldn't want to be acknowledged?
Ah, no, there was exactly one person.
"Tsk, how noisy."
Within the Survey Corps, a short figure frowned at the noisy commotion surrounding them.
It was a man who was "a bit short" with a cold expression and sharp eyes, coupled with a hairstyle that hung down on both sides.
Levi Ackerman, who had only joined the Survey Corps a year ago. His recruitment process was filled with pain and complications, yet in the end, he decided to stay here.
Levi was annoyed because he knew that the victory the people were praising them for was not the work of the Survey Corps but of someone else. He had his pride; he didn't like taking credit for others' achievements like this.
While he was scowling, a hand was placed on his shoulder.
"What's wrong, annoyed?"
The speaker was Erwin. A man with excellent psychological insight, it wasn't hard for him to guess why Levi was acting this way.
"You must understand, the Survey Corps has just gone through a difficult period and needs new blood to replenish its ranks quickly. And this is too good an opportunity."
"I know."
"But don't be so upset. I already asked the original owner's permission; we're not stealing."
Hearing this, Levi raised an eyebrow in suspicion. Asked permission?
Could it be...
"That person has infiltrated us?"
"You guessed it? It seems I might have underestimated you... But there's something to correct: I invited that person to join officially, not infiltrate."
"Whatever."
Levi's attitude was no longer as negative as before, even if he still looked visibly grumpy.
Erwin, meanwhile, was contemplating the tasks ahead. Keith had agreed to step down, and he would have to bear the responsibility of dealing with the government's inquiry, concealing Asahi's identity, reorganizing the Survey Corps,... there were many things to be done.
He planned to promote Levi to his former position, allowing Levi to command his own squad instead of operating as a regular soldier. And not just Levi; Erwin also aimed to let several others form their own specialized teams. This would allow them to maximize their strengths while also reducing his own workload.
As for Asahi, although he agreed to join the Survey Corps, Erwin didn't consider him his subordinate. Not because he was too strong, but because he understood he wasn't that type of person.
He was like Erwin, a man with his own aspirations, with grand ambitions. Both were similar in that they were willing to sacrifice themselves for a purpose more important than their own lives.
But they were also different in that Erwin would sacrifice others, becoming the last one standing. Asahi would only sacrifice himself, becoming the one who falls first.
Regardless of right or wrong, both men already understood these issues; it was just their approach and method of resolution that differed.
In normal times, this wouldn't show. But in the most critical moments, there would surely be conflict.
It was just a matter of when.
Asahi had separated from the Survey Corps group and quietly slipped into the crowd. He wanted to find the Yeager family, especially Grisha, to continue their previous conversation.
Grisha had never admitted it, but his reaction upon seeing Asahi was nothing short of indirectly saying that he, too, came from outside the Walls.
And that surely wasn't some gathering of indigenous tribes or survivors. Otherwise, how could a formal doctor be trained? For someone like Grisha to exist, it could only come from a civilized society. But that also led to many more problems, even paradoxes.
What secrets were truly hidden in this world?