Warm sunlight bathed their bodies, a gentle breeze brushed across their faces, so comfortable it made one want to lie down and fall asleep. Yago rode on horseback, already half-squinting his eyes.
In his ears were the laughter and chatter of Annie, Hitch, and A-One. Marlo lay half-dead over his horse. No one knew what had gotten into him—he had suddenly run up to several Ackermans and earnestly begged them to train him, hoping to become a soldier as powerful as an Ackerman.
The Ackermans exchanged glances with one another, and then Marlo ended up like this. The training A-One and the others had received at Claude's estate could be described as cruel beyond humanity.
For these rather straightforward Ackermans, since Marlo had asked, they naturally didn't hold back. And so, under the Ackermans' torment, in just one day Marlo wilted like an eggplant struck by frost.
Naturally, Hitch didn't miss the chance to mock him thoroughly.
Yago took it all in, finding it amusing and yet somewhat moving. Looking at the Survey Corps soldiers around him, each face filled with pride, this was the triumphant return of the Survey Corps.
The Survey Corps returned in triumph bearing humanity's victory. They had successfully reclaimed Wall Maria from the Titans and recovered lost territory for humanity. On this point alone, it was enough to make every Survey Corps soldier proud.
Thinking of the memories of older Eren, where only nine soldiers of the entire Survey Corps survived, and seeing that although many soldiers had still been lost this time, far more sparks of the Wings of Freedom had survived, Yago felt that he had finally lived up to the title of the Fate Titan. Wasn't this a wonderful change? The future would surely be even better—Yago was very optimistic.
"Squad Leader Yago, we've reached Trost District," A-Five said, pointing ahead.
Sure enough, a magnificent fifty-meter-high wall came into view. A green signal flare rose ahead of the Survey Corps, and soon the garrison troops on the wall also fired green signal flares. Under Yago's gaze, the sealed gate slowly lifted.
...
Inside Trost District.
Large numbers of Military Police maintained order, while civilians of Trost District packed both sides of the streets. Upon learning that the Survey Corps, having successfully reclaimed Wall Maria, would arrive in Trost District today, many civilians rushed over without even eating.
High-ranking officials, nobles, and merchant representatives—figures ordinary people rarely saw—were also waiting for the Survey Corps' triumphant return, and at the same time, awaiting Queen Historia.
When they learned that Historia had secretly followed the Survey Corps on the expedition, a great many high-ranking officials and nobles were left with splitting headaches. It was too late to chase after her, yet they didn't dare let her roam freely. Zackly and the others were truly anxious for a long time.
However, in this Survey Corps victory, according to Erwin's report, Historia's transformation into the Jaw Titan had played a crucial role. This made them realize that Historia was not a delicate queen, but a truly brave soldier.
What concerned Zackly the most was the new idea Erwin had proposed in a private letter to him and several regional commanders—an idea that greatly intrigued him.
Adjusting his glasses, Zackly chewed thoughtfully on the new concept Erwin had put forward in the letter.
"A council… interesting."
As the city gate opened, the civilians who had been ready to cheer all froze in place. This was because the first things to enter the wall were wagon after wagon, each carrying bodies covered in white cloth.
These were the soldiers who had fallen in the battle to reclaim Wall Maria. One hundred and seventeen soldiers had offered their hearts for humanity's victory, most of them dying amid the chaos within Shiganshina District.
Seeing the remains of these fallen soldiers, everyone stood in solemn respect.
Nile, who was in charge of commanding the Military Police on site, let out a loud shout, "Salute!"
At once, all the Military Police and garrison troops placed their right hands before their left chests, paying tribute to the fallen soldiers of the Survey Corps.
Even the nobles and high-ranking military officials stood and saluted with deep respect.
Under the civilians' reverent gazes, the wagons carrying the soldiers' bodies slowly passed by.
A dense clatter of hooves rang out. The civilians perked up, all looking toward the city gate. The main event was arriving.
Hooves lightly tapped against the stone pavement, producing crisp sounds. Erwin, his hand wrapped in bandages, was the first to enter Trost District, his resolute face appearing before the crowd.
The blue-and-white Wings of Freedom cloak fluttered gently behind him. Following Erwin were more Survey Corps soldiers, every one of them wearing a proud expression.
As the Survey Corps entered the city, the civilians fell into silence, as if waiting for something. Then Erwin slowly drew a blade. Behind him were the eager gazes of his soldiers, and around him the excited eyes of the crowd.
With a thunderous voice, Erwin roared, "Survey Corps, the battle to reclaim Wall Maria—complete victory!!"
Those words were like striking a match among the crowd. In the next instant, earth-shaking cheers erupted throughout the entire street.
Countless civilians shouted in excitement, stretching out their hands toward the Survey Corps soldiers, hopping and jumping. Flowers and gifts—no one knew when they had been prepared—were thrown from all directions toward the soldiers.
"Commander Erwin! Amazing!"
"The Survey Corps is our hope!"
"Cheer for our heroes!!"
...
The Survey Corps soldiers were just as thrilled. Such a grand welcome was something many of them had never seen in their entire lives.
Marlo clutched a bouquet of flowers that had been tossed from somewhere, grinning from ear to ear, with none of his earlier half-dead look left.
Yago also smiled as he held Annie's hand beside him, prompting Hitch next to them to curl her lips in displeasure.
Behind them, Sasha and Connie, with a sniper rifle wrapped in cloth strapped to Sasha's back, shouted loudly and waved their hands everywhere.
Jean tried his best to restrain himself and maintain a composed appearance. If he hadn't spotted his mother in the crowd, he probably would have cheered without any regard for dignity like Sasha and the others—especially when he noticed Marco sitting in a wheelchair beside his mother.
Although he had lost a leg, Marco looked very healthy. At that moment, he was clapping and smiling as he looked toward Jean.
Eren felt a bit at a loss, because Mikasa suddenly blushed and grabbed his hand. This made Eren very uncomfortable, but Mikasa said nothing. For a moment, Eren didn't even realize to let go of her hand—if anything, deep down, his heart was even fluttering slightly.