Dot Dot Pixis stood up, picked up the wine bottle from the table, and drained it in one go. Now he knew he no longer needed to ask for funding.
"As a pre-battle courtesy, I'll drink first in respect," Pixis said before turning and leaving with his subordinates.
He slipped the silver teacup he had quietly taken from the duke's residence into his coat and felt secretly pleased. It should be worth at least two more bottles of liquor.
"Wait, Pixis! Stop right there! Immediately gather your soldiers to defend my territory! Isn't that your duty?" Duke Baldo shouted as he chased after him.
Pixis slowly halted and turned around, calmly looking at the duke. This man had always skimmed funds from the Garrison. Pixis had no fondness for him. If not for the stability within the Walls, he would gladly confiscate the nobles' property outright.
"Your Grace," Pixis replied evenly, "my soldiers are currently fighting desperately in Trost District. Many of them have likely already lost their lives."
"Commander, I'll prepare the horses," Anka, the female aide at Pixis's side, said coolly after glancing at the duke. As soldiers, none of them held the noble in any regard.
Pixis nodded and continued, "During the time you delayed me with this conversation, who knows how many more lives have been lost."
"They're just commoners. If they die, they die. Besides, you can't even beat me at chess—what difference will your presence make?" Duke Baldo sneered.
"Please rest assured, Your Grace," a male aide beside Pixis said quietly. "Against Titans, the commander has no need to hold back."
The duke stiffened, feeling humiliated and about to lash out.
"Enough," Pixis said, stopping his subordinate—though without any hint of reproach.
"Your Grace, just carry on as usual today. Do whatever you normally do, and provide what you normally provide," Pixis said with a faint smile.
The duke called out his name in despair. In his eyes, only his fiefdom mattered; the lives of the people meant nothing.
Garrison Command Room
"Knock, knock."
"Come in."
Dot Pixis stood by the window, holding a wine bottle and gazing into the distance.
The door opened. A short-haired blonde woman wearing glasses entered—the elite squad leader of the Garrison, Rico Brzenska.
"Commander, the wall in Trost District has been breached. Large numbers of Titans have entered. The residents are being slaughtered," Rico reported calmly. Having witnessed countless comrades die, she had long since learned composure.
"There's one more thing… the Colossal Titan…" Rico stepped closer and whispered into Pixis's ear.
Pixis's normally steady eyes widened slightly.
"To withstand the Colossal Titan head-on… Top Graduate Chen Si, hmm? Interesting," Pixis murmured. "Squad Leader Rico, immediately notify Captain Kitz Woermann to organize defensive lines. As for Chen Si—do everything possible to win him over."
"Yes, sir." Rico saluted and withdrew.
Pixis looked toward the distant horizon, a trace of hope flickering in his eyes. Taking his coat from the rack, he stepped out of the office.
"The wall's been breached! If we don't seal it quickly, more Titans will pour in!" Connie said anxiously.
"What are you doing? The battle began the moment the Colossal Titan appeared! Return to headquarters immediately and prepare for combat!" A Garrison soldier flew over using ODM gear.
Eren and the others quickly saluted. The soldier noticed Chen Si on Eren's back.
"Who is he?"
"Sir! Chen Si is the one who fought the Colossal Titan just now. He was injured and lost consciousness," Eren reported.
So he's the top graduate who can contend with the Colossal Titan?
The soldier froze for a moment before recalling his mission.
"Take him to headquarters to rest immediately. Make sure nothing happens to him. Someone will come for him," the soldier ordered before flying off.
"Yes, sir!" Eren, Connie, and Thomas responded in unison.
The bronze bells tolled.
Refugees from Trost flooded toward the inner gate, the streets packed so tightly that not even a sliver of space remained. The crowd pressed together like a swarm of ants.
At the gate, soldiers struggled to maintain order.
"Minimize your belongings! Evacuate in an orderly fashion!" they shouted, sweat streaming down their faces.
But panic left no room in people's minds for anything except escape.
"Behind us are our wives and children! We must not let the Titans through!" a frontline officer shouted.
"All troops, charge!"
He drew his blade and rushed forward first.
"Charge!"
The Garrison soldiers along Wall Rose fired their outdated cannons at the approaching Titans. Inspired by the surge of morale, they launched wave after wave of assaults.
Courage is humanity's greatest praise—but when strength is too lacking, courage alone cannot compensate.
Despite their fierce resistance, one after another, the frontline soldiers were devoured, crushed, and torn apart in the Titans' jaws.
The vanguard was annihilated.
The outer district of Wall Rose had fallen.
"You trainees are outstanding soldiers who passed your graduation exercises. I expect you to perform brilliantly in this battle. Humanity is in your hands."
The instructor delivered his pre-battle speech.
The trainees hurriedly adjusted their equipment. For the first time, such chaos went unpunished by reprimands. The instructor looked deeply at their busy figures.
For him, years had been enough to memorize every face.
He forced a bitter smile, picked up his gear, and headed for the front lines.
After this battle… how many familiar faces would remain?
"Hannah, don't be afraid. I'll protect you," Franz said, holding her tightly.
Whether he would survive, he did not know. But he knew he had no choice—as a soldier, for humanity, and for Hanna.
"Franz…" Hanna buried her face in his chest, trembling, tears filling her eyes. She wasn't afraid of the Titans—she was afraid of losing Franz.
Mikasa, ranked second in the class, was carrying out duties at the equipment station. She noticed the embracing couple and immediately thought of Chen Si.
Anxiety surged within her, and she moved to find him.
"Mikasa! Mikasa!" Eren shouted, carrying Chen Si on his back.
"What happened?! What happened to him?!" Mikasa's eyes widened as she rushed forward and yelled at Eren.
"Chen Si fought the Colossal Titan. He was injured, but he drove it back. He just fainted. Don't worry."
It was the first time Eren had seen Mikasa so shaken, and even he was startled.
Mikasa touched Chen Si's forehead, checked his breathing, and pressed her ear against his chest, hearing a steady heartbeat. She finally let out a breath of relief.
Titans…
The Colossal Titan…
At that moment, Mikasa was filled with overwhelming killing intent toward the Titans—especially the Colossal Titan.