"Then tell me about your plan."
Upon hearing this, Pixis narrowed his eyes again and looked kindly at the group.
The Survey Corps had finished their expedition beyond the walls and were returning to provide reinforcements.
After killing one Titan, a Survey Corps soldier was unfortunately grabbed and bitten into the mouth of another.
"You bastards… Captain Levi will definitely—!"
The soldier shouted angrily at the Titan, refusing to give up. Before he could finish—
A cable shot into a distant tower. Levi flashed past at incredible speed and landed lightly on a rooftop.
The Titan's nape was sliced clean off, and it collapsed to the ground, releasing steam.
The soldier was saved.
"Captain, the reinforcements have already assembled."
A female soldier with short light-brown hair and golden eyes spoke loudly. She was Petra Ral.
"Petra, go take care of the wounded down there. The rest of you support the right flank. I'll deal with the enemies on the left."
After giving the order, Levi immediately flew toward the left side.
"Captain!" Petra called out worriedly.
Although Levi was extremely strong, there were many Titans on the left.
Levi cut down four Titans on the left flank as easily as chopping vegetables.
"Tch… filthy."
Levi frowned as he looked at the blood on his hands.
In the distance, Hange landed in front of a Titan. She opened her arms and smiled at it.
"Don't worry, okay? I won't let you feel any pain!"
Hange easily dodged a punch from the Titan, then instantly launched forward.
Her twin blades swung down, slicing the Titan's nape.
The Titan collapsed immediately.
"See? I told you it wouldn't hurt."
Hange whispered softly like a demon—both gentle and terrifying.
Meanwhile, Petra was treating a wounded soldier when three Titans suddenly surrounded her.
Petra gritted her teeth and prepared herself.
All three Titans reached toward her at the same time—
But unexpectedly, their grabs missed, their movements becoming strangely sluggish.
Seizing the moment, Petra quickly dodged and fired her grappling hook, flipping through the air before landing on a rooftop.
A graceful figure with long brown hair descended from the sky.
After cutting off the nape of one Titan, she calmly walked across the Titan's shoulder to another and sliced its nape as well.
Zhang Huairou stood atop the slowly steaming Titan's shoulder, brushing the hair from her forehead behind her ear. Her long hair flowed down to her waist, swaying in the wind.
"Miss Chis…"
Petra stared at Chis Winyaad for a moment, slightly dazed. Her cheeks faintly reddened.
Chis Winyaad fired her grappling hook into the ground beside Petra and flew over, slicing another Titan's nape as she passed it.
Then she gave Petra a charming smile.
Petra glanced at her again before quickly looking away. She took out a handkerchief and pressed it against the wounded soldier's injury, only to realize the bleeding wouldn't stop.
In the distance, Levi landed and slowly walked over.
"Cap… Captain… I can't stop the bleeding…"
Petra said tearfully.
"Massive bleeding. He's beyond saving," Chis Winyaad said softly after checking the soldier's pulse, shaking her head.
"Captain… did I help humanity at all…? Or… am I just dying uselessly like this…?"
The soldier asked weakly.
Levi grabbed the soldier's blood-stained hand firmly and replied:
"You've already done enough. The will you leave behind will become the source of my strength. I promise you… I will wipe out the Titans."
While looking at Levi, Chis Winyaad sensed a Titan slowly approaching from the distance.
She lowered her head.
Her pupils suddenly turned gray.
The Titan walked to a blind corner, suddenly collapsed, and reached back to dig out its own nape.
It turned into a corpse and began releasing large amounts of steam.
Chis Winyaad quietly took a few breaths.
Levi suddenly raised his eyes and met her gaze.
His eyes carried concern and a silent question.
Chis Winyaad shook her head slightly.
Only then did Levi relax.
"Levi!"
A tall and imposing figure shouted while riding a horse.
It was Erwin Smith.
"We're retreating," Erwin ordered urgently.
"Huh?" Petra looked confused.
Chis Winyaad glanced briefly at Erwin but said nothing, shifting her gaze toward Levi.
"Retreat? We haven't even reached the end yet. Are you telling me my subordinates died for nothing?"
Levi frowned, his half-lidded eyes narrowing with displeasure.
"The Titans are moving north toward the town. From the looks of it, the situation is the same as five years ago. Something has happened in the town. The wall has most likely been breached."
Erwin stared toward the direction of the wall, speaking urgently.
Levi gritted his teeth but said nothing.
He followed after Erwin, silently accepting the order.
Petra followed closely behind.
Hearing this, Chis Winyaad suddenly remembered the child she had seen on the street near the city gate before.
I wonder how that little boy who seemed to be from the same place as me is doing…
He probably wouldn't die that easily.
She thought about going to see Chen Si.
"Miss Chis? What's wrong?"
After walking a few steps, Petra noticed Chis Winyaad standing there lost in thought and asked with concern.
"It's nothing. Let's go."
Chis Winyaad smiled gently and mounted the horse brought over by a soldier guarding the mounts.
Her long legs swung gracefully onto the horse. Her snow-white neck lifted proudly, and her posture revealed a striking, almost perfect figure as she rode to catch up with the main force.
Petra stared at her in a daze.
Miss Chis is really beautiful…
She and the Captain… seem like a better match.
Thinking this, Petra clenched her fists before quickly collecting herself and riding after them.
"I see. So once you reach that basement, the truth will be revealed."
Pixis stood with his back to the four of them, gazing at the distant smoke.
"Yes. Will you believe us?" Eren asked nervously.
"If you can't even believe in yourself, then I can only keep this plan in mind for now. But at my age, after decades of war, I can still tell people's true intentions."
Pixis turned slightly toward them.
"I will guarantee your safety."
The three of them immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
"Then, Trainee Arlert. You said earlier that by using Trainee Yeager's Titan power, there's hope of reclaiming this city. Is that correct?"
Pixis looked directly into Armin's eyes.
"Yes!" Armin replied immediately.
"Is that truly the case? Or just a desperate attempt to save your lives?" Pixis asked calmly.
"Old man, stop talking so much. Just do it already. If it fails, you can just arrest Eren and execute him."
Chen Si spoke impatiently.
"What?!" Eren cried out in shock.
"Ah—no! How can that be…" Armin said anxiously.
Mikasa said nothing. She could already guess what Chen Si was going to say.
"Oh? If I execute him, would you support that?" Pixis asked curiously, glancing at Chen Si.
"Of course not. I promised his mom I'd take good care of Eren. A real man keeps his word. Since I can't break that promise… I'll just have to sacrifice the senior soldiers of the Garrison Regiment instead."
Chen Si smiled harmlessly, showing eight bright teeth as he scratched the back of his head in an innocent manner.
"Chen Si…"
Eren's eyes became moist with emotion.
Mikasa had expected this. She stepped between Chen Si and Eren, watching Pixis cautiously.
Pixis, an old fox, naturally noticed her vigilance.
"Hahaha! Well then, Soldier Chen Si has said it himself—once a word is spoken, it cannot be taken back."
Pixis laughed and turned to Eren.
"So, Trainee Yeager… I believe you will succeed."