Wall Rose, Southern Towers.
There was a gate here that led to the walls of Sina, through which a large number of refugees had entered when a breach was opened in Wall Maria.
Now, two months after the wall's collapse, most of the survivors had entered the interior of Wall Rose.
However, the city gates, which had remained sealed, were opened today.
A group of people entered through the city gate, wearing the green Wings of Freedom—the emblem of the Survey Corps.
Erwin Smith, commander of the Survey Corps, led the elite troops back at the conclusion of the Twenty-Fourth Expedition Beyond the Walls.
By the year 844, over the past one hundred years, those living within the walls had conducted only twenty-three reconnaissance missions outside them.
After a breach was opened in Wall Maria, Erwin Smith immediately led a team to the Shiganshina region, where the city gates had been destroyed, to gather information about the Colossal Titan and the Armored Titan, as well as to escort some refugees who were still trapped within Wall Sina.
As a squad leader, Hange Zoe established an outpost of the Survey Corps in the Trost region and was responsible for receiving refugees.
After a month of waiting, Commander Erwin finally returned with his team. The short man following behind him was none other than Captain Levi, known as the strongest man in human history.
"How's the situation outside?" Hange stepped forward to take Erwin's horse.
"It's useless." Erwin shook his head. "There are Titans everywhere. When we reached the nearest village, we didn't find a single living person."
"The last horses carried those who died during this investigation. Compared to those who were devoured by Titans and died without a complete body, they were very fortunate. At least their remains could be preserved and brought back inside the walls."
"I see…" Hange tied the horse to the stake.
"What's the situation inside Wall Rose? How is the government resettling the refugees?" Erwin removed his cloak and looked around.
"They're basically being left to fend for themselves. The government has designated remote areas for the refugees to cultivate wasteland." Hange adjusted her glasses and asked, "But what about the Colossal Titan and the Armored Titan? Do you have any news about them?"
"You're the same as always—only interested in Titan-related matters," Erwin said without smiling.
"Of course I'm interested in the sudden appearance of such special children," Hange said with a laugh, pointing ahead. "The Titans we've captured so far don't have the ability to communicate. They only think about eating people."
"But those two children seem to have planned everything from the beginning. I've been thinking about it for days. Could there be a tribe of giants outside the walls? Or perhaps intelligent Titans exist in this world?"
"Although I agree with your idea, it's a pity that we didn't find either the Colossal Titan or the Armored Titan." Erwin shook his head and said, "We only covered one-third of the planned distance. There were too many Titans; we simply couldn't reach the Shiganshina region."
"All the original routes will be discarded. We can only start from scratch and explore the Shiganshina region step by step. It will probably take several years to reach it."
"This is a real headache." Hange scratched her head and asked, "When will the next expedition beyond the walls be decided?"
"I'm afraid it will take some time." Erwin drank a glass of water and said, "This investigation was ordered by the central government. We first have to return and report what we've discovered."
"Are we going back to that awful place again?" Hange rubbed her temples. "No… you're not going to say it… you're going to make me write the report again, aren't you?"
"Hange, only you have that ability." Erwin patted her on the shoulder. "Please—we're leaving tonight, so prepare the documents before we reach the capital."
"Erwin, you… you really are a demon…" Hange shrugged helplessly.
"Thank you for the compliment," Erwin said casually.
…
That very night, the Survey Corps set out on horseback toward the capital.
"Speaking of which, I've heard some interesting rumors," Hange said loudly from her horse.
"Another Titan?" Levi scoffed and said coldly, "You'd better be careful. Once we're back in the central areas, don't say anything strange."
"No, it's a rumor about the refugee zones," Hange said with a hint of curiosity, then continued seriously. "This afternoon, while organizing data, I received the design for a new agricultural tool. How should I put it… it's called a water wheel."
"You can imagine it like a windmill rotating in the water. Not only can it spin like a windmill, but it can also automatically lift water and redirect it to farmland."
"Thanks to this, the reclamation of farmland in the frontier areas seems to be going quite well. The seeds have already sprouted."
"Hange, get to the point," Erwin interjected with mild disinterest. "Even so, you shouldn't be mentioning a new agricultural tool right now, should you? What's so special about this water wheel?"
"The commander really understands me." Hange laughed and pointed ahead. "Can you imagine it? That incredibly detailed blueprint was drawn by a garrison soldier named Hannes. And not only that—he managed to promote the water wheel across all refugee areas in just half a month."
"I've already reviewed Hannes's file. He was a soldier from the 89th class. His performance at the military academy was mediocre, and he failed to rank in the top ten after graduation. As a result, he chose the Garrison Regiment and was assigned to the Shiganshina region."
"Six years later, he was promoted to squad leader due to seniority. No matter how you look at it, he's an extremely ordinary person. Even if this sounds like praise, the ingenuity of that blueprint is such that even I spent nearly half a day trying to decipher the secrets hidden within its data."
"It's simply a perfect design, without a single flaw. Therefore, I've come to the conclusion that the blueprint could not have been made by Hannes. None of the craftsmen currently inside the walls could have created it independently."
"If even the most prominent craftsman inside the walls says that… then it seems necessary to pay Captain Hannes a visit." Erwin pulled on the reins.
"Are we going right now?" Levi raised his hand, signaling all the soldiers behind him to stop.
"Hange, how long will it take to reach the relocated refugee area?" Erwin asked.
"If we ride horses, we can get there before midnight," Hange said while looking at the map.
"Let's go," Erwin said after thinking for a moment. "Hange, lead the way."
"Leave it to me!" Hange said excitedly.
"Won't this upset the higher-ups?" Levi asked. Although he didn't care, he didn't want the Survey Corps' reputation to be tarnished even further.
"It's fine. No matter how anxious the nobles are, the Titans won't disappear," Erwin said as he followed Hange forward.
"Tch…" Levi clicked his tongue and shouted, "Everyone! Change course and follow Captain Hange!"
"Yes!" A unified response came from behind.
The sound of hooves fell like raindrops, and their Wings of Freedom fluttered in the wind.