Aftermath

The doctor had advised Erwin to refrain from any activities for the next few days, but his advice fell on deaf ears, as the Commander immediately continued with his work once he had awoken from his bed. The implications of the most recent expedition had been shocking to say the least, and there were a great many matters to attend to.

Erwin rubbed his eyes and continued to pen the report for the incident. The losses were horrific, out of 350 soldiers - only 250 of them returned. A hundred lost souls lingered beyond Wall Rose, haunting the titans and him.

A sharp pain hit his gut again. He was the monster, the one that gave the order to charge and rescue Eren no matter the cost , the guilty one.

"You should be resting, Erwin." A voice snapped him from his thoughts .

He turned his head. Miche was leaning against a wall right beside him, arms crossed. He didn't notice him entering the hospital ward.

"You're too caught up in your work At this rate exhaustion will get you before the titans do. What you need right now is ample rest, you've just lost an arm an-"

Erwin stopped him. "I appreciate the concern."

Miche sighed and slid a crumpled, blood stained white fabric on his desk.

"When we were retreating, I took advantage of the confusion to sneak a little detour through the forest - Where the Beast Titan emerged with other titans. All the titans were ignoring us - I thought it would be a good chance to gather valuable intel." he said. "There were faint traces of human scents lingering in the area, and I managed to get in close beside a few of their corpses, memorizing their smell. It's totally different from the ones within the walls."

"I see," Erwin said. It was clear to him by now, their enemies were from beyond the walls; there was surely civilization outside.

He smoothened out the item in front of him. It seemed to be a collar judging from its shape. There was a strange looking symbol that resembled a clam, split into seven sections, on the corner of it.

Miche grimaced. "There were also several scattered bodies in white uniforms around the forest which have probably become food for the titans by now. I've also recovered a strange looking weapon I came across lying on the ground - based on Hange's preliminary assessment it appears to be a gun. But the technology behind it is very advanced, way ahead of the rifles that the Military Police use."

"Good work. Your instincts are as strong as your sense of smell, as always. We now have another lead on our true enemy's identity."

"What's your assessment, Erwin?"

"Probably allies of the beast titan, they could have been in the middle of carrying out something. On that note, I don't think they anticipated the arrival of Reiner and Bertholdt."

Miche nodded. "None of us would be here alive if our enemies had anticipated our arrival."

Erwin continued "Yes. If this was planned beforehand, the Beast Titan should have bombarded us with something else; we would have suffered a lot more casualties. Judging from how the Beast Titan resorted to throwing the smaller titans, it was probably out of panic. It appears to be a titan that specialises in long range warfare and was able to exhibit limited control of some titans. The titans that emerged alongside it clearly ignored its presence, and went straight for our soldiers. But those that I lured over to attack the Armored Titan did not."

Miche frowned, then sniffed again.

"Impressive, Erwin. I'm still unable to see as far as you."

"You're keen sense of smell has saved me countless times too. If it weren't for you, I would have died several times over before Levi and Natalie joined us."

Miche grinned and gave him a pat on his back. "Brings back memories doesn't it? I don't think you would have kicked the bucket that easily either way. Your fifteen confirmed solo titan kills aren't for show."

He smiled kindly. "Most of it was before I became commander. Thanks to your protection, I've only needed to fell a couple of titans since."

"I probably should guard you better now." Miche said. "At this rate, you'll lose your life before you find a girl."

"I have no intentions of getting married, not since that day when I made the choice to give up Marie for the Survey Corps. You know where my priorities lie."

"You're one insane person. Nile wouldn't have stood a chance if you decided to go serious with her then."

Both of them laughed, and the conversation soon drifted towards their early days in the Survey Corps before a knock sounded at the door.

"Enter." Erwin said.

The door swung open, and Moblit walked in smartly, carrying a stack of papers underneath his right arm.

The soldier saluted. "Sir."

Erwin glanced at the person. The report was finally here, he was supposed to receive it when he returned from Mitras - having to rescue Eren had delayed it.

"At ease. You may speak."

Moblit laid the documents at his table. "I'm here to report on the investigation carried out by the 4th squad, under Squad Leader Hange's instruction. We've completed checking the records of all the cadets from the 104th Trainee Corps that joined the Survey Corps." He slid out a paper and pointed at a spot. "There are two suspicious backgrounds that we have discovered, first is regarding Reiner and Bertholdt. The other … is a girl known as Christa Lenz."

"Christa Lenz? The one that smells like a cherry." Miche sniffed. "I visited Ness Squad a few times and 'greeted' her before, she was always hanging around with Armin, Natalie and Ymir."

He turned to face Moblit. "We can skip the part about Reiner and Bertholdt first. Tell me what you found about Christa."

"Yes sir. We've discovered some inconsistencies and weird points in her background. First of all, when signing up for the trainee corps; her personal information was not submitted by herself but by another person known as Jonathan Lenz who claimed to be her father. With a bit of effort, we managed to loosen his tongue and found out that he was directed by a man known as Pastor Nick to do so."

"Pastor? The Wallists …" Erwin bowed his head slightly. "Go on."

"Second, we've searched the home address provided in the information. The people living near her supposed house said there was no Lenz family that lived in the area. The background information appears to be a cover-up for something else."

Erwin kept his silence. The problem wasn't that the background was false, but rather that the one who performed the forgery was a member of the wallists; and a pastor at that. Whoever was behind this was actually able to command those crazed fanatics to do his bidding.

Moblit flipped the page over. "Squad Leader Hange gave instructions to Armin to help ask Christa about it, seeing how close the two of them were. Armin also has excellent persuasion skills and would be well suited for the role. Thanks to him, we found out that all of this was the work of Christa's real father - Rod Reiss." he placed his forefinger on the paper. "A few days after Wall Maria fell, Rod Reiss visited Christa to take her away. Just as he was about to do so, a group of men showed up and killed her mother, then were about to take her life as well; before Rod Reiss intervened. By having her join the trainee corps and take on a new name - that was the agreement to let Christa … or rather Historia live."

Erwin kept silent for a moment, his fingertips drumming the paper on the table.

"Have Eren, Mikasa and Historia join up with the Levi Squad at once. As soon as they do, have them switch to a new hideout and lie low. This is of the utmost urgency."

"Sir, but Mikasa has been badly wounded. The doctor says she requires at least a week's time to recover."

"Then have her recuperate in the ward and stay put. Eren and Historia are to join the Special Operations Squad and go into hiding. Immediately. Get Hange to direct all her efforts towards investigating the Reiss Family."

"Roger." Moblit saluted and marched out of the room

When the room was empty, Miche arched a questioning eyebrow in his direction.

"Is the situation that serious?"

"Yes. Historia Reiss … is the daughter of the real king. I see now, no wonder the Wallists would follow that man's orders."

There was a gasp and Miche placed a hand on his shoulder. "Real king? What do you mean?"

He turned to face him. "I haven't told you yet. But I had Levi investigate the Reiss Manor in Inner Mitras when I was there. His report just came an hour ago. There was evidence - a letter between Rod Reiss and the Assembly. From the looks of it, Rod Reiss is the true ruler behind these walls, and he has been trying to get Eren. The current king is just a fake."

"Hmm, but a letter alone as evidence isn't very convincing. Did you discover something else when you went to Inner Mitras?"

Erwin continued. "I wouldn't say I`m hundred percent certain of that, but at least ninety. When I was in Inner Mitras, I met Darius Zachary. His own informants suggest that Rod Reiss has been using the Assembly to try and get Eren.

"The highest governing body that is only just below the King … that changes things. There's probably more than meets the eye regarding Rod Reiss then." Miche agreed thoughtfully.

"My own investigations also suggest that there was even an Assembly Noble who tried to attack the Reiss Family in the year 829, but he ended up disappearing. A family powerful enough to eliminate an Assembly Noble and remain unscathed is definitely not simple. The Reiss Family and Rod Reiss … they are definitely hiding something. If that man was the real king, all of these would make sense." He said. "By the way, I believe Commander Pyxis should be here soon?"

Miche nodded. "He said he would be reaching around this time to pay you a visit."

"Send the guards at the door away. I want you to remain and hear what I'm about to tell him."

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