A Night of Preparation (3)

Mina's POV

The information I've gathered about Pastor Nick is very limited. In the past, all I know is how tight-lipped he was, up until death finally came knocking on his door. Honestly, as someone who values loyalty, I can at least salute that. 

The things I've said are the analysis I've made after considering the connection between the Reiss family and the Order of the Walls, seeing that their main goal is to prevent anyone from learning about the truth behind our cage.

However, after seeing his flabbergasted expression, I might have hit the bullseye with this one. 

Not that the Survey Corps can do anything about it in our current predicament. It would take a while before we even reach that point in the scenario.

The good thing, however, that came out of my revelation is that everyone in this group saw how the pastor reacted. He didn't reply, but seeing his face was enough. It doesn't have to happen right at this moment, but I'm sure that it'll help in the upcoming scenarios now that they have an idea of whom to fight.

"Now that I think about it…" Captain Hange broke our few minutes of silence once she began to speak. "Annie's process of crystallization… I wonder if it's the same with the Titans inside the walls?" 

Hearing those words not only did it make me pale, but it also made me realize something. 

Didn't Armin of the Second World say that they've discovered their theory of blocking the wall using the hardened shell of a titan when they compared it with Annie's hardened skin? 

Damn it, can they still progress even without it? 

Not noticing the storm brewing inside my head, Captain Hange continues. "It's only a theory, but if the wall is a barricade of humongous titans, then wouldn't the surface be constructed with its hardened titan skin?"

"…"

Holt shit, praise humanity's intelligence!

"That's exactly what Armin was saying…" Mikasa whispers under her breath, surprised that their friend's theory resembles what the captain had just said.

With a plan in mind on how to seal the wall using a hardened titan skin, I decided to keep my mouth shut and instead listened to their voices. Ultimately, it will all depend on Eren's capabilities as a titan shifter. 

"Use me… to seal the wall?" 

Something inside me began to burn as I imagined how much pain he'd have to suffer in the future.

"It should be made of the same material. And seeing how the hardened section won't evaporate, even after you revert from a titan… It's possible."

After a second of silence, this time, it was Armin who spoke. "I think it's well worth the risk to try. And assuming it does work, reclaiming Wall Maria is feasible, too."

He continues to talk about a way to reclaim the said wall, proposing that we'll carry out the plan at night. By doing so, even with a limited number of soldiers, we can sneak our way through the wave of titans that are currently stationed in that wall. 

"The current situation is as bad as it gets, but… we still have a glimmer of hope." 

Armin agreed with the captain's statement, to which he added: "But remember, it all depends on whether Eren can seal the hole or not."

Again.

I clenched my fists in annoyance, knowing full well what my current expression was. 

Why are they so adamant about pushing everything to him? 

"It's because he's the only titan shifter on your side," Ymir whispers beside my ear, one that made me narrow my eyes in irritation. "And I doubt Annie will do it. That's not in her job description after all." 

Yes.

That's true.

And it fucking sucks!

With an exasperated sigh after realizing that there was nothing I could do to retort that statement, I instead focused my whole attention on the path in front of us. 

"I realize asking this hardly seems fair, but… think you can do it?" 

… Not you, too, Captain Hange.

And here I thought I could calm this rage within me. Guess I asked for too much.

But just before Eren could respond, Captain Levi spoke.

"It doesn't matter what you think. You have to. There's no other choice. We're out of options."

He still said something afterward, but my head refused to process what he was saying. Doesn't matter? No other choice? Out of fucking options?

"You have to succeed."

And like the naïve boy that he is, he replied. "I will! I'll do whatever it takes to seal the wall! Whatever it takes…"

"Ahaha…" Wonderful. How fucking wonderful! Just how much does this goddamn world want to torment him?! 

"Care to share what fucking entertained you?" 

I still giggled amidst their serious conversation, but to hell with it. "That's a good way to pressure someone, captain. Seriously, it's amazing." 

But before he could even give a retort, I gave him a glance that somehow even managed to shut him up. "Just because Eren can turn into a titan doesn't mean that he's the only variable who can aid in reclaiming the wall." 

"Humans are not weak. Fear doesn't fucking control us. So, while you're pushing everything to a 15-year-old boy, I'll think of a way to eradicate every fucking titan in this world. That way, I can at least support Eren by his side, right?"

 "Oi Mina!" Eren tried reprimanding me, but I was quicker in saying my next words.

"I'm sorry for my harsh words." It's just… too much to witness. 

In the future, I know that they'll regret pushing everything to Eren. But if I only start speaking up by then, it'll be far too late. Eren would have been long gone already as he fulfilled his duty up to the point of offering his life.

And I don't want a repeat of that. I just can't.

Upon seeing the gate of the Ehrmich district, I immediately disembarked the cart with the intent of removing the tense atmosphere I'd created. 

I'll apologize again later, but for now, I hope they realize how heavy their words are.

***

Fuck.

I'm doomed.

"Ahaha! You're in deep shit now, young Yeager!" 

"For fuck's sake, Ymir," I growled, wanting nothing more than to sew her mouth shut. "Shut up!"

"I can't wait to see how you'll get reprimanded. Oh goodness, why are you living like this, AHAHAHA, and you call yourself a soldier? How ridiculous!"

… Damn it!

"Miss Carolina?" Then came a knock on the door, a sign that the messenger had finally come. "We've found your package." 

Finally!

Luckily for me, since I do know where we'll stop by first before going to the warzone, I managed to deliver our newly invented weapon a few days ago in advance. Captain Hange might have missed this; thank Ymir for that, as she was excited upon learning that it's finally finished.

That and… she has a lot of duties as a squad leader. How tiring.

Going back, since I awkwardly left the cart due to anger, I eventually walked my way to the barracks where, luckily, the package had been safely stored. The messenger led me a few meters away from where I was waiting before we eventually reached the warehouse where most supplies had been kept. 

"Here it is." The female soldier tried to lift the huge box but, unfortunately, wasn't strong enough to do so. "Huh?"

"It's okay, I'll wear it here." After saying those words in excitement, I quickly found myself unboxing the carton as I dug my way to the weapon I had carefully designed.

It can't be compared to how it looked in my original world, but just seeing it still makes my heart pound. Like that of a small canon that is fit for a person's hand to wield, light enough to balance the heavy weight of the bullet, this weapon was originally called a time gun. Since it heavily relies on the timing of its release, this gun is a double-edged sword for its wielder. 

But with the proper skill and execution, I have never seen this weapon fail in killing whatever creature may befall us.

Except, of course, for that demon. 

"That's beautiful…" The soldier beside me saw what I had designed and marveled at its beauty. "There's even an insignia of the scout regiment!" 

"Yeah, I drew it." With a proud grin, I gently touched the mark I'd drawn just after completing this invention. "With this, I'll always remember the purpose of this weapon." 

"Purpose?"

With a hum and a tilt of my head, I replied. "That it'll only be used against our enemies." 

After hearing those patriotic words, the soldier chuckled. "That's amazing, Miss Carolina."

"Thanks." As I conveyed my gratitude, I eventually faced the soldier again and continued. "I'll suit up then. Don't you have other duties to fulfill?"

But after seeing her bright and curious eyes, I knew then what her response would be. "I'm curious, miss! And don't worry, I'm practically free right now."

"I see." With a chuckle, I finally began to attach the time gun to the side of my leg. "What's your name?"

"Fanya. Fanya Blake."

Fanya… I've never heard of that name back in the second world. But considering that she's wearing a Garrison uniform, I suppose our paths shouldn't have crossed in the first place, considering that Mina Carolina is dead at this point. 

After a few minutes of attaching the said weapon to my leg and its bullets on the other, I properly made sure that it wouldn't hinder my movements before finally telling Blake that I was finished. 

"That was fast." She stared at it before wandering her gaze toward my face. "What's it called?"

"Oh, it's t…" I paused and hesitated to tell the actual name of the weapon. Of course, I made some modifications given our limited materials, but it also doesn't feel right if I call it a time gun from the get-go. "I'm not sure."

"Eh~" Blake seems incredibly disappointed, one that I found amusing to watch. "Gun… wings…"

"Freedom…"

After hearing her say that word, something within me clicked. I immediately shifted to look at the embedded insignia, showing the scout's symbol. 

"How about Sora?" I mumble to myself as Blake's eyes connected with my own. "It doesn't make sense to name a weapon that means sky, though…"

"No," With a shake of her head, Fanya Blake instantly beamed and gave me a huge smile. "I think it's a nice name."

Sora

***