Return to Shiganshina(6)

Zeke pondered the reasons. Could Reiner have failed?

There were over a hundred wandering titans in the small city, there was no way the Survey Corps could defeat the warrior and all the titans in such a short time. There was still no signal.

He'd seen the light from the titan transformation from Shiganshina after Reiner's Titans and his pure titans had transformed. There was only one person left could do it - Eren Yeager.

That meant the signal from Reiner should have been coming shortly after. But it never came.

"Bertholdt, you go in and check the situation."

Pieck carried over Bertholdt who was hidden in a barrel. Zeke aimed and flung him high.

"Go get me some more rocks"

"Roger, War Chief."

The cart titan scurried off quickly toward the forest behind them.

Zeke looked on at a one-armed figure that stood atop the walls. 

That man was most likely Erwin Smith. The mastermind behind the plots that had given the warriors so much trouble. Even this legendary commander would be helpless against his schemes.

There were hundreds of titans in the city, and hundreds more on the outer side that had the Survey Corps surrounded in a semicircle. Add to that, there was an Armored Titan surely wrecking havoc in Shiganshina, while he was here outside, bombarding the Survey Corps slowly to death. 

The Higher-Ups of Marley had taken the huge price of transporting a vast number of Eldians over purely for him to use in the transformation. Even he was shocked at the resolve of the Military Brass … or rather the price the Tyburs were willing to pay to secure the Founding Titan. These people were originally meant to be used in the war against the Middle East Coalition that would surely start soon, and had been diverted here.

He'd even had a group of titans that stood by in the forest, acting as reserves to deal with any unforeseen circumstances. 

Ever since he was forced to reveal his abilities during the battle at the fields, he had considered the enemy taking that into account and the countermeasures they would take. One possibility was a pincer movement, so he'd long prepared titans on standby in the rear to deter such a possibility.

Zeke stretched and unleashed another barrage, and increased the intensity even more. He originally planned to take this slow. 

He felt offended that the casualties were not as high as he expected. The Survey Corps seemed to have been prepared for it and did not recklessly expose themselves to deal with the smaller titans he had sent in. 

Once the area was flattened - they would be sitting ducks.

He smirked. Erwin Smith - you are out of cards to play.

===

Erwin stood tall on the walls, his gaze following the barrel that was thrown.

It had finally made its appearance. 

Armin was right again. The Beast Titan opted to throw Bertholdt into Shiganshina.

"Oi, Erwin. Do you feel like giving orders yet? If I knew we were going to wait that long. I would have put a kettle on." Levi said.

Erwin's gaze turned to a pile of rocks beside the Beast Titan.

Additionally, a small titan resembling a cart had swiftly moved into the forest behind the Beast Titan. It carried supplies, indicating that it had been in titan form prior to the transformation. It was likely another Titan Shifter.

Their opportunity had finally arrived. Time … they just need to buy a bit more time. The Beast Titan also seemed to be upping the intensity of his attacks, which meant his rocks might run out before the cart titan could bring new ones back.

He could see the wandering titans in Shiganshina already swarming over towards where Eren was. He had already defeated the Armored Titan. It was also impressive that Mikasa had dozens of solo kills on the titans that tried to approach Eren.

The girl itself was already a unit. Throw in the fact that it involved protecting Eren and she turned into a complete Titan Killer Machine. Eren himself was the best motivation for the girl and to unlock her full potential. In terms of combat prowess, Erwin would put the girl as second or third in the entire Survey Corps.

"Protect the horses, Levi."

"I think horses are the least of our concerns rights now, Erwin." the captain grunted. 

"We'll be needing them soon enough … to kill that thing." He said, pointing his blade at the Beast Titan." 

Its hideous face was a nightmare to behold. Was it just his imagination, or was the titan grinning at them?

"Roger. I hope you have a plan to get us near it." The captain said, readying his gear.

Erwin looked on at Levi's figure as it disappeared beyond the walls.

Just how many would be left by when this was over? He could already feel the souls of the deceased staring at him, their silent gaze a form of judgment for his sins.

He looked on at the forest far behind them. At least, he had followed Armin's advice.

Miche … I hope you make the correct decision. Don't come for us.

He'd sacrificed so many of them, just so he could get to the basement. The basement was so close, but yet, so far.