It was over.
The black-haired, blue-eyed Giant had struck down several surrounding Mindless Titans before finally collapsing among the ruins, losing all ability to move. Steam rose continuously from its body, obscuring the battlefield.
Everyone watched as a figure slowly rose from the Titan's nape.
Mikasa leapt from the rooftop, sprinting to the Giant's neck. As the steam cleared, she confirmed it—Eren. Relief and tears filled her eyes as she embraced him tightly.
It was Eren. How could this be? He had transformed into a Giant.
Looking closer, the blood vessels still connected to his temples, the crimson streaks across his eye sockets and cheeks—it was undeniably him.
"Let's get to a safe place first."
Connie and the others guided Mikasa and Eren toward the inner gate wall, with Lucien following closely, escorting Zhou Wei alongside.
The aftermath was straightforward. Witnesses saw Eren emerge from the Titan, and Commander Kitz of the Garrison Regiment immediately led his soldiers to surround Eren, Mikasa, and Armin, demanding to know whether Eren was human or Titan.
Upon arriving at the inner gate, they were immediately encircled.
Lucien observed Zhou Wei cautiously, keeping a safe distance.
"Eren, are you human or Titan?" Kitz demanded, eyes wide with fear. The surrounding Garrison Regiment soldiers trembled, viewing Eren as something inhuman.
Zhou Wei, standing with Mikasa and Armin, glanced at the drawn weapons and cannons aimed at Eren. He caught Kitz trembling at the forefront and allowed a flicker of disdain to cross his face.
In his mind, these soldiers were useless. Watching the anime back then, he had felt the same frustration. They were likely to falter at critical moments, dragging others down. Without a mission to follow, he might have acted on impulse and struck them down.
Lucien stayed nearby, composed, drawing his blade and maintaining a watchful stance. His caution was deliberate—he did not want Zhou Wei to detect his identity so quickly. Trembling along with everyone else was the perfect cover; it marked him as a local.
"I'm human," Eren replied. He had regained consciousness, though his memories of transforming into a Titan had not yet returned.
Kitz lowered his head, eyes suddenly flashing with determination.
"Fire!"
Boom. A cannon on the wall erupted, sending a shell hurtling forward.
Zhou Wei remained still. He knew Eren would transform into his Titan skeleton to protect Mikasa and Armin.
A golden lightning storm erupted, and thick steam enveloped the area, obscuring vision.
Success?
Inside the swirling mist, Eren's Titan skeleton emerged, shielding Armin, Mikasa, and Zhou Wei.
"Is everyone alright?"
Eren detached the remaining flesh from his nape and landed safely, breathing a sigh of relief upon seeing Mikasa and Armin unharmed. His gaze briefly met Zhou Wei's, silently conveying gratitude. Though he didn't know Zhou Wei, he appreciated the protection.
"My name is Zhou Wei," Zhou Wei said, brushing the steam away and offering a reassuring smile.
"I'm Eren. Thank you for earlier."
"No problem. Those soldiers are cowards. Humanity can reclaim Wall Rose once we master the Titan Power." Zhou Wei's words subtly hinted a plan for Armin to seize the initiative.
Eren, Mikasa, and Zhou Wei remained concealed while Armin stepped forward from the steam, hands raised.
"Don't attack," he signaled, coughing lightly.
The Giant skeleton behind him, strands of flesh melting away, confirmed Eren's loyalty.
Kitz still shook with fear, about to order another cannon shot.
Wait. Although the mechanics of Eren's Titan form were unclear, it could be used to plug Wall Rose. Eren had already fought hostile Titans—his allegiance lay with humanity. Armin explained clearly, providing the necessary context.
Many Garrison Regiment soldiers lowered their weapons, acknowledging the logic. They had witnessed Eren's Titan fighting hostile Giants; Armin's words matched their observations.
Kitz, too terrified to fully comprehend, hesitated.
Zhou Wei acted. In a blur of afterimages from Lingbo Micro Step, he appeared in front of Kitz in three breaths, grasping his neck and forcing him to kneel.
"How can a coward like you be a Commander?" Zhou Wei's words were sharp, disdainful. The display shocked everyone; they had only perceived fleeting afterimages before Kitz was subdued.
Lucien observed closely. He noted the incredible speed. Still, it was slightly slower than his own Soru.
"Stop!"
A voice interrupted. The crowd parted as an older man, bald with a small mustache, emerged, leading a group. Dot Pixis, commander of the southern Wall region including Trost District, the highest authority of the southern Garrison Regiment, had arrived.
All Garrison Regiment soldiers lowered their blades.
"You're still the same as ever," Pixis remarked, glancing at Kitz with understanding.
"What military corps are you from?"
Pixis's attention shifted to Zhou Wei. The civilian had just overpowered a commander before many witnesses—a bold act.
"I'm just a civilian." Zhou Wei released Kitz and returned to Mikasa's side.
"Your suggestion earlier was excellent."
Pixis, satisfied, then looked at Armin.
"Yes." Armin stood straight, hand over heart, serious and composed.
"You four, come with me."
Pixis motioned to Eren, Mikasa, Armin, and Zhou Wei, then turned and left.
Many soldiers opened their mouths but ultimately let the group pass.
Minutes later, they stood atop the inner gate wall, surveying the shattered outer gate and the steady flow of incoming Titans.
"Let's try your suggestion," Pixis said, taking a swig from his hip flask.
Armin, however, was not fully confident.
"No buts," Pixis interrupted, waving his hand. His gaze fixed sharply on Eren. "You have only this option."
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