A day passed swiftly.
Within Wall Rose's southern district, Trost, life was gradually returning to normal ever since Eren, in his Titan form, sealed the breach with a massive boulder.
Today marked the Survey Corps' 57th Expedition Beyond the Walls.
The stated goal was to secure the route toward Eren's basement in the Shiganshina District, west of Wall Maria—but in truth, the mission's real objective was far more dangerous: to lure out and capture other intelligent Titans alive.
Nearly the entire Survey Corps was mobilized.
Wearing the Wings of Freedom on his cloak, Lucien rode alongside the vast column of soldiers as they thundered through the western gate, entering the wilderness beyond the wall.
"Depart," Commander Erwin ordered, raising his hand.
At once, the massive formation split into three branches, forming a triangle as they advanced toward their destination.
It was unclear why Erwin had chosen to bring Lucien and Zhou Wei, along with Eren—the key figure of the operation. Eld, Hange, and others subtly surrounded the three of them, maintaining a loose but deliberate formation.
Lucien's expression was calm, though his eyes occasionally flicked toward Zhou Wei. Ever since they'd first introduced themselves, they hadn't spoken again, yet Lucien could tell Zhou Wei had been watching him closely.
In this team, everyone carried secrets—Erwin, Levi, Hange, and the rest. Each one had something to hide.
"Titans on the right!"
A red signal flare streaked across the sky.
"Keep advancing," Erwin commanded, his face unreadable as the formation pushed onward toward the Giant Forest of Trees.
Moments later, more flares burst on the left. Judging by their color, the situation was urgent—multiple Titans had appeared.
Meanwhile, in the southeastern sector, Armin, Reiner, and several others had yet to encounter any Titans.
That changed with a thunderous roar.
A Female Titan, nearly fourteen meters tall, with golden hair and piercing blue eyes, appeared behind them—running faster than a galloping horse.
"So fast… an Abnormal Titan?" Armin gasped, not yet realizing what he was truly facing.
"You guys go ahead. I'll take care of this!" a Survey Corps soldier shouted, firing his grapples and soaring toward the Female Titan.
A second later, he was swatted like an insect—reduced to mist and blood.
Three more soldiers followed, but the Female Titan dodged effortlessly, killing each one with brutal precision.
Armin's heart pounded. "That's no Abnormal Titan… She's intelligent—like Eren!"
"Calm down, Armin," Reiner said, his tone unnervingly steady. "She's heading for Eren. Where is he now?"
"Southwest!" Armin replied, too flustered to suspect anything.
"Watch out!" Reiner suddenly shouted.
Armin ducked low just in time to avoid the Titan's reaching hand.
"Damn it, she's too fast! Armin, keep going—I'll deal with her!" Reiner launched forward, grappling toward the Female Titan.
The next instant, her hand closed around him.
"Reiner!" Armin cried.
Blood splattered as steam erupted. Reiner twisted, breaking free from her grip, his body steaming from the regeneration.
"She's gone!" Armin turned and saw the Female Titan racing southwest—straight toward Eren's location.
The Giant Forest of Trees soon loomed ahead, its trunks massive and ancient—so large it would take five or six people to encircle just one.
"The Giant Forest is ahead," Lucien said under his breath.
From the distance, flares from both left and right squads could be seen circling the perimeter. With a signal from Erwin, the flanking units split off to surround the forest, while only Captain Levi's squad charged inside.
At that moment, Erwin separated from them, leaving Levi in full command.
"Zhou Wei, Jiru, Nanoha, Thomas—you four stay alert and guard the perimeter," Levi ordered sharply.
"Yes, sir!" The four shot upward with their ODM gear, disappearing among the towering trees.
"Captain Levi, should I stay as well?" Zhou Wei asked, hesitating. His duty was to protect Eren, and even if he knew Eren wouldn't be taken by the Female Titan so easily, anything could still happen.
Zhou Wei's gaze shifted to Lucien. He couldn't remember this man from the anime he once watched. After asking around these past few days, his suspicion had only grown—Lucien didn't seem ordinary.
"This is an order," Levi said, his tone cutting through the air.
Zhou Wei hesitated, then obeyed, grappling onto a nearby tree. His eyes lingered below, watching until Levi's squad vanished into the forest's depths.
"Captain Levi, should I stand by as well?" Lucien asked casually. He had noticed the tension between Levi, Miche, and Petra—their hands hovering near their triggers. If Zhou Wei hadn't obeyed, they might have struck him down.
Zhou Wei was clearly being watched—but why remove him now?
"You stay," Levi said curtly without looking back.
"No problem," Lucien replied, lowering his gaze. His eyes narrowed. He couldn't fully read Levi's intentions—perhaps not even Erwin's.
Though separated now, Erwin's control over the battlefield was absolute. Levi was likely acting on his orders, following a plan known only to the two of them.
Erwin truly was a commander worthy of the title—the kind who could lead humanity to the brink and still make you believe in victory.
Then it came—a rhythmic thump… thump… growing louder.
The Female Titan was close.
"She's finally appeared," Levi muttered, eyes sharp.
They hadn't known which Titan they would provoke, but few expected it to be her.
"Captain Levi, a Titan's approaching!" Eren shouted, his voice thick with fury.
"I know. Keep moving," Levi said calmly.
The squad tightened formation, expressions grim. Even without speaking, they all knew this Female Titan was no ordinary foe.
"She's too fast—we'll be caught at this rate!" Eld said through gritted teeth as the rumble grew nearer.
"Captain Levi, let's move!"
"You all keep advancing," Levi ordered, his tone decisive. "I'll handle it."
But before he could act, Lucien leapt from his horse.
"I'll stop her."
Twin blades glinting, he rocketed toward the oncoming Titan, his cloak billowing in the wind.
The Female Titan's eyes locked on him—cold, calculating.
Lucien smiled faintly. "I can't let you catch them."
He fired his grapple hooks, spinning around her shoulder, his blades flashing toward her nape.
But her hand came faster than lightning.
A powerful strike hit him squarely, and the world blurred.
For an instant, pain shot through his body—but his eyes still carried a defiant glint, a hint of amusement, even as he was flung deep into the forest canopy.
The impact echoed like thunder.
Everything happened too quickly.
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