In front of them, the Beast Titan's stone bombardment was systematically destroying every building in its path.
Behind the wall, the heavy footfalls of the Colossal Titan were gradually drawing closer.
The Survey Corps had reached a desperate dead end.
But Lock knew there was still a chance; he definitely had the power to change the current situation.
Yet Lock realized he could do nothing at all.
Lin Youde had been confining him, obstructing him.
He could even manipulate Lock's own memories and watch him at every moment; Lock simply couldn't resist.
Why was Lin Youde doing this?
Lock asked this question in his heart once more.
He wasn't an absolutely cold-blooded person; one could tell from his memories and that warm world.
"All living beings suffer, so you want to send them to the afterlife ahead of time?"
No, Lin Youde didn't believe in Buddhism, and he couldn't possibly be that kind of madman.
Then what exactly was his goal?
..."The Founder... Ymir?"
Lock stared at the unfamiliar girl before him, speaking her name in shock... Bang!
A sound from above made Erwin and Levi look up simultaneously.
Levi said in surprise, "Hey, is that... Eren?"
"Was he... knocked onto the wall by the Colossal Titan?"
Boom! Another round of stone bombardment.
Levi felt that the sounds were already very close.
He said to Erwin, "It seems the Beast Titan has realized we're hiding here."
"Before long, he'll blast this place into a honeycomb too."
Seeing Erwin didn't react, Levi continued, "Erwin, if there are no means of counterattacking left, we should start preparing to escape."
He pointed overhead. "Go wake up Eren, who's lying there sprawled out. Have him carry you and whoever's still alive to retreat. Save as many lives as possible."
Levi glanced behind them. "That Lock kid isn't dead yet, but he's become just like you. We still have to take him back so Ash doesn't go crazy."
Erwin remained silent.
Levi glanced at him and continued, "Have the Recruits and the survivors on Hange's side mount their horses and scatter. Use them as a decoy, then you immediately retreat on Eren's back."
"What do you think?"
Erwin finally spoke. "Levi... then what do you plan to do?"
Levi said flatly, "I'll go deal with the Beast Titan. I'll keep it pinned down."
"No," Erwin refused directly. "You won't even be able to get close to it."
"Maybe."
Levi didn't have much of a reaction; he had long since become indifferent to life and death. "As long as you and Eren can make it back alive, there's still hope for humanity."
Erwin fell silent again.
Levi grew a bit anxious. "Don't you think the current situation is already so dire that we're forced to do this?"
"We've lost."
"To be honest, even I don't think anyone's getting back alive."
Erwin suddenly said, "Yes, if there's absolutely no countermeasure."
Levi paused for a moment before realizing the meaning behind Erwin's words. He stared into Erwin's eyes and asked, "Is there... a countermeasure?"
Erwin averted his gaze, not meeting Levi's eyes. "There is..."
Looking at Erwin's face, Levi felt a bit of anger, but more than that, confusion. "Then why didn't you tell me sooner? Why sit there with that dead look on your face without saying a word?"
Erwin said slowly, "If this plan of mine goes smoothly, it might help you kill the Beast Titan."
"However... it will require the sacrifice of all the Recruits here, as well as my own life."
Erwin looked at the Recruits crying out in despair nearby, his gaze complex and his tone flat. "As you said, no matter how we struggle, the Survey Corps will suffer heavy casualties."
"No, the possibility of total annihilation is actually much higher."
"At this point, we can only bet our hope for a turnaround on a tactic that requires us to be prepared to die with the enemy."
Erwin spoke as he walked, "But to get these young people to voluntarily sacrifice their lives, I'm afraid I'll have to tell a massive lie that only a first-rate conman could weave."
He walked to a wooden crate at the foot of a house wall, which was covered in climbing vines.
He lowered his eyes. "If I don't lead the way, I'm afraid no one will follow."
"But once I do this, I will... without ever knowing the secrets of the basement..."
"Be the first to die in battle."
"Huh?" Levi's eyes widened as he looked at the man before him in shock and doubt.
Erwin sighed and sat down on the wooden crate.
He looked down at his feet. "I really want to... just go straight to the basement."
His remaining left hand clenched the air as if trying to grasp something. "It's because I believed this day would definitely come that I've held on until now..."
"I've wanted to die so many times, but my father and that dream of mine still wouldn't leave my mind."
Erwin raised his hand in front of him. "And now, that answer is within reach."
His voice was full of pain. "It's... right there."
"But... Levi."
Erwin lowered his head again, his voice deep. "You can see them, can't you? Our comrades."
"They're watching us, wanting to know what happened to the hearts they dedicated."
"After all, this battle isn't over yet."
Countless stones smashed into Wall Maria, debris falling from the sky like rain.
The loud crashes, the wailing, the fleeing—doomsday was approaching... The time for a choice had come... Levi looked at Erwin, knowing this man needed his help to make the decision.
He knelt on one knee and was about to speak when he was suddenly interrupted by a voice.
"There's another way!"
Both of them turned to look at the newcomer.
Lock, his body battered, walked up to them. With his signature smile on his face, he repeated, "I have another way."
...Levi looked at Lock's severed arm and said, "Kid, now isn't the time for you to come out and play hero."
Using his teeth and right hand to undo the bandages on his severed arm, Lock walked closer and said, "I just suddenly remembered a secret."
Levi scolded, "Stop being mysterious. If you have something to say, spit it out!"
The bandages fell to the ground loop by loop, and thick white steam began to billow out.
Levi and Erwin were both startled.
Lock's severed arm began to grow. Soon, under their shocked gazes, a brand-new left arm emerged.
Lock flexed his new left hand, looking quite satisfied with the result.
Erwin frowned as he watched this, the doubts he had hidden in his heart beginning to unravel slightly.
Levi's eyes widened. "You... how can you be a Titan?"
Lock looked at the two men standing before him and smiled. "Captain, Commander, let me be the hero just this once!"
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