Setting out

Trost District, today is a day destined to be recorded in the history of the Walls, for today is the day the Survey Corps sets out to carry out the operation to retake Wall Maria!

More than three hundred Soldiers, draped in cloaks of the Wings of Freedom, stood tall and proud in the wide square, their eyes fixed intently on the high platform at the front.

Commander Erwin is issuing his final declaration of war.

"Soldiers, the future of humanity will be created by us! The Wings of Freedom behind us will guide us to victory!" Erwin declared resolutely.

As soon as Erwin finished speaking, the high-ranking military officers who had been sitting behind him, including Historia, who was wearing a crown, all stood up solemnly.

Erwin scanned the Soldiers below the stage, noticing the excited expressions on Soldiers faces.

With a whoosh, Erwin clenched his fist and placed it in front of his left chest. His vision blurred for a moment; the fist against his chest seemed to feel the throbbing heart within. Addressing the countless Soldiers, Erwin roared, "Dedicate Your Hearts! (心臓を捧げる!)"

"Dedicate Your Hearts!" The Soldiers' voices pierced the sky, and even the high-ranking Soldiers behind Erwin shouted the same words.

A gentle breeze ruffled the Black Hair on Yago's forehead. He loosened his clenched fist, feeling momentarily lost in thought, unsure of what he was thinking.

"Yago, it's time to go." Annie's reminder pulled Yago back to reality. He fastened his belt, sheathed his sharp Blades, and fastened his cloak. Just as Yago was about to mount his horse, Annie suddenly grabbed him.

"What's wrong? Hey, Annie, what's that in your hand?" Yago looked at the box in Annie's hand, puzzled.

Annie opened the box in front of Yago. Yago's pupils contracted slightly as he looked at the contents of the box, and he took the contents out of the box with some emotion.

The leg strap assembly for auxiliary fixation, with its ingenious structure and clearly defined Blades slots, was clearly a brand-new Rotating Gear. Upon seeing this new device, Yago was at a loss for words. (See Chapter 37 for details)

Since the Trost Recapture Battle, Yago's original device was damaged and he has never used it again. Yago is the only one who uses this device that he invented himself.

"This is Section Commander Hange asked me to give you. She personally made it for you by Lynch. I hope you haven't forgotten how to use it." Annie handed the Rotating Gear to Yago.

Yago smiled and said, "Of course I haven't forgotten, old buddy. I miss you quite a bit."

As he strapped the device to his leg, a long-lost feeling resurfaced. Having used the power of the Titan Power so much, Yago had almost forgotten what it felt like to be a human Soldiers. Now, fully equipped, he finally felt that familiar feeling—the feeling of Wings of Freedom Soldiers fighting against the Titan.

"Everyone, get ready to go!"

On horseback, the Survey Corps Soldiers marched in neat formation toward the city wall, and onto the street to be greeted by the cheers and encouragement of the Survey Corps' civilians.

"Soldiers! Keep it up!"

"Commander Erwin! Lead the Survey Corps and reclaim our land!"

The Survey Corps will surely be victorious!

"Captain Levi is so handsome!"

The cheers of the crowd made the Survey Corps Soldiers even happier. When had the Survey Corps ever received such support from the people? Every Soldiers held their head high, accepting the cheers of the crowd.

Marlo, who had been assigned to Yago, had never seen anything like this before. When he was Military Police, the people and merchants looked at them like they were vampires. But today, Marlo could even see a glimmer of hope in their eyes.

Yago rode his horse, among the crowd by the roadside, Yago suddenly spotted some familiar faces. The boy named Alex was looking at the Survey Corps Soldiers with shining eyes (see Chapter 57 for details). The president of the Liebus Trading Company in the city was also cheering for the Survey Corps by the roadside with his wife and children.

That's right, Yago is Squad Leader again, but in addition to Annie, Marlo, and Hitch, his class now includes five masked Ackerman.

Erwin originally planned to include Yago in Levi Squad, but firstly, Levi Squad was already too large, and secondly, Yago volunteered to lead a new squad.

After much deliberation, Erwin agreed to Yago's request, but Erwin didn't understand why Yago wanted to bring in two Military Police had just joined the Survey Corps.

Looking at Hitch, who was chatting animatedly with Annie and A-Yi behind him, Yago smiled. Perhaps it was his own selfish reason, but Ani was too withdrawn in the Annie. Hitch was the only one who could chat so easily with Annie, so Yago applied to Erwin to transfer Marlo and Hitch to his squad.

Otherwise, besides himself, there are only those five Ackerman blockheads. Annie is already a man of few words, wouldn't he become even more talkative then? Yago also hopes that Annie can be more cheerful.

With Hitch, Annie became much more talkative, but A-Yi Ackerman girl next to Hitch was still very dull. When Annie and Hitch talked for more than ten sentences, she might only say two words.

Since Annie and Hitch were having a good time chatting, Yago could only go to Marlo to talk and relieve his boredom.

Soon, amidst cheers from the crowds on the street, the Survey Corps arrived at the foot of the city wall.

The Soldiers of the Garrison Regiment lowered the Drawbridge one by one, transporting the Survey Corps Soldiers and supply wagons up the city walls. Then, they used the same method to lower the Soldiers who had climbed the walls back down to the outside.

Standing atop the city wall, looking down at the crowd cheering and encouraging the Survey Corps, Yago flicked his cloak with a very dashing motion.

"Huh? What's with the cool act?"

The familiar voice startled Yago, who turned around. "Ymir? What are you doing here? Weren't you with Heath Historia?! What are you doing here too??"

Yago's eyes widened. The person in front of him, wearing Survey Corps uniform and equipped with Omni-Directional Mobility Gear, was none other than Ymir. And next to her was the one wearing a hood, but Yago recognized her at a glance as Historia.

"Shouldn't you be back in the Capital? What are you doing here with the Survey Corps?!"

Ymir said nonchalantly, "I'm just here to keep Historia."

Yago looked at Historia, Historia put her hands on her hips and said, "I am Her Majesty the Queen, and I have the Titan Power, so I will fight alongside the Soldiers!" Although her words were firm, Historia's tone was somewhat apprehensive.

"This is ridiculous! Let's go back right now. The battle to retake Maria is very dangerous." Yago instinctively tried to stop the two of them.

But Historia reacted quickly, leaving behind a "No way!" and pulling Ymir onto a Drawbridge that was starting to descend, startling one of the Scout on the bridge.

Yago: "..."

Swish! The sharp Blades pointed forward, Erwin roared, "Forward!!"