Triumphant return
The warm sunshine shone on him, and a gentle breeze caressed his face, making him feel so comfortable that he just wanted to lie down and take a nap. Yago, riding on his horse, was already half-asleep.
The sounds of Annie, Hitch, and A-Yi chatting and laughing filled his ears. Marlo lay half-dead on his horse. For some unknown reason, he suddenly ran up to the Ackerman and begged Ackermans to train him so that he could become a Soldiers as powerful as the Ackerman.
The Ackerman exchanged glances, and then, Marlo was A-Yi like this. The training they received at the Claude Manor could be described as brutally inhumane.
For these somewhat naive Ackerman, since Marlo had a request, they naturally wouldn't be stingy. So, under the Ackermans' torment, Marlo wilted like a frostbitten eggplant in just one day.
Naturally, he couldn't avoid being ridiculed by Hitch.
Yago saw all of this, finding it both amusing and somewhat poignant. Looking at the Survey Corps Soldiers around him, their faces filled with pride, he realized this was the Survey Corps' triumphant return.
The Survey Corps returned in triumph, having successfully reclaimed Wall Maria from the Titan and recovered lost territory for humanity. This achievement alone was enough to make all the Scout proud.
Thinking back to Big Eren's Memories, only nine Soldiers from the entire Survey Corps survived. Although the Survey Corps still lost many Soldiers, even more sparks of Wings of Freedom survived. Yago felt that he had finally lived up to the name of the Fate Titan. Wasn't this a good change? The future would definitely be better, Yago was very optimistic.
"Squad Leader Yago, we've arrived at the Trost District," A-Wu said, pointing ahead.
Sure enough, a magnificent city wall, fifty meters high, came into view. Green Signal Flare flares rose in front of the Survey Corps, and soon, the Garrison Soldiers on the city wall also fired Green Signal Flares. In Yago's view, the closed city gate slowly rose.
Within the Trost District.
A large number of Military Police maintained order, and the streets were lined with people from the Trost District. Upon learning that the Survey Corps, which had successfully recaptured Wall Maria, would arrive in the Trost District today, many people rushed to welcome them without even having a meal.
Ordinary people who rarely see high-ranking officials Nobility, and business representatives are also waiting for the Survey Corps' triumphant return, and at the same time, they are also waiting for Queen Historia.
When they learned that Historia had secretly followed the Survey Corps on their expedition, a large number of high-ranking officials Nobility were in a real bind. Chasing after her was too late, but they dared not let Historia go unchecked, which caused Zackly and the others a great deal of anxiety.
However, in Erwin's report, Historia's transformation into the Jaw Titan played a crucial role in the Survey Corps' victory, making them realize that Historia was not a delicate Queen, but a truly valiant Soldiers.
What caught Zackly's attention most was the new idea that Erwin proposed in a private letter to him and several theater Commander, which greatly appealed to Zackly.
Adjusting his glasses, Zackly began to ponder the new concept Erwin had proposed in the letter with great interest. "The Parliament... interesting."
As the city gates opened, the crowds who were ready to cheer froze in place, because the first to enter the city walls were carriages, and on the carriages were bodies covered with white cloths.
These are the Soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the Wall Maria Reclamation Battle. One hundred and seventeen Soldiers gave their hearts for the victory of mankind, most of them dying in the chaos within the Shiganshina District.
Upon seeing the remains of these fallen Soldiers, everyone was filled with awe and respect.
Nile, who was in charge of directing the Military Police on site, shouted, "Salute!"
Immediately, all the Military Police and Garrison Soldiers placed their right hands in front of their left chests to pay tribute to the Survey Corps Soldiers who had sacrificed their lives!
Even the Nobility and high-ranking military officers stood up and bowed respectfully.
Amidst the respectful gazes of the crowd, the carriages carrying the Soldiers' remains slowly drove past.
A rapid sound of galloping hooves approached, and the crowd perked up, turning their gazes toward the city gate—the main character was about to arrive.
The horses' hooves tapped lightly on the stone bricks, making a crisp sound. Erwin, with bandages on his hands, was the first to enter the Trost District, his resolute face appearing before the people.
The blue and white Wings of Freedom cloak fluttered slightly behind him, and behind Erwin were more Scout, each with a face full of pride.
As the Survey Corps entered the city, the people fell silent, seemingly waiting for something. Then, Erwin slowly drew a battle sword, amidst the eager gazes of the Soldiers behind him and the excited stares of the surrounding crowd.
Erwin roared in a deafening voice, "Survey Corps, the Wall Maria Reclamation Battle has been a complete victory!!"
These words were like a match igniting the crowd, and the next moment, deafening cheers resounded throughout the entire street.
Countless people cheered excitedly, reaching out and jumping towards the Survey Corps Soldiers. Flowers and gifts, which had been prepared at some unknown time, were thrown from the crowd at the Survey Corps Soldiers.
"Commander Erwin! That's fantastic!"
"The Survey Corps is our hope!"
"Cheers to our heroes!!"
The Survey Corps Soldiers were equally excited; such a welcome was something many of Soldiers had never witnessed in their entire lives.
Marlo was grinning from ear to ear, clutching the flowers that had been thrown at him from who-knows-where. He looked nothing like his previous half-dead state.
Yago smiled and took Annie's hand, making Hitch, who was standing next to him, purse her lips.
Sasha and Connie, who had Sniper Gun wrapped in cloth strips on their backs, were also shouting and waving their hands around.
Jean tried his best to restrain himself and put on a calm demeanor. If he hadn't seen his mother in the crowd, Jean probably would have cheered without any restraint like Sasha and the others. In particular, Jean noticed Mark sitting in a wheelchair next to his mother.
Despite losing a leg, Mark looked healthy and clapped and smiled as he looked at Jean.
Eren was somewhat at a loss because Mikasa suddenly blushed and grabbed his hand, which made Eren very uncomfortable. However, Mikasa didn't say anything, and Eren didn't have the intention to let go of Mikasa's hand for a moment. In fact, subconsciously, Eren felt a little excited.