Military parade (part two)
What does it feel like to be watched by tens of thousands of people, or even tens of thousands of soldiers, at the same time? Tens of thousands of people on the water may not sound like many, but when those tens of thousands of soldiers are actually standing in front of you, the overwhelming aura is so overwhelming that ordinary people simply cannot look them in the eye.
Standing before tens of thousands of the New Army from Paradis Island, even Yago felt a bit nervous. Of course, Yago wasn't unfamiliar with such a scene; he had faced the gaze of nearly ten thousand Eldia Revival Army soldiers in the Marley Capital.
Every time, Yago felt tense, because tens of thousands of eyes were focused on him alone, and their futures were tied to him. Perhaps, with a single command from Yago, most of those tens of thousands of eyes would be closed forever.
One order determines life and death, and this is also the responsibility of the Commander-in-Chief that Yago bears. He must fight for the survival of the Eldians. He is not like the Big Eren of our memories now. He has not been coerced by extreme factions like the Yeagerists, nor has he recklessly launched the Rumbling, nor has he ultimately allowed Paradis Island to be destroyed alone.
Perhaps one could say that Big Eren somewhat selfish, sacrificing himself and Eldia for the freedom of his companions, but Yago didn't want to judge any of that, because memories are just memories, what's in front of him now is reality, and with me, Yago, this is reality.
No matter how winding the road ahead may be, Yago will never give up; the future of Eldia is in his hands!
"Gentlemen," Yago opened his mouth into the Mike and calmly began his speech.
"I'm sure everyone has heard about the outside world by now, right? That's right. For the past hundred years, we've always thought that all humans outside the city walls had disappeared, that Titan were rampaging, and that the city walls were humanity's last sanctuary."
But we humans are always full of the spirit of exploration, and there are always great pioneers. The Wings of Freedom cloak passed down from generation to generation has always been dedicated to exploring the truth beyond the walls. We yearn to destroy the Titan, yearn to reclaim human land, yearn to no longer depend on these prison-like walls. Now, we have done it! Yago turned his head to look at the towering Wall Rose behind him.
Countless Soldiers and civilians also looked in that direction, gazing at the city walls that had protected humanity for centuries, and everyone was filled with mixed emotions.
"However, the truth of the world is cruel. Yes, besides us, there are countless other humans on the island. We live on an island surrounded by Titan. They call us Eldians. Unfortunately, the humans outside the island hate us Eldians very much. They call us the descendants of demons."
Outside the island, millions of our compatriots are enslaved, oppressed, and treated like insects by the Marleyan. The Marleyan curse our demonic bloodline, yet they dominate the world by enslaving our demonic bloodline. Our ancestors once oppressed the world, but now the Marleyan oppress the world by enslaving us Eldians. How are they any different from our demonic ancestors?
Does waving the banner of justice give us the right to repeat and imitate past crimes with impunity?
I, Yago Norman, as an Eldians, cannot allow the Marleyan to enslave my people at will, nor do I wish for them to die a life of enslavement filled with grief and indignation. I hope for a bright future for us Eldians, that we Eldians can live openly and peacefully in the world, and that our descendants will never again bear the name of demons.
"But I can't do this alone. I need help. I need your help, gentlemen! Are you willing to fight with me for the future of the Eldians? Even if it means sacrificing yourselves!" Yago looked at the tens of thousands of Soldiers from Paradis Island, his voice booming from the loudspeakers.
The Soldiers were initially silent, staring blankly at Yago standing before them. The words "for the future of the Eldians" still echoed in Soldiers ears, and a strange emotion began to brew in their Soldiers.
Many Soldiers who were initially confused after joining the New Army gradually found meaning in their service. In fact, many New Army Soldiers were still unclear about the future; the world outside the city walls was too far away for them, and they were also unaware of the world's malice towards the Eldians.
But now Yago's words seemed to dispel the fog for them. They were to fight for the future of the Eldians. If they won this battle, they would gain a true future, no longer confined by towering city walls, and could freely roam the vast world.
Gradually, the light in the Soldiers' eyes grew brighter and brighter.
Behind Yago, perhaps out of excitement, young Alex's face flushed red. He clenched his right fist and slammed it heavily into his left chest, right in front of his heart, shouting, "For Eldia, Dedicate Your Hearts! (心臓を捧げよ)!"
Alex's voice carried loudly through the Mike and speaker.
As if a switch had been flipped, tens of thousands of Paradis Island Soldiers simultaneously clenched their right fists and slammed them into their left chests, the synchronized movements producing a series of dull thuds.
Then, a sound like a mountain roaring and a tsunami broke through the sky, "をholding げよ! をholding げよ! をholding げよ!"
The Heart Salute of tens of thousands of Soldiers, the shouts of tens of thousands of Soldiers, made one feel as if the heavens and earth were trembling. On the high platform, whether it was Yago, or the Parliament Parliamentarian behind him, Queen Historia, or many other high-ranking officials, everyone was moved.
Many Parliamentarian were astonished by the Soldiers' loud voices, but their own Eldians passion was also boiling, and they wished they could disregard their image and shout along with the Soldiers.
Many spectators were extremely excited, cheering incessantly, with many making a less-than-perfect Heart Salute and shouting loudly.
Yago looked at the spirited Soldiers and slowly smiled. Their morale was high.
"Ready!" At the rear of the army, more than a dozen cannons stood ready. Upon receiving the order, the artillerymen of the New Army immediately and efficiently loaded the shells and prepared to fire.
"Fire!!" At the commander's roar, more than a dozen cannons fired simultaneously, the thunderous sound echoing throughout the venue, marking the official start of the military parade.
After months of training, the New Army were in high spirits and ready to show their most glorious side to the Queen, the Commander-in-Chief, many high-ranking officials, and countless people.
After returning to his seat, Yago soon received an urgent intelligence report from the Hizuru.
After reading the intelligence, Yago's expression turned serious. It seemed he had to return to the Marley Capital as soon as possible; a storm was brewing.