"No, it would only be greater. Hizuru depends entirely on us. They don't have the courage to go to war with Marley. They'll only play a supporting role," Erwin said slowly.
"Then wouldn't that mean our corps would have to serve as the main force once war breaks out? We'd lose... a lot of people, wouldn't we..." Armin said, his eyes downcast and tinged with fear.
"Someone who can't give anything up can't accomplish anything," Erwin said abruptly.
Armin froze for a moment.
"That's what you said to reassure the 104th Cadet Corps when we went to war with the Central Military Police Brigade two years ago, isn't it?" Erwin asked calmly, looking at Armin.
"Yes..." Armin quietly lowered his head.
"Armin, aside from Chen Si, you're actually the person best suited to running the country in the future. But you can't be its leader. He can," Erwin said slowly.
Armin shook his head, lowering it in self-doubt. "As far as I'm concerned, I'm nowhere near Chen Si."
"You only lack one thing compared to him. Do you know what it is?"
"What?" Armin asked blankly.
"Ruthlessness," Erwin said, narrowing his eyes slightly.
Chang'an City, Survey Corps branch headquarters.
The training grounds.
"Weak! Far too weak! Tell me what good any of you are!" Mikasa was shouting at Recruit Squad Five, which she oversaw.
Mikasa's waist-length hair flowed behind her. Her figure was slender and graceful, yet she carried herself with a striking martial bearing. Her gaze was sharp, and her increasingly refined features had lost none of their boldness.
"I'll demonstrate one last time! Anyone who still fails can go work in logistics!" Mikasa drew her long blade and barked.
Everyone in Recruit Squad Five looked terrified, but they gritted their teeth and endured it. Not one of