The flag of the Wings of Freedom stood out even at that great distance, and for the Eldia people, it was their greatest source of reassurance.
When the Survey Corps troops along the coast spotted their own flag, they burst into cheers.
Mikasa also relaxed a little when she saw that it was the Survey Corps fleet.
Everyone looked up at the vast mass of ships, feeling a surge of pride. This was their own naval fleet.
"Remember when we first saw the sea? All we had were a few wooden boats from Within the Walls. Now we have a fleet that can cross the ocean," Mina said wistfully.
"Yes, Paradis Island just keeps getting better," Sasha said with feeling.
"So many warships. That looks like our main fleet, and they don't seem to have suffered any losses. Looks like we won a huge victory!" Connie said.
After their conversation, everyone returned to inspect their respective defensive positions.
Mikasa often liked to gaze across the sea, so she was in charge of the outermost reconnaissance battalion. She shared a defense sector with Annie, who liked working alongside her father.
"Don't you think something's strange?"
A voice suddenly sounded beside Mikasa. She turned to see Annie, her hair tied in a high ponytail.
"What's strange?" Mikasa asked.
"The Soviet Army's fleet wasn't small. Even if their battleships lagged behind our navy's, there's no way they could have failed to inflict any losses at all with Britain and France advising them," Annie said.
"But that seems to be exactly what happened," Mikasa said, frowning slightly.
"I don't know. I just feel like something's wrong. Maybe I'm overthinking it." Annie shook her head.
In the command room.
"Armin! Did you notice?" Erwin looked at Armin with an extremely grave expression.
Armin was staring