Visibility was still poor in the early morning, and the faint light on the horizon shone through a thin haze.
Today was the day they would launch their operation to retake Wall Maria. They had originally considered leaving at night, but the moon this season was not particularly favorable. If they came under attack at night, casualties would be heavy, especially with the soldiers' reactions somewhat dulled.
Night weakened not only the Titans, but humans as well.
The Survey Corps soldiers sat astride their horses while Bai Yu draped a red cloak over Historia.
Looking at Historia, who was still as adorable as ever, Bai Yu nodded in satisfaction, though he felt something was still not quite right.
Armin and the others gathered around, looking puzzled by Historia's cloak, which was different from theirs.
"Why is Christa's cloak so... so conspicuous?"
Marco sounded puzzled, but Ymir suddenly reached over from beside them and pulled Historia into her arms.
"My Christa looks beautiful no matter what she wears."
Bai Yu spoke with a rather mysterious air.
"Heh, Historia is in a completely different league from you now!"
"Historia?"
Armin looked confused, but Ymir's eyes narrowed slightly before she turned to Historia.
"Well..."
Historia looked apologetically at the people around her.
"Sorry I haven't told you all this time. My real name is actually Historia. Back then, for some personal reasons..."
Suddenly, Bai Yu interrupted her.
"You don't need to explain the rest. It wouldn't be good if anyone got the wrong idea. You can keep calling her by her old name. You're used to it anyway."
At that moment, Bai Yu finally realized what had seemed off about Historia, and he reached toward her hair.
Ymir, standing beside them, was displeased.
"Hey, please keep your hands off my Christa..."
But Bai