Once most of the others had gradually finished resting, Erwin worked out a pursuit plan with Hange and the others, then gave the order to begin the operation.
The Garrison personnel also arrived in time to transport all the horses to the other side of the wall.
According to the plan, Reiner and Bertolt surely had little stamina left, and they would certainly choose somewhere safe to avoid the Titans. The most likely place was the Forest of Giant Trees from the 57th Expedition Beyond the Walls.
"Begin the operation! Our objective is to recover Soldier Arthur Ackerman and Soldier Eren Yeager. Bring them both back at any cost! Is that understood?!" Erwin shouted.
"Understood!!" all the Survey Corps soldiers who could still move shouted in unison, along with some Garrison soldiers temporarily assigned to join them by Pixis.
"Move out!!" At Erwin's command, everyone rode toward their destination.
On the way, as Armin rode along, keeping a close watch on both sides, Connie brought his horse alongside him.
"Hey! Armin, are Reiner and Bertolt really our enemies? And what's going on with Annie?"
Connie asked anxiously. After all, he found it very hard to accept that his former comrades were enemies in hiding. Reiner had often helped him in the Training Corps, and Annie had saved his life during the Battle to Retake Trost District.
He simply couldn't imagine those three being enemies.
"Connie, I understand how you feel, but their targets are Arthur and Eren. We have to stop them, even at any cost. All we can do is suppress those feelings for now. From this moment on, treat them as enemies."
Armin fell silent for a moment, then gritted his teeth and spoke.
"I... I understand." Connie nodded dejectedly, but the confusion in his eyes had been