It gripped the wall and hooked its deformed, spindly forelimbs over the parapet. Hauling its ruined body, it slowly stood—more than twice the height of the fifty-meter wall.
Soldiers slashed at empty air and hurriedly fired their grapples to anchor themselves to the stone.
Shattered masonry crushed many who couldn't dodge in time.
They stared, stunned, as the Titan propped itself on the wall and peered into the city.
Because its face and chest were ground raw—and blasted by explosives—the entire upper body of the hundred-meter-class Titan was nearly bare bone, with ragged strips of flesh hanging like meat skewered on bamboo sticks.
Ribs flared outward, exposed to the air. Flesh and viscera spilled from within, a flood pouring down the wall.
Disgusting.
Everyone felt the same.
Everyone also felt the same terror.
At that moment, the Titan resting its weight on the wall looked like a keeper outside a cage, feeding the humans inside—its livestock.
If it chose you, death would follow.
"I don't want to die…"
"This can't be real—what is that thing?!"
"Help—somebody help!"
Panic spread through Wall Rose. Crowds jammed the streets, fleeing outward.
And ironically, years ago they ran from Wall Maria to Wall Rose—now they were fleeing from Wall Rose toward the direction of Wall Maria.
There was nowhere left to run.
Wall Rose was the last wall.
"All soldiers—listen up!"
Erwin gave the order again, resolved to stop what was coming.
But just then, a group shot toward him, expertly fixing their Rittai Kidō Sōchi (ODM gear) anchors and, in an instant, surrounded Erwin.
"You are…?"
Erwin frowned at the armed men crowding in.
They wore no uniforms. They carried guns, not the standard-issue blades soldiers bore.
The Survey and Garrison troops were still busy dodging the rain of falling stone and seeking footholds to counterattack the Titan. No one had a spare second to notice their commander being hemmed in.
Taking the chance, the newcomers finally "captured" key figures from the two regiments.
"Long time no see, Erwin."
The hiss of gas cut off. A grapple thudded into the stone beside Erwin, and a figure swung in to land on the wall.
Studying the young man, Erwin looked surprised—but not shocked.
"Roger Eikam."
Erwin spoke his name.
"Correct," Roger nodded, lifting his chin toward the towering figure above—the hundred-meter-class Titan raging overhead. "Annoying, isn't it? Why I'd show up at the worst possible moment—and," Roger tapped the wall, "in such an awkward setting."
Erwin didn't hesitate. He answered at once. "Even if you kill me, someone will kill the Titan."
"Will they," Levi interjected, dead-eyed, looking sideways at Erwin. "Why so obsessed with killing Titans?"
Erwin looked at Levi but didn't reply.
"You're Levi, aren't you? The tough from the Underground," Erwin said deliberately, answering a different question.
"You know me?" Levi was curious. For a Corps commander to concern himself with an ex–street thug was… unusual.
"I learned of your talent long ago. I wanted to recruit you into the Survey Corps, but…" Erwin glanced at Roger, "the young man beat me to it."
"It couldn't be helped, Erwin," Roger said with a small smile. "We think alike, but I don't have as many scruples, so I move faster.
"Here's my condition: if you agree, I'll help the Corps kill this big one—and tell you the truth about the Titans."
"What condition?" Erwin asked.
"Recognize the existence of the Scorpio Corps, and guarantee we'll always have a place within the Walls."
Erwin hesitated.
Tours Beak clicked his tongue and murmured to Roger, "Boss, isn't this taking advantage of a crisis?"
"No. We're asking to survive. We won't touch the government inside the Walls," Roger said. "That's all."
"Words are cheap. I'm just the Survey Corps' commander—I don't have that level of authority," Erwin shook his head.
As if expecting that answer, Roger tilted his chin upward. "Look."
Above them, the Titan was flipping every wall cannon aside, as if preparing to stride over the fifty-meter barrier.
If it crossed, the last humans in Wall Rose would face annihilation.
Humanity would be wiped out.
"Tell me, Commander Erwin," Roger said, "you've guessed the truth: Titans are transformed humans. But do you know who this Titan really is?"
"…"
"Lord Rod Reiss."
"You're saying a royal minister transformed into it?"
"That's right," Roger said. "I drove the royal family to the brink. They ordered a citywide manhunt, but with nowhere left to go, he was forced to transform into a hundred-meter-class Titan. In other words, the royal regime is finished. If the Corps wants to take power, you'll barely need to lift a finger."
"And you're handing us the opportunity."
"Yes." Roger smiled. "I have no interest in ruling inside the Walls."
"You fear the Corps becoming your enemy," Erwin said flatly, unmoved. "You've got stronger foes checking you—likely the same ones you fought years ago."
"As expected of a commander. You're absolutely right," Roger chuckled, conceding the point. "But you don't have a choice. I can pull my people out beyond the Walls. You'll die here—alone. So make your choice, Commander Erwin."
It landed.
He hated being bound by another, but the moment left him no options—he would have to ally with Roger.
If Roger could indeed kill this Titan, accepting him was not impossible.
"I accept your terms. But remember your promise, Roger. For humanity's future—tell us everything you know."
After a long pause, Erwin agreed.
"Don't worry—I'll keep my word. And the terms don't hurt you, do they, Commander?"
Roger grinned, holstered his line, dropped, fired again, and streaked toward the hundred-meter-class Rod Reiss Titan.
"Levi—the limbs are yours. The nape is mine."
"Got it."
Levi's face didn't thaw. He spun up, carving through the Rod Reiss Titan's ankles—shocking everyone nearby.
At the same time, Roger accelerated, bit into his hand, and, high in the air, summoned the Jaw Titan.
"ROAR!!"
A flash of gold—an earth-shaking bellow—and a Titan burst into the sky.
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