Night fell. The remaining trainees of the 104th Training Corps stood in neat ranks. Excluding the soldiers who had been killed or wounded in the Battle to Retake Trost District, more than one hundred and forty trainees had survived.
This time, the three major corps placed great importance on selecting new recruits. After all, the 104th trainees were soldiers who had faced real Titans head-on—such high-quality manpower was extremely rare. It was even said that the Military Police had decided to make an exception and expand their selection from the top ten trainees to the top twenty of the same class.
Next came the speeches by the leaders of the three major corps. The first to take the stage was the representative of the Garrison, an officer Yago and the others did not recognize.
The content of the speech was naturally dull and boring—nothing more than protecting the walls, protecting humanity, and so on. Though it lacked appeal, the Garrison was still the destination of the vast majority of new recruits.
After that came the representative of the Military Police, also an unfamiliar officer. The Military Police speech was very concise: join the Military Police, serve the king, supervise the populace.
It was very tempting. Many of the trainees present were stirred, but unfortunately, this opportunity could only belong to the outstanding elite.
When the Military Police representative stepped down, the Survey Corps representative took the stage. To everyone's surprise, Yago straightened up from his previously relaxed stance.
Because the Survey Corps representative was the commander of the Survey Corps—Commander Erwin.
"I am the commander of the Survey Corps, Erwin Smith. Tonight, you will make your choice—choose one of the three major corps. To be frank, I am here to invite you to join the Survey Corps," Commander Erwin said, getting straight to the point.
"You have experienced the Battle to Retake Trost District, so I believe you have already witnessed the cruelty of the Titans. Although humanity suffered heavy losses in this war, we also gained unprecedented hope—because of Eren Yeager." Commander Erwin suddenly spoke Eren's name.
Ignoring the quiet murmurs from the audience, Erwin continued,
"Eren Yeager proved to us with his courage and blood that he stands on humanity's side. Moreover, Eren not only helped us win the Battle to Retake Trost District, he also gave us the opportunity to uncover the truth about the Titans!
In the basement of his home in Shiganshina District, he has buried secrets about the Titans—secrets even he himself does not know. I believe that if we can reach that basement and learn the secrets buried there, we may be able to end the cruel history of humanity being oppressed by Titans for the past hundred years, and regain our freedom!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire crowd was shocked. Discussions broke out everywhere.
"Is it true?"
"A basement?"
"Could there really be secrets about the Titans?"
Reiner, Bertholdt, and Annie all changed expressions at once. This was completely unexpected for them.
After hearing this, Yago recalled that when facing the Garrison's guns and cannons, Eren seemed to have mentioned it—the basement of his father, Doctor Grisha. And just who was Doctor Grisha?
Commander Erwin continued, "Therefore, the goal of our Survey Corps is to obtain the secrets in the basement of Shiganshina District. But first, we must retake Wall Maria—this remains consistent with our previous objective.
However, the gate of Trost District can no longer be used. The various outposts and the entire front line that the Survey Corps established over the past four years have been forced to be abandoned, so we can only choose to depart from Karanes District and advance eastward.
Over the past four years, the Survey Corps has lost nearly sixty percent of its soldiers. They were all brave, fearless heroes. Next month, we will once again conduct an expedition beyond the walls. The new recruits who join will also participate. I estimate that we will lose thirty percent of our soldiers. Perhaps four years from now, more than half of you here may have fallen—but those who survive will become the strongest, most flawless soldiers!"
Hearing this, the terrifying casualty rate of the Survey Corps made many trainees recoil in fear. Many who had originally been tempted were frightened by Commander Erwin's blunt words.
Even several Survey Corps officers standing nearby found it hard to listen. With the commander putting it this way, wouldn't he scare off all the trainees? Their expressions were filled with worry.
"Now, the soldiers who are truly willing to dedicate their hearts to humanity, stay. Those who wish to join other corps may leave. That is all I have to say," Commander Erwin concluded his speech.
As soon as the speech ended, many trainees immediately turned and left. Some struggled internally for a long time, but in the end could not overcome the fear in their hearts and departed.
Gradually, more than half of the hundred-plus trainees had left. Yet Commander Erwin still wore a resolute expression, unchanged, as if everything was within his expectations.
Jean's body trembled slightly as a fierce battle raged in his mind. Reason kept urging him to leave, to choose the Military Police with its comfortable life.
But thinking of Marco lying in bed, thinking of how he had been grabbed by a Titan while saving him, of the screams when his right leg was bitten off.
"Jean! Don't let yourself regret it!!" he muttered viciously to himself.
Reiner and Bertholdt stood silently at the very back.
Connie and Sasha were also deeply conflicted, wavering for a long time, but in the end they did not move their feet.
Historia stood together with Ymir. Mikasa, and the trembling Armin, also stood firmly in place.
Yago's attention was completely focused on the bun-haired girl beside him. Seeing that Annie had not left either, Yago's heart was immediately filled with both joy and unease.
In the end, including Yago, nearly thirty soldiers stood quietly before Commander Erwin.
A Survey Corps soldier walked up to Commander Erwin.
"Commander, among the top ten trainees of this class, aside from one who is injured and cannot enter the corps, the other nine are all here!"
"Is that so?" This was beyond Commander Erwin's expectations. Nine of the top ten choosing to join the Survey Corps was something that had almost never happened in history.
Looking at the thirty soldiers who remained, he smiled with satisfaction and asked,
"If someone told you to go die, would you go?"
"Reporting, Commander! We don't want to die!"
"Good! You are all outstanding soldiers. I announce that everyone here is accepted into the Survey Corps as new recruits! Now, I extend to you the highest respect!" Commander Erwin clenched his right fist and placed it over his left chest.
"Dedicate your hearts!"
The thirty prospective Survey Corps recruits saluted in unison and shouted,
"Yes! Dedicate our hearts!"
"You have overcome the fear in your hearts. You are all brave warriors. I greatly admire you."
Yet some of the recruits' expressions were rather strange. Sasha was so frightened that tears had come out, but she still did not leave.
Jean and Connie's faces were also filled with fear and unease.
The recruits were more or less nervous. Even Mikasa showed a faint hint of worry—of course, worry for Eren.
Calm-faced Yago stood out quite a bit among the many recruits.
Commander Erwin announced dismissal, instructing all new recruits to assemble at the Survey Corps headquarters tomorrow afternoon.
"Recruit Yago Norman, may we talk?" Commander Erwin called out to Yago, who was about to leave.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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