No matter the upheavals unfolding in Marley, the focus returns to Paradis Island.
...
With the fall of the false royal government, since the new queen Historia ascended the throne, the new government has returned to normal operation, and the people no longer engage in idle speculation.
Inside the royal palace of the capital, representatives from all sides of the new government, together with Historia, gathered to hold a meeting that would decide the future of Paradis Island.
Watching the scene of fierce arguments before her, Historia rubbed her brow with a headache.
The main topic of this meeting was the proposal submitted by Survey Corps Commander Erwin Smith. Erwin had applied to the high command to carry out the operation to retake Wall Maria.
This matter caused endless disputes among the major figures. There were essentially two opinions: fight, or do not fight.
"Commander Erwin, I trust you also understand the difficulty of retaking Wall Maria. Setting aside the countless Titans within Wall Maria, the supplies required for tens of thousands of soldiers, and the finances and resources needed to rebuild Wall Maria are astronomical figures. Please tell me, how are we supposed to bear this?" Count Duko, who managed the new government's financial department, was the first to stand up and oppose Erwin's proposal.
Of course, this was not because Count Duko had any ulterior motives. Though he held the title of count, he was an extremely upright and fair noble. It was under his stewardship that, after Wall Maria was breached, the government managed to restore normal financial operations, preventing total collapse.
His reason for opposing Erwin was simple: there was no money.
"But this is about reclaiming our own human territory! It's about taking back the home that once belonged to humanity. Moreover, we now possess the power sufficient to achieve victory—why not strive for it!?" a younger officer from the Garrison argued back.
"Without financial support, I'm afraid your supplies wouldn't even last long enough to get you to Wall Maria."
Immediately, the arguments flared up again.
In a corner of the meeting hall, Yago silently supported his forehead, one hand resting on the table as his fingers unconsciously tapped against its surface.
Yago's thoughts were focused on other matters.
Regarding the operation to retake Wall Maria, Yago could not voice too many opinions. Unlike the retaking of Wall Maria in older Eren's memories, Bertholdt was now already under control and imprisoned, the Colossal Titan lost. Yago was also uncertain whether the warrior unit led by Zeke would still remain in the Shiganshina District.
Yago naturally knew the secret hidden in Eren's basement, but retaking Wall Maria itself was also extremely important.
However, in older Eren's memories, the Survey Corps' sacrifices during the retaking of Wall Maria were far too great. If possible, Yago wanted to avoid that outcome as much as he could.
Most crucially, Zeke Yeager, Marley's Warrior Chief, harbored an extremely bold plan—the Eldian euthanasia plan. For the sake of this plan, Zeke had even betrayed his own parents and sold out the last remaining Eldian Restorationists within Marley.
Yago understood clearly that Paradis Island's most terrifying enemies were no longer the Titans. The true threat was the countless humans beyond the island who were filled with malice toward Eldians.
What should be done next? For a moment, Yago felt lost.
"Everyone!" Under the gaze of all present, the initiator of the proposal to retake Wall Maria, Survey Corps Commander Erwin, stood up and looked around before slowly speaking:
"Wall Maria is the wall that sheltered humanity for a hundred years. Ever since Wall Maria was breached by intelligent Titans from beyond the walls, humanity has fallen into terror under Titan domination.
Over these years, our Survey Corps has made countless sacrifices in order to retake Wall Maria. Many outstanding soldiers have dedicated their hearts to humanity. These sacrifices cannot be in vain. My subordinates told me that the meaning of the dead is given by the living.
If we abandon the retaking of Wall Maria, then the sacrifices of those soldiers will be rendered meaningless. Everything our Survey Corps has done will be regarded as futile. That is something I cannot accept, and neither can the entire Survey Corps.
We are unwilling to let the sacrifices of our comrades ultimately have no meaning. Count Duko, you just said that finances do not support retaking Wall Maria. Then tell me, how many soldiers do you think we should commit in order to reclaim Wall Maria?"
Count Duko frowned. Instinctively, he believed that at least the majority of the military forces would have to be mobilized.
But Erwin's next words left him deeply shocked.
"I will lead only the Survey Corps to complete the operation to retake Wall Maria."
"What? Erwin, what are you saying?" Nile, beside Erwin, was greatly startled. With only a few hundred soldiers from the Survey Corps, how could they possibly cross through countless Titans and retake Wall Maria?
Even Pixis felt that Erwin's words were somewhat overconfident.
However, the detailed plan Erwin laid out next made everyone take it seriously.
After hearing the specifics, even Pixis had to admit that Erwin's plan was indeed flawless.
"So, Eren Yeager is the key figure in the operation to retake Wall Maria? All that's needed is to safely deliver Eren Yeager to the Shiganshina District?" Pixis asked.
"Yes, Commander Pixis."
"But even if Wall Maria is retaken, the countless roaming Titans within the walls will still pose a huge threat. To eliminate these Titans, countless soldiers will surely have to be sacrificed," Commander-in-Chief Zackly, who had remained silent until now, expressed his own view.
"Commander-in-Chief, please rest assured. As for how to clear out the Titans, my subordinate, Hange Zoe, has already proposed a plan, and it has been tested and can be put into practical use."
Yago raised his head and looked toward Erwin. As always, that calm, confident composure never left Erwin's face.