Thunder and lightning flashed as scorching steam erupted upward from below, forcing the soldiers on the city wall to squint their eyes. None dared to look away. Everyone stared at the massive figure forming beneath them.
A gigantic skeleton materialized out of thin air, quickly wrapped in crimson muscle fibers at a speed visible to the naked eye. A Titan taller than the city wall rose, shielding the Female Titan below. With such immense size, it was impossible to bring it down with the equipment the Corps had prepared beforehand.
Erwin, recognizing the situation instantly, raised his blade toward the Colossal Titan and shouted with unwavering resolve,
"Success or failure depends on this one move! Dedicate your hearts, soldiers!"
No longer content to simply command from the wall, and with the reserve forces already exhausted, Erwin led the final support team straight toward the Colossal Titan. As the commander led the charge, there was no excuse for anyone to hold back. The soldiers followed him, eyes blazing with determination.
At this moment, Bertholdt clearly hadn't yet unleashed the full destructive potential of the Colossal Titan. Faced with the Survey Corps' elite, who quickly regrouped and surrounded him, his slow movements offered little protection. Only the intense waves of steam posed a serious threat. But the Colossal Titan couldn't keep up the steam indefinitely; after one burst, openings appeared.
Seeing this, Erwin seized the opportunity and led the assault. In desperation, Bertholdt crossed both arms to protect his nape, buying time. The surrounding soldiers caught on immediately. Under Erwin's lead, they hacked and slashed at the massive arms shielding the nape with relentless fury.
It looked like only a matter of time before they broke through. But battles at the other fronts took an unexpected turn.
Because of the Colossal Titan's massive form, the cannons and launchers on the city wall were useless. The waves of hot steam also forced Levi, who was fighting Annie's Female Titan, and the reserve team members nearby to retreat.
Seizing the regained initiative, the Female Titan turned her attention toward the one unit still inactive on the wall — Lock's squad. Her gaze locked onto Ymir, who stood out among the soldiers, dressed differently and lacking ODM gear.
On another front, Hange and her team were still locked in a stalemate with Reiner's Armored Titan. Their blades couldn't penetrate his hardened defenses. As the fight dragged on, casualties mounted, and the Colossal Titan's appearance marked a decisive shift in momentum.
Reiner broke away from Hange's team and charged directly toward the section of wall where Lock's squad stood.
The situation deteriorated rapidly.
"Rookie, let's go too!" Oluo shouted anxiously.
At this point, they were the only squad yet to enter the battle.
"Wait a little longer," Lock replied, eyes locked on the chaos below. His mind worked rapidly, calculating the right moment to strike. Charging in blindly now would only lead to more deaths.
The situation had already deviated from his expectations. With Levi, Hange, and the Corps' elites present, Lock thought Reiner, Bertholdt, and Annie would be overwhelmed quickly. But Levi hadn't taken down Annie fast enough. Hange's team couldn't break Reiner's armor. And the Colossal Titan wasn't going down anytime soon.
From his vantage point on the wall, Lock saw Annie and Reiner rapidly approaching his position.
"This is going to be tricky," he muttered to himself.
Oluo's voice broke through his thoughts, louder and more urgent. "Why wait any longer? If we delay, more soldiers will die!"
Eld and Gunther didn't speak, but their expressions said the same thing.
Lock suppressed his frustration. If he didn't explain himself now, they'd likely act on their own. "Do you really think things will turn around if you charge in?" he shot back sharply. "If you can guarantee that, I'll let you go."
"I…" Oluo faltered. He couldn't answer. If even Levi couldn't end it quickly, what chance did they have?
"But—"
Lock cut him off coldly. "Since you can't guarantee it, then shut up. Remember who you are, Oluo Bozado. A soldier's first duty is to obey orders."
"I… I understand, Captain Lock!" Oluo stiffened under his captain's stern presence. Eld and Gunther, too, fell silent and shifted their focus to the battlefield below, nerves tightening as Annie and Reiner drew near.
Drawing both blades with a sharp swing, Lock stared down at the two approaching Titans without a trace of fear. He was no longer the same as before. The only thing in his heart now was the will to kill.
Feeling his resolve, Oluo behind him, and Petra further back, both drew their swords as well. At the rear, Ymir gripped her knife tightly. Pressing the blade against her palm, she braced herself to transform at any moment. If she couldn't ensure her own safety, she had no choice but to reveal her Titan power.
This action had been tacitly approved by Erwin, and Lock had no objections. If they could take down even one of the three Titan shifters, the Survey Corps would have a real chance to protect Ymir.
With this resolve, Annie's Female Titan reached the wall first. She looked up at Lock's squad and, without hesitation, hardened her fingers and began to climb at high speed.
Lock inhaled deeply, then gave his order:
"Petra stays. Everyone else — with me!"
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