Another month passed, and the new year quietly approached.
Inside a small tent, Lock, Petra, and Ymir sat opposite one another around a crackling fire. A pot simmered over the flames, its warmth filling the space. Despite the howling winds outside, the atmosphere within was calm and soft, something rare on the frontlines.
"This year… It's just the three of us celebrating together," Lock sighed.
He clearly remembered that this time last year, he'd celebrated with Uncle Hannes and Eren's family. The house had been lively with laughter and food. Now, the silence made the contrast sharp.
Petra gave a small smile. "I didn't expect it either… I didn't think I'd live this long."
When she had joined the Survey Corps, Petra had already accepted that her life could end at any moment. Venturing beyond the Walls meant gambling with death every time. Even the best-trained soldiers could fall at any time. The last month alone had cost the lives of more than a dozen soldiers—nearly a fifth of their already small strike force.
And that was without facing overwhelming hordes. Every Abnormal Titan they'd encountered had been cut down by Lock before it could cause disaster. Without him acting as their spearhead, casualties would have been at least double.
Sensing the mix of relief and melancholy in Petra's voice, Lock spoke firmly.
"Don't worry. As long as I'm here, both of you will be fine."
"I don't need your protection. I'm strong," Ymir shot back defensively. Petra burst into laughter. "Ymir is the best, after all."
"Y–you don't need to say it…" Ymir muttered, cheeks tinged pink.
"Ymir, you're blushing," Lock teased with a rare smirk.
Ymir's expression stiffened. "What do you care?"
Lock: "…"
Petra: "Pfft—!"
In this small, warm moment at the end of the year 846, the initial phase of the Wall Maria Recapture Plan had been completed.
The next afternoon, Lock stood before a gathering army. Troops stretched across the plain like a steel tide, their banners flapping in the cold wind. His eyes were fixed on the distant horizon. The most difficult stage of the campaign was about to begin—Shiganshina District.
Shiganshina had been the first district to fall, breached deliberately by Reiner and his allies. Over the years, Titans had swarmed there in staggering numbers. What awaited them wasn't a skirmish but a siege. Densely packed Titans filled the ruins, making it the most dangerous battlefield of all. Without weapons of mass destruction, even Lock, Levi, and Mikasa could not clear it alone. Heavy casualties were inevitable.
In Erwin's command tent, the air was heavy with strategy.
"Your soldiers are impressive," Erwin said, glancing at the maps spread before them. "They can already be called an elite force."
Lock shook his head. "Not yet. They rely too much on their equipment. They still can't compare to the elite of the Survey Corps."
"You're too modest," Erwin replied, though there was a hint of respect in his tone. Then he changed the subject. "They seem to support you strongly."
Lock shrugged. "Obeying superiors is the bare minimum for a soldier."
He didn't linger on the topic. "Captain, what's the current situation in the southern war zone?"
Erwin inhaled slowly, the weight of the answer visible in his eyes. "It's grim. The Southern Expeditionary Force started with a hundred thousand soldiers. Based on intelligence, less than thirty percent remain alive."
"Seventy thousand dead," Lock said flatly. His voice was calm, but not indifferent. The months of brutal fighting had hardened him. Emotion had become a tool—used when needed, hidden when not.
Erwin nodded. "The number of Titans there is overwhelming. We'll have to consolidate all forces for the push south. Casualties will be heavier than anything we've seen so far. You must be mentally prepared for this."
"I understand," Lock answered without hesitation.
Seeing the conversation had reached its natural end, Lock stood and saluted. "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
"Wait." Erwin's voice stopped him at the flap of the tent. "Lock… if you were asked to take the role of supreme commander of the legion, what would you choose?"
Lock turned his head. Erwin's gaze was steady and serious, but there was something else behind it—hope.
"Just like you," Lock answered simply. Then he walked out into the cold air.
"Thank you," Erwin whispered behind him.
Outside, Lock exhaled a long breath. "The captain… he's still the same. Never lost sight of his original purpose."
Levi approached from the direction of the camp, steps sharp and unwavering.
"Captain," Lock greeted him with a respectful nod.
Levi stopped, gave him a quick once-over, and spoke in his usual blunt tone. "You've grown taller again?"
Lock grinned. "Yeah. I'm about one seventy-five now."
He glanced at Levi's compact frame, still solid and intimidating as ever. Levi noticed and smirked faintly. "Not bad."
Lock chuckled softly. "Hmm."
After their short, awkward exchange, Lock turned to leave. Levi watched his back disappear into the night. The stoic mask he always wore softened into a faint, rare smile. "This brat…"
Then he entered the tent to discuss operational details with Erwin.
Though Lock technically remained a squad leader within the Survey Corps, his status had shifted. He now operated with near-total independence, though he never acted unilaterally. The liberation of the southern region would only succeed through unified action. Any force acting alone would face annihilation.
Lock understood this clearly. He would not let ego endanger the mission.
After a single night of rest, Lock's forces merged with Erwin's and began their push toward the southern territories. Along the way, they passed countless strongholds and fortifications constructed by Erwin. Lock couldn't help but respect his strategic brilliance.
It was no wonder he had succeeded Keith as Commander of the Survey Corps.
No Titans appeared on the march south, allowing them to advance unhindered. Eventually, they reached the southernmost point of the Eastern War Zone—Erwin's original departure site. Beyond this point lay the Southern War Zone itself: vast, dangerous, and overrun.
The air shifted. Laughter and warmth gave way to silence and tension. Every soldier present understood that what lay ahead would determine the fate of humanity within the Walls.
And Lock was ready.
---
A/N: Advanced Chapters Have Been Uploaded On My Patreon
Support: patreon.com/Narrator_San