The gap between the Shiganshina District and Wall Maria was successfully sealed. This marked a significant, though temporary, victory in the Southern War Zone. For the first time in years, if Marley remained inactive, this area's safety could be maintained to a certain degree.
But the expedition was not over.
The North, East, and South War Zones had all accomplished their objectives. Only the West remained.
That night, a messenger arrived bearing grim news. The previously triumphant atmosphere collapsed into a heavy silence.
The Western War Zone had been devastated. The volunteer army stationed there had been virtually wiped out, taking the Titans with them in a brutal mutual slaughter. According to the messenger's report and the patrol teams, only a tenth of the original Pure Titans in the West remained — scattered and rare. But the cost had been catastrophic.
More than 100,000 volunteers had died.
Even though everyone present knew the battle was nearing its end, not a single person could celebrate. The price was simply too high. Even those who had braced themselves mentally found it difficult to endure the weight of such a loss.
A bitter question lingered unspoken in everyone's mind:
If they had ended the southern battle earlier and reinforced the West, could so many lives have been saved?
No answer would ever come.
"Snap. Snap. Snap."
Lock's deliberate clapping broke the silence. His voice cut through the tent like steel.
"The war has developed to this point, and none of us wanted this outcome. But since it's happened, we have no choice but to face it. Hiding from reality solves nothing."
His eyes swept across the assembled officers and soldiers.
"The situation here is largely settled. We'll leave a garrison to reinforce and fortify the walls. We can't let those who died in the West perish in vain. Before Titans can regroup in large numbers, we must move — immediately — and reclaim the lost territories in the Western War Zone!"
"Lock is right. Now isn't the time for mourning."
Erwin rose from his seat, looking at Lock with both gratitude and determination.
"Notify everyone. At first light, the main force marches west. We will reclaim the lost land and bring Wall Maria completely under our control — within ten days."
"Yes, Captain!"
The officers saluted and left to mobilize the troops and volunteers for the next stage of the campaign.
Soon, only Lock, Erwin, Levi, and a few senior officers remained inside the tent. Hange was absent; she had been tasked with urgent research duties elsewhere. Petra and Ymir, Lock's deputies, were deeply involved in logistics and deployment and couldn't stay either.
"You spoke well," Erwin said, his tone carrying rare admiration.
Levi gave a short nod. Even the seasoned officers were struck by Lock's composure. They were all veterans, yet when the devastating news from the West arrived, none of them had reacted with Lock's clarity and resolve. His ability to steady the room impressed them more than they cared to admit.
He was not just a warrior — he was a leader.
The Survey Corps had no shortage of elite fighters, but officers with strategic leadership and mental resilience were far rarer. Erwin had long stood alone in that regard. Now, Lock's presence stood beside his.
Lock met their gazes calmly. His willpower and self-control were now formidable; masking his emotions had become second nature.
"I just reacted a bit quicker," he said modestly. "I knew the captain would come to the same conclusion soon enough."
Erwin shook his head slightly.
"Excessive modesty is a kind of pride."
Then, turning to business, his tone hardened.
"Next, let's divide responsibilities. Captain Klaus," — the commander of one of the garrison teams — "you'll lead your squad to hold this area. Reinforce the walls and monitor Titan activity in Shiganshina."
"Yes, Captain!"
Klaus had no objections. His soldiers were exhausted to the point of collapse. Remaining behind to fortify defenses was a relief after the relentless marching and fighting. Gratitude flickered in his eyes as he saluted.
With the garrison matter settled, attention turned fully to the West.
After exchanging strategies with Lock, Erwin decided to split the forces into two main groups. Lock would lead a mobile strike unit westward toward the stretch between Wall Maria and Wall Rose, clearing Titans along the way and securing supply lines. Meanwhile, Erwin would command the bulk of the Corps toward Wall Maria's western breach to secure and block it completely.
Once Lock's unit completed their sweep, they would rendezvous with Erwin's main force at the wall.
This was the final leg of the operation. If they could secure the Western War Zone, the pressure on humanity inside the walls would be drastically reduced. The Survey Corps, too, would gain unprecedented freedom to act beyond the walls.
Their future goals were clear. No longer would they charge blindly into unknown lands like before. This time, their path led to the edge of Paradis Island, to the sea itself.
And beyond the sea… Marley awaited.
Both Lock and Erwin knew that the era of passively receiving blows was over. One day, they would take the fight beyond the island. But that was a story for another time.
At noon the next day, the reorganized Corps and the volunteer army split into two columns and began their march toward the Western Front. The final stage of the expedition had begun.
Meanwhile, far away in the capital, the royal government received intelligence updates from both the Shiganshina District and the Western Battlefield. Ministers and nobles crowded around the reports, their faces brightening.
"Excellent! It looks like Wall Maria can finally be reclaimed!"
"The Survey Corps has finally proved its worth."
"This will ease so much pressure on the interior."
"I can finally return to my old routine… it's been a hectic few months."
"Yes, life was so much more comfortable before all this…"
Their words were light and careless. Not a single one mentioned the more than 100,000 volunteers who had died in the West. Nor did they speak of the losses endured by the Corps, by Lock, or by Erwin. All they looked forward to was a return to their "ordinary days" — days when the Titans were someone else's problem.
Outside the palace, soldiers prepared for another forced march into blood and fire. Inside, the ministers raised glasses, already savoring their imagined peace.
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