"Me?"
She glanced warily at Erwin and the soldiers beside him.
"My name is Penny Rupert."
"Penny."
"Mm."
"And this child? What's his name—boy or girl?"
"Should be a boy. Sorry, I just picked him up on the roadside."
"And where do you plan to take him?"
"First try to find his parents." Penny sighed. "My home's gone. I'll try to find work in the districts inside Wall Rose."
"What kind of work?"
"A nursery teacher, or some kind of servant."
Hearing this, Erwin nodded and stood.
Pixis approached.
"Erwin, any problem?" he asked.
"Not for now. But we can't be careless."
"Then let's call it here for today. We'll assign housing to the homeless, and continue the screening later."
"…"
"Don't think too hard. Someone from the capital is here."
"Who?"
"Some noble, I suppose. Look."
Pixis gestured.
A carriage pulled up. From it descended a portly old woman decked in gold and jewels.
"Lady Elaine, you've come."
Pixis stepped forward, respectful.
"Ah, Commander Pixis. I've come for my son. Have you seen him?"
"Your son?"
"Mother—!"
Barbato collapsed into her arms, bawling like a child.
"Oh, oh, what happened? Who bullied you, Barbato? I won't forgive them!"
She nearly ground her teeth as she spoke.
Pixis sighed again.
In the end, nobles and royals always stood in the way.
From afar, Erwin watched and knew—this screening would never go smoothly. His expression darkened.
"Miche, find Miss Penny a suitable workplace."
"Yes, sir!"
Erwin gave his last order and left.
He had to find a way, or all of this was meaningless.
But how could humanity succeed, with so little knowledge?
---
Wall Rose.
Northern sector, Utopia District.
A figure in a Survey Corps uniform darted past the sleeping Garrison soldiers.
The hiss of gas woke one—a plump soldier. He rubbed his eyes, the drink dragging him back down.
Until a sharp slap landed on his cheek!
Smack!
"Wh—what?! Who?!"
He jolted upright, eyes focusing—on his furious captain.
"C-captain!"
He snapped to attention, ready to salute. The others stumbled awake, sobered by fear.
The captain looked livid.
"You pigs or soldiers? On duty, and you drink?!" he barked.
"Ah, captain, we—"
One soldier tried to smile, shoving bottles of untouched liquor toward him as bribe.
The captain smashed them to the ground!
Panic rippled.
"What's wrong, captain? Why today—?"
He fell silent a moment. Then spoke.
"News just came. Shiganshina has been breached by an unknown Colossal Titan. Giants have poured in. All of Maria is hell. Even my parents…"
"No way…"
The soldiers froze. Their families were there too.
"Captain!"
"What about our families?!"
"What do we do?!"
He shook his head.
"I don't know. Orders are to tighten defenses. Watch for any suspicious figures. Did any of you see a Survey Corps soldier pass with maneuver gear?"
They shook their heads.
"No."
"Fine," he muttered. "Then stay sharp. Refugees will flood in soon. With Maria fallen, Titans will drive them here."
"You mean…"
"Titans could come?!"
Sweat broke across their brows.
Not far off, Roger had already slipped inside.
He was in Wall Rose, the second barrier.
From Marley's teachings, he knew this wall held the middle class, people of means.
The neat streets and ordered buildings confirmed it.
Next was the royal capital, the innermost wall.
Instinct told him—the Founding was there. But how to enter?
From his talk with Hange, he knew the distribution of military might.
Three Corps: Survey, Garrison, Military Police.
The Garrison was weakest, most numerous.
The Military Police drew the best of each cadet class. Their strength wouldn't be lacking.
From below, he'd seen the guarded walltops, the strict patrols.
Watching carefully, Roger realized—those who passed easily were nobles or merchants.
All others faced inspection and records.
He didn't know if the walls' people suspected Titans were humans, or if they hunted him. To enter safely, he needed a patron.
But a stranger—where could he find one?
He didn't linger.
To avoid attention, he slipped into a deserted street, stripping off his Survey Corps uniform.
The silver Wings of Freedom always drew eyes.
Sure enough—soon he felt it.
Someone was tailing him.
Who?
A thief?
A brigand?
The Corps?
He couldn't know.
The best way was simple.
Shove a blade down their throat and ask.
At a corner, Roger slipped into hiding.
When they passed, he struck!
Slash!
Two figures—he lunged, slicing one's head clean off!
The other froze, then yanked something from his coat—
A pistol?!
Bang!!
The gunshot rang out.
//Check out my Patreon for 20 extra chapters on all my fanfics //[[email protected]/Razeil0810](http://[email protected]/Razeil0810)