At night, after two days, the body recovery work was finally completed. Tonight, a centralized cremation was carried out. Fewer than half of the soldiers could be identified by name; more soldiers were already disfigured beyond recognition and simply could not be identified.
Flames licked the remains of the soldiers who had given their lives for humanity. The firelight reflected on the faces of the surrounding trainees. Everyone's expressions were solemn. The war with the Titans made these trainees recognize the cruelty of the world and forced them to grow up; even Sasha and Connie, who usually joked around the most, had become more mature.
Connie even began to consider whether to join the Survey Corps. In truth, Connie had never thought very deeply before. When he said he wanted to join the Military Police, it was only because that was the choice of most of the top ten trainees.
But after being tempered by war this time, Connie seemed to truly begin thinking about the meaning of being a soldier, and even what it meant to fight for humanity.
Sasha's usually blank and cute little face also carried a trace of melancholy.
Yago silently stared at the burning flames. At this moment, Jean Kirstein, with a gloomy expression, walked over.
Yago asked, "How is Marco?"
Jean gritted his teeth and said, "His life is temporarily safe, but… in the future he may only be able to live in bed."
Yago glanced at Jean. Guilt was written all over Jean's face. Jean recalled what Marco had said to him:
"Jean, I've said it before—you're very talented. I believe you can definitely lead everyone to victory."
Jean clenched his fists. After struggling for a long time, he suddenly announced loudly, as if making a farewell: "I'm going to join the Survey Corps!"
However, the surprised expressions Jean had expected from everyone did not appear. At most, Sasha and Connie looked at Jean a bit longer. Jean, who had already prepared himself to be questioned by everyone, immediately felt somewhat deflated.
Suddenly, Jean felt someone pat his shoulder.
"Yago?"
Yago said earnestly, "Jean, think it through carefully. Don't make a choice lightly just because of guilt. Once you choose, don't regret it."
After speaking, Yago walked away, leaving Jean to think it over on his own.
...
Early in the morning, a Military Police unit bearing the unicorn emblem was neatly lined up in the military camp, attracting quite a few trainees to stop and watch.
Yago also wandered over leisurely to join the excitement and heard the trainees discussing among themselves.
"I heard a big shot is coming today to judge Eren!"
"I know, I know—it's Commander-in-Chief Zackley. He's the overall head of the Survey Corps, the Military Police, and the Garrison! So amazing!"
"My god, someone like that is coming to judge Eren?"
Listening to the whispers around him, Yago's expression did not look very good either. He also hadn't expected that after the success of the Battle to Retake Trost District—winning such a great victory for humanity—humanity would still be unwilling to trust Eren in the end.
After the victory of the Battle to Retake Trost District, this uplifting news quickly spread throughout Wall Rose and Wall Sheena. The people inside the walls were greatly encouraged, but the news reported in the newspapers still shocked many civilians: the one who won victory for humanity was actually a soldier who could turn into a Titan?!
Public opinion immediately flew everywhere, and the people discussed endlessly. Some believed this soldier was humanity's savior, while others believed he was an invader with ulterior motives.
Carla clenched the newspaper tightly. The name of the soldier who could turn into a Titan was so eye-catching—Eren Yeager. Carla walked to the window, vaguely able to see the sprawling Wall Rose.
"Eren, please don't let anything happen to you."
Yago watched the white-haired old man with glasses step down from the carriage. The moment he got off, one could feel an obvious aura of authority.
Yago had no interest in looking any longer and turned away. He might understand people's suspicion toward Eren, but that didn't stop him from feeling chilled to the bone. He was also glad that he had not exposed his own Titan power.
...
Lunch was still the same as always: bread and potato soup. Aside from Sasha, who still ate with great relish, everyone else was more or less tired of it. It was no longer the same as five years ago. The fall of Wall Maria meant humanity had lost half of its agricultural zones and most of its livestock areas.
Meat had now almost become a luxury, extremely expensive. Even soldiers rarely got to taste it. Only officers had a tiny supply of meat each month. For ordinary soldiers, being able to eat their fill was already quite good.
Mikasa had no appetite to eat. Ever since Eren had been taken away by the Military Police under the pretext of supervision, Mikasa had been worrying about Eren's safety every moment.
Armin comforted Mikasa, saying, "It should be fine. Eren did save the entire Trost District. In the future battle to retake Wall Maria, Eren can also play a very important role. Mikasa, don't worry too much."
But Mikasa asked, "Then why are they judging Eren?"
Armin hesitated a bit and said, "Maybe it's for Eren's future or something…"
Mikasa was just about to retort.
Bang! The cafeteria doors were suddenly pushed open. Three Military Police bearing the unicorn emblem appeared at the entrance. The leading Military Police officer shouted,
"Trainee Mikasa Ackerman, Armin Arlert, come with us. This afternoon's deliberation requires you as witnesses."
Decisive and overbearing, looking down on others—this was very Military Police-like. The Military Police had always looked down on people from other corps. In their eyes, the Garrison was just service troops repairing walls, and the Survey Corps were lunatics who had lost their minds and went to fight Titans.
Yago glanced at the three Military Police. Although these Military Police were all top trainees from their respective classes, judging from their arrogant souls, these so-called elites had already lost the courage to risk their lives against Titans.
No matter how pretty a vase looks, it's still just a vase. After one glance, Yago lost interest in looking further. Now he felt even more indifferent toward the Military Police. However, he had heard that this time, besides the overall heads of the three major corps, the commanders of the various corps were also present. It seemed this deliberation would determine Eren's affiliation.
The corps that could best bring out Eren's talents was naturally the Survey Corps, which frequently fought Titans. Only there could Eren's Titan power be used to its fullest—but who could say for sure?
No matter what, Eren's treatment made Yago very dissatisfied. And what about his own Titan power?
He finished the remaining food in a few bites and left the cafeteria, wandering aimlessly through the streets.
...
"Ouch!" With a startled cry, Yago felt himself bumped into. Looking down, he saw a tiny—
A boy had crashed into him and fallen flat. Yago helped the boy up. When the boy saw the trainee uniform on Yago, his eyes lit up.
"Are you a soldier? That's awesome! I'll become a soldier like you in the future and drive away those Titans!"
Yago froze. In this child, he vaguely saw a trace of Eren's shadow. Sure enough, were all children so hot-blooded?
At this moment, the boy's mother came over.
"Alex? Why did you run over here? Come home quickly to eat."
This mother also noticed Yago. Seeing that Yago was a soldier, she thanked him repeatedly.
"It's you soldiers who fight the terrifying Titans to protect Trost District. You're our heroes!"
Looking at this plain and honest auntie, the confusion in Yago's heart seemed to clear a little.
After bidding farewell to Alex and his mother, Yago returned to the military camp. Eren's final judgment result had been decided.
...
Bonus chapter for your Power Stones. Thank you