"If everything goes smoothly, I should be able to acquire the blood of four Titans and the royal blood. After that, I'll head to Marley and collect the blood of all Nine Titans," Daniel Davis (沈飞) mused as he sat on the branch of a giant tree in the forest. This tree was part of the Survey Corps' rest area. Given the constant threat of Titans, the Corps found that resting in giant trees provided the best safety. Off in the distance, Erwin was gathering some of the Corps members, likely to share the crucial information he had obtained from Daniel.
Despite how difficult it was to accept, Erwin and his team seemed to have come to terms with the new revelations. What they planned to do next was beyond Daniel's concern.
"The Queen who herds cattle... Speaking of which, the queen has it pretty rough. Just because she has royal blood, and then there's Armin becoming the Colossal Titan... sigh," Daniel thought about the fates of various people in this world and sighed as he bit into his ration biscuit.
To maximize their ability to gather intelligence on Titans, the Survey Corps subsisted on compressed rations that were high in energy but low in flavor. This was a strategic decision to lighten their logistical load, as ODM gas canisters and blades were crucial for fighting Titans. Thus, they couldn't afford to be picky about their food during expeditions.
After gathering information from Daniel, the Survey Corps began their return journey. This expedition was deemed a great success, as they obtained significant intelligence. However, the mood among the Corps members was somber. Erwin and Levi showed no signs of joy, and only Hange still had a smile on her face.
The harsh reality was far more brutal than they had imagined. As they headed back, Hange constantly pestered Daniel with questions about the outside world, using this opportunity to learn more about the ODM gear.
In a way, the ODM gear could be considered a form of this world's black technology. With further development, it might even evolve into rocket-propelled devices. The speed at which the Survey Corps moved through the air was propelled by gas, which wasn't particularly useful to Daniel, but with some modifications, it could become a viable product. Not to mention, Daniel was also planning to develop a game based on this technology.
Hange's curiosity about Marley was insatiable, though Daniel could only answer some of her questions. He had never been to Marley and knew only so much. However, he did tell her about airships, which could soon become a reality within the walls.
The Nine Titans weren't just powerful in battle; they could also be incredibly useful in everyday life. For instance, Titan hardening could be used for building bridges and roads quickly, and even for constructing underground spaces.
The vast underground city beneath the capital and the massive space under the royal chapel were both built using Titan powers. The hardened material created by Titans could also be a valuable resource, though this world had yet to develop the means to utilize it effectively. For now, even Annie's hardening ability remained unbreakable.
As they traveled back, Daniel felt the pace was slow but chose to stay with the group for convenience. Without a mirror space, following the Survey Corps was easier than traveling alone. However, as they approached the second wall, they encountered increasing numbers of Titans, prompting Erwin to sense that something was amiss.
"Why are there so many Titans? Something might have happened. Levi, take your squad and hurry back," Erwin ordered. The presence of so many Titans, combined with the intelligence they had gathered from Daniel, suggested that another Titan attack might be underway.
After Wall Maria was breached, the Survey Corps conducted extensive investigations into the Colossal and Armored Titans. While they hadn't uncovered much about other Titans, the distinctiveness of these two Titans always lingered in Erwin's mind, though without solid leads, his suspicions remained buried.
"Understood. Levi Squad, move out!" Levi acknowledged, and he and his squad increased their speed. Hange, seeing this, quickly followed.
"So, it's that time already," Daniel guessed what was happening from the Survey Corps' reactions. This was likely the second attack by the Colossal Titan, coinciding with the time when Eren and his cohort were graduating from the Cadet Corps. It was also the time when Eren's Titan powers would be revealed.
Due to the organized movements of the Titans, Erwin led the remaining Corps members to circumvent the main group of Titans. With Levi Squad gone, their combat strength was significantly reduced, making direct confrontation unwise.
After maneuvering through areas with fewer Titans, Erwin left most of the Corps behind and took a small team towards the gate. Daniel seized the chance to follow them.
As they moved, Daniel had learned how to use the ODM gear out of curiosity. His body was exceptionally strong now, but with limited practice time, he could only use the gear for movement and not for combat against Titans.
On the way, Daniel separated from Erwin's team. Since Erwin and his group were heading to fight the Titans at the gate and Daniel couldn't use the ODM gear for combat, he climbed the wall instead. Wearing the Survey Corps cloak, he didn't have to worry about being attacked by those inside the walls.
"These soldiers are incredibly fit," Daniel noted as he observed the others using the ODM gear with agility. Despite the gear's weight, they maneuvered it skillfully. Even in the Marvel universe, their abilities would be on par with special forces.
"The number of Titans is substantial, but the gate has been sealed," Daniel observed. The breach by the Colossal Titan was at the gate of the outermost part of Wall Rose's citadel, not the main wall. Standing atop the 50-meter wall, he could see a large stone sphere near the breached gate in the distance.
"If Annie and the others had acted together now, the outcome would be entirely different. Have they developed feelings from living together for so long?" Daniel pondered. If the Armored, Female, and Colossal Titans had attacked together, they could have easily taken Eren. Yet, they didn't.
For those engaged in such conflicts, personal connections could be a significant obstacle. A politician might make swift, ruthless decisions, but Annie and her comrades weren't politicians. Similarly, Daniel didn't want to intervene in the war in the Titan world because he didn't want to massacre civilians.
Civilians always suffer the most in war. "When the country prospers, the people suffer; when the country falls, the people suffer," as the saying goes.
If he were a politician, the choice would be simple—side with whoever offered the most benefits. But Daniel wasn't one to slaughter innocents, even if it was to save others.
As the gate was sealed and the Titans inside the citadel were being eradicated by the Garrison and Levi Squad, Daniel noted the strategic importance of the area. The citadel was used for the training of the Cadet Corps and housed not only numerous cadets but also many Garrison members.
Among the three military branches within the walls, the Garrison had the largest numbers, stationed at various points along the three walls. While they weren't keen on fighting Titans and lacked the strength to join the Military Police, they were proficient in using the ODM gear. Individually, they might not be able to take down a Titan, but collectively, they stood a chance.
Moreover, the Garrison wasn't devoid of skilled fighters. The troops directly under Commander Pixis were particularly strong. In fact, they could be considered even stronger than the Military Police. Although the Military Police consisted of the top ten graduates from the Cadet Corps, they often ended up living comfortably in the capital with little combat experience and a propensity for corruption. Over time, their fighting skills inevitably declined.
When the Military Police eventually joined the fight, they talked big about killing Titans but froze in fear when faced with the actual monsters, leading to their annihilation.
"You're back quickly this time," Commander Pixis of the Garrison said, looking at Erwin as he approached. After taking a sip of his drink, he spoke.
"I've discovered the truth about the Titans," Erwin responded bluntly after a moment of silence.
"What?" Pixis's hand trembled, and he dropped his flask. He nearly toppled over the edge of Wall Rose. Standing on the edge of the wall, a fall could easily be fatal.
Luckily, Erwin, with his quick reflexes, grabbed Pixis by the collar and pulled him back. While not the strongest in the Survey Corps, Erwin was still among the top five in terms of strength.
"What's going on?" Pixis asked, stepping back several paces to steady himself.
"We met someone outside who revealed the true history of our people," Erwin began to recount everything he had learned from Daniel.
Among the three military branches, the Survey Corps had the fewest members. Despite their strength, they relied on supplies controlled by the capital, making any direct confrontation with the royal family and the Military Police impossible. The Garrison, however, was different, especially under Commander Pixis. That's why Erwin spoke so candidly.
"Is this information reliable?" Pixis asked after a long silence.
"It needs to be verified, but there's one thing we can confirm right away," Erwin didn't specify, but Pixis understood. They were referring to the fact that Titans were humans, with Eren being a prime example.
"According to what you've said about the Nine Titans, he shouldn't be helping us," Pixis noted. Given Daniel's information, Eren should be an enemy, but he had helped seal the breach, which was puzzling.
"This needs to be investigated further. One possibility is that Eren represents the Attack Titan, one of the Nine Titans. According to the information provided, it's a Titan that strives for
freedom," Erwin speculated.
"Let's look into it. This is a significant matter, so don't act rashly," Pixis advised, staring into Erwin's eyes.
The royal family held immense sway within the walls, especially in the third wall's city, which they controlled completely. Any actions against them had to be carefully considered.
"I understand. Right now, I just want to see what's inside these walls," Erwin said, looking calmly down at the wall's surface.
Erwin wasn't the first to be curious about the walls' contents, but the presence of the Wall Cult had always stymied attempts to investigate, with those who tried being executed.
There was once a miner who wanted to know what lay beyond the walls. Unable to leave by conventional means, he decided to dig a tunnel. He and his friends all disappeared without a trace.
Daniel made a critical mistake upon entering the world of Titans, something so obvious that even he overlooked it—the height of the Titans within the walls. The walls were said to be 50 meters tall above ground, but what about below ground? Daniel had ignored this aspect, suggesting that the Titans within the walls were far taller than the 50-meter height often mentioned. Even the Colossal Titan couldn't match them.
With the gate sealed and the Titans in the citadel eradicated, the Garrison and Cadet Corps began cleaning up the aftermath. Despite their victory, there was no joy in the air due to the heavy losses. Almost everyone had lost someone—a friend, a lover.
"This isn't what you described," Erwin said as he entered Daniel's room within the citadel. It was a decent room arranged by Erwin for Daniel.
"I already told you, what I know are public facts. The specifics are national secrets. How could I possibly know everything in such detail?" Daniel responded, somewhat irritated. He hadn't anticipated that his revelations would lead to Eren and his comrades being questioned.
"If you want more detailed information, you'll have to send someone to Marley," he suggested.
Seeing no more useful information could be gained from Daniel, Erwin left.
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"Erwin, this is the latest report on Eren. He seems clear of any issues." In the temporary base of the Survey Corps at Trost, Hange hurried into a small room and handed a file to Erwin.
"Are you certain?" Erwin asked after reading through the document carefully and pondering for a moment.
"We've confirmed it multiple times. Many people know Eren, Armin, and Mikasa. Eren's father, Grisha Yeager, was a well-known doctor in Shiganshina. Numerous Garrison members are familiar with them," Hange explained, summarizing her investigation.
Due to Daniel's leaked information, Eren, who possessed the power of a Titan, was suspected of being sent by Marley from beyond the walls. Consequently, Armin and Mikasa were also under suspicion. Hange was tasked with investigating them, a daunting task given that most people in Wall Maria had died.
However, Eren's father being a doctor worked in their favor. Grisha was highly respected in Shiganshina, especially after he managed to curb an epidemic. Many people sought his medical expertise. Despite the presence of doctors within the walls, the best ones resided in the innermost wall, closer to the royal capital. The three walls effectively divided the residents into tiers, with the wealthy and influential preferring the safety of the innermost walls.
Given this, Grisha's prominence in Shiganshina was significant. His superior medical skills made him stand out compared to most within the walls. As a result, many Garrison members in Shiganshina could vouch for Eren, Armin, and Mikasa, proving they couldn't have come from Marley.
"So, if Eren is clean, the suspicion falls on his father." With no doubts about Eren but knowing he could transform into a Titan, the suspicion naturally shifted to his father.
"Commander, here are the new recruits' files." Another female member of the Survey Corps entered, handing Erwin a different file.
"Commander, Eren says he remembers something." As Erwin was about to review the new file, a male soldier rushed in. He was one of the guards assigned to watch Eren, Armin, and Mikasa. Despite Eren appearing harmless, the Survey Corps remained cautious, with Levi's squad responsible for guarding him.
"Let's go." Erwin stood up immediately, taking Levi and Hange with him toward the dungeon.
While Erwin and his team were busy with their investigations, Daniel was leisurely wandering around Trost. Like Shiganshina, Trost was a fortified city intended to draw the Titans' attention. Each of the three walls had four such forts to attract Titans, occasionally using cannons on the walls to attack them.
The three walls were extensive, and without these forts to divert the Titans, defending the entire length would be impossible. The forts were crucial for spotting and repairing any breaches caused by Titans.
The people living in these forts had essentially been relocated there to attract Titans, who were highly sensitive to human presence. Therefore, the Titans would usually gather around the forts.
On the night of Erwin's return, the presence of Titans inside the walls was confirmed. Erwin, Levi, Hange, and the Garrison's commander, Pixis, verified the situation and initiated a secret collaboration between the Survey Corps and the Garrison.
"Mommy, Daddy..." Seeing a small girl in the arms of a Garrison soldier, crying and calling for her parents, Daniel sighed.
Civilian casualties in war are tragic, especially for orphans. Unlike modern society, where government assistance might be available, in this world, such help was practically nonexistent.
Eren, Armin, and Mikasa were sent to work in the frontier lands after Wall Maria fell. Children there were often orphans, and unless they joined the Training Corps and passed the exams, they would likely remain in those harsh conditions, doing manual labor with minimal tools or assistance.
The Survey Corps had horses, thanks to donations from wealthy individuals. Daniel, unable to bear watching the suffering any longer, turned away and walked toward another part of Trost. He reached the outskirts of a large training ground, where the Training Corps was stationed. Due to the Titan attack, the graduation assignment had been postponed.
"Annie..." Daniel soon spotted a blonde girl with a cold, aloof demeanor, radiating an unapproachable aura. She was the Female Titan.
While Erwin and his team were busy, Daniel was also investigating the whereabouts of the "Warriors" trio.
"She remains unconscious after sealing herself off, possibly until the very end," Daniel thought, watching Annie from a distance. Among the trio, Annie seemed the most stable, while Reiner and Bertolt appeared somewhat unhinged. One of them, he recalled, had even shown signs of split personality.
Transforming into a Titan was no blessing; besides the shortened lifespan, inheritors often experienced memories from their predecessors. Constantly dealing with another's memories, especially under the pressure of concealing their identity, could drive anyone to develop a secondary persona or go mad.
"Well, at least I found them together," Daniel thought as he saw Annie and Reiner meeting and entering an empty room. This was his chance.
After ensuring there were no onlookers, Daniel pulled out his wand and used the Disillusionment Charm, a spell for invisibility. While not as perfect as Harry's Invisibility Cloak, it was effective enough in this world to remain undetected.
"Marco..." As Daniel, now invisible, approached the room, he heard Bertolt's sobbing and the name he mentioned. Marco Bott was a fellow trainee whom the Warrior trio had indirectly killed after he overheard their conversation. Unlike trained spies, they had carelessly discussed their secrets in public, leading to Marco's unfortunate death.
They had stripped Marco of his maneuvering gear and left him to be devoured by Titans rather than kill him themselves. If not for Marco's interference, the trio might have executed their plan to abduct Eren much sooner.
Hiding nearby, Daniel eavesdropped on their conversation and quietly released a sleeping gas into the room, knowing the Titans' resilience and not wanting to risk them transforming.
Thud... Thud... Thud... As the trio collapsed, Daniel waited a moment before entering through the window. He saw them unconscious and began extracting their blood and spinal fluid, using a knife and specialized straws.
Considering Zeke's ability to turn people into Titans with his spinal fluid, Daniel surmised that the spinal fluid of the Nine Titans held similar transformative powers. The Titans' rapid regeneration hinted at a life-force trade-off for their abilities. Even with modern bioweapons, nothing matched a Titan's regenerative capacity, capable of surviving decapitation and transferring consciousness throughout their body.
"If I handed them over to Erwin, the situation would change drastically. But..." Daniel sighed, contemplating the unconscious trio.
They were young and their actions were products of Marley's indoctrination. If they were genuinely evil, Daniel would have no qualms about turning them in.
"I'll leave them to face their own consequences," he decided, piecing them back together and leaving the room. Instead of returning to Erwin, Daniel set out to find Historia, the 'Farm Girl Queen.' Forced to bear children for the Eldian cause, this once innocent princess's fate disturbed Daniel deeply.
"Damn, I forgot about Ymir," Daniel muttered upon finding Historia. He realized he had overlooked another significant character. The Warriors weren't just a trio; they had been four.
"Ymir... a fitting name for the progenitor of Titans," he mused.
"Only Eren and Mikasa left," he noted. Having obtained samples from the Warriors and Levi earlier, Daniel's collection was nearly complete. Levi's sample had been acquired during a previous injury, although he had no spinal fluid from him, as he wasn't a Titan.
Levi and Mikasa's enhancements were inferior to viral agents like the T-virus, but their physical capabilities were remarkable for ordinary humans. Daniel sought these samples more for research than immediate use.
"It looks like they've discovered the basement's existence, but getting there won't be easy," Daniel thought. He had overheard the Survey Corps discussing their findings. With the Garrison's help, their investigation progressed rapidly. They had secretly captured Nick, the high priest of the Wall Cult, and hidden him in a secluded spot beyond the second wall.
With Daniel's leaked information, Nick seemed to have already confessed. Armin and Mikasa were released, as they were proven to be from within the walls. Eren remained imprisoned, not due to distrust, but because the Royal Government had demanded his trial in the capital. The Survey Corps couldn't risk letting him roam freely and raising the Military Police's suspicions.
This provided Daniel the perfect opportunity. Both Eren and Mikasa succumbed quickly to the sleeping gas.
"Time to leave." With all he needed, Daniel saw no reason to stay. Avoiding any potential complications, he had no plans to bid farewell to Erwin and the others, knowing they wouldn't let someone with his knowledge go freely.
"Where do you think you're going?" Just as Daniel prepared to use his powers to escape through the breach in the wall, a voice called out.
He was surrounded by a dozen men, each equipped with specialized gear.
"Central Military Police," Daniel recognized from their equipment. These were the Anti-Personnel Vertical Maneuvering Gear, designed specifically for combat against humans.
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