You are my Soul

☾hapter XXXVI

In the town, the citizens had gathered around a soldier from the Garrison who was reading them the orders. It was clear they were trying to pass this off as an exercise to avoid causing panic, but I had my doubts. Citizens were not foolish; they would quickly sense that something was amiss.

" Models of Titans, as well as cannons, will be used in this drill. It is a large-scale exercise, and some parts of it may be unsettling. However, please remain calm and follow our instructions". the soldier explained, attempting to hide her nervousness.

" Excuse me. I'm going to have to leave to prepare my store for the day". An old man stated.

" There's no way you'll be having any customers today. Take the day off". The soldier replied.

" Excuse me, lass ?". The old man exclaimed before attempting to grab the soldier by the collar of her jacket.

" A training exercise inside the walls to the North ? What's the meaning of this ?".

" The Military just captured the Royal Capital, and now this ? There's got to be a connection. Explain yourself !".

I sighed as I heard most of the citizens starting to shout in outrage. That's exactly what I had feared. It was going to be challenging for the soldiers in the crowd to control the situation.

" What are you doing, little wolf ?". I looked up to see Kenny standing beside me.

" We'll have to act soon. I don't think the citizens will remain passive for much longer. The commotion has already begun, and if we have to deal with a riot on top of this, it will be a disaster". I told him, massaging my temples.

" Relax, the soldiers from the Garrison have just finished reloading the cannons". Kenny replied.

Just as he said that, the Garrison soldiers started firing at Rod Reiss' Titan. I doubted it would work, as the ground cannons would likely have the same effect as a fly buzzing around. We needed to move on to plan B quickly.

" The ground cannons seem to have even less of an effect". Erwin stated.

" The wall cannons have a much better angle, and they didn't do a thing. What's going on ? The troops, the weapons, the command structure... It's all been hastily assembled. Besides, this is the Interior, on the North side... They're not like the Wall Rose Garrison on the Southern Front". Levi remarked.

" Look, this is without a doubt the best fighting force we could muster". Erwin retorted.

Levi nodded," Yes... I understand that very well. After all, the Survey Corps's strategy here is nothing more than a gamble, anyway. Just like everything you come up with".

" Erwin ! I brought it ! All the gunpowder I could find, ropes, and a net. We still need to put it together. There's another one on the other side. The triggers are locked, so once you fire it, it'll keep reeling itself in, just like the Maneuvering Gear. So... How's the shelling going ?". Hange said as they approached Erwin and Levi.

I wondered how they managed to find barrels with spikes like that.

" About as well as a swarm of cicadas pissing on it". Levi answered.

I couldn't help but laugh. I had never heard that expression before.

" In conclusion, Hange, this means we move on to plan B". I told them with a smirk.

Plan B involved shoving gunpowder into the Titan's mouth. Fortunately, the Titan was hot enough that the gunpowder should ignite and explode on its own without needing a detonator.

" Okay. Levi, Jean, Sasha, Gunther, and Connie, you can handle that side". Erwin ordered.

" Yes, sir !". They responded before leaving.