Battle for Trost (1)

Mina's POV

Morning came, and a large crowd gathered on the main street here at Wall Rose. Armin was still telling me about the things that happened yesterday when I was out when the crowd suddenly began to cheer.

"They're here!"

"The main force of the Survey Corps!"

"Captain Erwin! Kill the Titans for us!"

"Look! It's Captain Levi!"

That line was all it took for me to stand on my tip toes just to see humanity's strongest soldier. Mikasa was curious about why I was suddenly showing interest, but I couldn't tell her that I was curious about what he looked like before I met him in the second world.

And yes, I know that the 'Levi' here is completely different from the captain that I knew, but if he was still the same, then I have no reason to avoid him. Having connections isn't exactly a bad thing, and I would need more of it if I wanted to achieve the ending that would satisfy everyone in this world. 

Glancing upwards, there I saw his face full of irritation. I couldn't help but chuckle at how obvious he was. 

"This is different from five years ago," Eren commented, his eyes proud and merry. "There are so many people who have high hopes for the Survey Corps." 

"Everyone's cheered up!" A trainee with light brown hair, Hannah, if I recall correctly, commented. "There haven't been any problems for five years."

"And they've improved the fixed cannons." Franz, the guy behind her, added, his face blushing after looking at the woman before him. "Maybe the big Titans won't come again!"

This angered Eren to some extent. "You can't seriously believe that, you stupid lovebirds!" 

I sighed, eventually hearing the stuttered response of the couple. However, if I remember correctly-

One of them will die today. 

I bid Mikasa farewell and promised to meet up later before making my way toward the wall. 

The Battle for Trost is today. This will also be marked as the day when Paradis first discovered the Titan shifting ability. I know that my father will get through this, but I can't help but worry that something might go wrong.

"Oi Mina!" The sound of his voice made me pause in my steps as I waited for Eren to catch up. "You should have waited for me."

I faked a laugh. "Sorry, I guess I ate something wrong earlier."

"Hmm, is that so?" 

Upon reaching the top of the wall where our team was gathered, I knew that time was running out. The clock was already ticking, and the fight between Titans and humans would begin any second now. However, before my vision would be filled with blood and chaos, I wanted to savor the last moment, at least, where I'd see my father relax, even just for a moment. 

I gazed in their direction and saw his shocked face after hearing about Connie joining the Survey Corps. Another one added to my collection of memorable images.

"But you were so eager to join the Military Police!" 

Connie grumbled as a response, not knowing how to formulate his words.

I grinned, remembering what Armin had told me earlier. I stepped closer to Eren and whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear. "Your speech probably affected him, Eren."

Connie flinched as he faced me with a blush on his face. "Shut up! I-it was my own decision."

The group laughed before Thomas decided to continue the said topic. "No need to feel embarrassed. It isn't just you." 

One by one, the group announced that they were all planning to join the Survey Corps. Everyone was highly encouraged to do so because of this one little man who vowed to kill every single titan in this world. 

And that includes me. "I'll join the Survey Corps too, Eren."

"Huh?!" He turned around to look at me and frowned. "Don't you want to join the Military Police?"

I shook my head and replied. "I have always chosen to join the Survey Corps, even before attending school."

"Why?" 

His eyes sparkled, and I knew then that I had to speak the truth. 

I straightened my back and answered, "To attain freedom."

If Ymir had been here, she would have probably understood what I was trying to say, but in this case, Eren and the other trainees would have had no chance of understanding it. For now, at least. 

"Not to be free?" Samuel asks beside me as I once again shake my head.

It's a simple concept. Going outside the walls doesn't mean that we'll attain freedom immediately. And from what I have seen in the second world, as long as the devil is not yet eradicated, then no one will ever regain such a thing – not the Marleys and not the Eldians. 

Eren was about to ask for more details, but that's when Sasha walked in and bore the expression of someone who was hiding something.

She mumbles, "I brought meat from the officers' storehouse." 

"…"

Now, that's a piece of news that was even more shocking than us joining the Survey Corps. Everyone gasped, and yet Sasha continued to drool from whatever fantasy she was thinking. 

Eren was the first to speak. "Sasha, do you want to end up in jail?!" 

"You really are an idiot!" Thomas spoke along with a frown. 

"Pfft." And there I was, the person who couldn't stop laughing based on the current situation. 

"See!" Sasha points at me with a huge grin on her face. "Let's all split it, and we can slice it and make sandwiches! Ehehehe."

Now, she was drooling. 

"Go put it back!" 

Sasha instantly rejected it and continued. "It's fine! Once we take the land, we can raise cows and sheep again." And with those words spoken, she then placed it inside a crate, making me realize that it would be a waste for it to come flying once the colossal titan emerged. 

The trainees began expressing themselves more honestly, saying that they would like to partake in such a feast. However, unlike the usual Mina Carolina, I chose not to speak as the threat from five years ago would finally appear for the second time.

My heart can't seem to stop itself from beating so loudly as I clutch the sides of my pants due to anxiety. 

Just then, I felt an immense chill at the back of my spine. The gust of wind has suddenly become even wilder as lightning strikes the ground on the other side of the wall. 

Unlike what happened during my second world, I took the opportunity to observe the very being that will cause chaos and thousands of deaths here at Paradis. 

The colossal titan has finally come.

My priority, however, was to dash toward Samuel and immediately wrap my arm around his waist just when a gush of high air pressure struck everyone on top of the wall. My grip on him only tightened after noticing debris that must have struck Samuel in the past world. 

So, I took a large leap backward and evaded it. Like a second skin to me, I immediately used the maneuver gear to hoist both of us. 

"Are you all right?!" I asked Samuel, to which he nodded his head in response. Using his ODM gear, he detached himself from me and pulled himself onto the wall. 

"Thanks!"

With that done, my gaze eventually sought after the boy whose eyes were filled with terror and rage, similar to what happened in my memories. 

This time, however, I didn't want him to feel alone. 

This time, I will do my utmost best to achieve my dream.

"Eren!" 

He looked up just when my eyes connected to his. Courage and logic are what I need to protect my parents in this world. For that to happen,

I have to remove his way of thinking in wanting to annihilate all titans. For it not to become his main reason for living but instead to seek the very thing that he deserves the most.

Freedom, that is.

"I'll support you!" I then maneuvered myself to eventually pull my whole body towards the top of the wall. "Fly, Eren!" 

Destiny be damned. I'll create a world where my parents can live peacefully, away from war and sadness.

Because they, of all people, deserve that.

***