Chapter 8

104th Cadet Corps

Nike joined this generation, which was bound to become a mess in many ways.

However, she did not join as a regular soldier. Her aptitude for using ODM gear was zero. Therefore, Nike entered the cadet corps in a completely new role.

104th Cadet Corps Southern Division Supply Officer.

In short, the cadet corps' supply officer.

"I am Nike, appointed as the supply officer for the Southern Division of the 104th Cadet Corps."

"Yes, pleased to have you."

Nike saluted with her heart to the man in front of her. Keith Shadis, the head of the Southern Cadet Corps and the instructor of the 104th Southern Cadet Corps, nodded in response to her salute.

Shadis knew Nike quite well.

Nike had been the commander who put up the best possible defense on the day Wall Maria was breached two years ago.

The defense strategy Nike showcased, something humanity had never considered before, became an excellent tactical example. Although she received some punishment for using bombs and fire...

Nonetheless, her methods significantly delayed the complete fall of Wall Maria. As a result, the agricultural produce from the farmlands within Wall Maria was safely brought inside the walls, unlike in the original story.

'And... she also had a notorious reputation.'

The merits listed above were recognized by everyone. But the general soldiers had a slightly different view.

They called Nike a "witch."

To prepare for the food shortage as much as possible, Nike used her father Darius Zackly's authority to turn all soldiers, especially the Military Police, into farmers.

'She indeed seemed like a witch back then.'

Shadis recalled Nike from those days. She continuously whipped the Military Police, shouting, "Work hard to prevent my femininity corruption!" To Shadis, she indeed looked like a witch.

But how about now?

The current Nike looked so relaxed that it was questionable whether she was the same person once called a witch.

Her clothes were also very different from the military uniform.

'Well, no crazy person would dare touch the Commander-in-Chief's daughter anyway.'

Shadis turned his attention to the cadets around them.

Still undergoing aptitude tests, they were awkward in every aspect.

Shadis cleared his throat a couple of times, inhaling deeply to fill his lungs with air, and then loudly exhaled.

"Attention everyone!! Gather in front of the platform. A distinguished person responsible for your administration and supplies has arrived."

Shadis's voice echoed throughout the training ground. The cadets halted their ongoing tests and gathered in front of the platform under the instructors' guidance.

"Nike, the supply officer. When you step onto the platform, introduce yourself. Understood?"

"Yes, that's basic."

With that, Nike closed her eyes and waited quietly until Shadis called her.

'Three years from now. Let's prepare as much as possible by then.'

Even with her eyes closed, the status window was visible in Nike's field of vision.

[Nike Zackly (11)

Charisma 3

Intuition 2

Luck 5

Trust of Surrounding People 4

Femininity 1

People eaten by Titans 49,011 / 50,000]

Over the past two years, all her stats had increased by 1.

Considering the Survey Corps loses 100 to 200 people annually, the maximum damage must be mitigated when the Colossal Titan attacks Trost District.

Therefore, Nike decided to increase her status as much as possible.

'Honestly, I need to save all the characters who died in the original story to have a chance.'

Numerous cadets, garrison soldiers, Military Police, and the Survey Corps.

Even thinking about it now was overwhelming. Given that saving one soldier could potentially save hundreds, Nike's task was simple.

"Let me introduce her. The new supply officer, Nike Zackly!"

At Shadis's words, Nike headed to the center of the platform.

Many cadets were surprised at her appearance. Silver hair and blue eyes, rarely seen within the walls, and clothes very different from the military uniform made her stand out.

Nike briefly scanned the surroundings.

Eren waved his hand, recognizing her face.

Sasha was secretly eating a potato.

Annie, uninterested in who was on the platform, looked away.

None of them had yet been properly trained, as they had just started as cadets.

Well, that can be fixed from now on. Smiling slightly, Nike began to speak.

"Supply Officer, Nike Zackly."

...

'Supply Officer, Nike Zackly.'

The name Zackly evokes a consistent reaction from people.

Zackly?! Could it be from Shiganshina District?

Wow…!

A high-ranking noble family in this country, with some factions in the Military Police at their disposal.

Of course, this had little relevance to me.

I intended to exploit it continuously in the future.

After a brief introduction, I went straight to my assigned office.

The office was quite ordinary. A bookshelf filled with books, a lantern, and numerous documents were all that was there.

"Phew... This is just the beginning."

I knew there wouldn't be any major incidents until the cadet corps graduated.

But the real problem starts just before graduation.

Bertholdt Hoover, Reiner Braun, and Annie Leonhart.

These three would cause major incidents within less than a month.

Bertholdt's Colossal Titan will destroy Trost District.

Reiner's Armored Titan will make the Survey Corps lead the soldiers of other regiments in a suicidal attack.

Annie's Female Titan will summon Titans during the Survey Corps' expedition outside the walls, leading to their annihilation.

"While I'm in the cadet corps, I'll focus on those three…"

Of course, there's a risk of death. But avoidance is not an option.

Even if I surpass those three, there will still be Marley, a country outside the walls, and Eren, who will cause the Rumbling. If I start avoiding now, I'll eventually reach 50,000 deaths without doing anything.

Not wanting to face the horrible ending of femininity corruption, I quietly placed my luggage beside the desk and sat in the chair.

Just as I began to relax and look at the paperwork, someone knocked on the office door and opened it.

"The introduction was so brief, I was taken aback."

It was Shadis. At this time, he should have been rigorously training the cadets in Spartan style. Why was he here?

"Is that so? But the shorter the introduction, the better."

"That's true, but...

Keith Shadis.

The instructor who trained Eren Yeager and his group in the original story.

Shadis, with his completely bald head shining even in the light, handed me a document with a soldier's name on it.

"Sasha Blouse. She was eating a potato during today's training."

I was inwardly impressed. Eating a potato during training, and on the very first day of the cadet corps. Sasha should never be given the key to the food storage.

"So now she's probably running laps as punishment."

"Yes. So, you want me to manage that punishment?"

"Give her a good workout and then secretly let her have dinner. I've already forbidden her from having dinner earlier."

With that, Shadis left the room.

The door didn't close completely, and I could hear Shadis's footsteps fading away.

Shadis's words made me ponder who Sasha was for a moment.

'Sasha Blouse. As far as I remember, she survived for quite a long time in the original story…'

I couldn't recall exactly how she died in Marley.

Partly because I had forgotten much of the original story, and partly because I remembered Sasha's sudden death.

[People eaten by Titans: 49,012 / 50,000]

Would she be eaten by a Titan later? No, that wasn't it. Sasha died in Marley.

Though I didn't know exactly how she died, it was certain that Sasha would die someday.

Since my goal was to minimize the number of deaths, I was convinced it wouldn't be bad to befriend Sasha.

The method to befriend her… just give her some food, and she would probably jump with joy.

Just as I was thinking of finding something for Sasha's dinner, I heard someone running up the stairs below.

It was too light to be Shadis. And it sounded very urgent. I quietly watched the door, waiting to see who would come in.

"Help me! Supply Officer!"

"Uh…"

It was Sasha.

Judging by her dirty uniform from falling here and there, it was clear Shadis was seriously punishing her.

"What's wrong? Is there a problem?"

"I'm doomed! Please help me!"

Sasha grabbed my leg as soon as she entered.

Only then did a part of the original story come to mind. Ah, this girl was more shocked about not having dinner than running as punishment.

For Sasha, who lived and died for food, not being able to eat was the worst.

Anyway, since I planned to give her dinner, I decided to tease her a little.

"Doomed? But do I really need to know that?"

Then I was startled. Sasha pulled something out from inside her clothes. Fresh meat. She had fresh meat hidden inside her clothes. When did she steal that?

For me, responsible for supplies, this was unthinkable. The key to the food storage was in this room. How did she steal it, you crazy girl?

"If I visit my hometown later, I'll offer several times more of this. Please!"

She promised to offer several times more meat. The thought made me salivate slightly.

In this frontline area, not in the interior, meat was precious, no matter the Zackly name.

But I had already said I didn't need to know.

Changing my words now would be too shameless. It would be better to refuse.

"Alright, I wanted to know that."

"R-really?! Then I can have dinner?!"

"If you keep your promise."

No, there's no such thing. From now on, I'll become the most corrupt soldier.