Akira War Strategy

The night air was crisp, the flickering lanterns lining the streets casting long, wavering shadows. I stood on the balcony of our temporary base within Wall Sina, gazing over the city. A city that had long lived in blissful ignorance, shielded by its walls. But ignorance was no longer an option. Not for them, and certainly not for us.

My mind was already five steps ahead, weaving the threads of influence, shaping the narrative that would soon define the war. I had planted the first seed in that meeting—doubt, curiosity, and most importantly, trust. Even Levi, sharp as he was, had conceded to the logic of my plan. That was enough. For now.

Footsteps approached from behind. I didn't turn; I already knew who it was.

Historia.

"You never sleep," she murmured, stepping beside me.

"Neither do you," I replied with a faint smirk, glancing at her.

She sighed, folding her arms. "Because I can't afford to. Not when so much is at stake."

I nodded. "You're right. Which is why you need to solidify your position as queen. Your influence is growing, but it's not absolute yet."

Her eyes flickered toward me, cautious yet intrigued. "And what do you suggest?"

I turned fully toward her. "Symbols are powerful. Right now, the people see you as a beacon of hope, but hope alone won't win their loyalty. Strength will. They need to see you taking charge, making real decisions, not just being a figurehead."

She frowned. "You mean war."

"No," I corrected. "I mean control. Start small—policies, strategic alliances, rewarding those who support you. Make it so that the people have more faith in you than they ever had in the royal family before. And when the time comes to strike against Marley, you'll have a nation willing to follow you without hesitation."

She exhaled, her breath visible in the cold night air. "You make it sound so simple."

"It is," I said, my voice quiet yet firm. "If you let me handle the details."

She studied me for a long moment. Then, she nodded. "Do what you need to."

A small victory. But a necessary one.

The next morning, I found myself in the Survey Corps' weaponry development sector. Hange had brought me here under the pretense of discussing new innovations, but I had my own reasons for being here.

I ran my fingers along the cold metal of a prototype rifle, studying its craftsmanship. It was primitive compared to Marley's technology, but that was about to change.

I opened my system shop discreetly, my eyes scanning the available blueprints. There it was—the perfect choice.

[Design: Semi-Automatic Rifle – 150,000 System Coins]

Expensive, but worth it. Without hesitation, I purchased it, the knowledge flooding into my mind instantly. The schematics, the mechanisms, the refinements—all of it was now mine.

Hange tilted her head at me. "Something catch your eye?"

I smiled. "Actually, yes. I've been working on a design of my own."

Her eyes lit up with curiosity. "Oh? Show me."

I grabbed a piece of parchment and quickly sketched out the internal structure, the firing mechanism, the efficiency improvements over current rifles. Hange leaned in, her excitement growing with every stroke of my pencil.

"This… This is incredible," she whispered. "Where did you learn this?"

I chuckled. "Just something I've been working on in my spare time."

Oluo, who had been standing nearby, scoffed. "Tch. A fighter like you, inventing weapons? Since when?"

I didn't even need to respond. Hange smacked his shoulder. "Since now, obviously! If this works, it could give us a massive advantage against Marley's forces!"

Levi, who had entered at some point, folded his arms and eyed me skeptically. "You never cease to surprise, do you?"

I met his gaze. "Wouldn't be any fun if I did."

He clicked his tongue but didn't argue. That was another thing about Levi—he valued results. And soon, these weapons would provide exactly that.

The following weeks passed in a blur. The Survey Corps' engineers worked tirelessly to bring my designs to life, and as expected, Hange's enthusiasm spread like wildfire. Erwin saw the potential and approved resources for mass production. And through it all, I ensured Historia was at the center of these developments, solidifying her role as a leader who brought tangible change.

With new weapons in our hands, the playing field was shifting. Marley wouldn't know what hit them.

But first, there was something else to take care of.

Sasha's fate.

The airship mission loomed near, and with it, the moment where Gabi would strike. But not this time. Not on my watch.

The night before our departure, I moved through the corridors of our base with silent footsteps, my senses sharp, my Reiryoku surging just beneath my skin. I reached Gabi's quarters and slipped inside.

She lay there, fast asleep, the naive determination of a child soldier etched across her face. It was almost pitiful.

Almost.

With a precise motion, I struck the back of her neck, rendering her unconscious. She wouldn't be waking up anytime soon.

Mission accomplished.

I stepped back, taking a deep breath. Everything was still going according to plan. Sasha would live, and Gabi… well, she would have plenty of time to reconsider her choices.

As I left the room, a quiet chuckle escaped my lips. I had played my part perfectly—acting as the concerned ally, the trusted comrade. And when Sasha remained alive, when the airship returned without tragedy, it would only further cement my place among them.

All according to plan.

And soon, the war itself would be shaped by my hands.