"Hey! Did you hear? The reason humans won this time is because they used the power of a Titan. It's definitely a lie, right?"
"Regardless, the results are right in front of us. The hole in the wall made by the Colossal Titan has been sealed."
"But I still can't understand how humans can use the power of a Titan. Can we really trust the government?"
"Just look at today's newspaper. More importantly, we should worry about our future. Even though the hole has been sealed, no one can guarantee that the Colossal Titan won't attack again. Even though we won this time, the residents nearby have lost faith in the safety of the walls and want to move inland."
If that happens, as the population of Trost District decreases, the pressure on the inland areas will increase, and those who stay here won't be able to survive...
Both commerce and agriculture will suffer greatly, and returning to the original state will be nearly impossible.
However, for the Garrison and the Trainee Corps, this victory holds extraordinary significance.
Some time after Eren sealed the hole in 'Wall Rose', Haruya, along with the Survey Corps and the artillery unit, cleared the Titans from the town and the walls, even capturing two alive.
Just dealing with these took several days, and the casualties weren't too severe.
While reflecting on the events of the past few days, Haruya sat by the window, enjoying his breakfast.
The morning in Trost District was quiet, with the sun rising from behind the high walls casting warm light on the ground.
A gentle breeze brushed past his face. After finishing his bread and soup, Haruya stood up from his chair.
There was still some time before Eren's deliberation meeting, which was scheduled for around noon. It was still morning, so Haruya had some free time.
Of course, he didn't necessarily have to attend the deliberation meeting. He just wanted to see if things would unfold as he expected.
Perhaps this wasn't the world of the manga, but a similar one, akin to 'Log Horizon'.
If things didn't go as he imagined, Haruya would definitely take action to steer the events in the direction he wanted.
"Though it would be much easier if I could become a Titan..."
Even though he didn't know any martial arts, his ability allowed him to foresee the future in front of his enemies.
Therefore, if he could become a Titan, he could immediately capture the Female Titan, Annie, during her first attack on the Survey Corps.
Unfortunately, the mischievous Supreme Deity didn't grant Haruya such power...
'Should I try to find a way to obtain it myself?'
Speaking of Titan transformation, the 'Titan serum' that was injected into Eren would reappear later in the story, but it would take a long time...
By then, the Female Titan would have already been captured by someone other than Haruya.
Yes, Haruya noticed something: in this mission, it wasn't just about 'capturing the Female Titan' but rather 'Nangou capturing the Female Titan'...
Otherwise, he could just hide somewhere and wait for the plot to unfold... Assuming it unfolds as expected, of course.
Stretching, Haruya opened the door and stepped into the hallway, where he saw fellow trainees emerging from their rooms, apparently heading out for training.
However, there were also some lazy ones, like Haruya's current roommate, Connie, who had been sleeping since early last night and showed no signs of waking up.
"Time for a bath..."
Thinking this, he returned to his room and took out his uniform from the suitcase.
Back in the hallway, many people whispered when they saw Haruya, their expressions filled with jealousy and confusion.
"That's the new recruit who claims to have taken down Titans."
"I heard his recorded achievements include killing over a dozen regular Titans and four Abnormal Titans, mostly solo."
"No way... Even the Survey Corps doesn't have many who can do that..."
Since Haruya hadn't kept a detailed count, the trainees might have heard exaggerated rumors.
But thanks to this, he felt his chances of joining the Survey Corps had increased.
And not just joining... he could become a core member.
'Well, that might be too ambitious...'
Thinking this, Haruya smiled, but this caused those around him quickly step back, fearing he might slice their napes...
"Guess I need to practice my smile..."
Since Haruya was relying on memory to find the bathhouse, he got lost a few times along the way.
Looking out the window again, he noticed that after humanity's first victory, everyone seemed more relaxed.
Descending the stairs, he saw a few male officers emerging from behind a curtain labeled 'Bath'. Haruya was sure that was the men's bathhouse.
"We made it out just in time..." The officers said this as they passed by.
Haruya set down his belongings and saluted.
Pulling back the curtain, he entered, took off his clothes, and saw a large pool with water bubbling up in the center.
'Is this a hot spring?'
Not thinking too much about it, Haruya rinsed off and then soaked in the pool...
"Ahh... This is pure bliss..."
Less than a minute later, footsteps echoed again.
"Finally, it's the women's bathing time."
"Yeah, it just started too..."
"Huh?" Haruya removed the towel from his head, "Did they just say 'it just started'?"
'So, the men's bathing time was before 6:30?'
"This is bad... But if I explain..." Haruya tried to reason...
"Do you remember? Last time someone peeped, they were hung in the training field for three days." One voice said.
"I'm dead..." Haruya concluded.
Seeing figures at the entrance, he thought for a moment and then moved toward the inner area, planning to sneak out from the side.
"By the way, Historia has such a nice figure."
"N-no way Sasha, you eat so much, but you're still so slim."
"People in the village are all like that."
'So it's just the two of them?'
"Mikasa and Ymir... they have great figures too."
'Yep, definitely dead...'
Haruya, who had just stood up, crouched back down, took a deep breath, and submerged himself underwater.
*Splash*
He heard someone entering the pool.
'If I could just hold my breath until they left...'
But that was impossible...
Due to the steam, Haruya couldn't see his surroundings clearly, but he suddenly found an escape route... a window not far away.
'Perfect!'
But... he was discovered..
"There's a man here!"
"N-no, it's not like that! By the way, Trainee Mikasa really has...! No! I made a mistake!"
After that, Haruya was chased by the fully dressed girls for two hours...
...
In the afternoon, a tired Haruya was called to the office.
Yawning, he looked up and saw that the person sitting there was none other than Erwin Smith, the commander of the Survey Corps.
"This isn't our first meeting, is it, Trainee Haruya?"
"Commander Erwin!" Haruya saluted.
"No need for formalities. Before Eren's deliberation meeting begins, I have a few questions for you."
"What is it?" At Erwin's gesture, Haruya sat on the stool in front of him.
He had expected to be summoned by a training corps officer, so seeing Erwin Smith was a surprise.
But this also meant that Haruya had caught the Survey Corps' attention, which wasn't a bad thing.
"You look quite tired. Would you like some wine?"
"No thank you. My tiredness is my own fault."
"Then let's get straight to the point... Trainee Nangou Haruya, do you want to join the Survey Corps?"
This was an unexpected development.
Haruya pretended to hesitate. A direct answer might make Erwin suspicious.
"I know the Survey Corps is dangerous, but with your abilities, joining us would be the best choice. You could make a significant contribution to humanity's future."
Erwin continued, "I won't force anyone to join. If you want to leave, you can. If you don't want to join the Survey Corps, forcing you isn't my style."
Hearing this, Haruya sensed something in Erwin's tone.
Haruya admitted that he had done many eye-catching things during the recent operations, but was Erwin's invitation really that simple?
There were many talented trainees, like Mikasa. Why hadn't Erwin invited them?
This seemed less like goodwill and more like a precaution...
In other words, it was akin to keeping a dangerous person within one's own jurisdiction, making it easier to handle if something went wrong.
'Yes... just like how they dealt with Eren...'
"Can you be honest, Commander Erwin? What's the real reason you want me to join the Survey Corps?" Haruya asked straightforwardly.
"Oh, Why? Do you think I'm lying?"
"Just a guess, but I've always admired the Survey Corps. Of course, I want to join, but I don't want to do so blindly."
"You..."
"Yes..."
Hearing Haruya's response, Erwin sighed and sat back on the sofa, his expression serious.
Haruya could hear voices outside, likely soldiers guarding the room.
"You're quite sharp... Let me explain why I called you here, though it might offend you, Trainee Haruya..."
"...As a graduate of the Trainee Corps, your calmness during your first battle was remarkable. Your fluid combat style and composed attitude when facing Titans were astonishing. These are things I heard from reports, things others inadvertently observed about you. Of course, I can't fully believe them, but I don't think those people would lie."
Erwin paused for a moment, then, "The most important thing is your attitude toward Titans. Unlike ordinary soldiers, you showed no fear, more like a seasoned warrior."
'Because I've died so many times...' Haruya thought.
But Erwin, unaware of Haruya's thoughts, revealed the most crucial point, "Lastly, this is something everyone saw. How did you predict the Titans' attacks?"
"Uh-oh..."
"Did you say something?"
"No, nothing."
Haruya began to consider whether he should reload a Checkpoint. But if he did, he'd have to go back much earlier, rendering all his recent efforts pointless...
"To be honest, your actions have caught our attention. Would you like to join the Levi Squad?"
"I can accept that!" Haruya immediately agreed...
The reason was simple: joining the Levi Squad would bring him closer to the Female Titan.
"Alright, the deliberation meeting is about to begin. We'll talk more later."
With that, Haruya's conversation with Erwin ended.
Heading to the deliberation hall, he stood at the back like everyone else. At the front were Mikasa and Armin, while Levi and Erwin stood on the other side.
Presiding over the trial was Darius Zackly, the commander-in-chief.
Eren was chained in the center of the hall, with the Military Police on his left and the Survey Corps on his right.
"Eren Yeager, you once swore to dedicate your life to the public, correct?"
"Yes..."
"This is an exceptional situation. The authority to judge has been fully delegated to me." Darius Zackly looked at the report, "Your life and death will be determined by my inquiry."
For the people within the walls, there were two views of Eren: a demon bringing destruction and a savior offering hope.
This deliberation meeting would decide which faction, the Military Police or the Survey Corps, would take control of Eren.
First to speak was the Military Police, "Commander Nile Dok of the Military Police proposes that we conduct a thorough investigation of Eren's body and then execute him..."
"...This is proposed considering the significant actual losses his existence could cause. While his Titan power has contributed greatly, the actual losses are undeniable. He has become an overly political entity...Let him become a heroic spirit for humanity."
On the other side was the Survey Corps, "I am Erwin Smith, the 13th commander of the Survey Corps. We wish to welcome Eren as an official member and use his power to reclaim Wall Maria."
Next came the scene where Levi beat Eren...
Haruya quietly slipped out during this...
Heading back to the dormitory, he patted his cheeks.
Without a doubt, once the Survey Corps ventured beyond the walls, the Female Titan would appear, aiming to capture Eren....
"So, time to plan a little..."