Chapter 37: The True Salute!

Night had fallen, and every trainee in the Corps—save for Eren—had gathered upon this vast expanse of ground. All knew that the choice they made tonight would determine their destiny: to join the Military Police and enjoy comfort and safety behind the walls, protecting the king and living free from fear; to become a Garrison soldier, tasked with the maintenance and defense of the very walls that shielded humanity; or to stand at the forefront of mankind, joining the Survey Corps, whose yearning for freedom was boundless, but whose path was fraught with endless peril.

Each trainee was compelled, in this moment, to choose their future—would they pursue an easy life, clinging to existence, or would they fight for the freedom of humanity? It was, by all accounts, a difficult decision.

Then, unexpectedly, a single man arrived—Erwin Smith. Some might not recognize the name, but all were familiar with his honored title: Commander of the Survey Corps.

Erwin stood atop a raised platform before the assembled trainees, his stern countenance illuminated by the flickering light of the bonfire, the shadows deepening the severity of his expression. He gazed without emotion at the vibrant crowd before him.

“I have a few words for you,” he began. “To put it plainly, I am here to persuade you to join the Survey Corps.”

It was an act born of necessity. The Survey Corps, elite as its members were, suffered staggering casualties each time they ventured beyond the walls—so many dangers lurked outside that even the finest soldiers could not always withstand them. Because of the Corps’ terrifying mortality rate, fewer and fewer fresh recruits joined each year; last year’s intake had not even exceeded twenty.

If this trend continued, the Survey Corps, beset by high deaths and without new blood, would one day cease to exist in all but name.

Though Erwin had come in person to speak, he knew well that mere persuasion would not swell their ranks; if it could, his words would be not persuasion but enchantment.

He paused, then continued: “Because of the recent titan attack, you all now understand the terror they inspire—and the limits of your own strength.”

All nodded subconsciously. The trainees had fought in the recent battle; had it not been for Sikong Xu’s leadership, it was doubtful any of them would have survived.

“But!” Erwin’s tone grew weightier, “in this fight, humanity has taken an unprecedented step toward victory—thanks to the existence of Eren Yeager.”

Erwin knew that to dispel the trainees’ fear of death and encourage them to join the Survey Corps, he needed to raise up a figure worthy of being called a guardian. He had considered Levi, but given the trainees’ familiarity with Eren, chose to put Eren forward instead.

“He is our absolute comrade. His battles, fought through life and death, are proof enough. Most importantly, through him, we have not only halted the titans’ onslaught, but also found a way to uncover their true nature!”

His words sent waves of astonishment through the trainees. The titans’ origins were shrouded in mystery; none knew how they came to be, whence they arrived, or why they hunted humanity. Only one fact was clear: for a hundred years, titans had appeared and preyed on humankind.

Erwin pressed on: “In his hometown, in the basement beneath Shiganshina, there is said to be a secret about the titans that even Eren himself does not know. If we can reach that basement, we may discover the clue to freeing ourselves from a century of titan domination.”

The shock among the trainees grew louder. Erwin had not originally intended to reveal this, but to quell their terror, he spoke of it nonetheless—he saw no harm in doing so, rather it might calm and reassure them. In truth, Erwin had other motives as well.

He studied the faces of the trainees, his gaze ultimately settling on Sikong Xu.

He had heard rumors of this soldier’s extraordinary prowess—alone, he could fight back against multiple titans, and had, it seemed, saved nearly all the trainees in battle. But these were only rumors. More importantly, Levi had described him as “a very strong soldier.”

After so many years, it was the first time Erwin had seen Levi praise another in such terms. Knowing Levi’s temperament, Erwin was certain that “very strong” meant Sikong Xu possessed a strength comparable to Levi himself.

If Sikong Xu joined the Survey Corps, his contribution would be no less than Eren’s. Erwin was determined to recruit him.

When the noise among the trainees finally died down, Erwin spoke from his heart.

“Because of the intelligence concerning Shiganshina, the Survey Corps’ four years of painstakingly drawn routes have been rendered meaningless. In those four years, over sixty percent of our soldiers have been sacrificed!”

“Four years, sixty percent! It’s a staggering number. This year’s new recruits will also participate in a month-long expedition outside the walls, with a mortality rate around thirty percent. In four years, most will be gone. But those who endure this trial will gradually become outstanding soldiers with a high chance of survival.”

At this, Erwin closed his eyes, then opened them with a sharp, resolute stare. “Now that you know these grim facts, those willing to join the Survey Corps—even at the risk of death—remain where you are. Ask yourselves: can you offer your heart for humanity?”

His voice was not loud, but it carried a commanding authority—not directed at the trainees alone, but at all mankind, as if declaring that for humanity, Erwin himself would not hesitate to give his heart.

“That is all I have to say. Those who wish to join another regiment may now disperse.” Erwin sighed, watching the trainees before him in silence.

The crowd slowly thinned. Few could truly offer their hearts for humanity, so they departed.

Sikong Xu did not move. He had long ago chosen to join the Survey Corps, confident in his ability to survive its high mortality rate.

Mikasa remained by his side, her expressionless face conveying, it seemed, a silent promise: wherever he went, she would follow. Sikong Xu, thinking this, quietly took her soft hand, and she smiled at him gently.

Nearly all the trainees had left, but some still stood, willing to offer their hearts. To everyone’s surprise, among the top ten graduates of the Corps, apart from Eren who was taken away, only Annie departed; the remaining eight stayed in place.

In the end, those unwilling to join the Survey Corps departed, leaving only a dozen or so trembling figures. The mood was tinged with melancholy.

Erwin, atop the platform, looked down at the trembling figures, then turned his gaze to Sikong Xu.

So, he stayed. My warning seems to have had no effect on him. Sikong Xu… if I have the chance, let me see if you are truly as exceptional as the rumors say.

“Would you obey orders, even if you were commanded to die?” Erwin asked, his tone wistful.

“I don’t want to die—”

“Is that so?” Erwin smiled. “Your expressions are good.”

“Now then—I welcome you, the new members of the Survey Corps. This is the true salute!”

“Offer your hearts!”