Chapter 42: Expedition Beyond the Wall—Departure!

Ever since Sikong Xu defeated Levi, the members of the Special Operations Squad no longer underestimated him. Although this didn’t necessarily mean Sikong Xu was stronger than Levi, he had still bested the man known as “humanity’s strongest,” and the voices opposing his addition to the squad vanished entirely. With this victory, Sikong Xu had truly established his reputation.

Life returned to a peaceful rhythm. Over the next few days, Sikong Xu and Eren were drawn into a separate room by Deputy Captain Hange Zoë for special training…

Ahem, don’t get the wrong idea. They were simply learning some basic tactical knowledge from the training corps. Of course, Hange Zoë also imparted to them her own experience of surviving outside the walls.

In terms of sheer ability, Sikong Xu was indeed stronger than most members of the Special Operations Squad. But when it came to battlefield experience and surviving beyond the walls, Sikong Xu was a complete novice. His experience fighting Titans was also immature; if not for his overwhelming strength, he would have died countless times already.

Therefore, Sikong Xu listened intently to Hange Zoë’s guidance. As for Eren, he was far less attentive. His nerves were coarse, and expecting him to sit quietly and absorb Zoë’s lessons was impossible. Before long, he had fallen asleep—and naturally, Zoë’s relentless chatter and her punishments awaited him.

Time passed quickly. Sikong Xu often took the opportunity to return to the training corps headquarters to visit Mikasa and other classmates from his cohort.

Life was comfortable, but Sikong Xu felt an oppressive atmosphere all around him, especially when interacting with his training corps friends. Thinking it over, he quickly realized the reason: at the previous evening gathering, Commander Erwin had announced a month-long expedition outside the walls.

…

Dong—dong—dong—

Days slipped by, and today, the enormous ancient bronze bell in the town finally rang out its aged, resonant tone—an old tradition of the Survey Corps. Whenever the corps set out or returned from an expedition beyond the walls, the great bell would be rung, perhaps as a blessing for their safe journey.

For today’s departure, the members of the Survey Corps wore cold expressions. Except for a few newly joined members, not a single face betrayed emotion—perhaps they were prepared, even for death.

Yet among them was Sikong Xu, an oddity of sorts. While everyone else steeled themselves for the dangers ahead, he wore a bright smile, clearly in good spirits. It was, frankly, peculiar.

“Xu, we’re about to head out on an expedition—how can you still smile? Just imagining the terrifying Titans beyond the walls makes me tremble,” said Armin, riding beside Sikong Xu.

“Oh, I’m not smiling—I’m preparing myself mentally!”

“There’s no such thing as mental preparation like that!” Armin retorted, exasperated. “Still, Xu, you’re already a member of the Special Operations Squad, right? Isn’t it risky not joining their formation?”

“No worries, no worries. It’s boring over there, and I have to stare at those dead-fish eyes all day,” Sikong Xu replied grumpily.

In the large expedition formation, Sikong Xu’s proper place was within the Special Operations Squad’s secret position, but he didn’t want to be separated from Mikasa. So, he insisted on joining the new recruits, which annoyed Commander Erwin. However, Captain Levi of the Special Operations Squad said nothing.

In fact, Levi was rather glad Sikong Xu chose this. Sikong Xu wasn’t yet familiar with the squad members; if he, a newcomer, joined abruptly, he might disrupt their rhythm in battle. Better to have him with the new recruits, and transfer him later once he grew accustomed to the team. Besides, Sikong Xu’s combat prowess would raise the survival rate among the new recruits, so he appeared in their ranks.

As for Sikong Xu’s good mood, it was because Main Quest Three finally had a lead.

He knew the story well: in this expedition, the Survey Corps would encounter, aside from Eren, the second intelligent Titan—the Female Titan.

After discovering this intelligent Titan, the Survey Corps would launch their first attempt to capture her, but the plan would fail due to her overwhelming strength, resulting in heavy casualties among the Special Operations Squad.

“The Female Titan…” A glint of light flickered in Sikong Xu’s eyes. He knew well that the true form of the Female Titan was someone quite familiar to him—a fellow member of the 104th Training Corps, ranked in the top ten: Annie Leonhart.

Ever since Eren transformed into a Titan during the battle to retake the Trost District, Annie had set her sights on him. She, Reiner, and Hoover were all intelligent Titans from the world outside the walls, Eldians, aiming to return home. The three devised a plan to capture Eren.

Thus, during the 57th expedition outside the walls—this very one—Annie would transform into a Titan and attack the Survey Corps.

Thinking of this, Sikong Xu’s gaze grew cold.

Annie, I won’t interfere with your assault on the Survey Corps, but when it comes time to fulfill my mission, I’ll capture you. For the sake of our shared identity as classmates, I’ll let you seal yourself away with your abilities. But if you try to harm those close to me, don’t blame me for disregarding our friendship.

“Xu, what’s wrong? Are you feeling down?” Suddenly, Mikasa’s gentle voice came from beside him; she seemed to sense Sikong Xu’s shift in mood.

“Uh, it’s nothing. I just feel like something unexpected might happen on this expedition. You must stay by my side,” Sikong Xu said seriously to Mikasa.

“Mm, I’ll always stay by your side and protect you…” Mikasa’s beautiful eyes showed a trace of tenderness.

“Uh… haha, I’ll protect you. You know my strength,” Sikong Xu chuckled awkwardly at her words.

Then, Sikong Xu donned the green cloak bearing the emblem of the Survey Corps, the “Wings of Freedom,” and gazed at the gate before him.

Soon, the gate in Wall Rose slowly opened, its creaking sound and the voices of the crowd sending off the expedition filled Sikong Xu with emotion. In “Attack on Titan,” the world beyond the gate was what people longed for—the thing called “freedom.”