Though it was still bright out, the saloon was full of energy. Every one of the hundred-plus seats taken, the place was brimming with the smell of liquor, tobacco, and assorted dishes. Add the heat emanating from the guests and the air was thick enough to choke on. Most of the patrons were affiliated with the military, and half were Survey Corps soldiers there to raise their spirits with a drink.
The lively discussions mainly concerned the expedition waiting for them the next day: having encountered Titans in certain locations; needing to alter the route this time; getting their hopes up for the new crop of recruits; and so on. The most popular topic of all, however, was the Vertical Maneuvering Equipment. The free movement through the sky it enabled seemed to defy common sense, and even the grizzled veterans present couldn’t help but show some interest. Still, corpsmen had absolute confidence in their tough, honed bodies, which meant that more than a few were doubtful of the Vertical Maneuvering Equipment’s capabilities.
“I guess we need to show them what it can do,” Cardina started in, having eavesdropped on the barroom gossip.
Rosa, who sat next to him, shrugged. “We might not get the chance to use the Vertical Maneuvering Equipment.” Reaching for her glass of amber fruit wine, she took it from the table.
“I’ll be happy just as long as you all come back okay.” This came from Sharle, who sat on the opposite side of the table. She was in her work clothes. The next day’s expedition was reason enough for her to take a day off to travel to Shiganshina District, where the Survey Corps was stationed.
“Jorge did say that our first mission was to return alive,” Kuklo, who was sitting next to her, mumbled through stuffed cheeks.
“It isn’t a good idea to rush straight into battle. We first need to get used to the environment,” Cardina said.
“I can’t imagine getting used to it,” Rosa confessed, shivering a bit at her recollection of the world outside the walls.
Sharle felt the same way. “I don’t think you need to. If you’re just a little nervous, and are hoping to come back alive, you might even get better results.”
“It beats letting your guard down,” Cardina agreed.
“Oh, that’s right. Mister Xenophon had a message for all of you. If you get to fight a Titan, he says to please tell him how the Vertical Maneuvering Equipment handled in actual combat.”
“He should come with us. I bet he’d manage to survive,” Kuklo said.
“He said he had the chance once but turned it down because he was scared.”
“How did he ever develop the Vertical Maneuvering Equipment, with such a mindset?”
“It’s because Uncle Angel went in his place with the old Equipment,” Rosa explained, drawing nods from everyone.
“By the way, the emblem on your clothes changed,” Sharle said pointing at Kuklo’s chest. The new soldiers all wore a fresh set of fatigues that displayed the winged emblem of the Survey Corps.
“It’ll help us become popular with the townspeople,” Cardina joked, but the residents did indeed notice men and women of the Survey Corps. Soldiers who braved the outside world for the sake of humanity in spite of the danger were like heroes to them.
“Except we’re a bunch of greenhorns who’ve never been on an expedition,” Rosa reminded him.
“Ah yes, our spanking new uniforms, a sign that we’re not regular soldiers yet.”
“I’ve heard that appearances matter for Survey Corps troops, though,” the workshop chief’s assistant said.
“Well, the residents expect a lot from us. I guess raggedy uniforms wouldn’t cut it.”
“It’s hard to move in,” Kuklo complained, rolling his shoulders. Though it didn’t really restrict him, the newly tailored uniform felt somewhat strange on him.
“Want to move around in it a bit later?” Rosa suggested. “I’m sure you’ll get used to it in no time.”
“Let’s.”
“Hold on, hold on. Tomorrow’s the expedition. Why not take it easy today?” Cardina grumbled, but Kuklo was already fidgeting. Cardina put his hand to his forehead and groaned, “I can’t believe it. How addicted to training are you idiots?”
✦ ✦ ✦
While their plan was to work up a quick sweat, their training session turned into a full battle simulation before they knew it. The turn of events vindicated Cardina’s earlier complaints, but somehow he too was covered in sweat. In the end, he was as much of an idiot as his teammates. Poor Sharle had been forced to tag along.
Still, thanks to their thorough workout, Kuklo’s new uniform now felt natural on him. Outside the walls, he’d be able to fully concentrate on the expedition.
“Oh dear. Did we overdo it a little?” Cardina looked around scratching his head.
He’d been too focused to notice, but it was already dusk. They must have been at it for a few hours. The scarlet rays that filtered through the leaves said as much.
They’d been practicing in a forest a short walk away from Shiganshina District. It was where they always conducted their neverending training.
“I think that’s enough for me and Rosa.” “Why don’t you two take a little stroll first?” Cardina and Rosa teased and walked off before Kuklo could reply.
“Stroll? Through these woods?”
“I guess it’s the right hour, though,” Sharle addressed Kuklo’s puzzlement with a wry smile.
Kuklo gazed through the branches to find the sky a blazing red. He pulled his right-hand controller from its holster and sized up a nearby cedar tree. He estimated it to be about thirty meters tall. Focusing on one of its branches, he fired an anchor at it.
“What are you doing?” Sharle said, tilting her head.
Kuklo embraced her with his left arm. Then, using the Vertical Maneuvering Equipment as an elevator, he brought them up among the boughs and alighted on one.
Despite her surprise and fear, Sharle seemed to enjoy the view from up in the trees. “So this is how you see the world. You spread your wings to make up for all the time you spent trapped.”
“My chains are gone.” Though he couldn’t say since when, so was that annoying phantom sensation of still being manacled. It was proof that nothing held him back now.
But there’s still one thing left. The strange tie that had formed between himself and Ogre─he could not be truly free until he severed that bond. But now the machine he’d mastered promised to let him do just that.
“So tomorrow is the day,” Sharle said.
“Yes.”
“What will you do once you settle everything?”
“Everything?”
“Once you defeat Ogre.”
“Well…” Kuklo had gone to the training academy and learned how to use the Vertical Maneuvering Equipment in order to defeat the Titan. He’d given no thought to what might follow. “I’ll think about it once I come back.”
“That’s one more reason you need to come back safe. Promise me, okay?”
“I know.”
“Good.” Sharle gave a satisfied nod, but her expression suddenly darkened. “I heard my brother joined the Survey Corps…”
“He could’ve joined the Military Police but turned them down. He said he couldn’t keep losing to me.”
“I see…”
“Are you worried?”
“We’re siblings, after all,” Sharle admitted.
“I don’t like him, but he’s strong. He won’t die so easily.”
“I suppose you’re right…” Sharle’s expression remained clouded, her worries hardly banished.
“It’s okay.”
“Huh?”
“If it comes down to it, I will save him.”
The old Kuklo never would have spoken those words, but he had it in him now. I bet Xavi would be mad if he heard me, though… He’d surely fly into a rage and yell that he didn’t need Kuklo’s help.
“Thank you,” Sharle perked up and smiled. “I’ll be praying for all of you to come back safe.”
“Yup.” With a nod, Kuklo turned to look at the town enveloped in twilight.