As Angel and Maria were busy chatting, the area around Wall Maria’s main gate began to bustle with activity. Soon, the space was jammed full of people. Perhaps they had assembled because they heard the sound of the bell. A quick glance showed there to be around three hundred people. Young and old, male and female, they were all gathered there for the same reason as Angel. Soon, the Survey Corps would return from an expedition outside the Wall. They would be passing through the main gate and returning to their barracks riding northward on one of the avenues, but the scene, thanks to the soldiers’ brave figures, made their return seem almost like a celebratory parade. As the residents of Shiganshina District had little to amuse themselves with, the return had become somewhat of a special event.
Or I guess that’s how it was in the past…
While it looked as though many people were present on first glance, it was actually little more than a local gathering. Considering that Shiganshina District’s population was a little over thirty thousand, one might conclude that the Survey Corps’ return was not a matter of interest to the district’s residents. What’s more, over half of the crowd consisted of hecklers. Other than the soldiers’ relatives, few had any emotional attachment to their return.
Then again, the residents’ cold response was only natural.
They don’t release their information. They can’t show their results. And despite that, their expeditions are funded by tax money…
It seemed as though some sort of political decision was the only thing keeping the Survey Corps alive in spite of the people’s dissatisfaction. Many parts of the Survey Corps’ expeditions were opaque, and the residents had absolutely no way of knowing anything about the back-room politics that went on.
“It’s about time for our heroes to make their grand return.”
While the Wall kept them from being able to see the heroic figure cut by the Survey Corps, they could hear a rhythmical sound coming from the other side. It was the beat made by dozens of galloping warhorses. The soldiers’ movements seemed to grow more hurried as they heard the noise. Perhaps it was their regular training, but they made no wasted movements, working in a systematic, almost mechanical way. This systematic approach was exactly what was needed, as the gate had to be opened and closed quickly.
“I just hope it went well,” Maria said nervously.
“Are you talking about their mission?”
“What else is there?”
“It’s not like their results are what really matters to you.”
“That’s not true,” Maria said nonchalantly, though there was no way she was being honest. She had to have been worried about the safety of Solm, her fiancée. The Survey Corps’ mission could mean little to her.
Of course, I guess I’m the same way.
The life of his best friend was a far larger concern to Angel than the results of a mission clouded in mystery.
“Aren’t you straight-laced.”
“Yeah, when I have this uniform on.”
As Angel and Maria traded barbs, the Survey Corps closed in on their destination. With numerous horses kicking at the ground, the earth faintly shook.
The soldier standing atop the lookout post gave the command. “Open the gate! Open the gate!” Moments later, the giant gate, nearly ten meters in height, began to open with a deafening roar. Angel squinted and bent forward, focusing his vision on the world he could see beyond the gate.
All I can make out is barren earth.
Though he searched, Angel could find nothing worth special mention. Then, before he had a chance for any further observation, the outside world was covered in dirt kicked up by the horses.
Too bad there aren’t any of those monsters that you hear about.
Rather than monsters, all Angel could see was a pack of horses. Riding them were hooded cavalry who wore cloaks emblazoned with wings─Survey Corps soldiers.
Putting aside their reputation, they do look the part.
The cavalry passing through the gate one after another made a stunning impression.
“Close the gate! Close the gate!”
As soon as the Survey Corps had passed through, the gate was briskly shut. It was an admirably quick job. The gate had been open for a minute at most, showing the Garrison’s firm resolve to keep any outside enemies from invading. Maria looked faintly proud.
But while the Garrison had carried out its duties perfectly, the Survey Corps seemed sullen.
“They lost a lot of men…”
About fifty soldiers had returned. A force of almost eighty had left for the half-day expedition, but despite the mission’s short length, they had suffered major losses. Nor did the surviving soldiers return unharmed. Most of them only had minor wounds, but some had lost limbs. Others returned as corpses.
I don’t know what their goal was, but it looks like another failed expedition.
He could tell by the extent of the losses, as well as the soldiers’ dour looks. It seemed as though the residents may have thought the same, as there were few cheers. The mood of the scene was hardly celebratory, but at the same time, there was no sense of disappointment. The people must not have expected anything from the Survey Corps to begin with.
I guess the best way to not be let down is to have low expectations from the outset.
Sighing, Angel checked the faces of each of the returning soldiers. Every one of the valiant Survey Corps soldiers wore a fearless expression. Among them was a handsome man whom he recognized.
Solm Hume. He was a young, rising star in the Survey Corps as well as Angel’s childhood friend.
He’s really turned into a lady-killer, huh.