"Seriously? Reclaiming Wall Maria is already a hellish mission, but who the hell is this so-called Commander Byakuya?"
"No idea. Is he even from the Military Police?"
"Forget the Military Police — I've heard neither the Scout Regiment nor the Garrison has anyone by that name. I honestly thought Commander Pixis would be leading this operation. This just feels reckless!"
"But it's an order from the capital. We don't really have a choice, do we..."
....
News of the operation to reclaim Wall Maria had shaken the three military branches to their core.
Especially among the elite soldiers selected to participate —none of them were exactly thrilled.
The Scout Regiment was at least somewhat used to fighting Titans beyond the walls. But for the Military Police and Garrison, who had lived comfortably inside, the idea of battling hordes of Titans was a different nightmare altogether.
And now, the supreme commander was someone completely unknown — no credentials, no history. That only made the troops more unwilling.
A mission like this, involving direct combat with countless Titans, was little better than a death sentence.
Just as Byakuya had expected, the soldiers of all three branches were bound to question his authority.
....
Inside the royal capital, within Wall Sina.
In a high-level war room, several major figures sat around a circular table.
Nile Dok, current Commander of the Military Police.
Erwin Smith, current Commander of the Scout Regiment and an old friend of Nile's. Both had trained in the same cadet corps.
Despite their friendship, their respective corps were ideologically opposed — Military Police upheld order within the walls, while the Scouts pushed for exploration beyond.
Dot Pixis, Chief Official of the Southern Territories. While the Garrison's combat ability was average, their numbers were vast. In terms of official rank, Pixis even outranked Nile and Erwin.
In theory, there were also commanders for the northern, eastern, and western walls, but they barely appeared even in the original story. So Byakuya only planned to meet with the most critical figures.
There was also the highest military authority: Darius Zackly, General of the Three Military Branches. But Byakuya had no intention of meeting him.
Now, seated at the table were Byakuya, Nile, Erwin, Pixis, and beside Byakuya sat Eto.
Around them stood elite guards from all three branches, securing the meeting room.
...
"So, you're the one assigned as Supreme Commander for this mission?"
Nile was the first to speak. He was clearly skeptical — why would the government place someone none of them had ever met in charge of such a monumental battle?
This was no ordinary operation. Reclaiming Wall Maria meant facing an overwhelming number of Titans. Even with all three military branches combined, the odds of success were slim.
What baffled Nile even more was how serious the capital seemed. They had demanded only trained elites from each corps. No civilians, no recruits. Only veterans.
Yet somehow, they had placed an outsider in command of it all.
Erwin and Pixis shared Nile's concern. Who exactly was this white-haired youth, and why did the higher-ups trust him?
....
"Yes" Byakuya answered calmly. "I'll be formulating the strategy for the operation to reclaim Wall Maria."
Then, without wasting a breath, he added:
"You've already selected your elite troops, correct? All I need from you is to lure as many Titans as possible from all directions to my location. That's the entire plan."
The room fell silent.
Nile, Erwin, and Pixis stared in disbelief.
What kind of plan was that?
Even the guards at the edge of the room were visibly stunned. Everyone was thinking the same thing—this is madness.
Draw all the Titans to one spot? Was he trying to get himself, and their best soldiers, completely overrun?
Nile finally spoke, his voice tight with concern:
"This... this is beyond reckless. Even a single Titan is hard to kill. Luring that many together—what if Abnormals are among them? There's no way we'd survive!"
Byakuya replied, unfazed:
"I understand your doubts. Let me clarify. Once the Titans have been drawn in, leave the rest to me and Eto. All you need to do is attract them and keep yourselves alive."
He turned to Eto and called her name.
Words alone wouldn't be enough to convince them. They needed a demonstration.
"Okay~" Eto chirped like a carefree girl, hopping over to an open space in the large room.
The room had high ceilings—over ten meters—enough space for what was about to happen.
As everyone watched in confusion, wondering what this cheerful child was doing...
A grotesque transformation suddenly overtook Eto's body.
In a flash, her entire form was enveloped in ghastly, organic matter, and she morphed into the One-Eyed Owl, towering over ten meters tall.
The first thing everyone thought was: Titan.
Panic hit the room.
The guards raised their rifles, ready to fire at the towering figure—but hesitation filled their eyes.
They had never seen a Titan like this—much less one that transformed from a human.
What... what the hell is this creature?!