"Commander Pixis!"
A bald man with authority far exceeding the terrified Garrison officer stepped into view. Commander Dot Pixis gripped Wilm's raised arm, stopping the attack order mid‑motion before calmly moving past him.
"Did you not see the excellence of that salute?" Pixis said, his gaze resting on Armin—still standing proudly with his fist over his heart.
"I've only just arrived, but the couriers briefed me on the situation. Go take command of the reinforcements."
Then, with a small sip from his ever‑present flask, he added,
"And personally… I find it worthwhile to hear these young ones out."
Pixis' appearance—
Saved us.
——————————————————————————
Dot Pixis: supreme commander of the southern territories, including Trost District—holder of the highest authority entrusted with protecting humanity's most critical region.
The four of us were brought to the top of the inner gate wall, where Pixis wished to speak with us directly.
He stood at the edge, drinking from his flask as he surveyed the Titans swarming below.
"A shame… Still no sign of a breathtakingly beautiful Titaness. Being eaten by one would make for quite the romantic end~"
As expected of the eccentric Pixis.
We explained everything—Eren's fragmented memories, the events in Shiganshina, the basement key, the Titan transformation.
"I see… so the truth lies within that basement," Pixis said, still gazing down at Trost's occupied streets.
"Yes. Will you believe me?" Eren asked quietly.
"If even you can't fully believe yourself… then I'll just keep it in mind." Pixis chuckled softly. "But I do pride myself on my ability to distinguish truth from lies. I'll guarantee your safety."
His reassurance lifted a weight from all our chests.
"You're Cadet Arlert, correct?" Pixis asked.
"Yes!" Armin straightened instantly, giving a crisp salute.
"You said earlier that by using this Titan power and this half-human power, reclaiming Trost is possible. Did you truly mean that? Or was it an excuse to delay your execution?"
Armin hesitated, gathering his thoughts.
"It's… both. What I wanted to say was this: if Eren transforms, he could lift the massive boulder near the gate and block the breach. With Sandra acting as protection, using her… half-human ability to cover him."
He lowered his eyes slightly.
"But honestly… I was desperate to survive. I wanted to give the soldiers hope—hope that their powers could change something."
His honesty stunned me.
I still had no memory of my transformation—this so‑called "half-human" form everyone had seen. I couldn't even guess how to trigger it again. What was I supposed to do?
"Hm… wishing to survive… Those words are more trustworthy than anything," Pixis murmured, taking another sip of whiskey.
Then he finally turned toward Eren and me.
"Well then, Cadet Yeager, Cadet Gant." He stopped in front of us, his gaze sharp.
"Can you block that hole?"
My eyebrows tightened slightly as I glanced at Eren.
"We… don't know," Eren answered honestly. "All I understand right now… is the same as everyone else here. Neither Sandra nor I can irresponsibly claim we can do it."
"Ah, quite right. My apologies—the question was poorly phrased."
Pixis' relaxed grin faded, replaced by solemn authority.
"Will you do it or not? That is what I'm asking."
He looked past us, toward the interior of Wall Rose.
If we refused… Trost would remain open. Titans would flood in. The interior would fall next.
"Do it. I will," Eren answered without hesitation.
Then all eyes turned to me.
I looked down at my uninjured body—miraculously whole despite everything.
Trost… how many comrades had died today?
In the vanguard, I was the only one who returned.
Even if I doubted myself… even if I didn't remember that half-human form…
"…I'll do it," I said quietly but firmly. "I don't know if I can become that form again, or if I can successfully work with Eren to seal the gate… but I'll do it."
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