Chapter 31: Conversation with Pixis

“Everyone, stand down…” The bald old man’s voice was not loud, yet it possessed a surprising firmness, with a faint, irresistible authority that brooked no opposition.

“He’s…”

Sikong Xu had some impression of the bald, straight-backed elder in military attire, for he was also an important character in the original work.

Dot Pixis—that was the bald old man’s name. Though the name was ordinary, the man himself was anything but. His rank was exceedingly high; he served as the supreme commander of the southern Garrison Regiment, and all forces stationed south of the wall fell under his command. He wielded power like a local despot, able to summon storms at will.

“C-Commander…” Though Willman was a squad captain of the Garrison Regiment, his position meant little in the face of the commander, who could replace him with a single word.

“Though I’ve only just arrived, I already understand the situation well enough.” Pixis walked over to Sikong Xu and patted his shoulder as he spoke.

“So many soldiers failed to stop you—quite impressive. To see such talent arise among humanity pleases me greatly. Since I am here, I will ensure your safety. So, young man… will you please let go?”

Sikong Xu glanced at Pixis, and, trusting the elder’s words, released his hold on Willman without hesitation.

“Commander! These people are allies of the Titans, you—” Willman had clearly heard Pixis, but his only thought was to kill Eren.

“Willman, you’re still as big as ever, yet timid and high-strung. You’ll handle support operations now; leave this conversation to me and the young man.”

Pixis smiled kindly at Sikong Xu. “Young man, I wonder, do I have the honor of being taken hostage by you?”

“I wouldn’t dare take the commander hostage, lest I lose my head,” Sikong Xu said, sheathing his steel blade and shaking his head with a smile.

Pixis likewise shook his head. Though he’d only just met Sikong Xu, he didn’t believe his words—after all, this was someone who’d dared to hold his superior at knifepoint without hesitation.

“If you wish to speak, Commander, shall we find a quieter place?” Sikong Xu gestured toward the wall, suggesting they continue their discussion atop it.

“Haha, young man, you suit my taste well.” Pixis laughed, his white stubble twisting with his smile.

…

On the wall, Sikong Xu and Eren, along with the others, accompanied Pixis on a slow stroll.

This was the Trost District, south of Rose Wall, and ahead lay the third of humanity’s territory already lost.

Below, clusters of Titans were amassed, the foremost pressed against the wall, while those behind continued to push forward, attempting to topple the wall with brute force.

Alas, the fifty-meter-high wall’s fortitude was beyond their comprehension. Without the appearance of a Colossal Titan, they would never breach it in their lifetimes.

The sky was already tinged with red; the sun was nearly set.

After the soldiers had cleared the Titans within the town, the engineering squad exploited the Titans’ low intelligence, luring them to the breach in the wall to form a “meat wall.” The opening was blocked by the corpses of Titans slain by the soldiers, preventing others from entering immediately. The district was secure—for now.

Yet safety was only temporary. Before long, the Titans would shove aside the bodies clogging the breach and invade Trost anew.

“Young man, I still don’t know your name,” Pixis said, pulling an iron flask from his pocket and taking a small sip. Though he enjoyed drinking, he dared not indulge, fearing it might hinder his duties.

“Sikong Xu.”

“Sikong Xu…” Pixis nodded, “And these three behind you must be Ackerman, Yeager, and Arlert, trainee soldiers.”

Mikasa and the others nodded.

“Commander, I feel that my ability to transform into a Titan is connected to my father!” Eren said, unable to contain himself.

“Oh? Tell me more.”

Eren produced the golden key he wore around his neck. “In my family’s basement, my father said that everything would be revealed if I went there!”

“Is that so? The basement holds all answers…” Pixis faced away from Sikong Xu and the others, gazing at the landscape beyond the wall.

“Can you believe me?” Eren asked.

“If even you cannot be certain, I can only keep it in mind,” Pixis replied.

Then, Pixis turned to Sikong Xu. “Let’s discuss, then—what reason do you have to spare Yeager, the trainee soldier?” This time, Pixis did not drink.

“Commander! Didn’t you already…” Armin exclaimed in surprise at Pixis’s words.

“Haha! I did say I’d ensure your safety, and I won’t deny that. But I want to see what reason this remarkable young man will put forth under these circumstances—indulge this old man’s whim, won’t you?”

Pixis spoke kindly, lacking any commander’s air, acting as if he were a stubborn old man.

“No problem,” Sikong Xu smiled. He had always intended to propose using Eren’s Titan power; he just hadn’t found the right opportunity.

“You know that Eren can transform into a Titan, correct?”

Pixis, hands behind his back, nodded slightly.

“We can use Eren’s Titan ability,” Sikong Xu said with confidence.

“Titan ability?”

“Exactly. By harnessing Eren’s Titan strength to move the massive boulder left when the wall was breached, we can plug the gap…”

“So, once the Titans inside the district are cleared, we can reclaim Trost?” Pixis interrupted.

He took several quick sips from his flask, appearing somewhat excited.

“That’s right,” Sikong Xu smiled. “But it’s a risky plan. The question is, will you do it?”

Pixis looked once more to the distant landscape beyond the wall, moved by its beauty.

“Well then, Yeager, what do you think?” Pixis asked Eren in return.

“I…” Eren spoke uncertainly. “Commander, to be honest, I have no memory of myself as a Titan, so… I don’t know if I can do it…”

“Haha, let me put it another way…” Pixis asked kindly. “Will you do it, or not?”

He echoed Sikong Xu’s words to Eren.

“I…” Eren’s gaze followed Pixis’s, looking out beyond the wall.

There, his warm home once stood. There, he had played with Sikong Xu, Mikasa, and Armin. There, his mother’s tragic death still haunted him…

“Commander, I will do it!”

This time, Eren’s voice brimmed with confidence!

The battle for Trost had begun!