Attack on Titan: The Strongest Newcomer

"Ryo, Mikasa, do you want to try the rice balls I made?"

Petra, ever nurturing despite being a battle-hardened soldier, approached the branch where Ryo and Mikasa sat. She held out a small bundle of rice balls, her effort to bring a touch of home to their otherwise grueling mission.

"How can I accept that, Petra-senpai? You prepared these yourself, and if we eat them, what will you have left?" Ryo hesitated, though his hand was already halfway to grabbing one. His words might have been polite, but his actions betrayed him.

Petra chuckled warmly. "You're a terrible liar, Ryo. Don't worry. I made plenty for everyone. Besides, if you don't eat them, they'll go to waste!"

Ryo finally took one, savoring the sweetness and the tender texture. "It's delicious! Thank you, Petra-senpai!"

Mikasa nodded in agreement, taking a bite. "It's really good. Arigato, Petra-senpai."

Petra's face lit up at their reactions. "I'm glad you like them. And Mikasa, no need to be so formal! We're all in this together. Just call me Petra like Ryo does."

Ryo, ever the joker, grinned. "Auntie Petra, these are amazing! I'll take another."

Petra playfully scowled, tossing a small twig at him. "Get out of here! Auntie? I'm not even twenty yet!"

The group burst into laughter. Even amidst the looming danger, moments like these provided a rare reprieve. Petra handed over another rice ball, shaking her head at Ryo's antics.

While they joked, the horses below grazed calmly. Everyone knew the importance of keeping their steeds well-fed and hydrated; their lives often depended on these animals. After eating, each soldier would ensure their horse was properly cared for, feeding them water and black beans. The Survey Corps relied heavily on their mounts, and negligence was not an option.

As the soldiers enjoyed their brief rest, a meeting of the command class took place below. Captain Erwin, map in hand, marked their current position. "We're about 76 kilometers from Wall Maria. If we push hard, we can reach the wall before nightfall. But the wall has fallen, and the wilds aren't safe. We'll need to find a secure spot to camp."

Levi, standing nearby, crossed his arms. "Giants don't move at night, which gives us an edge. But we shouldn't get complacent. We've seen no proof they can't, and underestimating them could cost lives."

Captain Erwin nodded, scanning the map. "There's an abandoned castle here. It's on elevated ground. If we set up barricades at the base, it should give us time to respond if giants appear. We'll camp there."

The team leader, Sanmao, furrowed his brow. "Do you think the government is hiding more than we know?"

Erwin's gaze turned distant as memories surfaced. "Perhaps. What we see is what the government allows us to see. What we don't see… might be what they've hidden."

His voice carried the weight of years spent unraveling truths others refused to face.

Snapping out of his thoughts, he issued orders. "Notify the vanguard to adjust their route. Reach the castle by nightfall. If giants appear, eliminate them swiftly—leave no room for error."

The command squad stood at attention, fists over their hearts, and saluted in unison. "Yes, Captain!"

Under Erwin's leadership, even in the face of uncertainty, they moved forward. Each soldier knew the risks, but they also knew the strength of unity. Together, they forged ahead, determined to reclaim what they had lost.