"Get ready for battle!!!"
Holding two swords in hand and standing against the wind, Lock stared at the Female Titan on the distant city wall with murderous intent.
This was his first time fighting against an intelligent Titan.
Compared with Pure Titans, the combat power of an intelligent Titan was on another level. Even Captain Levi himself would not claim guaranteed victory against such a foe, underscoring how formidable it was.
This Female Titan possessed exceptional mobility and the ability to emit a howl within a small range to attract Pure Titans. The difficulty of the battle was amplified by their position on the city wall, where space was limited and the three-dimensional maneuver gear could not be fully utilized.
After Lock's shout, the people around immediately assumed combat stances. Smiles and relaxed expressions vanished, replaced by unyielding determination.
Either it dies or we do.
"Ymir, get out of the way!" Petra gave Ymir a reassuring look.
Ymir was deeply moved. She resolved that if Petra was in danger, she would intervene, even if it meant exposing her Titan power and identity.
Over the past few days, the "stranger" Petra had been like a caring elder sister, offering warmth and family-like care. Ymir, once an orphan and beggar, had come to genuinely cherish and depend on her.
Without retreating far, Ymir moved back about ten meters, holding tightly the knife Petra had given her for self-defense, staring blankly at the situation. For the first time, she harbored the thought of killing Titans, though they were her own people.
Meanwhile, Lock's team set up positions, preparing for the Female Titan's arrival.
"Really? Shouldn't we take the initiative?" Sanmao asked.
Though higher ranked and more experienced in the Survey Corps, after observing Lock's capabilities over the past days, Sanmao was willing to defer command—a gesture of trust and a test.
"No, as you mentioned before, this should be a conscious, intelligent Titan. Rushing in would be disadvantageous." Lock responded, eyes fixed on the approaching Female Titan, "Elder, Gunda, Petra, and Oluo, draw its attention. Captain Sanmao and I will attack from both sides and attempt to kill it in one strike."
"Yes~"
Without hesitation, the four followed the order.
The two members who had returned with Sanmao remained in the background, unassigned, their presence unnecessary. Sanmao's stern eyes discouraged interference.
Soon, the distance between the Female Titan and Lock's team reduced to a hundred meters.
After exchanging glances, Lock and Sanmao split to left and right, activating their three-dimensional maneuver gear to reach the edge of the city wall for a surprise attack.
"Annie's combat power now should be weaker than in the official timeline. With our combined strength, our odds are good."
Lock approached the Female Titan.
He had no interest in her past identity or tragic story—now, they were enemies destined to clash.
Just as Lock readied for the assault, the Female Titan's gaze locked onto Petra and the others in front. Then, Lock and Sanmao became visible as well.
The Female Titan's eyes lingered on Sanmao for two seconds before she halted, climbing down from the wall rather than advancing, and then escaped toward Wall Maria, climbing over and disappearing.
"Ran away?"
Lock watched with calm relief as the Female Titan, using her crystallization power, descended the wall and vanished.
To be honest, unless he was more than 80% confident, he did not wish to fight an intelligent Titan. His chance of victory now was far below that threshold.
Luckily, Annie had doubts too and chose to retreat.
Recalling the scene, Lock looked at Sanmao, who shared relief: "Did anything happen when you fought her before?"
"It's nothing special. Once I realized I couldn't sever her neck, I focused on buying time to escape by cutting off her legs. That gave me enough time to evacuate with my team." Sanmao said calmly.
But Lock understood the urgency and peril that decision entailed.
"Very clever reaction," Lock praised.
Sanmao responded, a hint of loneliness in his voice: "Don't say that. I just didn't want to die like that. Looking back, it would have been better to fight to the death instead of fleeing."
"Don't think that way. In that situation, survival was your only option. I believe the captain would understand," Lock consoled.
Sanmao nodded in gratitude: "Thank you, Lock."
"Don't mention it. Let's move. The Female Titan is gone, and it's time we return. The captain will be glad to see you back," Lock said with a smile.
Every member of the Survey Corps with Sanmao's strength was a treasure. Captain Erwin would certainly hold him in high regard.
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