Chapter 120: Ymir's Betrayal! Four Intelligent Titans!
In Trost District, near the breach in the Wall, time seemed to freeze for a few seconds.
Bertolt's agonizing scream tore through the silence. His Titan transformation was interrupted, a cocktail of searing pain and terror. The massive skeleton, losing its support, collapsed with a deafening hiss of high-temperature steam. Dust filled the air.
"BERTOLT!!!"
On the Wall, Reiner, who had just completed his own transformation, witnessed the horrific scene and let out a roar of shocked fury. The Armored Titan ignored the futile attacks around him, his massive body dropping heavily. BOOM! He charged past the breach, heading straight for the cloud of dust where Bertolt had fallen. He had to retrieve him!
His landing was a dull thunderclap, shaking the earth. The Armored Titan ignored the Garrison soldiers, sweeping aside obstacles with his thick, armored arms, barrelling towards Bertolt's location.
At the same time, on the Wall, Annie in her Female Titan form looked down with cold, calculating eyes at the chaotic and furious 104th cadets and Garrison soldiers below.
"ANNIE— YOU BASTARD!!!"
Jean's voice was distorted with rage. He instinctively raised his blade, but was held back by someone.
The Female Titan ignored them, even seeming to deliberately avoid the cadets from her own training class. She shifted her weight and sprinted at high speed along the inside of the Wall. Her targets: the remaining defenses and any soldiers trying to rally.
"STOP HER!!!" an officer roared.
Several hooks shot at the Female Titan. She twisted nimbly, dodging most. Those she couldn't dodge, she blocked by instantly hardening her skin with crystal.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
The hooks sparked, unable to gain purchase.
Her speed undiminished, the Female Titan used the momentum to flip, landing among several soldiers. Too fast! A white blur flashed, followed by the dull crunch of bone as the massive force sent bodies flying. Using only her speed, strength, and combat instincts, she instantly crushed several Garrison soldiers with concise, lethal kicks and elbow strikes.
Just as the Wall descended into greater chaos, ZRT! ZRT! ZRT! Several green figures shot through the air like arrows, landing on the edge of the battlefield.
The Survey Corps had arrived.
In the lead was Captain Levi, along with his squad. On the other side, Section Commander Hange's team arrived.
"Tch. What 'great' timing." Levi landed, his eyes quickly scanning the Female Titan, the Armored Titan, and the wreckage of the Colossal Titan, his brow furrowing. "Two—no, maybe three Intelligent Titans?!"
Hange's eyes glinted with a mix of research-hungry curiosity and gravity. "Be careful! Don't kill them outright! This is a major discovery for understanding Titans!!"
They instantly assessed the dire situation—the enemy had breached the wall and had powerful allies inside.
"Petra, Oluo! Get on the Wall, stall the female one! Go!" Levi ordered instantly, his voice calm. "Eld, Gunther! With me! We'll take care of the Armored Titan below first!"
"Yes, Captain!" The Levi Squad split up immediately, displaying their elite training as they charged their respective targets.
Below, Eren emerged from the steam of Bertolt's collapsed Titan. Bertolt's human body, limbs severed, was no longer an immediate threat. But the Armored Titan was closing in fast. Reiner's goal was to rescue him. Eren didn't need to deal with Bertolt, who was no threat for now. They are both tools I can use to indirectly provide intel about the outside world, a source of information that reveals the situation without exposing my father.
Eren's eyes were cold. He activated his gear. Target: direct engagement. He zipped around the charging Armored Titan, blades slashing at joints and weak points.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Sparks flew. His enhanced blades could barely cut the armor. Faced with Reiner's reckless charge and defense, and not wanting to reveal too much of his own power, the effect was limited. It was more harassment than anything.
"Eren!" Mikasa and several other cadets arrived, anxious. They saw Eren facing the Armored Titan alone and immediately moved to help.
But on the Wall, the Female Titan, currently fighting Levi's squad, caught sight of Mikasa! Annie slammed a side kick, forcing Oluo back. Then, twisting in mid-air, she leaped off the Wall, straight down at Mikasa's group! Too fast! Mikasa reacted instantly, but the others were still activating their gear, too slow. A deadly heel-strike was about to crush his comrades!
"Everyone!!!" Eren's pupils shrank.
In the nick of time, his figure blurred. A faint, almost imperceptible green light flowed into his blades. The next instant, as if teleporting, he appeared between his friends and the Female Titan. A single, impossibly fast upward slash.
SHIIING!
A cutting sound, far sharper than before. The blades, glowing with a faint green light, instantly severed the Female Titan's hardened lower leg.
"Rgh?!" Annie let out a short, shocked grunt. The pain and imbalance broke her attack, sending her massive body toppling.
Eren didn't pursue. His goal was only to save them. He flashed away, returning to his position harassing Reiner. The strike was so fast, no one saw the details. Only Hange, her mind racing, caught that fleeting green light.
"We're… saved…" His comrades, hearts pounding, looked at Eren's back, their resolve strengthening.
In the distance, Krista, pale and trembling, was by Ymir's side. Ymir gripped her hand tightly, her eyes locked on the battlefield. She watched the powerful Eren, the transformed Reiner and Annie, the falling soldiers, and then the only person in the world she cared about…
A mad idea began to grow in her mind.
Is Krista really safe here? This island… lies and exploitation. When the Royal Government and the Wall Cult find out who you are, what will you become? A breeding tool? A sacrifice? Just like I was?!
Marley… it's hell, it's the enemy… but they're strong. Reiner and the others… if I help them… could I… trade that for your safety? Get you off this sinking ship? To a place where… at least you can live with your 'head held high'?
My life should have ended long ago. This stolen Titan power… I have to give it back eventually. But you… Krista… you have to live. Live as your true self! Not as 'Krista'!
Ymir's eyes darted around. She began to discreetly look for a chance to take Krista away. Her decision went unnoticed.
And just then!
RUMBLE RUMBLE…
The earth began to tremble, a low, continuous vibration. The very Walls seemed to shake. A suppressed, thunderous sound filled the air—the roar of countless beasts.
Everyone in the battle, soldier and Titan alike, instinctively paused, looking toward the source of the sound.
Outside the Wall!
On the horizon, a black mass. An innumerable horde of Pure Titans was fast approaching. Their eyes were fixed on the breach, their massive bodies trampling each other, creating a deafening stampede.
Annie's earlier roar… was now taking effect.