We now begin the 57th expedition!
Forward!
In the basement of Eren Jaeger's home in Shiganshina District
lies the secret of the Titans, unknown even to him.
Our goal is to reach it.
You recruits will be here,
between the wagon escort squad and scout support squad.
You'll be moving with the spare horses
and relaying communications.
We of the special-ops squad will be here,
in the center of the rear, on standby.
It's the safest position in this formation.
Even more secure than where the supply wagons are.
That's not an Abnormal.
- Sys! - It has intelligence!
Like the Armored Titan, Colossus Titan, and Eren...
It's a human controlling the body of a Titan!
Her movements are on a completely different level!
Damn.
We...
We underestimated her!
She covered her nape.
Damn, I can't get away!
Jean!
Avenge that reckless idiot!
She stopped moving?
That's the one!
That's the one that killed him!
He really ended up dying on the right flank!
Avenge that reckless idiot!
We bought enough time, right?!
Let's get away from her already!
What... Why?
Could she be...
heading toward Eren?
The Forest of Giant Trees The 57th Expedition - Part 2
Well, Armin?
Does your device still work?
Seems like it.
The latch disconnected properly, so it's not broken.
I see. Good to hear.
But what'll we do?
We only have one horse.
If Jean's horse comes back, we can all get moving, but...
Damn it, why?
Reiner's horse came back, so why is mine still missing?
We can't afford to stay put any longer.
At worst, someone will have to be left behind.
In that case, who should it be?
Armin, who's injured?
Reiner, whose size would burden the horse?
Or should I run about to find my horse?
Damn it.
That's the last thing I should be worrying about!
To think the three of us just cheated death together...
This has got to be a joke.
Armin.
Hey, Armin!
You're still kind of shaken up, huh?
Yeah.
My mind's still a little hazy.
I see.
Regardless, we have to decide now.
It's regrettable, but it looks like one of us will have to stay here.
Wait.
Before that, let's fire a smoke signal.
If the formation's going forward, Line 4-3 should be nearby.
It's the smoke signal used for emergencies.
I don't think people will realize our predicament though.
Armin, we'll wait three more minutes.
After that, we'll decide who stays...
I'll do it.
But in exchange, there's something I want you to report in my stead.
If possible, to Commander Erwin alone.
No, Armin.
Report that yourself.
Looks like someone's coming.
With two horses, at that.
That's...
Krista!
Guys! You okay?!
It's my horse!
Whoa, whoa! Calm down, Bufpart.
It was extremely panicked when it ran to me.
Did you fight a Titan?
Armin!
That injury...
Are you okay?
Yeah, somehow.
I'm glad our smoke signal got through to you.
I happened to be nearby, and Jean's horse was with me.
Even horses seem fond of you, so I think you have some special charisma.
You saved us.
But I'm so glad...
I'm so glad you all managed to survive.
A deity...
A goddess...
I want to marry her.
Anyway, we need to hurry back to the formation.
Oh, right. Withdrawal orders should be relayed soon.
But to think we're heading straight back after not even an hour...
The future's bleaker than I expected.
I mean, she went in the opposite direction of the command squad at the front.
"She"?
A green smoke signal?!
Looks like the operation's continuing with just a change in direction.
No way.
Shouldn't we be withdrawing?
What's going through Commander Erwin's head?!
Every soldier should have the authority to determine
that the mission is impossible to continue.
Don't tell me the command squad didn't see the smoke signals.
Whatever the reason, it's obvious what we should do next.
Let's obey the order.
Green smoke signal.
Oluo, you fire it.
Roger that.
It seems like everything's going smoothly for now.
However...
is that really the case?
Couldn't there be casualties in the vanguard already?
Reporting in!
It's an operation report!
The right flank's scouts have suffered heavy losses!
Scouting ability is crippled!
Please relay this report to the left!
Hear that, Petra?
Go!
Sir!
The right flank?
That's where Armin should be.
But Armin and the others should be stationed near the center.
The Titans shouldn't be that far in.
A black smoke signal?
An Abnormal!
Eren, you fire it.
Sir!
What a mess.
We let them too far into the formation.
The Titans are right over there.
Whoever it is fighting under that smoke signal...
Damn.
Look over here.
You monster!
Now!
Three simultaneous attacks!
It seems to be quite intelligent, but avoiding it all is impossible!
The spine or a tendon.
Either one's fine.
It can't move if they're cut!
Do it!
Causing us all this trouble...
I'll torture you to death!
Wha...
It jumped?
Let me go!
Reporting takes priority!
For there to be something like that...
I have to let them know!
An Abnormal?!
In a place like this...
Let's take it down!
We won't let it get any further!
The right flank is all but annihilated, you say?!
And we're still not withdrawing?
Why?!
I don't know!
Commander's orders!
At any rate, relay it to the left!
What's going on?
We've been heading east for a while now.
The old town area should be to the south though.
At this rate, we'll run straight there.
Yeah, it's in plain sight now.
The forest of giant trees.
Looks like Titans have passed through here.
There's nothing growing on the road.
The wagons should have no problem.
Relay this to the rear.
Only the center line and the wagon escort squad will enter the forest.
Sir!
Um, Squad Leader.
It looks like the center line is following the forest path.
At this rate, we'll run into the forest.
We're going around.
Sir!
Oh, come on.
Why are we at a tourist hotspot?
This is nowhere near the destination or our starting point.
I have no idea.
I have no idea, but it was Commander Erwin's decision.
I suspect there's a reason for it.
And just what would that be?
Is he planning to hold a welcoming ceremony for us new recruits or something?
No, I doubt that's it.
I was joking.
Either way, that giant woman's after us.
No matter the reason, we can't afford to stop here.
We'd be crazy to do anything but pass through here to head elsewhere.
All soldiers, halt!
All right, recruits.
Listen up!
We'll now position ourselves to intercept.
Draw your blades and wait in the treetops.
If a Titan attempts to enter the forest, stop it at all costs!
Huh?
But, Squad Leader, why...
Shut up and obey!
Are you serious?
What the hell is going on?
Hey.
Only the center line entered the forest,
so what happens to the formation?
It's been abandoned.
Every other line's squads have no choice but to go around the forest.
Scouting is no longer an option.
Then why didn't we change course to avoid the forest?
Did Commander Erwin misread the map?
I don't know.
We may have been cornered here because of the threat on the right flank.
By no means do I consider this sane.
The plan to establish a base for a supply chain was abandoned.
Though we should have turned and retreated at that point,
we boldly took a detour to a tourist spot instead.
And ultimately, we're ordered to do nothing
but stop Titans from entering the forest.
He's giving us ridiculous orders.
He'll hear you.
And how original of him to not even explain himself.
That said, he shouldn't be okay with this either.
Meaning?
It's said leaders that are determined to be unfit by their subordinates
in a tense situation are often killed by a mysterious injury to the back.
And it really doesn't seem like it'd be that unusual.
Jean, what are you planning to do?
Don't take me seriously.
I'm just a little aggravated by the situation.
What am I planning? Well...
I'll follow orders.
I won't let Titans enter the forest.
You think that's best too, right, Armin?
Huh?
You look like you're in the know.
Well...
5-meter-class incoming!
Why did he lead the formation here?
What is Commander Erwin planning?
No, before that...
There's something more urgent at hand.
That female Titan is searching for Eren.
And I'm sure the Commander knows that.
That'll be my assumption,
and I'll think from there.
Lance Corporal.
Lance Corporal Levi!
What?
"What", you say? This is a forest!
If only the center line enters the forest like this,
we won't know if a Titan is approaching!
It seems like something's coming from the right,
but how will we avoid it or protect the wagons?
Quit whining about the obvious.
There's clearly no way we can do either of those.
Then why?
Look around you, Eren.
At these ridiculously gigantic trees.
It's the ideal environment for using the three-dimensional maneuver device.
And just think.
With that unremarkable brain of yours.
If you don't want to die, keep your mind alert.
Sir!
I see.
As a recruit, I'm just not comprehending the situation.
I'm not simply being fed answers
because it's something I need to figure out myself, huh?
I'm sure that's how these veterans have learned to fight.
What the hell?
Quit screwing with me.
Seriously, what are we doing?
What's going on? Damn it.
Huh?
Don't tell me...
Don't tell me nobody comprehends the situation!
Maybe even Lance Corporal Levi doesn't...
The female Titan is pursuing Eren.
If that hypothesis is correct, there can only be one reason we're here.
Commander Erwin plans to deal with...
Armin.
Our orders were to keep the Titans out of the forest, right?
So basically, there's no reason to fight...
Right?
A black smoke signal!
It's right behind us!
It's the thing that came from the right, huh?
Everyone, draw your blades.
It'll be over in an instant once it appears.
Faster!
It's fast!
There's no way to avoid it in this forest!
It's catching up!
Lance Corporal, let's switch to three-dimensional maneuvers!
Lance Corporal!
You're not getting away!
Reinforcements from the rear!
Lance Corporal, orders!
Let's do it!
It's dangerous!
We should handle this ourselves!
I'll rip it to shreds.
What an idiot.
It's just asking to be killed.
The ones you're chasing are a group of Titan-slaying experts!
Lance Corporal Levi?
Lance Corporal!
Please give us orders!
It'll catch up at this rate!
We'll kill it here! We entered this forest to do just that!
Right, Lance Corporal?!
Lance Corporal, orders!
Everyone, plug your ears.
The female Titan approaches, continuing its unstoppable massacre.
With no choice but to flee, even as his comrades fall right before his eyes,
Eren is forced to make a decision.