Chapter 22: CHAPTER 22: THE ONLY PRACTICAL WAY
The invasion was coming. Sana's mind raced as she outlined the devastating plan she had pieced together. She had carefully considered everything—every move the Titans would make, the strengths and weaknesses of their attack.
"The Armored Titan, the Colossal Titan, and the Female Titan will invade the walls," she began, her voice steady but heavy with the weight of what she was about to say. "The Colossal Titan will destroy the gate of Wall Maria in the Shiganshina District. It's sixty meters tall, so it won't take long. Once they breach the gate, the Armored Titan will target the gate of the Trust District. Then, chaos will spread across the walls."
Sana paused, letting the implications sink in before continuing. "The Female Titan will use her scream to call the Pure Titans. Once that happens, Wall Maria will be overrun. There are other Titans we've seen before, but these three are the most dangerous. So, now it's up to you to decide what we do next."
Erwin listened closely, his eyes focused on her as he processed the information. After a long silence, he spoke. "So this is it. Considering their plans and the invasion, we must allow them to breach the walls. But you know that if we let them in, you'll be at the highest risk. Do you have any ideas on how we can respond?"
Sana nodded solemnly, feeling the burden of the decision. "I think you're right. We don't have enough time to build weapons strong enough to defeat them, but we can't simply lose our territory either. I've got an idea, but it's risky." She paused for a moment, thinking through the details before she continued.
"We'll build a bridge from Wall Rose to Wall Maria, at the northern blind spot of the walls. It's the only part of the wall where we can work without being noticed. Once the Titans take over Wall Maria, we can use the bridge to quickly recapture it within a week. This way, we won't have to sacrifice soldiers by sending them out on horseback to retake the territory. Instead, we'll have a direct route. The only issue is the Church of the Walls. They might become a problem, but I've ruled out the idea of an underground tunnel. It would take too long, and we don't have time."
Erwin's brow furrowed as he absorbed her plan. "You're suggesting we use the bridge to retake Wall Maria after it falls, but what happens after that? Will they stay quiet, or will they fight back?"
Sana took a deep breath. "I'm not sure. We'll have to make sure we act quickly. If we use boulders to block the gates, that will buy us time to regroup and make our move. The only reason I don't want to lose that territory is because of the resources. When we start developing new technology, we'll need all the space and resources we can get. And we have to keep the development of that technology a secret—if they find out what we're doing, it'll be over. The Titans are after the Founding Titan, and the person who will eventually have control over it is Eren Yeager, the son of Dr. Grisha Yeager. I just hope everything goes smoothly, and Dr. Yeager can obtain the Founding Titan without any issues."
Erwin's eyes narrowed slightly as he considered her words. "So, you're saying that we just need a little time, and then we'll be able to deal with the Titans more effectively. But the real battle will come once the outside world is revealed. You're right that we need to develop technology. And we'll have to move quickly. The Titans will bring losses, that much is inevitable. But if we have a solid plan in place, we can make it through."
Sana nodded in agreement. "I'll make sure the technology development and the bridge are both underway. It's going to be a tight schedule, but it's the only way."
Erwin placed his hands on the desk, leaning forward. "That's a done deal. I'll think about how we can handle things in the meantime, but we have to be prepared for losses. We don't have much time, but we have to make every moment count."
"I'll also get in touch with someone who can help with weapons development," Sana said, a plan already forming in her mind. "I know a person who can be useful for that. I'll reach out tomorrow."
Erwin gave a firm nod. "Good. And I'll talk to Zachery about the legal matters we need to settle. We'll need to win the court case, and we'll need to do it quickly. I'll also think of a way to reduce the time it takes to accomplish everything."
Sana stood up, feeling a sense of resolve. "I'm on it. I'll get everything moving as fast as I can."
As the evening wore on, she headed back to her team. When she arrived, she found them hard at work, each member focused on their assigned tasks.
"You all must take a break now," Sana called out, her voice light but firm. "Let me make tea for you. You're all working so hard."
Alisa, ever the diligent one, stepped forward quickly. "No, Sana San, we'll make the tea. It's our responsibility."
Sana smiled and shook her head. "Why don't you all relax for once? It's just tea, and I love making it. Besides, it's important for us to take moments like this together. We've all been working hard."
Her words were met with quiet smiles. The bond they shared was growing stronger with each passing day. "Tomorrow, we'll have a lecture," she continued. "I'll explain things myself. I know the books are helpful, but it's not the same as learning directly from me. I want you all to understand how things work so that you can improve your skills. Get ready early in the morning. We'll learn how to make machines."
Alisa's heart swelled with admiration for Sana. She was so young, yet so wise, and it was clear to Alisa that Sana cared deeply for her team. Tomorrow, Alisa would get to learn directly from her, and she couldn't wait. She knew she had to give her best. She wouldn't disappoint Sana. It was hard to believe that someone so highly respected and in such a crucial position could also be so kind and considerate. Sana was not just a leader; she was a mentor, and Alisa would follow her anywhere.
Sana watched her team with a mixture of pride and gratitude. They were good people—dedicated, hardworking, and loyal. She wanted nothing more than to see them happy and successful. As she made tea for them, she couldn't help but feel a sense of fulfillment. She knew there was much to be done, and there were challenges ahead. But for now, in this small moment, she cherished the bond they shared.
Her thoughts shifted to the future. There were many plans in motion—some of them dangerous, others uncertain. But Sana had always been a problem-solver. The biggest concern on her mind was the impending conflict with Annie and the others. They were just children, really. She didn't want to kill them, but she knew that the stakes were high. And they didn't have the advanced technology needed to capture them yet. It would be a long road ahead.
After dinner, they all retired to their rooms. Some of the team members were still poring over the books. Sana hoped they would be ready in the morning—she couldn't afford any distractions during the lecture.
As she lay in bed, her thoughts circled back to the upcoming battle, the bridge, the technology, and everything else that had to fall into place. She just hoped it would all come together in time.
I am really sorry for the delays. I am not in a good health. I will still try to be regular. I really appreciate your patience.