Alchemists do not need self-cultivation

Outside the wall, the roar of cannons continued, and screams echoed endlessly. Even through the towering Rosell Wall, one could still see the smoke and dust rising from outside.

A group of refugees who had fled from the Shiganshina district had long gathered at the city wall. Their eyes were filled with fear, and their sanity had been tormented ever since they witnessed the man-eating monster.

The refugee camp exudes an atmosphere of despair; having lost their homes and families, they have already lost hope for the future.

After settling the group, Hannes took the gold coins Isaac had given him to the local military police, who said he could definitely get a residence permit inside the Rose Wall.

Many wealthy merchants at the Maria Wall do this; money can buy a lot here. Just now, Isaac heard that someone from a tobacco factory outside obtained a permit to stay at the innermost wall—the Sheena Wall—through connections.

Being rich is truly remarkable.

"About...five hours?"

Standing outside the shelter, Isaac looked at his hands and muttered to himself in a voice no one else could hear.

Although he considers this place his dream, it doesn't mean he's given up thinking.

He had sensed something was wrong from the moment he drew the alchemy array on his palm with the pebbles, since he shouldn't feel pain in a dream.

However, the pain of drawing the transmutation circle, the blood left on the hands, and the soreness and itching after the wound scabbed over all felt so real.

Moreover, in the past, when he 'dreamed,' he would usually wake up in Brix after about an hour, but this time it took far too long.

"Is this... really a dream? Or is it..."

Just as Isaac was thinking, Mikasa and Armin walked towards him.

“Allen…no, Isaac, this is bread that’s being distributed to the refugees there.” Armin handed a piece of bread to Isaac. “You must be hungry too. Have one to tide you over.”

"Oh, thank you." Isaac took the bread and took a bite.

Although it was the kind of bread that was hard and dry, Isaac still discovered something.

If I have a sense of taste, then whether this is a dream world remains to be seen. So what exactly is going on? Has my brain been affected? Or is it some kind of supernatural phenomenon that current science cannot explain?

“Um…Isaac.”

Interrupted from his thoughts, he turned around and looked at Armin, who seemed somewhat hesitant.

"Should we seek refuge in a safe haven now? At least it's safer there."

“I won’t go back for now. I’ll wander around the area first; maybe I can find some useful information,” Isaac said.

Back in Brix, his superior, Olivia, had taught him that intelligence gathering was crucial for future operations, so given that he didn't know how long it would take to escape the 'dream,' he prioritized gathering intelligence.

"Ok."

After looking around, Isaac began to walk towards the city wall.

By this time, a large number of soldiers had already gathered at the Rose City Wall, and after the first Maria Wall was destroyed, their sense of crisis began to emerge.

"Are you free, soldier?" Isaac asked, walking over as if they were old friends.

"Children?" The soldier turned around and saw three children walking towards him. He immediately scolded them, "Go back! This is not a place for you."

"Don't say that, I brought you some gifts." Isaac said, tossing a bottle of wine to the soldier.

The soldier took the drink, a slight smile appearing on his face: "It's been a long time since I've had a drink. Is this for me?"

"Of course, it's a way to reward the soldiers who care about the people," Isaac said with a smile.

"Haha, you've got a conscience after all." The soldier opened the bottle and took a drink.

Isaac glanced at the soldier and asked casually, "By the way, what's the situation outside?"

"The situation is not optimistic." The soldier put down the bottle, his face slightly drunk. "According to the reports from the Survey Corps at the front, in addition to the huge hole kicked open by that fifty-meter-tall Colossal Titan, there is another place that was smashed open by a Titan covered in armor."

A giant covered in armor... This is completely different from the giants I've encountered before. Is it a new species?

"What are our chances of retaking Wall Maria?"

"Zero." The soldier uttered a merciless number, and although he had been drinking, fear slowly crept onto his face. "You don't know... those are monsters that humans simply cannot deal with!"

Huh? It doesn't seem that strong, except that it's hard to kill.

Isaac thought so.

"However, it is said that spikes grew in many places in the Shiganshina region, impaling many giants." The soldier laughed as he said this. "Although we don't know why, perhaps even the gods didn't want us humans to become extinct."

The god you're talking about just came over with a bottle of wine to bribe you and was chatting and laughing with you.

Thanks for your reply! Good luck with your work!

"Oh!"

After obtaining some information, Isaac left, and Mikasa and Armin followed him.

"I see. So there are subspecies of giants besides the giants themselves? The records here didn't mention this before," Isaac murmured.

He suddenly turned around and looked at the two people following him.

"Why did you two come along? Wouldn't it have been better to stay in the shelter?"

Mikasa replied, "For your safety."

“I’m safe,” Isaac said. “And you, Armin? Your grandfather should be here too, shouldn’t you go and take care of him?”

“Um…” Armin blushed slightly, his fingertips touching together, “I feel a strange sense of security when I’m with Isaac… Can I continue to stay by your side?”

He asked expectantly. Isaac gave him a completely different feeling than Allen; he believed Isaac was indeed the kind of person he could rely on.

"I see. I really am a reliable person." Isaac nodded, accepting his assessment. "Let's go back. Karla will be worried again."

As he said this, he patted Armin on the shoulder to reassure him.

"Yes."

As Armin watched Isaac walk away, he was about to follow when suddenly a hand grabbed his shoulder from behind like an iron clamp.

“Hey, Armin.”

Mikasa's voice came over, and Armin saw her dark eyes as soon as he turned around.

“That…Mikasa…”

"We're friends, aren't we, Armin?" Mikasa's voice was so cold it could scare an adult to death.

“Of course!” he quickly replied.

"So you won't betray me, right?"

"what?"

"And your answer?" he said, increasing the pressure on his hand.

"Of course! Absolutely not!"

Chapter 380: Survey Corps

“Karl…Mom, I’m home.”

Although she knew this person was not her mother, she was currently playing the role of Alan Yeager, so she still had to address her correctly.

After all, it's still uncertain whether the environment I'm in right now is a dream.

"It's good that you're back. It's still not very safe outside." Carla was still a little worried.

The events of a few hours earlier had a significant impact on her, but this mother persevered with great willpower.

After Mikasa and Armin explained things to her, she has now accepted that her son has dissociative identity disorder.

Although everything about her 'illness' has been very mysterious.

"Carla, I've taken care of things over there." Hennessy walked over, and judging from his radiant face, everything was settled.

“I spoke with my friend who is now a military policeman, and he quickly helped me get the Rosell’s Wall identity,” Hennessy said, taking a document out of his pocket. “From now on, you will live in the Trost district, and your accommodations have been arranged.”

"That's great." Carla breathed a sigh of relief.

She hadn't recovered from the previous disaster, but she knew that the most important thing now was her future life.

"By the way, Hennessy, have you found Grisha here?" Carla suddenly asked. "He said he was going out for medical treatment earlier today, and we don't know if he's come to take refuge yet."

"I'm so sorry... we don't have any information about Dr. Jaeger over there." Hennessy said somewhat apologetically.

Hearing him say that, Carla also felt a little sad.

“But everything will be alright,” Hennessy quickly reassured her. “Dr. Jaeger has saved so many people; a good man like him would never perish in a disaster.”

"I hope so..."

"By the way, I just heard some very bad news," Hannes suddenly said in a low voice. "It seems the kingdom intends to send some refugees outside the city as part of the forces to retake Wall Maria."

Carla covered her mouth in surprise: "How could this happen? That would make them..."

“Let them die, right? That’s it.” Hennessy’s expression wasn’t good either. “To prevent food shortages caused by overpopulation inside the wall, a large portion of the refugees will be sent out to die in order to ensure supplies inside the wall.”

The surrounding refugees were completely unaware of the news. Some had just recovered from despair and were beginning to look forward to their future lives. It was unimaginable how they would react upon learning this news.

Hennessy's words were too cruel for Armin and Carla. However, Isaac and Mikasa remained as calm as ever. Isaac had known this would happen all along, while Mikasa was completely unconcerned.

"Allen was right this time. Luckily, I managed to get residency within the Rose Walls." Hennessy said, sounding relieved.

He turned around and looked at Isaac with a serious expression.

“Um… Allen.”

"What?"

"I'm so sorry!" Hennessy suddenly bowed ninety degrees. This gesture caught everyone off guard.

"Wait, Hennessey, what's wrong with you..." Carla didn't know why he would suddenly apologize to his son, and quickly tried to help him up.

Hennessy didn't get up, but shouted, "I was cowardly when facing the giants! It was my cowardice that almost caused Karla to die in the giants' mouths. As you said, I was a deserter!"

"Hannis, don't say anything more. This shouldn't be your fault." Carla tried to comfort him, but Hannes remained bowed and didn't move.

After a moment of silence, Isaac stepped forward and grabbed Hennessey by the collar.

“Allen…”

"Listen up, soldiers!" Isaac shouted. "I don't know where the Titans came from, or why they eat people, but that doesn't matter. The Titans must be defeated!"

Isaac's voice was loud, and many people in the shelter turned to look in his direction.

Isaac continued shouting, "Did you see them eating people? That's utter contempt for humanity! Who gave them the right to look down on humans like that!"

Hennessy dared not move, remaining in the position where Isaac had grabbed his collar.