The hot sun was beginning to shine on the ground, while the cool morning air still enveloped the area. Elias's horse had already woken up, looking calm as it chewed its food. Shortly after, Elias appeared and led the horse to the nearly full goods cart, leaving just enough space in the front for one person.
Calmly, Elias prepared several pairs of reins and harnesses, then began fitting them to the horses. After ensuring everything was securely fastened, he climbed onto the cart and began driving. The faint sound of the wheels rolling over a small puddle of water could be heard, blending with the cool morning breeze.
Meanwhile, elsewhere, Violet was already getting ready. She wasn't wearing a dress, but rather a simple, long-sleeved medieval outfit, complete with gloves covering her mechanical hands. Lilith stood beside her, looking calm, though clearly awaiting Uncle Elias's arrival.
Elias's carriage finally appeared, slowly making its way towards Violet and Lilith, who were waiting by the roadside. As soon as it reached them, Elias pulled on the reins of his horse, signaling them to stop.
He turned and asked,
"Are you ready, Violet?"
"Yes, I'm ready, Uncle," Violet replied calmly.
He took a few steps toward the cart, then turned to face Lilith. He politely bowed and said,
"Thank you for giving me a place to stay, and also for the food."
Lilith looked a little awkward, feeling that Violet was being too grateful for something she considered small.
"N-no, Violet... it's nothing. I'm the one who's grateful... for being there for me. Because of your presence, I don't feel alone," he said with a gentle smile.
Then Violet climbed onto the cart. Elias immediately pulled the reins, signaling the horse to start moving. The sound of hooves slowly became audible, followed by the distinctive sound of wheels turning on the cobblestones.
Lilith stood silently, watching them slowly move away. As the cart began to disappear into the distance, a gentle morning breeze blew through her hair, as if signaling that her encounter with Violet was over. Time seemed to pass so quickly.
She smiled faintly. Her mind flashed back to their conversation from last night. Lilith's expression changed, now calmer and more hopeful. She believed in Violet, that this journey would lead her to something great.
The sun was beginning to rise, its light illuminating the vast meadow they were crossing. A cool morning breeze blew, blending with the warmth of the sun. The cart moved slowly along, the wheels squeaking lightly on the ground, while Elias sat in the front, steering the vehicle.
While still holding the reins of the horse, Elias began to tell the story,
"I will deliver these potatoes to several points within the city, beyond Wall Rose. The city is experiencing a food crisis. Because of this, some citizens have been ordered to clear land, even though the soil within Wall Rose is not very fertile. A small number of us, like me, plant outside the walls, although not too far and always close to the lookout posts. Wall Maria is still not completely safe from the Titans."
He glanced at Violet.
"While I finish my business in the city, you might as well register as a rookie soldier there."
But Violet shook her head slowly and answered,
"No, Uncle Elias. Let me help you first. I'll take care of my business later, after you're done."
Elias turned to her, surprised but smiling.
"Ah, that's very kind of you. But, are you sure? These things are quite heavy, you know."
With a firm tone and calm eyes, Violet answered,
"I was a soldier. Carrying things was my job. I'm used to it, so it's not a problem."
Elias chuckled, both amazed and surprised.
"Wow, I really didn't expect that. Okay then."
Near midday, Elias's cart finally arrived at the gates of Wall Rose. Two soldiers stood guard there. From a distance, one of them, a middle-aged man, squinted, trying to make out what he was seeing. He recognized Elias, but was a little surprised to see that the older man seemed to be carrying someone in his cart.
Violet, sitting on the cart, looked up, awed by the sight before her: a towering, majestic wall.
"So that's what the Rose Wall is...?" she murmured softly.
"I can't imagine something that big and strong could be destroyed by a creature called a Titan."
Violet silently pondered. If even such a strong wall couldn't withstand an attack, what kind of fear must the people of this world have to face? She tried to imagine the terror that came without warning, the destruction that eroded the sense of security to its very core, and the constant precariousness of life.
Elias merely glanced at Violet, who seemed captivated by the splendor of Wall Rose. He then turned his gaze to one of the gatekeepers, and without a word, he bowed his head slightly in a quiet yet meaningful gesture of respect. Deep down, Elias understood that not just anyone could be brought in, especially a stranger like Violet. However, from the calm expression on his face, it was clear that he had considered everything.
As the cart approached, the soldier approached them.
"Hey, Elias. How are you?" she asked casually. Elias shrugged with a smile,
"Well, you know... my back is hurting more and more. I'm not young anymore. Luckily, I brought someone to help me this time."
The soldier turned to Violet, who sat quietly and politely. She bowed her head in greeting. However, his face looked uncertain.
"Hmm... Is that a woman?" he asked rather quietly, half in disbelief.
Elias nodded, answering in a casual tone,
"We are farmers. Hard work is commonplace, no matter who does it, right?"
The soldier sighed, seemingly unwilling to prolong the conversation. He then nodded, signaling for them to pass.
"Okay, come in. Don't stay too long in town, okay?"
As the cart started moving, Elias threw a potato at the soldier, as if by habit. The soldier caught it with one hand and stared at it for a moment.
"Hmm, quite clean," he commented.
"Don't be too late, Elias. I want to go home early too."
Elias just waved his hand while still focusing on controlling his cart, letting the sound of the wheels and the horses' footsteps return.
Moments after passing through the gate, sunlight shone on Violet's face. She squinted, then raised one hand to shield her vision. When her eyes slowly opened fully, she was greeted by a sight she had never seen before.
The streets within the walls were bustling, with people moving about at a brisk pace, each busy with their own business. The atmosphere was bustling yet orderly. Buildings stood sturdy along the streets, no longer made of the fragile wood he was used to, but of solid, neatly laid brick. Some even towered quite tall, though certainly not comparable to the walls surrounding the city.
Small children ran through the crowds, laughing happily as if the world wasn't teeming with threats outside the walls. The people wore neat, clean clothes, some even looking beautiful to Violet, making her realize how different the world inside the walls was from the one she had woken up in.
Elias steered his cart slowly, adjusting his speed amidst the crowds of people filling the city streets. The busy morning atmosphere slowed their progress, but that didn't diminish Violet's curiosity, as she sat quietly observing her surroundings.
Among the crowd, his eyes fell on three well-dressed people walking with firm steps. One of them wore a large belt around his waist, with a circular device that stretched to the back of his waist. Violet squinted, paying closer attention to the details, there was a sheathed sword blade at her side, looking slightly larger than a normal sword, as if holding more than one in one place.
Just as she was still watching them, her gaze crossed with a girl on the side of the road. The girl stared unblinkingly at Violet's face, as if captivated by the stranger she had just seen.
"Beautiful..."
While controlling his cart, Elias spoke without turning his head,
"We're going to five places today, but one of them is in the Trost District, so we'll need to go through another gate. The good news is, there won't be any checks."
A few moments later, they arrived at the first stop. The building before them looked like a small, clean, well-kept tavern. Elias pulled the reins of his horse to a stop and dismounted. From inside the tavern, a young woman, probably in her twenties, walked up to him. With a friendly smile, she greeted him,
"You've finally arrived. Unusually, uncle is a little late. My father is already waiting for you inside."
Elias chuckled lightly.
"It's unusual for you to greet me, Sophie," he replied, unloading several bundles of small items from his cart.
Sophie, who had been busy watching Elias, finally noticed the unfamiliar figure on the cart. Violet gracefully stepped down, her clothes swaying lightly with her movements. Her appearance was so neat and composed, it left Sophie slightly stunned.
Elias immediately realized that, then said,
"Ah, I haven't had a chance to introduce him yet. Even your father doesn't know about this. This time he will help me."
Violet then stood beside Elias. Calmly and gently, she bowed slightly, then introduced herself,
"My name is Violet Evergarden. Nice to meet you."
Sophie was silent for a moment, stunned by Violet's polite demeanor and appearance, which was different from the people she usually met. She then quickly replied,
"Y-yes... My name is Sophie. Please don't be so formal with me, okay?"
Elias then walked over to his cart. On it, wooden boxes were neatly stacked, filled with freshly harvested vegetables and fruit. Carefully, Elias lifted one of the boxes from the top of the pile. It was clear from the expression on his face that the box was quite heavy; even for a man as strong as Elias, one box was enough to weigh down both of his arms.
While carrying the box towards the front of the shop, Elias turned his head and said,
"Violet, you can take one of the boxes underneath. I'll take care of this one myself."
Violet nodded quickly, "Okay," she answered briefly.
Sophie, who had been watching closely, looked surprised.
"E-Eh!? Violet, are you sure you can carry it? Let me help you," she said spontaneously, worried.
But Violet just turned her head with a gentle smile, her tone calm and reassuring,
"Thank you, Sophie. But that's not necessary. I can carry it."
Without waiting for a response, Violet walked over to the side of the cart, taking light but sure steps. Her gloved hand reached for the box beneath the pile, then she lifted it with a steady, expressionless balance. Sophie could only stare in silence, amazed and slightly taken aback by the assertiveness and grace of the woman she had just met.
With Violet's help, the work felt much easier. Four of the five deliveries had been completed without any major hiccups. Now, they were preparing to head to the final destination. The sun still sat high in the sky, only slightly off-center, a sign that the day hadn't quite passed.
Elias looked much more relieved. His expression brightened, and his smile even widened. As he steered his cart, he chuckled and said,
"You're stronger than I thought, Violet. Maybe even... in my prime, I'm not sure I could match your strength now. Hahaha."
Violet only smiled faintly in response to the compliment, her eyes remaining calm as she stared at the road ahead. Silently, she felt happy to be able to help.
The cart slowly passed through the gate that separated Trost District from the other cities within Wall Rose. The surrounding landscape was not much different: similar buildings, a nearly identical bustle, but the space enclosed by the walls felt much smaller, as if even the air itself was being squeezed by the massive walls.
Gripping the reins of his horse, Elias began to speak, his voice calm yet full of experience.
"I know a little about this place, Violet. There's a military base in this district. Perhaps you can get more information from there. They usually hold periodic recruitments. If you're accepted, you'll undergo approximately three years of training. During that time, you'll live in a dormitory, and be trained quite rigorously by a man named Keith Shadis. He's known for being fierce, but fair."
Elias took a breath, then continued.
"Many fail, even dropping out before the training is complete. Only those who pass the final assessment may choose their path. There are three choices. First, the Guard Corps, their duty is to maintain security within the walls. Second, the Scout Corps, those who dare to serve outside the walls, and their lives are always on the verge of death. Finally, the Military Police. The safest path, as they are assigned to the innermost regions and serve the royal family."
"The ten recruits with the highest scores will be prioritized to enter the Military Police," Elias continued.
"But ultimately, the choice is theirs. They are free to choose which path they want to take."
He paused for a moment, then looked up at the sky, which was covered in thin clouds.
"If you're asking why I know all this... it's because I once tried to be a soldier myself."
Violet turned her head, listening intently.
"I failed... I couldn't master the 3D maneuvering equipment. At that time, I had a few close friends. They all passed. But-" his voice lowered, "...none of them survived the incident at Shinganshina."
Violet also lowered her head slowly.
"I'm sorry, Uncle," he said softly, sincerely from the heart.
Elias didn't answer immediately. He simply closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath as if trying to hold back something deep inside.
"However, I believe... their sacrifice will not be in vain. In the future, I believe... humanity still has hope."
Before they reached the final delivery point, a sudden flash of yellow light flashed before Violet's eyes, so bright it seemed to split the midday sky. It was followed by a tremendous explosion like a thunderclap, shaking the entire district.
Violet gasped. Her eyes widened, her body tensing. From a distance, she saw a plume of smoke rising from the wall. The smoke slowly began to subside... and beyond it, something appeared.
Something... red?
A giant, fiery-red head peered out from behind the wall. Tall, towering, unimaginable. Silent, yet its presence was enough to freeze the world.
Then chaos erupted.
Screams, cries, and the sound of footsteps running aimlessly. The residents of the Trost district were gripped by panic. People scattered, pushing each other to escape.
Violet was still stunned. His mouth was slightly open, his eyes never leaving the creature.
"W-What is it, Uncle?" she asked, her voice choked.
Elias stared ahead, his face turning serious. His eyes narrowed.
"Yes... there's no mistaking it. That's... the Colossal Titan."
Violet's heart skipped a beat. The terror she had only heard about, she now witnessed firsthand.
"Come on Violet we have to go now." Elias said as he tried to turn his cart around.
Violet nodded slightly then went down to help him.
Not far from there a small child fell, he cried loudly and was almost trampled.
They turned around in realization.
"Wait a minute uncle, I have to save him."
"Yes, hurry up."
Violet walked through the chaos, then carried the child back to Elias's cart.
"Are you okay?" Violet asked, sitting him up carefully.
The child didn't answer, just sobbed.
"G-GRANDMA!" she screamed while crying.
"What's wrong with your grandmother?"
"She's still there, across from that building." He pointed.
Violet stared at him for a moment, then looked in the direction he was pointing.
"Let me carry it."
Violet held Elias' arm. "No, uncle."
"It would be safer if I went there. You go back to Wall Rose."
They stared at each other for a moment, Elias's face looked troubled but Violet's words made sense.
"Wait a moment."
Elias hurriedly opened one of the boxes on his cart. Beneath it was a hidden storage compartment. He quickly opened it and found a set of 3D maneuvering tools.
Elias returned and hurriedly fastened the device around Violet's waist. The straps were pulled and then tightened.
"T-This...isn't it...?" Violet's tone was surprised and confused.
Elias cut her off.
"The gas is indeed out... you won't be able to fire the hook. But the sword is still viable. This device is modular, if the sword is destroyed, you can replace it with another sheathed sword."
Then, Elias looked deeply into her eyes.
"Please don't be reckless. And come back safely, Violet."
Violet lowered her head slightly, her hands clenching into fists.
"Okay, Uncle. I promise."
Elias nodded slowly, then turned around. Wasting no time, he returned to his cart and began to steer it back into the wall while Violet stood alone, facing the source of the chaos.
Violet didn't leave immediately; she stared at the Colossal Titan. Its red head towered high like a symbol of destruction. But something caught her eye around the titan: several figures swinging through the air. They flew fast, agile, gliding using 3D maneuvering devices. Their movements were precise, like dancing amidst danger.
"They... they fought. Bravely..." she muttered barely audibly.
A small fire began to burn in his chest. Awe... and also a desire to act.
Her breathing slowly became even. Her gaze was no longer shaken by fear but drawn by courage.
Violet's feet began to move. As one of her feet stepped onto the cobblestone street, a light stomp echoed through the crowd. Yes, she was running with all her might, her blonde hair fluttering in the wind. Her eyes were fixed intently on a single point.
On that day, in the midst of the soldiers who had moved,
The Military Police, Guards, and Scouts amidst the clanging of steel and terrified screams, a light slowly began to shine from behind them.
Secretly, without them realizing, the light did not come from the sky,
But...
From someone.