Titans Rule, Levi Ackerman UNDER EDITING

(23) The gun.

~Amelia's POV~ 

Trudging up the hill, everyone hiked in silence. Only the sound of cloaks swishing and guns clanging against their bodies could be heard. I wasn't sure how much I agreed with fifteen and sixteen-year-olds being allowed to use guns, but they were the trained soldiers, not me. All I had was my dagger and will to survive.

Eventually, we reached the top of the hill and decided to take a brief rest. "That was a close one," Connie commented, looking back at the cottage below. "What would have happened if we hadn't left right away?" 

There were little specks bobbing of light around below and the faint shouts of people in the distance. "But why? What would make Commander Erwin...?" Armin pointed his question at Levi. 

"New orders came from the government. There's been a freeze on all Scout regiment activity outside the Walls," Levi paused. Everyone perked up, listening in closely. "It's to get us to hand over Eren and Historia." 

I heard a few gasps go around. "By the way," the messenger butted in, "after I was handed Erwin's message, the military police came for him." 

Hange looked outraged. "They're treating him like some sort of criminal!"

"It appears that they're not working from the shadows anymore and making moves for everyone to see," Levi explained, referring to the Religion of the Walls who were secretly ruling the governance system behind everyone else's backs. 

"To go that far to protect the Wall's secrets..." Hange pondered, "I wonder what they want with Eren and Historia? Maybe not to kill them, but to control them instead? To show off their power?"

"Who knows," Levi sighed. "But it's clear that whoever it is wants the both of them. Which means that it's too dangerous for us to keep loitering around here. Let's go to Trost district," he proposed. 

Moblit gave him a strange look. "But why? That's the same place that Nick was murdered," Moblit interjected. 

"It would be worse to head towards the Interior Walls. We would be bound to get arrested as the Military Police concentrate there. Trost is in a panic right now, which should be keeping them busy. So, it should be relatively easy for us to sneak into. If it comes down to it, we can use these," he explained, putting a hand on his ODM gear. 

"True..." Armin agreed but he wasn't entirely sure of the idea. However, it was the best that we had. Anywhere within the Walls was dangerous with Erwin behind bars. At least in Trost, we'd have a chance to gather some supplies before moving on elsewhere. 

"Plus, since we don't know exactly who we're up against, it puts us at a disadvantage. We need to find out who is behind this..." He trailed off. "Hange, let me borrow some of your squad." 

"Of course," they replied, glancing towards their squad mates sadly. They didn't want to part with them but, there was no choice. "Right, well, I'm going after Erwin. His freedom is as vital as ensuring the safety of Eren and Historia. Moblit, you come with me. The rest of you go with Levi," they ordered. 

"Roger!" their squad shouted. 

"Hange," Eren called out to them. "Here..." Eren handed them a piece of paper. "I suddenly remembered a conversation I heard between Ymir and Bertholdt. I didn't have time to tell you, but it's all in here." 

"Got it," they took the paper and shoved it into their pocket. "I'll take a look at it later."

"Hange," I called out to them. "Be safe." 

Hange turned back from their horse, flashing me a smile. "I will." 

Levi waved them off. "Now, let's head out. We can come up with a plan on the way to Trost," Levi ordered, slinging his gun back over his shoulder.