Erwin & Levi - AU Smartpass: Crumbled Castle Gate
[translation: yusenki | editing: @birbwin ]
[source: x]
Disclaimer: Please do not re-post the translation elsewhere without permission.
The hole in the stone wall which surrounds the whole castle also serves as the gateway to the castle. Decayed but sturdy wooden gates are littered on the ground floor.
There are spaces with roofs attached to those gates, and walls allow for people to climb on top of them*. There are hidden holes to release arrows over there.
It is proof that in the past, large numbers of humans were fighting against each other. It must have been a long time ago when knights wore armors and fought each other.
“What are you looking at?”
A voice calls out from behind Erwin, who has been looking straight ahead to the outside of the castle from there.
“It’s you, Levi. How is Eren doing?”
“I left him under the squad’s care. This is Hanji’s authorization document.”
“Then it’s fine” Erwin says. His blue eyes don’t move from the outside scenery.
“Over there is…the path to the imperial city, right?”
“Yes, if we’re going to fight against the monarchy, this point will be a strategic stop.”
“Ha…I won’t laugh even if that is a joke.”
Levi shrugs and proceeds to look outside through a hole beside the one that Erwin is peeking from.
“Under normal circumstances, Eren’s case will attract attention from the central. We’re in the position of refraining ourselves from making any improper statements.”
“If you [Levi] are the one who asks [for something], nobody would complain.”
“…You just say the things you want to say.”
For Levi, still he cannot read a lot of Erwin’s behaviours.. Even so, because his decisions always bring the best result, he believes in and follows him.
This guy…if it is needed for humanity’s liberation, he will even turn against the king. Hmph.
Whilst thinking that, Levi peers at Erwin’s expression from the side of his eyes.
He offers his heart for the sake of humanity’s freedom, not for the king or the authorities.
“Such an interesting person you are. Despite being born from a normal family, you purposely dive into a hell full of titans, all because you want to liberate humanity.”
“It’s not only the people born from a poor background who are not satisfied with the current situation, right? For the current me, this existence within the walls feels like being behind bars.“
"Tch, you said the same thing as the brat.”
“You mean Eren? According to the report, before the fall of Wall Maria, he used to say something along the lines of ‘living within the walls an entire lifetime is the same as being livestock.’”
“I also understand that…” Levi sighs. “Hmph, sometimes he is like a beast…his eyes are like a beast hunting for meat. He also holds a grudge towards the titans. But more than that, it is his dissatisfaction towards the current situation that burns most within his eyes; that dissatisfaction towards a society that forbids him from going outside the wall, as well as his frustration at being clueless and powerless.”
“So you are saying that I look quite young because I have the same eyes as a young new soldier?” Erwin laughs. His expression when he laughs makes him look like a young boy. Levi replies with a frown.
Finally, Erwin looks away from the outside scenery and looks at Levi’s face. Levi tilts his face up, looking up to the taller man.
“Yes, soon this depressing rain will stop. Seems like a clear wind is starting to blow…”
Just like that, the two great men of the Survey Corps wait for the rain to stop. The wings of freedom on their backs are drenched, and appear to shine even brighter.
