My heart is so broken for Nile and Pixis. They didn't deserve to die like this. Pixis has always been one of my fave fave men in this series. When Erwin was alive he used to rely on Pixis and asked for his opinion in the most critical situation, specifically during the uprising arc. He served humanity so well. On the other side Nile was a kind-hearted military officer. He hated meaningless deaths. When he encountered Gabi and Falco just moments before turning into a titan he let them go bc he believed that war is no place for children. It breaks my heart he never got the chance to say goodbye to his family. Before all this mess I was even hoping we'll get a glimpse of when the corps got back from RtS and informed him of Erwin's death. I wish he had the opportunity to apologize or say his goodbyes to Erwin :'(
ﾟ･*☆Shingeki no Kyojin 2 — Episode 8 — The Hunters (追う者)☆*･ﾟ
I've never seen him win a fight before, but I've never seen him get beat and give up either. Sometimes he's so tenacious that even I think it's so scary. No matter how many times he's knocked over, he gets back up. You think he'll get taken away without putting up a fight? Nope. He'll keep resisting as long as he has strength. Even more so when he's up against just two. He'll give 'em hell no matter who he's up against. Until you or I show up to help. That's how Eren's always been.
—Hannes
In the first part of the interview, Erwin handled his interview efficiently without even slightly breaking his rigid commander persona. In this final part, we [the interview team] are going to move with a faster pace to seize the opportunity to gain more information on his human side – that is our aim for this interview.
[At Stohess district, the Female Titan suddenly appeared. The true identity of the titan was a member of military police and SC members, those who are members of the capturing plan conducted by Erwin, proceeded with the mission while knowing her true identity. Despite successfully capturing the criminal, the death tolls in Stohess district catastrophe reached up to more than 100.]
Journalist (J): Are you heading out for the discussion with the mayor and other influential personnel?
Erwin(E): Yes. Regarding the sacrifice of district citizens, I am pretty sure I am going to be held responsible.
J: Forgive me if this question is rude, Commander, but did you proceed with the mission while knowing there would be this many victims?
E: I envisaged that this might happen. However, our initial plan was to avoid that and restrain her in the basement before she had the chance to transform into a titan.
J: During the outside wall expedition, it seems there were a large number of soldiers sacrificed from the casualties caused by the new weapon during the apprehension mission.
E: Are you criticizing me?
J: No. For the sake of humanity, there will need to be sacrifices. What we would like to know from the previous comment is your personal opinion.
E: That is unexpected…You’re a tough journalist to deal with. Did I choose the wrong person? I was only…weighing two alternatives.
J: Are those two alternatives you were talking about “the numbers of SC members and citizens sacrificed in this mission” or “the estimated number of sacrifices that will be made if such an enemy like the Female Titan were to be left alone within the wall"?
E: That was also included within the calculation. Also…you, the way your eyes are looking at me…
J: Huh?
E: Seems like you are thinking that I lack humanity and sympathy, a cruel individual?
[The eyes of a person who is willing to sacrifice for the sake of the goal]
J: Is there anybody else who feels the same way?
E: I was weighing between “criticism that would be thrown at me” and “the risk of leaving the enemy alone”. I decided that it would definitely be much better if all the criticism were pointed at me.
[While saying that, Erwin smiled thinly. For the sake of the end goal, he’s willing to sacrifice himself and others. We recalled what Hanji said in their previous interview on his personality, that he will even throw out his own humanity for the sake of mankind’s survival. Leaving the journalist dumbfounded, Erwin headed to the meeting with the influential personnel.]
[It was in the middle of the meeting when suddenly a fast horse messenger came bringing an emergency report. There were titans appearing within Wall Rose and the breach position is unknown. SC soldiers are mainly in charge of leading the refugees, and elite members such as Eren Yeager and Captain Levi are heading towards the place where the breakthrough point probably is.]
J: Are you going to the actual site, Commander?
E: Yes. In this current state of humanity, the only force that can fight against the titans are the SC. Even without me, I think the command won’t collapse…sometimes we need to make sure.
J: Classified information, is it?
E: Yes it is. There is nothing I can say until finding solid proof.
J: Even to your own peers?
E: Enough about that. Look, today the MP are also taking part at the site. It will be a good idea if you cover their activities.
[Just like what Erwin said, among the soldiers led by him, we can see some numbers of MP whose backs are decorated with the coat arms of a horse with a single horn. Among the Garrison, who are under pressure on guiding the refugees, the MP’s involvement will be needed as well.]
J: I don’t see any sign of a titan though.
E: Don’t be impatient. We found something while investigating on the Female Titan’s background. If something were about to happen, it might be happening soon.
J: So, the advance team [vanguard] has returned over there.
[The journalist’s question was interrupted by the fast horse messenger report. The report content is really shocking: that among the newly recruited 104th cadets, 3 of them are titans and there are 2 who might be the Female Titan’s comrades. While preparing the lift to carry the horses to the other side of the wall, the journalist hastily arranges for a horse and approaches Erwin who is also on a horse and heading toward the incident site in person.]
E: All troops, let’s quickly move to the site!
J: Commander, don’t tell me you foresaw this event as well?
E: Are you coming with us? You’re actually quite relentless. Do you want to become a SC member?
J: Such composure. You have definitely foreseen this to a certain extent.
E: It was just a prediction. However, I received some reports that among the 104th cadets there was someone who came from the same hometown as the Female Titan, Annie Leonhart. Also when they entered the SC, I remember that some of them had a different look in their eyes compared to other cadets.
J: Then, what did you gauge during the induction?
E: At that time, I was trying to confirm whether anybody had another thought aside from fear towards death or intention to survey. I was betting on it. I could only do that. However, the problem is not yet solved because Eren has been kidnapped by the enemy.
[Before long, Erwin reached the site where the Armored Titan and Colossal Titan made their appearance. Over there, those soldiers who were involved in the battle are being laid down and are receiving treatment.]
J: Are you going to pursue them now?
E: Yes, we need to get Eren back no matter what. His existence is the key to mankind’s counterattack. We definitely can’t let the enemy snatch him.
J: All the best.
[Even at the journalist’s words, his composure did not crumble. Ahead from here is the titans’ domain and, moreover, there was no time to prepare the long-distance scouting formation which makes the expedition relatively safer. Of the soldiers who are heading towards the jaws of death, every one of them is tightening their lips and holding a grim expression whilst carrying their sense of duty.]
[A few days later, the news is that all the titans within the wall are already cleaned up and that there was actually no wall breach. News about Eren’s safety is concealed. Erwin is heavily injured and, at this moment, no visitor is allowed to see him. Despite hearing that, the interview team is still heading to his place…]
[Who is it? At this time of crisis… (note: the speaker is using the tone for elder people)]
Pixis (P): What is it? Why do journalists enter this place?
J: My sincere apologies, I am the journalist for Erwin’s interview. If I am not wrong, you are the commander of the Garrison…
P: Right, right. No need to be so formal. Actually I admire your spirit as a journalist. I am quite sure that you are pretty much under monarchical pressure when it comes to news coverage.
J: This interview is genuinely intended to publicise the activity of the military.
P: I see…is that what Erwin requested?
J: Yes, Erwin accepted the interview with that condition.
P: That guy, this is what he planned… however, you might need to postpone the article. At this current time, the pressure from the monarchy is tightening. I am quite sure that you are notified not to write about Eren’s whereabouts or the wall.
J: Nevertheless, this is a close-up report on Commander Erwin, so it definitely can be included as part of the article. Commander Pixis, would you kindly tell us more about the commander’s condition?
P: Hmm…I can only say that his injury is quite serious. At this moment, he is still unconscious and unable to talk.
J: It was an extreme battle to the extent that the commander himself was injured?
P: Actually on this one, I have received some reports from his peers…Erwin was using himself and his comrades as decoys to gather the titans and then charged towards [the fleeing] Armored Titan to attack him. Seems like he is making use of the regular titans’ hostile traits toward the Armored Titan.
J: That kind of strategy, instead of injury he might even…
P: Ah, it’s a wonder that he’s even still alive. Actually – I don’t believe in God’s existence or whatsoever in this world, but after seeing that he’s still allowed to live, somehow I can’t stop feeling that there is a purpose for this. In fact, aside from him, there is large death toll for the MP and the Garrison.
J: During our previous session with the commander, we were talking about the meaning of throwing away one’s humanity for the sake of mankind.
P: Ah…Without owning such mentality, there is no way of breaking free from the titans’ rule after being caged within the walls for 107 years. Will you call this kind of person a villain?
J: No, he is willing to receive fatal injuries for the sake of his ideal. Should I say that he is more like a hero instead?
P: …Is that a good idea? At this moment, he might become the subject of criticism.
J: Even though he is the honourable person who saved humanity’s last hope, Eren Yeager?
P: …It depends on you, if you think the truth is more important than the pressure from the monarchy. There is no other person than Erwin who can be entrusted with the task of settling this problem within the walls.
J: Sorry, I don’t really get what you mean…
P: Oops, seems like I talked too much. If you have the intention to obey the monarchy, you shouldn’t get deeply involved with what I said just now. However…
[Towards the end of the interview, Commander Pixis unintentionally averted his gaze to the room where Erwin lies and muttered:]
P: Erwin is certainly different from normal humans. He might be an anomaly. However, despite being the lone individual who can be entrusted with such a task [settling disputes within the wall], even Erwin won’t be able to change some things.
J: Thank you very much!
After he recovered, Erwin along with the SC members fell under the monarchy’s suspicion. However, it is hard for us to believe in that suspicion because we have been liaising with him for the interview. Whether it is true or not, we can’t stop feeling that something terrible might happen by the time these suspicions toward the SC and Erwin are cleared, and that this revelation might be as dramatic as when the real form of the titans were revealed.
The first one will be the easiest one probably. It's the moment Anka screams out of her lungs that the titans appeared.
At this farce she knew, if they were wrong, she will lose her head. She joined Pixis and Erwins Plan, was ready for everything what will come and still you see her fear: For the people they don't know they think she is scared because of the titan-attack. But they're wrong.
It's her fear what comes after next. But after an eye-contact with Pixiv she catches her courage again.
Everything for humanity! You go Anka! Hopefully we see you again!
