[translation: @yusenki| editing: @birbwin​]



[source: x]

Someone once said that a dream is the reflection of the heart - either to make oneself at ease by forgetting everyday cruelties, or perhaps to fall into an abyss that is harsher than reality. This evening, the slumber that is going to unfold is…



—–

He is riding his horse with someone else across the grassland, and then they are widening the gap between their horses.

The land is limitless, the horizon is stretched faraway.

Is this outside of the wall?

The horrifying sounds of titan steps are heard from afar. Then, the person on the other horse calmly pulls out the sword from his waist.

Ah. What’s happening?

I follow his action and laugh at myself at the same time.

Since when did you begin to have these kinds of dreams like a brat, Nile Dok?

Right. Today, the Survey Corps returns.

Even though he is now in a different military branch, as the division commander of the Military Police, Nile also has the responsibility of reviewing the reports of deaths and injuries.

Earlier that day, he had read those documents.

That guy - is he dead? This guy got his leg bitten and sustained a terrible injury, so he can’t be a soldier anymore.

At his age now it seems that only a few of his classmates, from those who chose to join the Survey Corps, have survived till this moment.

Even so, partly due to habit, Nile still looks amongst the survivors’ names for those he knows, and wonders how they are doing now.

Erwin… he tenaciously continues to survive. Even he went through such dangers, that bastard is so lucky.

Those eyes are so determined. Memories start to flash.

That guy’s eyes, what do they see and bring back with them?

In his dream Nile is holding the 3DMG handle, which has almost never been used by anyone in real life. He is dancing in the air.

“I’ll cut the ankle, you aim for the neck!”

This is the formation that is often done during practice.

He experiences that special feeling of hanging on the steel wire, as well as the horror from giant hands. The feeling is so real that it gets to the nerve and makes one shiver.

The flexibly curved blade slices through the muscle of the titan. The feeling of slicing the joints…is this an imagination created from the brain’s specific memory?

“Go!”

The partner in his dream cuts the nape of the titan away.

Both of them return to their horses. Only communicating through their eyes, they confirm that the mission is complete.

“We did it, Erwin.”

“Not yet… still far away from the goal.”

There is the same steady gaze from the old days. It feels like being absorbed by a limitless horizon, Nile feels dizzy.

Right… that guy is still moving toward his goal at this moment.

“Not sleeping well, division commander?” [asks a subordinate]

“No, I am fine.”

The next day, Nile starts work to ease his subordinates’ worry.

Build relationships with the nobles… trade goods and materials… go easy with dishonest merchants.

The kind of work which would have made him throw up as a cadet now piles up on his desk.

That vast sky and horizon, I don’t think I’ll get to see them anymore, but…

While finishing his job, Nile keeps thinking about his dream of riding outside the wall.

“This is the place I have chosen.”

Nile’s mumbling mixes with his sighs.

This is the kind of job that is advantageous for those who only care about themselves. Even working these things in this dirty room is good enough.

He lifts his head at the sound of knocking on the door.

“Division Commander, Commander Erwin from Survey Corps comes to submit a report.”

“Let him in.”

While talking, Nile reveals a self-depreciating smile.

I am going to tell him the dream I had this morning. Maybe not. He will just laugh at it.

Listening to the gradually approaching footsteps, Nile suddenly feels a sense of excitement, and doesn’t stop working.