CHAPTER - 16 { The Trial }

After the hole was sealed, both Garrison, and Scout Regiment kept eliminating the Titans trapped inside Trost.

Thanks to the cannons and Scout Regiment's prowess, the area of Trost became free of Titans after a whole day of fighting.

Not only that, but four Titans were also captured alive.

However, while mankind finally managed to win against the Titans, the price paid in exchange was far too high as a lot of soldiers had died or been injured.

* * *

Vlad wore a white mask on his face as he surveyed the area he was appointed to.

Seeing the familiar sight of ruins, corpses of soldiers everywhere and blood filled paths, Vlad sighed.

He was used to it already. Even before he went to the training camp, he had prepared himself.

After all, he had seen these when he was 12. Now it wasn't even noteworthy in his eyes.

But still, he would stop and stare at the dead soldiers' faces.

"We won. For the first time, humanity won."

Said Vlad as he half kneeled and lowered his head to the pile of corpses in front of him.

His work was to gather these corpses so later they could be thrown, buried or burned.

* * *

Next day___

Vlad sat on the floor of the bathroom. His eyes were not focused on anything.

Yes, he was daydreaming.

"Hey, Vlad! Still haven't finished bathing?"

Hearing the voice, Vlad shook his head and quickly took a bath.

When he reached his room, which was shared, he saw that there was already someone inside.

"Dude, you are so slow. Be like me, quick!"

This young man was slightly shorter than Vlad. He also had a fully trained body packed with strong muscles.

But unlike Vlad's, his body had multiple scars on it. It was like this person had found a war.

"Vector. Do you feel happy?"

Suddenly, Vlad asked. The young man, named Vector, frowned and looked at Vlad.

"I… do? Why do you ask?"

Asked Vector. But Vlad didn't reply to him as he wore his uniform and left the room.

"Motherfucker!"

Vector's angry shout was heard in the entire dormitory.

* * *

Inside the military court, Vlad stood in a line. His eyes scanned the entire court.

Vlad was summoned to the trial as a witness together with Mikasa and Armin.

"Are your injuries fine?"

From his side, Riko asked. Vlad nodded his head to her question.

"Who's the judge?"

Asked Vlad.

"You don't know? Dhalis Zachary, Commander-in-Chief of the Three Regiments."

Answered Riko with some surprise but then sighed seeing Vlad's indifferent face.

"It's not like I am fighting this person right? I only remember what's needed for survival and killing titans."

Said Vlad inaudibly. The court then turned quiet as Dhalis Zachary arrived in the court and sat down on his high seat.

Soon, Eren was pulled to the center of the court where he was tied to a pole with handcuffs.

"Then, let us begin. Eren Yeager, yes?"

Said Dhalis Zachary as he wore his glasses and lifted up the report on the table.

"You are a soldier, sworn to sacrifice your life for the public good. Is that correct?"

Asked Zachary. Eren didn't object and nodded his head in affirmation.

The trial continued, Vlad wasn't interested in it so he didn't listen to what Zachary was speaking.

His eyes observed the people on the other side of the court.

He could see that these people were nervous and also confident in themselves.

Zachary notes that according to the report of Trost defense, after turning into a Titan, Eren attempted to attack Mikasa.

Eren was surprised as he turned to look towards Mikasa. It seems that he was unaware of this fact.

"Also, immediately after that you almost 'killed' Vlad Birsha. Is that right?"

Asked Zachary staring at Eren. The court was in turmoil as Eren could hear their talks.

"I object."

It was then that Vlad's voice echoed in the court. All the whispers turned silent.

Everyone moved their eyes towards Vlad, some were curious, dissatisfied, confused and startled.

"Vlad Birsha, let's hear what you have to say about this."

Said Zachary. Vlad slightly walked forward and stomped his foot on the hard floor.

"It isn't true."

Zachary was surprised and also very curious. Erwin Smith, of the Survey Corps and Levi Ackerman, the squad captain of the Special Operations Squad of Survey Corps, stared at Vlad awaiting his explanation.

"Eren could not kill me. It should be that, if not for my calmness I could have killed him instead."

"I can lose to a new born baby, but never die getting killed by a Titan."

Saying so, Vlad saluted and stepped back in his line. Everyone was shocked and unable to react.

From the moment he came to this trial, Vlad maintained his expressionless face.

"Vlad Birsha, I have a detailed report on you here. It says, "In the training camp, no one could challenge him. When defending the headquarters building in Trost, he killed more than 20 titans alone. And in the recent mission to protect Eren Yeager, he killed almost 15 titans. The total kill count adds up to 35 titans, that's the ones which were seen." Is there any mistake in the report?"

Even Zachary was unable to believe this report presented by the military so he asked for a second confirmation.

The entire court was shocked at the number of titans killed by Vlad alone.

Except for Eren, Armin and Mikasa. They already knew that Vlad was a real Titan Slayer.

Erwin Smith closed his eyes and thought for a second before he opened them again.

'We must get him in our Survey Corps.'

Not just him, the Garrison and the Military Police Brigade were also very interested to recruit Vlad.

For a while, the court was silent until Zachary spoke again. He completely ignored the report about Vlad.

Few minutes later, the trial came to an end as Eren was taken away by the Survey Corps.

But Vlad did enjoy the court's trial even if it was only the part where the famous captain Levi beat up Eren.

* * *

"Survey Corps, right?"

Asked Vector from the bed which was opposite Vlad's.

"Yes."

Replied Vlad with a slightly excited voice. Who wouldn't be, after all it was about time for the trainees to choose their regiment.

"Do you think Rose and Mike would come?"

Vector raised his upper body from the bed and stared at Vlad.

"I don't know. But I think they will…"

Said Vlad. These few names were of his friends made in the training camp.

Even Vlad was a human so he made some friends to talk and have conversations.

Also, Vector, Vlad, Rose and Mike were the number one squad in the training camp ranking first in every task.

Vlad being the best, was the captain of this squad. Followed by Rose in command due to her strict personality.

Vector was carefree while Mike was the lazy one in the squad. Even so, all of them were in the top 20 ranks among the cadets.

"I am sure about Mike but Rose, she could also choose the Military Police Brigade regiment."

Vector said with a soft tone. If he was asked whom he understands the most amongst his friends, it would be Rose.

"Then let her. It doesn't matter as long as she goes with what she wants…"

Vlad closed his eyes and drifted into slumber while Vector kept talking not knowing that Vlad was asleep.