Attack on Titan: The Strongest Newcomer

A week after the 52nd Outer Wall Survey, the Survey Corps prepared to depart for the Royal City. It was a routine combat report, an event usually unrelated to Ryo, but his exceptional performance in the battle had garnered the captain's attention. As a result, Ryo was invited along as a combat hero.

The delegation comprised the entire Levi squad, Hanji, and the captain, along with around 30 others. Their journey was marked by anticipation, although the conversations among some soldiers leaned toward less honorable topics.

"I heard the Royal City is prosperous, and the women there are elegant and noble. Do you think..." one soldier mused.

Another chimed in, laughing, "Heh, maybe for the nobles, but there's always the underground scene. We can't touch the noble ladies, but... you know."

Ryo frowned, steering his horse away from the group. Such discussions disgusted him. The aristocracy within Sina's walls, living in luxury and ignorance of the world outside, stirred nothing but disdain in him.

Meanwhile, a different conversation took place nearby.

"Hey, Petra, what do you think they'll reward us with for this mission? I mean, I took down six titans!" Oluo boasted, grinning.

Petra chuckled softly. "I don't know, Oluo. Maybe the same as last time?"

Oluo pressed on, seemingly oblivious to the teasing tone in her voice. Ryo couldn't help but notice how Oluo's exaggerated demeanor resembled Captain Levi's, albeit poorly executed. It didn't take much to guess why—Oluo clearly admired Petra and thought imitating Levi might win her over. Yet Ryo silently shook his head. Wasn't this strategy only making Petra think more highly of Levi? A counterproductive effort, to say the least.

As the conversation shifted to potential rewards, Petra mentioned the 51st expedition. "Last time, we were rewarded for securing supply points. It wasn't easy, but it laid the groundwork for future missions. This time, though... we didn't achieve our objective, so who knows?"

Oluo's enthusiasm waned, especially when he glanced at Ryo. He grumbled inwardly. With 22 titan kills under Ryo's belt, the newcomer would likely claim the lion's share of any reward.

"Don't be too excited just yet," Eld interjected, his tone serious, which drew everyone's attention.

"Why not?" Mikasa asked, her interest piqued. She had performed admirably, taking down five titans. The thought of a reward excited her; it would allow her to bring back supplies for Eren and Armin.

Eld's gaze swept across the group before resting on the streets ahead. "There are soldiers watching us," he said gravely.

Ryo's eyes narrowed as he followed Eld's line of sight. The crowd lining the streets within the Sina Wall's special zone appeared festive, but among them were individuals who seemed out of place. Their stiff movements and observant gazes were unmistakable signs of soldiers in disguise.

"Military Police?" Levi asked, his voice calm but laced with an edge.

Eld nodded. "Most likely. This is their territory, after all. The garrison stays outside the wall, and only the Military Police operate within."

Mikasa frowned. "Are they... spying on us?"

"Spying or worse," Eld muttered. His eyes darted to the rooftops. "If they have any ill intent, those rooftops are the perfect vantage points for an ambush."

The air grew heavy. Even Hanji, who had been daydreaming earlier, fell silent, her usual carefree demeanor replaced with a calculating expression.

Ryo's grip on his reins tightened. The Royal City, far from being the beacon of civilization it claimed to be, harbored shadows even darker than the titans outside the walls. Here, humanity's true enemy wasn't just titans—it was the corruption that festered within.