Chapter 06 - The First Expedition

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The fall of Wall Aya led to a crisis in arranging new homes for the refugees. Wall Emi had a population of about 2 million people, and Wall Suzuko had 1.2 million people. The number of Wall Aya refugees is more than two million - too many for both Walls to accommodate. This led to massive food shortages as the resources required to help these people are limited.

Things got worse. Three months after the fall of Wall Aya, a massive plague spread throughout the human territories. The plague killed more than 6300 people; it still continues to take more lives. At the same time, starvation had become a major problem. Food and supplies decreased and the fields have begun losing their fertility with the coming of winter.

In response to these crisis, the Central Government had realized that there are not enough resources to feed all the refugees nor do they have enough land to accommodate every refugee. They decided to enforce new, stricter, immigration laws that would limit the number of people from entering Wall Suzuko, whilst at the same time trying to give as much space available for these refugees - the homeless are either sent to live in houses that have been converted into inns or apartments, live in farm lands that are forcefully converted into house properties, live in areas once habited by heavy forests that have been cut down for additional space, or they get sent to places such as the Underground District (located beneath Wall Suzuko).

But there is one project that stood out - an Expedition to retake Wall Aya. It is called Expedition One.

The Queen of the Central Government, Nori Kurosawa, approved the proposal to send about 400,000 troops - most of them civilians - outside Wall Emi to retake Wall Aya from the Alpacas. They will be assisted and led by veteran volunteers from the three Corps: UTX Police, Uranohoshi Guards, and Love Live Legionnaires.

Training for the recruits lasted for only about a week. Most of the recruits are given training in horse riding, gunnery, and artillery as these are the only anti-Alpaca methods currently available that an average civilian could learn beforehand. Learning to use 3DMG is not taught due to it's complex and demanding requirements - almost every recruit is not qualified to use one.

Though most of the recruits are volunteers, some of them are forced to volunteer for a seemingly hopeless operation.

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"Remember Kanan. We joined this Expedition because we need to get our land back. All we need to do is to stay alive and get back inside safely."

A farmer with dark hair is one of those "volunteers". Shinzo Matsuura and his family are one of many farming families in Wall Emi forced by the UTX Military Police to participate when the Police seized their farm lands, reasoning that they will provide shelter for more evacuees.

Besides the lack of space, the Matsuuras had a reputation for being prominent archers, hunters, and farmers in the northern region of Wall Emi. Therefore, their skills were considered valuable for the Expedition, as most people had little training. Plus, archery takes years of training - most Expeditionaries were taught how to use a gun at the very least.

Two Matsuuras joined this Expedition: the father and his daughter. Both are farmers and hunters experienced in the use of a bow.

KANAN'S POV

I just rode on horseback, feeling nothing but anxiety for my life and my dad's life. We had no choice. Riding through a crowd looking at us for hope, I could not avoid feeling scared for the Alpacas that we are about to face. They are giant, almost invincible creatures that some claim are gods. Of course I am terrified. But my dad is the reason I joined this horrific operation anyway.

Most of the people with me right now come in all ages. Most of them come from poor backgrounds. Others are from the middle class.

Everyone prepared to set off. The gate is about to open. I just looked at my dad, a brave amd noble man. Everyone else is too worried to pay attention. I could hear their conversations.

"I am scared, Tsubasa....."

"I am scared too, Yuuki. But we came here to help mankind, right?"

"We also came here knowing that we may never get back inside alive."

"Be more optimistic, Erena!!"

There are three girls besides me. It looked like they are graduates from Love Live Corps. I bet they came here thinking this Expedition is gonna be a decisive gamble to help mankind.

Speaking of Love Live Corps, there are not much of them. Most of our officials are either from Garrison or Military Police. It seemed the Legionnaires are still too embarassed to take part after their previous failures.

I heard that a girl about my age named Eri Ayase is with us right now. Also a new graduate, she is said to be a capable fighter.

Soon, everyone is given the signal.

"Expedition One begins!! Everyone, Go!!!"

The Expedition took off. 400,000 of us rode outside the Walls to begin the operation. Everyone readied their bows, guns, and whatever weapon they had.

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(Wall Suzuko. Inside one of the Royal Palace's rooms.)

"My family is working really hard to produce as many Maneuver Gears as possible. I think that is the only contribution we could give for mankind right now."

Two girls started a serious conversation. Both of them are aristocrats.

DIA'S POV

I am Dia Kurosawa. 10 years old. Daughter and first princess of my mom, the current Queen of Mankind. I am engaging in a serious talk with a friend - Mari Ohara, daughter of the powerful Ohara family that currently operates a business of building 3D Maneuver Gears.

"Sadly, my dad said that the metals needed to build the weapons are still limited within the area inside Wall Suzuko. The company is trying it's best to export these metals to more areas around Wall Emi."

"Well, the Expedition is led by some elite soldiers. I am sure everything is alright!", I replied with pride. I have heard of the bravery and strength these soldiers. I thought how awesome they are. But Mari got a little nervous when I sounded too optimistic about the Expedition's capabilities.

"Dia, do you have faith in the Expedition?"

"Of course I do!!"

"My mom, the Queen, had no choice anyway. She had to approve the Expedition when the proposal was presented to her. She had to sign it - she could do otherwise."

It may seem strange for kids like us to be talking about stuffs like this. It is because of the fact that I am a princess of the royal family and that Mari is a noble - we had access to news articles, advisors, and important characters who supply us with this information.

"I dunno, Dia....it looks like this Expedition thing was a forced proposal. Like she was forced by the Council to approve it against her will."

"Desperate times mean desperate measures, Mari."

"But what if a measure seems too desperate to be done in the first place?"

Silence flew across the room. Mari looked really uncertain with how things are going.

"Sorry, but I have a BAD FEELING about this...."

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