57th Exterior Scouting Mission

Lore & Background

The true horror of the mission unfolded when it became clear that human betrayal was at play. A member of the Survey Corps had secretly aligned with the enemy, allowing the Colossal and Armored Titans to breach Wall Rose from within. This double blow forced an immediate and chaotic retreat, abandoning the reclamation goals entirely. The aftermath left the Corps decimated, with many beloved veterans lost forever, and shifted the narrative focus toward internal paranoia and the hunt for a traitor hidden among their own ranks.

In Their Own Story

The wind howled through the skeletal remains of Stohess District, carrying the scent of ash and old blood. Levi Ackerman adjusted his gear, his eyes scanning the foggy ruins where the Armored Titan had last been seen. The silence was heavy, broken only by the rhythmic thud of ODM gear cables snapping against stone. Suddenly, a roar erupted from the mist—not the mindless screech of a normal Titan, but a calculated, terrifying sound that signaled intelligence behind the eyes. In an instant, the ground shook as the Colossal Titan emerged from the haze, its steam billowing like a funeral shroud, and the dream of reclaiming their home turned into a nightmare of survival.

Reader's Guide

The arc begins with the Survey Corps launching a massive expedition to reclaim territory beyond Wall Maria. The group advances toward Stohess District, facing standard Titans with improved coordination. Suddenly, the Armored Titan appears, destroying the vanguard and forcing a tactical retreat. Simultaneously, the Colossal Titan breaches Wall Rose from the inside, revealing a traitor within the ranks who allowed the enemy entry. The mission collapses into chaos as soldiers attempt to escape while fending off both external Titans and internal sabotage. The Corps is forced to abandon their objectives and flee back toward the walls under heavy fire. In the aftermath, the surviving members regroup in disarray. The failure leads to a period of intense investigation within the military to identify the traitor, setting the stage for future conflicts involving the Female Titan.

Did You Know?

• This mission marked the first time humanity encountered the Armored Titan, revealing that not all Titans were defenseless against blades.
• The breach of Wall Rose during this event was caused by a human traitor rather than a direct assault from outside.
• Many veteran members of the Survey Corps who had survived previous expeditions lost their lives during this specific mission.
• The failure of this expedition directly led to the formation of the Special Operations Squad to hunt down the traitor.