This chapter opens with a soliloquy by the commander of the corps. He tells the audience that the walls will soon fall into chaos, but that he will make a public announcement of the results of the survey. He says that he and his men will return the memories of the people who lived in the city before the walls were built. He adds that he is proud of his men for their efforts. The commander then asks the audience to imagine that the next time the corps survey is conducted, the results will be better than they are now. He explains that the purpose of the surveys is to let the people decide what should be done with the information they receive. He also says that the citizens are in the same situation as he is, but they have not been able to control themselves. He then asks if the commander has tried to stop erwin and his son from joining the army. He replies that he does not know why the army picked armin, but he does know that the decision was made out of an irrational fear. The captain then asks what the future holds for him. He is sure that his only purpose in life is to be an expendable piece of paper. He asks if he has seen the future yet. He describes the snow fields on the sand and the salt water beyond the walls. He has come from the city, and his wife and children have been eaten before him. The day has come for the corps to survey the city. He and his troops will go beyond the wall. He