Chapter 28

Turning her gaze all over the place, Seryu looked preoccupied as she held Koro in her arms. Walking behind Caruma and Wendy, the soldier had been taken to the poor streets of the capital, where, according to her, all the villains of the city were together.

However, until now, only beggars as well as people "dressed" with rags could be seen. As for the dwellings, many threatened to collapse while the majority were only a collection of pieces of sheet metal which certainly did not provide any comfort.

However, what surprised him most was that no man in uniform had been seen so far.

" Where are the guards? "

" The guards ? " Caruma repeated! " What guards? There is none here! "

" Huh ? What are you saying ? Many guards are responsible for ensuring the security of poor neighborhoods! "

" Oh ! Them? They are all gathered in the same place: the prostitutes' district! With a little persuasion, they can have fun with several women! Otherwise, in the other districts, they never come! This is why rape and murder can be committed with impunity! "

" What? You're saying nonsense ! " Roared Seryu.

" In this case, I challenge you to find any guard here! I'll be willing to bet my life that you won't be able to find one! "

" She's right, Seryu! " Said Wendy! " I have been here before! And no guard takes care of the surveillance of this place! "

" Huh ? " Wondered Seryu! " But why didn't you tell me earlier? "

" Because you would have persisted in saying the opposite, as you just did! "

Preparing to counter this, Seryu then felt looked at. Turning her head in one direction, she saw two men whispering between them, while pointing at her. And when she looked in another direction, a woman crouched down to grab her children, before taking them inside her home.

" What do they all have to look at me like that? "

" You're famous here! Caruma suddenly told him, without daring to look at her! We even talk about you a lot more often than Esdeath! "

" Ah yes ? " Asked Seryu, starting to smile! " My justice is even recognized here? "

" Yes ! But unfortunately, not for the better! Here, we call you "Seryu, the psychopath of death"! Lots of people want to kill you! "

It didn't take more for Seryu to stop walking, before glancing at Caruma in disbelief.

" The what? They want to ... kill me? But why ? It's because I'm a vigilante, right? And that all these people are only evil? "

" Where do you see the evil here? " Asked Wendy, watching several people beg without seeing the slightest piece fall at their feet! " These people are victims! Victims of the inequality of this empire! Their taxes are only intended to give more money to the rich, who do not even know what to do with it! "

" This is indeed the case! " Caruma assured! " Here, the guards leave us every time a murder is committed! However, they are always on time to tax us! "

Then fixing a completely destroyed "house", she said.

" The man who lived there was over eighty years old and had become disabled! Suffice to say that had no way of being able to work to earn anything! Understanding that he could not pay, the soldiers took pleasure in destroying his house, while the man was tied up inside! It would not be surprising if his body was still under the rubble!

Hearing this, Wendy gritted her teeth, before ordering.

" Continue to walk! Otherwise, I feel that I would turn around to see these "brave" soldiers myself! "

However, while she and Caruma resumed their steps, Seryu stood in front of the rubble, trying to understand what Caruma had just said.

" It's impossible ! She lies ! Justice would never allow soldiers to behave like this! Yes, justice always helps the innocents ! "

Suddenly groaning, Koro sent her back in time to see a group of men in front of her.

" That … ? "

" What are you doing here, dirty monster? " Roared someone.

" You're looking for confusion, is that it? Get out right away! "

" We don't want you here! Disappear! "

Grunting immediately, Seryu exclaimed.

" Who do you think you are? Do you at least know who I am? "

" Yeah, the bitch who killed my brother! "

" The one who killed my daughter! "

" The monster that killed the rest of my family! "

" You are our worst nightmare! "

Hearing this, Seryu could not hide his surprise, while other people left their homes, to start surrounding Seryu.

" What is she doing here? How dare she? "

" This bitch deserves only death! "

" You die elsewhere, you dirty dog! "

" Grrr! Bunch of ungrateful! " Yelled Seryu!" I am the justice! I am the one who is in charge of helping and protecting you! I am … ! "

A stone hit her in the face. Being too preoccupied with what was happening, Seryu received her in the face and immediately felt a wound form on his forehead.

" We protect us? Are you kidding us? "

" You let the rich rob us and you exterminate us like vermin when we want to rob to eat! You're just a dirty monster! "

" You say you represent justice? Tsss, you make me want to throw up! The simple fact that you breathe is a crime, you dirty bitch! "

" You are just a monster and you will always remain one! "

Listening to them, Seryu's eyes widened, as voices were heard in his head.

'' They're lying Seryu! You are not evil ! They are the bad guys! ''

'' They don't deserve to live! ''

"You have to kill them, Seryu! ''

Suddenly gritting his teeth, while a horrible migraine was felt, Seryu clapped his hands over his head while uttering a cry of pain.

_Monster? … Dead ? … Justice…?

Chirping several words, she suddenly calmed down, before staring at the people in front of her, with a murderous look.

" I will massacre you all! KORO! "

Immediately people started to back away, while Koro assumed the appearance of a juggernaut just behind her. Seeing the fear on their faces, Seryu smiled grimly, before ordering.

" Go ahead, Koro! Devour them! "

It did not take more for the dog to run towards people who could barely make a gesture.

" NOOOOO! "

Suddenly hitting the ground, a tornado of wind lifted everyone, throwing the people behind as well as Koro towards Seryu. Astonished, the latter was even more when Wendy grabbed her arm before pulling her to force her to run.

" That … ? "

" Hurry up to come! " Wendy ordered.

Getting up with difficulty, the other people groaned a little, before noticing that Seryu was nowhere.

" Hein? Where did she go? "

Seeing Wendy and Seryu running towards her, Caruma exclaimed.

" Hey, where were you? "

" Beating the vermin! " Seryu assured.

For the second time since their meeting, Wendy could not hold back while listening to Seryu's words. Caruma immediately seemed surprised to see her slap her friend, while exclaiming:

" There's fed up, Seryu! "

" But what … ? "

" The people here only want help! Stop considering them as bandits when they are not! Some steal food, it's true! But that doesn't mean they are bad either! "

" Grrr! Did you at least hear what they said about me? They called me a monster! "

" Well, for me, I sometimes wonder if you don't have one! "

Stunned, Seryu stared at her, without saying anything, while Wendy continued.

" You were ready to kill Caruma, before you even knew it was her! She could very well have been a simple person wanting to admire you fighting! But you jumped straight to the conclusion! Seryu, what you were about to commit would have been cold blooded murder! "

" But… she doesn't respect justice! "

" Shut up ! " Wendy ordered him, starting to leave! " I'm tired of hearing you repeat the word "justice" when you don't know what it is! Caruma, here we go! "

Surprised, the latter watched Wendy go away, while leaving Seryu behind.

" Wen ... Wendy? "

Finally, Caruma ends up following Wendy before asking her:

" You ... Do you really want to leave her alone here? "

" Let her do what she wants! I'm tired of his behavior! "

However, hearing footsteps behind her, Wendy quickly understood that Seryu had decided to follow them, while keeping.

Smoking a pipe, an old black-skinned man threw smoke into the sky. Around him, barely dressed children were playing with what they had, that is, pieces of wood, pebbles or one or two broken toys that they could have found, while people were striving to consolidate the set of debris that served as their homes.

Hearing footsteps, the dean of the group ends up exclaiming.

" Good morning, Caruma! "

" Hello, Niks-san ! I came to see you today! "

" Hum? And who is this child next to you? " He wanted to know when he saw Wendy.

" But this little girl! " Exclaimed a man! " She's one of the Jaegers! Wendy Marvell! "

" And behind, there is…! " Began a woman.

Recognizing Seryu, several men positioned themselves in front of the women and children, while pointing at stones or wooden stakes in front of them.

" What is this monster doing here? "

" Calm down ! " Cried Caruma " ! " I brought him here! "

" What took you to do that? " Wanted to know Niks, while dropping his pipe at his feet! " Don't you know what this girl is capable of? She could massacre us on a whim! "

" She will do you nothing! " Promised Wendy, staring at Seryu! " I promise to protect you! "

" What have you come to do here? We didn't do anything wrong and we managed to pay our taxes this month! "

" They came to investigate the death of the young girls! " Caruma explained to them.

" Huh ? Why would two Jaegers take care of this story? "

" Children's bodies have been found in the slightly better-off neighborhoods! " Wendy explained to them! " Suddenly, the imperial guard asked us if we would help them! "

" Oh, I understand! " Raged a man! " Here, our children are massacred and nobody moves a finger to come and arrest this murderer! But as soon as it affects the wealthy, the special police are there immediately! Bunch of dirty dogs! You don't care about our living conditions, do you? "

" No, that's not true … ! " Started Wendy.

" Don't say otherwise! " Retorted a woman! " Even before the murders of these children, many of us suddenly disappeared! In recent weeks, several hundred poor people have suddenly disappeared, without the police doing anything! "

" What… what are you talking about? Hundreds of people have disappeared? "

" Yeah! The murders of the little girls started two weeks ago! As for these other disappearances, they started more than a month ago! It is now impossible for us to be able to close our eyes at night without being afraid of being killed! "

" But, of course, it's not the same thing when a noble is concerned! No sooner is he insulted than the guards are there to arrest the one who called him an idiot! "

" That's why we hate you, the capital's police! You pretend to care about us but you drop us at the first problem! "

" What dare you say? " Roared Seryu.

Stepping towards them, she was immediately stopped by Wendy, who positioned an arm in front of her. Then immediately she exclaimed.

" I beg you ! "

Staring at Niks and the others, before her, Wendy said.

" I understand your anger! I myself am disgusted by the functioning of this Empire! And I would so much like to change that! And yet … ! "

Clenching her fist in frustration, she exclaimed.

" I am unable! For now, I still can't do it! But one day, I will get there! I promise you! "

Looking at Niks with conviction, she continued.

" Until there, you must survive! One of you must not decide to give up! There is no question of letting other people die! "

Crouching before them, she then begged.

" So please, help us! If you know anything about the killer's identity, tell me! It is not a question of the rich or the poor in this matter! These are little girls! Several of them were barely five years old! They have nothing to do with the situation of the capital! So, I implore you, help us to be able to save the ones that are left! I beg you ! "

" Wendy? " Seryu wondered, seeing her do it.

Seeing her do it, several people began to look at each other, not knowing what to do from now on. For them, it was the first time that a soldier had asked them for help in this way. Still, Niks asked.

" Do you promise? "

" Huh ? "

" If we help you, do you promise to be able to change the Capital! Do you promise to make all those bastards who think only of them disappear? That we could finally live somewhere other than in slums? "

" I promise you ! " Assured Wedny, with a voice filled with conviction! " I promise you about my life! "

Seeing him challenge him for several seconds, Niks ends up smiling a little, before sitting back on his wooden chair.

" If Caruma had only taken the other girl, I would never have thought of helping her! However, you seem different! "

Picking up his pipe, he mumbled.

" Kalgon! "

" Kalgon? " Repeated Wendy.

" This is the name of an imposing old man, who spends his time wandering around these neighborhoods! He is almost blind and claims to be able to distinguish only the nothingness that composes these places! Nevertheless, a few days ago, he came here, while declaring that he wanted to find a light, before screaming that the girl with a pure heart would be returned! And just then, he got the start of this wave of murders! "

" I am afraid of having trouble understanding! "

" Kalgon is a former soldier with serious mental problems! A few years ago, he received a bullet which lodged near his brain! It is precisely because of this that he almost lost his sight and this degraded his brain so that he himself believed to see only the evil around him! Since then, he has only been looking for one thing: a source of light! And he has already said that he would do anything to get it! So imagine that this light source is a child but that Kalgon unable to recognize it, what will he do? "

" The kidnap them! " Suddenly muttered Seryu! " Kidnap little girls to hear their voices and try to see the light in them! But, mad as he is, he then kills bad children, in frustration! "

" Exact ! This is just a guess, but it may have something to do with it! "

" Where is he ? " Wanted to know Wendy.

" There's an old warehouse over there! " Niks told him, pointing to a direction! " His refuge is there! "

" In this case, you have to go quickly! "

Nevertheless Seryu stopped Wedny, grabbing her by the arm, while staring at Niks.

" A minute, something is wrong! If you had any doubts, since all this time, why have you done nothing to go see this man and find out if he is really guilty? "

" Kalgon is no ordinary man! It has a teigu! "

" A what ? "

Feeling something fall on his head, Bols ends up lifting his face to the sky, while declaring, it begins to rain.

" We've been walking all afternoon without finding anything! " Kurome noticed.

" It's frustrating ! " angred Wave! " I have the impression of not being used for nothing! "

" Calm yourself, Wave! " Advised Bols! " Getting angry will be useless! Our man did nothing today because of the presence of soldiers everywhere in town! This is already good news! Especially that … ! "

" BOLS! "

" Hum? " Said the trio, then turning around.

Running towards them, Kije could be seen, her face in tears, while she exclaimed to her husband:

" Help me, please! I can't find Logue! "

" What? Logue? What do you mean ? "

" She went to get bread, two hours ago! And since she hadn't come back, I went to get her! And I found this not far from the bakery! "

Then showing the object, she allowed her husband to see the pink backpack that her daughter used to have on her back, when she went alone outside.

" She has disappeared, Bols! If it is, she was kidnapped! "

Immediately, the gaze of the trio showed a state of shock, understanding what had just happened.

" No that's not true ! " Wave started.

" And yet, it is! " Kurome said.

Hearing them without understanding what they were saying, Kije ends up seeing Bols contract the muscles of his fists while asking him.

" Kije, show me where you found the bag! You have to know everything where she was then taken! "

" What ... Do you know what's going on? "

" No time to explain yourself! You have to start looking for it right away! "

Opening the door of an old warehouse, Kalgon ends up placing Logue in front of him, while closing the door just after.

" Here is your new home, my light! "

Turning around, he was surprised to hear Logue cry when he could see her sobbing with tears.

" Who has my light? Is this the place that scares you? Sorry, but it is not possible to have electricity here! But don't worry, whatever happens, I'll be there to protect you! "

Seeing him take a step towards her, Logue immediately backed away, before tripping over something. Falling then, it fell on a strange soft mass, which made it possible to absorb its fall.

" That … ? " She wondered, having the impression of touching hair.

Watching what she was crushing, she couldn't help but utter a huge cry of panic, while the face of a corpse could be seen below her. Getting up immediately, she then drew back from the body, to touch a new one.

Letting out a new cry, she then looked around, to see several dozen bodies, covering the floor of the warehouse, all belonging to girls her age.

Seeing this, she immediately fell on her knees, crying and trembling with terror.

" Mom ! Dad ! Come get me ! I want to go home ! "

" Why come back? " Wanted to know Kalgon! " The capital is just a bunch of nothing! There is only here, in this warehouse, that there is no darkness! Yes, your presence will drive them away and your light will allow me to see again! "

Not understanding what he wanted from her, Logue asked him.

" You ... Are you going to kill me? "

" Kill you ? No of course not ! All these girls were just demons! You are an angel! You are my angel ! We will live together and happy now! "

Crouching down next to Logue, he asked.

" What is your name ? "

" I ... I ... Logue ! "

_" Logue! Oh, what a pretty first name! "

Suddenly, the sound of a breath was heard. Coughing then, one of the girls in the warehouse put his hand on her throat, while immense pain could be felt. Having strangled him a few hours ago, Kalgon noticed that he had not finished this child, as he hoped.

Stopping to cough, the latter saw the man not far from her and immediately began to move back to the other end of the warehouse as best she could.

" Don't come near me! Don't come near me! "

Standing up, Kalgon said to Logue.

" Don't move, my light! I'll take care of this demon! "

Immediately, Logue saw him walk towards the other little girl, who tried in vain to flee. Grabbing him by the hair, the man then uttered a cry before smashing the child's head against a wall, destroying his skull.

Seeing this, Logue stood still, eyes wide, even forgetting to breathe. Grinning, Kalgon returned to her, his hands covered in blood.

" Here, my light, this demon is now dead! "

Then placing his hand full of blood on his hair, he began to caress it while declaring.

" You're mine now! "

Landing on the roof of a building, Run shook his hair a little, while a heavy rain fell on him.

" Hell! This will not facilitate research! Hope the others were luckier than me! "

Preparing to resume flight, the man then heard a funny noise. Looking down, he saw a young man pushing a wheelbarrow containing a big bag, while grumbling.

" It begins to annoy me the Kalgon! Take this body! Drop off here! Drop it there! Who does he take me for? At least I hope he will pay me well for this work! "

Stopping the wheelbarrow, he took the bag from it and opened it. Then shaking him, he dropped the body of a child at his feet, without the slightest delicacy.

" One more and that will make twenty bodies! " Noticed the man, turning around.

Suddenly jumping, he saw Run, right in front of him, with a broad smile on his face.

" What … ? "

" Hello ! I see you have something there that might interest me! "

" Who ... Who are you? Wait, you're that guy ... Run, Jaegers! "

" Indeed ! " Affirmed Run, continuing to smile at him! " You see, there are few things that make me angry, like for example, the fact that we make noise when I want to drink my tea in peace! Unfortunately for you…! "

Ceasing to smile, he spread his wings, while exclaiming.

" Killing children is what makes me the most furious! "

" W… Wait! It was not I who killed them! I'm just in charge of depositing the bodies everywhere! The murderer pays me for it! "

" In that case, tell me right away who the killer is! "

" If I speak, I want total immunity! "

Grabbing him by the throat, Run roared.

" If you speak right away, you may be able to avoid a stay in the torture room, which is already good for junk like you! But if you decide to shut up, I'll let Esdeath take care of your case herself! Tell me where Champ is! "

" Champ? Who is it ? The killer's name is Kalgon! Yes, it was Kalgon who killed these children! I did nothing! "

" Kalgon? " Wondered Run! " Who is Kalgon? "

Running towards the abandoned warehouse, Caruma said:

" It is a chance ! In the end, Niks helped us a lot! "

" If what he said is true, and if Kalgon is really responsible for all this, he will have been of great help! " Approved Wendy! " And you too, Caruma! Thank you for everything ! "

" Why do you actually help us? " Asked Seryu! " Until proven otherwise, we are not friends! So why ? It's like the time you stayed close to me to treat my head injury! Why did you do this when my goal was to kill you? "

" Why did you spare me that day? " Suddenly asked Caruma.

" I… I have no idea! "

" Well, me too! Let's say that I quickly realized that you needed help! This is surely why I did it! And for my reason of helping you, I think I feel indebted to you, for having saved me! That's all ! And if my help allows you to stop seeing me as a criminal, I'm happy to do it! "

Unbelieving her ears, Seryu couldn't help but feel a new conflict in her head, as several voices fought to try to find out if what this girl was saying was true or not.

Finally, it was a simple whisper, that she said.

" Thank you ! "

" Huh ? "

" No, nothing, forget it! "

Listening much better than Caruma, Wendy smiled a little when he noticed that Seryu seemed to have removed some of his hostility towards Caruma.

"Is she understanding? To understand that poor people do not represent the evil of society? "