Chapter 40

Putting a skewer of meat in his mouth, Natsu began to tremble with joy, while an explosion of flavors was felt in his mouth.

" Wow, it's too good! Another one, like this one! " He ordered from a seller! " And I would also take a burger! As well as half a dozen beefsteak! "

Seeing him fill his stomach when he was in a market in Kyoroch, Gajeel sighed.

" Dude, we're supposed to do something other than eat! "

" Hum? " Said Natsu, while he swallowed what he had in his mouth! " Oh come on, relax! It is the first time that we are in a city besides the capital! Here everything has a different smell and foreign food has always interested me! "

Sniffing again, he ends up going to another stand while declaring.

" Miam, it smells like kebab! "

Seeing him do it, Gajeel said.

" The next time, I put a leash around his neck! "

Laughing, meanwhile, Chelsea removed the big hat she had put on her head, while asserting.

" Sincerely, his unconsciousness is what makes his charm! "

" He is not unconscious! He's just stupid! " Gajeel growled, making sure not to lose sight of Natsu.

Chuckling again, Chelsea ends up sitting on a wooden crate, while asserting.

" A pity that Happy and Lily did not come! I love to cuddle them! "

" They stayed at the base to keep an eye on Bols! " Asserted Gajeel! " There was no question of leaving him alone or taking him with us! If he doesn't have his teigu, Lily can easily beat him, if he tries to escape! As for Happy,… he stayed to keep Lily company! "

Hearing it, Chelsea noticed.

" It was you who wanted Lily to stay there, right? Why that ? "

This time, Gajeel remained silent.

'' Spear's death continues to haunt you, doesn't it? And now you're afraid Lily will do the same, right? "

" Mind your own business ! " Gajeel growled.

Chuckling again, Chelsea realized that she had hit the nail on the head. Getting ready to say more, she ended up being silent, the instant she felt herself observed.

"Mmmh, from my experience, I doubt that only the Jaegers are here! I have to keep an eye out! "

" What? " Said Gajeel! " Wait, why did you have the right to a fight and not us? "

" What are you kidding there? " Roared Lubbock, while Susanoo treated an arm injury! " Is it a miracle that I'm alive after this fight against these two demons and that's all you can say? These guys were super big, too! I almost died! "

" Exactly ! I would have appreciated fighting them! "

" Yeah, next time, let us know! " Said Natsu, cracking his knuckles.

" I will kick your butt, yes! "

" Everyone is calm! " Ordered Najenda! " Thanks to the work of Akame and Lubbock, the demons of Rakshasa are almost all dead! Therefore, we can continue our espionage and find the right moment to attack! For tonight's teams, Tatsumi will patrol with Mine; just like Gajeel with Chelsea! Lubbock, you will stay here, while Akame, you will come with me! Leone and Susanoo, I would ask you again to dig galleries under the temple, this evening! "

" What? Why am I still with this pest? " Roared Gajeel.

" Hey, it's not very nice! " Said Chelsea, winking at her! " Do I understand that even your primate brain has trouble staying focused because of my beauty? "

" Who is the primate? "

" What did I say about teamwork? " Roared Najenda.

" Sorry, boss! "

" Damn it ! " Said Mine, removing the disguise she wore! " Why do I always have to dress up? It's so annoying! "

" No choice ! It's either that, or we get slaughtered! " Tatsumi noticed! " Our spies die one by one, so we have to replace them! "

Then relaxing his legs, he breathed a sigh of relief, while looking at the ruins all around them.

" At least, here, we will have peace for a little while! "

But that was without counting many rumors worthy of bombing.

" JUSTICE VOLLEY FIRE! "

" Hein? " Said the couple.

Exploding numerous warheads destroying their hiding place in an instant.

" INCURSIO! "

Immediately invoking his armor, to gain strength and power, Tatsumi then grabbed Mine and fled out of their shelter while the latter collapsed all around.

" Damn it, but what's going on? " Wanted to know Mine.

" This attack… It's Seryu! "

" Se ... Seryu? " Roared Mine.

Finally gaining height, Tatsumi placed Mine near him, while Seryu's voice roared in the distance.

" Members of Night Raid, in the name of Justice, I will take care of your case myself! "

" It's Seryu! " Spat Mine, putting his portable device over his eye.

" Wendy is with her? "

" No, I don't see it! On the other hand … ! "

Suddenly turning her gaze, she cried out.

" I see the last demon of Rakshasa fleeing there! Surely to seek reinforcements! "

" What? In this case, let us also retreat! We will never have time to beat this girl and pursue the second one before she finds help! "

" Not if we separate! " Assured Mine! " I'm taking care of Seryu! "

" What? But … ? "

" If Sheele is still in a coma, it's because of her! " Asserted Mine! " Everyday I keep hoping that she can open her eyes again and that I can see her smile, but it is becoming more and more certain that this moment will never come! "

Grinding her teeth, she turned her weapon towards the place where Seryu was, while asserting.

" I would avenge Sheele, be sure! "

Seeing her do so, Tatsumi finally nodded, before jumping into space.

" Okay ! But you better come back alive! "

" Don't worry, that was my intention! "

Then firing towards her, a huge missile threatened to destroy her and the cliff where she was. Immediately firing at the weapon, Mine was able to destroy it, creating a powerful explosion that blurred his sight for a few moments.

Taking advantage of this, Seryu used a grappling hook and let herself be pulled until she found herself in front of the pink haired girl.

" Well, well, isn't that an old acquaintance? Your glasses girlfriend isn't here to help you this time? Oh, I forgot that she is dead! "

Hearing him chuckle at his own remark, Mine felt his rage bubbling inside her. However, instead of being foolishly carried away by her anger, she managed to calm down, while declaring.

" Sorry to tell you, but Sheele is still alive! "

" What? " Cried Seryu immediately, losing her smile.

" You just knocked him out, poor idiot! " Mine informed him, aiming her with his weapon! " And you, then, where is your precious partner? "

" Mmmh? Wendy? Oh, you mean the one who worked for Night Raid, while spying? "

Unable to hide his surprise, Mine finally cried out.

" Where is she? "

" Who knows ? " Said Seryu with a dismal smile! " Perhaps she is already dead! "

" Dirty Bastard ! I'm going to kill you for good! "

Perceiving different noises, thanks to his overdeveloped hearing, Gajeel turned his gaze in a particular direction, before affirming.

" There is a fight not far from here! "

" This is the area where Mine and Tatsumi went! " Noticed Chelsea.

" Tsss! " Said Gajeel! " Missing more than that ! I go ! You go and warn the others! "

Spreading his nails, Suzuka amused herself by trying to pierce Tatsumi, while the latter jumped in all directions to avoid his attacks. And even while wearing Incursio, the demon's repeated attacks managed to damage his defenses, forcing him to back off frequently.

" Well, what's going on with you? Didn't you come to prevent me from going for reinforcements? If it continues, it's your body that I would bring back to Esdeath-sama! "

" If you want good advice, don't do that after you have killed me! Esdeath could hurt your skin because of this! "

" Is that so ? " Said Suzuka, blushing! " Mmmh, it's pretty tempting! "

Then making her body lie down, she directed her right arm towards Tatsumi. Tilting his body to the side, the boy then directed his lance towards the elongated member. However, hitting him with all his might, he did not scratch him.

" What? "

" Idiot ! I can not only lengthen my limbs, but also harden my skin! If you don't use more power than that, I would have no trouble killing you!

Then running towards Tatsumi, she ends up charging, using her body like a cannon ball. Feeling his head hit his chest, Tatsumi vomited blood through his armor, while Suzuka began to bomb him with punches.

" So ? Is it painful? To tell the truth, I too want to know this pain! But nobody is powerful enough to offer it to me! In the end, if I beat you up properly, Esdeath-sama may punish me by torturing me personally! "

However, she backed away the instant Tatsumi's spear passed near his face.

" Never … ! " Roared the boy! " I would never give up again! So far, I haven't done much for my group! "

Pointing his gun at Suzuka he roared.

" I may still not be able to compete with a Jaeger! However, a second zone fighter like you can never defeat me! "

This time, irritated, Suzuka took a serious air, while affirming.

" Very well, if you have the last words, it's now or never! "

" Stop your sales pitch and come here to kill me! "

Not being asked, Suzuka rushed towards him again, in order to strike him in the most damaged part of his armor. However, compared to earlier, Tatsumi was ready.

"I've already seen your attack! "

Turning on itself, he placed the tip of his lance in the trajectory of Suzuka's race to disembowel it.

Chuckling in front of this, the woman then only needed to bend down to dodge her gesture, before passing between her legs. Once done, she turned to Tatsumi's back, ready to hit him.

" I've got you ! "

" IRON DRAGON'S SWORD ! "

Jumping back in time, Suzuka managed to dodge Gajeel's attack when the latter had just smelled the scent of the two fighters.

" Well, we seem to be having fun without me! "

" Gajeel? "

" Hum? Who are you ? A member of Night Raid, I imagine! Okay, be nice and wait your turn! As soon as I'm done with your friend, I'll take care of your case! "

Returning to attack position, Tatsumi saw Gajeel advancing towards Suzuka, however, while asserting.

" There is no question ! Right now, I really need to let off steam! And you will make the perfect punching bag! "

" Interesting! "

Suddenly running towards the man, she found herself in front of him and grabbed the coat he was wearing.

" I got you ! "

Immediately tightening its grip, she finally opened her mouth to let see her teeth grow longer. And before Gajeel could harden her skin, she managed to bite it at the neck.

Surprised by his speed, Gajeel could only howl in pain, while a stream of blood came out of his wound.

" GAJEEL ! " Cried Tatsumi, running to lend her a hand.

" Stay where you are! " Ordered the man! " I don't need your help! I will beat her alone! IRON DRAGON'S CLUB ! "

Transforming his arm into a metal column, Gajeel crashed into Suzuka's stomach with force. Feeling a sudden wave of pain, Suzuka let out a complaint of pain, without letting go.

Noticing this, Gajeel uttered a veritable war cry before stretching out his arm. Feeling moved back, Suzuka grabbed Gajeel's coat with more force. However, after a few seconds, tears were heard.

Leaving in tatters, the garment remained in the hands of the demon, while his teeth were removed from Gajeel's neck. Then propelled against a wall, it was banged against it violently and crossed it completely before crashing further.

" In your face ! " Gajeel chuckled, before pushing one knee to the ground, while holding his wound which was still bleeding.

An explosion propelled Mine below a cliff, and crashed violently against the ground. Wounded thus, the poor girl saw Seryu going down towards her, using a grapple.

" I will have you, dirty murderer! "

Nevertheless, shooting several times, Mine managed to touch his abdomen twice, causing him to spit blood.

" Your thirst for blood leaves too many openings, fool! "

" Bitch! " Roared Seryu, then leaning against the wall of the cliff.

Jumping in this way, she was followed by Koro, in Berseck mode, while the two of them rushed straight towards Mine. Taking guns, Seryu began to target her, while asserting.

" Now, you're going to die! It will teach you to underestimate the power of justice! "

" It's you who underestimates the strength of Night Raid! " Retorted Mine, pointing Pumpkin towards them.

" What? "

Seeing Mine's weapon loading, Seryu immediately emptied the magazines of his weapons in order to shoot him down. However, his bullets were completely destroyed, by the radius of Pumpkin when the latter was fully loaded.

Continuing on his way, the ray had no problem in slicing Koro, touching his vital nucleus with full force.

" KORO! " Horrified Seryu, while his teigu, now split into two parts, fell backwards.

" And it's not over ! " Roared Mine, performing a magnificent rotation of the hips ! DIIIIIEEEE !

Acting thus like the blade of a saber, the Ray of Pumpkin moved in turn, to head straight towards Seryu.

" Impossible ! " Thought the latter, while she was desperately trying to shoot Mine with her empty revolvers! " I lost ? I will die ? "

"Wendy! From now on, you will be responsible for obtaining new weapons! ''

Widening his eyes, Seryu suddenly remembered a gift a certain child had given him.

" It's over ! " Assured Mine.

However, his eyes could only widen the next second. Indeed, suddenly appearing under Seryu's feet, two air currents propelled her body higher in the sky. Thus effecting a real somersault, Seryu managed to pass in extremis above the attack of Mine, to dodge the latter.

"Did she avoid it?" Mine wondered, as his attack then stopped.

Stopping, too, the two air currents that had saved Seryu disappeared, letting the girl's body fall to the ground. Crushing against the hard surface, Seryu cried out in pain, as his abdominal wounds worsened. But, at least she was alive.

" Ho… How? " Wanted to know Mine! " What weapon did she use to escape my attack? "

" I finally used them! " Remarked Seryu, trying to straighten up! " Wendy's magic boosters! "

Seeing her begin to get up, Mine pointed Pumpkin towards her. However, no shot came out.

" Pumpkin is overheating! "

"Koro is damaged and I have no more balls!" Noticed Seryu! " No choice ! I will have to finish it with my bare hands! "

But as she took a step towards Mine, a violent squall was felt. First, it was only a light breeze. But, gradually, this became more and more powerful. At the very beginning, surprised, Seryu ends up arching her eyebrows, while recognizing this mysterious wind.

Then, a few moments later, a figure fell from the sky, gracefully, using the wind to slow its fall.

" So, you couldn't help coming ..., Wendy! "

Having suddenly appeared before Mine, Wendy was now facing Seryu with a most serious look.

" Wendy? " Wondered Mine.

Seeing what condition the two girls were in, Wendy said.

" It seems that I arrived on time! A little more and someone was going to die! "

Then staring at Seryu, she ordered him.

" Seryu, stop this fight immediately! It doesn't mean anything! "

" How does that '' mean nothing ''? Wanted to know the girl! I am fighting for justice!

Seeing Wendy continue to stare at her, she suddenly remembers her discussion with Caruma. Breathing in immediately, she tried to calm down a bit before finally saying.

" Listen to me, Wendy! In the team, no one but me knows that you are a spy! And even if I regret having to say it, it could be that you are some interesting skills! So if you help me beat this girl, I will do my best to get you back into the ranks of the Jaegers! "

Then trying her hand towards Wendy, she questioned him.

" You understand ? If you join me, I will forgive you immediately and tomorrow we will reform our super duo and ...! "

" In your dreams ! "

This simple sentence stopped Seryu while Wendy continued.

" Seryu, I would give anything to continue to be with you; to continue to be among the Jaegers! However, apart from Esdeath, none of you understand that you are turning towards a goal that will only bring suffering and unhappiness to the empire! Seryu, it's up to you to come to me, and join me! If you want to follow real justice and not the justice this disgusting Ogre taught you, we can create an empire where everyone will be happy! "

" Tsss! " Said Seryu immediately! " How dare you still insult Captain Ogre? He was one of the rare people to know what justice is! "

" Ah yes ? Because accepting bribes and condemning innocent people is justice for you? Because it's time you know he was doing it! "

" Shut up, these are lies! "

" Another thing, do you remember the mutants that we killed by the dozen in the forests surrounding the capital? Well, you probably don't know, but they were all men that Stylish had modified! He had no qualms about turning these people into monsters! "

" Shut up ! This is bullshit! "

" Seryu, there are many things you do not know about the capital and you have been so influenced that you are unable to see them! You went crazy because of this garbage! "

" But are you going to close it? " Roared Seryu! " I wanted to forgive you .. but there, you pushed the plug too far! I'm going to kill you, too! "

Knowing full well that their "discussion" was going to result in this, Wendy cried out.

" Mine, go away! "

" What? But … ? "

" Leave me there, please! It's a personal matter! "

Letting the wind surround her, she said.

" A case that I should have settled from the start! "

Spitting blood, Suzuka cleared her respiratory tract to breathe again.

" This guy, how did he dare? "

Then suddenly, smiling, she put her hand gently on her stomach, where Gajeel had hit him hard.

" That asshole made me suffer! He hurts me ! Oh yes ! It hurt me a lot ! But it's so good! That punch ... It was paradise! "

Still holding Gajeel's torn coat, she ends up curling up before sniffing the garment.

" Gajeel! Gajeel! GAJEEL-SAMA! " She cried.

Surrounding her fist with wind, Wendy then hit Seryu in the middle of her jaw. Unable to bite the bullet, his opponent took his attack before hitting it in turn with a mechanical fist.

Having to back away, Wendy then ran her hand to wipe the blood stream from her chin, before asking.

" Its good ! Did that calm you down? "

" Shut up ! " Roared Seryu, throwing him a multitude of punches! " You're just a dirty traitor! A rebel ! A criminal! How could I ever think of forgiving you? "

Taking a new punch, Wendy counterattacked in turn, and managed to strike her in the chin.

" It's you who is blind! The army which did nothing to prevent Kalgon from killing these children; poor neighborhoods; soldiers who take advantage of their posts to torment people ... you saw all this with your own eyes! What more do you need to understand that the empire is rotten from the inside? "

" Ah yeah, and what is your group doing, huh? " Asked Seryu, punching him in the nose! " You too are just killing people! If you call me a murderer, but you too are no better than me! You're a hypocrite! "

" Wait, is it the queen of hypocrites who dares to tell me that? "

Continuing to hit each other like this, the two girls hit each other's faces without thinking for a moment about protecting themselves. The only goal in the fight was to hit the other player as hard as possible to knock her down. It didn't take long for the two girls' faces to be damaged. However, neither of them planned to give up.

" You are only obstacles to supreme justice! " Roared Seryu, swinging his fist at Wendy! " I hate Night Raid just for that! "

Suddenly positioning her palm in front of Seryu's fist, Wendy managed to stop the latter. Then, then, his hair changed color, as it had happened in his fight against Kalgon. However, compared to that time, she remained perfectly calm, not letting rabies control her gestures.

" It's no longer a question of being in the Jaegers or Night Raid team ! Your madness has taken over; you do anything and you mix everything ... that's why I would defeat you! "

" Never ! Justice will never lose! " Seryu assured, brandishing his second fist! " Justice is invincible! "

Faster than hers, Wendy's fist hitting her right in the middle of the face. Feeling the latter being hammered, Seryu fell back. Immediately jumping over her, Wendy hit her on the stomach, while asserting.

" Our ideology is the same, we want peace to reign in the empire! But, compared to you, what I want is good for everyone, without the need to kill anyone! "

Spitting blood again, while crashing to the ground, Seryu felt Wendy sit astride her, while asserting.

" Justice cannot be led by a bloodshed who has no remorse for his crimes! "

Seeing her raise her fist to the face, Seryu closed her eyes. However, not feeling any pain, she ends up reopening them to see Wendy's fist stopped a few inches from her face.

" I won ! Give up Seryu! "

Then gnashing his teeth, Seryu then laughed hysterically, while asserting.

" Poor idiot! Justice will never lose against evil! Did you forget that I had one last weapon? "

Then wrapping her tongue around the pin she had in the back of her mouth, Seryu chuckled.

" You're going to die! You are going to die like the criminal you are! You will go to hell for your crimes and I ...! "

Suddenly she fell silent, feeling two drops of water fall on her face. Then stopping to smile, she saw Wendy start to sob.

" What should I do ? What should I do so that you understand it? "

Looking at Seryu, she cried.

" Seryu, all I want is to be your friend! "

" My ... friend ? "

" I never lied to you about this and even if I was about to kill you, I would continue to say it, I consider you as my friend, just like Natsu and Gajeel! I don't want us to be enemies and even less so that you die! I want to be with you ! I want to continue helping people! I want to continue visiting the children of the church! I want to continue to enjoy the joys of life by staying with you! "

Then clenching her fists, she begged.

" So please! Please ! Just once ! Only once! Open your eyes and understand that you're on the wrong track! Understand that I only want your good! Finally understand that what you are doing is in no way justice! "

Listening to him while having his tongue still his tongue around the pin, Seryu again felt his brain being overwhelmed with different voices. Some ordered him to pull the pin, while others told him otherwise. In the end, she cried.

" You just say that so as not to die! You don't care about me! "

Still, she fell silent again, feeling Wendy's arms wrap around her.

" In this case, blow everything up! No matter where we go next, I'll make sure to follow you! Yes, even in the other world, I would not give up, until the day when you understand the true meaning of justice! "

" S… Shut up! Seryu ordered him! I ... I know what ... what ... justice is! I ... I ... don't need you! I … ! "

Still hearing the voices in her head, she gritted her teeth, before finally opening her mouth. Finally sticking out her tongue, she showed Wendy that she hadn't touched the pin.

" I'm giving up ! "

Hearing this, Wendy stared at her for a few seconds unsure of what Seryu had just said. Then, finally, sobbing all the more, she ends up affirming.

" I'm so happy ! "

" Satisfied with what? "

" Living life to the full is essential to ensure justice! " Cried Wendy! " Never forget, Seryu, that dying in an attack will never be considered a heroic act! But just stupid! "

Suddenly dizzy, Wendy put a hand on her forehead, showing that Seryu's punches had done several damage. It had been several days since she had eaten anything and her body had reached its limit. However, instead of lying down in her turn, she put her hands on Seryu's body, to heal her, while asserting:

" No matter what happens to me…! "

Feeling his last strength leave her, she continued.

" I am so happy to have shown you real justice! "

Collapsing then, she closed her eyes, while letting herself fall to the ground.

" WENDY! "