Chapter 45
Hearing cries of pain, as streams of blood flowed here and there, Dodoria could only draw back in terror, while her men fell like flies.
Wanting to aim at the girls in front of them, they finally felt their feet leave the ground because of Wendy's attacks. Soaring, they were helpless in the face of Seryu's fire, who had no hesitation in shooting them.
In just a few minutes, all the guards were massacred by the two girls, to the point that only Dodoria was still standing.
Frightened by this, the man immediately turned to flee. But hardly did he make this gesture, that the end of a dagger perforated his shoulder. Screaming in pain, he stared at Caruma in horror while the girl was now right in front of him.
" You killed my friends! And you fed others with their flesh! she spat! Know that I could never forgive you! "
Then falling backwards, while holding his injured shoulder, the man began to crawl backwards on the ground.
" Don't come near me, vermin! "
However, he was forced to stop when his back encountered an obstacle. Looking behind him, he groaned in fear when he saw Wendy and Seryu a few inches from him.
" We give you the choice! " Asserted Seryu, with his weapons pointed at him! " Caruma pierces your chest or I shoot you in the head! "
Trembling then, the man tried to find a way out. However, nothing could save him. All of his men were now on the ground. And when his gaze fell on Wendy, he saw the latter lower her eyes, showing that she was not going to intervene. He had done too much wrong for her to do something for him. And then, when she had shown pity for Kalgon, it almost killed her.
From now on, she knew that this type of person would never show the slightest sign of regret for his actions.
" Pl… Please! Wait, I will give you money! A lot of money ! Let me leave this city and you will never see me again! I promise! "
As the only answer, Seryu began to target him more carefully to shoot a bullet in the brain. Noticing that she was going to shoot, the man immediately exclaimed.
" Hold on ! If you spare me, I'll tell you everything I know! "
" Hein? What are you talking about ? "
" I know who killed your father! " Said the man.
Immediately, the time was frozen in the room. Having completely forgotten who was standing at his feet, Seryu had lowered his weapon without realizing it, before asking him.
" My father ? Do you know who killed him? "
Seeing that he had just managed to get his attention, Dodoria said.
" Yes, it's the truth! Let me go and I'll tell you everything! "
" Don't listen, Seryu! " Roared Caruma! " He's trying to manipulate you! "
" No, I assure you that I will tell you the truth! "
But immediately Seryu's gun touched her forehead as she ordered.
" Speak! Who is the guy who killed my father? "
" It's Ogre! " Cried Dodoria! " Captain Ogre! "
New silence in the room. So, when she wanted to tell Seryu not to listen to this man's words, Wendy decided to let him do it, not knowing at all if he was telling the truth or not.
" The captain ... Ogre? "
" Yes ! To explain everything to you, Ogre worked for me before he got killed! I sometimes had problems to solve and I called on him to protect me, in exchange for money! However, I was afraid that he would betray me at some point! So sometimes I brought him over to my house and gave him alcohol, with drugs inside! Once he was really drunk, I just had to ask him questions about his little dishonest business, so I could blackmail him, just in case! And one evening, when I wanted to know more about his past, he told me everything about what he had done! "
Listening to him with the greatest attention, Seryu ordered him.
" Faster ! Why did he kill my father? "
" I don't know the whole story! But as far as I know, the two of them had joined the army together! At the time, Ogre was a soldier with a larger build than your father, better mastery of arms and even better reflexes! In short, he surpassed it during a fight! Nevertheless, your father had something that Ogre did not have: knowledge of justice! Your father may not have been the strongest soldier there was, however he already had a strong sense of what was right and wrong and hated oppression! Compared to Ogre, he easily sympathized with his comrades and was honest with anyone! And it was thanks to this that he was promoted to captain while Ogre found himself with the position of vice-captain! And that, he could never bear ! "
" And that's why he killed him? "
" Yes ! "
" Seryu, he can lie on the subject! " Affirmed Caruma! " He may very well have invented the whole story! "
" No, I'm not lying! In all, there were five of them who killed your father! I don't know the names of the other four, though! "
" So you have no use for me! " Seryu understood, starting to squeeze the trigger.
" No ... I ... yes, I know! Ogre gave one of them a nickname! He used to talk to me about a guy he called '' tadpole ''! He too was part of the plan! "
"Tadpole?" Wendy wondered, as the nickname told her something. "
" What makes me think you are telling the truth? " Wanted to know Seryu.
" He had told me something else! A lot of stuff about you! In truth, he didn't love you! Or rather, you constantly disappointed him! "
" How did I disappoint him? "
" When he took you under his wing, he thought of making you a person who could replace him later! Someone who could back up their business! In short, help the nobles for dark business and get their feet greased! However, over time, he quickly understood that this would be impossible because of your obsession with what you call "justice"! You don't really make the difference between good and bad! But Ogre knew that nobody could ever buy you with money and that it would end up sinking their business! That's why he ended up wanting to keep you with him! Finally, to be able to get rid of you, he thought he had found a good way: to give you a teigu! "
" Koro? " Wondered Seryu.
" Indeed ! Before you, this teigu had killed a good ten soldiers who wanted to possess it, without any success! Ogre had even tried, and it ended with the loss of his eye! In order to kill you, he advised you to have Koro so that the latter kills you! However, he would never have thought that this indomitable teigu would have ended up being cuddled in your arms! This teigu is known to follow a person with a powerful desire! An incomparable desire to achieve something! In the end, unwittingly, your desire to uphold justice saved your life! "
Hearing all of this, Seryu began to tremble, while Caruma and Wendy could see her start to sob. In the end, Seryu began to understand that everything Wendy had told him was true.
" The one who killed my father, was he not a revolutionary? Was he a member of the military? But then ... But then ... who is the villain of the empire? "
Then turning to Wendy, Seryu wanted to know.
" Wendy…! What ... Who is the good ? "
" Seryu, I always told you! Night Raid kills everyone who commits murder, while the Empire encourages them to do bad things! Knowing who the evil is is very simple! "
" I don't care about all that! " Suddenly affirmed Caruma, approaching Dodoria! " This guy doesn't deserve to live! He must die! "
" No ! " Wendy stopped him, advancing in turn towards Dodoria! " He knows too much to let him die! "
" What? "
Squatting down in front of Dodoria, Wendy questioned her.
" You say you know a lot about Ogre's past? Is it the same for its customers? Do you know in detail each of his dishonest actions? "
" Yes ! I wrote down each of the names he gave me and why he helped them! I have dozens of names and evidence! "
" In this case, if you want to avoid death, you will tell us everything! " Assured him Wendy! " And then we will take care of all this little world! "
" Disagree ! " Roared Caruma! " This guy, I refuse to leave him alive! "
" Caruma! It is not only this rot that is at fault in this case! Don't worry ! I would make sure he also gives the names of the nobles who paid him to commit all these crimes! Not a single one will escape us! They will all end up in prison, I guarantee you! "
Hearing this, the young woman turned her head to the side, while clenching her teeth, showing that she was having trouble keeping her rage. However, in the end, she said.
" Yeah, you're right! If I kill him right away, all these noble rot will hire other people to continue exterminating us! I lost a lot of friends, but there is no question of losing the rest! "
Finding that she understood her words, Wendy then turned to Seryu, to see her motionless, her gaze lost.
" Seryu, I ...! "
" How many … ? " Wanted to know Seryu! " How many people have I killed thinking of avenging my father? "
Falling to her knees, she pressed her hands to her eyes as she burst into sobs.
" I betrayed my father! I am a monster ! "
However, she ends up being silent, while feeling Wendy's arms wrapped around her shoulders.
" You are not a monster! Just a lost child who has been constantly manipulated by real monsters! Seryu, now that you've opened your eyes, it's time for you to change! I would like you to help me! May you help me change the empire! With the names this guy is going to give us, we will arrest enough people to make a difference and it will only be the start! Give up the idea of wanting to track Night Raid and help me! "
Pulling back a little from Seryu, she ends up reaching out to him, before asking him.
" Seryu, will you help me, even if I am your enemy? "
Then staring at her, Seryu tried to stop crying, while she said.
" You ... You ... You are not my enemy! You never have been! In the end, it was me who was blind all this time! Wendy,… I'm sorry! Sorry for not believing you! "
" It's forgotten ! " Assured him the child! We will continue to work as Jaegers! " We will destroy the evil from within and show Wave and others who are the disbelievers! And thanks to this, Night Raid will be able to conquer! "
Staying away from the two girls, Caruma simply stared at Seryu, and saw her looking at Wendy with great interest. Seeing this, Caruma felt a little scared. Yes, she was afraid that Seryu was only interested in the child who was allowing him to leave the darkness around him.
Half an hour later, after handing over Dodoria to the authorities, Caruma saw Wendy and Seryu discuss amongst themselves about their procedure. Seeing them do it, she realized that it was too much. That she had no place at their side.
Since Wendy had returned, Seryu seemed to have eyes only for her. It had to be said that Wendy was strong and kind, while Caruma was only a poor man with no power that could make her interesting. Seryu had no reason to care about her. As a result, forcing herself to smile, she cried out.
" Thanks to you, we will be able to live again without the fear of being killed! Again, thank you! I will therefore announce the news to others! Therefore, see you next time! "
However, barely having time to turn around, she finally felt Seryu grab her arm, while retorting.
" Oh there! Not so fast! Caruma, since when haven't you eaten a real meal? And since when have you not had a real bath? "
" Hein? What do you mean ? "
" Come with me ! With what you've just learned, I think you need something to get your mind off it! Come to the palace! "
" What? At the Palace ? Me ? But are you crazy? Have you seen my head and my clothes? I feel poverty for miles! "
" You are an ally of the Jaegers and that will be enough to get you back! " Seryu assured him, pulling her to force her to follow her.
However, stopping immediately, she saw Wendy stay in her place.
" Are you coming, Wendy? "
" I have a race to do! " Taught him the child! I will come back later!
Having not forgotten his recent departure, Seryu remained skeptical.
" Will you really come back? "
" Yes ! " She assured! " And I would stay with the Jaegers until I became general! I swear to you ! "
Seeing only sincerity in his eyes, Seryu nodded, before running with Caruma. And once the duo left, Wendy turned in another direction to go to the barracks of the imperial army. For her, it was time to visit the `` tadpole '' of which Dodoria spoke.
" Vice- Captain Teru! " She murmured.
Having finished filling out several forms, Vice Captain Teru was filling up a glass of whiskey which he then drank in one go.
" Ha ha! I don't know who the idiot was who said that alcohol was evil but, in any case, he never left something as exquisite as that! "
Getting ready to pour himself another drink, he suddenly jumped in fear, seeing the silhouette of Wendy pass by the window. Shouting in fear, he tilted his chair to the side, falling to the ground.
" Vice captain! " Said Wendy, approaching her desk.
" No, but what is this habit that you, young people, of going through the window? " Roared the man, standing up! " What are doors used for? "
Finally sitting down again, he asked.
" Good, what is your visit for? Did you manage to reintegrate the army? "
" Yes ! "
" Well, good news! Come on, let's celebrate with a drink! "
" I did not come to talk to you about this and even less to drink! I came to talk about Seryu's father! "
Preparing to refill his glass, Teru stopped before dropping the liquid all around his glass.
" The ... the …. Who ? "
" I know everything! Someone just told us that Ogre had killed this man to take his place as captain! Is it true ? "
" Well ..., on the part of this bastard, that does not surprise me! But what do I have to do with this? I was not even aware of that! "
'' " Tadpole '', does that mean anything to you? It's the nickname that Ogre gave you, isn't it? You revealed it to me the other day! Well, it seems, during the murder of Seryu's father, Ogre had nicknamed one of his accomplices as well! "
" I ... I ... I have nothing to do with it! Ogre must have called another guy that way to insult him! It was not uncommon when he hated someone! "
" Don't make me laugh! When you think about it, everything fits! At the time, Ogre was vice-captain and you, his right arm, right? Basically, if Ogre became captain, you were sure to be promoted to vice-captain! Am I not right? "
Seeing that he looked away, Wendy insisted.
" Confess! You helped Ogre kill Seryu's father for a higher job, didn't you? "
" I ... I didn't kill anyone! " Retorted Teru! " Not even my target! "
" Your target? "
" Yes ! The proof, Seryu is still alive! "
" Seryu? What are you talking about ? "
Keeping silent, Teru ends up putting his head in his hands before sighing.
" Oh, and then damn! Do you remember when I told you about the former captain who was killed, he and his family because of sticking his nose all over the place in shady cases involving nobles? "
" Yes and so ? "
" This man was Seryu's father! "
" What? But she told me that ...! "
" He died on the battlefield? It is not true! He did not even participate in any war! He died just two weeks after being promoted! He had just left military school! "
" But why did Seryu tell me this? "
" Because she really believes it! " Affirmed the man, then opening a drawer of his desk.
Taking out a device similar to a camera, he confessed.
" It's Memorix, my teigu! "
" Memorix? "
" Yes ! If I take the picture of a person's face with this camera, it will show various films showing the memories of that person! With it, I can see anyone's memories and even modify them! "
" So you … ? "
" Yes ! There were five of us in all! With Ogre, each of us had to kill a family member of Captain Netomeru, Seryu's father! I was in charge of killing the latter! But, I couldn't! Of course, I would have done anything to have a high position, but killing a five-year-old girl was impossible for me! Instead, I knocked him out and persuaded Ogre to spare him! In the end, he devised a twisted plan: dishonor the memory of Captain Netomeru by transforming Seryu into a real monster devoid of human feelings! And I changed her memory so that she forgot everything about this evening! As a result, she no longer even remembers her mother's face or the existence of her brother and sister! "
Listening to her, Wendy nods, before leaving the office.
" That's all I wanted to know! "
" Wait, are you ... are you going to tell someone this? "
Stopping before thinking, Wendy ends up saying.
" No ! Compared to Ogre, you didn't kill anyone and, moreover, you helped me the other day! From now on we are quits! However,…! "
Turning around to glare at Teru, she said.
" You should be ashamed of what you tried to do! "
" Ashamed of what? To do like everyone else? To get out of this quagmire that represents the empire, in one way or another? Up in the hierarchy is the only way out! The proof, your old friend there, uh ... Bols, he was like me, right? He killed people, right? "
Hardening her gaze more, Wendy suddenly jumped on Teru's desk and grabbed the latter by his collar.
" Never compare yourself to Bols! Yes, he killed people, but for the sole purpose of protecting his family! You, you had tried to kill someone for a vulgar position of vice-captain! Your reasons are not worth at all! "
" A murder remains murder! And compared to him, my hands are always clean! "
" You may not have killed people directly but, by becoming an accomplice of Ogre, you are responsible for the execution of I don't know how many innocent people! Your hands may not be covered with blood, but your soul has long been corrupted! Shame on you ! "
Having said what she had on her conscience, Wendy ends up leaving for good, leaving Teru, dumbfounded.
Finally, suddenly entering the office, a man said.
" She's right, you know? "
" Furrick! " Whispered Teru, starting to pretend to have a new glass! " What are you doing here ? "
" I have known your story for years! " Assured the lieutenant! " And I've always thought like this little girl! Compared to us, she has guts and she is right! We must finally move to change the empire! Even if we follow the fashion of accepting bribes to survive one more day, we will end up being executed, one way or another! "
" Clearance from my office! " Teru ordered him.
Looking at him, Furrick finally whistled with discontent, before leaving. Nevertheless, he added.
" The revolutionary army is becoming more and more important! I shouldn't say that, but there are days when I want to leave everything to join her and give real meaning to my life! I don't want to live like a rot! "
Then hearing him close the door behind him, Teru tried to fill his glass with alcohol. Yes, alcohol was the only way for him to forget everything. Forget all the horrible things he had done. Forget the pleading look of all the innocent people Ogre sent to prison who begged him to save them.
However, this time he was unable to drink more. It was as if his brain refused to make him forget this conversation and paralyzed his hand. In the end, uttering a cry of rage, he swung his bottle and exploded it against a wall.
Breathing deeply, Wendy remained standing in front of the common room of the palace. Considering what time it was, she was certain that the other Jaegers were inside the latter. However, she did not know how they would react when she saw her. Certainly, Wave had retained a smile, but perhaps it was only addressed to him because he thought she was still in bad shape. If it is, each of them hated her because of her resignation.
This made it very difficult for the child to stand in front of the door and push it.
"Come on Wendy! You did well against Esdeath, without faltering! You can do it ! "
Expiring thus one last time, the child gathered his courage and ended up opening the door. However, as soon as the heads turned to her, she felt helpless again. In the play, Seryu, as well as Caruma, was present. The latter, now having new clothes, was unrecognizable after having long enjoyed a stay in a real bathroom, while she wore new clothes much more chic than the old ones.
But, of course, he also had Wave, Kurome and Run. The absence of Esdeath was a little comfort for the child, however facing the three Jaegers made her uncomfortable.
" Uh ... I ... Hello! "
" WEEEEENNNNNNNNDDDDDDYYYYY! "
Leaving her chair, Wave had suddenly jumped towards her, reaching out.
" In my arms ! "
Faster than him, Seryu positioned himself in front of Wendy and grabbed Wave's skull to prevent him from going any further.
" Don't touch her with your disgusting hands! "
" Let me hug her! "
Standing up in turn, Kurome quickly found himself in front of Wendy and stared at the latter.
" Uh ... Kurome, I ...! "
She was suddenly silent, while the other girl had put a cake in her mouth.
" Eat, it seems that you haven't enjoyed a real meal for a few days! You have to take care of yourself, Wendy! "
Amazed by these words, Wendy didn't know what to say. Then, feeling a hand on his shoulder, she saw Run, right in front, smiling at her.
" Whatever the reasons that prompted you to leave! Welcome back, Wendy! "
" Welcome back, Wendy! " Cried the other three Jaegers.
At that moment, Wendy had mobilized all her will to show only surprise. However, in two short seconds, his vision became blurred as tears appeared before his eyes. Then lowering her head, she whispered.
" Thank you so much ! I ... I ...! "
Looking up, she put her arm in front of his eyes while assuring.
" I promise you never to give up! This time, I will achieve my goals until the end! "
" Well ! " Said Run, continuing to smile at him! Nevertheless, each of us had worried about you, during our absence! " As a result, we agreed to assign you a small penalty! "
" Hein? "
A jar was suddenly opened. Approaching her, Kurome drew a food from inside the container, before telling Wendy.
" Open your mouth! "
It didn't take long for the child to recognize what was on her fingers: a dried plum.
" No ! Don't come near me! "
Trying to back away, she bumped against Wave, who pretended to grab her.
" It's your punishment Wendy! We are not going to leave you in peace until the jar is empty! "
" No, I don't want it ! I hate that ! "
" Don't make the child, see! Do '' AH ''! "
Then fleeing, Wendy started to run in all the room followed by Kurome and Wave. Even Run took part in the game and blocked Wendy's path here and there to prevent him from fleeing. Seeing this, and hearing them laugh while chasing Wendy, Caruma noticed.
" It's quite lively here! He puts a lot of heart into making her suffer! "
" Each of them was worried about her! " Assured him Seryu! " As soon as they learned that Wendy had left, they stayed longer on patrols in an attempt to find her! And, when she was injured, they took over for one of them, always at her bedside! Wendy is the one who was always there to heal our little daily wounds; to make us eat with Bowls and to warm our hearts with his radiant smile! In fact, I think she has become the group's little mascot! "
" No no ! " Said Wendy, struggling, while she was finally caught.
Then engulfing a plum in his mouth, Kurome saw it immediately deform, while the acidity and bitterness of the fruit had their effect.
" If Wendy were in real danger, each of them would immediately fly to the rescue to protect her! Be certain! "
Then, suddenly stretching, Seryu ends up taking leave.
" You go away ? "
" I will be back ! "
Despite being caught by the other Jaegers, Wendy could see her go, with a face showing no joy.
Cuddling a cushion against her, Seryu sighed in sadness, while wondering.
" What should I do now? "
Grinding in the dark, she suddenly began to hum a little nursery rhyme, which had often had the merit of making her forget her worries. Singing her for several minutes, she ends up being interrupted.
" It's beautiful what you sing! "
Jumping Seryu turned to see Wendy behind her.
" What do you want ? "
" Nothing ! Just find out if everything is fine! "
" Yeah! I believe … ! Actually no ! I don't know how long it will take me to digest such news as well as all the actions I should do to be forgiven! Whatever it will be impossible! Now I really understand why people hate me! "
Sighing, Wendy finally says.
" I shouldn't tell you that Seryu but ... you have to forget everything you did! The past belongs to the past! Now focus on the future! "
" But how ? How do you want me to forget all this? The path I chose made me stronger and yet this force I paid for by helping the forces of evil! I could never give up on this part of my life! I don't even know if I should be disgusted with it or be proud of it! I no longer know where I am, or even who I am now! "
" This is perfectly normal ! To date, you have never questioned one of your acts! You have never felt the least remorse over your actions! It is only today that you finally open your eyes! From now on, you take your mistakes into account and you are afraid of reproducing them! It shows that you are maturing! If you start to feel regret for your actions, it is because your human feelings have not left you all! Everyone might think that your heart is as empty as the space around us, but it can be seen that this is not the case! So why don't you at least try to end it? To realize your dream and set up real justice in this world? "
" This would be useless! From now on, nobody will want me! No one will ever want to accept me! Everyone rejects those they consider monsters, and from now on, I am one too! "
" It's wrong ! I have known lots of people who have no heart! But you don't have one! I know that if you saw someone in need, you would hasten to help them! You've made a lot of mistakes, Seryu, but your soul is not black like coal! From now on, you can now purify it until it turns white as before! "
" You speak ! I am unable to change anything! "
" Everyone can change, Seryu! " She assured! " And it's the same for you! And don't worry! You are not alone! I will be with you ! And then there is also him who loves you! "
" Hein? Who is that ? "
Hurrying out of the room, Wendy returns immediately, holding something in her arms. Seeing a silhouette gesturing his little arms towards her, Seryu froze for a few moments, before leaping towards Wendy.
" Koro! "
Grabbing the teigu, she hugged it, to the point of suffocating her.
" Finally ! You are finally back! "
Then looking at Wendy, she questioned him.
" How did you do ? "
" I used my magic, of course! In the end, the regeneration fluid had already done a lot of the work! It only needed a little helping hand to heal its nucleus! "
" Wendy, I ...! "
" It's nothing, Seryu! I did it because I am your friend! "
Not knowing what to say in front of her radiant smile, Seryu ends up hearing in the doorway.
" Seryu, I'm going! "
Having watched the scene, Caruma was now present and immediately felt too much. However, now that she was there, she refused to leave without saying anything.
" You are leaving already ? "
" Yes ! However, know that this day made me think! From now on, I want to come with you! Participate in your patrols and help you! "
" But Caruma, you ...! "
" I have enough! " Cried Caruma! " I can't take this life anymore! Now I'm going to fight! What I want more than anything is to be free! Let me fight the evil with you, please! "
Seeing her almost begging them, Seryu nodded, before insuring.
" Of course ! After all, you too, I love you! "
Hearing this, Caruma's cheeks began to blush. Unable to hold back any longer, the girl suddenly jumped towards Seryu. Then, in an instant, the girl's eyes widened as Caruma's face moved closer to hers. Blushing, Wendy saw Caruma crush her lips against Seryu's.
Then, moving away quickly, the young woman left the room before running to leave the palace.
Frozen, while Koro groaned in discontent, Seryu began to stutter.
" But that … ? But that … ? But that … ? "
" It seems that, Caruma… loves you too! murmured Wendy, her face still red. "