Chapter 47

Entering the stands of a training hall, Honest saw Syura watching a fight. Seeing her son cried out.

" You are late, father! The massacre has already started! "

" Whatever! " Said his father, sitting down beside him.

Then looking at the arena, he saw about twenty people lying on the ground, in a huge pool of blood and pieces of corpses. Only six people were still standing without the slightest scratch.

" Oh, it seems that I nevertheless missed a beautiful show! Introduce me to your new little friends! "

" This is my new group: Wild Hunt! " Taught him Syura! " The samurai is Izou! The clown is Champs! Cosmina is the one with the rabbit ears! The little one is Dorothea and the other guy is Enshin! Apart from Izou, everyone has a teigu, but each of them is a powerful fighter! "

" Hum? As long as they have potential! "

Then, noticing the presence of the sixth person, he noticed that it was a large colossus, with part of the skin of his body all green and alligator jaws instead of the mouth.

" And this one, what exactly is it like a creature? "

" He is Giry, nicknamed '' the genocide ''! He's a man I met when I came back here! At first, he didn't really want to team up with me, until he knew that Dorothea would be with us! In fact, this guy's dream is to become a real monster physically! He wants to be turned into a perfect killing machine! Suddenly, he finally accepted in exchange for some modifications to his body! "

" Here is someone with a rather disturbed mind! " Noticed Honest! " But hey, it will also do the trick! And precisely, I would already have a mission for your new team! "

" What ? Do you want us to take care of Night Raid already? "

" No ! Going headlong against Night Raid will only benefit them! In fact, I prefer that you deal with the case of a member of the Jaegers: the so-called Wendy! "

" Hum? Do you want to be killed? "

" No ! If you do and Esdeath is aware of this, I have no idea how she might react, but I prefer to avoid that! In fact, I rather prefer that you persuade him to… resign for good! "

" What ? "

" Oh, I'm sure you already have an idea! But if you want my opinion, the best way to get someone out is to simply get rid of all the people they used to meet and who have no protection! Make her lose the urge to stay in a city where everyone she loves ends up dying! "

" My god, I'm addicted to this thing! "

Sucking in flames from Rubicante, Natsu had had no trouble running the teigu de Bols and was enjoying the flames the gun was spitting.

" Miam, the flames coming out are a sacred feast! In addition, I have the impression that it stays longer in me! "

Watching him in silence, while he was chained to a wall, Bols ended up asking him.

" How can you be so calm? "

" Hum? What do you mean ? "

It had been almost half a day since Night Raid had returned to their respective base and since then Natsu had been assigned to watch over Bols. And to tell him what he had missed, the mage had told him in detail what had happened in Kyoroch. However, Bols could hardly believe it, given the boy's behavior.

" You say you have more than a month to live? How do you keep smiling, then? "

" It's simple ! I simply plan to take advantage of the little life I have left without regretting anything! "

" Can we call this recklessness or simply abandonment? "

" No idea ! " Confessed to him Natsu! " However, I find it better to have a blast, rather than moping without it changing anything! "

" Say like this, it's not wrong! " Confessed Bols! " And suddenly, my companions ... how are they? "

" If that reassures you, we have not managed to kill your commander! Nevertheless, Wendy and the girl with the dog are still missing, when they started to fight against each other! "

" Wendy and Seryu, huh? " Said Bols! " I wonder why ! The two were always together! They even had the best relationship of the whole team! "

" No idea ! Wendy may have fought against her to protect us! "

Hearing this, Bols murmured.

" I hope they didn't find out she was working for you! "

Hearing him, Natsu noticed.

" You show a lot of concern for Wendy! But your family then, aren't you afraid for them? "

" Of course yes ! I hope Wave can keep an eye on it! But, anyway, even if I ask you to let me go to see her, I doubt you will let me do it! "

" That's right ! And Najenda doesn't want you to send them a letter either! For us, it is better that everyone believes in your death! "

" And then ? What would you do to me? "

" For me, I just hope we can relax! You're not a bad guy, you! You're just a person fighting against us to protect what he believes is right! "

" I can't say that! " Retorted Bols! " I ... I know that the empire is evil! I lived hell as a kid, because of him! I'm just fighting for the empire to protect my wife and daughter! That's all ! "

" And the revolutionary army, then? Have you ever had the idea of joining us to make a difference? "

" To be honest, I thought about it sometimes but, knowing the power of the two generals of the empire, I preferred to play it safe! However, to see you, I think that ultimately your group also has good elements! Tell me… are they all equally powerful at Fairy Tail? "

" You have no idea! Facing Luxus and Erza, Esdeath and the other lightning guy will have no chance! And I'm not talking to you about the old man and Gildarts! "

" You seem to be quite a group! Do you think you can see them at least once before you die? "

Silent upon hearing this question, Natsu hesitated for a few moments, before finally saying.

" I prefer not to come home anymore! "

" Hein? Why ? "

" Tell you all, for seven years, because of a fight with a dragon, I could not give any sign of life to my friends! After that, I stayed two months at the guild, before being sent here! There, it must already have been three months since I, Gajeel and Wendy disappeared again! So imagine that we suddenly reappear and I teach them that I will then die very soon! I… I prefer… in fact, I don't think I can admit that to them! For the third time, I will disappear but, this time, it will be forever! "

" And what would be the use of dying here instead of going to see them? " Asked Bols! " Look, it's not my business, but don't you think it's better for you to die in the company of those you love the most: your family? From what Wendy told me, you consider yourself a real family, right? Won't you die near her and tell her your last words? Tell them how much you love them? Do you really want it to be Wendy or your other friend who tells them you are dead? "

" No, of course not ! In fact, I ... I never thought of dying like that! Being alive knowing that a real countdown has started for my heart? Each of its beats reduces its longevity! And even if I don't want to show it, it scares me a lot! "

" Death is something that will strike everyone, even me! " Said Bols! " I know that one day karma will come and make me pay for each of my atrocities! "

" Bols, no ... Damn, stop saying things like that! You're not a bad guy! For someone working for the empire, you are one of the few to whom I did not immediately want to put my fist in the face because of anger! Many selfish people think only of money or a higher position! But you are not! You are a sort of puppet! I could never tell you to be proud of what you did but, you never wanted to commit all these crimes, right? You are not a monster! "

" You say it! "

" No, Wendy wrote to me! " Retorted Natsu! " And if she tells me, then I believe her! "

Preparing to say something, Bols was suddenly cut off as Lubbock arrived in his cell.

" Hey, Natsu! You should read the newspaper! "

" Hum? " Said the latter, while Lubbock tossed him the newspaper.

Immediately, he saw on the front page the image of Wendy's face, and immediately exclaimed.

" Wendy? Wait… is she part of the Jaegers again? When did she leave them? "

" No idea ! She will have to explain this to us in her next report! "

" Whatever! " Cried Natsu, with a broad smile! " The most important thing is that she is alive! Awesome ! "

" Yes, but there is much less encouraging news! " Asserted Lubbock! " The appearance of a brand new special font, called Wild Hunt! "

" A special font? " Repeated Natsu!" A new group of Jaegers? "

" No, it's something else! They… they spread terror in the city and kill people! "

" Hein? " Natsu and Bols wondered.

" In the space of a single week, they killed more than a hundred people, claiming that they criticized the empire or that they had links with us! They thus multiply the murders but also the rapes and the executions in public! They are real monsters! Besides, Najenda wants us to join her to talk about it! "

" Okay ! "

But as the two boys were about to leave, Bols cried out.

" Wait, don't go! How is my family? "

" Hein? " Said Lubbock.

" My family ! How is she ? Was she attacked by these monsters? Is it protected from them? Say it to me ! "

" I have no idea! " Lubbock simply said, walking away.

Seeing Natsu pretend to do the same, the masked man roars.

" Let me go ! If murderers threaten their lives, I must be with them! Let me see them! "

Staring at Natsu, he implored him.

" Let me protect my family! "

Then hesitating, Natsu looked away, not knowing what to do. Then, finally, he turned around and closed the cell door right behind him.

" NO ! " Cried Bols, hearing him go! " Leave me…! Just let me save my family! "

Watching the city in the distance, while he was in one of the rooms of the palace, Wave began to sigh.

" A problem ? " Run asked him, book in hand.

" I do not really know ! I'm afraid of something, but without knowing what it is! "

" What do you mean ? "

" Well, actually, I ...! Oh, and damn it! "

Then turning to Rn, he questioned him.

" Are we friends? "

" Um, yes ! Finally, I think that our relationship is above that of ordinary comrades, now! "

" In this case, can I trust you? "

Seeing him then display a most serious look, Run closed his book, before imitating it.

" Go ahead, tell me everything! "

" Well, there it is ! It has been bothering me for a while! In fact, I'm afraid the Empire is cheating on us! "

" In what way? "

" The real enemy to fight! In the end, the longer I stay here, the more I feel that we are, in fact, with the bad guys! "

" What evidence do you have? "

" A strange conversation between the general and the Prime Minister! I couldn't hear everything, but I surprised the Prime Minister asking Esdeath to… kill Wendy! "

" Why ? "

" Apparently, she has become too close to the emperor for her taste and that she is destroying everything he had managed to do, until now! But, I don't really know what he meant! Anyway, since I met him, he makes me uncomfortable! I always felt like I had to deal with a monster in front of me! "

Listening to her, Run said.

" Wave… I…, yes, the empire is dangerous! To tell the truth, all the biggest rots on this planet must be gathered around the Prime Minister, if you want my opinion! "

" What ... What? "

" Since I have been there, I have done a lot of research and I have heard many conversations! In the end, Honest is the one who manipulates the emperor and who tries to create a country worthy of him! Surely that's what he was talking about with Esdeath! You know Wendy, right? A simple smile is enough to earn someone's trust! In my opinion, she must have sympathized with the emperor and opened his eyes somewhat! The proof, this last created some laws, completely different from the usual laws, since we became Jaegers! The Prime Minister must not appreciate this! "

" But ... But ... in this case ... why nobody stops him? "

" Esdeath and Budo! " Said a new voice.

Entering the room, Kurome continued.

" Who would dare to attack the Prime Minister, while he is protected by Esdeath? And no one would dare to criticize the emperor either, for fear of ending up in Budo's anger! "

" What? " Surprised Wave! " You ... Did you two know that, and you didn't do anything? "

" I am trying to make a difference, Wave! " Retorted Run! " But, for that, I have to collect a maximum of information! "

" And me, the only thing I want, for now is to see Akame again! " Adds Kurome.

" Damn it, but do you really think we have time for that? Hundreds of people die every day because of ... because of us? Do you really like it? "

"No, of course not ! " Affirmed Run! " But they just couldn't go headlong! Think about it, Wave! Even with Wendy and Seryu with us, what could we do? "

" Fight the devil ! " Cried Wave! " Isn't that our mission, damn it? And then, … ! We will not be alone! "

" Hein? "

Suddenly thinking about his fight against Gajeel, then their attack on the slave traders, Wave couldn't help but ask a question.

" Night Raid,… are they the good guys or the bad guys? "

" Wave… Night Raid is different! The revolutionary army is trying to overthrow power, using brute force! That too, it kills! "

" Yes, but, at least, it has results! " Wave asserted! " What about us? We stay there to twiddle our thumbs, to let other people die, when we know the truth! "

Suddenly glaring at a newspaper, he grabbed it to see the photos of the new secret police.

" Wild Hunt! They just commit crimes, sometimes even for no reason! Is this the kind of team we need to work with? Don't make me laugh! "

" Wave! Calm yourself ! " Run advised her, placing her hand on his shoulder.

" How do you want me to calm down? " Roared the boy! " You're with Wild Hunt, right? Do you want to be friends with them, or what? "

Immediately, Run's eyes darkened, as he said in an icy tone.

" Never ! There is even one of them that I want to kill! "

" Hein? " Wave wondered.

" Why ? " Kurome asked.

" It's personal ! " Run replied simply.

" Me, in any case, I find that it can not continue! " Wave assured, pretending to leave.

" Where are you going ? "

" Until proven otherwise, the empire hired me to destroy the evil! And Wild Hunt is, right now, evil! So I'll take care of it! "

" Wave, don't…! " Began Run.

" Bols died while fighting to the end! " Wave stopped it! " And to simply express her opinion, Wendy is on the hot seat! No way that I just sit back and do nothing! I would protect my friends! "

However, seeing Kurome in front of him, he saw the latter arrest him.

" Kurome, push yourself! "

" These types are seven! You will never bear the brunt of them! "

" I do not care ! There are times when a man has to take up arms, period! I don't need any other arguments! "

Immediately, with Grand Chariot on his back, he ran out of the room.

" Wave! " Tried to stop Run, just to see the boy disappear in the distance.

Looking at her too, Kurome sighed. Then, engulfing a cookie between her teeth, she ends up following her friend.

" Kurome? "

" If this idiot goes alone, he will get killed! I think someone has to be there to protect him! And then … ! "

Turning to Run, she said.

" Me too, I signed to protect the empire from evil! "

Seeing her leave in turn, Run remained frozen, no longer knowing how to react to this. Of course, he too wanted to fight, as well as kill the man he had spent so long looking for. However, without a real plan, it would only backfire.

" They are crazy ! I have to stop them otherwise ...! "

" The second thing… is that you're going to lose! ''

Then stopping, Run remembered Gajeel's last words during their last fight. Even after saying that, he then collapsed from his injuries. However, his eyes had shown that he would have done anything to continue fighting. That he would never have given up, even though he was half dead.

This kind of people, fought in his place, without being afraid of dying. And whether it was the Jaegers or Night Raid, all had a determination that could have surprised more than one.

Grinding his teeth immediately, Run ends up throwing his book behind him, before declaring.

" Oh, and then damn! For once, I will do what my conscience tells me to do! I'm going to kill Champs! "

Kicking a balloon, Seryu sent the balloon to fly a little further, while the children hastened to position themselves below to catch it. Seeing them play a game of football, Wendy was content to observe them playing, while she had taken advantage of Esdeath's absence to stay for a while at the church.

Seeing a child run towards her, the ball at the foot, Seryu decided to annoy him a little. Stealing the ball from him in an instant, she then made various dribbles all around him, using a footwork which prevented the boy from touching the ball again.

Lending her a hand, other children ended up surrounding the young woman to just realize that they were completely helpless.

" Hey, Onee-san! Don't keep the ball for yourself! "

" Let us play, Onee-san! "

" Hum? " Said Seryu, with a small smile! " I'll give you a chance, though! I only use one foot! "

Still unable to do anything, the children turned to Wendy.

" Nee-chan! Come help us! "

" I am bad with a ball on my feet! " Retorted the child! " Sorry! "

Finally, pretending to lose his balance, Seryu let a child poke him the ball, while he hastened to run with the latter, followed by a good part of the band.

Running straight in front of him, the child ends up before a goal constructed using two pieces of wood where Koro resided, in his small form.

Having found himself in the place of the goalkeeper, the teigu gestured his arms in front of him, while he tried to jump to make himself more impressive. However, this did not intimidate the child, who made a perfect pass to another child. Retrieving the ball, the boy then fired towards goal. Being forced to raise his arms in the air, Koro managed to grab the object.

Nevertheless, the force of the shot was too powerful for its small size and the tiger ended up getting carried away and entered the goals at the same time as the ball, under the laughter of the children.

" Haha! I am stronger than Koro! "

" The goal is gone! "

Seeing them laugh, like Seryu, Wendy could only feel comforted. This place had always managed to make her forget her sorrows when she came here. The orphans in this place were nothing but children who only wanted to have fun with them and who saw the two girls as real big sisters. And now Wendy adored them as much as Seryu adored them.

" Seryu seems to be in a very good mood! "

Stepping forward with a watering can in hand, Mory had attended the match for a few minutes and had ended up sitting near Wendy. From then on, he affirmed.

" I don't know how to thank you, Wendy! "

" Why ? "

" Thanks to you, Seryu now knows the whole truth! I knew that Ogre was a dirty guy, but from there to kill his father ...! But thanks to you, Seryu will now be able to return to the right path without being influenced by anyone! Wendy, you deserve the blessing of the gods, just for that! "

" That's nothing compared to what you do every day! You are an old priest and you are the only one to take care of this place as well as all these children! If I could help Seryu, you helped all these people! "

" It has nothing to do ! Wendy, the more I am with you, the more I feel like you are a real angel! Yes, someone who came from another world to make the misery of this country disappear! "

"Oddly enough, it is a bit the case! " Remarked the child.

Suddenly weeping was heard. Holding a doll whose head had been separated from the rest of her body, a young girl sobbed while pointing at a young boy, with a scar at the level of the right eye.

" Who has it, Natachy? " Asked Wendy.

" It's Timo! He broke my doll! "

" Tsss! "Said the child simply.

" Timo, I already told you to stop bothering him! " Said Mory.

" I didn't do it on purpose!" Timo mumbled! " Natachy stays in his corner all the time, playing with his doll! I just wanted her to come play with us! "

At that moment, a metallic fist fell on his head. Then finding himself with a bump on his head, while refraining from crying, Timo saw Seryu in front of him, who cried out.

" Timo, spoiling other people's belongings is not good! If Natachy wanted to play with her doll, you don't have to force her to play anything else! "

" Tsss! Anyway, Natachy is just a dirty whiner! "

" So what ? Isn't it precisely the role of boys to protect girls and not annoy them? You are a man, Timo, so you have to act like one! So stop bothering Natachy and apologize! "

Looking away, Timo finally murmurs.

" Sorry! "

Then he ends up running away from the rest of the group.

" It is not the first time that I notice that it causes some problems! " Said Wendy.

" Oh ! Timo is just a little problem child looking for a little attention! " Explained Mory! " From what I know about him, his father raised him so that he believed that violence against women should be used to gain respect! Then he ended up giving it up! When he got here, he started many fights, thinking he would become the center of attention! It was only when he found himself alone that he began to understand that he was doing it wrong! Today, he is a little more sociable, but, at times, he makes little dumplings, thinking he is doing well! There, he just wanted Natachy to play with them, but he got it wrong! "

" Anyway, none of these children is mean! " Assured Seryu! " And I know they love each other and all see themselves as brothers and sisters! "

Watching them continue their game, Wendy ends up seeing Natachy trying to repair his doll, without succeeding. Sniffing, she declared.

" Timo is nothing but a bad guy! "

" Natachy, do you want me to fix your doll for you? " Asked Wendy.

" Hein? Can you do it, Nee-chan? "

" I will find someone in town to fix it! " Assured him Wendy! " But you have to lend it to me for a day! "

" You ... will you give it back to me? "

" Of course ! And it will be like new! "

" In this case, okay! "

Then taking the broken doll, Wendy then heard Seryu say.

" It's time for our round, Wendy! "

" Oh no ! " Said the children immediately, realizing that they were going to leave.

" Do not worry ! We'll be back tomorrow! I promise Wendy! We will receive some supplies to give you! "

Finally, while Seryu wrapped a leash around Koro's neck, Wendy waved goodbye to the children before the two girls left.

Seeing them go, Mory smiled a little, while affirming.

" They will get there! Yes, they will change this empire! "

" Me, I'm not sure! " A voice chuckled behind his back.

Surprised, Mory turned, to immediately frown.

" You? But what do you want? "

Running side by side, Wendy and Seryu passed from street to street, without stopping. Seeing Seryu being more in a hurry than usual to arrive in the poor districts of the city, Wendy questioned him.

" What's up ? Are you in a hurry to find Caruma? "

" Do not ... tease me about it! It's just that I promised her to patrol with her! That's all ! "

" Oh ! In this case, maybe I should leave you alone! "

" Do not say stupid things ! We don't ... We don't ...! "

Blushing then, thinking of Caruma's kiss, Seryu clapped her hands over her cheeks, wondering.

" How should I react with her now? "

Laughing, hearing him, Wendy suddenly noticed that there was something strange. Indeed, looking around, she quickly noticed that the popular streets were almost deserted. No one seemed to be in the mood to wander around town while all the houses were closed.

" It's calm! "

" It's because of Wild Hunt! " Affirmed Seryu! " Since they are there, they terrorize everyone! "

" I heard about them and I don't really want to meet them! Nevertheless, I hope what is said about them is not true! It is not a police force that really kills people! "

" I hope too ! " Said Seryu, entering the poor districts.

Immediately, the two girls stopped, while clasping their hands in front of their noses. The smell of smoke as well as that of charred flesh was omnipresent.

" What… what is that smell? "

Turning on herself, Seryu could not hide her surprise when she saw only a heap of burnt wood, where the old quarter of this place was.

" That … ? Everything burned? "

Continuing to move more cautiously, the two girls soon noticed that this area was not the only one to have been affected by this strange plague. No matter where they went, almost all the houses had been burned down, while this part of the city no longer seemed to have a single living soul.

" What… what happened here? "

Stopping then, Seryu's eyes widened, seeing the headquarters of Niks and the abandoned restaurant where Caruma had taken up residence. Only ashes remained.

" That … ? Even that ? "

" Was there a fire or what? " Wanted to know Wendy.

_Where are all the inhabitants? wondered Seryu! Where's Caruma?

" All… Everyone is dead! "

Then turning around, the two girls saw a young teenage girl, with large burns on a good part of the face, which she tried to hide with a green scarf. Recognizing the piece of cloth, Seryu cried out.

" Hey, but this is the scarf I gave to Caruma! "

Immediately grabbing the stranger's arm, she asked.

" Where did you get that? "

Suddenly she saw that the scarf was covered in blood.

" That … ? Some blood ? What did you do in Caruma? "

" I ... I did nothing to him! cried the girl, stepping back! I ... I just found this scarf in a pool of blood! "

" In a pool of blood? "

" Yes ! They must have killed her, just like the others! "

" Who that '' they ''? " Wanted to know Wendy.

" The troops ! " Said the girl.

As suddenly caught in a wave of terror, she fell to her knees on the ground, while starting to tremble.

" They came and they all destroyed! They destroyed our homes and then they killed everyone! They killed all the poor in town! "

" What ... What? "

" They came last night and they burnt everything down! People started dying from the flames and those who had time to get out of the buildings were killed by the soldiers waiting outside! This is how everyone got executed! I was at home when it all happened and, from a window, I saw what they were doing outside! That's why I didn't want to leave! I preferred to be killed by the flames! Nevertheless, the roof of my house suddenly collapsed on me, without crushing me, thus creating a shelter against the flames! This is how I was able to survive! Then, when I managed to get out of the rubble ... everyone had already left and the bodies had been thrown into the flames! "

Trembling all the more, the girl said.

" It was horrible ! And ... and there were these guys too! Real monsters! Wild Hunt! They were the ones who ran everything! "

" Wild… Hunt? " Wondered Wendy! " What ... Why did they do this? "

" They said they were there to make all the vermin in the city disappear! "

" Caruma! " Seryu whispered suddenly, looking down.

Trembling in turn, she squeezed the girl's arm tighter, while shouting.

" Where is Caruma? Tell me where is she? "

" I ... She must be ...! "

" Death? Impossible ! Caruma can't be dead! "

Seeing her start to go after this poor girl, Wendy saw fit to have her separated before it escalated. Falling to her knees, the stranger began to sob.

" I don't know! I don't even want to think about it anymore! I ... I ... it was horrible! "

" Hush! Its good ! " Wendy assured her, placing her hands on the burns on her face to relieve her.

" Wild Hunt! " Suddenly roared the wounded! " They ... They ... I have to kill them! I must avenge my family and friends! I have to avenge everyone they killed!"

" You will do nothing! " Retorted Wendy! " Look, some houses were spared from the flames! Take refuge there and make yourself as discreet as possible, okay? We're going to take care of Wild Hunt!"

Then being able to nod only, the girl got up, before running away. Once done, Wendy turned to see Seryu in emotional shock.

" Caruma? Where's Caruma? "

" Seryu! We cannot know! But Caruma is smart! She could get out! "

" Why did they attack this place? Why did they kill everyone? "

" I ... I don't know! " Confessed Wendy! " Maybe they did it for ...! "

Suddenly distinguishing something in the sky, Wendy's body was paralyzed. Noticing this, Seryu turned to simply display a shocked look.

" Impossible ! "

In the distance, a column of smoke could be seen. A column which came from a place where only a building, a little isolated from the others, was.

" The church! The church is on fire! "