"Hey, Wendy." Called her Natsu, while Gajeel and him were in the girl's room. " Are you leaving tomorrow ? "

"Yes ! " She assured, piling up some things that Najenda had given her. " I'll move into the barracks tomorrow. "

Thinking back to what Tero had told him, Natsu asked her.

"Will you swap places with me ? "

"Huh ? "

"Maybe the capital isn't the right place for you. " Gajeel remarked. " Just by looking at what people with power do, I can say that they will not hesitate to kill a new recruit like you. "

"It's true. " Shouted Happy. "Even the captains are rotten to the core ! And I'm not even talking about the prime minister who is surely the biggest scum on this planet."

"You must never let your guard down. " Ended Lily. "Once you leave this place, you will only have yourself to count on! No one in this town can be trusted. "

"I know that." Assured the girl, with conviction. "And that's the only thing I can do! Killing is impossible for me! That's why I asked Najenda to let me have this job! I want to prove to you that I can be as useful as you are. "

"You don't need to put your life on the line for me to prove it, Wendy. " Natsu retorted. " We know you're strong. "

Hearing that, Wendy then went into her pockets and pulled out two cards. Tempting one of them to Gajeel, she said.

"These are cards that Cana gave me the other day ! If I am in danger, my card and yours will react ! I am giving you this for your peace of mind! Nevertheless, don't count on me to activate it at the first threat."

Suddenly hugging her, Natsu cried out.

"Take care of you ! Don't forget we all have to go back to Fairy Tail together."

"Yes, of course." She assured, with a reassuring smile.

Then, pulling her out of the room, Natsu said.

"Come on, we'll have a party before you leave. "

"Aye ! " Said Happy, following them.

"Wait, Natsu. " Said Wendy. "I have to go see Najenda, before that. "

"Hmm ? "

"Yes, actually I have a question for her ! But I'll catch up with you in a few minutes. "

"All right! I'll roast some meat for you. "

Seeing her classmate leave, followed by the others, Wendy went to Najenda's room.

Reading the documents that Natsu had brought her, she had left her door ajar. And as soon as Wendy pretended to hit her, she could hear.

"What do you want Wendy ? "

"Uh ... I ... I wanted to ask you a question. " Wendy confessed, as she entered her room. " In fact ... I ... I wanted to know what would happen if I will met one of you, in the middle of a mission. "

"It's simple! One of you will have to die."

"What?" The girl was frightened.

"I'm kidding." Najenda said, turning to her. "I hope this kind of situation will never happen! But if it does, then you'll have to fight and give our ally a chance to get away."

"What if this is impossible ?"

"No idea." Najenda confessed. "At that time, it will be up to you! Betray your cover to save your friend ! Or kill this friend to continue your work. "

Walking towards the child, she finally put her hand on Wendy's shoulder and said.

"What you're about to do will be a dangerous mission! So, no matter what you decide, as long as it doesn't involve betraying us, I wouldn't blame you. "

Then she tempted her with a notebook, and taught her.

"Here's a list of people you need to watch out for! There's a picture of everyone and personal information! So, I advise you never to trust them. "

"All right. " Wendy assured, getting ready to leave.

Nevertheless, just as Natsu had done, Najenda suddenly wrapped her arms around her before hugging her.

" Huh ? "

"Wendy ... Thank you very much. "

The next day

" Huh ... someone can remind me what we're doing here? " Wanted to know Gajeel.

Sitting at a table, the man was in the company of Lily and Tatsumi, while Mine seemed to be taking orders a little further away.

"We had to inspect the town to see if everything was in order. " Said Lily.

"And we only did some shopping before we got here to get a bite to eat. " Remarked Tatsumi. " I feel like my legs are going to break. "

"If I had known, I would have stayed with Natsu and Lubbock. "

"Oh, what a lovely day. " Remarked Mine, coming back to them with a tray containing several desserts. "Our mission was successfully accomplished."

"What mission ?" Tatsumi and Gajeel wondered. " We only did some shopping."

" What is your matter ? " Mine wondered, losing her smile. " You beginners, it seemed to me that I had already told you that I was above you ! So, don't answer me, understood ?"

"Bitch !" Roared Gajeel.

In an instant he found himself on the ground, with Mine's foot crushing her face.

"Learn your place, novice. "

"I'll kill you. " He said.

As he began to eat one of the desserts, Lily pricked up his ear and turned his head to see a crowd forming a little further away.

"What's going on over there ? "

"A public execution. " Replied Mine, sitting down in her place. " People are crucified there alive and remain there until death. "

"What ? " Cried Tatsumi, getting up. "But this is inhuman. "

"It's all because of the prime minister. " Said Mine, clenching her fist. " But one day that will change. "

Gritting her teeth, Mine began to lower her gaze, while affirming.

"Yes, I promise to kill him with my own hands so that this country can have a real future."

" Huh ? " Said Gajeel.

Arriving at the Imperial barracks, Wendy looked at the training ground in search of Seryu. But not being able to find her, she was about to ask someone for help, when a figure appeared behind her.

"Hey, you."

Feeling like a dark aura, Wendy turned around to see lieutenant Furick right behind her with his club in his hand. Wearing a huge bandage around his head, he seemed in a very bad mood.

Swallowing, Wendy thought he wanted revenge for yesterday's insult. Nevertheless, he cried out.

"Here, the service starts at eight o'clock ! You're ten minutes late! Even new recruits have to keep to the schedule. "

"Huh ... Yes, lieutenant. " Wendy said, making a greeting similar to Seryu's.

Suddenly digging under his armor, Furick pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to Wendy.

"Here's the authorization to get a uniform ! You're going to keep it for a long time, so take care of it ! When you finish getting ready, you'll join someone to go on patrol ! Do you understand ? "

"Yes, lieutenant. " Wendy repeated.

"Good ! You can go. "

As the lieutenant walked away, without saying anything else, Wendy ventured to ask.

"Huh, lieutenant... ? You're not mad at me ? "

"About what ? "

"About my victory. "

"And why would I be mad at you ? " He asked her. " I'm the one who started this last one, and I'm living up to the terms of our deal ! From now on, you are a soldier under my orders, and that's it ! However, just because you beat me doesn't mean you will get special treatment! Here, under my command, none of my men will be favored or disadvantaged compared to the others! If you don't have any more questions, go get ready."

Surprised to find that he had a better background than she thought, Wendy eventually left and headed to the barracks lobby to get a room and her equipment.

Trying to tighten her uniform belt around her waist as tightly as possible, Wendy couldn't help but notice that the uniform was a little too big for her. And yet, she had chosen the one that fit her best.

"There probably aren't many children in the army. " She understood, hemming her sleeves.

"Hey, the newbie. " Suddenly a man called her. "Is it true what they say? You would have beaten lieutenant Furick single-handedly ?"

"Hmm ? Is there a problem with that ? "

"No, no, not at all. " He said. " In fact, what I'd like to know is if you're really Seryu's assistant. "

"I don't know myself ! But she's the only person I know ! If I have to find someone to frame me, I think I'll take her. "

Looking at her, the man bowed to her and said her.

" I will give you a advice ! Don't be so foolish ! Take anyone, but not her."

"Huh ? "

"If you ever hang out with Seryu, know that you'll put your life on the line. " He assured her, before to leave.

"My life on the line ? "

Astonished by what she had just heard, the young girl finally got out of the building and headed towards the city.

"Well, it's time for my first patrol. "

Nevertheless, before taking a step, her nose caught a familiar scent. Turning her gaze, she saw Seryu sitting on a bench, looking down with Koro in her arms.

Taking into account what the soldier had said earlier, Wendy hesitated for a few moments before finally making up her mind.

"Hey, Seryu-san." She cried, walking towards her.

Looking up, Seryu only took a moment to put her arm in front of her eyes and put on a radiant smile.

"Wendy ! Are you ready to join the imperial army ?"

"Yes. " Assured the girl, bowing to her. " And I hope I can count on your advice to teach me the justice."

"Count on me. " Cried Seryu. "To lead someone on the path of justice, there's no one better than me ! Right, Koro ? "

Giggling then his arms, he seemed approved and if she didn't smell so much blood on him, Wendy could have found him cute.

"By the way, Seryu-san ! The other day, it seemed to me that I saw a drop of blood on Koro's face. " Lied the child. " Was it normal ? "

"Oh, it's for justice ! In order to preserve it, Kuro must eat a lot of meat ! Meat that is considered like bad. "

"He eats rotten meat ? " Wendy wondered, being far from understanding the true meaning of her words. "But that must be why he smells so much blood. "

"Ok, let's go on patrol." Seryu shouted, and immediately started on her way, pulling Koro by his leash.

Watching her do it, it didn't take long for Wendy to notice something strange about her. She seemed to force herself to smile.

Moving forward with a real military gait, Seryu passed from street to street, followed by Wendy. During their patrol, Wendy could see the people's reaction to the girl. Recognizing her, several children began to make military salutes, while Wendy imitated them while declaring to be always wise. Adults greeted her as well, while a few people asked her about the barracks. Some merchants even wanted to give her some products, which she categorically refused.

"It's my duty to protect you. " She said, while an old baker handed her a loaf of bread. "I don't need to be rewarded for that. "

Hearing that, Wendy found it harder and harder to understand the words of the soldier from earlier, regarding Seryu's behavior. She seemed to be a model soldier. She took her job seriously, she refused any kind of reward and ...

Suddenly seeing an old woman leaning against a wall to catch her breath, Seryu approached her and offered to carry the heavy bag in her hand.

"...it's the third person she helps. " Wendy remarked.

Nevertheless, despite all this, she had also noticed another detail. Half hidden, as soon as she passed by them, a few people couldn't help staring at her with absolute hatred, a sign that they would have given everything to see her dead.

" I really don't know what's going on with this girl ! But half the population of this town seems to be afraid of her or hate her."

"Faster, daddy ! Faster !"

Suddenly passing near Wendy, a young man carried a little girl on his shoulder while she laughed out loud.

"Faster !"

"Careful, Daisy, you're going to fall, sweetie."

Looking at them for a few moments, Wendy got ready to go on her way when she noticed Seryu staring at the adult and the child. Seeing only melancholy and sadness in her eyes, Wendy decided it was time to stop.

Looking around, she finally made her way to a merchant.

Still watching the man entertaining his daughter, Seryu was suddenly surprised to feel Wendy grab her hand and pull her out.

"Uh... Wendy ?"

"Come with me."

Finally settling in a small deserted alley, Wendy sits on a sidewalk, before handing out a pancake to Seryu.

"Here, take this. "

"Huh ? But why ?"

"I'd like to talk to you." Wendy confessed, before turning to Koro.

Not knowing what he liked to eat, the girl had also paid a pancake for him. Holding it out to him, she questioned him.

"Do you want one ? "

Opening a huge mouth, Koro showed his huge sharp teeth, before seizing the food, under the frightened look of Wendy. Letting him eat, she preferred to look at her hand, to make sure she wasn't missing a finger. Swallowing in a few seconds, Koro ended up gesticulating on the spot, perhaps a sign that he wanted more.

"What should you say, Koro ? " Seryu asked him, finally settling down near Wendy.

Heading then towards one of Wendy's legs, the teigu glued his snout against her, making his gesture look like a thank-you kiss.

Smiling at this, Wendy then noticed that Seryu stared at her pancake without touching it.

"Does my presence bother you ?" She asked.

"Huh ? Not at all ! Why not ?"

"Because you're not like you were yesterday. " Said Wendy. "Like something's bothering you ! I thought maybe it was my fault. "

Staring at her, she started smiling at Seryu, before she said.

"We barely know each other, but I want you to know you can tell me anything ! Is there a problem ? "

A tear fell on Seryu's pancake at that moment, before another one imitated it. Sobbing then, Seryu mumbled.

"My... My master is dead. "

"Your master ? "

"Yes ! He was found last night, bathed in a pool of blood ! Someone murdered him while he was alone. "

Clenching her fist, she said.

"He taught me everything ! It was him who showed me the path of justice to follow! It was him who made me what I am today! He was a man of honor, who had a heart on his hand ! He loved his work and protecting civilians was priceless to him ! And a criminal murdered him for no reason. "

"It's horrible." Said Wendy, understanding her sadness.

"Yes ! Master Ogre didn't deserve to die like that."

"Ogre ? " Wendy wondered. "Captain Ogre ? The man who accepted money from criminals? She's talking about the man that Tatsumi killed yesterday! But why does she respect a man like him? Didn't she understand that he was bad ? "

"My father was killed fighting on the front." Seryu said her. " He taught me that justice always triumphs over the wicked! And then Master Ogre taught me the basics to become strong and believe in my beliefs! And today... I'm all alone."

Seeing her crying, while Koro collapses to her, with a comforting gesture, Wendy ends up topple the young woman's head on her knees.

"What... ? " Said Seryu, before Wendy lights her hand and starts to caress her head with it.

"I know that my presence will never be the same as that of your father or your master. " Said Wendy, as she used her magic to lower her down. "Nevertheless, as your assistant, I would do anything to comfort you, if need be. "

"Wendy ? "

"For the justice of this city." Said Wendy, with a warm smile.

Seryu finally nodded her head, while calming her sobs. Remaining thus, on Wendy's lap, she finally relaxed, while Wendy's magic comforted her bit by bit. Eventually, she finally gives a satisfying whimper, while admitting.

"It feels good."

Continuing what she was doing, Wendy took advantage of this to focus. So, using her magic to scan Seryu's soul, she was finally surprised to see its color. Dark. Three quarters of her soul was black while the rest was bright white.

"Who is she ? " Wendy wondered, realizing that Seryu was far from being a pure-hearted person.