Rain was falling on the capital, both on the imperial palace and in the less well-to-do areas of the city. Being thus in one of these districts, leaning against a wall, an imposing old man, fitted with big glasses, felt the rain falling on his long, grimy white hair. And yet he did nothing to protect himself. Instead, looking up a bit, he could show anyone his almost white eyes, a sign of a vision problem. This old man was almost blind.

Barely able to discern what surrounded him, the man only saw black. As if this were some kind of curse, his short-sightedness seemed to him to acquire the power to see the darkness of the city. And of course, every time someone walked by, they only saw a shadowy figure in place of that person.

In this corrupt city, he had never been able to see the slightest streak of light. No, he only saw nothingness around him, caused by selfish and cruel people. He didn't even taste life after seeing so much horror.

Just sighing, he wondered.

" Could I at least see the light once again? "

Crying then, he dropped a drop on his cheek, until a small voice asked him.

" Why are you sad, sir? "

" Hum? " The man wondered, looking up.

There, in front of him, carrying an umbrella, a little girl with blond hair was looking at him.

" Who are you ? " Asked the man, barely being able to see the contours of her figure.

" You must not cry. " Said the child. " My mom and dad always tell me to smile instead of crying. "

Almost wanting to chuckle, the old man simply said.

" If you knew the reason why I cry, in my opinion, you would understand. "

Rummaging then in the pockets of her skirt, the child drew out a candy which she held out to the man.

" Hold ! When I eat candy, it always makes me smile. "

" Huh ? " Said the man, feeling the little girl put the candy in his hand.

Then staring at her face, the man suddenly widened his eyes, when he seemed to be dazzled by a ray of light. Being able to correctly see the face of the child facing him, he had the impression of seeing light. The light he had never seen in years.

" Logue ? " Suddenly cried a voice. " Where are you ? "

" I'm here, mom! " Affirmed the child, before running to join her.

However, looking at the old man one last time, she exclaimed.

" Don't forget, sir! You have to smile. "

Staying completely still, because of what he had just seen, the man ended up getting up all of a sudden, before running in the direction the child had taken.

" My light ! " He cried. " It was my light. "

However he looked for her, he found no trace of the child.

" Where is she ? " Wanted to know the old man.

Continuing to run, he then shoved a man who almost fell to the ground. Seeing the old man continue to run, he grabbed him by the shoulder, while exclaiming.

" Hey, old fool! Do you realize what you just did? Do you want to die? "

Suddenly grabbing his head, the old man stared at him with a mad face, while shouting.

" Where is my light? "

Then, as if it were only too ripe fruit, he destroys the head of the man between his fingers, while roaring.

" Where is my light? "

Entering her favorite bookstore, Wendy motioned to Lubbock, while saying.

" Hello, Lubbock-san ! Glad to see you opened again. "

" Hello, Wendy-chan." Said Lubbock, with a hand salute. " Good news, if you are interested, a new book is available in the department just to your left! I advise you to take a look. "

Nodding, Wendy immediately grabbed the book in question, and began to open it on the first page. There, on the page devoted to the author's autobiography, she saw a small text in which was written.

'' Emergency move. New contact details given here, in case of problems. The doctor is no longer a problem. Good luck for the future. ''

Reading this, Wendy ends up closing the book, before starting to put the pieces of the puzzle in order.

" Hmmmm ... if Night Raid is forced to move, then an enemy at find their base! If so, Stylish must be responsible for it and that's why Night Raid killed him! It is not nice to say it, but I must admit that it is not such a bad thing that he is no longer of this world! "

In any case, that did not prevent him from placing a new envelope in the book, before putting it back down. Preparing to choose another at random, the girl turned to bump into someone's back.

" Sorry. " She apologized immediately.

" Hum? Wendy? "

Looking up at the child, Lubbock nearly had a heart attack as he saw Wendy facing Bols. Book in hand, the jaeger was leafing through various children's stories and happened to be near Wendy.

" Bols? " Said Wendy, almost shouting. " What are you doing here ? "

" Me ? I'm just looking for a book. "

Glancing at the book he was reading, Wendy read the title.

" '' The magical world of Clea '' ? It's a children's book. "

" Yes ! In a few days, it will be my daughter's birthday! I'm looking for gifts to make her happy. "

Finally taking his book, he went to Lubbock, before saying.

" I take this one, my good sir! And as usual, I'm more than surprised to find such a variety of books here. "

" You flatter me. " Asserted Lubbock. " Nevertheless, it is you who make me gain prestige! Two Jaegers in my shop? For me, it's almost a free ad that you make me there. "

After to have payed for his purchase, the man ended up leaving the bookstore, followed by Wendy, who asked him.

" In fact, how old is your daughter? "

" She will be five years old on her birthday. " He told her, dropping a backpack from his shoulders.

Opening it, Wendy could see several gifts there, while Bols had to force to bring in the book.

" I am so excited! I took my day to celebrate the event! So I could be with my family that day. "

" I'm happy for you ! The love that binds family members has no equal. "

" And you, Wendy? " Asked Bols. " Do you have a family ? "

" From a blood point of view, I have never known anyone who is my father, mother or brother or sister! In fact, before I joined the Jaegers, I lived with my friends, whom I considered my real family. "

" Where are they today? "

" Two of them are located not far from the capital! As for the others ... let's say they are far from here! Even if I wanted to, I wouldn't be able to visit them to greet them."

" Is it because of your arrival among the Jaegers? "

" Not directly. "

" By the way, speaking of friends, I noticed that you and Seryu had reconciled. "

" I never wanted to argue with her. " Assured Wendy. " It's just that I didn't appreciate the fact that Stylish manipulates her ! I could never forgive him for having implanted a bomb in her head. "

" Seryu told us about it! It seems that she was the one who wanted this. "

Sighing, hearing this, Wendy said.

" It will take me much longer than expected. "

" For ? "

" Have her understand that what she is doing doesn't represent justice! She puts her life on the line and I don't like it! Did she think about the fact that the slightest blow to the head could trigger an explosion? I must find a way to withdraw this weapon. "

" If you want my opinion, only one person was able to do it! Stylish, himself! But now that he's dead, I doubt he can help us again. "

Grunting, finding that he was right, Wendy couldn't help but sigh again, while the two friends entered the palace.

Then opening the door to the dining room, Bols stopped, seeing Wave and Kurome, in the company of a woman and a little girl with blond hair.

" Dar … Darling? " He wondered. " What ... what are you doing here? "

Sighing then his wife ends up presenting him with a packed lunch, before his nose, before affirming.

" I came to bring you your lunch. "

Suddenly pouting, she exclaimed.

" If what I prepare for you is so bad, you could just tell me. "

" But not at all. " Assured Bols, gesturing his arms in all directions. " It's ... It's just that I was in a hurry and ... I forgot ... uh, actually ... I ... "

Seeing him get confused, his wife suddenly snickered, before saying.

" I'm kidding, come on. "

" Dad ! " Cried the child, jumping right in front of him. " Are you taking me in your arms? "

" Of course. " Said the man, starting to lean.

Nevertheless, he stopped then, while the inside of his poorly closed bag could easily be seen if he lowered further and he didn't want to spoil the surprise by revealing his daughter's gifts before her birthday.

Seeing him thus, hesitating to squat, Wendy patted him on the back, while affirming.

" You can give me back my bag, Bols. "

" Huh ? " Wondered the man, standing up.

" Thank you for wearing it for me. " Wendy insisted, hoping that Bols understood what she wanted to do.

Finally having a flash of genius, the man suddenly removed the bag from his shoulders and entrusted it to Wendy. Making sure that the inside of the bag could not be seen, she moved it behind her, while Bols took the opportunity to take her daughter in her arms.

" So here is your family, Bols. " Cried Wave, approaching him.

" Yes ! This is Kije, my wife! As well as Logue, my daughter! They are the most precious thing in the world. "

" And I have the most wonderful lover. " Said Kije, sticking to him.

" Daddy is the best. " Adds Logue.

"Brilliant" then, the love of the trio dazzled the residents of the room, while Wave asked.

" How can we shine so much? Hell, why don't I have the right to savor great love too? Where is my future wife? "

" She is hided. " Hurome assured him.

" It's mean. "

Smiling, Wendy ends up leaving the room, taking the Bols bag with her.

"Bols ... I understand why you care so much about protecting your family! You love them and they loves you too. "

Showing a determined look, she mumbled.

" I promise you that, soon, you will no longer need to kill people! Yes, when the Empire falls, you will be a real free man. "

Suffocating, a little girl with black hair tried to claw the arms of the man who was strangling her. Barely feeling her scratches, the man roared with anger.

" You're not my light! Where is my light? "

Unable to answer this question, the child he was holding eventually stopped moving, suffocated.

Quickly noticing this, the old man who had just killed her ends up throwing her with all his might against the wall of a dilapidated dwelling, where he was, while other corpses of little girls were at his feet.

" I need ... my light. " He said, before leaving the place to find the child he was looking for.

" Corpses were found in several districts of the capital ? " Wave wondered.

As him and the other Jaegers were gathered in a room, Esdeath quickly read to them a report that had just been given to her. Nevertheless, at the head, she seemed to be reluctant to go and investigate.

Sitting on a chair, while showing a bored look, she ends up throwing the sheet in front of her, until Wave catches it to read it in more detail.

" It is noted that the victims are all girls under ten years old! This started in poor neighborhoods, but the investigation was only opened when the wealthier neighborhoods were affected by this carnage! In all, fifteen bodies were found. "

" Children? " Run wondered, frowning.

" Who is the perpetrator of these crimes? " Wanted to know Wendy.

" All we know is that the assassin has, as a method of assassination, the habit of strangling his victims until death ensues. "

" Tsss, to attack innocent children, there is nothing more execrable. " Roared Seryu.

" Must I understand that we must arrest the perpetrator of these murders ? " Wanted to know Bols.

Simply shrugging, Esdeath exclaimed.

" We are a special police force, created to deal with Night Raid! It is the imperial guard who must find this murderer! However, if you feel like it, and since no news of Night Raid has been heard, I give permission to those who are interested to seek this assassin. "

Preparing to say something, Wendy suddenly cut by Run, who exclaimed.

" In this case, I would like your authorization to have as much information as possible about this investigation, commander. "

Clenching his fist, while showing, for the first time, anger on his face, he assured.

" I will arrest this pedophile. "

" I'm not sure it is one. " Wave replied, after reading the report. " First of all the people who examined the bodies, there was no trace showing that these children were raped! It looks like they were quickly killed! This murderer doesn't seek to play with them, before killing them! He only wants to kill them. "

" However, if the victims are all little girls, it is because the assassin doesn't choose his targets at random! " Remarked Wendy.

" He simply seeks to satisfy a murderous impulse and attacks the weakest people he can find. " Kurome suggested, while stuffing a cake in his mouth. " This murderer is just a coward. "

" In this case, let's stop it quickly. " Bols said, walking out of the room.

" Bols? " Wave said, seeing him take an initiative himself, instead of listening to the opinions of others.

" My daughter could very well be the next victim. " Noticed the man. " Let's stop this assassin on the spot. "

Seeing him leave, Esdeath finally leaves his chair, before informing.

" By the way, I would be absent for a little while! Traders would have seen a dangerous beast sowing chaos not far from the capital! I was asked to strike it down. "

" You go there alone? "

" Of course ! I have to find a way to have a little fun. "

" Well, in this case, we will make justice prevail properly during your absence. " Assured Seryu. " Isn't that right, Wendy? "

Reading, in turn, the report and reading the description of the bodies found, Wendy ends up declaring.

" Yes, we must find this person. "

" Hum? " Said Esdeath. " Have you finally decided to be on our side? "

" I never said I was planning to kill him. " Retorted Wendy. " What I want is to stop him from killing other people! If I find this murderer, I would capture him andto take him behind bars, so that he could understand the cruelty of his actions. "

" Wendy… there are people who don't deserve forgiveness. "

Everyone then turned to Run, who was looking outside, through one of the room windows.

" If this man kills children for pleasure, then he is no longer a human being. " Assured the man, in a calm tone, betraying however a certain rage. " It has become a simple monster! And a monster has no conscience and feels nothing but joy in killing its enemies! In any case, if I find it, I doubt that I would save it. "

Finally leaving the scene, the man kept his gaze down but couldn't help smiling a little.

" Finally ! If what I think is right ... I will finally be able to account with you ... Champ ! "

Walking through the streets in search of the slightest incident, Wendy sighed wearily when she saw the inhabitants of the capital walking through the streets without anything happening. For them, it was just another day.

" Seryu, we won't find anything here! Don't forget that these murders were committed mainly in poor neighborhoods! I doubt that we will find anything in the rich districts, in broad daylight. "

" We have to go around the wealthy neighborhoods, where the last bodies were found. " Retorted Seryu, dragging Koro to the end of his leash. " The poor neighborhoods will come next. "

" The imperial guard is already present here. " Replied Wendy, seeing a small group of soldiers patrolling not far from them. " There is hardly anyone who provides security in poor neighborhoods and that is why the murderer must surely stay there! For him, he is perfectly safe there. "

" Many guards are also there. " Retorted Seryu, with a tone betraying a form of irritation. " Our superiors always make sure that the whole capital is protected! This killer of children can't do anything anymore, without being spotted. "

" Have you ever been to poor neighborhoods? " Asked Wedny.

" Not really ! Ogre-sama always told me to patrol here rather than there! Why ? "

" In this case, I understand. " Murmured Wendy.

"I've been there before ! And I know something! The soldiers laugh at the safety of the people of these neighborhoods! This is surely why Ogre refused to let Seryu go! She could very well have understood how rotten the capital was. "

Suddenly inhaling the air, she stopped to look behind her. Immediately, seeing the young girl staring at her, a silhouette, wrapped in an enormous veil, hid at top speed behind a house, hoping not to have been spotted.

" What's up ? " Wanted to know Seryu, seeing her comrade stop.

" A woman is spying on us. " Said Wendy, staring at the half-concealed figure. " I have been smelling her for a while! "

" A spy of the revolutionary army. " Seryu immediately roared, rushing straight towards the concealed silhouette." I'm going to kill her. "

" No, wait, Seryu! "

Seeing the two girls running towards her, the mysterious woman immediately backed off and ran in a deserted alley. Next, Seryu immediately shouted.

" Koro, block her. "

Growing up immediately, her skin surpassed her in size, before making a magnificent jump. Then landing, in a great crash, he blocked access to the other end of the lane, preventing the silhouette from going further.

Seeing her block, Seryu laughed.

" I hold you, dirty spy! I hope you have enjoyed your life because it ends today. "

" Seryu, stop it." Cried Wedny, coming behind her. " You don't even know who this person is. "

" Perhaps, but we have already met. " Retorted the figure, opposite the duo.

Then seizing her veil, she dropped it at her feet, to reveal a face that made Seryu's teeth cringe.

" You? "

In front of her, a young woman was now staring at the two girls, and she was none other than the person Seryu had spared during the attack on the bandits' fortress.

" Seryu, who is she? "

" A criminal. " Roared Seryu. " A criminal whose life I had the bad idea to save. "

" What do you have? "

" What are you doing here? " Growled Seryu. " Are you in such a hurry to die? Unless you were going to spy on us and then be able to kill us. "

" No no ! Not at all. " Retorted the young woman. " It's not that ! In fact, I just came to talk to you. "

" Talk to me ? "

" And who are you? " Asked Wendy.

" My name is Caruma! And from what I've heard, you are Seryu and Wendy of the Jaegers! In fact, I wanted to talk to you about a matter with you, but I ended up following you, hearing you talking and I quickly understood that you were already dealing with it. "

" Huh ? What are you talking about ? "

" I am talking about the case concerning the murders of little girls. "

Immediately, Seryu's gaze hardened further, as she asked.

" Do you have anything to do with this? "

" Not at all ! It's just that several acquaintances of mine have lost their own daughters! They were kidnapped and it would not surprise me if it was this assassin responsible for this! I wanted to see you so you can help us find them. "

" Help a bandit? " Wondered Seryu, with a look of disgust. " Not even in dreams. "

" Why do you call her a bandit? " Asked Wendy.

" I'm not a criminal. " Retorted Caruma. " Yes, I admit that I am a thief, but it's the only way for me to survive in this city! But, for these thefts, I never hurt or kill anyone. "

" Tss! And you think it will forgive your gesture? I don't even understand why I spared you the other day! In the name of justice, I should execute you immediately. "

" Seryu, calm down. " Wendy ordered her. " For now, it's best to listen to her, to find out what she knows about this case! It's much more important than talking about your flights! "

" But, Wendy… "

" We will talk about it later. " Cut Wendy, advancing towards Caruma. " Go ahead and tell us everything! "

" In fact, I think I know people who can help you. " Assured the girl. " If you can trust me, I can lead you to them. "

" Another body. " Kurome noticed.

Clenching his fist, Wave only showed anger on his face, while soldiers were hiding the body of a little girl under a sheet. Remaining silent for a moment, Bols ended up asking a soldier who was passing by.

" Has she been strangled? "

" Huh ... yes ! And considering the traces, this was done with bare hands. "

" He is our man. " Wave roars, turning from the crime scene. " We must find him quickly before he makes other victims. "

" Run is flying over the city and Seryu and Wendy are on their side. " Assured Bols. " He cannot escape us indefinitely! "

" Perhaps ! " Said Wave, starting to go. " However, if he managed to kill another child, I could never forgive myself. "

Hopping on the spot, Logue was humming, before entering a bakery.

" Hello, Madam. " She cried, advancing towards an old baker.

" Hello, Logue! Two chopsticks, as usual? "

" Yes. " Assured the girl, already starting to rummage in the little bag she had on her back.

" Here ! " Declared the old baker, putting the bread on the counter.

Then hoisting herself on tiptoe to compensate for her small size, Logue ends up depositing money, before taking the bread.

" Thank you very much. "

" You will say hello to your mother, from me. "

" Yes. "

Leaving then, very happy to have succeeded in the race that her mother had entrusted to her, Logue began to hum, while starting to return home.

However, turning around the corner, she eventually hit a person and fell back. However, instead of getting upset, she immediately apologized.

" Sorry! I did not watch where I was going! "

" My light ! " Suddenly mumbled a voice.

" Hein? " Said the child, looking up.

A pair of hands then grabbed her.