" Faster ! " Cried Wave.

However much he ran, he was behind Bols, who, despite his heavy weight, was running at the head of the group.

" If this guy has ever hurt my daughter, I promise I will have no mercy! "

Then arriving in front of Kalgon's warehouse, he saw the door explode, at this instant, while a body was thrown.

" Hum? "

Regaining his balance in time, Kalgon planted his feet in the ground to slow his run and stopped dead as he glared at Run. Coming out of the building, the man was followed by Caruma.

Then starting to wake up, Logue eventually regains consciousness, while she was still in Caruma's arms. Not recognizing the woman, she seemed surprised to see her. Then fear started to show on her face when she saw Kalgon in front of them.

" HIIIIII! Not him ! He is nasty ! "

" Logue! " Suddenly called Kije, seeing her daughter.

" Mum ! "

Seeing, in turn, the rest of the Jaegers arrive, Kalgon began to growl.

" Decidedly, many of you want to thwart my divine plans. "

" Who are you ? " Wave asked him, grabbing Grand Chariot.

" Run? It's okay ? " Wanted to know Kurome, while grabbing her own teigu. " Wendy and Seryu are not with you? "

" I ... I'm here. " Said Wendy, trying her best to get out of the building, while putting her hand against a wall.

" Tsss! When will you learn to die? " Roared Kalgon.

Suddenly caught in a bad feeling, he covered his body in stone in time, while flames threatened to consume him.

" YOU ! " Cried Bols, with Rubicante in his hands. " What did you try to do to my daughter? "

" Hmmm? Are you the father of this demon? Seeing your head, it doesn't surprise me! You want the truth ! I tried to save this empire by killing her! However, this stupid blue haired kid had to stop me. "

" Grrr! Unforgivable. " Wave asserted. " " If I understand correctly, it was you who also killed the rest of the children! Are you no regrets? "

" No ! None ! These girls were not the light I was looking for! They therefore didn't deserve to live! Just like you. "

Then assembling two blocks of rock to create a larger one, he ends up swinging it towards the Jaegers.

" Die! "

" Ridiculous. " Kurome said.

Simply placing Yatsufusa in front of her, she made a very slight movement, which was enough to cut the rock into two very clear parts.

" You can never have us with this kind of pitiful attacks. "

Preparing to rail, Kalgon jumped back to avoid a shower of sharp feathers sent by Run, before creating a rock shield to protect himself from the flames of Bowls.

" When are you going to leave me alone? "

Then suddenly, while dodging, he could catch a glimpse of Caruma running away from him, while taking Logue towards Kije.

" Mum ! " Cried the child, while her mother ran towards her.

" Logue, my child! I was so worried. "

" No question of letting her live. " Roared Kalgon, positioning his hand towards the trio.

Immediately, part of the stone wall of a building broke apart and rushed straight towards the young women, who could only cry out in fear, when they saw it coming on them.

" Kije! Logue ! " Bols horrified, trying to point Rubicante towards the stone wall.

" Too late. " Chuckled Kalgon.

However, his smile disappeared at moment where a violent cold hit was felt. Being then covered with ice, the stone wall was frozen on the ground, unable to move. And sitting on it, a figure began to sneer.

" Attack level, I don't have much to complain about! However, during a battle, you must always know how to watch your rear. "

" Ge… General? " The Jaegers wondered.

" Esdeath? " Wendy wondered.

" You? " Roared Kalgon, grinding his teeth.

" Oh ? An old acquaintance. " Remarked the young woman, looking at the man. " Who are you already ? Dungeon? Dragon? I know ! Captain Kalgon, if I'm not mistaken. "

" Bitch! Esdeath ... you are just Satan incarnate! "

" In the meantime, the one who committed the evil today is none other than you! However, you seem to me much more entertaining than the pitiful monster that I killed earlier! Let's see what you are worth! Jaegers, take care of him. "

" With pleasure ." They assured, positioning themselves at her side, opposite Kalgon.

" Do you really think you have a chance against me? " Spat the man, pressing his silver watch again. " My teigu is the most powerful there is! It will never have the least equivalent. "

Covering it again, the blocks of stone surrounded it and ended up creating a solid armor for him, thus making his silhouette grow.

" You have no chance, face me! I am invincible, now! "

Then, making other rocks fly in the sky, he sneered.

" I'll crush you like common insects! Prepare you to suffer. "

However, everything stopped in the space of a second. Like a streak of light, Kurome had passed behind him, while putting Yatsufusa back in her sheath. Not even having had time to see her, Kalgon felt his arms detach from the rest of his body, taking his dick to the ground.

" What? " He wondered, as the levitating blocks of rock finally fell. " " It's impossible. "

" For the murders you committed, I would have no mercy. " Wave roars. " GRAND CHARIOT ! "

Covered in his own armor, the boy ran towards Kalgon, and struck him with a powerful punch which destroyed his stone armor at the level of his abdomen. Backing away for several meters, Kalgon put one knee on the ground, while spitting his triples.

" NOOOO ! My… divine plans. "

" You can never defeat justice. "

Then jumping from the roof, Seryu directed her fist towards Kalgon's back and managed to destroy the stone which covered this back, in one strike.

Grunting again in pain, Kalgon started to cry.

" No ! The light must be on my side! I ... the gods must be on my side. "

" You talk endlessly of nothingness and light, without understanding something. " Cried Wendy. " " You are nothingness and, because of this, you scare away the light around you. "

Hearing it, Kalgon was overcome with rage, and ran towards her while uttering a simple cry of rage.

" I'll twist your neck. "

Unfortunately for him, no longer being able to use his teigu, Kalgon no longer had the slightest strength to face the Jaegers.

" SKY DRAGON'S ROAR! "

" Doesn't even come back to this planet. " Bols roared, sparking flames.

" Go to hell. " Adds Run, swinging sharp feathers.

Then merging, the three attacks formed a tornado of sharp fire which reached Kalgon and destroyed his body, now that the man was no longer protected by his stone armor.

" Impossible. " He yelled, while the flames consumed his body. " Why ? Why ? It's all your fault. "

Then staring at Wendy, he was surprised to see her soul change again. Finding that Kalgon had lost this battle for good, Wendy no longer felt the slightest hatred against him, knowing that it would now be useless.

As a result, leaving her body, hatred and anger left her to face purity, which again enlightened her soul.

" That … ? The light ? "

Reaching out to Wendy, he cried out.

" Since all this time, you were my light? "

" I don't know who I am towards you. " Assured Wendy, by simply going away. " Nevertheless, light or not, you have made me your enemy! And now you pay the consequences. "

" I have ... fought the divine light? Why did I do this? "

It was Kalgon's last words, before he disappeared among the flames.

"Because evil always fights against light! " Thought Wendy.

Lying on her bed, Wendy only stared at the ceiling, as she thought about what had just happened. Either way, she was responsible for Kalgon's death. And, despite the horrors he had committed, as well as the fact that he had given her a chance to surrender, she couldn't help but feel guilty.

"I told him he had no right to kill others! And yet, I ended up killing him myself! Am I really better than him? "

Suddenly opening his door, Wave cried.

" Hey, Wendy? What are you doing ? "

" Hum? Wave? "

Suddenly finding herself under the young man's arm, Wendy was transported out of her room, before being taken into the dining room.

" I took her. " Wave said.

" What? " The child wondered, as he finally let go.

Immediately, she saw Kurome and Run sitting at the table, as well as Kije and Logue on a sofa.

" Well, it took you a while to come. " Run noted, with a small smile.

" It is rude to keep others waiting to eat." Kurome said, despite having a cookie in her mouth.

" That ? What? "

" Thank you very much. " Suddenly said Kije.

Advancing towards Wendy, the young woman then bent down before her, while exclaiming.

" From the bottom of my heart, thank you! Without you, Logue would be dead. "

" I… It's not just thanks to me. " Retorted Wendy. " There are also Seryu and Caruma who helped me! As well as Niks and Run! Without them, I couldn't have done anything. "

" Seryu told us about everything that happened to you. " Retorted Run. " And if you hadn't taken Caruma's words seriously, never one of us could have arrived on time! Not only did you do the right thing to find his trail, and you fought this monster brilliantly! You are the only one who deserves to be congratulated. "

" But I … ! But I … "

The huge silhouette of Bols was then seen behind her.

" Wendy, I ... "

Then grabbing her, he lifted her off the ground, before hugging her. In the process, he managed to crack a bone or two, making the child wince. Still, Wendy remained silent as she heard Bols mumble.

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

Trying to smile at him, Wendy ends up saying.

" Its good ! We're friends, right? It is our duty to protect each other and the people who are dear to us! It's my way of seeing things. "

" No matter how you look at it. " Retorted Bols, dropping her. " From now on, I have a huge debt to you! And know that I would do everything to reimburse it! Leave me to be killed at your place ! Wendy, thank you again! "

Even more embarrassed by being praised by everyone, Wendy desperately tried to do change the discussion.

" Huh, by the way… where is Seryu? "

" She has been gone for a while. " Taught her Wave. " She said she had something to settle. "

" Something to settle? "

Exhaling a column of smoke, Niks pulled the tip of his pipe from his mouth, while understanding.

" So, this monster is dead. "

" Yes. " Caruma assured him. " The Jaegers were able to kill him! From now on, children have no reason to be afraid. "

" This is only temporary." Retorted a man, who had heard Caruma's story.

" No matter what this man did, it won't change anything for our safety. " Noticed a young woman. " The guards will never come here to patrol! We are on our own again. "

" Basically, we will know a peace of a few days, before something else falls on us. " Niks nodded, smoking again.

Suddenly stepping back, a man cried out.

" The… here she is again. "

" Huh? " Said everyone, turning in the same direction.

Immediately, frightened cries were uttered, while many deviated from the path of the newcomer.

" You? " Roared Niks, twitching his face.

" Seryu? " Caruma wondered, seeing her walk towards them. " What are you doing here? "

Hiding her gaze, the girl smiled at her, while affirming.

" Don't worry, I will not disturb you for long! Let's just say that I wanted to come back here to settle a small matter. "

Armed with pieces of wood or stones, various people began to surround him, while questioning him.

" What do you want ? "

" You wanted information about Kalgon and Niks-san gave it to you! We have nothing more to bring you! "

" None of us worked for him! So you will not find any accomplices among us! "

Keeping smiling, Seryu then murmured.

" Koro! "

Cries of fear were uttered, as the teigu took its bestial form before opening its mouth towards them.

" AHHHHHH ! Help ! "

" Run away ! RUN AWAY ! "

" Seryu, what are you doing? " Wanted to know Caruma.

" Spits up ! " Said Seryu.

Immediately, a chest came out of Koro's mouth, and crashed at the feet of the crowd that had formed.

" That … ? "

Thrown too brutally, the wooden chest is half destroyed and revealed gold coins.

" What? Money? "

Looking at Caruma and Niks, Seryu said.

" This is the reward for capturing Kalgon! By just leading us to them, it seems obvious that you deserve it! "

At first skeptical, a man ended up reaching for the chest and picked up a coin. Then stepping back, he inspected it in detail, before biting into it. Immediately, he looked at Niks, before affirming.

" It's real gold coins. "

" What? " Someone was surprised. " But with such a large amount of money, we will be able to buy enough food for weeks. "

" I don't believe it ! With this new tax increase, this money is timely! Nobody had anything left. "

" We will be able to eat our fill. "

" Don't rejoice too quickly. " Retorted Seryu.

" Huh? "

" Know that from now on you are watching. " She asserted. " Because of this, I would come myself patrol here to make sure no sins are committed. "

Going away then, she added.

" You have been warned, you bandits. "

Leaving thus, she moved away from the group, to stop when she heard someone calling her.

" Seryu, wait. "

" Hum? " She wondered, seeing Caruma running towards her. " What do you want ? "

" What is this lie? " Caruma asked. " Compared to the others, I can read and I know that the newspaper didn't reveal any reward for the capture of a person mainly attacking the children of poor families! Where does this money come from? "

" There are my savings! The money I made by tracking down criminals. "

" What? But why did you do this? All these people hate you! Did you do this to feel better about them? "

" I only did it for a reason! The guards didn't do their job here and it made the lives of these people painful! Here is what to compensate them! But don't even think that I did it with a good heart! For me, you are all criminals to watch. "

" Seryu! You do it for our good, right? In fact, you plan to patrol here to keep us safe, right? "

Simply groaning, Seryu pretended to leave, when Caruma jumped on his back before exclaiming.

" Thank you very much, Seryu! "

Feeling her arms around her neck, the guard roared.

" What are you doing ? Let go of me. "

" Now, I understand why I wanted to treat you. " Caruma assured, laying his head against Seryu's back. " As a medium, I understood that a link was going to appear between us! A powerful bond that would unite us both. "

Hearing this, Seryu couldn't help but blush, before finally freeing herself from Caruma's arms.

" Cease to say anything, you criminal. "

Then, running with Koro at her side, she finally leaves the neighborhood, under the suddenly enlightened gaze of Caruma.

"Seryu ... come back to see me soon."

" Go, Wendy, take advantage. " Sneered Wave.

Barely standing, the man had a glass of beer in his hand, while patting Wendy's shoulder on the other. The girl, holding a glass filled with fruit juice ends up saying.

" It's way too much. "

" Bols has prepared all this to celebrate our victory. " Assured Kurome, pointing to a table full of food. " It would be sacrilege to waste. "

Then taking a big leg, she made it disappear in an instant, before spitting out a bone on her plate.

"To avoid waste, we can trust her."

Standing up, Wendy exclaimed.

" I ... I'll be right back. "

Then leaving the room, she rushed to the corridor where she felt her heart calm down a bit. As always, being the center of attention had always made her uncomfortable. But there, it was too much for the girl, who had the impression of being thanked when she didn't even deserve it.

Besides, she couldn't help but feel enormous guilt. The more the days passed, the more her attachment to the Jaegers became more important.

Since they had known each other, she and Bols had developed a true friendship, which had reached its peak that very evening. Wave and Run were friendly people who often made Wendy laugh, for the first, and to whom the second gave a lot of advice. She was far from having such a strong relationship with Kurome. However, at this very moment, the girl now happened to give a little of her food which, according to Wave, was a real proof of a friendship between the two girls.

And then, of course, there was Seryu. If Wendy had to look for her opposite, Seryu represented this person. She was cold, cruel, merciless and did not feel the slightest guilt. Many times, Wendy had wanted to go away from her, so much Seryu frightened her. And yet ... yet, Seryu was changing.

It was barely visible, and many could have said the opposite. However, Wendy was sure of it, Seryu began to stop being a murderer fan of justice. Yes, as long as she was with her, Wendy felt capable of making her understand the true meaning of justice. And that's why she really considered her as her friend.

And it was for this reason that she no longer knew what to think of all this. Of course, her friendship with Natsu and Gajeel was unwavering, but the fact remained that her relationship with the Jaegers had become much more important than that which she had had time to establish with Night Raid. Now she would no longer know who to help or protect during a confrontation involving the two groups.

" What must I do now ? "

" Hey, Wendy? "

Barely having time to look up, the child caught in extremis a projectile having been thrown in the direction of her face.

" What … ? " She wondered, seeing the ice cream she was holding in her hand.

Stepping towards her, Esdeath said.

" Take advantage of this moment because I feel that we will have to wait a long time before I repeat this kind of speech to you. "

Putting her hand on her shoulder, she declared.

" You did a good job, Wendy! You can be proud of yourself. "

" General? "

" Continue to work hard and get stronger. " Esdeath advised her, before doubling her.

Staying still, Wendy began to think of Kalgon, what he had said about the nothingness of the Empire. Then she thought back to the picturesque state in which Niks, Caruma and all these poor people lived.

Finally, turning to Esdeath, she questioned her.

" Do you remember what I told you, about wanting to change the Empire? "

" Huh ? Yes, why ? "

" To get there, I only see one way! I will take your place as general."

It didn't take more for Esdeath to turn to her, before asking her.

" Huh ? Have I heard wrong? Or are you saying that you want my place ... as a general? "

" Today, I am unable to match your power, and I admit it without being ashamed of it! However, as you already told me, I can improve myself and reach a level of power higher than that of the others! And that's why I'm sure that one day, my strength will equal before surpassing yours! And the day it happens, I will take your title of general! "

Esdeath's face was then glued to hers, while an intense cold ankylosed the whole body of Wendy.

" Are you really understanding what you are saying? I killed for less than that! Don't overestimate yourself just because you did something good today! Of the whole group, the most powerful among you is none other than Kurome! Faced with its true power, you have no chance against it, while it does not reach my ankle! So what are your chances of defeating me? "

" Don't underestimate the strength of a dragon. "

" The strength of a dragon, huh? "

A powerful punch lodged in Wendy's belly, threatening to make her spit out what she had just swallowed. Taking some pleasure in seeing her fall to her knees, while pressing her hands over her mouth to prevent vomiting, Esdeath ends up crouching down before placing a light kiss on her forehead, which completely surprises Wendy.

" In this case, come see me! No matter what time of day or that I eat or sleep! When you are sure that the moment will be present, come see me and let's fight! Be sure that I will wait for you impatiently! "

Then, leaving her in the hallway, she headed for the dining room.

Massaging her stomach where Esdeath had hit her, Wendy couldn't help but feel angry at her, knowing that she hadn't even tried to hold back.

"She is really as powerful as Erza! "

Currently walking in the city while it was dark outside, Wendy had headed for a very specific place. Finally arriving there, she stared at the church in front of her, before going into the outer courtyard.

As Wendy would have bet, she saw Seryu, sitting cross-legged in front of her father's grave.

" What do you want, Wendy? "

" Everyone decided to party and you are the only person who didn't come! Are you OK ? "

Glancing at her father's grave one last time, Seryu lowered Koro, who was lying on her legs, before standing up.

" Let's walk a bit. "

Following her, Wendy let her walk before her, said nothing. However, after a few minutes, she finally opened her mouth. As if she had guessed her next question, Seryu retorted.

" Whatever happens, Night Raid will always be my enemy! It is the enemy of the Empire. "

" Why, Seryu? After what you've seen and heard, don't you understand that Night Raid has a real reason to fight against the Empire? It has strong inequalities throughout the city and nobody is moving a finger to stop this! Murders are perpetuated; disappearances are not reported; thousands of people live in utter misery ...! The Empire is far from the one you see, Seryu! "

" I… I know it very well. " Affirmed Seryu." Today I understood it! But that doesn't change the fact that I consider the revolutionary army as my enemy. "

" But finally, Seryu… "

Then stopping, the guard suddenly exclaimed.

" But I have to change things. "

Clenching her fist, she said.

" I didn't understand why all these people stole food! I didn't understand why so many people criticized the Empire! I didn't understand any of this! "

Finally feeling a tear of frustration, she turned to Wendy, before asking her.

" Wendy, am I a bad person? "

Looking at her while having feared this question, Wendy ends up taking a serious air.

" If I gave you false hopes, I could never forgive myself! Seryu, for me, the person who most resembled you was without none other than Kalgon. "

Strangely, knowing the temperament of the guard, Wendy had expected an excess of rage from the latter. However, she remained completely stoic allowing Wendy to continue.

" Even if you wanted to do good, you gradually ended up defiling your soul and you turned into a killing machine! Honestly, I understand why a lot of people hate you for what you did. "

Then nodding, Seryu seemed to understand Wendy's words and looked away.

" Okay, I see ! Thanks for being honest. "

" However, I consider you as my friend. " Said Wendy.

" Your friend ? "

" Yes ! It is true that I find your so-called "justice" barbaric and horrible! I also hate the fact that you take it out and kill people! In fact, I could hate you for a lot! However, for a strange reason, I can't hate you! Maybe because you really want to do good or because at the bottom of this case, you yourself are a victim of all this. "

Smiling at her, Wendy finished.

" Anyway, how happy I am to be your partner. "

Tempting her hand, she exclaimed.

" Ready to continue fighting for a real better world, my friend ? "

" Yes. " Seryu assured, shaking her hand immediately. " I will fight anyone! But now that Kalgon is dead, I'm sure the captain will experience some form of peace for a little while. "

" I don't think so . " Retorted Wendy, resuming a serious air." In fact, we still haven't solved another problem. "

" What do you mean ? "

" Kalgon was just killing little girls and it only started two weeks ago! Remember the words of Niks! Hundreds of disappearances have been recorded for over a month! People of different types and ages! Kalgon has nothing to do with it. "

" Are you telling me ...? "

" Yes. " Assured Wendy, looking at the city in front of her. " There's another serial killer somewhere in town. "