Chapter 258: Night of Universal Hallucinations 『 Part Seven 』
「 "I am willing, time and time again, to protect these seeds of beauty — to allow THEM to bloom into pure and radiant flowers, to demonstrate my devotion to THEM... It is an inherent part of the journey of Argenti..."
"In the pursuit of defending beauty I have bled into unconsciousness... and in the ensuing stupor I have witnessed countless times THEIR traces spreading from beneath my feet — reaching into the unknown before me."
Reason told him it was a hallucination, yet he hoped it was the truth.
"In those past hallucinations, I kept running. THEIR footprints on the mire-ridden path moved me to a sadness beyond tears. And every time, I was a breath away from catching a glimpse of THEIR figure."
"Are you fighting to see THEM?"
Argenti nodded with a smile. "Indeed… that is my selfish desire."
"To fall, to rise, to fall again, and to rise once more; tempered a thousand times, wandering the border of life and death, solely to draw us closer to the journey Pure Beauty once tread." Argenti closed his eyes with solemnity. "This is my oath as a Knight of Beauty."
He asked if Stelle supported his resolve, but Stelle merely shook her head calmly. As a member of the Astral Express crew, she could not accept letting Argenti venture into danger alone.
"Are you worried for me? Thank you, truly…" Argenti was deeply moved. "Your understanding is more precious than any treasure. I have faced many a traveler, encountered flattery and provocation aplenty. It is rare to find a spirit as pure as yours."
Argenti's mind was made up; this was a fate he was bound to embrace. Yet, before his departure, one regret remained unresolved: the duel with Stelle from when they first met. He wished to prove his will through the clash of lance and bat, and with that, bid Stelle farewell. 」
「 .....」
〜Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid World〜
Kobayashi pushed up her glasses, her brow furrowed as she watched Argenti on the sky-screen, insisting on a duel with Stelle.
"He's about to go challenge a monster like that, so why waste stamina now?"
She shook her head in confusion.
"Wouldn't it be better to save a little strength before the battle starts, to scrape together even a fraction more of a chance to come back alive?"
Tohru was approaching with a plate of freshly baked pancakes, her dragon tail swaying happily. She glanced at the screen, taking in Argenti's elegant yet resolute posture, and gave a light laugh.
"Kobayashi, naturally, you wouldn't understand the minds of these knights~ There are some battles that are more important than simply 'being alive'!"
"Like what?"
Tohru took a bite of a pancake, explaining through a mouthful:
"Just like how we dragons roar to display our power before a fight, that knight wants to use combat to prove his will of 'Pure Beauty.' It's probably like those heroes on TV who, even when facing death, have to say something like 'My conviction still shines bright,' right?"
Kobayashi sighed.
"Sounds cool, but in reality, it's super dangerous, isn't it?"
Tohru laughed heartily.
"That's why they're called 'Knights'! If he didn't have at least that much stubbornness, he'd be failing his faith."
—
「 The battle with Argenti did not last long; Stelle defeated him quickly.
"Stelle… your conduct, your strength, your martial etiquette… have thoroughly convinced me." Argenti did not stint on his praise for Stelle's performance, but he knew clearly that following this battle, he would exit the stage of the Express's story.
"You're sure you can escape safely?" Stelle asked one final time.
"Stelle, I give you my guarantee: I am not a rash or impulsive man. I will make comprehensive preparations and find the opportune moment to withdraw. I came to the Express to aid everyone in resolving this crisis; when the mission is complete, I shall return to the Galaxy. But… the Galaxy is vast; perhaps we shall meet again."
Seeing that matters were settled, Stelle ceased her persuasion and relayed his intentions to Mr. Welt. Though Welt expressed understanding of Argenti's actions, rationality prevented him from agreeing with them.
Meanwhile, Velite, upon hearing of Argenti's plan, was so shocked his jaw nearly hit the floor.
"Are you worried about him?"
"Don't talk nonsense! No such thing. I'm not worried about him at all. I only care about what happens at the turning point of my life if he dies! It's incomprehensible; a bad life is better than a good death, so what is he being so stubborn about? …Fine, I admit it, I am actually starting to get worried." 」
「 .....」
〜JoJo's Bizarre Adventure World, Golden Wind Timeline〜
Mista sat with his legs crossed, watching Velite's tough-talking facade crumble, and couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"He's a bit hard-headed… but the guy's honest enough."
Trish gracefully took a sip of black tea, her gaze softening as it rested on Velite's face, which was contorted with mortal anxiety.
"I think it's quite rare,"
She said softly.
"To see such a genuine person in a corporation where profit reigns supreme."
"Doesn't Topaz count?"
"Topaz counts, of course, but her position is too high. She focuses her attention on the business and her colleagues; there isn't much time left for bystanders like us."
Trish shook her head with a smile.
"There are some words that one only finds the courage to speak after stripping away status and rank."
Mista didn't quite catch her drift, but thinking on it carefully, ever since Giorno became the BOSS, there were indeed many jokes Mista hadn't shared with him.
—Back when Giorno was just a rookie entering the organization, when Bucciarati and Narancia were still around, he absolutely never had such concerns.
Now, he himself had become the organization's Number Three, and he couldn't treat his subordinates with the same attitude he had when he was just a gunman. To be honest, even to this day, he hadn't gotten used to the position. Compared to the freedom of ordering lackeys around now, he missed that afternoon scattered by the sea breeze far more.
Bucciarati pushing the last piece of tiramisu to him; Narancia smearing cream on Fugo's face; three sugar cubes sinking into Abbacchio's coffee cup—they had agreed on only two, so Giorno must have secretly added one.
"…Mista?"
Mista snapped back to reality, realizing he had been zoning out for a long time. Giorno was looking at him with concern.
"N-Nothing… just didn't sleep well last night, feeling a bit drowsy."
—
「 Velite stormed over to Argenti, getting straight to the point: "What you're doing is seriously brainless. Are you putting yourself in danger just to fulfill a knight's duty? Can't you do it another way?"
"Could it be that you are concerned for me?" Argenti looked at him with gratification. "I hope I can uphold my oath: to aid you in reaching your destination."
"You…"
Velite gritted his teeth, as if making a sudden resolve. "If you won't listen, then I'll go with you! My life was saved by you anyway. Aiyo, even though I don't have the strength to help much, I can at least do some grunt work…"
"I am very grateful, but you need not force yourself."
Seeing Argenti's unwavering expression, Velite knew he couldn't persuade him, so he simply said: "Then don't you dare die here! I'll be waiting for you to come back! Once we settle this crisis, you have to help me do some endorsements for the IPC! The important thing is, you absolutely must not die here—"
Argenti turned slowly to leave, spear in hand, striding toward the silhouette of the True Sting like a silver sword piercing the darkness.
"Do not worry. I shall shout aloud: 'THE PURE BEAUTY, GODDESS IDRILA, IS PEERLESS IN THE WORLD!!'" 」
「 .....」