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CHAPTER 27 – Bravo and Sonia. Part 1.
(Pov – Daniel)
The vehicle rattled along the dusty road, shaking with every bump in the terrain. I've always found car rides relaxing—something I rarely did back home—but not even that was helping me calm down right now, not with all the chaos swirling in my head.
Through the window I watched the landscape grow more and more desolate as we approached Froulen's fortress. The streets were empty, every light turned off. I asked Nismei if this was normal, and she said no, that it seemed strange to her too. I seriously doubt the dictator cares about people's well-being; he probably did this just to make his fight with me more exciting.
My fingers drummed restlessly on my forehead while I mentally reviewed every possibility, every strategy, every weakness I might exploit.
But nothing came to mind.
Absolutely nothing.
Nothing, nothing, nothing at all. We're talking about an indestructible man who wasn't even affected by a power that instantly erases things. How the hell am I supposed to beat someone like that?
…Seriously, I've got nothing.
"Well, well… Ah. I've been thinking about how to beat him, but nothing comes to mind…"
I let out a long sigh. Should I start planning my escape or fake my death? I shouldn't—and don't want to—waste a life in this world.
"It's too complicated… How do you defeat someone who can't be broken or feel pain?"
Nismei, sitting in the back, lowered her gaze. Her expression was a mix of worry and resignation. Bravo, who was driving, kept his eyes on the road, but his voice sounded as optimistic and cheerful as ever when he answered.
"We still have 40 minutes until we arrive. We still have time to think of a way to kill him."
Is the city that big?
I nodded, though I wasn't convinced. Forty minutes wasn't enough to figure out how to defeat an enemy who had ruled for 50 years without anyone even managing to scratch him.
If you guys—whose sole purpose is to kill the dictator—don't know how, do you really think I'll figure it out in 40 minutes? Useless pieces of shi—
I quickly shook my head. N-no… No… It's just stress. Sorry for thinking that. Man, my grandma would be furious if she knew I thought something so offensive.
Ah… Accumulate damage. So far, that's my only option. Hit him until his body reaches its limit. I have no other choices. Everything has a limit—even magical energy has a limit. Powers must have… a limit…
Hmm… During my fight against that fat bastard's bodyguards, one of them—the guy who could turn his body into fire—suddenly lost his power and shouted, "Did my time run out?!"
Powers do have usage limits. But… what's the dictator's limit…? Ah, well, whatever. I'll go with that option; I doubt there's a better one.
La, la, la, la… Ah…
Forty minutes… Ah… Should I take a nap…? No, I can't let my guard down for a second.
Ah…
My eyes wandered aimlessly around the interior of the vehicle until they stopped on something unusual: a ring.
That's definitely not an ordinary ring—it's embedded in Bravo's forehead. Was he born with it? Is it part of his power or his anatomy? Well, well. What could it be for?
"Bravo."
"Yeah?"
I pointed at the ring.
"Is that ring part of your power? Why do you have it on your forehead?"
…Well, well… The mood just got heavy.
The atmosphere in the car changed instantly. Bravo didn't answer, and his hands gripped the steering wheel tighter. Is this a sensitive topic? Maybe he was tortured and forced to wear that ring for the rest of his life, like an eternal reminder of his trauma or something. Or maybe it's a sad memento of some tragic event.
For a moment I thought he was going to ignore my question. But then he sighed, and when he spoke, his voice sounded deeper.
"It's a long story, and we need to focus on figuring out how to kill Froulen," he said, avoiding my curious gaze.
Snif, snif. Smells like a love story.
I already have my plan, and honestly, I think it's the only strategy I'm going to get. This might be my only chance to hear it, and I want to know his story.
"I don't think there's time to tell it."
Yes, there is time. You guys had years to figure something out and came up empty. We're not going to discover anything in 40 minutes. I'd rather hear a nice love story before fighting an indestructible being. That'll relax me a lot.
"You can't just leave me hanging."
I insisted, leaning toward him.
"I really want to hear it. I'm curious about your story."
Bravo closed his eyes for a moment, as if fighting against a painful memory. I know remembering hurts, but drop the drama! I want to kno—!
I quickly shook my head. D-damn it. What's wrong with me?
… I need to calm down.
… Ah.
"I'm risking my life for you guys."
Bravo opened his eyes and looked at me.
"This fight isn't mine, it doesn't affect me, but here I am, risking my life…"
And my mission.
"For you."
And the only thing I want in return is to hear a love story.
"If you don't tell it now, I won't get to hear it later. I'll leave this world and never come back."
Another silence. Nismei looked at Bravo curiously, waiting for his answer.
See? Even she wants to hear the story.
Finally, he gave in and nodded.
"All right…" he whispered, and for the first time since I'd known him, I saw something vulnerable in his expression.
I can feel his sadness, but… what I'm feeling is…
What's happening to me? Why am I feeling second-hand embarrassment and disgust?
"This ring was the one I was going to give to the love of my life, Sonia, so she would marry me."
I knew it, it's a love story…! Sonia?
My heart… hurts.
"But she… she had the misfortune of being chosen by Minsfel as his girlfriend… I guess you already know what happened to her afterward."
The name "Sonia" echoed in my mind.
Sonia…
The girl I once thought was the love of my life was also named that. Even though I no longer felt anything for her, the name still carried a flicker of nostalgia. But this was a different Sonia—one who had suffered a far crueler fate.
…Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh! Sonia, why did you cheat on me with that idiot?! It makes no sense! So many girls are dying to be with me, and I fell for the one with a fetish for morons! Motherfu—!
"Daniel?!" Nismei shouted, startled.
"S-sorry, it's nothing."
I slapped my face, trying to redirect my thoughts. Don't think cruel things. Don't think cruel things!
…Ah…
"That bastard," I muttered, remembering Minsfel.
I should've tortured you more, but oh well, they're already raping you in hell.
"I don't regret what I did to him. He deserved it."
Bravo nodded slowly.
"Well, well… I'm sorry," I said, feeling my words weren't enough.
I don't know what to say in this situation.
"Don't worry," Bravo said with a gentle smile.
A man who always tries to stay optimistic. Man, I wish I had a male friend like you. Alex is way too extroverted and cheerful, like a little kid, and she's a girl. I need someone like Bravo. Cris is almost the same as Bravo, except… well, he doesn't have magic.
"She wasn't raped…"
Huh, I almost missed the story. That last part snapped me back to reality. She wasn't raped?
"One of the old organization members tried to kill Minsfel that day, but failed… She got caught up in the fight and died…"
He smiled wider than before, even as tears filled his eyes.
"But at least she wasn't raped by that disgusting rapist."
A momentary wave of relief washed over me when I heard that, though I immediately felt guilty for feeling relieved. Death was still death, no matter how it happened.
A-at least she wasn't raped… Wait. Death…? Death… Hehe.
All the sadness vanished from my body, and I covered my mouth to hide my smile.
I hope you have a picture of her, Bravo.
"Want me to tell you how we became a couple?" Bravo suddenly asked, his tone lighter, as if he wanted to step away from the pain for a moment.
Nismei, who had been silent until now, nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes, please!"
I nodded too.
"I'd love to hear it."
A romantic story before a fight will relax me.
Bravo took a deep breath, as if preparing to dive into a sea of memories.
"I remember it like it was yesterday. Two years ago…"
Ah, a sweet romantic story… I wish I had any luck in love.