[Protecting these seeds of beauty to prove his devotion to Her—this is something Argenti will definitely do on his journey.]
[Idrila is his faith, and also the Path he seeks. In moments of bleeding and losing consciousness during battle, he has countless times seen Her figure in his fainting state, spreading from beneath his feet toward an unknowable future.]
[Reason tells him it is an illusion, but he hopes it is real.]
["In those old illusions, I kept running. On the muddy road, the footprints She left behind saddened me more than any weeping. And each time, I came so close—just a little short—of glimpsing Her figure."]
["Are you fighting in order to see 'Her'?"]
[Argenti smiled and nodded: "Yes... this is my selfishness."]
["Fall, stand up, fall again, stand up again. Countless temperings, lingering between life and death, all to bring us closer to the path once walked by pure beauty." Argenti solemnly closed his eyes. "This is my oath as a Knight of Beauty."]
[He asked Stelle if she supported his idea, but Stelle only calmly shook her head. As a member of the Express crew, she could not accept letting Argenti risk himself alone.]
["Are you worried about me? Thank you, thank you..." Argenti was deeply moved. "Your understanding is more precious than any treasure. I have crossed blades with many wanderers—flattery, contemptuous provocations, I have encountered too many. What is rare is the same innocent heart."]
[Argenti's mind was made up—this was the fate he should pursue. Before setting out, however, he still had one regret he hadn't settled: his initial battle with Stelle. He wanted to prove his will with blade and lance, and bid farewell to Stelle through it.]
——
Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid.
Kobayashi pushed up her glasses, watching Argenti on the celestial screen stubbornly insisting on fighting Stelle. Her brows furrowed tightly.
"He's about to challenge that kind of monster soon—why waste energy like this?" She shook her head in confusion. "Isn't it better to conserve a bit of stamina before the fight starts and increase the chance of coming back alive by even a little?"
Tohru was carrying over freshly baked muffins, her dragon tail wagging happily. She glanced at Argenti's elegant yet resolute posture on the screen and gave a soft laugh.
"Kobayashi, of course you wouldn't understand a knight's mindset~ Some battles are more important than 'staying alive'!"
"For example?"
Tohru took a bite of muffin and explained muffledly: "Like how we dragons roar and show off our strength before battle. That knight wants to use combat to prove his 'pure beauty' will—probably like those hero characters on TV who, even facing death, still declare 'my faith still shines' or whatever."
Kobayashi sighed: "It sounds cool, but it's actually really dangerous, right?"
Tohru burst out laughing: "That's why they're called 'knights'! If he didn't even have this much stubbornness, he'd be unworthy of his faith."
——
[The battle with Argenti did not last long. Stelle quickly defeated him.]
["Stelle... your conduct, your strength, your etiquette in combat... have completely convinced me." Argenti spared no praise for Stelle's performance, but he also knew that after this fight, he would withdraw from the Express's story.]
["Are you sure you'll be able to escape safely?" Stelle asked one last question.]
["Stelle, I give you my guarantee: I am not a reckless and impulsive person. I will make every preparation and seize the right moment to escape. I came to the Express to help everyone resolve the crisis. Once the mission is complete, I will return to the galaxy. But... the galaxy is so vast—we may meet again someday."]
[At this point, Stelle no longer tried to dissuade him and instead relayed his idea to Mr. Welt. While Welt understood Argenti's approach, out of rationality he did not approve of it.]
[Meanwhile, Velite, having heard about Argenti's plan, was so shocked his jaw practically dropped.]
["You're starting to worry about him?"]
["Don't talk nonsense! No way, I'm not worried about him at all. I only care about what happens to my big life turnaround if he dies! It's hard to understand—better to live poorly than die well—what exactly is he being so stubborn about?... Okay, fine, I am starting to worry."]
——
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind.
Mista crossed his legs, watching Velite's tough-talk-but-soft-heart act, and couldn't help bursting into laughter.
"Though he's a bit stubborn with his words... this guy's still pretty honest."
Trish elegantly sipped her black tea, her gaze softening as it fell on Velite's face, tense to the point of death. "I think it's quite rare." she said softly. "In a company that's all about profit, to still see someone this genuine."
"Topaz doesn't count?"
"Topaz obviously counts too, but her position is too high. She puts all her thoughts into business and her colleagues—there isn't much time left for us onlookers." Trish smiled and shook her head. "Some words can only be said after you've thrown away your status and position."
Though Mista didn't quite understand, thinking carefully—ever since Giorno became Boss, he really hadn't cracked many jokes with him anymore.
Back when he was still a newbie just joining the organization, when Bucciarati, Narancia, and the others were still around, he never had such reservations.
Now that he himself had become one of the organization's top three, he couldn't treat his subordinates with the same casual attitude as back then. Honestly, even now he still hadn't gotten used to this position. Compared to the current freedom of ordering around his underlings, he still missed those afternoons scattered by sea breeze more.
Bucciarati pushed the last piece of tiramisu toward him, Narancia smeared cream on Fugo's face, Abbacchio's coffee cup had three sugar cubes sinking in—it was supposed to be only two; Giorno must have secretly added another.
"...Mista?"
Mista suddenly snapped back, realizing he'd been spacing out for a long time. Giorno was looking at him with concern.
"N-Nothing... just didn't sleep well last night. A bit drowsy."
——
[Velite stormed up to Argenti angrily and went straight to the point: "What you're doing is really thoughtless. Putting yourself in danger just to fulfill a knight's duty? Can't you do it another way?"]
["Are you actually concerned about me?" Argenti looked at him with gratification. "I hope I can uphold my oath: to help you reach the end."]
["You..."]
[Velite gritted his teeth, as if making up his mind: "If you won't listen, then I'll go with you! Anyway, this life of mine was saved by you. Ugh, though my strength won't help much, I can at least lend a hand..."]
["I am very grateful, but you need not force yourself."]
[Seeing Argenti's resolute expression, Velite knew he couldn't persuade him and could only say: "Then don't get yourself killed here! I'll wait for you to come back! Once we resolve this crisis, you can help me do some endorsements for the Corporation! The important thing is—don't you dare die here—"]
[Argenti slowly turned and left. Holding his lance, he advanced toward the figure of the True Sting, like a silver sword piercing through the darkness.]
["Please do not worry. I will shout aloud, 'The Pure Beauty Goddess Idrila's beauty is peerless and matchless!'"]