Dalzollene's personality here is different from how he was portrayed in the anime. In the anime, he came across as highly professional, responsible, kindhearted, and someone who valued his comrades. He would get angry over their deaths, and he even tried to buy time so the bodyguards could escort Neon to safety.
But judging from the manga version, Dalzollene should be a cold and highly utilitarian person. During the bodyguard applicant test, he showed no concern at all for the old servant's life. Later, during the Yorknew arc, when the Phantom Troupe caused chaos at the Underground Auction and was being hunted down, he personally led the bodyguard team in pursuit because of the enormous bounty on them. In the anime, he stayed by Neon's side instead. At that time in the manga, Neon only had a maid and a dog with her.
And in the manga, Dalzollene was killed instantly by Phinks in a single blow. There was no scene where he stayed behind to buy time for his companions.
Although the two versions depict his personality quite differently, they do share one point in common: Dalzollene showed absolutely no mercy toward useless subordinates who held the team back. In both the manga and anime, he ordered subordinates who made mistakes to be turned into human specimens.
That alone made it clear he was no good person.
While the two were arguing, Shalnark and Nobunaga came knocking.
Out of confidence in his own strength, and also to establish authority among the bodyguards, Dalzollene went out to face the enemy with only Linssen at his side.
Naturally, that led to the situation now before them.
Not only was he gravely wounded, he had even gotten Linssen killed.
At that moment, the baby-faced Shalnark spoke.
"If the Nostrade Family bodyguards were able to intercept us this quickly, that means their young lady should be somewhere in this hotel. Let's search room by room, Nobunaga."
"Got it~"
A flash of the blade.
A head hit the floor.
...
Upstairs, Squala was trembling as he stroked his beloved dogs, while Basho wracked his brain trying to compose a haiku.
Then Melody's ears twitched, and with a grave expression she said, "Captain Dalzollene's heartbeat has stopped too."
"Damn it!"
Squala cried out in fear. "Let's get out of here now!"
"There's no escape. This is the top floor. If you want to leave, the only way is to jump straight down from the roof." Kurapika's calm voice shattered Squala's desperate fantasy at once.
"Hey, Kurapika, you're this calm, so you must have some good idea, right?!"
"Unfortunately, this happened too suddenly. I can't think of a good solution right now~" Kurapika shook his head.
"If the captain had listened to my suggestion from the start, I would've had plenty of ways to get everyone out. But at this point, it's already too late to talk about that."
Kurapika's expression remained composed. There was still some of the power Roy had poured into him lingering in his body. Even if he might not be able to defeat the two people downstairs, if he wanted to leave, no one here could stop him.
"Damn it! That bastard Dalzollene!"
Squala was completely losing his nerve.
"Wait!" Suddenly, Melody's expression changed and she spoke up.
"What is it?"
"There's another heartbeat downstairs!"
"Another heartbeat? Damn it, don't tell me it's one of their companions!" Squala felt ice run through his entire body.
"No." Melody shook her head. "That new heartbeat is clearly different from the other two. And after it appeared, the other two heartbeats weakened instantly, like the heartbeat of people who've been knocked unconscious... she's here!"
As soon as Melody finished speaking, she turned toward the door.
Everyone's eyes followed hers.
Creak.
The door opened.
"Looks lively in here. So everyone's gathered in one place?"
The instant he heard that voice, Kurapika, who had been tense all over, relaxed at once. He already knew who had arrived.
Standing in the doorway was a gorgeous blonde beauty with blue eyes. She smiled at everyone present, then lifted the corners of her lips into a lovely curve and said softly,
"Thank you for your patronage. One hundred million Jenny per person for saving your lives~"
...
Meanwhile, over at the abandoned building, the battle there was also drawing to a close.
There was no need to mention Kortopi and Shizuku. They had been captured alive from the start.
After taking several Ki blasts from Ilo, Franklin had also fallen, badly wounded.
Even as one teammate after another collapsed, Chrollo's will was not shaken in the slightest.
During his fight against Hisoka, he used all kinds of stolen Nen abilities.
Black Voice, The Sun and Moon, Order Stamp, and so on.
Without question, faced with so many strange abilities he had never seen before, Hisoka had been caught off guard.
From then on, he was forced onto the defensive and ended the fight badly injured.
"Looks like I still have to step in and finish things up myself~" Roy shook his head, then walked toward Chrollo, who had won the fight and was preparing to escape.
"You're not getting away~"
With the massive gap in strength between them, Chrollo became a prisoner without any surprise. By that time, another clone had already brought the rest of the Phantom Troupe members here as well.
"What exactly are you trying to do? You don't kill us, and instead you capture us one by one." Chrollo's voice rang out.
His expression was calm, showing not the slightest panic despite being a captive.
Roy looked at him, then knocked him out without hesitation.
If you didn't still have some use left, I would've killed you already.
For the Spider, one head was enough.
"Wake them up~"
Ilo produced a basin of water from who knew where, then dumped it directly over Feitan and the others.
Ice-cold water ran through them.
"Ugh..."
Stimulated by the cold water, Feitan and the others slowly woke up.
Their eyes were dazed for a moment, but clarity returned almost instantly. The moment they realized where they were and saw the condition of everyone present, rage exploded on their faces.
"Ilo, you bastard!!!"
Phinks gritted his teeth, his face twisted savagely as he glared at Ilo, his eyes practically spitting fire.
Feitan's face was dark as well, his narrow eyes fixed directly on Ilo.
Although he had blacked out early, anyone with half a brain could tell what had happened from the current scene.
Machi and Pakunoda also looked grim, and Pakunoda in particular kept staring at Chrollo, clearly worried about him.
"As expected~" Roy said, watching Pakunoda's gaze and immediately understanding.
(End of Chapter)
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