"You, this guy..."
Dio was also startled by Jonathan's action: "You actually want to die with me, what a joke!?"
After saying that, he didn't even continue to fight with Jonathan anymore and just wanted to run away.
"I won't let you escape, Dio!"
Jonathan shouted loudly upon seeing this, and then threw the Nichirin Sword in his hand fiercely at Dio.
Dio was naturally afraid of this thing and hurriedly dodged, but just being grazed by it, he felt a burst of intense pain in his body.
And in just a moment, fire had already started to appear around them.
The flashing gunpowder on the ground ignited the kerosene and rags, and the flames spread towards the gunpowder barrels and gas cylinders at an exaggerated speed. Even Dio seemed nervous after seeing this scene. The explosives stacked here were enough to blow the entire castle into the sky.
"Get out of my way! JoJo!"
Dio roared, and then a flash of red light appeared in his eyes.
Suddenly, a high-pressure jet of water shot out from Dio's left eye. Jonathan immediately dodged, but at this critical moment, several streams of blood suddenly sprayed from his body.
Jonathan's body stiffened, and the Space Ripper Stingy Eyes instantly pierced through his neck.
With his trachea damaged, Jonathan could no longer maintain his Ripple breathing. The sun-like golden light on his body dimmed instantly, and he swayed and sat down on the ground.
"Hahaha! JoJo! You still lost to me in the end!"
Dio started laughing upon seeing this: "Look at your pathetic state, you might as well perish in this fire... and I, Dio, will live on in your stead, standing at the top of the world!"
After saying this, Dio didn't dare to delay and turned to run towards the door.
But just at that moment, several square black rocks appeared out of thin air at the originally open door, quickly forming a wall, blocking the door.
"What... What!?"
Dio was stunned, but in his urgency, he didn't have time to think much. He raised his fist and struck the stone wall: "Muda Muda Muda Muda Muda!!!"
Under the vampire's powerful blows, the wall slowly started to crack.
But before Dio could show any joy, a large sword flew straight at him, piercing through his chest and nailing him to the wall.
"Ah!?"
Dio let out an incredulous scream, and turning his head, he saw that it was Erina who had rushed into the armory at some point. She was still in a throwing posture, clearly having just made the move.
"Er... Erina?"
Jonathan also noticed Erina: "The hostages..."
"Now is not the time to worry about that." Erina quickly said: "If we don't deal with Dio, they will still die. A true warrior must continue to fight even while bearing guilt!"
After saying this, Erina turned her gaze to Dio.
Her gaze was filled with a terrifying aura. Unlike Jonathan, Erina's heart was now filled with anger and murderous intent, and this cold aura instantly panicked Dio.
"Er... Erina..."
Dio quickly said: "Don't be impulsive, this place is about to explode, quickly take JoJo and leave. I won't bother you anymore, and I can even grant you eternal life, heal JoJo's wound, and let you live together forever, how about that?!"
"Don't listen to him..."
But just then, Jonathan struggled to stand up from the ground: "Erina... run..."
"JoJo! You, this guy!!!"
Dio saw Jonathan stand up again and also struggled desperately to break free from the sword in his chest, but unfortunately, it was too late. Jonathan gritted his teeth and charged at him.
Despite being unable to breathe, Jonathan, driven by tremendous willpower, still managed to harness all the remaining Ripple energy in his body. In that instant, his blood and heart stopped flowing, and the solar magic intertwined with the Ripple energy in his fist, striking Dio hard on the back of his head.
In just a moment, Dio lost consciousness.
After throwing that punch, Jonathan also fell to the ground. He could clearly feel something inside him break. He didn't know what it was, but he understood what it signified.
"Erina..."
Struggling, Jonathan looked towards his lover and murmured with his last strength, "You... must be happy... escape quickly..."
However, Erina had no intention of leaving. Suddenly, she knelt down and held Jonathan tightly in her arms, smiling blissfully.
"Idiot, I am already very happy..."
"Boom!!!"
The next second, an endless blaze erupted, and a terrifying shockwave instantly engulfed everything in the room before spreading outward.
In the deafening explosion, the entire castle trembled violently and turned into ruins.
Outside these ruins, Speedwagon knelt on the ground, weeping bitterly, "Miss Erina! Mr. Jonathan Ahhh!!!"
At this moment, Zeppeli and the others had been healed by Fang Mo.
However, there was no joy in their hearts. Not just the Ripple users Straizo and Dire, but even the rescued women and children chose to bow their heads in silence, a wordless sorrow permeating the air.
Only Speedwagon continued to cry out loud, pounding the ground with his fists.
"I have never hated myself so much!"
Speedwagon said in agony, "I hate my weakness! How I wish I could have died in their place! Jonathan and Erina were such a kind and gentle couple. They hadn't even married before dying. Such bright and shining lives, silently buried in this dark land, I..."
Before he could finish, a hand suddenly rested on his shoulder.
"You say you are willing to die in their place?"
Fang Mo looked at Speedwagon curiously, "Are you sure?"
"Of course!"
Still immersed in his deep sorrow, Speedwagon said, "If my life could exchange for their happiness, I, Speedwagon, would die without regrets!"
"Okay."
Fang Mo patted Speedwagon's shoulder, "Remember, you said this."
"What?"
Speedwagon was momentarily stunned.
But before he could comprehend, there was a sudden noise from the ruins of the castle. A slender, pale arm suddenly stretched out.
"This..."
Everyone was stunned at the sight.
Fang Mo, sitting there, motioned with his finger, and a bundle of clothes instantly flew towards the arm.
The arm caught the clothes and seemed to hesitate for a moment, but soon retracted. Then, after a short while, Erina emerged from the ruins, dragging a naked Jonathan with her.
"They're still alive!?"
Seeing this, everyone was shocked, and Zeppeli and the others rushed forward without a second thought, "Jojo! Erina! Are you alright?"
And Speedwagon also subconsciously turned his head to look at Fang Mo.
"Why are you looking at me?"
Fang Mo teased him with a chuckle, "What, have you already thought about how you want to die?"
"This..."
Speedwagon couldn't help but ask with a puzzled face, "How did you do it? They were facing the explosion at zero distance in the armory..."
"Do you dare to question the power of magic?"
Fang Mo retorted.
"No, I dare not," Speedwagon hurriedly said, "I'm just curious about the principle behind it. Did you cast a magical shield on them earlier?"
"You wouldn't understand even if I told you."
Fang Mo waved his hand, "Instead of talking about this, you might as well think about your own way of dying. If you really can't think of anything, I have a book here called 'A Thousand Ways to Die' to give you some inspiration."
"This..."
Speedwagon didn't know what to say.
However, soon after, Erina and Jonathan walked over hand in hand, exchanged glances, and knelt down in front of Fang Mo.
"Teacher Steve."
Jonathan gave Fang Mo a deep bow, "Thank you for saving us."
After saying that, he took out a bunch of pale red powder from his chest: "I was already prepared to die, but I didn't expect this thing to unexpectedly save us..."
Yes, this was the reason for Fang Mo's calmness.
Because he had already given the life talismans to Erina and Jonathan.
This was a product of the Twilight Forest, similar in principle to the Totem of Undying, but more powerful in effect. In the game, as long as it was worn, it could immunize against death. Fang Mo was not clear about its working principle in reality, but its resurrection effect should still be there.
Now that these two were lively and kicking in front of him, it was clear that the item had worked.
Although the life talisman was powerful, it was not rare, as it could be obtained by looting treasure chests.
This meant that he just needed to control Steve to run maps in the Twilight, a very easy task.
"Ah, congratulations."
Seeing the obedient two in front of him, Fang Mo also smiled and nodded, "It's good to be alive. By the way... did Dio die?"
"Dio... has perished forever."
Jonathan's tone was somewhat somber when mentioning Dio, "I used my last ripple on his head, and his head, along with the stone ghost mask, turned to dust."
"Is that so?"
Fang Mo thoughtfully nodded, "And the moonstone?"
"Moonstone?"
Jonathan was suddenly startled, only at this moment realizing why Dio had never used the power of the moon.
"Oh, never mind, don't worry about these details," Fang Mo waved his hand and smiled, not delving further, "Anyway, it's good that everyone survived. Nothing is better than a happy ending. This matter is now settled, and it's time for you to go back home and get married, right? When will you let me hold my grandson?"
"Mr. Steve, what... what are you talking about?"
Hearing this, Erina's face also turned a bit red: "There are so many people watching here."
"Yo, now you know how to be shy?"
Fang Mo teased with a smile: "You were very brave in the fight just now. You even used moves like the mighty 'Strong Hand Skull Breaker'. Wow, the world's number one boxer in the JOJO universe, and a woman at that, this BUFF is maxed out..."
"It was an emergency..."
Erina explained in a low voice.
"Teacher Steve, stop giving Erina a hard time." Jonathan's attention was diverted by Fang Mo's interjection: "Let's first calm these children and ladies down. Although the battle is over, dealing with the aftermath is equally important."
"Oh, okay."
Fang Mo didn't seem to care much and waved his hand: "Then you guys go handle it. I'll wait here for Speedwagon to choose his way of death."
"What?"
Hearing Fang Mo's words, both were startled.
"That's right, he just said he wanted to exchange his life for yours." Fang Mo said cheerfully: "You don't know how miserably he cried. I was soft-hearted and agreed, so now I'm preparing to ask him how he plans to die. After all, I'm not a demon... Wishes must be fulfilled."
"I..."
Speedwagon was completely dumbfounded.
"Then..."
Erina secretly observed Fang Mo's expression, guessed he was joking, and suggested: "Why not let Mr. Speedwagon live a happy and fulfilling life, gain fame and fortune, and die naturally in a hundred years?"
"Good death, then it's settled."
Fang Mo gave a thumbs up and then turned to Speedwagon: "I wish you all your desires come true within three days, young man. You will surely die in a hundred years."
"...Thank you."
Realizing he was played, Speedwagon touched his forehead.
Anyway, with this, the matter came to a close. Fang Mo didn't bother with the aftermath, leaving it mostly to Jonathan and Zeppeli.
The next morning, everything was finally settled.
So, they all embarked on their journey home. Straizo and Dire didn't stay long and left for Tibet shortly after saying their goodbyes.
On the other hand, Zeppeli returned to London with Jonathan.
But, as per Fang Mo's suggestion, Jonathan didn't reveal himself, choosing the same method as his father George, faking death to cheat fate.
Unexpectedly, Erina chose the same method. According to her, she wished for them to live and die together, even if it meant being buried together. Fang Mo didn't object and happily arranged a funeral with Zeppeli for them.
After the funeral.
They soon prepared for their wedding.
Although holding one's funeral before the wedding seemed odd, like a ghost marriage, fortunately, as Europeans, they weren't too superstitious.
So, after disguising themselves, they set off for America on a ship.
Of course, George Joestar, now Jon Jobs, accompanied them, taking all their wealth to seek a new life in the New World, cutting off ties with fate. The ship arrived in the New World without sinking like in the original story.
In short, everything was progressing well. After settling his affairs, Speedwagon followed the Joestars to the New World, taking his first step as an oil tycoon.
Meanwhile, Fang Mo received a letter from villagers in Egypt.
The Arrow.
It was found.
~~~
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