Chapter 214. DIO, Polnareff, and the Stairs

Chapter 214. DIO, Polnareff, and the Stairs

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Victory.

But Polnareff didn't feel any happiness.

Looking at Iggy, who would never wake up again, Polnareff had only one thought in his heart—

"Damn it, how could this happen? I'm only realizing now how much I actually liked this guy. I'm always like this, only understanding once I've lost something…"

"I thought you were just a stubborn, foul-tempered dog, but I couldn't help but admire how you never tried to please anyone, always doing things your way, and your unyielding spirit that never begged for anything... I only now understand how noble your soul truly was..."

"I clearly told you not to save me... Damn it! All because of your stubborn bravery…"

Polnareff cried out in sorrow.

The same feelings were shared by all the audience members watching this scene.

Even Mista trembled all over, tightly clenching both fists in his hands!

Because Polnareff's monologue—

It was also the audience's monologue!

If, before, some audience members had posted overly emotional interpretations in the comments, waking up others to similar feelings—

And if, because those comments were quickly buried by others, not everyone saw them—

Now, with subtitles, voice acting, and the visual scene brought by "Stardust Crusaders", everyone who still held onto their initial impressions of Iggy—

When they followed Polnareff's memories from the time Iggy first appeared, all the way to now, seeing his lifeless body…

Vanilla Ice!

You weren't killed in the last attack; it's truly great!

—[Silver Chariot]!!

A flurry of rapid stabs almost completely engulfed the figure of the now-standing Vanilla Ice!

With A-level speed, driven by sorrow, Polnareff's attacks became even faster, and stronger, making it impossible for Vanilla Ice, who could barely dodge before, to escape now!

The force imbued into the rapier extended by his Stand could even pull Vanilla Ice out of the [Cream], smashing him fiercely!

"I knew something was strange."

"Your so-called immortality must be something DIO did to you."

Like the calm before the storm, Polnareff coldly gazed at the hole-riddled body of Vanilla Ice.

As a vampire hunter within the team, Polnareff had naturally heard from Joseph about the existence of vampires and undead beings.

He now understood why no matter how many times he struck Vanilla Ice's vital points, the man refused to die.

Before, he had been helpless against this so-called immortality.

But now, Polnareff truly found this "immortality" of Vanilla Ice to be a blessing.

After all, as Vanilla Ice had told Iggy earlier—

Death is just an instant.

Considering all that Vanilla Ice had done, how could a moment of pain be enough to extinguish Polnareff's burning rage!?

He wanted to make Vanilla Ice experience this pain over and over!

To settle the debts owed to Avdol and Iggy, only then would he allow this scumbag to finally head to hell!

"Wha- what's happening? This...?!"

After venting his anger, Polnareff used [Silver Chariot] to cut open a door in the wall, allowing sunlight to stream in.

As he watched Vanilla Ice's grotesque form and his arm disappearing in the sunlight, he couldn't help but laugh.

He said, "You haven't even noticed the changes in your own body?"

"You accepted his blood, didn't you? But I didn't expect you to really turn into that legendary creature—an inhuman, filthy vampire with the same constitution as DIO!"

"You- you—aaahhhh!!"

Vanilla Ice, enraged by these accusations, tried to charge at Polnareff.

...No, not tried—he was already charging!

If it weren't for the relentless sunlight burning away his right leg as soon as he stepped forward, forcing him to stand on one leg, he would've already given Polnareff, who dared insult DIO, a lesson he'd never forget.

But even with the power of a Stand, trying to overcome physical limitations with sheer willpower was extremely difficult.

Now, all Vanilla Ice could do was clutch his severed arm and leg, howling in agony where he stood.

"You must have started turning into a vampire the moment I stuck my sword in your mouth, right?" Polnareff speculated.

Then, fanning the flames of his unresolved anger, he taunted, "Come on, show me more of your determination!"

"Ha, aren't you determined to protect DIO? Come on, I'm right here! What's wrong, Vanilla Ice? Come at me!"

To kill and to break the spirit.

Although part of Polnareff's motivation was to keep Vanilla Ice focused on him, allowing him to maintain control of the fight despite his leg injury—

Still!

Polnareff aimed not only to kill but to break his spirit!

Chivalry is reserved for humans.

For Vanilla Ice, this inhuman undead creature, Polnareff only sought the most inhumane revenge, to bring solace to the souls of Avdol and Iggy!

"How, how could I be defeated by you...!!"

Vanilla Ice roared.

Merely Polnareff! How could he... how could…

Bang——!!

"Go boast in hell."

Before Vanilla Ice could finish his sentence, Polnareff coldly spoke.

At the same time, without Vanilla Ice noticing, [Silver Chariot] had quietly appeared behind him, giving a gentle push to his struggling, one-legged figure.

Vanilla Ice's entire body was instantly consumed by the sunlight.

As mentioned before, Polnareff was determined not only to kill but to break his spirit.

Vanilla Ice wanted to die loyally for DIO? Serve DIO to the end?

Hah, not a chance!

Vanilla Ice, you didn't die in loyalty to DIO.

You simply died at the hands of me, Polnareff, DIO's enemy!

…

The scene before them—

As spectators, the audience should have felt excited.

The troublesome enemy, Vanilla Ice, had been defeated.

And in such a satisfying way, one that avenged Avdol and Iggy, killing Vanilla Ice with humiliation and pain.

The souls of Avdol and Iggy seemed to ascend to heaven at the end.

It was as if the scene was telling them that Polnareff had succeeded in his revenge, allowing Avdol and Iggy to pass on without regrets.

But...

Why did the audience still feel so unsatisfied?

They still couldn't accept the deaths of Avdol and Iggy!

This seemingly final scene of ascension left the audience too stunned to even continue watching the rest of "Stardust Crusaders".

Even after the ending theme finished playing, they didn't notice.

They hadn't even regained awareness, staring blankly until a golden-haired figure appeared on screen after the credits...

Wait, what?

A golden-haired sexy figure!?

"Polnareff, long time no see."

A familiar figure, accompanied by a familiar voice.

It was...

"DIO, you've finally shown yourself."

DIOOOOOO!!!