amaotonovel Chapter 4574 The Day of Brightest Day (33)
Chapter 4574 The Day of Brightest Day (33)
Chapter 4574 The Day of Brightest Light (Thirty-Three)
As for why they didn't part ways, the truth is that Deathstroke realized the moment he received the news that he might not be as confident as he thought. He believed he could protect Joseph under any circumstances. But the situation was still a bit too complicated.
First, if the plane cannot land, the risk of an emergency landing at sea is extremely high. Even if the plane survives a sea landing, there's no guarantee of being kidnapped or killed. Even if it lands safely at Hegada airport, it's highly likely it will be taken into custody by the Egyptian authorities.
Deathstroke now deeply regretted not revealing his profession to Joseph. The title of the world's number one mercenary was incredibly valuable, even more so than the children of some powerful figures in major countries. Because he could be driven, and could accomplish far more than simply kidnapping for money.
If Joseph knew his true identity, he would have a huge bargaining chip. If he told those people that his father was Deathstroke, they would certainly spare his life. Even if these people had a grudge against Deathstroke, they would never easily kill Joseph for revenge, because the benefits of assigning Deathstroke to work for them were too great.
Putting aside everything else, and excluding that entirely fabricated commission, Deathstroke's mission completion rate so far is 100%. He's completed every single job he's taken on. Even when the targets were high-ranking figures from developed countries, he's never failed. That black and yellow armor is synonymous with death. No one wants him to descend upon them.
If he could drive someone to kill, that person was doomed. It didn't matter if they were a superpowered individual, or how important they were. Deathstroke never missed. This was the only decapitation operation he could possibly pull off. For that reason alone, no one wouldn't want to control his loved ones.
They wouldn't even mistreat Joseph, because they were also afraid of Deathstroke's retaliation. To establish a long-term cooperative relationship with him, they had to treat his son well. Otherwise, if Deathstroke, in a fit of rage, chose not to save them and instead slaughtered them all, they wouldn't be able to stop him.
But it's too late to say anything now. Deathstroke can't contact Joseph anymore. I wonder if things will improve soon. Maybe the plane will land safely in Hegarda, and then Joseph will give him good news.
Thinking this, Deathstroke found an empty car by the roadside. He got in skillfully and started the engine quickly. This time, Schiller sat in the passenger seat. He asked, "Who did your son come with? His classmate?"
"Yes. With his two classmates, they had planned a graduation trip together."
"There was a girl?"
“Yes. But I haven’t heard that Joseph is pursuing her, and Holly hasn’t mentioned it either.” Deathstroke paused for a moment, then said, “Of course, I won’t interfere in his love life. I’d rather he find a girl he likes.”
"He sounds like a recluse?"
"Not really. He's just not very good at communicating with others."
Is it that you're not very good at communicating with others, or that you're not very good at communicating with yourself?
Deathstroke felt another stab to his heart. But he had no time to dwell on that now. He said, "When I was choosing a school for him, Holly suggested I send him to a private school. He said his personality wouldn't work in a public school. I took his advice. But he still doesn't have many friends."
"And those two who accompanied him on the trip..."
"These are the few exceptions, or more accurately, one. He and that boy have a pretty good relationship. It's possible that the boy is pursuing the girl."
“That does sound a lot like you,” Schiller said. “You only have Holly as a good friend.”
Another knife plunged into Deathstroke's heart. He said, "I was quite popular in high school."
"Yes, because back then you were a blonde, blue-eyed sweetheart. People are always good at getting attracted to someone like you."
Deathstroke slammed his hand on the steering wheel and said, "I mean the good guys, not those... those bastards..."
"How did you deal with them? I mean those who covet you."
“Of course I punched them,” Deathstroke said. “If I wasn’t strong enough, I wouldn’t have been chosen as a guinea pig. I was a quarterback on the football team back then. The girls cheered for me. Those clueless bastards avoided me.”
"Did you attend a public high school?"
“Yes,” Deathstroke said. “The public high schools back then were pretty good. Unlike now, which is practically a brothel.”
Schiller seemed amused by his analogy. He said, "Then you're considering sending your son in there?"
"The one near my house is alright. It's just that Joseph isn't really academically inclined. Private schools are too stressful, and there's not much time for sports. I'd really like him to play football."
"Has he never caused trouble at school?"
“Actually, he surprised me quite a bit,” Deathstroke said. “Not only did he not cause any trouble, but his grades were also pretty good. Apart from not having many friends, everything was fine.”
Are you sure he doesn't only report good news and hide the bad?
"Probably not. His friend from school has come to our house a few times. He's a pretty straightforward boy. A bit impulsive and reckless, but also very outspoken. If Joseph really has a problem, he'll tell me."
"He didn't go to play rugby?"
“No. He’s not even interested in any ball games. Once I wanted to hang a rugby magazine from my younger days on his bedroom wall, and he wouldn’t have liked it.” Deathstroke shook his head, seemingly disappointed.
“One last question,” Schiller said, “What does he look like?”
Deathstroke looked at him with some confusion, then said, "What's the question?"
"This is very important. Especially for secondary school students."
Deathstroke thought for a moment, then ripped off his hood—he now looked like his younger self. blond hair, blue eyes, handsome features, and a rugged, quintessential American heartthrob. While he might be considered a Hollywood tough guy, the hair and eye color were a bit too frivolous; he was more like the male lead in an American high school romance drama. If that wasn't quite accurate, he was probably like Klay Thompson's character in the Spider-Man series. A classic heartthrob, the captain of the American football team.
“Joseph and I look quite alike,” Deathstroke said, “but his features are more delicate, like his mother’s.”
"Then I think some of your previous judgments about him were not very accurate."
"what?"
"It's like you're saying he's incapable of getting involved in any vortex or something."
“What’s wrong with that?” Deathstroke asked as he sped along the road. “He’s an introverted kid who never liked fighting. Even among his friends, he’s the one who’s being protected, I can tell.”
“Or he’s just playing the role of a hostage,” Schiller said, “and then manipulating a kidnapper with a specific personality.”
"What nonsense!" Deathstroke couldn't understand again. One moment he felt that the other Schiller was too straightforward, always refusing to talk to him about family and emotions; the next moment he felt that this Schiller, who was willing to talk to him, was a true riddle-maker. He would ask a whole bunch of questions to himself and then come to a conclusion, but without any basis in reality, it was just pure guessing.
“I think you can slow down a bit,” Schiller said. “Time is running out for Hegada.”
"what?"
"Have you figured out how to execute the plan?" Schiller asked, turning his head.
“What plan?... Oh, you mean that plan to guide him to investigate my true identity, and then show him my power?” Deathstroke looked a bit flustered. “We have to get Joseph out first. Otherwise, it’s all just talk.”
"Aren't you going to take this opportunity to carry it out?"
"Come on, that's my son!" Deathstroke slammed his fist on the steering wheel. "He's probably stuck tens of thousands of feet in the air right now. Do you think I have time for this?!"
“You are indeed a good father,” Schiller said. “Your anxiety is blinding me.”
“Wait a minute.” Deathstroke seemed to remember something. “Didn’t you say before that you could see the whole Arab world?”
After saying this, Deathstroke felt like he'd gone mad. How could this be? He felt the only thing Schiller was right about was that he was too anxious; otherwise, why would he pin his hopes on such nonsense?
“That’s true,” Schiller said, “but I only have those fleeting hallucinations when I’m in a really bad state. It probably won’t happen now.”
"You're not carsick anymore?" Deathstroke asked. "Want me to drift a few more times and give you a third eye?"
“The problem is that with this method of enabling full-view vision, you can’t decide who I lock onto,” Schiller said, arms crossed. “I’ll habitually lock onto my enemies and then rush to them as fast as I can. Then you’ll probably have to go save your son yourself.”
Deathstroke never intended to do this. Creating a mad Schiller would only put himself in danger. Just thinking about it gives me a neck ache.
They need to act quickly and can't afford to waste any time. So it's best to avoid any unforeseen complications and get to Hegada as soon as possible.
Egypt is considered a large country in this region, stretching quite far from north to south and east to west. Although Hegada isn't in the far south, it's still some distance from Cairo. It was already dark when they arrived nearby.
To make matters worse, the area was under control, and ordinary vehicles couldn't get in. Deathstroke had already drawn his greatsword, ready to hack his way in. Schiller stopped him, then held out his hand to him: "Money."
Deathstroke hesitated for a moment, then pulled out a wad of US dollars. Schiller simply handed the wad to the inspector. Sure enough, they were quickly let through. Deathstroke slapped his forehead; he shouldn't have had such high expectations of the law enforcement in this place.
However, this thought made him a little worried. If the plane landed successfully and Joseph was taken away by law enforcement, and he didn't know how to bribe anyone, he might be subjected to violent enforcement.
The thought made Deathstroke grit his teeth, nearly crushing the steering wheel in his hand. He had already imagined a thousand times how to tear those who had bullied his child to pieces.
“That’s not what you were thinking when you were beating Robin.” Schiller’s voice appeared like a ghost in Deathstroke’s ear, startling him.
Deathstroke turned to look at Schiller, his eyes filled with suspicion and disbelief: "You really can read minds?"
Schiller didn't answer, and Deathstroke continued explaining to himself, "I didn't go to abuse those birds. In fact, they're the ones who always cause me trouble. I don't understand why they come and beat me up when I'm just there to fix a car or stand on the roof looking at the view."
"Probably because planting car bombs and long-range sniping are illegal and criminal activities."
"My God, you can read minds!"