Chapter 30
Sleep as a Hero (英雄として
Summary
Bruford survives Jonathan's Overdrive and prepares to attack his opponent again stating that the pain he feels is nothing to him. As he rushes at Jonathan, the latter simply stands still much to the dismay of his companions. Speedwagon calls out to Jonathan insistent that he counter Bruford's onslaught, however he refuses to move. Surprisingly, Bruford stops before his hit can land and only barely cuts Jonathan's cheek. Jonathan addresses the zombie's earlier statement about pain; Bruford being undead should be unable to feel anything, least of all pain. As Jonathan states this, flowers start to bloom under Bruford's feet and around him and he begins to disintegrate. Zeppeli observes that the Ripple,though destroying the zombie knight, seems to have revived Bruford's true human soul in the process. Jonathan had come to this conclusion a moment earlier and in that moment decided to stop fighting.
Bruford comments that though Jonathan had been correct he had taken a serious risk. The former knight is grateful to Jonathan for reminding him of pain and through that his humanity; he now feels at peace and ready to rejoin his queen in the afterlife. One of Bruford's last requests is for Jonathan to speak his name to him. Jonathan tells Bruford his name, and, in return, Bruford gives Jonathan his sword, “Luck”. Before he hands it over, Bruford writes the letter P with his blood, changing the sword's name to “Pluck”. With that last act, Bruford turns into dust. Moved by his actions, Jonathan recognizes Bruford's honor and his hate for Dio is renewed.
Not long after this, Tarkus disrespects his partner’s grave by stepping on Bruford's breastplate with his foot and bending it out of shape, calling him a "disgrace". Tarkus then hurls the debris at Zeppeli, who tries to block the debris with a ripple shield, but some of the fragments end up hurting him anyway.
