American comics farmer: start by adopting the villain savior.

Chapter 53 Holy Lord Salafir Kent. (Two chapters combined, 5K words)

"I believe you big head ghost!"

Locke angrily gave Dio a solid blow on the head, causing the blond boy to grimace in pain.

His face was dark, and his tone was harsh, as if he had just survived a disaster:
"Listen, even though you did help Dad a lot this time by distracting the enemy, there will definitely not be a next time for such reckless fighting!"

Staring at Dio's slightly pale face, Locke was still frightened:
"If that guy who played with fire had been a little more ruthless and reacted a little faster, you would be so small."

"tsk"

Rubbing his red forehead, Dio curled his lips, obviously not caring about his father's worries.

And now he was more concerned with something else.

He raised his hand and pointed at the out-of-place existence on the other side of the room.

"So," Dio groaned, "Can you tell me now? Who... is this brat?"

Following the older child's gaze
Locke saw a baby curled up quietly in a soft swaddling cloth, his little face rosy and his breathing even. The sunlight shone on him through the gaps in the curtains, as if it were coated with a soft filter.

"How long have I been in a coma?"

He lifted the quilt and found that even his clothes had been changed into clean pajamas.

"one night."

Dio crossed his arms.

"but."

"The Luther family's doctor said you'd have to stay in bed for at least a week, but Dad..." He paused, "Now you look so energetic that you could kill a cow with one punch."

Just one night? That's what happened last night...

Locke's heart sank.

Memories rushed back into my mind like a tide smelling of sulfur:
The roaring flame monster, the blue ladybug that took the fatal blow for him and shattered, and...

At the moment Durance fell—
-
He was dragged into a twisted and burning space by an irresistible force!

Under your feet is a huge hexagram formed by slowly flowing lava, and the dark red light is beating like a pulse.

The air was filled with a high concentration of sulfur, so strong that it almost burned the lungs, and every breath was stinging.

"You can call me... Malbas."

A grand voice, neither male nor female, seemingly composed of the whispers of countless souls, came from all directions, carrying a heavy sense of oppression.

Locke looked up suddenly and saw the throne in the center of the space burning with black flames. The flames were frantically condensing and shaping.

Eventually it turned into a creepy...

demon?

Pitch-black flames made up its huge and twisted body. On its sheep-skull-like head, six eyes burning with dark green flames were blinking coldly at the same time, locking onto him!
This aesthetic.
It's really terrible! It makes me want to vomit!
Locke narrowed his eyes slightly and suppressed the churning gastric juice in his abdomen.

"You killed him as repayment..."

The sheep-headed monster tapped the throne with its sharp claws, and every tap made the flames in the entire space tremble and roar!
"Take over from him and become his agent."

"?"

Locke felt a nameless fire rushing to his head.

A platinum-bright figure instantly solidified, standing proudly beside him with a will that could shatter the stars. He straightened his back, met those six burning eyes fearlessly, and uttered an icy sneer: "What if I refuse?"

"Wait."

The demon spoke briefly, but the green flames in those six eyes suddenly surged.

"boom!!!"

An invisible pressure that was enough to crush the soul suddenly descended.

It's lit.
The arrogance that has been dormant in Locke's bones for many years!
"roll!"

He let out a roar.

Turning into a monster that's neither human nor ghost? It would be more satisfying to just kill him!

The next moment, as if responding to its master's resolute will, the light surrounding the Platinum Star suddenly surged! The brilliant purple-gold flames, with the power to tear through space, slammed into the burning demonic realm!
"Crack——!"

A sharp cracking sound was heard!
A huge crack shining with pure white light was torn open by the Platinum Star on the space barrier composed of sulfur and fire!

The scene distorted and changed, and the salty, cold sea breeze instantly replaced the scorching sulfur air.

Locke stood on the icy road of the coastal highway again.

Under his feet was the remains of Durance, which was rapidly weathering and turning into black powder and being blown away by the wind.

"came back?"

A huge sense of relief after surviving a disaster instantly swept over his body, almost making him collapse.

However, this feeling of relaxation only lasted less than half a second!

next moment.
Without any warning, the road beneath him suddenly lit up with a dark red hexagram array, exactly the same as the one in the demon realm!
Its light is strange and ominous!

? !
The relief on Locke's face froze instantly, replaced by an expression of disbelief and astonishment...

A touch of ridiculous irritability!

Are you Hell Demons so efficient?!

If you had told me earlier that you would retaliate so quickly, shouldn’t we have discussed it more?

Enduring the severe pain that almost tore his consciousness apart, Locke tried his best to concentrate his mind. The dazzling platinum star once again appeared faintly beside him, ready to strike.

In my heart, I couldn't help but curse a certain unreliable partner madly:

Did that bastard Logan swim to the Pacific Ocean?!

How come we haven't reached the Metropolis yet?!

"Wow——!"

The dark red hexagram shone brightly, like a boiling pool of blood!
The space in the center of the magic circle began to distort violently, and a breath of sulfur and destruction that was more terrifying and more condensed than before was about to burst out!
Obviously, the person sent by Marbas is definitely not a small character!

Seeing this terrifying existence about to descend, Locke gritted his teeth and prepared.
Give me the way!
However, before he had turned around and taken a step forward, the strategic retreat came to a sudden halt.

because
【Ding! 】

A cold, emotionless, and incompatible mechanical voice suddenly rang in Locke's mind:
[Adoption target: Dio Kent, guardianship period: 3287 days, testing completed]

[Evaluation Result: Dio Kent - Physical, Mental, Physical, Aesthetic and Labor Health Index meets the standard, Development Status: Good]

"?"

A huge question mark seemed to materialize above Locke's head.

This absurd notification sound caused his brain to shut down instantly.

However, in this thousandth of a second of shock, the distorted space fluctuations in the center of the madly flashing hexagram magic circle suddenly subsided!
There are no ferocious demonic claws, no blazing flames that burn everything...

Instead, a baby appeared out of nowhere, wrapped in a soft white swaddling cloth and sleeping soundly!

...? ? ?
It was completely out of instinct. The moment the baby fell to the ground, Locke's body was one step faster than his brain, and he steadily took the warm little life into his arms.

And almost at the same moment he held the baby, an extremely slight but extremely sharp sound, like a hot knife cutting butter, came from behind him.

Suddenly turning back——

Under the moonlight, a familiar tall figure was slowly retracting his adamantium claws that were flashing with cold light.

Logan...

This unreliable bastard finally showed up when he was least needed.

Locke breathed a sigh of relief, and his nerves, which had been stretched to the limit, suddenly relaxed. The immense fatigue and severe pain brought by the mental backlash overwhelmed him like a tsunami.
-
Time returns to the present.

The fragments of memory gradually pieced together and became clear.
Locke remembered it completely.

The cold, mechanical prompt sound seemed to ring in my ears again:

【Ding! 】

[Adoption target: Dio Kent, guardianship period: 3287 days, testing completed]

[Evaluation Result: Dio Kent - Physical, Mental, Physical, Aesthetic and Labor Health Index meets the standard, Development Status: Good]

You have successfully demonstrated your educational ability and meet the criteria for initiating the second adoption target authority.

[Target confirmed: Bagua·Lihuo—Saint Lord.]

[Parental privileges: Bagua·Genshan (already loaded).]

Please help them grow healthily in mind, body, and spirit, and build a great career.

[Countdown to the next adopted character: six years]

oh.
It turns out to be Saint
Holy Lord? !
Locke was silent, and his mind couldn't help but recall the description of it in his memory.

Li of the Eight Trigrams is an innate deity and the only true dragon.

With dragon fire in his mouth and divine light in his eyes, he is omnipotent, and his palms have the power to change into any form.

Transform stillness into movement, and turn the ordinary into the spiritual.

The soul is immortal and the body is eternal.

His strength is so great that he can move mountains and fill the sea; his speed is as fast as the flow of light; if he hides himself, he will hide away from the world and no one will see him.

He also has divine power to eliminate all poisons and diseases, and his palms rotate yin and yang to distinguish the origins of good and evil.

“This child…” Locke was about to say something when there was a soft knock on the door.

"Please come in."

Gray pushed the door open and walked in, holding a tray in her hand. She was obviously startled when she saw the sober Locke:
"Mr. Locke? You... your recovery speed is far beyond my expectations."

"Thanks for your care." Locke responded with a sincere smile.

"But..."

Gray put down the plate and frowned slightly:
"The doctor clearly stated that you may have internal bleeding and nerve concussion. You need at least a week of rest..."

"Ms. Grey," Locke interrupted her at the right time and cleverly changed the subject:

"Where's Lionel? Is he still at the Met?"

Upon hearing this, Gray immediately realized that her question might be a bit inappropriate, and quickly said seriously:

"I'm sorry, Mr. Locke."

"Boss came personally last night and confirmed that you were out of danger. He then asked me to stay and take full care of you and Master Dio."

"As for him," she paused meaningfully, "you know, the presence of a Luther Group helicopter at the explosion site always requires a detailed explanation and public relations response that adheres to 'official procedures.'"

Locke nodded in understanding.

Too
The black helicopter with the huge logo printed on it seemed to be announcing to the entire metropolis that this was Luther Group's business.

Ugh.
The favors I owe to others are really increasing.

"Oh right..." Locke suddenly remembered the key person. His face darkened and he glanced at Dio, "Where's your 'reliable' Uncle Logan?"

"I heard someone calling my name." A hoarse voice came from the door. Logan leaned against the door frame, holding a half-eaten banana in his hand. He grinned, revealing his white teeth: "Is that you, Locke?"

"You bastard." Locke's forehead was throbbing with veins. "You came just in time last night."

Scratching his messy hair, Logan looked at the sky outside the window with a vague gaze, as if recalling a difficult journey:

“I didn’t expect it to take so long.”

"I should have borrowed a speedboat in Gotham."

He gestured, "You know, the people there are honest and kind, they'll definitely be happy to help."

"."

Dio's red eyes ignited with indignation.

The world loomed behind him, and his fists clenched and cracked.

"Uncle Logan."

"So you're really late because you swam here?"

The room suddenly became quiet, and Locke couldn't help but hold his forehead. He might know the answer.

If... Giorno hadn't, in order to demonstrate the power of the Golden Experience, on a whim, transformed the old remote control at home into a blue ladybug...

If that ladybug hadn't happened to survive until last night...

Without that miraculous damage transfer, his best outcome would probably be to perish together with that demonic agent...

This might be the elusive thread of fate. Locke's gaze unconsciously drifted towards Dio.

The boy's red eyes beneath his golden hair were burning with anger, mixed with a hint of fear.

Logan standing by also sighed deeply, a complex expression flashing across his weathered face.

I finally understood why the future tyrant was so "caring" about me.

In that future where no miracles happened, he was indeed late.

He betrayed Locke's trust and failed to prevent the tragedy.

"never mind…"

Dio jerked his head away, suppressing his seething anger as he snorted coldly.

"I'm glad Daddy's okay." He pointed at the out-of-place crib again, his tone returning to his usual impatience. "So, where in the world did this little thing come from?"

"Where did he come from?" Locke was amused by Dio's question. He walked to the crib, looked at the little life sleeping inside, and said naturally and firmly, "He will be your little brother from now on, Dio."

"?!"

Dio froze in place as if struck by lightning, his scarlet pupils suddenly contracted, and his voice trembled slightly, which was rare.

"Dad... Dad? You wouldn't..."

He swallowed hard and uttered the word with difficulty, "...illegitimate child?"

There was no immediate answer to this outrageous question.

Locke calmly stood up and walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window.

Outside the window, the metropolitan skyline sparkles in the rising sun, full of vitality and hope.

"Dior."

Locke turned around, and the morning sunlight outlined a golden silhouette behind him, making his figure look a little hazy and tall.

The boy stared at his father in a daze.

"Do you remember the question you asked me a long time ago?" Locke said gently.

The floodgates of memory burst open——

My younger self, curled up on the sofa, tilted my head back, and asked in confusion:

"Why did you adopt me?"

The man's warm hand fell on his head, with a reassuring roughness, and a bright smile:
"Why? There's no need to worry about why. Our destiny as father and son has come to an end, that's all." He ruffled Dio's hair, his eyes warm. "I'm destined to be your father, and you're destined to be my son."

"..."

Dio clenched and unclenched his fists.

In the end, he just scratched his messy blond hair fiercely:

"That's up to you! But don't expect me to change his diaper!"

"Ah."

Gray listened quietly the entire time, not revealing any unnecessary curiosity. She simply walked lightly to the crib and gently lifted the still sleeping baby with her slender fingers.

"Mr. Locke, what is the child's name?"

Locke was stunned when he heard this.

Then I remembered that the little one’s name has not been decided yet.

The original name must not be used. After all, if someone asks what the child’s name is——

"Hello, this is Saint Kent."

That child will probably have a psychological trauma for the rest of his life.

"name……"

Locke looked out the window again. The rising sun was bursting out, dyeing the sky a brilliant golden red.

After experiencing the life-or-death struggle and the baptism of rebirth from the ashes last night, a name naturally emerged in his mind as if ignited by the morning light.

Fire Demon
Then that's it.
"Seraphiel," he whispered. "Seraphiel Kent!"

"."

Seraph? Seraph?

Logan smacked his lips, feeling that the remaining half of the banana in his hand suddenly became tasteless.

He looked at Locke, who had a confident and meaningful expression, and then at Dio, who looked unhappy and awkward. In the end, he just shook his head slightly, his bearded face full of confusion.

This guy... is becoming increasingly difficult to understand.
-
hell.

Lava Throne.

The goat demon's six eyes blinked at different frequencies, and twisted flames were reflected in its lava-like pupils.

"wrong."

His whisper caused the souls beneath his seat to shudder collectively.

A mirror made of human bones was suspended in front of him, which was supposed to show the perspective of his subordinates.

Can.
Malbas tapped the armrest of the throne in frustration.

At this moment, the mirror surface was filled with a chaotic, blurry, and constantly rolling... dazzling red halo!
Like meaningless paint splashed on by some brutal and unreasonable force, it completely obscured all information!
The relatives who were sent by themselves
He carefully selected and spent his original power to send up his capable followers
Looks dead!
"I clearly... delivered it!" He gritted his teeth in hatred.

It’s all because of that loser Durance!

I led him back to hell and used the blood of thousands of demons to cultivate him.

This allowed him to fight his way back to the human world.

The result? Now, he's been killed before even half a year has passed!

Damn it
How can a mere human be so powerful?!
　The original setting was that Locke should not know Sarafiel's identity during this time period.

　　The general plot is to have a climax in the next thirty chapters, in which Sarafiel awakens and reveals the identity of the Holy Lord.

　　But writing it this way is a bit suspenseful, so after thinking about it, I decided to forget it.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)