【GaloLio】The way home

※<GaloLio: BetterMen> Series 2.

※About one year and nine months after this article, the story of Lio joining the Flame Fire Fighting Team.

※The premise of Galo Lio is the meeting between Gallo Timus and Guray Fawcett.

-

Malaise.

This was Gallo Timos' first impression when he saw that person again after a year and ten months later.

He didn't know how such an elegant word appeared in his mind, but he couldn't find a more appropriate description than this for a while.

The messy long hair, which is completely different from the bureaucratic hairstyle that was always combed back meticulously, covered most of the eyes, and the beard was unshaven. The tall and strong body showed an inexplicable oldness due to the bowed head and stooped posture.

——Really, lethargic.

But it also fits the attitude of a guilty person.Thinking so, Gallo pulled out the stool and sat down on the side of the partition glass wall.

The young man took a deep breath, and fixed his eyes on the man opposite: "Long time no see, Gulei Fossett."

-

The Republic of Promepolis' formal appeal against Guray Fawcett, the mastermind of the Parnassus Project, was filed a year and seven months after the crash of the spaceship.

Collecting and collating the evidence and testimonies of such a huge plan to annihilate human beings is already time-consuming and labor-intensive, because countless cases involving other people have been derived from this incident; Hundreds of judicial personnel were divided into multiple teams to coordinate, and the Supreme Court directly delayed the past recess period, and it took a full three months to complete the trial and formally convict.

This is already the second winter after human beings were almost buried as funeral objects by a madman who proclaimed himself a savior.

The interpretation of the judges of the Supreme Court is nearly 300 pages thick, and most non-judicial people have no time to read every page of arguments carefully. However, under the continuous media reports, at least they know that Guray Fossett will Facing 144 years of prison life, imprisoned in the prison with the strictest monitoring and protection in the capital of the Republic; no probation, no parole; property will be redistributed to social resources through parliamentary votes after the Ministry of Finance has checked the sources—in other words, confiscated All property, life in prison, and will die in prison.

Such a major verdict has also sparked many reactions and debates among the citizens. There are those who cried bitterly after hearing the verdict; The huge assets of the Special Consortium will flow into the government and will be embezzled by a new batch of officials, and even more marginal people think that "such a judgment is too cruel, and Fossett is doing his best to promote the great cause of mankind, so that the original Garbage burners that shouldn't exist", this kind of argument that I don't know whether it should be defined as a fanatic of the law of the jungle or a fan of genocide... But most of the arguments eventually subsided over time.

The self-proclaimed savior who no longer stands in the highest position, no longer has the spotlight of money and reputation, and eventually becomes an ordinary sinner, gradually forgotten by the world.

——And Gurley Fawcett did not file an appeal in the end.

Gallo's back was straight. Several minutes had passed since his greeting, and there was still no response from the other side, but the young man continued to wait patiently with his arms folded.

This was a meeting he proposed after serious consideration for a long time, and the other party accepted it for the first time.He felt that he should at least finish what he had to say before leaving.

And finally there was a voice from the opposite side, a hoarse, even hysterical voice: "What? Finally found the time to laugh at me?"

Jia Luo concentrated his attention, and replied, "I didn't mean that."

"??"

"I just want to tell you that the entire Promepolis Republic knows about your crimes." Even the prisoners in the prison can easily guess the situation, but Gallo still insisted on going in front of Gurey Fossett. Say it again.

The voice that came through the glass wall was obviously ridiculed: "?? You are really tough. With that kind of tone, I really feel like a hero who saved the world."

"Ahh—I don't know if it's a hero or not," the young man finally let go of his arms impatiently, he raised his head and scratched the cockscomb hairstyle that was still standing upright under the cold winter wave, "but those are not the credit of me alone. Dodrio's strong support prevented the earth from being destroyed by people like you." When he mentioned his important boy, his tone softened significantly.

"Leo Phthia..." Gulei Fawcett repeated the boy's name in a low voice, his head raised slightly higher than before.

Gallo looked around the meeting room he was in at the moment: "Being locked in a single cell that is narrower than this, have you experienced the pain of the original burner? Those materials that you have held for a long time and used as human experiments The "humans" you throw into those machines as energy sources."

"??So this is to preach? You are still the same, so naive that it makes people laugh." Gulei Fossett raised his face, and the eyes that were originally hidden under the front hair were exposed, shining scarlet light.

— but that's all.

Gallo finally understands Leo's calm and even indifferent reaction when he hears news about Fossett-is the tyrant who has been pulled down from the fictional altar worthy of people's fear?

"It's you who makes people laugh? Agreeing to accept the meeting at this time is the proof of your guilt." The young man saw the hair of the person opposite him tremble, "You should understand, this world does not belong to anyone One person. You who have been immersed in the aura of power for a long time really think that you are omniscient and omnipotent. You regard the entire earth as a bargaining chip and funeral object in your "God Game". In the process, you greedily steal, oppress, kill and burn Those who treat them as goods and waste, destroying countless families..." He crossed his arms again, feeling the opposite's sight became sharper, and the young man deliberately emphasized his tone, "But you are neither a god nor a demon—— You're just a human, an ordinary human."

Gulei Fawcett finally raised his head completely, his eyes seemed to be in a trance for a moment.

Gallo's heart sank slightly: "During the week you were imprisoned to die, I thought a lot and understood why you hated me. But it was the illusion you created for a long time that made me become like you. A completely different guy... In this regard, I should thank you—although it sounds a bit ridiculous." He smiled slightly self-deprecatingly, "As for being unwilling to be deceived by you, I have already used my fists Reciprocated ruthlessly—Dodrio’s fire protection, and helped him counter a heavy punch by the way—it’s even.”

Gallo stood up and looked down at the person in front of him who had long lost his former vigor and momentum: "Your power tower has been burned down, and I have completed the task of saving you from the sad illusion of covering the sky with one hand. After that, let this You will be judged by the world that is still strong and recovering without you. From now on you will be here to atone for your selfish soul, whether you admit it is a "sin" or not."

He took another deep breath: "The people and things you want to destroy, I will do my best to protect them. I am proud of myself-this is what I want to say."

After a long time, there was no response from the other side.

Gallo Timos looked at the head that drooped again at some point, and felt that it didn't matter anymore. He didn't need the feedback that he expected because of blind reverence.

The young man nodded towards the monitoring device above his head, put his hands in the pockets of his jacket, and left the meeting room straight away.In the process of walking out, he also specially reviewed his long speech just now and quickly came to the conclusion that "my eloquence is really not good enough", but he felt very happy, like the heaviness in his chest that sometimes disappears To be plucked cleanly—a pleasure of getting over some kind of barrier.

—

Gallo passed through the iron gate in the cold wind, and when he poked his head a little, he saw the familiar lime-gold head and thin back on the stone steps not far ahead, as if he was reaching out to talk to a passing wild cat.

The sound of loud footsteps came, and the boy named Leo Phthia raised his head backwards, looking at him with questions and concerns.

It was really freezing outdoors in December, but Gallo felt his throat and heart warm obviously, and he showed a hearty smile to the boy.

Leo scratched the spotted wild cat's neck again before jumping up, and trotted up to Gallo, "Let's drive around." He tiptoed and patted Gallo's head, With a serious expression, "You said that when you are in a state of confusion, you can drive a motorcycle to a distant place to relax."

The young man looked at the boy's hands and cheeks that were flushed from the cold, and opened his arms to embrace the thin body directly into his arms.

"Gallo???"

A muffled voice came from below, and Gallo's smile deepened: "Leo, don't worry." He released the boy who was still a little confused, and rubbed the boy's hair, "To be honest, I'm in a relaxed mood. Quite a lot, everything that should be said has been said. But Leo... is still frowning." He moved his thick palm between the boy's brows, and gently rubbed the other's brows away with his thumb.

The boy was silent for a moment before speaking again: "I can't be as tolerant as you are."

"I'm not tolerant, I just understand how to reconcile with myself," Gallo paused, "and that person is not worthy of your tolerance and your other companions, and you have no obligation to forgive him."

The teenager pursed his lips unconsciously.

"Besides, Leo has paid enough." Gallo took the boy's hand and walked to the place where the motorcycle was parked. "I just think that if we want everyone to live in a better society in the future, we should You shouldn't let anger and hatred go to your head and become a lynching person." He stood still in front of the locomotive, bent down, and approached the still silent boy, "I thought so when I stopped Leo. We have faith, Principles, people who want to protect—these are the biggest differences between us and Guray Fawcett." There is unshakable firmness in the blue eyes.

"??"

Transformed into barely recognizable human form by grief and rage, massively destroying urban areas and nearly violating the belief of not taking lives, thinking that such a rage could avenge the other Burners...if it wasn't for Gallo. If Timothy stopped him, what would happen to the world after that if he lost to Gurley Fossett due to the difference in strength? The boy couldn't imagine.

Leo thought that was probably his ugliest gesture.However, no matter how much ugliness he has shown, the tall and strong young man in front of him doesn't seem to care...Gallo Timos, you are a man with a big heart that makes people feel at a loss.

Leo exhaled lightly.Even if the out-of-control matter was brought up by Gallo in this way, he no longer felt the pain and guilt in his heart like before, but relieved... Really, relieved.

——Perhaps, this is also "reconciliation with oneself".

The teenager smiled slightly.

"...While waiting for the court trial, I once thought that in the past I always regarded the voice of "burn" in my heart as freedom and instinct, so after losing those voices from other worlds, we burners still have That freedom." Leo smoothed his hair that was blown by the wind, and put on the helmet handed by the young man, "Now I understand. Face up to your heart and follow your own wishes, it should be closer than before Be free."

"I like that statement," Gallo grinned. "Sure enough, Leo's expressive ability is much better than mine."

"Hoohoo," the young man laughed as if infected by that smile, "Did Gallo follow his own heart when he met with Guray Fawcett?"

"certainly!"

"That's enough... Then, do you want to go relax?"

"Of course, such a good date." Gallo replied confidently, "But Leo is cold, right? Let's go buy some hot drinks and bring some food with you. What should we buy?"

"?? Hot cocoa, and chicken burritos, the ones wrapped in tin foil can keep warm for a long time."

"Good idea," the young man put on his helmet and stepped onto the motorcycle. "There is no such good place as the ice lake anymore. Let's go to the hill near Central Park? We should be able to see a lot of stars tonight."

"Okay." The young man answered simply, jumped on the motorcycle nimbly, and when his body was pressed against the broad and warm back of the young man, the helmets of the two touched lightly with a "clang" sound, and then they laughed almost at the same time.

Some scars in this world will never disappear, and some memories will never be erased, but if you can heal that pain, you are already moving forward.With the companionship of souls who give each other emotions, you can go far.

-

"You can rest assured now, Captain."

Realizing that the man beside him breathed a very rare sigh of relief, Remi Puguna handed the paper cup containing hot coffee to Captain Ignis X in the driver's seat, with a slightly playful smile on his face.

"Well," Ignis responded, took a few sips of coffee, "Those two guys... have grown up a lot."

"Should it be 'growth together'???" Remy touched his chin playfully, "We who are worried that they won't figure out the verdict of the case are the ones who underestimate them."

Ignis pushed his sunglasses and said, "Go back to the headquarters."

Remy nodded knowingly, and put on his seat belt again: "Please drive safely, Captain."

The engine started to roar, and the car belonging to the third brigade of the Flame Fire Brigade galloped on the road quickly again.

The young man wearing glasses looked at the rapidly retreating scene outside the window. Most of the buildings with the Gulei Fossett mark had been repainted, a small part still had the shadow of ruins, and most of them were street scenes that were gradually being restored.

He remembered what Ignis said on the way: "If the criminal still has a sliver of humanity, an unlimited period of imprisonment is enough to make him endlessly repent. The savior conceived a completely different method to repair the earth and society, which can fully expose his stupidity, which can be regarded as an effective revenge." When he said this, there was a sharp light under the dark glasses of the always low-key and steady captain.

"Is the way to punish a tyrant is to take his life?"

"No, it is to deprive him of his power, his aura, to make him fear the belief and power of others, and to spend his whole life unable to escape self-doubt."

——The tyrant will eventually be pulled down from the throne.

-Fin-

Remarks:

1. What Galo has always cared about and wanted to write about: After the crisis is over, Gallo’s psychological journey, the re-meeting with Guray Fawcett, and the meaning of “salvation” to him.

2. Some of Gallo's lines were inspired by "Thepyroinuswanttowatchthekingdomofyourcastleburn/Butthisisgonnabeyourwakeupcall" in the episode "TheGallantOnes". , the voice of the brave who challenged authority.