"Ugh...!"
Yugo’s eyes widened in shock as he finally heard the truth behind Gomez’s actions.
Realizing that the man hadn't turned to villainy by choice, and that he was burdened by such grave circumstances, Yugo watched him closely. Gomez gave a self-deprecating snort before continuing.
"...Yugo, you understand, don't you? No matter how peaceful a place might seem, there are always villains lurking. Wind Island is no exception. This island, too, has its share of criminals—a gang."
"And your granddaughter is with them...!?"
"...It was a stroke of misfortune. A few days ago, I was out fishing when I noticed something unfamiliar tangled in my net—a Clear Plate. My granddaughter was with me at the time. It must have looked like a shiny toy to her; she told me she wanted it if I was just going to throw it away. To this day, I regret giving it to her with every fiber of my being."
Even in his monstrous form as a Magic Armor Beast, it was clear that Gomez was wearing an expression of profound, sorrowful regret.
Having indulged his granddaughter's innocent request, he proceeded to recount the tragedy that followed.
"It was truly rotten luck. The gang members had also learned about the existence and power of the Clear Plates, and they were searching frantically for anyone who had found one. They spotted my granddaughter, who had been innocently showing off the Plate they were after. Once they learned from her that I was the one who had actually pulled it from the sea, they took her hostage and threatened me into cooperating."
"So you're doing all this just to protect her...!?"
"...The gang still has her imprisoned. This sea-jack was orchestrated by them, using their own members and the Clear Plate Possessors they've recruited. It was meant to be a display of force—a demonstration to flaunt their power."
Behind this sea-jack lay the shadow of the gang infestation on Wind Island. They likely intended to use the capabilities of the Clear Plates to demonstrate their strength and seize control of the island.
Hearing this, Yugo began to understand Gomez’s logic. Why had he summoned a Hero who might be able to defeat him? Gomez himself provided the answer.
"The worst-case scenario for me is for things to go exactly as they planned. If I scatter the Security Force and the sea-jack succeeds, the gang's influence will grow, and my utility to them will increase even further. Naturally, they would never release my granddaughter... I would simply be used indefinitely as a criminal, spreading fear across the island I love."
"Wait... if you were captured by the Security Force or turned yourself in, the gang would keep holding your granddaughter to ensure you didn't talk. Or they might even kill her in retaliation. To save her, you have to make them believe you have no utility left. And the only way to do that is—"
"Exactly... I have to die."
It was hell if the sea-jack succeeded, and hell if it failed. To get his precious granddaughter released, Gomez had to ensure he didn't betray the gang while simultaneously convincing them he was of no further use.
The only way to achieve that was for Gomez himself to die. If he didn't get caught by the Security Force, he wouldn't talk; and if he lost not just the Clear Plate but his very life, there would be nothing left for them to exploit.
Gomez fought with everything he had. And then, his strength failing him, he would lose and die... To create that sequence of events, he had sought out a Hero capable of taking him down.
"If that's the case... there has to be another way! There has to be a way where neither you nor your granddaughter has to die! So, please, stop—guah!?"
As Yugo tried to persuade Gomez to stop fighting, the response he received was a merciless iron fist.
The punch to the stomach sent Yugo flying across the deck. As he tumbled and groaned, Gomez stood over him like a towering giant and roared.
"You're soft, Yugo! Where is your proof that what I just told you is the truth? Did it never occur to you that I might have fabricated a story just to keep you from fighting at full strength?"
"Ugh...!"
"...That's why I told you. Become a Man of Iron. Become a man who does what must be done, without regard for the opponent's circumstances! I'll tell you this now—there are two more Clear Plate Possessors among the gang members left on these ships. And they are far more merciless than I."
Gomez spoke those words to Yugo as the boy struggled to his feet, clutching his aching abdomen. Staring back at the man who told him to fulfill his duty with cold detachment, Yugo replied:
"...It wasn't a fabricated story. Your voice just now... it was dripping with genuine anguish."
"And so what? If you don't take me down, even more people will end up in tears!"
"I know! But even so... I don't want to let a single person die! Even if it's a soft, pathetic idea, the Heroes I believe in would never give up until the very end! They would keep fighting with everything they have to save everyone! So I won't... I won't give up until the end either! Not on you, and not on her!"
(...You're soft. That might be your best quality, but there are times when that simply won't suffice. Yugo, I will be the one to teach you that. Grow, using my death as your nourishment.)
As he listened to Yugo's resolve, Gomez shook his head, acknowledging it only in part.
There were times when those called Heroes had to make cold, calculated decisions. If one allowed emotions to cloud their judgment and made a mistake, it would not only cause more damage and sorrow but lead to even greater tragedies.
He was going to force a painful decision upon the young man before him, upon this future Hero. The only thing he could do in atonement was to erase the softness within the boy and help him grow into a full-fledged man.
Steeling himself with tragic resolve and apologizing to Yugo in his heart, Gomez threw himself back into the battle, prepared to meet his end.