You call this a projection?

It has to be said that when not subjected to DIO’s interference, the Stand ability of [Hermit Purple] is truly invincible. Especially in times like these when someone needs to be found.

Based on the spirit-photographed ”Marauder’s Map” photo, Shirou Emiya and the others temporarily disembarked in India. Without needing a guide or directions from locals, they quickly arrived in front of a roadside restaurant that corresponded with the map. According to the results of Joseph’s spirit photography, this was likely J. Geil’s hiding spot.

However...

”Mr. Joestar, what now?” Polnareff looked around urgently, trying to pick J. Geil out from the mountain of people inside the restaurant.

They had found the place, but there were simply too many people. Even for the sake of avenging his sister, Polnareff couldn’t bring himself to slaughter his way in, killing everyone just to force J. Geil out. He could only search with his eyes, one person at a time.

”Regrettably, Polnareff, my spirit photography has ended.” Joseph handed a newly developed photo to Polnareff while looking around warily. ”Or rather, once the enemy knew we arrived here, they had no reason to give us any more hints.”

Clearly, if J. Geil and his cohorts had a trump card, this was where it would be played.

Joseph and Shirou Emiya exchanged glances. Subsequently, a series of tracking skills were unleashed one after another: the precision eyesight of [Star Platinum] which far surpassed a microscope; the life-detecting flames of both [Magician’s Red] and [Pseudo-Magician’s Red]; and the network of tentacles from [Hierophant Green].

Polnareff watched, dazed, almost thinking Shirou and the others had already found J. Geil. After all, unlike Polnareff—who felt he had finally found his target the moment the location was photographed—Shirou and the others, who felt this was a trap, hadn’t agreed to accompany him without being fully prepared.

Given this display of force, let alone Polnareff, even a certain someone secretly observing them couldn’t keep his composure anymore.

The man quickly spoke up: ”Gentlemen, travelers, it looks like you’re looking for someone.

As a gambler of some reputation, I consider myself quite familiar with the various characters around here. If you truly wish to find someone, you can commission me to help.

However, I have one condition...”

As mentioned before, among DIO’s Stand-using subordinates, very few could survive a fireball from [Magician’s Red]. For those whose will wasn’t particularly firm—and who weren’t ordinary people unable to see Stands—the sight of the flames rising from Shirou and Avdol was enough to make them reconsider.

Judging others by himself, even if he didn’t think Shirou and the others were cold-blooded enough to fire regardless of the innocent lives present, he didn’t dare gamble on it. Even a self-proclaimed gambler, when faced with a gamble that truly threatened his life, couldn’t care about anything else. Without Shirou and the others needing to exert any effort to find him, he jumped out himself to call out to them.

But before the man could finish his sentence, Shirou Emiya called out his name in one breath:

”Daniel J. D’Arby. A Stand user bearing the suggestion of the god [Osiris].

You are also one of the Stand users serving under DIO, correct?”

”...”

’Holy crap, doxxed!’

Seeing that under Shirou’s words, Jotaro and the others had not only turned their gazes toward him but also had that group of terrifying Stands begin to surround and stare him down, D’Arby completely lost his cool.

He recalled the piece of intelligence DIO had specifically instructed them to clarify beforehand: Shirou Emiya’s identity is that of a Prophet; he likely knows information on all of us, including our Stand abilities...

D’Arby had originally thought this was a joke.

But... Shirou Emiya is playing for keeps! He really knows everything about them?!

”That... are you talking to me? I don’t understand.” D’Arby made a final struggle. ”By the way, would you like to have a bet with me? If you win, I might just help you find the person you’re looking for.”

Calm down. Yes, he had to maintain his calm.

The most important thing in gambling is maintaining a poker face so other gamblers can’t see through your hand. Only then is there a chance to turn the worst hand into a victory.

”A bet? No, I have a simpler method.”

However, Polnareff stepped forward, not even glancing at the poker cards D’Arby had pre-arranged on the table. Instead, he directly commanded [Silver Chariot], preparing to thrust a sword right at D’Arby’s face.

Closer, closer! To make himself look like he truly couldn’t see Stands, D’Arby could only watch helplessly as the rapier blade of [Silver Chariot] drew nearer and nearer. He could even feel Polnareff’s overwhelming killing intent toward J. Geil from it.

Polnareff was truly prepared to kill! Or rather, while Polnareff couldn’t bring himself to harm innocent people, would he hesitate to strike someone connected to J. Geil?

The more he thought about it, the more D’Arby’s confidence wavered, until he finally couldn’t withstand the pressure and instinctively closed his eyes to dodge the thrust.

But by doing so...

”You definitely just made a move to dodge something... You saw it, didn’t you? You saw my Stand!”

He hadn’t actually stabbed him. As a master swordsman, Polnareff’s hand was incredibly steady, bringing [Silver Chariot’s] rapier blade to a firm halt right in front of D’Arby’s face.

”You are without a doubt a Stand user!”

Switching from a thrust to a grab, Polnareff retracted [Silver Chariot] and seized D’Arby’s collar, pulling him close: ”Speak! Where is J. Geil?!”

But just as Polnareff had confirmed D’Arby’s identity through that test, D’Arby had also confirmed certain things. He no longer looked as disheveled as he had a moment ago; instead, he possessed the detached air of a veteran gambler.

Even while being lifted by Polnareff, he said unhurriedly: ”Yes, I do know. But why should I tell you, Polnareff?”

”You!!” Polnareff was furious.

”Are you sure you want to lay hands on me? While you’re busy with me, J. Geil might just escape, you know.”

Slapping Polnareff’s hand away, D’Arby readjusted his collar: ”If you want to know where J. Geil is, then have a bet with me.”

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