Lionel looked a little surprised, but soon his refined smile returned.
After all, for him, this inspection trip was nothing more than a parent–child outing with Lex.
If his son was showing an interest in making friends, that alone pleased him greatly.
"Of course you may. But why don't we wait until we're at the farm?"
Locke glanced at Dio. The boy answered with a look that clearly meant: Whatever, up to you.
"No problem," Locke nodded. "We can head out anytime."
"Thank you, Mr. Kent."
Young Lex bowed politely, then lifted his gaze toward Dio with quiet anticipation.
Anthony rubbed his hands together eagerly. "Well then, Mr. Luthor, shall we head over to see Locke's farm now?"
Lionel gave a graceful nod. "I very much look forward to it."
Moments later, the old Ford pickup rumbled down the highway, its engine coughing familiarly.
Through the rearview mirror, Locke could see several sleek black luxury sedans keeping a perfectly measured distance behind. Their tinted windows gleamed faintly with the telltale sheen of bulletproof glass.
As expected, Locke thought, shaking his head.
The head of the LuthorCorp wouldn't possibly travel light with only his son.
Those bodyguards had probably been tailing them since they left town.
He refocused on the road, though from the corner of his eye he caught Dio twirling a lock of his blond hair, lost in thought. Lowering his voice, Locke said, "If you don't feel like keeping that young master company, you can refuse. With your father here, you don't need to please anyone."
"It's just playing house with a kid," Dio scoffed, crimson eyes glinting with disdain. "How hard could it be?"
"Is that so?"
Locke chuckled, reaching over to ruffle his son's hair. "Then don't go making the poor boy cry."
"I won't!"
Dio swatted his father's hand away, puffing up his cheeks as he fussed with his mussed hairstyle.
The old Ford bounced along the muddy country road, its wheels splashing through puddles left from last night's rain. Drops scattered into the sunlight like liquid amber.
On either side, the wheat fields rolled like a golden sea, waves rippling in the wind.
"We're here."
Locke pulled up by the edge of the fields.
Lionel stepped out gracefully, drawing in a deep breath.
"Ah… such a fresh, nostalgic scent."
"Want to take a closer look?" Locke pointed toward the green-and-gold stretch of farmland ahead. "That patch there is this year's new corn."
"I'm already impressed, Mr. Kent." Lionel waved a hand, then turned to his son with gentle warmth.
"Go on and play with Dio, Lex."
He crouched down, straightened his boy's crooked tie, and said half in jest:
"Today you can stand in for your father and inspect the fields, hmm?"
Nervously adjusting his oversized glasses, young Lex swallowed hard.
"Y-yes, Father."
By now, Dio was already standing impatiently on the ridge. Watching Lex dawdle, he strode over.
"Hey. You want to look at the wheat or the corn?"
"E-either… either is fine…"
Lex stammered, instinctively shrinking closer to his father's side.
Lionel gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Go on now. Be back before lunch."
Then he turned to Locke. "Mr. Kent, shall we discuss the details of the purchase?"
Locke nodded, watching the two boys head off into the sea of crops—one striding tall with pride, the other trailing timidly like a startled rabbit.
The sight made him shake his head.
It was… hard to imagine.
"Your son has quite the personality," Lionel remarked suddenly, his tone carrying a note of appreciation.
Locke gave a dry chuckle. "You flatter him. He's always been like this—stubborn to the bone."
"No, that's good," Lionel said. The lenses of his gold-rimmed glasses flashed in the sunlight, hiding his eyes. "In this age, only those with true individuality can achieve greatness."
The two men strolled side by side along the ridge, while Anthony wisely hung back a few paces, leaving space for the farmer and the magnate to speak.
In the distance, Dio's voice drifted faintly on the breeze:
"This is corn, idiot. Don't tell me you can't even recognize that?"
Then came young Luthor's timid reply:
"I—I just never saw it growing out of the ground before…"
Locke pressed a hand to his forehead with a sigh, ready to step in, but Lionel held him back.
"Let the children work it out themselves. Lex needs to learn how to deal with all kinds of people."
..
The sun gradually grew hotter, and the sound of cicadas filled the wheat field.
Suddenly, something flashed in the sky.
...
In the cornfield, dappled sunlight filtered through the green leaves. Lex Luthor carefully followed behind Dio, his fingers lightly touching the corn tassels, his eyes filled with a new fascination.
"Are these… really edible?" he asked softly, disbelief tinging his voice.
Dio glanced back impatiently. "Of course they are. You think they grow in the ground just to look pretty?"
Lex fiddled with his slipping glasses, embarrassed. "I—I only ever saw corn already husked… in the kitchen."
"Tch." Dio rolled his eyes. "What kind of life do you pampered heirs even live?"
Lex opened his mouth, as if to explain, but instead lowered his head, twisting the hem of his shirt in silence.
Seeing this, Dio couldn't even be bothered to push further.
This timid rich boy was even duller than Clark.
At least that big oaf could drive tractors and play around with him.
But just then, Lex let out a shrill scream:
"Dio! Th-there's someone there!"
Dio turned with a scowl. "That's a scarecrow, you idiot—"
His words stopped cold.
Deep within the cornfield, a figure was indeed tied to a wooden cross.
The head hung low, the bare chest limp—unconscious.
Dio's pupils narrowed, though he quickly recognized the sight.
Just one of the town's harvest-festival pranks.
"Don't make such a fuss. It's just some poor fool—"
"But Dio!" Lex's voice spiked with terror. "Something's falling from the sky!"
"Falling…?"
Dio looked up—and froze.
Against the blue heavens, dozens of crimson arcs streaked like meteors.
One of them was hurtling straight toward their position with terrifying speed.
"Run! Lex!" Dio seized the boy's wrist and yanked him toward the edge of the field.
"B-but that man—"
Lex turned back, pointing at the youth tied to the cross.
"He's not our—"
[Dio, this is your golden spirit.]
"…!"
Locke's words flashed in his mind. Dio grit his teeth, quickly measuring distance and time.
If he used The World, maybe… just maybe, it would be enough.
"You run! Now!"
He shoved Lex toward the ridge. "Follow that path and don't look back! I'll save that unlucky bastard!"
"Dio…"
Lex tried to speak, but the golden-haired boy had already vanished like the wind, racing into the heart of the corn.
Left behind, Lex stood pale and trembling.
He looked at the falling crimson streak, then toward the path where Dio had disappeared.
Then, clenching his jaw, he charged after him.
Corn leaves slapped against his cheeks, stinging lightly as he ran.
Dio had summoned The World, riding his Stand's power to sprint full force through the field.
"Faster…!"
He urged himself on. The bound figure was only a few paces away now.
Almost there!
Dio's face lit up. The World surged forward with a burst of speed, smashing the ropes apart in a single blow and catching the limp body in its arms.
But—
He was still too slow.
The ground trembled violently, searing heat rushed in from behind.
Dio had only enough time to throw The World in front of them as a shield before the shockwave blasted them into the air.
In the hazy blur before consciousness slipped away…
Dio glimpsed a purple figure rushing toward him, shouting something he couldn't quite hear.
Then the world went dark.