The cabin fell quiet after Merus revealed the truth. Broly sat motionless for several seconds, absorbing the weight of it all.
"So… I should thank Beerus then?" Broly finally said, scratching his chin. "His method was rough, but the result… wasn't bad."
Merus nodded slightly. "If you're only looking at the fact that he diverted your landing, then yes, you did benefit."
But his tone didn't stay light for long.
He hesitated, lips tightening, eyes shadowed by a rare unease.
Broly caught it immediately. "But what?"
Merus took a slow breath. "What I'm about to say isn't pleasant… so stay calm."
Broly didn't reply—he simply watched, waiting.
Merus continued:
"After Beerus flicked your ship away, another Saiyan spacecraft arrived… tracking your signal. The pilot was frantic, furious even. He shouted at Beerus—insulted him, demanded answers."
Merus paused. "And Beerus doesn't tolerate disrespect."
Broly's jaw tensed. "…Then what happened?"
"Beerus uttered one word: 'Destroy.'"
Silence.
"The ship and its occupant vanished instantly. No wreckage. No remains. Just gone."
Broly didn't speak.
"…That pilot was your father," Merus said quietly. "His name was Paragus."
The name hung in the air.
Broly lowered his head. He didn't remember Paragus, didn't know him. But hearing the truth still stirred something deep.
"So Beerus is both… the one who saved me… and the one who killed my father?" Broly muttered.
"That is correct."
The cabin remained still.
After a moment, Broly asked something practical.
"Do you know where the Destroyer's realm is?"
Merus shook his head. "No ordinary being can find the World of the Gods of Destruction. Unless Beerus comes to you… there's no direct path."
"So if I want to meet him… I have to wait until he shows up."
"In simple terms—yes."
Then, as if changing the flow of the conversation, Merus asked, "Have you heard of parallel worlds?"
Broly blinked. "…What?"
Merus explained that countless versions of reality exist—some where Beerus never touched his ship, others where he landed on Planet Vampa as intended, and many more where completely different fates unfolded.
Broly listened in silence.
The idea that countless versions of himself might exist—some starving, some thriving, some dead—felt surreal.
"…So every accident could create another version of me somewhere else?" Broly murmured.
"In theory," Merus replied. "Every divergence creates another possibility."
Broly thought for a moment.
"So… by that logic, I have more enemies than I thought."
Merus almost laughed. "If you counted enemies from every possible reality, the entire multiverse would be your enemy."
Broly snorted. "…Point taken."
Merus leaned back slightly. "There's another reason I mentioned this. In a future I once observed… Beerus wakes from a long sleep about fifteen years from now and comes to Earth."
Broly raised a brow. "Fifteen years?"
"That's the approximate time frame."
"That's… not too long."
Merus nodded. "If events follow a similar path, you'll meet him then."
Broly looked thoughtful. "You know a lot for a patrolman."
Merus smiled modestly. "I've simply read old records."
Then Broly dropped a question that made Merus's pulse spike.
"…Have you ever heard of the Grand Priest?"
Merus's expression froze for a fraction of a second.
He recovered quickly.
"Grand… Priest? I'm not sure who that is. Some kind of ancient title?"
Broly rubbed his temple. "I don't know why… but part of me feels like I should find someone called that. For revenge."
Merus felt cold for a moment, but he smiled lightly. "Maybe your memory is mixing things. You're likely thinking of Beerus. Memories from infancy can distort."
Broly hesitated.
Then, after a long pause, he nodded. "Yeah… maybe."
Merus relaxed—just a little.
Broly added, "I vaguely remember something… purple… cat-like… flicking my ship."
"That would be Beerus."
"Purple cat guy, huh… That explains a lot."
"Explains what?"
"Why I always get the urge to grab cats and rub them into the ground."
Merus nearly choked on his drink.
Beerus-sama… your influence really reaches everywhere.
The ship continued onward.
Eventually, a barren planet filled the viewport—dusty, cratered, empty.
"We're nearly there," Merus said. "Five minutes to landing. Want to use the restroom before we land?"
Broly looked at him as if the question made no sense.
"It's an empty planet. I'll just go behind a rock."
Merus sighed internally.
"Civilized habits… are encouraged."
Broly shrugged. "I'm just being efficient."
Merus gave up and stood. "I'll go then."
As he stepped away, Broly asked suddenly, "Do all Galactic Patrol officers… you know… go from the forehead like Jaco?"
Merus nearly tripped.
"…You heard that?"
"You weren't whispering."
"I'm not like him!" Merus blurted. "Different species!"
"I was joking," Broly said calmly.
Merus stared at him.
"You don't look like you're joking…"
Broly nodded seriously. "That's how I joke."
Merus closed the restroom door with a quiet click, muttering to himself.
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus (DB)Chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus (DB)Chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read 60 (DB)Chapter ahead on P@treon if you're interested: patreon.com/SwipeSage