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As Mika, Milo, and Mu were talking, a golden light emerged from the forest, landing before them. It was the Sagittarius Gold Cloth, now in its object form, radiating Aiolos's Cosmo, though it was fading rapidly.
"Aiolos—you were a true hero, sacrificing your life for Athena," Milo said, bowing his head respectfully.
It was a tribute to a fallen comrade.
——
When Aiolia reappeared, his face was bruised and swollen, a testament to his brother's—thorough disciplinary action.
However, despite his injuries, he was smiling, though the smile was somewhat—distorted given his current state.
He approached Saori and knelt before her.
"I beg your forgiveness, Athena. My earlier actions and words were…unforgivable. I am ready to accept any punishment you deem fit."
He was a changed man.
Previously, burdened by his brother's legacy, he had been a conflicted soul, torn between his loyalty to his brother and his duty to Athena.
He had wanted to believe in Aiolos's innocence, yet he had also accepted the accusations against him, striving to atone for his brother's perceived betrayal.
While he usually appeared calm and collected, any mention of his brother would trigger an emotional outburst, clouding his judgment.
However, after his—Conversation—with Aiolos, he had finally found peace, shedding the weight of his past and embracing his true self. He now wore a genuine, unburdened smile, a stark contrast to his previous, often forced cheerfulness.
"There's no need for apologies, Aiolia," Saori said gently, helping him to his feet.
"You were merely deceived by the false Pope. Your earlier actions stemmed from your unwavering faith in me. There's nothing to forgive."
"And that applies to all the other Saints who were misled. The blame lies with the one who orchestrated this deception, the false Pope in Sanctuary. He is the true culprit."
She looked at both Aiolia and Milo, who felt a surge of emotion, a mix of gratitude and shame. While Saori claimed they were blameless, they still felt responsible.
"Thank you for your forgiveness, Athena," they said in unison.
Mika, observing them, knew they had pledged their loyalty to Saori.
This was the Natural order.
In the original timeline, if Saori hadn't been injured and unable to accompany the Bronze Saints, the battles of the Twelve Temples wouldn't have been so brutal.
Facing the deceived Gold Saints, she could have swayed them to her side with her presence and her Cosmo. After all, both Mu and Aldebaran were loyal to Athena. With them by her side, any other Gold Saint who considered opposing them would have hesitated.
Not everyone was as powerful as Shaka, capable of taking on multiple opponents simultaneously. And with more and more Gold Saints joining her cause, their combined strength would have been overwhelming.
By the time they reached Saga, even he wouldn't have been able to resist the combined might of nearly ten Gold Saints.
"Now that this—misunderstanding has been resolved, let us return to the Graad Foundation in Japan. We're ready for our expedition to Sanctuary," Mika announced, stepping forward.
"Return to Japan? Shouldn't Milo and I return to Sanctuary and confront the false Pope?" Aiolia asked.
"That would be pointless. You wouldn't achieve anything. He might even have you executed, just like he did with Aiolos," Mika warned.
Aiolia clenched his fists.
While he knew his brother had died at the hands of Shura, the Capricorn Gold Saint—The true culprit was the false Pope.
"Furthermore, Master Mu and I suspect the current Pope is Saga—the Gemini Gold Saint—once a candidate for Pope alongside Aiolos. He's one of the strongest Gold Saints—a versatile warrior who might have even mastered the—Phantom Imperial Fist."
"The Phantom Imperial Fist?!" Milo and Aiolia exclaimed in shock.
The Phantom Imperial Fist was a horrifying technique—capable of controlling the victim's mind, forcing them to obey the user's commands. While the controlled individual would become incredibly violent and aggressive towards their enemies, once their target was eliminated, the technique's effects would dissipate—leaving them devastated by the guilt of their actions, their minds often breaking under the strain.
In the original story, Aiolia, upon returning to Sanctuary to confront Saga, had been subjected to this very technique, turning him against Seiya and the others.
——
——
At the Graad Foundation's Guest House.
Mika, Mu, Milo, and Aiolia sat in silence, Saori presiding over the meeting.
Seiya, Shiryu, Hyoga, Shun, and Ikki sat opposite them—their expressions a mix of anticipation and apprehension.
"Currently, we have Four Gold Saints against their seven. We're outnumbered. Therefore, a direct confrontation is out of the question—" Mu explained.
As a former disciple of the previous Pope, he understood Sanctuary better than Milo or Aiolia. He knew that, before Athena's reincarnation, all twelve Gold Saints had been present (including Dohko).
However, Dohko—tasked with guarding the Specters—couldn't participate in their upcoming battle. And besides Libra, the Sagittarius and Gemini temples were also currently vacant. While the Gemini Cloth likely belonged to Saga—Mika could wear the Sagittarius Cloth.
Therefore, all twelve Gold Saints were, in a sense, present. However, only Mu, Aiolia, Milo, and Mika were on Athena's side. Dohko was unavailable, leaving the remaining seven Gold Saints as their enemies.
Mika, Milo, and Aiolia nodded.
Gold Saints were evenly matched; a direct confrontation between them could have devastating consequences, potentially destroying not just Sanctuary, but the World itself. And they were outnumbered four to seven; a direct assault would be suicidal.
"While I'd like to believe that all the Gold Saints are merely deceived by Saga, and that they'll return to Athena's side once she reveals herself, that's—unlikely," Mu said, his voice grim.
"Putting aside the others, Aphrodite, the Pisces Gold Saint, guardian of the final temple before the Pope's chambers—is he truly unaware of Saga's treachery? I doubt it." Milo and Aiolia frowned, considering Mu's words.
As the guardian of the last temple—Aphrodite was closest to the Pope; it was impossible for him to be completely ignorant of what was happening. Yet, he had remained silent. There were only two possibilities: he was under Saga's control, or he had chosen to side with him.
"Aphrodite—could he truly have betrayed Athena?" Milo's voice was filled with anger. He couldn't forgive such a betrayal.
Mika wasn't surprised.
Unlike in ancient times, this was the modern era. With increased prosperity and a higher standard of living, human values had shifted. The current generation of Saints, raised in this new era, were undoubtedly different from their predecessors, especially since Athena hadn't reincarnated for two hundred years.
While a mere blink of an eye for a God, it was a long time for humans. Even in previous eras, during Athena's absence, the Saints' beliefs and motivations had shifted, though not as drastically as in this generation.
"While Aphrodite is the most likely candidate, he might not be the only Gold Saint who has sided with Saga."
Milo and Aiolia's faces fell. This meant they could lose some of their comrades in the upcoming battle.
"Therefore, we can't simply march into Sanctuary and confront Saga. If we all go together, they won't hesitate to attack. Saga would likely remain behind, letting the others fight us six against four," Milo said seriously.
"And if Mu and Mika's suspicions are correct, those loyal to Saga won't give us a chance to explain. If a full-scale battle erupts, Athena will be in danger."
Mika, Mu, and Aiolia nodded in agreement.
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