March 2nd
I heard the Holy War has begun, but we are not worried at all. The invincible Saints are protecting us. It is said that since the Age of Myths, the Earth has always emerged victorious in every Holy War. I believe the Saints will triumph again this time, and Lady Athena will continue to watch over us.
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March 9th
The gloomy weather weighs heavily on my heart. For some reason, the air carries a sense of unease. My younger brother is a Saint candidate. He came home to visit me yesterday, looking pale and sorrowful. I didn't ask him what happened—I just cooked his favorite meal to comfort and encourage him.
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March 14th
The weather is beautiful today. The brilliant sunlight breathes endless vitality into the Earth. Yet, no matter how bright the sun shines, it cannot dispel the shadow in our hearts. My brother returned home yesterday, weeping uncontrollably. Five Silver Saints were sent to Italy to investigate the movements of Hades' army, but only three returned—and they were corpses, puppets controlled by Hades himself.
Neither my brother nor I can understand how such mighty Saints could fall. Are Hades' forces truly so powerful?
But at least we still have the strongest of all—the Gold Saints. I believe that under their leadership, victory in the Holy War will ultimately be ours.
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March 17th
Saint Albafica has fallen. One of Hades' Three Judges, Minos of the Wyvern Specter, led an ambush into Sanctuary. Albafica fought alone to hold them off at the borders, but Minos broke through, and the Specters invaded the town. I was terrified, fleeing in panic. But Lily, the daughter of old George from the flower shop, ran straight toward the battle. I thought she had gone mad!
Later, the fighting ceased. Minos was defeated, but Albafica paid with his life. When Shion carried Albafica's body back to Sanctuary, the sight was horrifying—his once-beautiful face was ruined, and his arms were twisted beyond recognition.
For the first time, my faith in the Holy War wavered.
Lily chased after them. She was too kind-hearted—she couldn't bear to see the Saints wounded, nor could she accept Albafica's sacrifice.
But Shion told us: "The Saints do not fight for the sake of death. They fight because there are things they must protect, no matter the cost."
Those words restored my faith in victory.
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March 21st
Clear skies. Saint Hasgard has won! As expected of a Gold Saint! But I'm worried—Hasgard seems severely injured. I heard he didn't fight with full force from the beginning and even let the enemy escape.
I don't understand. Aren't the Specters our enemies? Why didn't he finish them off?
Wait—what is that!? A terrifying light erupts from the peak of the sacred mountain! What kind of light is this? It reeks of death and ill omen! Another ambush by the Specters?
Damn it! Why must Hades' forces be so despicable? Why won't they fight the Saints honorably?
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April 1st
Saint Hasgard has fallen. The mighty, righteous Hasgard… I heard he was ambushed again.
Perhaps Hasgard was too powerful. Only by striking when he was weakened could they defeat him.
Some say Hasgard died protecting the Pegasus Saint. But why would a Gold Saint sacrifice himself for a Bronze Saint?
I don't understand. I truly don't. Maybe this is why I could never become a Saint candidate.
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April 15th
More Cloths have returned to Sanctuary, but their owners have not. This confirms that Hades' army is not as weak as I imagined. My faith in the Holy War wavers once more. Perhaps I should start planning an escape.
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April 16th
Today is another day of mourning. After Albafica and Hasgard, a third Gold Saint has fallen—Shaka of Virgo.
All we saw was the Virgo Cloth descending from the heavens into the temple. There was no news of Shaka himself.
Wasn't Shaka the man closest to God? If even he could be defeated, can we truly win this war?
But I soon received an answer.
Today, I was granted an audience with His Holiness the Pope. I requested permission to record the Saints' heroic deeds in a diary—so that their sacrifices would not be forgotten, so that their names would not fade into obscurity.
The Pope also told me the reason for Shaka's sacrifice.
It turns out the Specters are not truly alive. As Hades' minions, he can resurrect them endlessly. Without a way to break this cycle, no matter how many Saints fall, it would all be meaningless.
To counter this, Shaka sacrificed his entire Cosmo to forge a divine artifact. Only with this artifact does Sanctuary stand a chance to strike back.
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April 30th
The retired Sage Hakurei has ascended as the new Pope. The former Pope, Sage Sage… has fallen, alongside Saint Manigoldo.
Pope Hakurei told me their sacrifice was not in vain. Together, they sealed one of Hades' Twin Gods—Thanatos, the God of Death. They achieved what countless predecessors could not—mortals slaying a god.
But I take no joy in this. No matter their accomplishments, they were great men. I would rather they had returned alive. Once a person dies, they are gone forever.
But there is nothing I can do. The only thing left for me is to record their deeds, so future generations will know of the heroes who once guarded us, who protected this beautiful Earth.
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May 1st
Pope Hakurei summoned me again. It is a tremendous honor—everyone dreams of being called by His Holiness. But I feel no joy, only dread. Ever since I began documenting the Saints' deeds, every summons has brought tragic news.
And so it did.
Saint El Cid has fallen.
Due to a momentary lapse, Lady Athena was trapped by Hades' subordinate, the Four Dream Gods. El Cid ventured alone into their realm—the Dream World—and defeated them all, rescuing both Athena and the soul of Saint Sisyphus.
Then, the Four Dream Gods merged into one, becoming overwhelmingly powerful. Even El Cid and his three disciples could not prevail.
But El Cid did not retreat. Even after losing both arms, he fought to the end, ultimately defeating the Four Dream Gods alongside Sisyphus.
Once again, it was for the sake of the Pegasus Saint. I still don't understand—why must the Gold Saints keep sacrificing themselves for a mere Bronze Saint? So many have already died for him. What makes him worth it?
Pope Hakurei gave me the answer.
Because Pegasus Tenma is Lady Athena's childhood friend—a brilliant successor. Protecting the next generation and passing on their will is also the duty of a Saint.
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May 4th
Today is a day I will never forget.
Sanctuary has decided to launch a counterattack on Hades' Castle. Saints Sisyphus, Regulus, Kardia, and Degel will lead the remaining forces to that cursed battlefield.
I am honored to be the only ordinary person to witness this moment. I pray with all my heart that they will return safely, though I know it is a futile hope.
My brother is among them. Though he is still only a candidate, he insisted on joining the final battle. He knows his chances of inheriting a Cloth are slim, but he refuses to hide behind the Saints and reap the rewards of victory. Even if his only contribution is taking a single punch for a Saint, he says it will be worth it.
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May 6th
The Saints' army has departed. Saint Shion of Aries has returned, bringing back three young Saints—one of them being Tenma, whom I've longed to meet.
But their return also brings sorrow.
Pope Hakurei has fallen, slain by Hades himself. Saint Dohko of Libra is also missing, his fate unknown.
My heart aches. Pope Hakurei had only held the title for less than ten days, yet in that time, I came to deeply admire this kind and noble elder. Though he sealed the other Twin God, Hypnos, the God of Sleep, my feelings remain unchanged—I would rather he had returned alive.
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May 17th
I can barely go on.
Every entry I write is a record of the Saints' valor—a glorious task. Yet with each word, another tragedy unfolds.
I thought I had grown numb, that the deaths of the Saints no longer affected me. But why does every stroke of my pen feel like a knife carving into my heart, reopening wounds that never heal?