Chapter 12: Reporting Back to Saga

The Sanctuary.

Even Feng Zhe, honored as the Pope's disciple and an Altar Saint born with the destiny to assist the Pope, had to traverse from the First Temple all the way up to seek an audience. He told Gulu Di to wait outside the Twelve Temples, and then entered alone.

Fortunately, many of the Gold Saints were not present to guard the temples, so passing through was not overly difficult for Feng Zhe. Currently, only five remained to defend the Twelve Temples: Aldebaran of Taurus, Aiolia of Leo, Shaka of Virgo, Milo of Scorpio, and Aphrodite of Pisces.

And among these five, it was Aiolia of Leo who actually stood before Feng Zhe.

Due to his older brother Aiolos, little Aiolia had been cautious and reserved for many years, seldom leaving his post at the Leo Temple. When Feng Zhe arrived, Aiolia inspected him and allowed him to pass without trouble.

Perhaps by nature he was fond of melancholy and handsome men, for Feng Zhe offered a word of advice. “Lord Aiolia, every Sagittarius Saint throughout history has carried a mission and shown unwavering loyalty to the Goddess. The previous Sagittarius, Sisyphus, was even recognized as the sole candidate for the papacy.”

“The previous generation was so; I believe the present Sagittarius is no different. The events of ten years ago remain shrouded in mystery.”

“Now, with the Holy War looming, if you truly wish to cleanse your brother’s name of treachery, repay it with your loyalty.”

Upon hearing these words, gravity filled Aiolia’s eyes. He opened his mouth to ask, “Do you know what happened back then?” Then, recalling Feng Zhe’s age, he realized the young man could not possibly know the details from ten years ago. Perhaps the Altar Saint simply wished to comfort him. Aiolia, thinking this, replied, “Thank you for your kindness.”

Feng Zhe, seeing Aiolia’s reaction, knew he hadn’t truly understood. He said no more and hurried on to the Pope’s Palace.

But to his surprise, the Pope did not receive him, instead instructing him to rest for the time being.

The Pope’s Palace atop the mountain was a vast place. Besides the Pope’s own residence and the Goddess’s sanctuary, there were also quarters for servants and attendants. As the Pope’s disciple, Feng Zhe had his own private stone chamber, though he had rarely stayed there, preferring the rear hall of the Pope’s Palace.

He paid it little mind and returned to his chamber to rest.

…

Half a month passed.

Still not summoned by the Pope, Feng Zhe grew anxious. Not knowing what had happened, he strode straight into the main hall of the Pope’s Palace.

By coincidence, within the hall, a man with a fat face, large ears, and covered in diamond trinkets, like a nouveau riche, was prostrate on the floor, his attitude reverent—little less than if he were worshipping the Goddess herself.

“Chief Strategist Gigas?”

Others might not know him, but Feng Zhe certainly did. This was the very Chief Strategist who would later oppose the Five Saints time and again. A typical opportunist, a reed in the wind, he was second only to the Pope in the Sanctuary, yet when things turned dire—especially upon seeing the true form of the Goddess—he would disappear after weighing his gains and losses.

Perhaps he believed that when facing a deity, even the Gold Saints could only meet defeat.

Sitting tall on the papal throne, black-haired Saga listened as Gigas reported. Upon seeing Feng Zhe enter, Gigas paused, then continued his report.

Saga paid Feng Zhe no heed, but instead picked up a glass of red wine, savoring it as though greatly enjoying himself.

“Your Holiness, according to Cancer Deathmask’s report, there is nothing unusual on Crete. Lord Deathmask has already returned to the Cancer Temple.”

“However…” Gigas paused, then went on, “As soon as Lord Deathmask returned, he filled Cancer Temple with human heads and used the Stench of Corpses. Now many Saints dare not approach the Cancer Temple.”

Feng Zhe immediately grew wary. Half a month ago, as he passed the Cancer Temple, Deathmask had not yet returned, and its decorations were still normal. It seemed Deathmask must have encountered a Specter on Crete, which changed his temperament entirely.

Given all that was to come, this deduction seemed absolutely correct.

The Pope did not appear concerned about the minor matter of Crete, and Gigas proceeded to report another issue, one that made Feng Zhe all the more alert.

“Your Holiness, it is said that someone in Japan claims to be Athena. What are your orders?”

“Send a Saint to investigate, but do not startle her.”

“Yes, your Holiness!”

Feng Zhe considered that three years remained until the beginning of the Galactic War. Should Athena’s existence be discovered at this time, and if Saga truly decided to eliminate her, it might seem a viable choice. But with so many variables in the coming Holy War, that option was not to be taken.

“It seems the pace of Saga’s personality fusion must quicken,” he thought, feeling a headache at the idea of Saga, godlike among men. Though he now possessed divine blood and knew the Shield of Athena was in the Goddess’s Sanctuary, the matter was not simple.

“Your Holiness, the third matter concerns Lord Feng Zhe,” said Gigas, casting a glance at him—clearly about to make an accusation.

“Speak.”

“Yes! Lord Feng Zhe, without papal writ or Sanctuary pass, allowed Vulcan Gulu Di to leave Death Queen Island, causing the Dark Saints to stir restlessly…”

Feng Zhe had been back in the Sanctuary for half a month, and this fat man had chosen this moment to lodge his complaint, only after seeing him appear—truly a speechless affair.

The masked Pope swirled his wine and addressed Feng Zhe, “Explain why you brought Gulu Di back to the Sanctuary.”

Feng Zhe bowed and replied, “I invited Gulu Di to the Sanctuary to train new Saint candidates.”

The Pope was amused, as if he had heard a joke. Gigas immediately objected, “The Sanctuary is full of talent. Why would we need a disgraced sinner?”

“A stain on history?” Feng Zhe was genuinely unaware, and looked at Gigas with puzzlement.

Gigas explained, “Years ago, Vulcan Gulu Di encountered a demon on a mission. Of his squad, only he returned; the rest of the Saints perished. Is that not a stain on his record?”

Feng Zhe countered, “So he, knowing his guilt, removed his Cloth and went to guard the Dark Cloth on Death Queen Island?”

“Of course!” Gigas exclaimed.

Feng Zhe knelt before the Pope and earnestly pleaded, “I beg Your Holiness to pardon Gulu Di’s crime!”

“You…” Gigas was furious; after all he had said, Feng Zhe paid him no heed. With a single request for pardon, he wished to absolve the sinner of all guilt—intolerable!

Just as Gigas expected the Pope to rebuke Feng Zhe, the Pope’s voice sounded again.

“Granted.”

With that single, offhand word, Chief Strategist Gigas was struck dumb, as if turned to stone.