Chapter 153: Dohko's Death Match

Immovable, the God of Holy Decree Antalis stated that Dohko had comprehended the Ninth Sense and should ascend to the celestial realm to become a Celestial Saint.

He added that in the super-century following the new era, they would continue to live on as comrades.

However, Dohko let out a hearty laugh and declared that he only believed in Athena.

Antalis replied that those who defied the heavenly will could only perish.

Unable to contain himself any longer, Shiryu moved to strike, but Antalis froze him instantly, rendering him completely unable to move.

Then, Shiryu slumped limply to the ground, his life or death unknown.

This shocked Dohko deeply, while Antalis calmly stated, "The technique I used transcends life and death; I have already allowed Shiryu to return to the embrace of the gods."

"The only one who rules over life is the Great God Zeus, and I, Antalis the God of Holy Decree, am the executor of life bestowed by Zeus!"

Seeing Dohko's bewildered expression, Antalis continued, "Your forbidden technique should be returned to the heavens."

With that, he raised his arm and unleashed his ultimate technique.

Messiah's Redemption!!

The primary effect of this ultimate technique was to undo the gods' pseudo-death techniques. Instantly, a torrential flood of time would destroy Dohko's body, forcing him to experience two hundred and forty-three years of time in a single moment.

When that happened, without needing to do anything else, Dohko would turn to dust and vanish into nothingness.

Just as this light of the Messiah was about to shine upon Dohko, the Shield of Athena materialized before the beam, emitting the divine light that held the dominion over the earth.

Suddenly, the two lights clashed against each other, leaving Dohko completely unharmed.

Seeing the newcomer, Dohko said in astonishment, "Pope Arles!"

The newcomer was none other than Feng Zhe, who had teleported over. Having sensed that Dohko was in mortal danger, he had instantly rushed to the scene.

Fortunately he had come; if he had been even a fraction of a second slower, it would have been disastrous.

"I wondered who it was, and lo, it is merely a dog of Athena!"

In the eyes of the gods, even someone as noble as the Pope was nothing more than a mortal; calling him a dog was actually a compliment.

Yet, no sooner had Antalis finished speaking than a massive fist smashed directly into his face.

His face visibly caved inward, and he was sent flying backward, before crashing heavily onto the ground in a rather pathetic state.

Feng Zhe let out a cold snort. "This Pope is not someone any stray cat or dog can insult. Say another word, and I'll knock out your teeth!"

Gritting his teeth, Antalis managed to spit out, "The Ninth Sense!"

Meanwhile, Dohko had recovered his composure, a look of resolute determination flashing in his eyes—the gaze characteristic only of Saints who had survived two Holy Wars.

"Lord Pope, let me fight him to the death—a battle wagering my very life!"

Gazing into Dohko's eyes, Feng Zhe understood that his will had already transcended life and death.

He nodded immediately, produced a drop of Athena's blood, and flicked it onto Dohko.

"This drop of Athena's blood will ensure you remain completely safe within ten minutes!"

Dohko looked at Feng Zhe with an expression of profound gratitude, then suddenly shattered his Libra Cloth. Amidst his bare body, a ferocious tiger materialized behind him.

As he looked at Dohko's blazing Cosmo and the roaring tiger, Antalis showed a hint of caution for the very first time.

Burn, Universe of All Things!

Rozan Hundred Dragons Force!!

Instantly, like divine dragons crossing a river from above the Milky Way, countless divine dragons bared their fangs and claws as they surged forward.

Dohko's Cosmo, having comprehended the Ninth Sense and amplified by the Universe of All Things, elevated the power of the Rozan Hundred Dragons Force manifold.

Instantly, heaven and earth changed color, and the entire world seemed filled solely with the shadows of these divine dragons.

True to his status as the God of Holy Decree, Antalis also immediately burst forth with his Ninth Sense Cosmo.

Messiah's Redemption!!

The divine light he unleashed once again was several times stronger than before. In particular, within this divine light lingered the shadow of Hera, the Queen of Heaven, adding an even greater surge of power.

The collision of two forces comprehended through the Ninth Sense was like Venus crashing into Earth—a scene destined to herald the end of the world.

Amidst this apocalypse, no possibility of survival remained.

When all the dust and smoke finally cleared, only a massive crater was left behind. Antalis and Dohko had perished together in this ultimate clash.

This was a battle belonging to Dohko, and naturally, it concluded with a hero's ending...

At that moment, a light rain began to fall from the sky, resembling a hero's elegy.

Chun Li came running over, throwing herself across Shiryu's body and pleading for him to wake up.

Witnessing this, Feng Zhe merely shook his head.

Although Shiryu had comprehended the Ninth Sense during the Holy War against Hades, it had not been his normal state. Therefore, even Feng Zhe had no way to resurrect someone who was truly dead.

Yet, what Feng Zhe could not accomplish, Chun Li somehow did.

Whether driven by the sound of her weeping or because Shiryu's time had simply not yet run out, he miraculously began to stir and woke up.

"Shiryu!"

"Chun Li!"

The two embraced and wept bitterly, much like a pair of star-crossed lovers enduring cruel fates.

"Lord Pope!"

Catching sight of Feng Zhe, Shiryu regained much of his clarity.

Naturally, Feng Zhe knew that Shiryu had no real necessity to participate in this final Holy War.

Thus, he said, "Shiryu, Dohko is now dead, and in the battles to come, even Saints who have attained the Ninth Sense face certain death with zero chance of survival."

"I give you a choice now: take Chun Li and enter the fairyland, where your safety will be guaranteed. The games of the gods will no longer have anything to do with you."

Compared to the impulsive Seiya, Shiryu was far more rational. This was not only because he was Dohko's disciple and inherently aware of many secrets regarding the Holy Wars, but also due to his innate temperament.

Coupled with the fact that he was truly weary of the endless battles of the gods—especially feeling deeply critical of certain actions taken by Lady Saori Athena—if it weren't for cherishing the bonds of camaraderie among the Bronze Saints, he probably would have already retreated into seclusion in the mountains.

The arrival of Pope Feng Zhe, however, offered Shiryu a glimmer of hope.

Catching Chun Li's expectant gaze, and thinking of their child, Shiryu hesitated for the very first time.

Sensing his inner thoughts, Feng Zhe said, "The sun revolves regardless of who is missing; no one is truly irreplaceable."

Shiryu looked sharply at Feng Zhe, realizing that the sincerity in the Pope's eyes carried no trace of mockery.

Suddenly, Shiryu asked the question he had harbored in his heart ever since awakening his will: "Lord Pope, for humanity, do the gods truly love the world?"

Such questioning of the gods was an act of utter blasphemy among the Saints.

Yet Feng Zhe, the Pope, was fundamentally a blasphemer at heart.

Feng Zhe countered with a question of his own: "Would you care about the ants beneath that tree?"

Shiryu's pupils contracted as understanding seemed to dawn upon him.

"Then what is the meaning of us Saints?"

This time, Feng Zhe did not answer. Instead, he looked toward Chun Li and smiled at her.

In an instant, Shiryu understood. The meaning of being a Saint was to protect one's own family.

"Thank you, Lord Pope!"

With that, Shiryu left behind the Dragon Cloth, and taking Chun Li and their child with him, vanished into the Five Old Peaks.

"Arles, you are wrong."

The will of Athena echoed in Feng Zhe's ears. She had been there all along, merely hiding in the shadows.

Feng Zhe smiled. "I simply wished to preserve the seeds of the Saints."

This great war was destined to be even more tragic than the Holy War against Hades; a single misstep, and the Saints might cease to exist altogether.

Saori was well aware of this, yet she posed another question: "Are you so certain that I can win?"

Only if Athena triumphed would the seeds of the Saints have any reason to exist.

Hearing this, Feng Zhe gave a final reply: "Do our utmost, and let heaven decide the rest!"