Chapter 18: The Tide Turns

"I do not agree!" In an instant, Mu of Aries teleported into the Goddess Chamber.

At this moment, Mu was clad in the golden armor of Aries, the two red marks unique to the Jamir clan between his brows highlighting his wisdom and composure. Yet this paragon of calm intelligence was now compelled to step forward.

Mu was Shion’s true disciple; not only had he inherited the Aries Cloth, but he had also received personal instruction from Pope Shion. Since the last Holy War, the House of Aries had become the strongest and most enduring among the twelve.

"Mu, it’s wonderful that you have returned," said Aiolia.

He and Mu had always been staunch allies, frequently seen together among the twelve Gold Saints.

"Indeed. Had I not shaken off the Specters in time, I might not have been able to attend my master Shion’s funeral," Mu replied, anger flashing in his eyes as he glared at Saga of Gemini and, by extension, Alex of the Altar constellation.

"What? Specters dared to appear in Jamir?" Aiolia exclaimed, astonished at the mention of Specters. He then turned his gaze to Saga, a sense of conspiracy stirring within him.

He shifted his attention to Acting Pope Alex. "Specters appeared in Jamir—were you aware of this?"

Feng Zhe, who had remained silent until now, was suddenly addressed. Seeing Saga remain quiet, he nodded and replied, "Previously, Marin of Aquila went to Jamir with a message. Afterwards, Sanctuary dispatched three Silver Saints to Jamir as reinforcements."

"What?! Three Silvers? Why weren’t we informed? You sent them to their deaths!" Aiolia immediately erupted at Feng Zhe, like an enraged lion, while Feng Zhe could only look exasperated.

"These were the Pope’s orders, based on Chief of Staff Gigas’s advice. Stop your shouting!"

"Was it truly my master, Pope Shion, who gave the order, or was it Saga—the one who cruelly murdered my master and impersonated the Pope for ten long years?!" Mu’s sudden accusation drew the gaze of all the Gold Saints to Saga.

"What!" Aiolia’s face registered utter shock, quickly turning to fury.

The power of a Gold Saint was truly terrifying. Behind Aiolia appeared the majestic, imposing Leo constellation, its lines interconnecting and sparkling. On the other side, Mu of Aries also unleashed his aura—the Aries constellation shining in orange-yellow brilliance behind him, his might even greater than Aiolia’s.

Feng Zhe noted to himself: Aiolia of Leo was at mid-Seventh Sense, while Mu of Aries was at high-Seventh Sense—both formidable indeed.

Now, all the other Gold Saints turned their eyes to Saga, especially Milo of Scorpio, who had thus far remained aloof. "Saga, we demand an explanation," Milo spoke up.

With just a few words, Mu had shifted the entire balance. Camus, Milo, and Aldebaran were all showing signs of siding with Mu, causing Feng Zhe to frown deeply. Clearly, Jamir's sage was not so named for nothing.

Saga, however, remained silent, his eyes closed, which made Feng Zhe anxious. He could not allow events to deviate from his plan.

So, stepping in front of Saga, Feng Zhe addressed Mu directly, "Pope Shion was one of the survivors of the last Holy War—peerless in strength. For 248 years, he devoted himself to Sanctuary, nurturing talent, and rejuvenating it. He was in no way inferior to any Pope of the past."

"We are all well aware of the Pope’s glorious deeds," Milo of Scorpio replied, his gaze fixed on Feng Zhe, the sensation of a scorpion’s sting making Feng Zhe uneasy. "That is precisely why we demand an explanation!"

Feng Zhe continued, "After the Holy War, Pope Shion sealed away Yama, the foremost among the Heavenly Stars of the Specters. His power surpassed even that of Sisyphus and Byron—no one can dispute this."

All the Gold Saints knew who Sisyphus and Byron were, and looked to Feng Zhe, uncertain of his point.

"What you do not know," Feng Zhe went on, "is that fourteen years after the Holy War, Pope Shion faced the God of Time, Kairos, alone. Though he managed to seal him, he was cursed by the God of Time in the process."

"The God of Time’s curse?" The Gold Saints had never heard of such a thing, and even Mu’s gaze turned to Feng Zhe.

Feng Zhe sighed and spoke plainly, "Pope Shion endured unimaginable pain every moment of his life. Do you know why he always wore a mask?"

All the Gold Saints shook their heads, even Mu, Shion’s own disciple, looked perplexed.

"It was because, for these 248 years, Pope Shion’s appearance never changed."

"What?! That’s impossible!"

"Such is the terror of the God of Time," Feng Zhe declared. "Though he aged with each passing moment, his body was simultaneously restored. Every instant, it was as if ants gnawed at him—an endless, unbreakable curse!"

No matter how powerful a Saint, none could escape mortal decay. It was the natural way of things. Yet Shion alone was an exception.

His body continued to age, but time itself rewound him, forcibly correcting his form, as if he were driven by two engines at once.

One turned forward, one turned in reverse. Thus, his body endured the agony of both.

An ordinary person would have long since broken, but Shion bore the fate of destiny. He carried immense responsibility—the weight of all Sanctuary upon his shoulders.

"For Shion, death was truly a luxury," Feng Zhe finished, his words landing like a heavy blow on the hearts of every Saint.

"Some of you may not know—Pope Shion’s true strength was beyond anything you can imagine."

"Shaka, am I right?" Feng Zhe asked suddenly.

With his eyes still closed, Shaka replied, "Yes. Pope Shion was a being who could stand shoulder to shoulder with the gods."

Someone capable of rivaling the gods—even if Saga betrayed him, success would not have come easily.

All the Gold Saints fell silent. It seemed Feng Zhe’s words were irrefutable. Even the light around Aiolia of Leo dimmed.

"Enough! You are not even Pope Shion’s disciple. You and Saga are in league—what right have you to speak?" Mu, seeing the momentum shift, turned his accusation on Feng Zhe, denying his claim to be Shion’s disciple. In Sanctuary, Shion had but one disciple, also from Jamir.

"You are correct—I am not Pope Shion’s disciple. I am the disciple of Saga of Gemini!"

At last, Feng Zhe dropped his pretense and openly declared his true allegiance.

All the Gold Saints once again turned their gaze toward Saga.

"Alex, say no more. It was by my own hand that Pope Shion was slain," Saga spoke at last.