Chapter 22: Blackmailing the Golden Saint

"Your Eminence, the acting Pope, has personally come to the House of Aries—how could I not come out to greet you?" Mu's expression was humble and courteous. Of all the Gold Saints, his attitude toward Feng Zhe, the acting Pope, was the most respectful. In Sanctuary, if one were to speak of reputation and favor, Mu was undoubtedly the best regarded. This was not only because he could repair Cloths, but also due to his humble character and principled conduct.

But Feng Zhe knew well that this was all mere appearance. Mu's danger surpassed even Saga's, especially now that he had become the acting Pope.

"I heard you requested an audience, so I came to see you first," Feng Zhe said, exercising great caution, particularly when facing this disciple of Pope Shion.

"I wish to take my leave of you, Your Eminence, and return to the Jamir Plateau."

A Gold Saint could not leave Sanctuary unless dispatched by the Pope or by order of the Goddess. The House of Aries, as the first of the Twelve Houses, was the primary line of defense against invasion and thus especially important. Previously, under Saga's rule, Mu had stayed away from conflict by retreating to the Jamir Plateau—understandable circumstances then. But now that a new Pope had been chosen, everything was different.

"Mu, you should know that the defense of the House of Aries is essential," Feng Zhe admonished.

Mu bowed his head respectfully at this, but his words conveyed a different intent. "Honored acting Pope, at present there is no Goddess within Sanctuary in need of protection, and you already possess Athena's Shield. The Specters of Five Old Peaks have not fully retreated, and I hope to return swiftly to my place of training to improve myself. My teacher also supports this decision."

Mu's meaning was clear: with no one in Sanctuary needing protection and the Holy War yet to start, remaining in Sanctuary would be futile. It would be more practical to focus on training and strengthening himself.

"In fact, there is an important task I wished to entrust to you..."

"Please, Your Eminence, speak your mind!" Mu replied.

Though rebuffed, Feng Zhe did not lose heart and pressed on. "The number of Saints in Sanctuary is too few, and the Bronze and Silver Saints are especially lacking in strength. I hope to replenish their numbers quickly and appoint a Golden Saint or two to oversee their training."

"That is an excellent suggestion," Mu replied, "but as I must return to Jamir, I fear I cannot take on any further responsibilities. I ask for your understanding, Your Eminence."

Mu's tone was gentle and sincere, but left Feng Zhe at an impasse. He could not simply issue an order to this Gold Saint. So, changing tack, he said, "If that's the case, I will not insist. But, Mu, may I enlist the Sculptor and Auriga Silver Saints?"

Among the Silver Saints, four Cloths were particularly special: Altar, Crater, Sculptor, and Auriga. Feng Zhe wore the Altar Cloth; since Suikyo of the Crater, that Cloth's whereabouts had become unknown. The Sculptor and Auriga Cloths were also missing, but rumors said they were held by the Jamir clan. Feng Zhe sought these two Cloths because one could repair Cloths and the other could enhance them.

Of course, Feng Zhe knew these two Cloths currently had no masters and that their future bearers would be Mu's disciples. His request instantly darkened Mu's face.

Within Sanctuary, Gold Saints held a position of great prestige and often possessed one or two Silver or Bronze Cloths to train their own disciples—much as Shaka of Virgo held both the Lotus and Peacock Silver Cloths. As a survivor of the previous Holy War, Shion had taken special care to entrust these two extraordinary Cloths to his kin, the Jamir clan.

Mu did not think long before replying, "Neither the Sculptor nor Auriga Cloths have masters, so unfortunately, I cannot provide them."

"If they have no masters, could you not produce one for me, so that I might train new talent to prepare for the Holy War?" Feng Zhe pressed.

Mu's face changed at once—this was outright robbery. With no regard for appearances, he flatly refused. "These two Cloths are of utmost importance to the Jamir clan. I cannot hand them over, and I ask your understanding."

"You must realize, Mu, that the coming Holy War demands we cultivate talent and strengthen the Saints. As a Gold Saint, if you put your personal interests above the greater good, how could you answer to the other Gold Saints?" Feng Zhe's words made Mu's expression turn even grimmer.

He could not give them, but if he refused, and Feng Zhe, as acting Pope, made the matter public, all of Mu's carefully cultivated reputation would be destroyed in an instant. Moreover, if he were to leave for Jamir, abandoning the House of Aries, the acting Pope before him would surely take the opportunity for retribution.

This was an open conspiracy.

Mu's mind raced, and finally, he sighed, resigned. "Though I cannot give you those two Cloths, I can offer one that is equally important."

Before Feng Zhe could respond, Mu used his psychic power to summon a Cloth box, which appeared before him in a flash of energy.

"The Pegasus Cloth!" Feng Zhe's eyes lit up. This was one of the most crucial Cloths in every Holy War—Pegasus, the very same Cloth that would later belong to Seiya. Of course, for now, it was only an ordinary Bronze Cloth.

By handing over this Cloth, Mu was also surrendering the initiative before the Holy War to Feng Zhe—a significant concession.

"So it was in your possession all along," Feng Zhe remarked with a smile, but it was far from enough.

"A single Bronze Cloth is not enough," he said.

Mu was speechless at Feng Zhe's audacity. After a moment's internal struggle, he gritted his teeth and replied, "Actually, there is a secret about the Altar Cloth that only successive Popes have ever known."

Feng Zhe had thought to probe for whatever he could, but was surprised to hear of a secret meant for him alone. His interest piqued, he asked, "What secret?"

"Within the Altar Cloth lies a sacred fire from Mount Olympus, as you must know," Mu said.

Feng Zhe nodded. His ability to perform sacrifices was one such application of the sacred fire.

"In truth, when the Goddess received the sacred fire, she did not bestow it all upon the Altar Cloth. She preserved a portion within the Twelve Houses themselves."

"The tools of the gods, no matter how trusted the Altar Saint, can never be given in their entirety," Mu added.

Feng Zhe suddenly understood. "So, my sacred fire can be further elevated?"

Mu nodded, continuing, "Every day at noon, if you bring out Athena's Shield within the Twelve Houses and let the sunlight shine upon the blood of the guarding Gold Saint, you can obtain the sacred fire of the Twelve Houses."

As he spoke, Mu drew a line across his hand, and his blood—the blood of the Aries Saint—flowed, appearing before Feng Zhe.