Chapter 51: The Chief of Staff's Scheme

Chapter 51

The three of them, cleansed by Athena’s Shield, stood there dazedly as if the evil within their hearts had been wiped away. They glanced at each other in bewilderment, completely at a loss.

Feng Zhe, anxious, could only speak succinctly. “Now that the Sanctuary has been tainted by evil forces, as Saints of Athena, are you willing to return to your original purpose and accept the guidance of the Goddess?”

“Alex, we know you are the Altar Saint, but these are orders from the Sanctuary…” Sirius of Canis Major tried to justify, but fear was plain on his face.

“I’ll say it again. As Saints of the Goddess, are you willing to accept the leadership of her reincarnation, Miss Saori?” Feng Zhe’s question made all three of them turn pale.

As Silver Saints within the Sanctuary, they knew many secrets. The matter of Athena’s reincarnation was no mystery to them.

“You mean the heiress of the Gura Foundation is…”

“Hurry! Alex, the Sanctuary has dispatched Hercules Douglas and the Burning Saint to assassinate Saori. Both possess power not inferior to Silver Saints!”

Feng Zhe’s expression changed instantly. He sped towards the villa, the three Silver Saints following close behind.

These two private soldiers were not originally powerful. They had only escaped Feng Zhe’s notice when he had once ordered Gludy to train a new batch of trainees. By a strange twist of fate, Feng Zhe disappeared for two years, which allowed Chief of Staff Gigas to take advantage, inadvertently increasing their strength.

By the time Feng Zhe arrived, the villa was already engulfed in a sea of flames. Not only were the Five Young Warriors’ fates uncertain, but even the backup left by Mitsumasa Kido for Saori—Heaven’s Soar, Earth’s Might, and Ocean’s Tide, the three Steel Saints—had all been reduced to nothing but scrap metal. The scene was utter chaos.

And Miss Saori had vanished without a trace.

Jabu of Unicorn spotted Feng Zhe and, struggling to speak, gasped, “Quick… save… Miss Saori!”

Feng Zhe rushed to his side, urgently asking, “Where did she go?”

Jabu pointed in a direction before collapsing into unconsciousness.

At that moment, the rotors of a helicopter could be heard in the distance. Feng Zhe saw the helicopter lifting off and flying away.

His face darkened instantly.

…

“Let me go! Where are you taking me?!”

The grunts, unconcerned with who Miss Saori was, dragged her roughly from the helicopter. She glanced around and realized they were in an abandoned military camp.

Waiting to greet Saori was a fat man draped in pearls and jewels. He held a staff, and behind him stood a line of private Saint soldiers who treated him with utmost respect.

“Esteemed Miss Saori, allow me to introduce myself. I am Gigas, Chief of Staff of the Sanctuary. It is a pleasure to meet you!” Gigas gave her a gentlemanly bow and gestured for Saori to enter the camp.

“So this is how the illustrious Chief of Staff Gigas extends his invitations?” Saori retorted with a hint of sarcasm, but with little choice, she followed him.

Gigas took no offense. As they walked, he explained, “The Altar Saint Alex at your side is a formidable obstacle. To draw him away, I had no choice but to act in this manner. I hope you will forgive me.”

“So much scheming—what is it you truly want?” Saori gazed at Gigas, trying to read his deeply wrinkled face, but it was as unreadable as a Shar Pei’s hide.

Gigas said nothing more and led her to the main hall of the camp.

A purely European-style round table set with candelabras, red wine, and steak created an air of elegance. Gigas invited Saori to dine as they talked, then began to enjoy the meal himself.

Though Saori was hungry, her training in decorum kept her composed as she methodically finished the steak on her plate.

Only after the meal did Gigas finally smile faintly and reveal his intentions.

“I have heard that after the death of the former tycoon Mitsumasa Kido, he left behind a vast inheritance, with only a granddaughter as his heir. I wish to cooperate with you—should you sign this document, not only will I guarantee your release, but I will also cease the pursuit of those Bronze Saints…”

The fat man intended to seize Mitsumasa Kido’s inheritance for himself!

Saori was so furious she trembled, tearing the document to shreds with her hands.

Gigas, however, was unperturbed. He had plenty of time to play this game with the heiress.

A projector descended from the ceiling. On the screen appeared the main arena of the Galactic Tournament.

With the press of a button, a bomb was launched toward the stadium. A powerful explosion erupted, engulfing the arena in flames.

“Well, Miss Saori, what do you think?” Gigas’s signature smile stretched across his face as he spoke, having so easily wiped out an entire stadium.

“You’re nothing short of a demon!” Saori now hated Gigas with every fiber of her being.

Gigas only laughed heartily. “I became a demon the day I became Chief of Staff in the Sanctuary. I know you’d like nothing more than to kill me, but you’re powerless to do so!”

“All this—these are the Pope’s orders?”

“But of course. How can His Holiness hope to rule the world without money?”

When she heard it was the Pope’s command, Saori’s face turned green with rage.

Gigas produced another document. “I know of your kindness, Miss Saori. Every moment you refuse to sign, I will destroy another of the Gura Foundation’s assets…”

“Aren’t you afraid of harming innocent people?”

“The lives and deaths of those people are none of my concern.”

Gigas’s words had awakened a murderous intent in Saori’s heart. Those targeted by the gods are rarely granted a happy fate.

Gigas’s face grew impatient. “Will you sign or not?”

“Alas, the Sanctuary has truly fallen—a Chief of Staff bullying a defenseless young woman…”

A cold voice echoed in the hall, making Gigas jolt and shout, “Who’s there?!”

“Your worst nightmare!” In a flash, someone appeared before Gigas and sent him flying with a single punch.

“Chief of Staff!”

Hercules Douglas was about to charge forward, but when he saw who had arrived, he froze on the spot.

Feng Zhe turned to Douglas with a casual greeting. “Long time no see!”

“Acting Pope… sir!”

“Douglas, don’t forget who you serve now. You’re Chief of Staff Gigas’s private soldier,” the Burning Saint declared, fiercely loyal to Gigas and showing no deference to Feng Zhe.

Feng Zhe smiled at him. “Let’s see what progress you’ve made in these two years.”

Flame Spiral Jet Punch!

The Burning Saint, master of flames, unleashed a fiery whirlwind at Feng Zhe.

With a flick of his wrist, Feng Zhe reflected all the flames back at their source.

The Burning Saint was instantly engulfed in fire. When the flames subsided, he was already charred and collapsed to the ground with a thud.

Feng Zhe sighed. From the moment the Burning Saint attacked him, his fate had been sealed.

He turned to Douglas. “Are you going to attack me as well?”

With a thud, Douglas dropped to his knees. “Acting Pope, I concede!”