Chapter 64: A New Mirror Node

For several days in a row, the Hades Army made no moves, and Feng Zhe’s nerves seemed to relax considerably. Of the three Gold Saints, only Avenir was somewhat unscathed; the other two bore injuries, and Feng Zhe had to personally step in and heal them.

While he was still troubled with worry, a guard arrived to report that some Saints had engaged in a private duel, violating the Sanctuary’s rules, and requested the Pope’s judgment.

Feng Zhe was curious—usually such matters could be handled by Aries Avenir; it was rare for them to require his direct intervention.

When the two Saints were brought in, tightly bound, Feng Zhe couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

One was Cassius of Pegasus, the other was Elzak of Cygnus.

In this world, since Saori did not exist, naturally Mitsumasa Kido had never enacted his plan to send out a hundred orphans. Thus, the Pegasus Saint’s mantle had fallen to Cassius, while Cygnus had been passed down, by Aquarius Camus, to his disciple Elzak.

As Athena’s personal guards, it was clear the Pegasus Saint before him lacked much self-awareness; on the contrary, emboldened by his powerful physique and imposing presence, he was always stirring up trouble.

The reason for their duel was simple: Elzak of Cygnus couldn’t stand the arrogant and overbearing Cassius of Pegasus, and after a few heated words, they had come to blows.

“Your Holiness, we know we were wrong.”

Cassius, with his robust frame and the Pegasus Cloth upon him, looked comically out of place—no wonder Saori had disliked him, leaving him in the corner to fend for himself.

Elzak, though silent, was extremely respectful.

Dressed in the Pope’s robes, Feng Zhe exuded a commanding authority, and the powerful cosmos he emanated, no less than that of a Gold Saint, suppressed the two Bronze Saints so thoroughly they dared not move a muscle.

“The Sanctuary is now in dire need of capable warriors. Cassius, I hereby appoint you as the Taurus Gold Saint. Elzak, you are now the Aquarius Gold Saint as well…”

“Both of you, go to your respective temples, claim the Gold Cloths, and awaken your cosmos!”

“What?”

The two were dumbstruck. They had expected punishment, but instead the Pope had directly appointed them Gold Saints!

Wasn’t this a windfall from the heavens?

“Don’t let me down, either of you…” Feng Zhe’s words brought both men to their knees, and they cried out, “We will never fail Your Holiness’ expectations!”

As soon as the two left, the goddess Saori appeared before Feng Zhe, looking at him in puzzlement, as if she couldn’t understand why he would suddenly promote two Bronze Saints to Gold.

Not only Saori, but Aries Avenir, Leo Aiolia, and Scorpio Milo—all who received the news—gathered in the Pope’s chambers, seemingly awaiting an explanation.

“As this is the time of the Holy War, I have decided to reopen the selection for Gold Saints, to bolster our fighting strength,” Feng Zhe declared.

No sooner had he finished than Aries Avenir voiced his opposition. “Your Holiness, perhaps you’re unaware: without awakening the Seventh Sense, a Saint who inherits a Gold Cloth recklessly may become the armor’s puppet!”

Feng Zhe had never worn a Gold Cloth, but Avenir’s words reminded him of something. In an alternate timeline, Aquarius Degel had once been controlled by the Cloth, reduced to a mere puppet.

“Rest assured, they will not don the Cloths to fight until they have awakened the Seventh Sense.”

After some thought, Feng Zhe issued the order for the Gold Saint selection, broadening the scope beyond the Sanctuary—any of Athena’s Saints could participate.

The selection was set for ten days later.

“Brother, you should keep one of the Gold Cloths for yourself!” Saori genuinely cared for Feng Zhe, and he himself had already awakened the Seventh Sense; he was a natural Gold Saint.

Feng Zhe was briefly tempted, but swiftly dismissed the idea. It wasn’t that the Gold Cloths were unworthy, but his nature was innately attuned to the Altar Cloth; to force a union with another Gold Cloth might disrupt his cosmos.

“Let’s leave it for someone who needs it more,” he replied.

He paused, considering how to further enhance himself, and decided to visit the Mirror Node. For this, he needed something from Saori: her blood.

“If you ask, brother, I’ll support you with all my heart!”

With slender arm outstretched, Saori drew a golden dagger across her skin, and blood flowed forth.

Feng Zhe’s heart ached with guilt and tenderness, and he suddenly pulled Saori into his arms, gently soothing her wounded spirit.

Taking a handful of Athena’s blood, Feng Zhe smeared it across his own Cloth.

Sensing the divine blood, the Altar Cloth grew hot, and Feng Zhe’s cosmos exploded. The entire Cloth shimmered with a radiant golden glow, its coverage expanding.

The Altar Cloth had evolved…

Afterwards, Feng Zhe gazed up at the towering statue of Athena, intending to hand the Cloth to Saori.

But she stopped him, saying, “I know what you want to do, brother, but this statue is crucial to the Sanctuary’s stability—it must not be disturbed!”

Feng Zhe could only sigh, and used the remaining blood to craft Athena’s divine talismans.

But these talismans, made from Saori’s divine blood, were nowhere near as powerful as those Feng Zhe had previously brought.

It seemed that Saori’s cosmos was still not fully awakened, her development far from complete, and thus her blood could not compare to that of previous incarnations of Athena.

With this realization, Feng Zhe no longer dwelled on it, gave a few instructions, and then announced his seclusion.

…

Altar Space

Returning once more to this place, Feng Zhe felt a certain helplessness. Last time, he’d been on his original timeline; now, he was in Avenir’s.

The sacred flames upon the altar still burned, and this time, the Mirror Node was none other than Crimson Youth.

[Ding! Due to plot divergence, Crimson Youth’s storyline has changed. Total available faith: 100,000. Time limit: ten days. Prepare to enter!]

Without hesitation, Feng Zhe stepped in, recalling the outline of Crimson Youth’s story.

Athena’s brother, Abel, awakens in the modern era, seeking to return the earth to the rule of the gods.

Abel not only resurrects the Gold Saints who had fallen in the Twelve Temples, but also dominates the world with his Corona Warriors, only to be slain in the end by Seiya, clad in the Sagittarius Gold Cloth.

However, due to the altered plot, evil Saga had not died within the Golden Apple. On the contrary, he had awakened the Eighth Sense and now harbored ambitions of becoming the God of War.

To upend the situation and bring down Black Saga, he must not follow Seiya and the others’ path.

If he could alter the plot thoroughly enough, the resultant faith would be immense.

By making Gold Saints the main force and preventing Seiya and his companions from participating, the story would change completely. But to accomplish this, Dohko would have to join this divine war.

With his course clear, Feng Zhe felt a surge of excitement. He was truly eager to see just how powerful Dohko, with his Eighth Sense awakened, could be.

And as for Abel—if he could seal him away, perhaps he would gain yet another trump card.

[Ding! Within the Mirror Node, using time-based powers will no longer be restricted by faith!]

Feng Zhe smiled. It seemed there was much more he could do now…