Chapter 67: A Wager Among Gods

“Brother!”

Athena, Lady Saori, had already descended gracefully.

Following close behind her were five Gold Saints: Aiolia of Leo, Milo of Scorpio, Mu of Aries, Aldebaran of Taurus, and Shaka of Virgo.

Saori had not heeded Feng Zhe’s advice; instead, she had come down herself, ready to stake everything on this gamble.

Seeing Lady Saori approach, Feng Zhe moved to her side, adopting the demeanor of a priest. At this point, nothing he said could change the outcome.

The Sun God Abel looked at Saori with a broad smile, as if beholding a work of art.

“You are always so beautiful.”

The two stood side by side, hands entwined, resembling a pair of lovers, paying no heed to the Gold Saints standing nearby.

The Corona Warriors followed as if they were mere servants, utterly ignoring the presence of the Gold Saints.

In the mythic era, the goddess Athena and the Sun God Abel were not only siblings but also lovers.

Especially Abel, who adored his sister deeply. Athena’s triumphs over Poseidon and Hades, her rule over the mortal realm—all of this was inseparable from Abel’s support.

Now, with the Sun God Abel reappearing, his intentions were soon revealed to Saori.

He sought to destroy the world and return it to the dominion of the gods—a world of peace and bliss.

Upon hearing Abel’s intent to annihilate the world, Saori suddenly pushed him away.

Her gaze was resolute as she declared, “Brother, you are wrong. I will never allow you to act recklessly!”

Abel smiled and replied, “Shall we make a wager, then? Your Gold Saints are all here—if my Corona Warriors can defeat them, you must agree to my terms. Is that fair?”

Saori looked to Feng Zhe, who gave her a slight nod.

She then replied loudly, “Very well, I accept your wager. But this time, neither of us may intervene on their behalf!”

Abel laughed heartily. “Agreed!”

To Abel, this was nothing more than a game, though it would decide the fate of humanity.

The first to enter the field was not a Corona Warrior, but a cloaked, masked figure.

With a flourish, the cloak was cast aside, revealing a gleaming Gold Cloth.

“Pisces Aphrodite?!”

Feng Zhe glanced at the other figures beside the Corona Warriors and called out, “Enough hiding—show yourselves!”

The two others exchanged a glance, then shed their cloaks.

“Capricorn Shura, Aquarius Camus!!”

These three were none other than the Gold Saints who had already died. They stood silently, prepared for the battle ahead.

Mu of Aries called out, “Have you forgotten the oath you made upon becoming Gold Saints?”

As Athena’s loyal Saints, every Gold Saint swears fealty to the goddess upon receiving the Gold Cloth, whether in life or death.

Camus of Aquarius answered, “No! We have not forgotten. Returning to the world ruled by the gods is not wrong.”

Shura of Capricorn added, “Once we return to the world of the gods, the Holy Wars will end. There will be no more war, no more sorrow, no more death.”

A difference in ideals, a difference in faith—no more words were needed.

“Very well. Let me fight first,” said Mu.

The first match: Pisces Aphrodite versus Aries Mu.

Aphrodite said, “Let me show you the power bestowed upon me by Lord Abel!”

Blazing Piranha Rose!

Empowered by Abel’s flames, Aphrodite unleashed his ultimate move—the Blazing Piranha Rose.

The black roses, in addition to their destructive power, now burned with fire, their force even more explosive.

Mu instantly shouted, “Crystal Wall!”

But the countless black roses detonated upon contact with the Crystal Wall, shattering it immediately.

Mu hadn’t expected Aphrodite to become so powerful. He used his psychic powers to teleport aside just in time.

In that instant, a white rose flew toward him.

Blazing Bloody Rose!

With a mighty shout, Mu unleashed all his Cosmo, and the grand constellation of Aries appeared.

Starlight Extinction!

For a moment, time and space seemed to twist. The brilliance of the stars dimmed.

A force of overwhelming power tore all the roses to pieces. Aphrodite, struck by this ultimate technique, was hurled through the air and crashed heavily to the ground.

Mu of Aries had proven himself a peerless Gold Saint by defeating the enhanced Aphrodite with apparent ease.

Just as the assembled Saints rejoiced, Aphrodite smiled faintly as if he foresaw victory.

Feng Zhe’s face suddenly changed. Unbeknownst to them, a white rose had already been embedded in Mu’s chest.

Saori staggered, and the Sun God Abel smiled knowingly, as if to say, “Neither of us can interfere.”

Bang!

Mu collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

Saori quickly spoke up, “Let us call this round a draw. What do you say?”

Saori conceded in this moment, her sole aim to save Mu.

Abel grinned, “You are too soft-hearted. Very well.”

Upon hearing this, Feng Zhe immediately used the Shield of Athena, drawing upon divine power to remove the white rose from Mu’s chest.

Fortunately, Mu survived, though he was left unable to fight any longer.

Abel watched Feng Zhe’s actions with a smile, and said to Saori, “If I win, would you give me your priest as a gift?”

Feng Zhe’s hand trembled and he nearly dropped the Shield of Athena. The Sun God Abel truly had an unusual mind.

…

The second battle: Capricorn Shura versus Scorpio Milo.

Excalibur!

Shura unleashed his sacred sword, a flurry of blades slicing the earth as if it were tofu.

Milo was not to be outdone. With a “Restraining Mind Wave,” he immobilized Shura, then followed immediately with his ultimate move: Scarlet Needle.

Scarlet Needle, fifteen strikes in total—each one piercing a vital point. The final strike, Antares, signified certain death.

Each needle brought excruciating pain, massive loss of blood, and robbed its target of all five senses. Action and spirit both succumbed to paralysis, until the Cosmo’s flame was utterly extinguished.

It was said to be an inescapable attack.

Fourteen needles struck Shura, yet he showed no sign of pain.

Shura shouted, “This pain means nothing to me!”

Blazing Excalibur!

Shura, too, had received power from Abel, making his sacred sword incomparably mighty, its force several times greater.

Milo roared, “Then die! Antares!”

With the fifteenth needle, Antares struck home. At the same moment, Milo was also hit. The two fell together—a double knockout.

Abel laughed, “Yet another draw!”