Chapter 7: Confronting the Evil Saga

【Saga's Rebellion Statistics in Progress...】
【Informed the Pope of Saga's true nature and gained his trust: Evaluation B, acquired 20% of the total Mirror Node for this event...】
【Accepted Eagle Magic Ling as a disciple, indirectly altering the course of the plot: Evaluation D, acquired 5% of the Mirror Node total for this event...】
【Assisted Sagittarius Aiolos in escaping from the Sanctuary: Evaluation C, acquired 10% of the Mirror Node total for this event...】
【Based on the plot changes, the overall rating for this event is B+, with a 10% increase in total Time, and a cumulative Mirror Node acquisition of 45%】
【This event's Mirror Node total is 10,000 Faith Points; the host receives 4,500 Faith Points】
Standing once again in that peculiar space, the altar before him seemed to have just been scorched by flames.
The B+ rating this time was certainly the result of his awareness of past causes and effects, yet it was also a stroke of luck to have entered the Pope's chamber at the outset and to have engaged with Pope Shion.
Moreover, Shion had saved him once, and he had also gained the goddess's blessing, granting him a brief moment of Golden rank power.
When Feng Zhe infused the 4,500 Faith Points into the altar, the Sacred Flame suddenly blazed anew, displaying a large "D" emblem.
"So, this time the Mirror Node is D grade!"
Within the fire, Feng Zhe saw three mirrored images.
"The Golden Apple, Crimson Youth, and Battle of Gods?!?"
He was momentarily speechless—these three theatrical versions had appeared unexpectedly.
Considering his current lack of strength, he soon abandoned the impulse to enter any of them.
Apart from this, the Sacred Flame within his Saint Cloth Mirror had grown considerably stronger.
Returning from the Saga Rebellion, aside from the Faith Points, his greatest gain was the talisman written in Athena's blood. With this treasure, he was certain to shine in the coming Holy Wars.
Additionally, he now possessed a new understanding of the Altar Saint Cloth—he had learned the art of sacrifice!
This skill could even strip Golden Saint Cloths, though without the goddess's support, doing so remained exceedingly difficult.
Yet, once his Cosmo was strong enough, the power of this skill would be amplified without limit.
...
Within the vast baths of the Pope's Hall, Saga reclined naked, yet he did not neglect to wear the mask symbolizing his papal authority.
Saga raised a glass of red wine, savoring the moment with evident pleasure.
"Your Holiness, Alex requests an audience!"
A lowly attendant prostrated himself on the ground, his demeanor abjectly humble.

"Oh? He dares to come? Let him in then!"
Perhaps his mood was good today, and Alex, to Saga, was a presence he could crush at will, so he paid little heed.
Feng Zhe, clad in the Altar Saint Cloth, entered and immediately saw Saga's muscular form in the bath, along with his signature black hair—a clear sign that this was the evil Saga.
"Since you've already escaped, why do you dare appear here?"
Now that Feng Zhe had entered the Pope's chamber, there was no possibility of escape in Saga's eyes.
Feng Zhe had witnessed Saga within the Mirror Node; at that time, Saga was powerful, but not so terrifyingly oppressive, his strength only that of an average Golden Saint.
After ten years of tempering, Saga had likely become a top-tier, perhaps even peak Golden Saint.
In other words, he was on the cusp of comprehending the Eighth Sense.
Feng Zhe smiled slightly and said, "I am my teacher's disciple. If I do not stay here to heed your guidance, where else should I go?"
Saga swirled his wine and asked, "You choose to follow me?"
"No!"
"I choose to fight for humanity!"
Saga gazed at Feng Zhe, understanding his meaning—the sentence had a second half:
To fight for humanity, not for the gods.
This sentiment suited evil Saga's taste perfectly. He then said, "Are you not afraid of being branded evil?"
"The endless wars between gods must end."
Feng Zhe's words made Saga laugh, as though mocking his arrogance.
A Silver Saint dreaming of ending the wars of gods—what a ludicrous fantasy.
"I know my teacher's strength—among the Gold Saints, he is absolutely top-tier. I also know his wisdom and ability are first-rate."
"But my teacher overlooks something..."
Saga, supremely confident, sneered. "What have I overlooked?"
"You've ignored the need for unified will, and underestimated the gods' treachery!"
The unified will referred, of course, to the fatal split in Saga's personality—good and evil coexisting.
But the gods' treachery was a pointed remark.
"It seems we share similar views on certain matters."

Saga regarded Feng Zhe with a measure of admiration, though he was not about to be swayed by mere rhetoric. He said, "If that's all, it's not enough for me to spare you."
Feng Zhe understood well that Saga was decisive; what he needed now was a demonstration of loyalty.
He smiled and said, "My teacher has been integrating the power of the Sanctuary, but I have a way for you to become Pope in name and deed, without relying on that mask."
"Oh? Let's hear it."
Saga was intrigued; though confident, he was not arrogant. The peace in the Sanctuary was largely due to his mask.
If he were to remove it now, Old Tiger of Five Elder Peaks would immediately rebel.
"You could announce Pope Shion's death, appoint me as acting Pope, and I would then declare the Gemini Gold Saint as the sole successor to the papacy..."
As Altar Saint, Feng Zhe's role was to assist the Pope. When the Pope was absent, he could serve as acting Pope.
Saga considered the feasibility of this plan and its consequences.
But before that, there was someone who had to be dealt with.
"The Five Elder Peaks are critical—not to be taken lightly!"
In the entire Sanctuary, Old Tiger was the one Saga truly feared.
Feng Zhe replied, "I have a way to persuade him."
"In that case, make the journey to Five Elder Peaks."
"At your command, teacher!"
Feng Zhe then departed the Pope's chamber.
Watching him leave, Saga felt a headache coming on and clutched his head.
"Are you truly going to betray the goddess?"
"Hypocritical justice is worthless!"
"Your disciple's ideals align with mine—surely this disappoints you!"
"I told you, he is a very special existence..."
"Special enough to betray the gods? Ha..."
"I never presume to judge others' thoughts, not even yours!"