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At the Gemini Temple, however—
A conversation was taking place, one that would shake the foundations of Sanctuary.
"Brother, just do it. You won't get the chance otherwise. That old bastard clearly favors Aiolos. He'll never pick you to be the next Pope."
"Shut your mouth, Kanon! Do you even know what you're saying?"
"Of course I do, my dear brother. This land belongs to humans, why let some so-called spiritual god rule over us? Get rid of that old man. When Athena descends, get rid of her too. Then, the world will be yours."
"I said shut up!!"
Kanon's words echoed inside the temple.
Suddenly, a majestic Cosmo erupted.
Kanon's body was immediately blasted backward by the overwhelming force.
"SWOOSH!"
In a flash, Sage's figure appeared, grabbing Kanon by the throat.
"Kuh... kuh...!"
Choked by his own brother, Kanon didn't retreat or resist. Instead, an excited flush appeared on his face.
"Cough... cough… My dear brother... Am I wrong? Isn't this... your true desire deep inside?" Kanon struggled to speak, eyes locked onto Sage.
"BOOM!!"
Sage flung his right hand. His domineering Cosmo crushed Kanon like a tidal wave.
The explosion nearly tore Kanon apart, yet the younger twin smiled.
"Heh... Brother, just admit it. You've always been godlike, kind, noble, and just… While I've always been the evil one, twisted and cruel. Even though we're twins, we're like angels and demons… But I know, deep in your heart, you have the same darkness that I do."
"Shut up!!"
"BOOM!!"
Kanon was sent flying again—
This time, smashing into the stone wall of the Gemini Temple.
Sage marched forward, grabbed Kanon by the collar, and lifted him off the ground.
"Kanon! We are the Saints chosen to protect Athena. I will never allow you to defile her name!" His voice was low and furious as he spoke. His hair began to turn white but Sage didn't notice.
Without another word, he seized Kanon tightly.
"SWOOSH!"
In the blink of an eye, they vanished.
The Seventh Sense's instantaneous teleportation activated, and Sage disappeared into the distance with Kanon in tow.
The very space of the Earth was traversed.
Sage, carrying Kanon, arrived directly at Cape Sounion.
"Bang!"
With a swing of his right hand, he flung Kanon into the heart of the cape. At the same time, a massive Cosmo burst forth, instantly enveloping the area and sealing Kanon completely within.
"Sage, what are you doing?! Let me out! Are you crazy?! I'm your brother!" Thrown into the rock prison of Cape Sounion, with a mighty Cosmo sealing off all exits—
Kanon finally began to panic.
"Kanon, we are Saints chosen to protect Athena. I will never allow you to defile her name! You will stay here and reflect on your actions!" Sage's deep voice rang out again, solemn and stern. His hair, which had started to turn white earlier, had now returned to its normal color. He gave Kanon one final cold glance—
And then turned and soared into the sky.
Watching Sage actually begin to leave, Kanon finally lost it.
This was Cape Sounion, after all. His Cosmo was completely sealed here. If left alone, he might truly die here.
"Sage!! You... you bastard! You hypocrite of the highest order! Do you really think you can forever hide the evil in your own heart?! What's wrong with using one's strength to pursue what they desire?! Why can't we use the divine power we've been given... for ourselves?!" Kanon's angry roar echoed across the sea cliffs, but Sage never looked back.
The ocean tide began to rise...
Gradually submerging Kanon's head.
Only his increasingly faint, resentful voice remained. Sage's figure returned once more to Sanctuary.
Kanon's disappearance didn't stir any alarm.
Not even Pope Alex noticed anything. Because for Alex, the most important matter now was choosing the next Pope.
Compared to that, the fate of someone like Kanon simply wasn't worth worrying about.
And just like that—
Three months passed.
That day arrived.
At the Astrology Tower.
Pope Alex stood alone within.
His eyes gazed upon the constellation lights blinking around him, a heavy expression on his face.
"Over forty more candidates have appeared. The signs of the Specters are flashing more and more frequently… It seems the Great War truly is approaching… If only... my body could hold out… Alex spoke softly, his tone full of regret.
As Sanctuary's most unique structure, the Astrology Tower could not only observe the awakening of new Saints, but also track the rise of Specters. Over the past year, more and more Saints had awakened, and more and more Specters had inherited their evil powers.
There was no doubt:
The Holy War was approaching.
Unfortunately for him, the internal injuries he suffered in suppressing the Specters in the beginning had only worsened over time. Even if the war was near, Alex knew that his body might not make it that far.
Casting a final glance into the distance, he turned and dragged his exhausted body back into the Pope's Hall.
At the doorway, he instructed the Silver Saint standing guard: "Summon Sagittarius Aiolos and Gemini Sage. I need to see them both."
With those words, Alex had made his decision. He had long wavered between Aiolos and Sage. But today, he had finally chosen: Aiolos.
Though Sage might be stronger, Aiolos was more suitable. Only Aiolos could lead the new generation of Saints emerging within Sanctuary.
A Pope didn't need to be the strongest warrior but he needed to be the most suitable guide. Sage could serve as a supporting pillar, just as Alex himself had once supported his brother Shion. Likewise, Sage could now assist Aiolos.
His thoughts settled—
The Silver Saint bowed and left, quickly summoning Sage and Aiolos to the Pope's Hall.
"We greet you, Your Holiness!" Aiolos and Sage knelt before Pope Alex in unison.
"Aiolos, Sage… Athena is about to descend into the mortal world. Within no more than twenty years, the Holy War that recurs once every 243 years will begin. The King of the Underworld, Hades, and his Specters will sweep across the land, spreading death upon the Earth. This will be the most devastating war Sanctuary has faced since the mythological era. Each Holy War has come at a great cost, with countless Saint casualties, even Popes have never escaped unscathed."
"My own body, after the last Holy War and the wear of time and space, has reached its limit."
"I fear I will no longer be able to lead the Saints."
"Aiolos, Sage..."
"You two are the Golden Saints I hold in the highest regard. I have decided to choose one of you to become my successor, to inherit the position of Pope after my death, to assist Athena in leading the Saints, to defeat all enemies, and to restore peace to the Earth, rescuing it from the grip of death."
Pope Alex spoke slowly, and as his words echoed, both Aiolos and Sage looked at him in shock.
But Alex paid no heed to their expressions. His stern gaze swept over them both before settling on Aiolos.
"Aiolos… You are the most outstanding Saint of your generation. You embody the virtues most praised among Saints: wisdom, compassion, and courage. I have decided that you shall inherit the title of the next Pope."
"Are you ready?"
Alex's calm declaration made both men feel a tightness in their chests.
Sage, especially, felt a sudden surge of anger and agitation, though he quickly forced it down.
(End of Chapter)