"I want to fight for the Cloth of Gemini Gold Saint Saga…"
No sooner had he spoken than the Pope's black robe billowed, waves rising without wind.
A powerful Cosmo burst out from him as the center in an instant.
Wind roared and clouds surged. Many on site were cowed by this fierce Cosmo, bodies wavering, unable to stand steady; some even fainted.
What a powerful Cosmo!
His Holiness was angry?
Misty clearly sensed something amiss and hastily tugged the dazed Algol back a few steps.
Gemini Gold Saint Saga.
Rumor had it he was a mighty Gold Saint, even a candidate for the next Pope. Thirteen years ago, Saga—then a Gold Saint—vanished without warning.
It had been a full thirteen years since anyone had seen Saga. No one knew where he'd gone.
This matter was only circulated within the Sanctuary, known to a few. Bringing it up publicly now was enough to shock and perplex many.
With Saga's Cosmo locked on him, Damian feigned total ignorance and continued loudly:
"Your Holiness, Gemini Gold Saint Saga has been missing for thirteen years. By rights, a new inheritor for the Gold Cloth should have long been chosen."
"So, I want to obtain the Gemini Gold Cloth and compete for that Cloth."
"Please grant permission, Your Holiness."
Comrade Saga…
Surprised?
Afraid?
We're both lunatics—come on, let's see who blinks!
If you dare force a Cloth on me, I'll rip your mask off.
Yes, with Gemini's Gold Saint gone for thirteen years, the Gemini Gold Cloth tournament should have been held already.
But the Pope had suppressed it all this time.
That was completely unreasonable!
And my proposal is reasonable—and hits Saga right in the weak spot.
With this many people around, why should I fear you?
You go berserk, I'll go berserk too. Worst case, we throw down.
Let's see if your Galaxian Explosion is scarier, or my Great Horn, Scarlet Needle, Plasma Lightspeed Punch, and Sekishiki Meikaiha!
Besides, as the fake Pope, you're not at all nervous?
I dare to act crazy—do you?
"Damian, you are truly audacious."
"The ownership of a Gold Cloth is a matter of the Sanctuary. It's not for a gravekeeper like you to contest… I have other plans."
Saga instantly drew in his Cosmo, voice icy: "Enough. The Pegasus Cloth will remain in your custody for now. Its ownership will be decided later."
"Hmph!"
With a cold snort, Dark Saga rose, flicked his sleeve, and left the arena.
Just like that, gone?
As expected, Dark Saga balked.
Expressionless, Damian knew he'd won the bet.
Saga didn't dare explode—and couldn't.
He wouldn't expose his own weak point under so many eyes.
Fortunately, Saga had changed his wording. The Cloth's ownership became "temporary custody," which meant Damian had won.
He'd also undoubtedly angered Dark Saga.
Let's hope Dark Saga doesn't make things hard for me down the line. Otherwise, when my "condition" flares up, I'll storm the Twelve Gold Temples overnight.
With the Pope's exit, everyone exhaled at once. Like monkeys scattering when the tree falls, they dispersed one after another, shooting Damian odd looks as they went.
No need to say it—today was a once-in-a-millennium oddity for the Sanctuary. From now on, "Gravekeeper Damian" would be the talk over tea.
"Senior Brother Damian, congratulations on becoming a Saint!"
Pansy appeared then, wearing an innocent, joyful look. Her big eyes fluttered, cute as could be.
"Didn't expect you to be so happy for me?"
Smiling at her, Damian gave her little head a firm pat, praising her acting chops.
"Thank you, senior brother!"
Then he reached out and pinched the little girl's chubby cheeks.
"Senior brother, ow… ah!"
Pansy's cheeks were stretched long, her little face totally deformed as she yelped.
"Damian, what are you doing?"
A cold voice cut in.
"Ms. Shaina… save me."
Tears welled in Pansy's eyes—this time tears of relief at seeing her savior.
Damian turned and plastered on an awkward grin.
"Shaina, let me explain…"
"It's mainly that the Pegasus Cloth is just too ugly. My pecs won't accept it—my aesthetics can't handle it. Can we not get physical…"
"Why are your claws aimed at my legs, Ms. Shaina? I haven't married and had kids yet. You can't touch there!"
With every step Shaina took in fury, Damian took one back.
"You being a day-to-day lunatic, I let slide. I won't hold it against you. But you not only bullied Pansy—you even tossed a hard-won Cloth like trash?"
"And just now you took it upon yourself to offend His Holiness, demanding the Gemini Gold Cloth?"
"Lunatic! Today I, Shaina, will clean house and break your three legs!"
"Die!"
"Thunder Snake Claw!"
Shaina's brows slanted coldly; light flashed in her eyes; her hand lashed out with a claw.
The claw streaked like lightning, straight at him.
Damian bolted at once, letting the claw skim his trunks. The flickering claw light tore a hole, exposing white.
Shaina!
You're playing for keeps?
Damian retreated fast, flashing ten meters away in an instant.
Shaina had never intended to kill Damian. His head had always had problems, so usually she was lenient with this disciple.
Not now. She only wanted to pound the problem case black and blue.
The guy tossed a Cloth and bragged about coveting a Gold Cloth—too much!
"This Damian does more than train muscle well—his speed is fast too. He does have some edge over ordinary Saints…"
Pansy wiped away tears, rubbing her swollen cheeks as she watched the chase.
Shaina, a Silver Saint, struck with claws that flashed coldly—her hands like a variable venomous snake, aggressive, attacks swift.
Damian moved quickly, his steps spinning. His feet almost blurred into afterimages as he dodged. No matter how fast Shaina was, he avoided her attacks. Only now and then did he get clipped, red claw marks blooming on his back.
Soon his back was a canvas.
"Shaina, you're such a beauty—getting mad causes wrinkles."
"Don't be like this. If you're this fierce, you'll never get married."
"Ow!"
"You brat—still mouthing off? I'm a Saint. Who am I marrying?"
"Hand over your life!"
Pansy watched, speechless.
The two were frighteningly in sync. From start to finish, Shaina yelled about killing, yet never struck to kill; and Damian twisted around, back covered in red claw marks—almost like he enjoyed wriggling. The pair were a duet, jumping up and down like they were playing tag.
Thump!
Damian seemed to slip—his step wobbled and he plopped on his butt.
As he got up, Shaina's claw was at his throat.
"Let's see where you run now!"
Shaina's gaze was icy as she glared at him, voice cold: "Do you still want the Pegasus Cloth?"
"No. It's really too ugly…"
"Oh, oh, oh—your nails are too sharp. They broke the skin!"
"It's just a Bronze Cloth. Don't be so mad. Another day I'll get myself a Gold Cloth to wear."
Seeing Damian eating crow, Pansy smiled. What a delightful sight.
Sure enough, Shaina was Damian's natural enemy.
Who knew—Damian suddenly looked past Shaina at her, a wicked smile on his lips. His mouth moved, silently forming words.
When Pansy made out the shape of those opening and closing lips, her face changed.
Those shapes were clearly five words: Just. You. Wait. For. Me.
Her body wobbled, her calves trembled—she nearly couldn't stand.
She had a premonition Damian was going to "play" with her again.
o(╥﹏╥)o!
Cherish life—stay far away from senior brother!