The Pope's bedchamber.
Saga, with a head of black hair, reclined half-submerged in a bath of white jade, white mist curling around him so that his robust, flawless body was faintly visible.
In his right hand he held a glass of red wine, taking a light sip, eyes half-closed.
Thirteen years—only after shedding all disguises could he feel even slightly at ease.
"A mere gravekeeper dared embarrass me to my face. Utterly foolish."
Saga muttered to himself, expression severe, black eyes radiating a crazed killing intent.
A gravekeeper wanted to contend for his Gemini Gold Cloth?
Shameless!
The man had touched his taboo and made everyone aware of Gemini's Saga.
"Your Holiness, I hear the one who obtained a Cloth actually refused the Pegasus Cloth."
"...He even cast covetous eyes on the Gemini Gold Cloth."
An elderly voice came from outside the bedchamber door.
"Correct."
Saga replied, "Gigas, as the Sanctuary's chief of staff, you've been quite negligent—letting such a talent slip past."
In the Sanctuary's administrative order there is a special post that commands all Saints and soldiers except the Gold Saints and rankless Saints.
In other words, this office holds sway over the 24 Silver Saints, 48 Bronze Saints, and all retainer Saints and soldiery. That post is the Sanctuary's chief of staff.
The chief of staff could be called the primary executor of the Pope's orders and could see the Pope at any time to report all Sanctuary affairs. Other Saints could not approach the Pope's hall without summons.
As the Pope's confidant, Chief of Staff Gigas could enter the Pope's hall alone, even the bedchamber. He was a true powerbroker.
"My apologies, Your Holiness."
"Damian's initial training results were poor, so he was sent to the Sanctuary graveyard as a gravekeeper. Later he was rumored to have mental issues and wasn't within the evaluation scope. That he could obtain the Pegasus Cloth was truly unforeseen."
"What are Your Holiness's wishes…?"
Gigas probed.
"Have Marin reclaim the Pegasus Cloth and pass it to Seiya."
"Damian's behavior is odd, but he has potential. Find a chance to test him. If he happens to die, that's his misfortune."
"...As you command!"
Gigas could hear the Pope's displeasure with the gravekeeper Damian, with a hint of punitive intent.
Perhaps even a subtext of killing him.
The kid had, indeed, angered the Pope on the spot.
Saga paused, then asked, "Has Mu, the Aries Gold Saint, returned to the Sanctuary?"
Gigas answered at once: "Mu of Aries returned once and said only that the Aries Cloth was damaged. His whereabouts are now unknown again."
"Your Holiness, Mu has not resided in the Sanctuary for many years—coming and going as he pleases. As a Gold Saint he flouts Sanctuary rules, abandoning the Aries Temple without leave. Such dereliction should be punished."
"I beseech Your Holiness to order punishment of Mu of Aries!"
After he finished, there was no response.
As expected, the Pope did not wish to punish Mu of Aries.
Evidently, the two had a subtle relationship. Best not to meddle.
He immediately changed the subject: "Your Holiness, according to reports, we have discovered another village near the Sanctuary that was sacrificed—no survivors. Everyone's brains were scooped out by an unknown creature. It does not appear to be human work."
"I consulted divine texts left by the goddess Athena. It should be some kind of evil-cult sacrificial summoning ritual, very likely related to an evil god."
At the words "evil god," Saga's expression shifted slightly. "Send more people to investigate at once—dispatch additional Silver Saints. I do not want to see a repeat of the Crow incident."
"We must determine which evil god that group is worshiping."
"If a trend is found, then annihilate them all—leave no one alive."
Gigas responded immediately: "As you command, Your Holiness. I will prepare this at once!"
.
Night was deep; a bright moon hung in the sky.
The Sanctuary graveyard, usually desolate, now blazed with campfires.
The air was rich with the enticing aroma of roast meat. From the rising flames came the occasional crack of branches, along with the clinking of cups.
"Congratulations, senior brother. I knew you'd succeed."
"In truth, senior brother, you're the most fitting person for the Pegasus Cloth."
"Ms. Shaina told me the plan had changed earlier and I had to temporarily withdraw from the Cloth battle. Pansy made me keep it secret, so I didn't tell you…"
Hugging a wine jug, Cassios was already slurring, reeking of liquor; mid-sentence he closed his eyes and began to snore.
"What a delightful day… my years-long wish has been fulfilled."
"Damian, you truly exceeded my expectations."
Shaina beside him was tipsy despite the wine, the cherry lips under her mask flushed as she tilted back the jug from time to time.
Damian said nothing, gazing at the flickering flames, something strange in his eyes.
On the spit was a burly hog, now a golden-skinned roast pig glistening with fat.
Shaina had proposed a celebratory feast; Pansy and Cassios eagerly agreed.
As a result, the pig was slaughtered, and all the work fell to him alone, while this bunch of freeloaders waited for roast pork to enter their mouths.
Damian brushed a spoonful of honey onto a metal ladle and kept glazing the roast, occasionally shaking the spit to spread the honey and heat evenly.
As the meat turned, tongues of flame licked it. Before long, a subtle fragrance gradually drifted out.
The aroma in the air grew richer; oil beaded and dripped from the pig in the firelight, gleaming and mouthwatering at a glance.
Delicious!
Savoring the enticing scent, everyone was drooling.
Woo…
A rose-red figure, fragrant as a bloom, appeared by the fire. Her crimson dress swirled.
Pansy and Shaina, who had been staring at the roast pig in a daze, both started.
It could only be Aphrodite.
Pansy still wasn't used to this male Gold Saint who was more alluring than a woman, but Shaina took no such distance—she even chatted a bit, as if long familiar.
"Congratulations, Damian. I knew you'd obtain the Pegasus Cloth."
Aphrodite's face brimmed with a bewitching smile, a glimmering thread of drool unconsciously glistening at his lips.
"Sit."
Damian kept it brief.
Seeing the drool, he knew Aphrodite had come to cadge food again.
No matter. He and Aphrodite were in a mutually helpful relationship, and he had business to ask this cross-dressing grandee.
Eat, then.
Huh—what did you stuff into your chest again?
That is… way too big!
Saga has black hair in the original work, not the white hair in the anime.