~ Saint Seiya Shioriverse, The Lost Canvas timeline ~
"Didn't I protect nothing!"
Albafica saw himself fall, and for the first time, lost his composure, punching the ground.
Behind him was the village…
As a Saint of Athena, he had no fear of death, and what he hated was not his defeat, but the fact that he couldn't stop the enemy even after fighting with all his might.
"Albafica, you've done enough."
Sasha came to Albafica, who was kneeling on the ground, squatted down, and gently stroked Albafica's head.
"Lift your head, Albafica! You have already shown your will and strength very well. You really did your best."
Albafica looked at Sasha in surprise,
"Lady Athena… Please don't come near me."
Although he knew his poison couldn't harm Lady Athena, Albafica still quickly stepped back a few paces.
At this moment, Manigoldo suddenly looked at the screen with cold sweat on his face,
"Oh, Albafica, it seems too early to say you've been defeated."
What?! Is Albafica not defeated yet?! Everyone present looked at the screen in surprise upon hearing this.
.....
[ Minos arrived at the village in the blink of an eye. Just standing on top of a house, the bursting Cosmos instantly destroyed the entire street.
Minos's destruction continued. The once quiet and peaceful village turned into a mess, and the villagers fled in terror.
Among them, a girl named Agasha, with a rose on her chest, ran crying towards the Sanctuary, but she firmly believed that Albafica would definitely come; this was their promise.
" Little girl's memory "
It was a rainy day, and Agasha was running through the Sanctuary holding flowers, looking troubled at the flowers in her arms as she ran.
"What should I do?! If I send them to the Pope like this, the petals will scatter."
Albafica, who was passing by, said nothing and casually threw his cloak over Agasha, continuing to walk forward.
"Um, thank you!" The little girl ran up, wanting to express her gratitude, but heard a stern reprimand from Albafica.
"Don't come near me…"
Later, Agasha learned from her father that because of Albafica's years of poison resistance training, the toxins had already infiltrated his blood.
He was worried that his blood would bring danger to others, so Albafica actively avoided people.
"He is a very strong person, a very gentle person. Even if it's just a little bit, I want to convey my respect or gratitude to him, even if it's just a little bit…"
" Little girl's memory ends" ]
[ .....]
~ Projection of All Worlds ~
"He is truly a gentle and strong person, which makes him even more beautiful."
"He protects others with thorns, even if it means being pierced himself."
Beautiful yet thorny like a vibrant rose, but unlike a rose, Albafica's thorns were to prevent harming others, not to protect himself.
~ Type-Moon World, Fifth Holy Grail War Worldline ~
"His appearance would probably give people the impression of a cold, ruthless, and reclusive Pisces."
Shirou Emiya, looking at the little girl's memory, truly realized that Albafica had always been refusing others to come near…
Illya nodded,
"Yes, even so, he still optimistically conveyed his inner goodness to everyone."
Living with poisonous roses, his entire body filled with poisonous blood, he chose such a solitary life.
Even if this was just Albafica's feigned indifference, this method was the best protection for those who cared bout him!
.....
[ "BOOM——!" The running girl encountered Minos, who was bursting through a wall, and Minos also noticed the rose on the girl's chest.
"Ah… today I am truly fated with roses! That rose indicates that you are related to Pisces."
"Then I'll make you disappear just like him."
Seeing Minos appear, Agasha felt fear for a moment, but still bravely looked directly into Minos's eyes.
Even though a strong wind had appeared beneath her feet, and he could end her life with a slight movement of his finger, Agasha still used all her strength to shout loudly.
"Lord Albafica will not lose, no… I mean, Athena's Saints will never lose to you, you idiot!!"
Even Minos was shocked, then put on a smile again, his eyes filled with ferocity,
"Is that so, but I don't care, I'm still on my way, excuse me."
"I don't have time to listen to the nonsense of the weaklings."
This time, with a gentle lift of his hand, the ground instantly exploded, and an invisible attack surged towards Agasha. At this moment, Shion of Aries blocked her with his cloak. ]
[ .....]
~ Projection of All Worlds ~
"This little girl is truly brave. At that age, facing such strong pressure, she still had the courage to retort."
"Normally, at that age, being too scared to speak would be considered good! As expected… even the children in that world cannot be described by common sense."
Everyone from other worlds felt a subtle sensation when they saw Shion appear; if he had been any slower, the little girl would have been gone.
But where is Manigoldo?! From the beginning of the video until now, haven't you two been like inseparable twins, always together wherever you go?
.....
[ Facing Minos's attack on the village, Shion, who was usually good-tempered, was surprisingly furious this time.
"As the head of the Twelve Temples, it is only natural for me to fight, and… I personally dislike your actions!!"
Shion's anger caused his golden Cosmos to erupt, even sending the shattered stones on the ground flying from the immense power.
However, the next moment…
"Sorry, you're just like Albafica!"
As Minos's words fell, with a slight movement of his finger, Shion's arm was unnaturally twisted.
"What?!" This sudden situation greatly surprised Shion. He now understood why Albafica had lost.
"It's too troublesome to torment you like this. I'll just flow to your neck and finish you off in an instant."
"Crack!!"
"Ugh… Aaaah!" Shion was startled at first, then a sharp pain came from his neck, and his neck began to twist uncontrollably.
It wouldn't be long before he would meet the same end as Albafica. ]
[ .....]
~ Projection of All Worlds ~
"Oh, Shion, can you put some effort into it? Such a cool entrance, not even three seconds of coolness, and you're already falling apart."
"Brother, don't just throw yourself away like that… Even actors don't act like this. At least exchange a few blows, but you were instantly defeated."
Everyone's emotions, watching Shion's appearance, fluctuated like a roller coaster… He was so cool and angry just a moment ago, questioning Minos, but then he was instantly killed.
~ Saint Seiya Shioriverse, The Lost Canvas timeline ~
Hakurei, as Shion's master, saw this scene and twitched the corner of his mouth, immediately feeling that he was losing face.
"Shion, where are your Crystal Wall and Telekinesis?! You must learn to use your techniques flexibly."
Facing his teacher's questioning, Shion lowered his head in shame, thinking that his appearance could avenge Albafica, but he only threw himself away for nothing.
However, it was precisely because of this that the Gold Saints also understood that the so-called 3 Judges of Hell truly could not be described by common sense.
"Heh heh, in that case, next time, this great me, Manigoldo, will meet him!"
Manigoldo laughed arrogantly, a blue light appearing on his hand.
Since Gold Saints like Albafica and Shion are completely restrained by Minos, then this great me will deal with him!
What Cosmic Marionette?! Let this great me burn him and his soul to ashes!
.....
[ "Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…" Just as Shion's neck was about to be twisted off, black roses descended from the sky, precisely cutting Minos's threads.
Even Minos looked at the roses on the ground in surprise,
"BLACK ROSES?!
Agasha had already guessed who it was, covering her mouth with her hand in disbelief,
"Could it be…"
"Thump, thump, thump!"
Footsteps came from the smoke, making people instinctively look over. The person who came was none other than Albafica!
Albafica, whose bones were forcibly broken, walked over with a red rose in his mouth, his pure white cloak stained red with blood.
Making him look like a bloody rose.
"I'm so sorry, Shion, I've caused you trouble, but I can still fight! I have a request for you."
"Except for the enemy in front of me, do not let anyone else come near me."
Minos looked at Albafica standing in front of him, filled with shock. All his bones should have been broken!
What makes you fight so desperately, Albafica of Pisces? ]
[ .....]
~ Projection of All Worlds ~
"He can still fight?! He can barely stand up. How strong is his willpower?"
Everyone from other worlds was shocked. His body had been twisted like a Rubik's Cube by Minos before, and all his bones should have been broken.
Leaving aside what kind of belief supported him to walk from the outskirts of the Sanctuary into the village, just being able to stand up with such a body is difficult, let alone fighting.
His fighting spirit even made Minos, his enemy, feel awe.
~ Saint Seiya Toeiverse, Anime timeline ~
Aphrodite, the current Gold Saint of Pisces, also looked at his predecessor with respect.
Is this… relying on the Seventh Sense to forcefully move himself?! What tenacious willpower, tragic yet powerful, a Pisces whose life is full of loneliness yet incredibly brilliant.
.....
~ JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Part 5: Golden Wind Worldline ~
"That's unbelievable…"
Narancia, the little plane, stared blankly at the screen, not even noticing the spoon falling from his hand.
Even Giorno and the others were filled with shock. A person whose bones were all broken actually stood before his enemy again, purely by his willpower.
"But… this is useless!"
Giorno also understood that battles between Saints, like those of Stand users, were battles of information.
However, given the current situation, even if a solution were found, it would be futile. With Albafica's current body, he couldn't unleash any decent attacks.
.....
[ "I… Albafica! For a long time, I have lived by hating my blood and avoiding others. Regardless of beauty or ugliness, this is how I have lived."
Albafica's right hand glowed with a red Cosmos, and his gentle voice gradually turned angry.
"The word 'beauty,' just like what you did, deeply hurt my pride. By what right do you evaluate me like this?"
"My power, my Cosmos, and my way of life. I have not yet intended to fully reveal them to you."
With a roar like an outburst, Albafica, with the red rose in his mouth, had his Cosmos burning to its peak…
Minos also directly placed his wings in front of him, using them as a shield.
"CRIMSON THORN!!"
His blood began to turn into tiny needles, attacking like a torrential storm!
Shion, seeing this, quickly shielded Agasha with his cloak, also filled with surprise!
The quantity and power are extraordinary. Could it be that you intend to use all your blood, Albafica?! ]
[ .....]
~ Projection of All Worlds ~
"Is he planning to die together… Although I really don't want to admit it, I don't think using all his blood can break through Minos's defense!"
Everyone then understood that the word "beauty" was actually an insult to Albafica.
When a woman is stronger than a man, she is also avoided for her strength, and they try to belittle her as worthless because of her beauty.
~ Saint Seiya Toeiverse, Anime timeline ~
The Pope glanced at Albafica, who was still keeping his distance and remaining silent.
"Truly worthy of Albafica, what tenacious willpower. But it seems he is still deeply troubled by the death of his master!"
A heart ailment requires heart medicine; Albafica's emotional knot can only be untied by himself… However, through the video, he also thought of a candidate to deal with Minos.
"Dégel, if Minos appears from the screen, I'll leave him to you."
"Yes, Holy Pope!"
Dégel pushed up his glasses and agreed without hesitation, or rather, this idea coincided with his own.
.....
[ Albafica, continuously using Crimson Thorn, could no longer sustain himself and knelt on the ground.
Minos, unharmed, didn't even look at Albafica, who was kneeling on the ground, but instead said to Shion,
"Albafica is probably completely exhausted. Is your next opponent Aries?"
Shion merely glanced at Minos and knew that it was completely over; there was no reason to fight.
"No, there's no need to attack someone who has already been dealt with. Look at your own chest."
Blood flowed from Minos's mouth, and he grabbed the red rose on his heart in horror,
"This is the Royal Demon Rose that guy had in his mouth."
"No, Minos, that's a white rose stained red by absorbing Albafica's blood, a Bloody Rose!"
"You underestimate Albafica's pride and his conviction."
Minos reached out and plucked the rose from his chest, his face turning grim,
"This great me was actually defeated by a mere flower, a drop of poison…"
"Albafica, you arrogant fool, you bastards, along with the village, all of you scatter!"
A deep and gloomy Cosmos erupted from Minos's body, or rather, this powerful Cosmos was his true strength.
"WINGS OF HELL!"
The fierce gale appeared for a moment, then dissipated completely, enveloped within a transparent Crystal Wall.
"Crystal Wall, this technique can reflect any attack."
"You… you… bastard!" Minos fell down with indignation, as one of the Three Judges of Hades, he lost to Albafica.
"Is it over…" Albafica, kneeling on the ground, let out a weak voice. Agasha tried to approach but was stopped by his loud reprimand.
"Don't come near me!!"
Albafica looked at the rose petals dancing in the sky. For a moment, he was filled with emotion.
"I… have always been with this rose, but now for the first time, I feel…"
"This flower… is so beautiful."
After speaking, Albafica also collapsed on the ground… ]
[ .....]