After stowing the divine blood, Damian sensed the Silver Saints' Cosmos approaching and turned to leave.
"E-excuse me, how should we address you?"
Shura started after him to ask.
Whoosh…
Without a word, Damian turned into a streak of golden light and vanished.
He moved too fast to react. Shura had wanted to ask his name, but in the blink of an eye the man was gone—hiding merit and name.
"Marin, you stay and handle the aftermath."
Shura tossed the line over his shoulder and departed like lightning.
He had no intention of chasing the mystery man. He was rushing to report to the Pope; the divine blood was something His Holiness had specifically requested, so he had to own his failure and brief the Pope on the mysterious man.
The Silver Saints arrived one after another. Seeing the Cyclops's remains lying in lava and the ground punched through, they clicked their tongues in wonder, hearts pounding.
Especially Seiya, curiosity exploding: "Marin, did you see his face clearly? What does he look like?"
"Don't ask me who he is. I don't know either."
Marin shook her head quietly.
Misty of Lizard: "This mystery man is probably a legendary Gold Saint."
Moses of the White Whale: "But he wasn't wearing a Gold Cloth."
Arujedi of Hercules: "Right. He didn't have a Gold Cloth on. He shouldn't be a Gold Saint."
Derimi of Sagitta: "Who besides a Gold Saint has Cosmos that strong?"
Seiya was about to speak when a familiar voice came from behind:
"Wow, that was really spectacular. The Cyclops got flattened with one slap!"
It was Damian.
He was panting, arriving fashionably late, brimming with curiosity, peppering them with questions.
"The one who killed the Cyclops must be a legendary Gold Saint."
"No—maybe even stronger than a Gold Saint."
Damian smacked his left palm with his right fist, eager to debate.
He'd used lightspeed movement to stash the divine blood and change clothes in a flash, then strolled back.
The acting was on point—no one suspected a thing.
Just as Damian thought he'd bluffed his way through—
A small hand pressed against his chest without warning, even giving a squeeze, making every hair on his body stand up.
"Marin, what are you doing? Are you harassing me?"
Damian barked, shoving her hand away.
Hey now, Sister Marin, aren't you a little eager?
Broad daylight, the whole world watching, and you're lusting after my good looks?
Couldn't it wait till late at night when no one's around?
Of course, he had already guessed her intent. She was suspicious—female intuition is terrifying.
Marin muttered, "Big, but not big enough."
She looked at Damian and suddenly snapped, "Damian, I'm challenging you to a duel right now!"
Everyone turned.
What's happening?
Seiya froze—what was going on?
He'd thought Marin and Damian got along well, but she turned on a dime.
Shaina strode over at once. "Marin, don't pick a fight for nothing. Try laying a hand on my man."
Misty frowned. "Marin, why are you dueling a gravekeeper?"
"He took off my mask and saw my face."
Marin's words shocked everyone—and made it all click.
No wonder things felt off between them. So the gravekeeper had seen Marin's face.
What's this kid doing peeking at a female Saint for no reason?
Must have something wrong with his head.
By Sanctuary's millennia-old rules, this was going to be a fight to the death.
"Sigh…"
Shaina heaved a breath.
She knew Damian couldn't dodge this.
With Damian's lunatic tendencies, there was no way Marin would fall in love.
Misty said blandly, "Since the mythic age, women couldn't be Saints. If they insisted, they had to wear a mask and forget they were women. If a man saw their true face, they had only two options—kill him or fall in love with him."
He turned to Shaina. "You can't interfere in this duel."
"Correct. No one interferes. You all witness it."
Marin's voice was cold as she slowly took an attacking stance.
Damian spread his hands, all innocence: "Hey, is there a third option?"
"No. Prepare to die."
Marin's Cosmos climbed in surges. She was going all out.
"Why can't you just fall for me? Not into muscles?"
Damian bent his arm and struck a muscle-pose.
Marin wore the Aquila Silver Cloth. Her combat power was peak Silver—besides Lyra's Orpheus, she might rank fifth or sixth among Silvers.
In his normal state, without Cloth, to crush her quickly he'd need to open first gear.
But that would expose his power.
Maybe… that was exactly why Marin wanted this duel now.
Saints can identify people by Cosmos.
"All the men who see your face have to die? Then come on…"
Damian puffed out his chest, lifted his chin, set his stance, and lunged at Marin.
Reckless!
Shaina shook her head, expecting Damian to suffer.
Marin unleashed a supersonic strike, leaping in with a kick.
Their fists and feet clashed with a violent crack.
Damian seemed to take the worst of it—at the instant of contact he retreated, clutching his arm and yelping.
"Without a Cloth, how's he going to fight? Might as well kill himself."
Misty shrugged—calling it as he'd expected.
The other Silver Saints looked bored.
A Cloth not only boosts defense; it resonates with a Saint's Cosmos, transforming it and lifting overall combat power.
There was no suspense in this fight.
Unless… Marin pulled her punches.
Marin's Cosmos burned up to its peak. She followed with her finisher: Eagle Claw Flash.
She braced her legs to end it—when an accident happened.
Crack!
Marin's mask suddenly shattered into countless fragments and scattered to the ground.
Big eyes, long lashes, a small nose, rosy lips, a petite face with obvious baby fat—every feature broadcast to everyone present that Marin had a cute baby face.
Marin went rigid, at a loss.
The Silver Saints all turned into idiots. Seiya's mouth fell open. Shaina was speechless.
Everyone had seen Marin's little face.
A cold wind hissed through. Aside from the desolate gusts, all was silent.
Caw, caw, caw…
A noisy crow flew across the sky.
Ah!
A shy cry shattered the quiet. Marin promptly pressed both hands to her face.
The Silver Saints were at a loss. Some were stunned, some grinning, some covering their faces and peeking through their fingers.
No one had expected calm, steady Marin to have such a cute face—with a little baby fat, even.
Even Seiya hadn't imagined his respected Ms. Marin would be this pretty—she looked so young, so cute.
"Just as planned."
Damian smiled. He had tampered with the mask earlier.
As soon as Marin unleashed her Cosmos at full power, the mask would shatter on its own.
Marin was now covering her face, on the verge of tears.
To have her face seen by so many men felt like being stripped naked.
One, two, three… she couldn't count anymore!
A bona fide massive social-death scene—sob…
"Marin, do all the men who see your face have to die?"
"Are you going to kill all these Silver Saints?"
"Are you going to kill Seiya?"
"Hahahaha…"
Laughing, Damian turned on his heel and swaggered off.
Let's see how Marin mixes in the Sanctuary after this.
Hunt them one by one?
Or fall in love with them one by one?
Back to the Sanctuary to upgrade the graveyard with divine blood.
Sister Marin, goodbye!
(End of Chapter)
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