"By your command, Pope."
Li Yu responded in a deep voice, his gaze never leaving the dark figure.
He slowly retreated until he was a hundred meters away, and only then did the oppressive feeling, like a thorn in his back, slightly ease.
Only now did he understand that Athena was by no means as weak as she appeared in the story. How could Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom and War, who made all gods wary, be a soft persimmon to be manipulated at will?
If needed, Athena could unleash power comparable to that of Hades.
None of the Twelve Main Gods in the Saint Seiya World were weak!
Just as he was about to step out of the hall, Shion's voice followed him from the darkness.
"After you finish this matter, you will take over as Pope. I am old and wish to return to my homeland, Jamir Plateau, to see it again."
This time, Shion's tone was no longer a discussion but a command.
Li Yu's steps paused slightly. Without looking back, his figure quickly disappeared at the end of the corridor.
After Li Yu's footsteps completely faded, Shion said indifferently.
"Come out, Camus!"
A young man with long blue hair emerged from the darkness and knelt before Shion.
The Cosmo Shion had ignited earlier was to conceal Camus's presence.
Shion said coldly, expressionless.
"You will follow Li Yu. If he refuses to exert himself, you know what to do, don't you?"
Camus dared not look up and responded in a low voice.
"I understand, Pope!"
Shion's eyes flickered. He looked up at the sky. On his throne, there was a transparent glass that allowed an unobstructed view of the starry sky.
"Go do it. I observed the stars last night. Back then, the trajectory of Aquarius deviated, forming a rare twin-star spectacle seen only once in a millennium. The Aquarius Cloth can be Li Yu's, or it can be yours. When this matter concludes, Li Yu will yield the Aquarius Palace to be his Pope, and you will once again take charge of Aquarius…"
Camus clenched his fists, his body trembling slightly.
"Yes, I understand…"
Losing to Li Yu and losing the Aquarius Cloth was an eternal pain in Camus's heart.
Now, with a chance to regain the Aquarius Cloth, how could Camus not be surging with emotion?
Shion watched Camus's retreating figure, slowly leaning back on his throne, his eyes returning to their natural color.
Over the years, he had watched Li Yu grow step by step into the strongest Gold Saint, so how could he not understand Li Yu's thoughts?
Shion sighed slowly in his heart.
"Li Yu, I had no choice. You… are the same…"
…Li Yu returned to the Aquarius Palace, closing his eyes in the darkness, like a statue.
That oppressive feeling, and the huge shadow behind Shion, he definitely hadn't misjudged; it must have been Athena herself intervening.
It seemed that the changes in the Saint Seiya World due to him, a transmigrator, had given Athena a sense of losing control.
That's why she was so eager to possess Shion and issue the highest command to Li Yu.
Athena's command also made Li Yu feel both amused and frustrated. The Sagittarius Cloth was in his private space, and she was telling him to retrieve it… How could he find it, and how could he return it?
Was it a divine premonition that made Athena realize that the disappearance of the Sagittarius Cloth must be related to Li Yu?
But how could something that was already in his hands be returned to Athena?
The god-slaying ability of the Sagittarius Cloth was one of the most urgent abilities Li Yu needed at the moment; he would absolutely not return the Sagittarius Cloth.
Moreover, the Sagittarius Cloth had already been modified by him using an essence crystal. Once he took it out, Athena would definitely sense the abnormality.
So… Li Yu opened his eyes, a pair of black eyes shining like stars in the darkness… Toot!
As the deep horn sounded, and the sunlight crossed the spires of the Twelve Palaces, shining on the plaza in front of the Holy Mountain, nearly a hundred figures gathered in the plaza!
At this moment, all the Bronze Saintss and Silver Saints in the Sanctuary, wearing their respective Cloths, were gathered in the plaza.
"What happened? It's been years since the summons horn was blown!"
"I heard it might be related to the recent disappearance of the sagittarius gold cloth."
"Shh, quiet, Sir Li Yu is here!"
Li Yu, clad in the aquarius gold cloth, descended the steps from the Aquarius Palace. The wind of the Holy Mountain blew, and Li Yu's black hair and white cape fluttered in the wind, creating an unparalleled presence.
Li Yu stood at the top of the white jade steps of the plaza. The sunlight shone on the Gold Cloth, reflecting an icy blue luster.
When his cold gaze swept over the crowd, the previously noisy discussions instantly ceased, and the Saints even became careful with their breathing.
"It's Sir Li Yu!"
"So powerful! This Cosmo makes me tremble involuntarily!"
"You should all already know!"
Li Yu's voice was not loud, but it carried a power that penetrated the air, and an icy blue Cosmo flowed around him.
"The sagittarius gold cloth disappeared during the Galaxian Wars. His Holiness the Pope has commanded me to retrieve it within ten days!"
He paused, and the cold air gathered, instantly forming an ice shard.
The ice shard transformed into a holographic projection of the Sagittarius Cloth in the air, with every detail, from the helmet's plume to the bow and arrow, so clear it seemed almost tangible.
"This Cloth concerns the safety of the Sanctuary. No clue should be underestimated!"
"If anyone has any thoughts, you can bring them up now."
A Saint below raised his hand.
"Sir Li Yu, I heard that the Gold Cloth was taken by Ikki, the Phoenix Saint. Should we start the investigation with him?"
"Yes, the Bronze Saintss who participated in the Galaxian Wars are also suspects. I heard that Shun is Ikki's younger brother, so I suggest investigating them all!"
Li Yu nodded slightly. "Very good, that's exactly the kind of thinking I need."
"Very well, then we shall begin the investigation with Ikki, Seiya, Shiryu, Shun, Hyoga, and others. Listen to my commands below!"
"Saints whose names I call will go to Tokyo to investigate the five Bronze Saintss and the Kido Foundation that hosted this competition!"
"Silver Saint Aquila Marin! Silver Saint Cepheus Albiore! Silver Saint Lizard Misty! Silver Saint Whale Moses! Silver Saint Sagitta Ptolemy! Silver Saint Canis Major Sirius!"
As soon as the first name was called, a small commotion erupted. Marin? Did I hear that right? She's Seiya's master!
And Albiore of Cepheus, isn't he Shun's master?
Will sending them to investigate Seiya and Shun really be effective?
Li Yu's expression was unruffled.
"Hyoga is also my disciple. Before the Pope's decree, no one has special privileges. If you encounter resistance, I authorize you to use all means! Including… killing!"
"…"
The scene was silent; everyone fell completely silent.
They had long heard that Sir Li Yu was ruthless and cold-hearted. Now, seeing his stance, he had dispatched so many Silver Saints, and all of them were top-tier Silver Saints. Clearly, he intended to put these five Bronze Saintss to death.
The Silver Saints whose names Li Yu called stepped out of the crowd and knelt before Li Yu.
"Yes, Sir Li Yu!"
"Investigating Seiya and the other Bronze Saintss is far from enough. I suspect this matter is related to an evil god. The remaining Saints will be divided into three groups to patrol Asia, Europe, and America for traces of evil gods. If you encounter danger, you can call for my help at any time!"
Li Yu gently waved his hand, and ice shards condensed in the air, transforming into dozens of tokens that flew towards the crowd.
On the Holy Mountain, the Gold Saints watched this scene from afar. They couldn't help but look up at the Pope's Palace on the mountaintop.
Is Li Yu really allowed to do this?
Although Shion was in the Pope's Palace, a virtual image appeared before his eyes, displaying the situation in the plaza below in real-time.
Seeing Li Yu's actions, he nodded slightly, his expression quite pleased.
He was indeed the best candidate for Pope he had chosen, decisive and efficient in handling matters!
With just a look, he could grasp the true meaning of the Goddess.
While the Sagittarius Cloth was important, what was more important was to help the Bronze Five grow as quickly as possible!
The Silver Saints Li Yu dispatched included both their masters and ruthless individuals. While training them as much as possible, he could also ensure their safety.
The Sanctuary has successors!