At the foot of Sanctuary's mountains, within a forest, the morning mist had yet to dissipate.
Albafica, the Pisces Saint, leaned against an ancient olive tree. His silver-blue hair drifted slightly in the morning breeze.
When he saw Manigoldo arriving late, a flicker of surprise passed through his rose-colored eyes.
"How unusual," Albafica's voice was elegant. "Our usually solitary Cancer Saint actually learned to wait? He didn't act on his own?"
Manigoldo shrugged carelessly. "I was originally planning to charge in solo. But who told me this mission has an extra person now?"
"Oh?" Albafica was somewhat surprised. "Although that group of Black Saints were once Silver Saints, and they have that Black Altar Saint with them, sending three Gold Saints is a bit excessive, isn't it?"
"Not a Gold Saint. My junior brother," Manigoldo said.
"Your junior brother? That newcomer named Chiaki Setsuna?" Albafica naturally also knew Sage Pope had taken a disciple half a year ago. "He can already participate in battles at our level?"
"Haha, you'll see for yourself when he arrives," Manigoldo laughed.
Light footsteps came from within the mist.
"Manigoldo-senpai, Albafica-senpai, sorry to keep you waiting." The black-haired youth emerged from the morning mist, his expression calm.
Albafica's gaze lingered on Setsuna briefly.
Although the other party didn't have a Cloth yet, his sharp perception as a Gold Saint immediately detected the surprisingly powerful Cosmos contained within the youth's body.
"It's fine. We also just arrived," Albafica shook his head slightly.
Manigoldo clapped his hands. "Now that everyone's here, let's set off."
The three figures traveled north along the hills of the Apennine Peninsula. The water cityscape of Venice was faintly visible in the distance. The Adriatic Sea's breeze carried a salty, humid scent.
"I have a question," Setsuna suddenly spoke. "Can't Gold Saints fly at lightspeed? Why are we traveling on foot?"
Manigoldo laughed upon hearing this, casually plucking a wild fruit from the roadside, wiping it on his clothes, and taking a bite. "The Seventh Sense does indeed allow us to move at lightspeed. But its essence is radiating our Cosmos into the macrocosm, making the space around us become part of our Cosmos. That's how we break the laws of physics."
"However, if we encounter an opponent of the same level, our Cosmos cancel each other out, drastically reducing lightspeed movement. Therefore, we usually don't rely too heavily on these abilities in daily life, lest we become complacent with false strength."
Setsuna was somewhat surprised, 'How did this Seventh Sense sound so much like those cultivation novels' 'Domain'?'
Nevertheless, this resolved one of his doubts.
That was, why could every Saint who comprehended the Seventh Sense achieve lightspeed?
Considering the leap from the speed of sound to lightspeed, in terms of physical body strength, the enhancement was incalculable.
He had previously worried that his current maximum speed was only dozens of times the speed of sound. Would he have to wait until he reached lightspeed to comprehend the Seventh Sense?
Now it seemed Gold Saints didn't truly achieve lightspeed with their physical bodies.
Albafica also smiled. "The Seventh Sense is about merging with the universe, not separating from it."
"Unless it's a matter of great importance, we'd rather spend a bit more time traveling." He glanced at Manigoldo. "Of course, some impatient individuals are the exception."
"Hey!" Manigoldo grumbled discontentedly. "Last time, I was in a hurry to deal with a Specter!"
The three continued their journey amidst laughter and banter. Venice's outline gradually became clearer in the distance.
...
The moment they entered Venice, Don Slime began shouting excitedly within the Gourmet Space.
"Food! Food!"
Sanctuary's ascetic training life was too austere. The food was so bland, not a drop of excess oil could be seen.
Here, however, the air was filled with the aromas of butter, seafood, and wine.
They chose a small riverside restaurant and tasted Venice's specialty, Spaghetti al Nero di Seppia.
The pitch-black cuttlefish ink coated the chewy noodles. The fragrance of garlic and the sweet freshness of seafood exploded on the tongue, making Setsuna, who hadn't tasted fine food for a while, nod in satisfaction.
As they were dining, a slender, agile figure stealthily approached from behind them. Deft fingers brushed past Manigoldo's coat hem.
Setsuna and Albafica simultaneously looked at Manigoldo.
With their perception, it wasn't hard to see the youth had stolen Manigoldo's wallet.
Manigoldo smiled. "Black Saints are this city's greatest darkness. But sometimes, the shadows at the bottom can guide us to them."
The boy darted through narrow alleys, finally meeting up with several other children in tattered clothes before slipping into an abandoned cemetery.
Tombstones in the cemetery lay askew, overgrown with weeds. A cold wind swept past, carrying a rotten smell.
A burly man sat on a tombstone in the center, surrounded by a few fierce-looking thugs. More skinny, trembling youths huddled around them.
"Little ones, you must have had quite some gains recently, right?" The burly man grinned, revealing uneven teeth.
"Rumaca-sama!" The youths trembled as they stepped forward, handing over the stolen goods one by one.
The boy who stole Manigoldo's wallet presented a large bag of coins. Rumaca patted his shoulder approvingly. "Well done, Jack. Your skills are still so sharp."
But when it came to Jack's companion, the trembling youth's palm held only a single, lonely coin.
Rumaca's smile vanished instantly. A shovel swung viciously, sending the youth flying.
"Piguro, you still disappoint me so. When will you ever be useful? I didn't adopt you orphans to be a philanthropist."
Rumaca's eyes turned savage. "How about this? Let's just chop off your hands. That way, those kind-hearted gentlemen might even give you some charity money."
"No! Please, no!" Piguro curled up on the cold ground, begging.
Rumaca advanced with a vicious grin, raising the shovel to swing it down forcefully.
Just as the shovel was about to fall, Jack suddenly lunged, pulling Piguro aside.
The shovel slammed heavily onto a rock, sparking blindingly.
Rumaca's expression turned dangerous. "What are you doing, Jack, you brat? Don't think just because I value you, I'll forgive your insolence!"
Jack broke out in a cold sweat, forcing a smile. "I didn't really mean to… It was just instinct. How about I make up for him?"
Rumaca sneered. "Who do you think I am? I am the Black Rumaca! If word of this gets out, how am I supposed to survive in the dark world?"
He waved a hand. Several thugs immediately pinned down Jack and Piguro.
"Only by killing you can I…"
At that moment, three figures walked out from the shadows.
"Yo, the Black Rumaca?" Manigoldo had his hands in his pockets. "Might have some connection to the Black Saints."
Albafica coldly glanced over. "Whether this scum is connected to Black Saints or not is irrelevant."
Rumaca flew into a rage. "Where did these vermin come from? Get them!"
However, his underlings had only taken two steps forward when they suddenly let out piercing screams!
"Ahhhhhh!" They frantically clawed at their own bodies, as if invisible spirits were tearing at their flesh all around.
"Wh-what is this?" Rumaca retreated in terror.
Manigoldo snapped his fingers, a dangerous smile on his face. "These spirits are the people you killed. Now they've come to collect their debt."