Rumaca's corpse lay on the ground. Manigoldo snapped his fingers, and Rumaca's soul flew out from the body.
Jack's eyes widened. He pointed at the air, exclaiming, "Wh-what's going on? Why are there two Rumacas?"
Manigoldo raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised. "You, kid, can actually see souls?"
Jack swallowed hard, his voice tinged with excitement. "This is a soul? So people really turn into this after dying!"
Manigoldo ignored his curiosity, instead staring at Rumaca's soul, coldly demanding, "Where is the Black Saints' headquarters?"
Rumaca's soul wasn't powerful. Its gaze was vacant. "I don't know."
"How can you not know?" Manigoldo pressed. "Didn't you call yourself a Black Saints' officer?"
Rumaca slowly replied, "I'm just a bottom-feeder in the Black Saints world. Usually putting on airs to trick kids. Not an officer at all…"
Hearing this, Manigoldo sighed. "As expected, it's not that easy to find the Black Saints' hideout."
Just then, Jack suddenly interjected, "Um… I might know a clue."
Manigoldo looked at him sharply. "What do you know?"
Jack licked his lips. "I once saw many 'souls' you mentioned in a place. They were trapped there, seemed to be in pain."
Manigoldo's eyes sharpened. "No mistake. Besides Specters, only practitioners of Sekishiki Meikai Ha can confine souls."
He immediately pressed, "Where did you see it?"
However, Jack grinned. "I won't tell you unless you take me with you."
Manigoldo frowned. "Why do you want to follow us? This isn't a game!"
Jack excitedly waved his fists. "You're here to clear out this city's darkness, right? I can't wait to see those evil people die!"
Manigoldo sighed helplessly. "It's dangerous. We might not be able to protect you."
Jack waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry about me. I'll hide myself."
Albafica spoke calmly, "Take him. You just used Sekishiki Meikai Ha. If we don't act quickly, Avido might detect it."
Manigoldo sighed, finally relenting. "Fine, kid. Keep up."
…
The afterglow of the setting sun was blocked by thick, dark clouds. Jack led the three through Venice's intricate network of alleyways.
"It's there." Jack pointed at a Gothic-style mansion ahead, his voice trembling with excitement.
Only when they were right upon it did the three sense something abnormal.
The entire building was enveloped by an invisible force. Countless souls wailed in agony.
Manigoldo's expression turned grave. "Avido is using the Seventh Sense to shield this mansion. No wonder we didn't detect anything unusual before."
Setsuna asked, "That Black Saints' leader also has the Seventh Sense?"
Manigoldo nodded. "He was Altar Saint Hakurei's disciple. He's very powerful. He long ago qualified to become a Gold Saint. But his disposition was too extreme, obsessed with seizing power in Sanctuary. That's why Hakurei-sama expelled him from Sanctuary."
The moment the four stepped into the mansion, the rotten wooden door slammed shut behind them.
A chill air rushed over them, mixed with the smells of blood and decay.
"Welcome, Gold Saints."
Three figures emerged from the darkness… Black Crow Saint Ruse, Black Whale Alegre, and Black Hound Saint Judo.
Their Black Cloths gleamed with an ominous purple light. Their eyes shone with bloodthirsty excitement.
Manigoldo crossed his arms, a cold smile on his lips. "Three Silver Saints, yet you don't run when you see two Gold Saints? Admirable courage."
Ruse grinned, revealing white teeth. "Aren't you also bringing two burdens?"
His gaze swept over Setsuna and Jack. "One a brat without a Cloth, and another a good-for-nothing who isn't even a Saint."
Setsuna chuckled softly, looking down. "I really am being looked down upon…"
Judo sneered. "If not for Sage Pope's favoritism, giving the Gold Cloths to you young brats, with our seniority, we would have long comprehended the Seventh Sense with the help of Gold Cloths!"
Albafica smiled faintly. "The Seventh Sense is the power of the heart. With your hearts, even if you obtained Gold Cloths, you couldn't comprehend the Seventh Sense."
"We'll send you to hell right now!" Manigoldo suddenly raised his hand, purplish light gathering at his fingertips.
"Sekishiki Meikai Ha!"
Just as the purple beam was about to hit Ruse, another black Meikai Ha shot out from the shadows. The two energies collided mid-air, erupting in a blinding flash.
Amidst the residual energy shockwaves, Avido's figure slowly emerged from the darkness.
He wore the Black Altar Cloth, his eyes gleaming with a cold smile. "Manigoldo, long time no see."
Seizing this opening, the three Black Saints simultaneously lunged at Albafica. Yet before they could get close—
"Sekishiki - Kamehameha!"
A brilliant blue light pillar suddenly erupted from Setsuna's hands. Countless soul energies converged into a raging torrent.
The three Black Saints had no time to react, instantly engulfed.
Although their bodies remained unharmed, their souls were violently blasted away.
Albafica raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at Setsuna with a hint of surprise. 'Though he hasn't comprehended the Seventh Sense, the quality and quantity of his Cosmos already far exceed Silver Saint limits.'
If he was only slightly surprised, Manigoldo and Avido were shocked.
As practitioners of Sekishiki Meikai Ha, they understood its dangers best. After all, this technique was equivalent to defying the Underworld's laws.
Even for them, they usually only shot beams from their fingers. For Setsuna to so recklessly unleash a massive beam like that required an extremely high level of mastery over Sekishiki.
Setsuna was very calm. Sekishiki was also Ki. He was an expert at manipulating Ki.
"I truly underestimated you." Avido's face darkened. "However, I'm different from those three failures. This mansion was forged from countless spirits. As long as I burn these souls, even if you join forces, you're not my match!"
He suddenly spread his arms wide. The entire mansion began to tremble.
Countless transparent souls seeped from the walls and floors, writhing in agony as they converged towards him.
"Avido!" Manigoldo was furious. "Do you have even a shred of belief as a Saint left? You're using human souls as fuel?!"
Avido laughed loudly, his laughter full of mockery. "Belief? I threw that stuff into the River Styx long ago! Just like my foolish teacher. He's clearly possessing power surpassing Gold Saints, yet he's willingly remained a Silver Saint, even wanting me to inherit the Altar Cloth. He's shackled by such stupid beliefs."
Avido provocatively raised his hand. "You should know [Sekishiki Konso Ha] too, right? Come on! Fight me for these souls! That's the only way to defeat me!"