Pope Sage's eyes sharpened slightly. "Ilias's son, Regulus?"
"Yes." Setsuna nodded slightly. "But I suspect this might be a Specter trap."
A cold glint flashed in Setsuna's eyes. "I don't fear the schemes of those undead. But if Regulus is truly there, when fighting the Specters, I'm afraid I won't be able to protect him."
"Ilias was a hero of Sanctuary. We absolutely cannot let the bloodline of a hero be sacrificed." Pope Sage quickly made a decision. "I plan to send Taurus and Sagittarius."
"Rasgardo has always blamed himself for failing to prevent Ilias's sacrifice back then, not even bringing back Regulus and Sisyphus, who is Ilias's younger brother, has been concerned about Regulus for years. Those two should be able to complete the mission well."
Setsuna frowned slightly. "Please allow me to go as well."
Seeing Sage Pope about to refuse, he said gravely, "It's not that I distrust the two Gold Saints' strength. But against the undead, my Sekishiki is more suited to handle them."
Sage Pope gazed at this disciple who hadn't rested for over two years, a trace of helplessness appearing in his eyes. "You… have worked too hard these past two years. Don't push yourself too tight. You still need to rest appropriately."
"The Holy War is approaching." Setsuna's tone was resolute. "I must become stronger. Missions, for me, aren't hardship but tempering."
With Omega Shenron, that Sword of Damocles, hanging overhead, how could he dare relax?
The battles now would accumulate experience for his future Super Saiyan transformation.
Seeing this, Sage Pope had no choice but to nod helplessly. "Alright. At least rest properly in Sanctuary tonight."
…
The Gemini Temple at night was shrouded in an eerie silence. Only cold winds sweeping up sand and dust made faint, mournful sounds.
Gemini's [Shadow], Defteros, stood before the temple door, his pupils contracting violently.
Several bodies lay strewn on the ground… priestesses from the Temple of Delphi.
These pure maidens meant to deliver divine oracles now lay with eyes wide open, faces twisted as if they had seen something terrifying before death.
"Brother…" His voice was heavy. "What… happened?"
The Gemini Saint, Aspros, stood in the shadows, a frivolous smile on his lips. "I didn't do anything~"
He spread his hands. "They were already dead when I arrived."
Defteros's clenched fists trembled slightly. How he wished he could believe his brother's words.
But the other party's indifferent expression, as if the dead weren't living people but insignificant ants… how was this the demeanor of a Gold Saint who protected justice?
"What? Don't believe me?" Aspros's smile remained, but a dark glint flashed in his eyes. "Then our dream will shatter."
He walked closer, his voice like a demon's whisper. "Didn't you want to prove to Sanctuary that the so-called 'Malefic Star' oracle was all nonsense?"
Defteros's heart tightened.
"If even I, the holy Gemini Saint, am evil…" Aspros's fingers lightly brushed his brother's cheek. "How would you, the 'Malefic Star', be viewed?"
"Of course, viewed as the true Gemini Saint." A clear, cold voice suddenly interjected. Setsuna's figure stood not far away, though no one knew when he arrived.
Aspros chuckled lightly. "I know you. The Pope's disciple, Sanctuary's hero… But ultimately just a Bronze Saint. This isn't a place you should be."
"I heard the cries of these priestesses' souls." Setsuna's gaze swept over the bodies on the ground. "How could I turn a blind eye?"
Defteros sharply looked at Setsuna. "These priestesses… Brother really killed them?"
Setsuna nodded. "Sekishiki tells me Aspros is indeed the murderer."
Defteros's heart sank to the depths, but the next second, he heard Setsuna say:
"But he is also just a manipulated pawn. The true culprit is someone else."
Aspros didn't defend himself but laughed loudly. "I am a Gold Saint. Who could manipulate me?"
"When a gap appears in your heart, when your beliefs are no longer firm…" Setsuna's voice was like a judgment. "…you are no longer worthy of being called a Gold Saint. Of course, you can be manipulated."
Aspros's smile vanished, a flash of crimson in his eyes. "Since you say I'm controlled, then I'll control you first!"
A strange purple light lit up at his fingertips… the demonic fist technique he secretly learned from the forbidden Astral Tower.
"Genro Maoken!"
Setsuna knew the severity of this move. Once hit, one's consciousness would be completely controlled.
He didn't hesitate, urging his Cosmos. Golden-red flames ignited around his fist.
"Hoo Genmaken!"
Two powerful psychic forces collided mid-air, erupting in a blinding flash.
The energy shockwaves rippled through the air, stirring invisible undulations.
A trace of surprise flashed across Aspros's face. "A mere Bronze Saint can offset my demonic fist?"
"Bronze Saint this, Bronze Saint that. You've even forgotten that Cosmos is the foundation of a Saint, yet claim you're not controlled?" Setsuna shook his head slightly.
"Hmph, nonsense." Aspros smiled faintly. "Another Dimension!"
An entrance to another world opened. Powerful gravitational force pulled Setsuna inside.
This was a silent, empty space. No light, no sound, only eternal darkness.
Setsuna surveyed his surroundings, shaking his head slightly. "Space abilities again. Luckily, I have countermeasures now too."
"Sekishiki Meikai Ha!"
This move wasn't just a soul-based ability. It also had spatial effects, capable of opening a space connected to Yomotsu Hirasaka.
Setsuna jumped from the Another Dimension into Yomotsu Hirasaka, then jumped from Yomotsu Hirasaka back to the present world.
Seeing Setsuna walk out slowly from the dark rift, Aspros narrowed his eyes. "It seems I underestimated you."
Seeing conventional methods couldn't secure victory, Aspros finally shed his underestimation.
He teleported to the ruins outside Sanctuary, placing his hand on an ancient seal on the ground.
Setsuna and Defteros followed like shadows.
"Do you know what this place is?"
With Aspros's actions, the ground began shaking violently. Stone bricks covered in runes cracked inch by inch.
"This is the arena used to execute Berserkers during Athena's Holy War with Ares."
From beneath the shattered seal came beast-like roars.
Countless pairs of blood-red eyes lit up in the darkness.
"Those monsters wouldn't stop fighting even if their heads were cut off. So Athena sealed the entire arena."
Aspros spread his arms, a mad smile appearing on his face. "And now, they have all been revived!"