The residual shockwaves from hundreds of clashes within the spiritual world hadn't yet dissipated. Setsuna and Kagaho's figures simultaneously returned to reality.
Shadows of black flames and golden fire still entangled between them. Kagaho knelt on one knee, a trace of blood spilling from his mouth.
"I admit… your strength truly surpasses mine." He wiped the blood away, his gaze blazing as he stared at Setsuna. "Unfortunately, Phoenix is ultimately just a Bronze Cloth. This will be your fatal weakness!"
He suddenly spread his arms. Black flames converged in his palms. The surrounding air began to distort. Even light was swallowed by these terrifying black flames.
A bizarre black sphere gradually formed, emitting suffocating pressure.
"Dark Solar Corona!"
That dark sun slowly rose high into the sky. Its surface flowed with magma-like patterns, emitting ominous crimson-dark light.
The entire sky was dyed blood-red. The space for hundreds of miles around fell into a sea of fire.
Several Specters relatively close didn't even have time to scream before instantly evaporating under the terrifying heat, not even ashes remaining.
Lakes evaporated. Rocks melted. The entire land became a true hell on earth.
"This is the ultimate technique fusing solar power and hellish black flames." Kagaho stood at the dark solar corona's center. "Even a Gold Cloth would melt under this temperature, let alone your mere Bronze Cloth."
The Phoenix Cloth continuously cracked and repaired under the intense heat. But under these terrifying black flames, the repair speed gradually couldn't keep up with the destruction.
The armor on Setsuna's chest completely shattered, revealing scorched skin beneath.
This was the first time since becoming a Saint he felt such a strong threat to his life.
Just as Setsuna contemplated whether to use a Senzu Bean after severe injury, the Leo Cloth beside Regulus suddenly burst with dazzling golden light. A beam shot straight at Setsuna.
When healing Aspros earlier, Setsuna's Cloth had absorbed the 'light' of eleven Gold Saints. Now, the Leo Cloth's light completed the final piece.
Moreover, Setsuna sensed this wisp of light carried the aura of the deceased Leo Saint, Ilias-
As if that legendary Gold Saint hadn't truly passed but watched over this world in some transcendent form.
Boom!
The Phoenix Cloth abruptly erupted with unprecedented radiance. The bronze hue faded, replaced by golden light brighter than the sun.
The Cloth's form also underwent astonishing changes. Lines became more fluid, patterns more exquisite. Each piece of armor emitted a sacred aura.
'The Phoenix Cloth evolved to the Gold level!' Setsuna was inwardly overjoyed.
Though the former Phoenix Cloth had limitless potential, limited by material, it always struggled to provide sufficient protection in true battles against powerhouses.
Now, unless facing a god-level powerhouse who had comprehended the Eighth Sense, no one could cause fundamental damage to this Cloth.
The dark sun still scorched the earth, but Setsuna no longer worried.
The golden phoenix's wings spread open. Each feather gleamed with sunlight-like brilliance.
"Hoyoku Tensho!"
Setsuna's figure transformed into a golden streak, charging straight into the black sun's center.
The terrifying heat capable of melting Gold Cloths could no longer block his advance.
"Impossible…" Kagaho's eyes widened. This move of his was indeed powerful but had a fatal flaw… difficulty changing moves. Now he could only watch helplessly as Setsuna charged towards him.
A heavy thud echoed. Setsuna's fist slammed heavily onto the space between Kagaho's eyebrows.
This strike contained not just physical impact but also spiritual-level assault.
Kagaho's body shuddered violently. The light in his eyes rapidly dimmed.
"Hah…" Kagaho revealed a savage smile before dissipating. "Hades-sama will revive me. The phoenix returning from hell will surely be stronger than before!"
Setsuna said calmly, "I'll be waiting."
Kagaho's ashes scattered with the wind. Radamanthys knew the situation was dire.
He suddenly raised his hand. Dark purple Cosmos erupted like a torrent. "In that case, let all this continent's spirits send you to your graves!"
"Sekishiki - Greatest Caution!"
The earth trembled. Countless spirits rose from the corpses. He wanted to detonate all spirits and perish together with the enemy.
Specters were immortal anyway. Mutual destruction meant victory.
"You think only you can play this game?" Setsuna chuckled lightly. Deep blue Sekishiki also condensed in his palm. "Sekishiki Kisoen!"
Two forces controlling the dead collided fiercely mid-air. Dark purple and deep blue soul fires tore at each other.
"Ridiculous!" Radamanthys's face twisted amidst the hellfire. "Saints dare compete with Specters for spirits?"
The dragon-shaped Specter Cloth's claws tore through the soul flames. He laughed wildly, declaring, "Today, I clear the path for Hades-sama…"
"Interesting. Zeus's son is actually loyal to Hades." Setsuna mocked.
In fact, not just Radamanthys… all three Underworld Judges were of Zeus's bloodline.
Radamanthys's assault abruptly halted.
The phoenix's flames seized the chance to counterattack. "The bloodline of the God King, reduced to Hades's guard dog…"
"Silence!" Radamanthys's roar shattered space for a kilometer around. "Don't speak that bastard's name before me! Hades-sama should rule all gods!"
"Now!" A glint flashed in Setsuna's eyes, seizing this fleeting opportunity. "Genro Maoken!"
Purplish-black demonic light shot out like a venomous snake, accurately piercing through the space between Radamanthys's eyebrows.
The dragon-shaped Specter Cloth's helmet cracked in two.
"Cough!" Radamanthys staggered back, incredulously touching the bloody hole on his forehead. "You dare…"
Setsuna shook his wrist. "When it comes to controlling spirits, I'm indeed inferior to you."
Watching the Celestial Savage Star's body begin turning to dust, he casually delivered the finishing blow. "So, I had to send you to become a spirit first."
As for Radamanthys's deep hatred towards Zeus, Setsuna wasn't surprised.
Zeus had his fun, then abandoned their mother, Europa.
Rasgado clenched his fist, excitement barely concealed beneath his bull-horned helmet. "I never imagined before the Holy War even truly began, we took down one of the Three Judges, Radamanthys!"
Sisyphus, however, shook his head. "Useless. Specters can revive infinitely. Death is merely temporary retirement for them."
"Not necessarily." Setsuna wiped the black flame remnants from the Phoenix Cloth. "If it were the true Hades, reviving them would be effortless. But the current Hades, like Athena-sama, is merely a reincarnation, not fully awakened."
"Each time reviving Specters consumes Hades's divine power. If we force him to continuously revive Specters, then when Athena-sama awakens, she can hold an advantage in divine power."
Sisyphus thought briefly, then nodded. "You're right. We should still kill as many Specters as possible."