One week later, deep within Ireland's forests.
The sunset's afterglow was sliced into fragments by dense canopies, spilling onto damp moss.
A silver-haired maiden gripped a slender sword, shielding a severely wounded knight.
They were surrounded by dozens of mysterious figures cloaked in black robes.
"Descendant of the Lug Family, Cúana! Once you die, Balor-sama can fully revive!"
"Balor? The King of Giants who used divine power to subjugate the Tuatha Dé Danann in myth?" Cúana asked, shocked.
One of the mysterious men sneered. "Cúana-sama is so learned, even knowing Balor-sama. We are druids serving Balor-sama."
"But what does Balor have to do with me?" Cúana didn't understand.
"Hehe, Cúana-sama can ask that question in the Underworld."
Just as the druids were about to attack—
"Lightning Plasma!"
A golden meteor tore through the forest shadows. Regulus's figure flashed like lightning. Fist shadows transformed into countless light traces, instantly blasting the front-line druids away.
"Pegasus Meteor Fist!"
Tenma followed closely. Silver-blue meteors poured down like a torrential rain. The remaining enemies didn't even have time to scream before being smashed into tree trunks.
The battle ended in the blink of an eye.
Cúana stood frozen, her sword clattering to the ground.
"You… you are…"
Regulus stepped forward with a smile. "You're the mission's client, Cúana, right? We are Saints from Sanctuary."
A flicker of joy and gratitude appeared in Cúana's eyes. "Sanctuary really sent help!"
Ferghas struggled to stand, placing a hand over his chest in salute. "Thank you for your aid."
Tenma scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed. "No need for thanks. It's our duty."
The four companions headed towards the ancient castle of Cúana's family.
Gray stone walls were covered in ivy. Ancient crests were blurred and indistinct.
Pushing open the heavy doors, a musty smell rushed out.
"Father!" Cúana suddenly exclaimed.
At the hall's end, on a chair, a middle-aged man lay face-up, his complexion ashen, clearly dead for some time.
Cúana rushed to her father's side, tears spilling. "How could…"
"Still hasn't changed at all. Such an understanding daughter." A low voice came from the shadows.
A man holding red wine, his left eye covered in mysterious patterns, slowly walked out.
"Uncle Cuwain?" Cúana stared at him in disbelief. "Why you?"
Cuwain laughed wildly, his laughter filled with madness. "Because I am Balor's Wrath! Carrying that lord's will to take revenge on your twisted family!"
His gaze turned to Regulus and Tenma. "Oh? Athena's Saints? Such unexpected guests."
The corner of Cuwain's mouth lifted in mockery. "Do you know? This woman… is descendant of the god of light, Lugh. To you, she should be like a heretic, right? After all, the title 'god of light' is blasphemy to that sun god."
Regulus frowned. "Nonsense! Sanctuary never judges innocents for their beliefs!"
"I don't understand your nonsense!" Tenma clenched his fists, pure anger burning in his eyes. "I only know you want to revive an evil god. As Saints protecting the earth, we must stop you!"
His Cosmos surged within. The Pegasus Cloth gleamed with silver-blue light.
Regulus and Tenma exchanged glances, instantly reaching understanding. "Attack together."
"Pegasus Meteor Fist!"
"Lightning Plasma!"
A web of silver-blue meteors and golden lightning enveloped Cuwain.
Cuwain sneered. His left eye transformed into a demonic eye. Dense darkness surged out like a tide.
The two's attacks, upon touching the black mist, sank like mud, completely swallowed.
"What?!" Tenma's eyes widened.
The next second.
The darkness churned. The absorbed fist force rebounded with even more violent intensity.
"Watch out!"
Regulus abruptly pushed Tenma aside. The Gold Cloth erupted with blinding light.
Boom!
Gold and darkness violently collided. Regulus was forced back several steps. He looked down… the spot on his Cloth that was struck lost its luster, as if corroded by some evil force.
"He can even absorb the Gold Cloth's light!" Regulus's expression was grave.
Tenma supported him, gritting his teeth. "That guy's demonic eye is pure darkness!"
Seeing the two in such a sorry state, Cuwain relaxed. "It seems Saints are nothing special. Heh, let me tell you a story."
He paced to Cúana's father's side, lightly stroking the chair arm, his voice low. "Balor-sama was once king of the deep-sea giant Fomorians. His demonic eye was invincible in battle. Each time he returned from war, he proudly told his daughter… how many enemies he killed, how many commoners begged for mercy on their knees."
"But his daughter…" Cuwain's gaze suddenly turned icy. "…initially admired her father but later grew weary of this endless war. She left her father and, years later, had her son, the future god of light, Lugh, personally kill his own grandfather!"
He suddenly pointed at Cúana, his voice sharp. "Now you understand? This woman's veins flow with that filthy blood of betrayal!"
"What do you want me to understand?" Regulus's voice echoed through the castle hall. "What father who truly loves his daughter would boast about killing to his child?"
"Balor." Regulus's voice was low and sharp. "He never loved his daughter. He merely saw her as a vessel to bear his sins! Self-righteously disguising bloodshed in the name of paternal love, thinking it could lessen the guilt in his heart!"
In Regulus's mind, his father, Ilias's figure from childhood surfaced.
Those warm hands gently stroked his head, teaching him to feel the wind's breath, telling him he was his strongest support.
"Balor, true love is never boasting about violence but giving strength!" Regulus's fist erupted with unprecedented radiance… not golden brilliance but ion storm splendor like the aurora.
"Lightning Ion Plasma!"
This move was his father's final legacy to him.
Darkness was torn apart. The demonic eye's restraints shattered like fragile thin ice under the thunderous fist force.
Cuwain's chest was pierced. The demonic eye oozed dark red blood, his face full of disbelief. "How…? You weren't my match just now…"
Setsuna, observing secretly, couldn't help but sigh, 'Emotions were indeed a powerful force. Unfortunately, my emotions were too stable.'
He couldn't multiply combat power through anger like Saiyans. Nor could he burn Cosmos to the limit through love and justice like true Saints.
All he could do was walk step by step… to the highest peak.