"Pfft!"
Another jab.
Of course, Damian didn't unleash the Scarlet Needle; he only fantasized it for a moment.
Because he noticed Shaka looking his way, as if he had sensed that instant of killing intent.
This Virgo Shaka was a real problem, and right now the man closest to god stood loyal to Pope Saga, leaving Damian no chance to strike.
If he tried, he'd just get dogpiled.
Under the effect of the healing needle, Saga let out a satisfied sigh: "Ah!"
He felt an all-over relaxation, even better than a hot bath. That strange ripple rising from the depths of body and soul was intoxicating.
Waves swept through his body and even his soul, like the ocean's swell, making it impossible to pull away and drawing sighs from him.
And the injuries to body and mind were clearly mending. This healing power seemed able to stir the body's vital force, even a wisp of Cosmo.
Wait—his five senses seemed heightened by the treatment too.
Interesting.
What on earth was this healing art?
Moments later, His Holiness's panting ceased, and he spoke slowly: "Damian, what is your treatment called? How did you learn it?"
"Your Holiness."
"This treatment is called the Healing Needle. I devised it myself, referencing an ancient Chinese acupuncture classic."
In truth, its real name was Scarlet Needle—Reverse Form.
A self-created technique?
Everyone looked stunned.
Was this guy a genius?
So young, with such a feeble Cosmo, yet he'd created a healing move on his own.
His talent couldn't be underestimated.
In the Sanctuary, destructive techniques were a dime a dozen, but healing techniques were practically nonexistent—this might be the only one.
Its rarity was undeniable, and it was highly practical.
The gravekeeper Damian's prospects were clearly not to be taken lightly.
"Damian, you may live. You needn't be a gravekeeper anymore. Serve as a Temple Guard from now on."
"Temple Guard?"
Damian was taken aback.
Aphrodite smiled.
Shaina was overjoyed.
Marin stayed silent.
The smile vanished from Pansy's face. She knew what that healing felt like; ordinary people couldn't resist it, and even the strong were won over by Damian's method.
Many present felt a stab of envy.
A Temple Guard to the Pope meant serving the most powerful man in the world. It was a straight shot to glory.
Judging by the Pope's improved condition, the effect spoke for itself; it had even made His Holiness change his mind.
"Your Holiness."
Damian suddenly spoke up. "I'm a gravekeeper. I just want to spend the rest of my life in the cemetery!"
Yeah right, be your Temple Guard?
Catering to you this and that—I'd rather hang out in the cemetery farming corpses.
Granted, as a close guard he could work in the Pope's hall and maybe get near the holy coffer that sealed the souls of the Twin Gods of Death and Sleep, but a Temple Guard was essentially your personal attendant.
Always on call, walking on eggshells, and maybe even played to death by this lunatic.
Damian was sure the madman Saga was deeply paranoid. Having fought him remotely from the cemetery, Saga's intent to kill him hadn't lessened in the slightest.
Get too close and who knew when this lunatic might stab him in the back.
More importantly, he'd be away from the cemetery.
So even if it slapped Saga in the face here and now, he would refuse.
Consequences be damned.
Go on, chop my head—just wait till I play my big move!
His outburst left everyone around wearing looks of disbelief.
No one had expected Damian to abruptly refuse His Holiness's offer.
That made it twice now!
The first time, he refused the Pegasus Cloth.
Damian really was a madman.
And the Pope was not known for his patience.
Cold-blooded and ruthless, strength above all, not much for reason.
Nice going—you just crawled out of the grave, and you're jumping back in.
Madmen are beyond reason!
Gigas could hardly believe it, his eyes nearly popping from their sockets. "What did you say? Do you have a death wish?"
"Damian, do you truly want to die?"
Saga's voice brimmed with resolve.
A chilling killing intent rose off him.
Execute me?
Good...
Do I, Damian, ever back down?
Today I'm going big—I'm throwing a joker bomb at you.
Face blank, Damian sent his telekinesis straight up into the clouds.
"Little darling, begin."
Joker bomb, go!
"What is Damian thinking? Being a Temple Guard is a dream post."
"His Holiness won't have patience for this."
"That kid is dead!"
Right then Shaina wanted to blast Damian with a Thunder Snake Claw—might as well kill him herself.
Such a golden chance wasted, and he publicly refused the Pope's goodwill. That was slapping the Pope's face.
Marin held her tongue.
Pansy's smile returned.
A madman is a madman. He'd just earned a reprieve, and now he was courting death again.
At times Pansy felt a strange illusion, as if Damian was only pretending to be mad, saw through her completely, and was secretly someone unfathomable.
Now it seemed the guy was truly insane!
Seiya, silent until now, clicked his tongue in amazement.
He hadn't expected this gravekeeper to be so outrageous. He'd seen impressive people, but never anything like this.
"Damian, you have provoked me again and again, crimes unforgivable. Even if you had immeasurable merit, I cannot pardon you!"
"...Execute him!"
Saga's hand swept down, merciless.
Everyone could tell His Holiness was truly enraged, ready to silence a genius on the spot.
To behead Damian would be a loss for the Sanctuary.
"Your Holiness... you mustn't..."
Shaina started to speak, but Marin clamped her down hard.
She could feel the terrifying killing intent flooding off the Pope, and that overbearing, peerless Cosmo.
His ferocity and madness were laid bare, making Marin's heart pound.
At a time like this, anyone who spoke up would die with Damian.
Damian wasn't surprised in the least.
You all saw it—the man had just enjoyed himself, and now he wouldn't acknowledge a thing.
Even if I flip the table, I'm not sticking with this lunatic.
Suddenly, white sheets of paper drifted from the sky like snowflakes, swirling everywhere, a bizarre sight.
Shura caught one, and his face went rigid, ugly as sin.
Aphrodite caught another, and his face changed drastically, the rose in his mouth dropping to the ground.
Marin, Shaina, and several Silver Saints stared at the papers fluttering down, expressions stormy, breathing heavy, not daring to speak, not even daring to lift their heads.
"How is this possible!"
Seiya caught a sheet, read the words, and turned ashen, cold sweat pouring.
Pansy snatched one, focused on the text, and her face blanched; she squeezed her legs together, nearly losing control.
The paper bore two lines:
[The Pope is Gemini Gold Saint Saga in disguise. He murdered the former Pope, and the one who tried to kill Goddess Athena thirteen years ago was him]
[An Underworld spy has infiltrated the Pope's side in the Sanctuary, here to seek a certain item and to trigger the final Holy War]
The scene instantly boiled over.
Damian's face didn't change. Since you're so set on killing me, take the joker bomb I prepared just for you.
To hell with the main plot.
Saga!
Let's see how you handle my joker bomb!
Almost at once, Pope Saga's sleeves billowed, and a powerful wave of Cosmo swept over everyone...
(End of Chapter)
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