"Insolence, I am the Sanctuary's Chief of Staff!"
Gigas's eyes bulged.
"You old geezer, what do you mean hiding my strength? Where did I hide anything? I just revere muscles. See my muscles?"
"I'm saying muscles are the true way and Cosmo can take a back seat—how is that a crime?"
Damian kept striking muscle-showing poses, his two pecs twitching violently, his Cosmo rippling ever so slightly.
The lunatic Damian came online.
Play it straight and you'll definitely lose your head.
Either flip the table, or put on a show.
"You... you privately bought and sold graves."
"I didn't take any money."
"You privately made food to sell."
"I didn't take any money."
"You privately treated others and sold medicine."
"I didn't take any money."
"You... you're always thinking indecent thoughts."
"I'm a man—of course I have images... Obviously, you don't."
"You... you... you..."
Gigas was left sputtering.
True enough, while the man sold all kinds of things, this gravekeeper had never taken money—at most he asked for some items, some ingredients, even a few small animals—and no one had actually reported him.
Though the kid's brain wasn't right, he had decent rapport. If not for the Pope's hint, it would've been hard to pin anything on him.
Didn't expect the brat to be so sharp-tongued—stubborn and foul-mouthed.
"Shaka."
Saga gave a quiet order.
Shaka nodded slightly and walked up to Damian.
"Hold out your hand."
Shaka's voice was utterly calm.
Damian cooperated. The other's cool hand gripped his, and a clear current of Cosmo flowed into Damian's body, coursing through his limbs and bones.
"Interesting."
A trace of surprise touched Shaka's lips.
"This gravekeeper Damian has faint Cosmo fluctuations in his body, but his flesh is extremely sturdy, tendons and bones unusually robust, and his vital energy is abundant. You could say he's hidden his strength. He reminds me of Aldebaran of Taurus."
"...However, the intensity of his Cosmo is only at a Silver-to-Bronze Saint level."
"His Cosmo waves are unstable, a relatively feeble type of Cosmo with almost no offensive quality."
"Hm."
The Pope nodded noncommittally.
Damian exhaled in relief. He had suppressed his Cosmo and vital force to the lowest limit and inverted his Cosmo's attributes.
All that potent, aggressive, refined Cosmo was hidden in his muscles. If he didn't open first gear or second gear, that Cosmo wouldn't erupt.
Saga had only remotely controlled a Cloth and fought him in first-gear form; there was no way to judge his Cosmo attributes from afar. He'd hidden his Cosmo waves then, too.
Now Shaka was unlikely to spot the Cosmo he'd concealed.
Seeing Shaka step back, Damian finally relaxed.
"Execute him!"
The next words from His Holiness shocked everyone: "Refusing the Pegasus Cloth to my face is gross disrespect, to me and to the Goddess. Deliberately hiding your strength proves malicious intent."
Those present were taken aback. Anyone could tell the Pope simply wanted the gravekeeper dead.
Only Pansy was smiling.
She didn't know why the Pope refused to spare Damian an inch, but anything bad for Damian made her happy.
Getting to watch him beheaded with her own eyes today would be perfect.
The smile blossomed on her little face, sweet as could be!
"Your Holiness, I'm innocent!"
Tears brimmed in Damian's eyes. "The Pegasus Cloth is really ugly... And that same night the Gemini Gold Saint beat me up. It was downright inhumane."
Possessed by the drama king, Damian tearfully recounted how the Gemini Gold Saint had battered and bullied him.
This was the final performance.
Saga was clearly determined to kill ten thousand rather than let one slip.
He was already primed to flip the table with a Titan Nova.
Don't be fooled by the numbers—he ran fast. He'd dive straight into another dimension once it opened.
But aside from flipping the table, he still had one big move left unused.
Once he fired it, the entire Sanctuary would shake three times.
"Gemini Gold Saint Saga? He's been missing for thirteen years."
"A full thirteen years—no one's seen the Gemini Gold Saint. What are you talking about?"
Quite a few Saints voiced doubts.
"Enough chatter. He's just a gravekeeper. Kill him."
Deathmask curled his lip impatiently.
"By your command."
The headsman hefted his axe and came up to Damian.
On the side, Shaina panicked, but Marin pressed her down, whispering, "Are you crazy? They'll kill you too."
"Wait, Your Holiness."
Aphrodite stepped forward to interrupt. "I've heard this gravekeeper Damian has a special method to heal injuries. Perhaps he can treat Your Holiness, in exchange for a chance to atone."
"Oh? He can really treat His Holiness's injuries?"
Gigas was dubious.
This gravekeeper did indeed offer healing services, with a decent reputation. He seemed to have some real skill.
Shaina and several Silver Saints who'd been treated by him nodded at once:
"Yes, Damian can indeed heal injuries, and his technique is unique."
"Damian's treatment is quite beneficial for wounds."
"And it feels good too. I've gone to him several times."
Damian's goodwill-based healing paid off.
Not only did Silver Saints speak up for him, even the guards nodded along.
Gigas raised a hand, signaling the headsman to step back while they awaited the Pope's word.
"Let him try."
The Pope spoke.
The guards immediately made way for Damian.
Damian walked forward slowly, trembling and cautious.
He came before the Pope, extended his hand, and stirred his Cosmo.
A white glow bloomed on his fingernail, as if the whole nail extended, finally becoming like a sharp needle.
Shura and Deathmask watched with mild curiosity as a needle formed on Damian's index finger.
They could feel the man's Cosmo was very gentle, not offensive, yet the needle on his finger felt oddly familiar.
Damian lightly pressed the needle to the Pope's shoulder.
After a single restorative jab,
the Pope's body trembled slightly, and his breathing grew markedly heavier.
Judging by the panting, His Holiness felt pretty good—seemed to be enjoying it. From the way his body shuddered, he was definitely feeling relief.
"Don't stop. Again."
Damian was about to step back when the Pope's voice came again.
Look at that—Saga really was greedy, like those old gals.
Or had he been beaten so badly by me that his internal injuries were serious?
Fine.
Here's another for you.
How about a fourteen-hit Scarlet Needle, then follow with an Andariss, and send you straight on your way!
(End of Chapter)
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