Shaka sensed everyone's gaze, shook his head, his golden hair fluttering in the wind.
"I have no interest in the Pope's position, and my power will not be wasted here... But if Saga becomes the Pope, I'm afraid I cannot accept it."
Li Yu knew that Shaka meant that if Saga became the Pope, he would only guard his Virgo Palace from then on and no longer obey the Pope's commands.
Li Yu did not dwell on the matter; when the five Bronze Saintss and the Specters came knocking, Shaka would have no choice but to act.
He suddenly changed the subject and declared loudly,
"Do you all know? The five Bronze Saintss from the Galaxian Wars have already killed the Silver Saint sent by the Sanctuary for reconnaissance."
The Gold Saints' expressions all shifted; to be able to defeat a Silver Saint, the strength of these few Bronze Saintss should not be underestimated.
"More importantly!"
Li Yu raised his right hand, pointing towards the Summit of Holy Mountain. Everyone followed his gaze, only to see the Athena statue radiating brilliant golden light.
"Saori Kido was shot in the heart by Sagitta Ptolemy and is in critical condition. To save her, the five Bronze Saintss are about to challenge the Twelve Gold Palaces to retrieve the athena's shield from the statue's hand..."
athena's shield?
The Gold Saints' pupils immediately constricted. According to legend, this statue was Athena's Cloth.
The Twelve Gold Palaces were established here precisely to guard this divine Cloth until Athena herself returned!
There was also a legend that the Athena statue suppressed the Titan King Cronus, and it was a matter of great importance that it could not be easily touched by anyone other than the goddess.
Who exactly was Saori Kido, daring to attempt to seize the divine Cloth?
The current reincarnation of Athena had not yet appeared. Could it be... what exactly happened on that night ten years ago?
Amidst a chorus of suspicious glances, Li Yu's gaze suddenly sharpened, piercing every person present like an ice pick.
"By the goddess's decree, all of you, please do your utmost to prevent Seiya, Hyoga, Shiryu, Shun, and Ikki from reaching the Summit of Holy Mountain!"
"Yes!"
Despite their many doubts, the Gold Saints present all bowed their heads in response!
As everyone dispersed, Saga walked up to Li Yu, a look of confusion in his eyes.
"Is doing this really okay? After all, that person is the reincarnation of Athena!"
When Saga infiltrated the Pope's Palace back then, he had seen the infant reincarnation of Athena. Saori Kido's appearance and age matched.
He knew in his heart that the current Saori Kido should be the reincarnation of the goddess Athena!
Li Yu had previously been unwilling to take on the role of Pope. With the incident involving Aiolos, Athena couldn't say much.
But with Saori Kido's life hanging by a thread, and Li Yu still setting up obstacles, was he truly not afraid of Athena's return and her settling accounts with him completely?
Li Yu's lips curved slightly.
Under his arrangements, the Twelve Palaces arc was about to begin, a magnificent spectacle!
He did this, of course, with absolute certainty. As long as his strength was sufficient and his overall direction aligned with Athena's, there would be no danger of being settled with before the Holy War ended.
As for after the Holy War ended?
By then, his strength would long be beyond Athena's control.
Li Yu raised an eyebrow.
"If I'm not mistaken, these five Bronze Saintss are the main force Athena has chosen for this Holy War."
Saga couldn't help but chuckle when he first heard this news.
"What is the goddess thinking? Relying on five Bronze Saintss to fight the Holy War? What use are we Gold Saints then?"
Seeing no trace of a smile on Li Yu's face, Saga's expression gradually grew serious.
If what Li Yu said was true, then it meant that they, the Gold Saints, had all been abandoned?
Even Saga couldn't help but feel a little frustrated at this moment.
Why? What makes us Gold Saints inferior to these Bronze Saintss?
Li Yu nodded slightly.
"So you know why I set up so many trials. If the five of them can't even pass our stage, how can we expect them to defeat Hades and end the millennium-long Holy War?"
"If they can't even get through the Twelve Gold Palaces, then Athena shouldn't bother reincarnating; it would only be a laughingstock!"
Saga showed a knowing expression. What Li Yu said was indeed not wrong.
"Go prepare, Saga... As we agreed, remember to uphold your true self!"
"Hmph, worry about yourself first. I wouldn't be swayed by Athena, even if you were!"
Saga sneered.
The reason Li Yu chose Saga to sit on the Pope's throne was because Saga possessed a dual personality.
As long as the evil Saga existed, Athena would not be able to fully control him.
Saga donned the Pope's robes, his long hair slowly turning black.
Then he picked up the Pope's golden helmet, placed it on his head, and his voice became hollow and majestic.
"Li Yu, I truly did not misjudge you!"
"The feeling is mutual."
Li Yu turned and walked out, his cape tracing a white arc behind him.
As soon as he stepped out of the Pope's Palace, a golden light flashed in the shadows.
Li Yu paused, stopping his steps, and said faintly,
"Aiolia, come out."
Aiolia emerged from the shadows, his tightly clenched fists turning white at the knuckles, his eyes red with excitement.
"Brother Yu, I want to know the truth about what happened to my brother that year!"
"Come with me..."
Li Yu did not answer directly but led him up to the Summit of Holy Mountain.
The mountain wind howled, whipping Li Yu's white cape behind him, flapping loudly.
The two looked down at Human Realm below the mountain, the smoke from the towns rising faintly, sketching a beautiful picture.
"Do you see, little Aiolia, what my brother and I protect is Human Realm, and so does the goddess Athena..."
"As long as the goal is consistent, sometimes necessary sacrifices are unavoidable."
Li Yu's voice was somewhat scattered by the wind, and a light of memory flashed in his eyes.
"That night when it happened, I asked your brother, was it worth doing this?"
Aiolia's voice was so hoarse it was almost out of tune.
"What did brother say?"
A flicker of memory passed through Li Yu's eyes.
"Big Aiolos told me, some things, someone has to do..."
Aiolia gritted his teeth.
"What about the goddess, what did she say..."
Li Yu's gaze shifted slightly.
"I just confirmed with the goddess. She said your brother's passing was not her intention. The dark power hidden within the Sanctuary is the true culprit..."
"When she reincarnates and returns, she will give Aiolos an explanation!"
Aiolia's Cosmo suddenly erupted!
"Dark power? Who is it?"
Li Yu slowly shook his head.
"Who exactly it is, I am still investigating, but it will soon come to light."
Aiolia said in a deep voice,
"Good, I'll wait for that day, Brother Yu. Before I fall in battle, I hope to get an answer!"
Li Yu nodded slightly.
"Don't worry, little Aiolia. Big Aiolos was my good friend; his sacrifice will surely be avenged!"
"Go back and guard the Leo Palace. Without my command, no one is to pass!"
Aiolia nodded heavily, turned, and walked towards the Twelve Palaces. His golden Cloth gleamed with resolute light in the setting sun.
Li Yu watched his retreating figure and sighed softly. Aiolia's personality was too simple.
At this moment, he could not be told all the suspicions, otherwise, the wrath of Leo would likely scorch all intruders.
Before defeating Hades, Athena still had her value...
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