At this moment, all Gold Saints had emerged from their respective palaces, silently observing the scene.
Mr. Mu, Aldebaran, Shaka… they stood at different points on the Holy Mountain, their eyes filled with complex emotions.
If Saori Kido could truly be revived by Athena's Aegis, then she was undoubtedly Athena's reincarnation.
And the goddess's return also signaled the imminent start of the Holy War, where they, the Gold Saints, would shoulder the mission of protecting humanity and fighting against Hades.
Thinking of this, the gazes of the Gold Saints simultaneously turned towards Aquarius Palace.
There, Li Yu, dressed in a white Cloth robe, his long black hair fluttering in the wind, exuded an awe-inspiring aura despite not releasing his Cosmo.
Li Yu's previous suppression of Ophiuchus Palace had already solidified his title as the strongest Saint of this era.
In fact, he might even be the strongest Saint in history.
After all, to defeat the Ophiuchus Saint without wearing a Cloth and to dare to openly challenge the goddess's reincarnation, he was the only one throughout history.
"He's too strong! We probably won't be able to defeat him in this lifetime!"
"To live in the same era as Li Yu is both our sorrow and our fortune!"
"The number one person in the Sanctuary, well deserved!"
"I wonder how the goddess will deal with him upon her return!"
Someone sighed inwardly, and then this complex emotion spread.
They were convinced!
The Gold Saints looked at Li Yu's figure, and ultimately, only this thought remained in their minds.
Li Yu felt their gazes, nodded slightly, and a faint smile played on his lips.
He knew that the seed of trust had been planted in the hearts of these Gold Saints, and in time, it would grow into a towering tree.
However, before that, he had to find a way to isolate Athena's enlightening aura.
Li Yu pondered silently, a hint of vigilance in his eyes.
The goddess's power to subtly change a person's thoughts was too overbearing; a slight oversight could lead to her influencing one's mind, completely turning them into her fervent believer, willing to sacrifice everything for her.
Clang!
The Gold Arrow fell to the ground, emitting a crisp sound.
Saori Kido was completely healed, her white robe showing no signs of its previous damage.
She slowly opened her eyes, and there was no longer any youthful innocence in them; instead, there was a solemnity and holiness that transcended her age.
Saori Kido slowly straightened her body, extending her right hand towards the sky.
In an instant, a golden light streaked across the sky, and a golden scepter carved with an eagle and olive branches flew through the air, landing steadily in her hand—it was the Scepter of Nike, Athena's exclusive divine artifact.
Boom! Circles of golden Cosmo, centered around Saori Kido, washed over the entire Sanctuary like ocean waves.
Whether Gold Saints or Bronze Saintss, all could feel the warmth and benevolence within this power.
They felt as if they were enveloped by sunlight; the fatigue in their bodies and the unease in their hearts gradually dissipated.
Saori Kido gently tapped her divine scepter, her voice clear and firm, echoing through every corner of the Sanctuary.
"Where is the Pope!"
From the direction of Pope's Palace, Saga, wearing a golden Pope's helmet and a white robe, slowly descended the steps.
Passing Aquarius Palace, Li Yu looked at his sea-blue hair, his gaze shifting slightly, but he said nothing.
Saga's steps did not falter as he walked into the shadows of Aquarius Palace.
At the moment of transition between light and shadow, his hair color suddenly reverted to black, his steps paused slightly, and he turned his face to look at Li Yu.
Li Yu nodded slightly, and Saga also showed a knowing smile; no words were needed, everything was understood without speaking.
Soon, Saga passed through the Twelve Gold Palaces and arrived before Saori Kido.
He knelt on one knee, removed the golden Pope's helmet from his head, revealing his handsome face, his sea-blue hair falling softly, covering his eyes.
Saga said with trepidation, "Saga greets Athena! I failed to recognize your reincarnation earlier; please bestow divine punishment!"
Saori Kido's vermilion lips parted slightly, her deep green eyes unruffled.
"It's fine, ignorance is no sin! Take me to the Divine Palace!"
She raised her left hand, and Saga, supporting her left hand, respectfully led the way, guiding Saori Kido towards Athena's Divine Palace, located at the Summit of Holy Mountain.
Li Yu snorted coldly, his figure gradually disappearing into Aquarius Palace; the reason he didn't want to be the Pope was also because of this.
Once Saori Kido took her place, the Pope would have to treat himself as a servant and butler, serving the goddess daily, which Li Yu could not accept.
He still had to conquer the heavens in the Reincarnation Space and spread his fame; he had no time to waste on a woman, not even a goddess.
Passing through each palace, the Gold Saints would kneel on one knee, welcoming Saori Kido's arrival; the warm Cosmo emanating from Saori Kido made the Gold Saints clearly realize that she was undoubtedly the reincarnation of the Goddess Athena.
Saori Kido nodded slightly, remaining silent, and quietly passed through the Twelve Palaces; the Gold Saints followed silently behind her.
Upon reaching Sagittarius Palace, the Gold Arrow, which had originally fallen at the foot of the Holy Mountain, suddenly shot out from somewhere, deeply embedding itself in the wall of Sagittarius Palace.
The relief on the wall flaked off, revealing a line of golden text that glowed in the darkness.
"O young ones who have come here, I entrust the goddess to you!!"
This line of text was so bright, emitting a soft glow in the dark and silent Sagittarius Palace, and it also contained the Cosmo aura of Aiolos, full of justice and determination.
This is!
Was this Aiolos's dying message from back then?
Everyone, including Saori Kido, fell silent... Aiolia gritted his teeth, clenching his fists, his eyes instantly turning red.
Saori Kido suddenly walked quickly out of Sagittarius Palace; as soon as she exited, she stopped, without looking back, her voice cold.
"You all return to your palaces; the Pope alone is enough to accompany me!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
The many Gold Saints did not continue to follow; they silently returned to their guarded palaces, their eyes slightly sunken.
Passing through Capricorn Palace, Saori's Cosmo instantly healed the heavily wounded Shiryu and Shura.
Finally arriving at Aquarius Palace, Saori Kido paused briefly before the palace gate; she said to Saga, "I will go in alone; you wait here for a while!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Saga released his hand and quietly stepped back, leaving space for Saori and Li Yu to meet alone.
Saori Kido took a deep breath and stepped into Aquarius Palace.
Inside Aquarius Palace, Li Yu, wearing his Gold Cloth and a white cape, stood in the center of the palace.
He did not kneel like the other Saints, but merely nodded slightly in greeting.
"Your Highness Athena!"
Saori Kido gazed deeply into Li Yu's dark eyes; after a moment, she suddenly smiled, her smile carrying the youthful vivacity of a girl, shedding her previous solemnity.
"I owe my ability to enter the Sanctuary alive this time to you, Sir Li Yu."
Li Yu bowed his head slightly, his tone humble.
"I wouldn't dare; Yu merely did his duty."
"There's no need to be modest; your strength and dedication are evident to all."
Saori Kido nodded slightly, then changed the subject.
"Speaking of which, this is our first meeting, isn't it?"
Li Yu's lips curved slightly, with a hint of teasing.
"In the Pope's Chamber, Your Highness should have spoken with me; have you forgotten?"
Saori Kido chuckled softly.
"I am not the Goddess Athena, or rather, not entirely; the goddess's memories and power are too vast, and my current body cannot fully bear them. So, you can consider me Saori Kido."
Li Yu understood in his heart that Saori was hinting that the previous unpleasantness between Athena and him was now completely forgiven, which was also what they had agreed upon before the Bronze Five began their challenge.
He did not deny it, stating calmly, "That's natural; it will certainly take some time for Your Highness to reclaim her divine power."
"That's good then."
Saori Kido smiled brightly, no longer lingering, and walked towards the Summit of Holy Mountain.
Saga followed behind her, and as he passed Li Yu, his eyes were full of emotion; in the entire Sanctuary, only Li Yu dared to speak to the goddess's reincarnation in such a manner.
As Athena stepped into the Divine Palace, a golden pillar of light shot into the sky!
This was her declaration to all people, and even to the gods, that I—Athena—have returned!