Saint Seiya, but Athena who disobeys?

This is the power to rule over all witches! Though it is only directed at a specific group, amplified by the mystical ritual, it is enough to cover the entire kingdom. Even in Perseus's current state, he is capable of controlling all the witches and priestesses in this land.

Guinevere, as the progenitor of the gods, could naturally resist this domination. But what about the other witches and priestesses of this land? Could they resist? Long before the battle began, Perseus had been secretly laying the groundwork for victory—making the witches of an entire kingdom the foundation upon which He would complete His final ritual!

A crucial point overlooked by everyone: Before his initial challenge, Perseus had already subtly activated his powers, bringing all the witches and priestesses of Fusang under his control! However, the brilliance of this astonishing move was completely overshadowed by the earth-shattering divine spear he subsequently unleashed. "A vast secret ritual covering the entire kingdom, a privilege of Tiamat seized from my own people. Now, it has become Perseus's trump card to reverse defeat and turn the tide of battle, heh heh..."

"...The Triune Lord of the Night, what will you do now?" Guinevere smiled. "It's your turn to step in now."

At some point, Athena's figure had grown taller and more mature, and a black veil had fallen above her head to obscure her face. Her gaze pierced through the realms of the underworld, fixed on Seiya on the battlefield, her face devoid of any emotion.

“No need, Pegasus has already experienced this situation once before,” He said.

At the end of his life, Perseus vomited blood mixed with his internal organs, yet a smile played on his lips. For he saw the god-slaying pegasus before him, facing the same dire situation as himself.

Perseus, who was critically injured and on the verge of death, Pegasus, who was critically injured and on the verge of death, and Seiya, who was critically injured and on the verge of death, were forcibly linked through the authority of the Earth Mother.

"This is my path to victory, Pegasus!" Perseus let out a triumphant laugh, as if his life force had been completely consumed. "How was it? The feeling of being severely injured by your own 'Pegasus Meteor'... wasn't it wonderful?!"

"Indeed excellent." The Saint Seiya rarely expressed his approval of the god before him.

Perseus sneered, but it was only Tianma's stubbornness that quickly crumbled.

Both their lives came to an end, His as well. After the maniacal laughter, His divine body could no longer be sustained. However—

hum! ! !

A more intense and purer radiance of the sun suddenly erupted from His dead remains! The new Perseus—the glorious Perseus Mithras—was reborn from the ashes!

He was reborn, and the divine steel sword was once again firmly in his hand! But the god-slaying pegasus before him was as if it had fallen into an abyss, enduring the same desperate situation that He had just experienced!

Perhaps it was the ecstasy of victory in sight, or perhaps it was the release of long-suppressed frustration, but the newly reborn Perseus's chest seemed to burst with words: "How about it? I've always wanted to see this expression on your face, this pitiful expression of helplessness in the face of your mythical nemesis! Pegasus, let me taste your pain once more!"

however--

At this moment, what met His ecstatic eyes was still Seiya with his fist clenched!

On that fist burned a microcosm that transcended limits and even life and death!

—Pegasus Light Speed ​​Fist!!!

Chapter 75: The Setting Sun, Perseus's Departure

The final light of life! A final, unprecedented blow that surpasses all previous ones! Like the torrent at the dawn of the universe, it is branded fiercely onto the chest of the newborn Perseus!

The extreme pain, as if his internal organs had been instantly crushed, froze and twisted Perseus's ecstatic expression! His gaze was fixed on that figure who, even with his life exhausted, was still supported by the fire of his soul, standing proudly upright!

Seiya's figure closed in at the speed of light, his hand, stained with divine blood, gripping Perseus's head tightly!

"First of all, congratulations on successfully entering the second stage." The semi-transparent Seiya spoke with a rare, almost cold, approval in his voice, "But..."

His fingers suddenly exerted force!

"...You talk too much nonsense! Just like your friend Vereslana!"

Almost the same thing happened to Perseus, and now His true name can no longer be hidden.

"Mithras, the Hero of Light. This is the name you have been hiding!"

The lock that connects Mithras and Perseus is a symbol of a hero from the East.

It wasn't just heroes who came from the East; indeed, the sun also rises from the East. In other words, the embodiment of the sun from the East is the meaning behind the name Perseus.

"You were originally just Perseus—a man from the East, a stranger who saved Princess Andromeda from the serpent's stalk, the serpent-slayer... You were originally just such a simple being."

What Vereslana couldn't comprehend before Perseus appeared before his eyes: though life was nearing its end, an even more surging power erupted from his soul. Countless rays of light, as dazzling as stars, spread across the entire sky; each of these rays of light was a weapon to slay Perseus Mithras.

"Since ancient times, there have been many heroes who fought against snakes and dragons. You are a typical example. You defeated the snake and became a hero who saved the beauty. Why did they fight against snakes? It is because snakes and dragons were once the Earth Mother Goddesses who ruled the divine realm—they have fallen into the pathetic form of evil monsters."

Now, Seiya still has the knowledge of being the Earth Mother Goddess that Athena passed on to him.

Because without starting here, it is impossible to understand the essence of the "dragon slayer". In the primitive world where the Earth Mother Goddess was worshipped as the supreme deity, the pinnacle of power was women.

"The Queen of the Gods was overthrown as a demonic beast. As a result, the world, with the goddess at its zenith, collapsed. Warriors wielding bronze and iron weapons reigned supreme, ruling nations by force. And the mission of you steel heroes is to create a brutal world!"

Words are light, words are swords, words are power. It seems that the war god from Veleslana sensed the presence of Mitra, and at this moment, this power is transforming into a weapon with unprecedented activity.

"Your hidden second name—Mithras, the place where this god is worshipped and reigns supreme at the center of the world, is the country we know as Rome. The people of this country worship gods introduced from abroad, thus establishing a new religion, and have a very generous and reckless penchant for it."

That's right, a god brought in from outside.

For example, Hibernia from Asia Minor, Isis from Egypt, and even Moses were introduced into the country. The early Roman Empire imported all sorts of gods, prophets, and beliefs from around the world, and then added its own adjustments, transforming the original deities into gods with a Roman style.

One of them is Mithras.

It is precisely because he possesses the mythological lineage of Mithra that he was able to seal the power of Veleslana.

"The birthplace of the Outer God Mithras was Persia, located east of Rome. There was also a god who came from the east, Helios—the Greek sun god who had his own palace at the easternmost point of the world, and was known in Rome as the god of Thor!"

With a thought, the power that had sealed his God Cloth Veleslana instantly crumbled. This was the supreme weapon wielded by the warrior, a special attack sword imbued with words to sever divine power... The God Cloth Veleslana returned, and Saint Seiya clenched his fist, the god-slaying fist that erupted from his burning soul already locked onto the reborn Perseus Mithras.

"Then, O rising sun of the east, grant me strength! Grant my friend Ursragna the hammer of defeat!" Perseus continued chanting the mantra, attempting to repeat his previous tactic.

However, His high-speed divine pronouncements abruptly ceased midway through the release—

Because the Saint's fist, burning with his soul, had pierced through His chest.

The sun of His resurrection has burned out, and there is absolutely no possibility of Him resurrecting Him again!

The outcome was no longer in doubt. Seiya clearly sensed that deep within the netherworld, a magnificent, boundless golden disc was slowly rotating! It would crush the defeated Perseus's body, divine essence, and divine power, turning them into the spoils of the victor!

The Usurpation Disc would take a moment to fully activate. Seiya removed his Cloth and slowly approached the dying Perseus.

“I have lost, and I accept it wholeheartedly.” Perseus smiled calmly. “This head, this myth, are yours to take.”

As a heroic god who slew the Earth Mother Goddess and wielded her power, He could also face everything as a loser with the same magnanimity. In this respect alone, He was far superior to Susanoo, who was also a Steel God.

“But… it seems you too will be going to the underworld with me.” Perseus changed the subject, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

He was referring, of course, to Seiya's current state of utter exhaustion. Having fought this fiercely, He was certain that this Pegasus did not possess the power to resurrect the dead. That power called "Sunburst Manifestation" might hold promise for the future, but for now—dragging his nemesis down with him wasn't so bad.

“It is precisely because you always harbor such foolish thoughts,” Seiya’s voice was as calm as still water, “that you will die by my hand.”

He looked directly into Perseus's gradually dimming eyes:

"Recognize my face. If you ever return to the human world again—don't get lost."

The final holy sword was drawn, its platinum-gold light tracing a chilling arc, and Perseus's head fell to the ground. In the instant his head hit the earth, everything that belonged to him was greedily swallowed by the magnificent golden disc in the underworld. In a mere fraction of a second, Seiya precisely seized what he needed.

At this moment, Seiya also felt that his life was coming to an end, but he was not worried. The instant he turned around, the goddess bathed in starlight stood behind him.

That is Athena, of course.

Bathed in starlight, Athena appeared slender and graceful, yet exuded an unusual and powerful aura. The night breeze ruffled Athena's hair, but the scene itself created a strange sensation. Each shimmering, silvery-white strand of hair appeared to Seiya like a snake dancing in the night wind.

Seiya's forward steps suddenly came to an abrupt halt.

At this moment, he felt his remaining body and power being constantly stirred—this was the talent of a god-slayer, the change that occurred within the body of a foolish god-slayer when approaching a god who was also his enemy. Seiya, sensing this, paused his breath.

What's going on? Can the Godslayer's talent also malfunction? Or is it a problem with Perseus?

No matter the situation, the Saint Seiya did not hesitate, but at this moment, the goddess of the Trinity revealed a sweet smile that she had never shown before. Under Seiya's gaze, she gently cupped her face, enveloping him entirely with a kiss from the fragrance of jasmine.

Chapter 76: A New Storm Has Arrived

Seiya's thoughts were completely occupied by the goddess before him.

In an instant, they embraced tightly. There was nowhere to escape; a kiss that would last forever.

The god-slaying ability was frantically issuing warnings, constantly sending battle signals to Seiya's brain. However, his eyelids were as heavy as lead, and his face and even his entire body seemed to be controlled by invisible threads, sinking into this unsettling intimacy.

Seiya had experienced the molting snake, the monthly bleeding woman, and the immortal power that transcends the gap between winter and spring before, but this time was completely different.

From Athena's lips, a dormant power quietly entered Seiya's body.

The goddess noticed his hazy gaze and revealed a smile that was unlike any other Athena's—a smile as vast as the night sky encompassing all the stars. She gently pulled the Saint into her embrace, the fragrance of jasmine surrounding him.

"The places Saints go to are usually places of death, aren't they... Seiya. When the time is right, you will truly become my Pegasus."

His last vestiges of consciousness compelled Seiya to stare intently at the goddess before him, and in that moment he finally realized the subtle difference.

—Her hair shimmered with a faint silver hue, as if dissolved in the moon.

—Like the condensed darkness of the night, pitch-black pupils.

—An ancient goddess with a more sacred form.

"You are... Metis!"

Metis, the earliest symbol in the triune Mother of God, represents the mother's sigh, the queen's shame, and the old woman's wisdom. She is the primordial earth goddess and also the first father in later mythological evolution.

At this moment, Gorgon's maternal period has ended, and what now appears before the Saints are the rebellious gods as their enemies.

The final scene shows Seiya seeing the Triune goddess holding the Tablet of Prometheus. The radiance of the fire-stealer envelops his entire body.

Holding secret authority, this meant that neither humans nor gods could witness what was happening in this world. For humanity, they witnessed yet another disobedient god returning to mythology, and this was even a Steel God known for his immense power.

Thirty kilometers away, a luxury cruise ship converted from a former Royal Netherlands Navy Cottenair-class frigate remained silently anchored in the harbor, like a frozen behemoth, without moving an inch further.

"Dust to dust, ashes to ashes. Looks like we're a step too late, old wolf king." On the deck of the cruise ship, the Sword King Tony, hands in his pockets, looked in the direction of the Ryukyu Islands and pursed his lips.

The cruise ship's owner, the gaunt old devil exuding an abyss-like aura—Marquis Voban—stared withered eyes at the last rays of the setting sun where the sea met the sky.

The sea dragon Tiamat, which he had painstakingly summoned over several years, was intercepted and killed by Perseus. He had intended to use this arrogant steel god as "compensation," making him his new prey and opponent. However, the result was that the opponent did not bother to wait for their intervention and preemptively decided to fight to the death with "Pegasus."

“Stealing my prey… This newcomer is just as ill-mannered as you, Tony.” Marquis Voban’s voice was as soft as a cold wind.

"Haha, you think so too?" Tony scratched the back of his head, revealing his signature cheerful (or rather, carefree) smile. "Actually, the moment I saw him, I knew Seiya and I were kindred spirits!"

From birth, Tony possessed an acute ability to perceive others' good or evil intentions towards him. When he honed his "mind's eye" to its ultimate level, this ability reached a pinnacle. Therefore, the moment he first met Seiya, he was absolutely certain—he had to have a good, satisfying fight with him!

"Fool, do you think I'm praising you?" Marquis Voban glanced coldly at the young man in the flashy T-shirt on the deck, said indifferently, and turned to leave. "Since he dared to steal my prey, then don't blame me for... taking action against his prey as well."

"Hey, is this really a good idea? Interfering in someone else's agreed-upon battle is not chivalrous!" Tony shouted from behind.

The old wolf king no longer responded, for the gray knights before him had blocked the sword king's path. Knights, indeed? For the past three hundred years, all the knights had become his loyal pack of wolves, whether they obeyed or defied him, the outcome was the same.

Seeing this, Tony could only shrug helplessly, his gaze once again turning to the island in the direction of the sunset. Watching the knights who had arrived—some through spatial teleportation, some via the Netherworld, and some by long-distance raids—he scratched his blond hair and muttered to himself:

"What I really wanted to say was... this Steel Hero God should have been my prey, right?"

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When Seiya opened his eyes again, he saw a Japanese-style screen and two knights waiting by his bedside—Erica Brantri and Seijuin Ena.

"Seiya! You're awake!"

"The power of Rizhao has appeared!"

The faint dark circles under the eyes of the nominal First and Second Knights were clearly visible. Seiya immediately understood that they must have been protecting him until now. Ena's protection might still carry the implication of Japanese lord-subjective discipline, while Erica... was probably more a result of competing with Ena.

After the two of them carefully helped him up as if he were a seriously ill patient, Seiya took a sip of the hot soup that Erica handed him and asked, "How long have I been asleep?"

“Still three days,” Erica answered first.

"Still three days? This is getting a bit unsettling." Seiya frowned slightly, thinking this. At that moment, the image of the goddess's smile flashed through his mind again. He never imagined Athena would turn against him. This was something he had never anticipated.

"Should we summon the head priestess of Saya-no-miya? She has already gathered the priestesses of Musashino and is preparing to perform some secret rituals that may be effective for you." Kiyoshuin Ena finally found an opportunity to interject.

Seiya waved his hand, indicating that there was no need for such a fuss.

He was very clear that his physical condition was not only perfectly fine, but even... exceptionally good.

Before falling asleep, he wasn't worried about his safety, because no matter whether it was Athena, Metis, or Medusa who showed him at that moment, their love for him... well, let's just call it love for now, remained unchanged. But thinking about this made Seiya feel a little pained, even though he didn't seem to have lost anything.

Seiya clearly remembers the final moment when Metis lifted the Prometheus Tablet. Ironically, Athena perfectly met the conditions for using this divine artifact, because her interactions with him, her understanding of him, and their relationship all aligned with the conditions for Prometheus's use.

Chapter 77: Constant Reorganization, Infinite Strengthening

However, after Seiya carefully examined the body, he found nothing unusual. It was a perfect resurrection, the body brimming with power was even stronger than before, and the power and Cloth were completely at his command... Thinking of this, Seiya suddenly understood.

He did not possess the new powers gained from killing Perseus, nor the Perseus Cloth that he should have acquired.

Although he had never actually used it, the power and the Cloth were his own possessions. Seiya closed his eyes, and the unseen connection allowed him to sense the call coming from the due west.

That is the Mediterranean Sea, nestled between Europe, Africa, and Asia, surrounded on three sides.

—It is also where it all began.

Erica and Seijuin Ena saw their lord close his eyes, and only when he slowly opened them did they make their first request after waking up.