Saint Seiya, but Athena who disobeys?

But just when Aaron thought he was about to succeed, Seiya's figure disappeared again.

"Hmm?" Aaron looked at the spot where Seiya had disappeared with some surprise. All that remained before him were the Specters and the devastated Hades Castle. He glanced at Pandora beside him, whose expression was uncertain, but ultimately didn't investigate further. With a wave of his hand, he completely suppressed the noisy Specters.

"Since Athena has sent Pegasus to declare war, then so be it. If she thinks she can close the gap between the Sanctuary and the Underworld with some tricks and schemes, she is sorely mistaken. I will show those Saints on Earth what an indestructible iron wall is!"

“Pandora!” Aaron suddenly uttered a name.

“Yes, Lord Hades!” Pandora, who was still in a daze, quickly knelt on one knee.

"Then you will command the army of the underworld, from the 108 demon stars to the underworld messengers and demons. You won't disappoint me again, will you, Pandora?" Aaron looked down at the woman kneeling on one knee.

“Yes, Your glory is above all else!” Pandora clenched her fist and pounded her chest, all her hesitation and doubt vanishing.

In any case, we must not allow Lord Hades's reputation to be tarnished again.

"Your Majesty, what should we do with that celestial horse?" Hui Huo asked this crucial question at this moment.

“Don’t worry, I’ve already figured out his fighting techniques that transcend spatial distances.” Aaron looked down at the Specters. “That is, don’t say his name.”

"A name? So that's what it is!" Many Specters showed expressions of sudden realization.

All the questions that hadn't been clear before suddenly connected, because Nagato just happened to appear after he said his name.

"As for the warriors under Athena's command, let the Underworld be their burial place."

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The Underworld, the world created by Hades, is the world where all life in the universe goes after death. Starting from the Agron River, it is divided into eight hells, three valleys, ten moats, and four rings, etc. Every place is an unimaginable, boundless, dark and profound world.

Hades's underworld is a realm beyond the reach of other gods, represented by Athena. Only those whose existence is acknowledged by Hades—that is, only the Specters—are permitted to operate there. Therefore, it has never been invaded by other forces, having stood firm against intrusion since the age of mythology, taking pride in its impregnable defenses. Thus, no matter how many times Athena reincarnates or how many battles she wages, she has never been able to eradicate the forces of Hades.

The Saints, of course, would not travel to the Underworld via the most orthodox Yomotsu Hirasaka, because apart from Cancer, the other Saints are not yet qualified to cross this path to the Underworld.

However, with the Pope's assistance, the Jamir chieftain, the altar priest, Bai Li, waved his hand and opened the passage to the underworld.

Whether it was the army of underworld messengers stationed in the first prison or Aiacos of the Heavenly Hero Star waiting for the arrival of the Saints in the seventh prison, they all saw the figures of warriors from the ground.

Seated on the throne of Hades' city, with his gaze encompassing the underworld and even the earth, Aaron gradually grasped the situation of the Saints. With a wave of his hand, a phantom of a starry sky appeared before his eyes.

"The Leo Saint and Sagittarius Saint appeared on the third floor. Libra Dohko and Aries Shion attacked the second floor... Oh ho ho, even the Pope personally went into battle. Using Cancer's Sekishiki Meikai Ha to clear out the army of underworld messengers was indeed the right method. It seems that the Saints have completely figured out the sphere of influence of the underworld over the years."

Looking at the painting that was about to be completed, Aaron felt no anxiety about the current situation. Instead, he added a few more strokes to the canvas with great interest.

But wouldn't that be blatantly telling me that their Sanctuary headquarters is empty...? Aaron gradually locked onto the tracks of all the known Saints. He could unleash the Law of Death on any Saint if he wanted, but caution prevented him from acting. Only when he finally saw Pegasus's figure in the Sixth Hell of the Underworld did he reveal a joyful expression, "Pandora—"

As Aaron called out, the Vice-Lord of the Underworld, dressed in a purple gothic gown, appeared before him.

"You shall lead the team to take Athena's life," Aaron ordered.

Hearing this perfectly satisfactory command, Pandora was overjoyed, "Yes, sir!"

She strode away from the palace, trident in hand, while Aaron, after a moment of contemplation, found that his unease had not subsided but had intensified. He suddenly called out to Pandora.

"What are your orders, Lord Hades?" Pandora asked, looking at Hades' human form before her.

"Let's call upon the God of Sleep to join us. No matter what, we must kill this goddess this time!" Aaron stood up, his robes fluttering in the wind.

No matter how much the Underworld headquarters sacrifices or how severe the damage, as long as Sasha, the reincarnation of the goddess Athena, can be eliminated, it will be equivalent to the general seizing the commander-in-chief, directly securing victory in this holy war.

Chapter 134: Challenge Pegasus, Specters!

In an instant, platinum lightning tore through the sky, and the sound of mirrors shattering echoed simultaneously within several barriers.

"Can you feel it?" Radamanthys, who was leading the legion stationed on the second level, turned his head to look at his left and right arms.

The Earth Demon Star Specter Papillon and the Heavenly Cry Star Specter Balendane gazed at the sky simultaneously. "A cosmos as dazzling as the sun, this unsettling aura... could it be...!"

The God of War, belonging to Seiya and his Cloth, covered multiple layers of space, and finally transformed into a golden light that tore through the sky in the most magnificent seventh layer of hell.

The enormous lightning bolt resembled a magnificent tree connecting the sky and the earth, and within the light was a figure in red and white.

Meanwhile, in the sky above the seventh level, Aiacos watched the Saint Seiya surrounded by thunder and lightning. His initial astonishment turned to resentment, then to joy and rage. He then propelled his warship toward the figure in the sky.

"—Pegasus!"

Was it any use? The figure in the light showed neither joy nor sorrow. The light belonging to the Specters was completely swallowed up by the barrier on his body, and finally transformed into the corona wheel that illuminated hell, pressing down on every Specter warrior.

The screams of demons and underworld messengers were incessant, and even Aiacos could feel the intense pressure.

"You think you can subdue me with this level of oppression? Pegasus, you are indeed a hundred times more detestable than the rumors suggest!" Aiacos said, but his face was full of smiles. "However, I am grateful that you are here on my level, instead of the Hell guarded by other Specters. Otherwise, how could I have turned my resentment into a punch in your face!"

"Oh? You think your companions will escape unscathed?" Seiya revealed a merciless smile.

"Can you feel it? This microcosm, like the sun."

In the second prison of the underworld, Radamanthys, the most valiant of the Specters, looked at Sagittarius Sisyphus and Leo Regulus, with whom he had a long-standing feud, and said, "My opponents as the Heavenly Fierce Star are not Pegasus, but rather a brat and you, Sisyphus."

Young Regulus looked at the man who had killed his father, but he didn't speak. Instead, he looked at his uncle.

"That's all you can do now, spout nonsense." Sagittarius Sisyphus responded to Rhadamanthus's declaration by drawing his bowstring. "Both you and your wings will die here!"

As arrows flew from fingertips, they rained down upon the magnificent army of Radamanthys.

—In the Third Hell of the Underworld, the handsome Lune, the Star of Heavenly Heroes, looked at Shion, whom he once thought would become his ally, and said, “Have you not realized your mistake yet? Learn from history. Past experience tells me that rash attacks after gaining a slight advantage will only bring destruction. Now you still have a chance to turn back.”

"My answer has already told you: history is written by humanity as it is today. On the contrary, you were doomed to failure from the very beginning when you chose to stand on Hades' side!" Shion was surrounded by the light of star fragments, and beside him, Libra Dohko was already engaged in battle with the Heavenly Storm Starfire.

—The fourth level of the underworld. From this level onwards, even Pope Sage's underworld passage cannot reach this depth. One can only rely on oneself to reach the end.

The Specters also sensed that even more magnificent aura from a deeper depth, but they trusted their comrades and Aiacos, the pinnacle of the Specters. On this level, there were no endless grim reapers or demons clad in Surplice; only a man wreathed in ominous purple lightning.

He was completely different from those arrogant Specters; he possessed a noble appearance and exuded confidence. His long, jet-black hair danced wildly in the wind as he gazed at his former comrades.

“Aspros…!” Capricorn El Cid exclaimed his name with delight, “You’re still alive!”

"Don't go near him!" Aquarius Degel blocked Capricorn's path. "Didn't you notice? His Gemini Cloth and his hair are already tinged with the colors of the underworld."

"Don't call me that so affectionately. I've had enough of you bunch of worthless trash." Gemini Aspros, who attempted to assassinate the Pope and usurp the throne two years ago but failed and died, glanced at the Saints before him and revealed his usual mocking smile. "There's no Sisyphus? Since there's no worthy opponent for me, I'll use you bunch of defective products to pass the time."

Although his words were mostly provocative, the Saints did not get angry. This was because Gemini Aspros was known for his strength in their generation and was the most anticipated candidate for Pope.

Suddenly, a voice rang out from the depths of the dark swamp shrouded in mist, "You guys keep going, I'll deal with Aspros."

But at that moment, Aspros's expression suddenly changed. And emerging from the ominous mist was another man who looked similar.

"Defteros...!" Aspros uttered through gritted teeth!

If we consider Aspros as the light of Gemini, then the blue-haired man before us, Defteros, is the darkness of Gemini, and also the one who killed his own brother.

From the first layer of the battlefield swept by the Pope's burning cosmos and the sludge aura, to the hell that the Saints constantly traverse, whether human or god, Saint or Specter, demon or ghost, everyone can feel the turmoil emanating from the depths of hell.

Should we worry, or feel fear and anxiety? But none of these apply to the Saints.

Currently, the Saints have the upper hand. Although the Specters are extremely arrogant, both sides are well aware that the scales of victory have tipped in favor of the Sanctuary.

The figure that appeared on the seventh floor formed a tangible, purplish-black dragon amidst the shadows on the ground.

In the shadows is Tian Gu Xing Baioret, who is also stationed on the seventh floor. The mad dragon roaring as it faces the figure standing in the sky, bringing immense pressure, is her strongest technique, Dark Incineration!

The extremely pure underworld microcosm was gathered into a huge black-purple beast, which unleashed its full power. The powerful dark energy contained within could incinerate most of the matter it touched. The dark purple dragon easily annihilated the surrounding lightning and flames, and then devoured the figure in the sky.

"It worked!" Violet's face lit up with joy, but the next moment she heard Tianxiongxing Aiacos's anxious cry, "Retreat! You wretched woman!"

The raging dragon passed through the obstacle without any hindrance, and the figure in the light remained, a smile on his lips, yet it gave him a sense of impending death.

The next second, there was lightning and thunder.

The call from Aiacos and the lightning dragon descending from the sky arrived before him at the same time.

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Let's revise the structural order.

Chapter 135: Go for it, big brother piloting the spaceship!

Despair and pain are the catalysts for the Specters.

At this moment, Aiacos finally realized this.

A storm of lightning sealed off all directions. In the center of the world, Seiya's gaze fell upon the furious Aiacos, the Star of Heaven. "How rude of you Specters! From interrupting my reunion with Aaron to this weak and feeble attack, it seems that being in the Underworld for too long has made you forget the fear of the Saints."

"He actually ventured into the seventh level of hell all by himself! Damn Pegasus! He really underestimated us by coming in alone!"

"In Hades Castle the other day, the Saint who dared to slander Lord Hades' glory, that forced retreat—!"

Among the few Heavenly Specters on the seventh floor, the Heavenly Retreat Star Gurell and the Heavenly Lone Star Violet were the first to be unable to bear it, roaring and punching Seiya, but they were still forcibly repelled by the lightning.

This is the effect of Seiya's Orion Cloth: it grants the user the attribute of lightning in their cosmos.

This power of lightning is a natural force, almost instinctive. Therefore, Seiya doesn't need to burn his cosmos to wield it, nor does it consume physical strength or energy. He wields this celestial power as effortlessly as breathing. Legend has it that the owner of the Orion Cloth will become the king of the new world.

"What's wrong? You can't stand it when I just speak to you in your usual tone?" Seiya looked at the Specters who were trying to rush in front of him. "Weak souls, first understand the difference between you and me."

A violent, overwhelming pressure descended from the sky, and the thunder, accompanied by an immense sense of oppression, forced them to their knees. After absorbing the power of the Shinigami, Seiya's Battle God Pressure underwent a second qualitative change; if it was previously merely spiritual pressure, it has now transformed into interference with the real world.

The Specters who wanted to punch Pegasus had their legs sink into the mud. They could hear the groans coming from their own bones. The ground was sinking and everything around them was shaking. Their eyes were fixed on the platinum pupils of Pegasus, which were wrapped in lightning. At this moment, their consciousness was almost blank.

But a familiar roar pulled them back to reality.

"—Indra's Baptism!"

He immediately unleashed a deadly combat technique. Only Aiacos of Tianxiong Star could tear through the raging thunder before him and blast this infernal flame at the hateful Pegasus.

But is it useful? At least for the current situation, it has a positive effect.

The leader Aiacos's deadly attack brought his men back to their senses, but an even greater despair awaited them.

Because he was at the pinnacle of all Specters, Lord Aiacos of the Celestial Hero Star's ultimate attack was actually held firmly in the palm of the Saint Seiya before him.

"If it were a cosmic illusion, it might force me to dodge, but this infernal flame... heh, it would be quite good for grilling." Seiya's gaze fell on Aiacos, the sky king known for his arrogance among the Specters, who stood in front of his subordinates, bearing most of his pressure.

"To be my enemy is your greatest misfortune. May you continue to mourn your tragic fate in the cycle of reincarnation—"

Seiya's fingertips condensed into a corona halo to annihilate evil, but at that very moment, a purple light pierced the sky.

Whether they are Saints or Specters, demons or ghosts, they can all feel the vast cosmos traveling across the sky like a meteor.

Aaron... he's left the Underworld, Seiya realized instantly. It was precisely because of his own appearance that Aaron had made the decision to leave his throne. And the direction he was heading was naturally—the Sanctuary!

"Looks like I need to hurry," Seiya thought, a sense of unease stirring within him. Almost simultaneously, the infernal flames from ahead spiraled towards him!

——Galaxy Demon Eye Flame Burial!

Flames from hell tore through the lightning barrier in the form of rays, and also truly struck the Pegasus's profile as he glanced at the meteor symbolizing the gods of the underworld.

It hit! Both the Heavenly Retreating Star Gurell and the Heavenly Lone Star Violet watched the scene with immense joy. But as the light faded, a halo like a solar corona revolved around Pegasus, completely engulfing the fatal blow.

One of Seiya's strongest defensive combat techniques, Solar Flare.

This was originally a combat technique capable of defending against even divine attacks, representing the pinnacle of mechanical combat techniques. It allows the user to convert an enemy's energy attacks into light that they can control for retaliation, much like the Shining Ring Shield in the Saint Seiya version.

But for the Specters, it was an incredibly terrifying thing. Because they saw that the destructive light that should have injured Pegasus had now transformed into the all-consuming solar flames at Seiya's fingertips, returning to their presence.

The Earthly Fiends who were not of sufficient rank were all reduced to ashes and vanished under the full force of Seiya's attack, while the slightly stronger Heavenly Stars only managed to hold out for a few more seconds. Aiacos also witnessed the light before him, his enormous wings transforming into a shield that enveloped his entire body, but just then, a figure suddenly appeared in front of him.

"Lone Star Baiore! Retreating Star Gurell!" he roared her name in fury. "Bastards, do you think I can't withstand the Pegasus's attack?!"

No matter how much Aiacos roared, the outcome would not change because of his will. The two Specters before him, who could have been his capable subordinates and lovers, were now reduced to charred bodies under that light.

Seiya instinctively took a half-step back, not out of remorse for killing the two Specters loyal to Aiacos. It was a battle between opposing factions, and he couldn't possibly show mercy just because of their brief display of friendship.

But a strong sense of déjà vu washed over him.

However, compared to the Earthly Fiends, the Heavenly Generals still had some breathing bodies under the illumination of this light.

Aiacos instinctively wanted to unleash his cosmos to heal them, but a charred hand gripped the back of his hand. "No need. Use my soul and Gurel's soul as your arrows to shoot at Pegasus."

Aiacos's body trembled uncontrollably, for he understood the words of the Lone Star Violet: she was instructing him to use his strongest attack.

"No need for pain, for I will soon send you and them to reunite in the cycle of reincarnation." Seiya's voice rang out from ahead.

"You want me to suffer? Don't be ridiculous! From the moment I stepped into the Underworld, not a single second has I regretted my loyalty to Lord Hades!"

The fighting techniques emanating from the solar flare protected Seiya's safety as he glanced sideways at the Specters before him, who were burning their cosmos to its limit.

"Pegasus! What you call misfortune is, to me, supreme fortune! I've been overjoyed since the moment you appeared before me! Even if I can't win now, this strike will eventually become the foundation upon which we Specters will defeat you—Burn! My Cosmo!!!"