[327] : Invincible Physique—Back in Sanctuary!

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After years of traveling through other worlds, and years of quiet study in Orario—Mika finally absorbed the vast knowledge bestowed upon him by the Counter Force.

He awoke in the darkness, his eyes glowing faintly.

While this influx of knowledge hadn't significantly increased his current power, it had smoothed his path forward, clarifying his goals and expanding his possibilities.

"It's a liberating feeling," Mika murmured, a smile playing on his lips as he looked towards the sky, his gaze distant. "I've been idle for far too long. It's time to stretch my wings and explore new horizons."

While he always planned carefully, avoiding unnecessary risks, he thrived in challenging situations, his adventurous spirit drawn to danger.

While he enjoyed research, the thrill of creating magical artifacts and forging powerful weapons, he preferred the visceral excitement of battle.

His earlier focus on training Gon and Killua, his battles against the Chimera Ants, had been driven by this very need, a desire to test his limits, to find a worthy opponent.

Even without his Cosmo, his magic, or his other abilities—his Falna-enhanced physique alone made him practically invincible in most worlds.

Therefore, encountering the Chimera Ants, with their immense potential, had been a welcome challenge.

He had deliberately nurtured their growth, hoping to create a truly formidable opponent, a test worthy of his abilities.

Now, having spent years in quiet contemplation, absorbing the Counter Force's knowledge, his occasional dungeon expeditions were a mere distraction, he felt that familiar restlessness returning, his desire for action growing stronger.

"Where to first—?"

Mika considered his options, his brow furrowing slightly.

He decided on the Saint Seiya World, the Gold Saints, warriors whose power was immense, their numbers sufficient to provide a—satisfying challenge.

He could face them all at once, a true test of his abilities. He couldn't find such a convenient group of opponents in other worlds.

And only in Sanctuary—as Pope—could he command the Gold Saints to fight him, to participate in his…games.

"Sanctuary it is, then—"

Mika left his room and headed towards Airmid's.

He would be taking her and Mellie with him on this journey, allowing them to claim the Sagittarius and Pisces Gold Cloths, respectively, and providing them with an opportunity to train and grow stronger in the Saint Seiya world.

Mika needed to discuss his plans with them.

——

——

The next morning, refreshed and revitalized, they woke up late.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Mika, eager to complete his research and resume his travels, hadn't wasted a single moment, meditating even during the night.

This meant they had been sleeping separately for quite some time.

He wasn't exactly known for his... self-control.

Having two beautiful women sleeping beside him was a distraction he couldn't ignore. Now that his research was complete, they could finally reconnect.

They enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, then went to Yahweh's office to discuss their plans.

Now that he could transport Gods to other worlds, she intended to join them on their journeys, instead of relying on Gabriel—She would participate directly.

As for Gabriel, considering her close bond with Mika, Airmid, and Mellie, forged through countless adventures in other worlds, Yahweh, using a technique similar to the creation of dryads, had granted her an independent existence.

In ancient times, before the Falna system, it had been the spirits—avatars of the Gods, who had empowered the Heroes of the age.

Now, as a Dryad, a spirit with her own consciousness, Gabriel had also begun training, mastering various power systems.

As expected of a long-time companion of Mika's, her understanding of these abilities was comparable to Airmid and Mellie's, perhaps even greater, thanks to Yahweh's divine influence. If not for Mika's acquisition of the Counter Force's knowledge, he might even be weaker than her. As expected of a Dryad.

"So, Mika, you've finished processing the knowledge, I see. And judging by your companions… you're planning another journey?" Yahweh asked with a smile, sensing their intentions.

"Indeed. Since you're so perceptive, why don't you guess our destination?"

"The Saint Seiya World, I presume," she replied, a subtle smile playing on her lips.

"You guessed it already?" Mika asked, surprised. He hadn't said anything.

"It wasn't difficult. You brought Airmid and Mellie with you. And of the worlds you can currently access, considering you've already visited the others, and their power systems aren't challenging enough for you, that leaves only three: the Type-Moon world, the High School DxD world, and the Saint Seiya world. You just returned from the first, and you wouldn't take them to the second. That leaves only one option." As his companion and mentor, she understood his motivations.

——

——

"Was it really that obvious?" Airmid asked, surprised.

"It was," Mellie replied, before Yahweh could respond.

As Mika's strategist, and having access to the same information, her deductions were just as accurate. After all, Mika had never hidden his activities in the High School DxD world from her.

"Fine, you win," Mika conceded, shaking his head.

He pushed aside his apprehension and turned to Yahweh, extending his hand. "So, are you joining us?"

"Of course!" She took his hand, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Then let's go. We'll bring Athena as well."

He had been calling her "Saori," but now, having confirmed his ability to transport Gods, and with Athena's consciousness awakening within her, her transformation into her divine form accelerating, he now addressed her by her true title.

After all, Saori Kido was merely her current vessel, not her true essence.

The true Athena was the ancient Greek Goddess, the culmination of countless reincarnations, a being far greater than a single human life.

In a sense, with Athena's awakening, Saori Kido had ceased to exist, a realization that had given Mika pause. However, he didn't resent her.

They were, after all, the same person.

And it was Athena's consciousness that he had interacted with most, even before her full awakening.

Therefore, while she had been dominant, he had called her "Saori." Now, however, he addressed her as Athena.

But she, too, was smart...

Having seen Mika's potential, she wouldn't risk alienating him.

Therefore, mimicking Yahweh's method, she planned to create a Dryad, an independent entity embodying her Saori Kido persona.

However, that would have to wait until she regained her full power. Mika was aware of this plan, having been present when she discussed it with Yahweh.

——

——

"Back in Sanctuary..."

Mika murmured, stepping onto the balcony of the Pope's chambers and looking down at the familiar landscape, his mind filled with memories of his battles against the Gold Saints.

It was exhilarating, but this wasn't the time for such reminiscing.

He summoned the Gold Saints and introduced Airmid and Mellie, explaining that they were being trained by a Goddess and would soon inherit the Sagittarius and Pisces Gold Cloths.

The Gold Saints, their strength and confidence enhanced by Mika's training, readily accepted this news.

After all, Mika had shared his plans for ending the cycle of Holy Wars in this generation—further igniting their fighting spirit.

They welcomed any powerful allies.

After introducing Airmid and Mellie, he then introduced Yahweh.

This, after all, was Sanctuary, and the Saints' enemies were Gods. Without a proper introduction, she wouldn't be able to move freely, unless she fought her way through.

He presented her as a close friend of Athena's, a powerful Goddess who had secretly aided Sanctuary in the past, now returning to offer her support.

This earned her the Gold Saints' respect.

While there was no record of such aid in Sanctuary's archives, it wasn't unusual. After all, they hadn't even known about Athena's Sacred Cloth.

Many secrets were passed down orally through generations of Popes, and with the current disruption in leadership, that chain of inheritance had been broken.

Besides, Mika wouldn't lie to them, would he?

He smiled inwardly, seeing their unquestioning trust.

He hadn't lied, technically...

Yahweh had aided Sanctuary, though that "aid" had been his own intervention, helping Athena defeat Saga and reclaim her rightful place.

"Now then, let the training begin!"

Having concluded the introductions, he eagerly resumed his duels with the Gold Saints.

Unlike his previous departure, time hadn't been completely stopped. After all, he had left Airmid and Mellie here to train their Cosmo.

And during his absence, the Gold Saints had continued their training as well.

Mika, before leaving, had taught them how to create pocket dimensions, a technique now mastered by the spatially-inclined Gold Saints.

Therefore, their training hadn't been interrupted.

In fact, it had intensified, their power increasing significantly.

Now, upon his return, almost all of them had reached the peak of the Seventh Sense, several even touching upon the Eighth.

Their progress was remarkable.

He smiled and, after effortlessly defeating them once more, insisted they use Divine weapons in their next duels, claiming it wouldn't be a proper training session otherwise.

He even had Saori "convince" them.

And so, his opponents were now Gold Saints wielding Divine weapons, the battles even more intense.

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