"Thanatos!" Hypnos instantly appeared beside Thanatos, supporting him. His usually calm face also showed undisguised shock.
The others present could hardly believe it either. The God of Death had been defeated, and in a contest of 'death' itself.
"The God of Death... has been defeated..." Pandora murmured, her worldview shattered.
Seiya, Deathmask, and Aphrodite were even more dumbfounded, completely unable to comprehend what was happening before them.
A human had repelled a god? And in the god's own domain?
Although the Sanctuary's records stated that this legendary Pope had once wounded Hades-
In their minds, that had likely been an attack coordinated with Athena.
Thanatos stared fixedly at Setsuna. "You also control the authority of death. In fact, your authority is even stronger than mine?"
"Before this, the only one who could surpass me in this authority was Hades-sama..."
Setsuna was noncommittal, simply asking calmly, "Do you want to continue fighting?"
Hypnos took a deep breath, his voice returning to its usual calm. "No need. You have already proven that you are qualified to become a god like us."
"If you are willing to submit to Hades-sama, I believe that, with Hades-sama's magnanimity and wisdom, he will surely grant you the supreme honor of becoming a true god!"
Setsuna was quite speechless. He really was getting the same treatment as Yomi… being offered amnesty and recruitment.
However, he was not the kind to bring a 'boss' with him.
Setsuna shrugged. "Let's talk about it after Hades fully awakens."
Hypnos looked deeply at Setsuna, said nothing, and left with Thanatos and Pandora.
Returning to Hades Castle, Pandora could no longer hold back and spoke. "Hypnos-sama, are we really just going to leave him alone?"
To leave such a dangerous existence free to move about the Underworld was like placing a world-destroying bomb, whose detonation time was unknown, beside Hades's sleeping bed.
Hypnos slowly raised his eyelids. "Pandora, you simply do not understand what an existence like his truly means."
Pandora was stunned.
"Although Thanatos and I are secondary gods in charge of important authorities, with power far beyond mortal imagination..." Hypnos's tone held no self-praise, merely stating a fact.
"But that mortal, his demonstrated control over the authority of 'death' has touched the level of the origin."
Hypnos sighed. "Even if Thanatos and I join forces, we could at most defeat him, but we could not completely suppress him."
Pandora couldn't help but gasp, 'Even the Twin Gods joining forces could not suppress him?'
"Moreover..." Hypnos's tone suddenly became grave. "What I am more concerned about is that a full-scale battle between gods of our level might very well awaken certain unnecessary gods."
"Unnecessary gods?" Pandora was somewhat confused.
Although there were also a vast number of Oneiroi in the Underworld, those tertiary gods were never recognized as true gods by the Twin Gods. The power of some Oneiroi was even weaker than that of Saints.
Thanatos, who had been silent, coldly took over the conversation. "It is Ares, the God of War. He was completely defeated by Athena in the ancient divine war and fled to the Underworld, seeking the protection of Hades-sama."
"Although his strength is far inferior to Hades-sama, he is, after all, also a major god."
"If he is prematurely awakened, given his brutal and warlike nature, during the gap before Hades-sama fully revives, he may cause unnecessary trouble for the Underworld."
Pandora's heart was thrown into turmoil. She never imagined that a second major god was slumbering in the Underworld.
Seeing Pandora's extremely horrified expression, Hypnos soothed her. "Of course, you need not worry too much."
"The Underworld is a world created by Hades-sama. As long as we wait for Hades-sama to completely revive, within the bounds of this Underworld, even a major god will have to bow his head."
"Everything... will return to order under Hades-sama's will!"
…
Meanwhile, Cocytus.
Setsuna now felt somewhat like Aizen in his reflection.
To step over an ant without killing it… this power is difficult to master.
He had used his power very restrainedly, which was why Thanatos got the illusion that he was only slightly stronger.
After his reflection, Setsuna retracted his thoughts.
His gaze turned to the shaken Deathmask and Aphrodite.
Their auras were weak, their life flames like candles flickering in the wind.
Their lives had been somewhat extended by the environment of Cocytus, but now they had finally reached their end.
"Tch." Setsuna clicked his tongue softly, as if somewhat disdainful.
Nevertheless, he casually raised his right hand and lightly pointed at the two.
The Aquatic Duo felt their rapidly fading life force suddenly stop and recover at an astonishing speed.
"Th-this is..." Deathmask looked at his restored body in disbelief.
"Thank you, Lord Pope, for saving our lives!" Aphrodite reacted more quickly, hurriedly kneeling on one knee and thanking him respectfully.
Deathmask also quickly followed suit, kneeling on one knee.
After all, Setsuna's identity was the former former Pope, so they had no psychological burden about this.
Setsuna, however, ignored them and looked toward a distant giant ice pillar.
"You've been watching for so long. Shouldn't you come out now, Pegasus?"
With his words, an invisible force reached out and grabbed Seiya, who was hiding behind the ice pillar thinking himself well concealed, lifting him out like a chick.
"Seiya?" The Aquatic Duo were somewhat surprised. They didn't expect there was someone else in Cocytus.
Seiya's face held a mixture of embarrassment and vigilance as he looked at Setsuna.
A nostalgic look appeared in Setsuna's eyes. "The Pegasus Saint of the last Holy War was my disciple."
"?!" Seiya's eyes widened suddenly.
'The previous Pegasus Saint was this legendary Pope's disciple?'
"Seeing you..." Setsuna's gaze seemed to pierce through to another Space-Time, seeing another young figure burning his Cosmo and fighting to protect Athena. "I cannot help but think of him."
Setsuna sighed, then changed tack. "Your aptitude is good, and your conviction is firm, but you are far too young and far too weak. Would you like me to give you some guidance?"
Seiya was very tempted upon hearing this, but he still refused with difficulty. "Setsuna-sama, thank you very much for your kindness, but I have no time now. I must rescue Saori-sama as soon as possible."
Setsuna, however, shook his head slightly. "With your current strength, let alone saving Athena, you are not even qualified to stand before her."
Seiya's gaze did not flinch. "Even so, I must go! I cannot..."
Setsuna said softly, "If you are worried about time, in the world I create, one month is equivalent to just one hour outside."
Seiya's breathing suddenly quickened. He understood the principle of 'sharpening the axe does not delay the cutting of wood'.
No matter how urgent he was, he could spare a few hours.
He no longer hesitated and bowed deeply to Setsuna. "Setsuna-sama, please guide me!"
"Very good." The corners of Setsuna's mouth lifted slightly. After all, Seiya was the key to Athena being able to kill Hades.
His gaze turned to the stunned Aquatic Duo beside him. "As Gold Saints, your strength is truly unqualified. You bring shame to all the previous generations of Golds."
Deathmask and Aphrodite were rendered speechless and flushed with shame, yet unable to refute.
Setsuna continued, "As the former former Pope, since I have encountered you, I might as well give you some guidance as well."
The Aquatic Duo were overjoyed and quickly imitated Seiya, bowing deeply. "Thank you, Lord Pope! We will train diligently!"