After a week of training, Steve had finally made progress. He hadn't yet reached the point of shattering boulders with a single punch, but he had successfully sensed his Cosmos and was just one step away from awakening his Sixth Sense.
Awakening his Cosmos had opened Steve's eyes to its wonders.
The initial awakening not only enhanced his physical abilities but also, as Shion had said, revealed the true self of all things. While words and appearances could deceive, the Cosmos never lied. By sensing another's Cosmos, Steve could discern their sincerity. Once his Sixth Sense fully awakened, he could even delve into mind-reading with further training—though he had no need for that. Simply judging a person's character was enough.
anwhile, Peggy had successfully integrated into the school. As an elite agent, she was well-versed in various subjects, including mathematics and English. While not on par with professional professors, she was more than capable of teaching children. Her beauty and commanding presence won over countless young hearts on the first day, with so even declaring they would marry her when they grew up.
It was a day of budding crushes—and shattered dreams.
When faced with such declarations, Peggy rely smiled and announced she was already taken.
The children, unwilling to accept this, demanded to know who the lucky man was, vowing to rescue their "princess" from the clutches of the "big bad wolf."
And then they learned the truth:
Steve Rogers, Bronze Saint of the Shield constellation.
Their dreams were crushed.
Not only were none of them Saints, but they also understood the unspoken rule—Steve was now their comrade, a future ally. They couldn't bring themselves to challenge him.
As for Howard, he had been obsessively studying the Sanctuary's black-tech telephone, only to hit a dead end. The device's ability to make wireless transatlantic calls wasn't based on conventional technology—it relied on Cosmos-infused chanisms.
As a re mortal, Howard was stumped. He briefly considered training his own Cosmos, both for personal strength and research benefits—until Steve ntioned the first lesson involved punching boulders into dust.
Howard imdiately abandoned the idea.
"I rely on my brain, not brute strength!" he declared proudly.
This earned him a collective beating from every Saint and trainee present—including Steve, who, ironically, hit him the hardest.
Still, Howard wasn't entirely without gains. Through the Sanctuary's ancient texts, he uncovered knowledge long lost to the modern world—including records of Orichalcum, the divine tal.
In gratitude, Howard made a grand declaration:
"From now on, the Sanctuary's financial needs are on ! Renovations? Expansion? Consider it done!"
"Need a school? I'll build the biggest, most advanced one!"
"Lacking teachers? I'll hire the world's top professors in every field!"
"They refuse? I'll drown them in money! No one resists wealth—unless they're Saints. Then, well… that's fine."
But a week later, the trio's worst fears ca true.
Senator Brandt's n had arrived in Athens.
Through local authorities, they attempted to establish contact with the Sanctuary.
Shion, however, ignored them.
With a single glance at their Cosmos, he saw the filth in their souls.
After days of being left in the cold, the envoys grew impatient. They tried to force their way up Mount Lycabettus—only to end up like the unfortunate explorers before them, lost in the mist and dumped back at the foot of the mountain.
Frustrated, they resorted to threatening the local governnt.
This was the last straw.
Shion sent Saga down the mountain.
With a single "Galaxian Illusion Fist," Saga shattered their minds, reducing them to vegetables.
The brutality of the act horrified Steve, Peggy, and Howard.
"Elder… isn't this a bit… excessive?" Howard asked, shaken. The kindly old man they knew had just destroyed lives without hesitation.
"The Sanctuary's dignity is inviolable," Shion replied, his voice icy. "Those under our protection shall not be bullied."
In that mont, the trio saw the true face of the veteran who had survived the Holy War.
"But this could escalate things," Steve worried. "Brandt will twist the story, and our countries might clash."
"He won't," Peggy said calmly. "Those n weren't from his departnt. If he reports this, he'll be exposed for misusing resources—and lose his position."
"But what if he does?"
"Then we have Howard," Peggy smirked.
Howard's Stark Industries was the backbone of the Allied war effort. No nation dared cross him, and his influence at ho was earth-shaking.
If the U.S. ever considered war with the Sanctuary, Howard's word alone could stop it.
"Elder… you planned this, didn't you?" Howard sighed, impressed by Shion's foresight.
"Guess," Shion replied cryptically—though internally, he was sweating.
He hadn't thought that far ahead.
To him, the consequences were irrelevant. If the U.S. provoked the Sanctuary, a few Saints could level cities across the ocean.
Even if he reported this to Myrin, the god would likely applaud the decision.
After all, fear was the best teacher for the arrogant.
anwhile, in India…
Myrin hung up the phone, satisfied.
Steve becoming a Saint was an unexpected boon—tying the Captain to their cause early.
Though only a Bronze Saint for now, Myrin believed Steve's potential rivaled the Gold Saints.
As for the U.S. envoys, Myrin fully endorsed Shion's actions. While the Sanctuary needed outside cooperation, those who disrespected it would face divine retribution.
Those who aided the Sanctuary, like Howard, would be rewarded.
Myrin's Blessing—a boon from a Main God—was a privilege even in the Age of Myths.
But for now, Myrin had other concerns.
His journey south had nearly reclaid all the lost artifacts. Only a few remained.
India, however, was a disaster.
A populous yet weak nation, its military was useless in the war, relying entirely on foreign aid while acting entitled.
Pathetic.
Yet hidden in this land was a crucial artifact—the Wooden Rosary of Shaka, the Virgo Gold Saint's ultimate weapon against Hades' army.
Without it, even with Myrin's return and Athena's awakening, the Sanctuary would be at a severe disadvantage in the Holy War.
In the Age of Myths, not even Myrin and Athena could bypass Hades' rules.
Unless Hades was slain, the 108 Specters would revive endlessly.
But intuition told Myrin this trip would yield more than the rosary.
Perhaps… a reunion with an old friend.
"I wonder if those cowards are still alive," Myrin mused. "Useless in strength and virtue, but masters of running away. If not for that one decent fellow, I'd have wiped them out back then."
"But since I'm not at full power yet… best to keep a low profile."
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