"This is New York? So bustling!" Aldebaran marveled at the lively sights around him.
"Calm down, kid. This is just the beginning," Asura mocked. This really was a country bumpkin—he'd never seen the opulence of palaces belonging to the main gods in the mythological age. Even his own royal palace was leagues more luxurious than this still-developing city.
And then there was the Sanctuary. Though it seed a little run-down now, at its peak, it was a place even gods envied—especially its wealth. Thanks to lin and Athena's reputation, many minor gods bowed down and willingly paid tribute just to avoid the Sanctuary's attention, offering untold riches.
Even treasures belonging to major gods were seized by lin under the excuse that "Athena liked them."
"Well… I am from the countryside," Aldebaran said, scratching his head.
"You… sigh, forget it, kid. Just stick with lin. You'll be living the good life soon enough," Asura patted him on the shoulder comfortingly, thinking to himself, This kid really is an honest one. Didn't even catch that I was teasing him.
"Asura, watch your words. We're not so kind of criminal organization," lin scolded. How did such a sacred place like the Sanctuary end up sounding like a mafia group when it ca out of Asura's mouth?
"Yes, yes, you're the boss, whatever you say." Asura spread his hands, exasperated. These words might fool a child, but in the mythological era, everyone knew lin was the world's greatest bandit. For his beloved Athena, he'd robbed the crowns off the heads of goddesses from various pantheons. To fund Saint bonuses, he'd raided treasure vaults left and right—his in-laws suffered the most.
"Alright, Aldy. Don't be so shy. Rember, you're now a candidate Saint, a mber of the Sanctuary. Out there, you represent our face. These sights may look glamorous, but you have no idea what filth lies beneath the surface. So don't just look with your eyes—use your Cosmos. Understand?" lin instructed.
"Yes, Master. I understand," Aldebaran nodded solemnly.
Having followed lin to Arica, Aldebaran had already accepted his role in the Sanctuary. He deeply respected lin. Thanks to Asura's subtle hints, he now knew what the Sanctuary truly was, what Saints ant, and just how noble lin's status really was.
To think a lofty god would treat him—a re mortal—like a kindly uncle, patiently teaching him… Aldebaran resolved to repay lin's trust and beco the next Taurus Gold Saint.
"Hmm? Those Cosmos… lin, when did the Sanctuary start operations in New York?" Asura sensed five Cosmos with a strong Sanctuary signature—four Saints, and one with the aura of a leader.
"Heh, Shion is still as ticulous as ever. This wasn't really necessary." If Asura sensed it, so did lin, and he could even tell who was who.
Just as expected, a motorcade pulled up in front of them monts later.
Shion stepped out with Aiolia, followed by Orpheus and Rubione. Behind them were Steve, Howard, and Peggy.
"Greetings, Lord lin!" Shion and the three Saints knelt on one knee in salute, making Steve rather uncomfortable.
Though he was now a Saint himself and felt an instinctive reverence for lin at first sight, kneeling was still too much for him.
"Alright, get up. This isn't the Sanctuary. Don't let others laugh at us." lin smiled and helped them to their feet, nodding at Steve.
Steve breathed a sigh of relief. He'd only t lin once, with little interaction, so he wasn't sure what kind of person lin was. But now, he felt the god was quite easygoing.
"Where's Kanon? I doubt he'd miss sothing like this," lin joked.
"Well…" Everyone smiled bitterly.
"Kanon failed his exams and was kept in the Sanctuary for make-ups by His Holiness," Aiolia explained.
"Haha! That's so Kanon. Just as I expected," lin laughed.
"Hello, Mr. lin, I'm…" Howard and Peggy took the chance to greet him.
"I know who you are—Howard Stark, Peggy Carter. Shion has briefed . Thank you for your contributions to the Sanctuary. As long as you align with our ideals, you'll always be our friends," lin replied.
"Thank you very much." Howard and Peggy finally relaxed. All previous agreents had been with Shion, but lin was the true decision-maker. Without his personal assurance, they'd felt constantly on edge.
"As for you… Steve Rogers, Bronze Saint of the Shield Constellation—congratulations," lin said to Steve.
"Thank you very much." For so reason, Steve's knees kept wanting to bend. It wasn't anything lin did—just a subconscious reflex. But he resisted and gave a formal bow.
"Alright, everyone. This isn't the place to chat. I assu you've made arrangents for us, Mr. Stark?" lin asked with a smile.
"Just call Howard, Mr. lin. I've already arranged everything. Please, co aboard." Though Howard was proud and sociable, he wouldn't dare call lin by na—if not out of respect, then because Shion and the others might tear him apart.
"Alright, thank you."
"Please."
The convoy drove into the Stark estate. Just before arriving, Howard turned to lin and said, "Mr. lin, there's sothing I'd like to ask—so top officials in the U.S. want to request a eting with you. Would you…"
"Turn them down. I know exactly what those little ones are up to. Tell them not to ss around," lin declined outright.
"Alright then. I'll deliver the ssage." Howard was actually a bit pleased. He and the others hadn't wanted the higher-ups to know about lin's arrival in the first place, but Shion had insisted: "The Sanctuary has no need to hide. Lord lin's visit must not be taken lightly." So keeping it secret beca impossible.
Howard understood the officials' intentions perfectly—they wanted favors, and maybe to try and threaten him. But if they pushed too hard, it could ruin the delicate relationship Steve and the others had built with the Sanctuary. So he was relieved lin had said no.
"Still… your little secret organization is quite interesting. I'll allow that person to see ," lin added.
"You… you know about that?" Howard was stunned. Only four people knew of the group's existence, and they were the only mbers. How could lin know?
Then again, lin was a true god—an upper-tier one at that. Maybe it wasn't so surprising. And by "that person," he probably ant the only one of the four he hadn't t yet.
"Thank you very much."
"You've earned it."
The convoy arrived. Howard led the group into the estate and ordered the guards to keep everyone else out.
"Stark! What are you doing!?"
"We had an agreent!"
"Sorry, gentlen." Howard shrugged at the angry officials' faces. "Mr. lin doesn't wish to et with you. He asked to tell you: so long as you don't cause trouble, he won't intervene. So… please leave."
"You're lying! We're senators of the world's greatest country!"
"You must have said sothing on the way!"
"Step aside!"
"Believe what you want. I'm just the ssenger. But if you don't leave, I'll call the cops for trespassing. And believe —your titles might not be enough to save you."
"Hmph! This isn't over!"
"You'll pay for this, Stark!"
The angry officials stord off with their bodyguards. Just as Howard expected, none dared to challenge him directly.
After sending them off, Howard gave a few more instructions to the guards and returned inside.
"Mr. lin, the guests have been dismissed."
"Good work." lin waved his hand, sending a wave of vibrant Cosmos into Howard's body. He imdiately felt warm, like his back didn't ache, and his knees stopped hurting. It even felt like sothing new had awakened within him.
"Young man… learn a little moderation," lin teased.
"Er… of course, of course." Howard turned beet red with embarrassnt, his toes curling in his shoes. At the sa ti, he felt he understood lin a bit better. The god wasn't nearly as stiff or solemn as he imagined.
If Asura had heard that, he'd definitely snort, Solemn? A guy who managed to woo one of the brightest goddesses of the mythological age—Athena herself—solemn? Please.
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