"You!"
Seeing Kaiser's eyes, Athena swallowed the words she meant to say.
She knew Kaiser was serious.
"Do as you please!"
"If you get into trouble in the Nine Realms, even I can't save you."
Athena said coldly.
Her figure vanished.
"She's throwing a tantrum now?"
Kaiser sighed helplessly.
But Athena had a point.
The risks were indeed immense.
He needed to make preparations.
If he could secure the World Tree's seed, that would be ideal.
If not, he had to ensure a safe retreat.
He needed to plan carefully.
Three days later, Kaiser headed to the Pope Hall.
Pope Saige, Aetius, and Cresto were all present.
"Are you insane?"
After hearing the full story, Saige shot up from the Pope's seat.
His eyes were filled with shock.
"Do you realize what you're saying?"
"You want to join a divine war?"
"I won't allow it!"
Saige clenched his fists, his expression stern.
Aetius and Cresto, standing nearby, also frowned.
This was nothing like the Holy Wars they'd faced.
Holy Wars at least had Athena's support.
The gods rarely descended in person.
At most, they faced third-tier gods.
Second-tier gods were rare.
Even so, the few second-tier gods or avatars of first-tier gods
Had caused the Sanctuary immense suffering in past Holy Wars.
Often, only one or two Gold Saints survived.
Some Holy Wars saw the Gold Saints entirely wiped out.
Now, Kaiser was telling them he wanted to join a divine war.
To seize the Norse pantheon's World Tree seed.
No matter how they looked at it, the risks outweighed the rewards.
"Kaiser, have you thought this through?"
"This isn't a game."
Aetius cautioned.
"Yeah, kid, this is far too dangerous."
Cresto frowned as well.
"Don't worry, with my current strength, most second-tier gods aren't my match."
"I have the Cloth Gem's enhancement."
"And I have my own trump cards."
Kaiser's tone was resolute.
Seeing his determination, the three were utterly helpless.
Kaiser was the Sanctuary's trump card.
If he fell, ending the cycle of Holy Wars in the next one
Would be incredibly difficult.
"Oh, right, take these."
Kaiser pulled out Senzu Beans from his personal space.
Last time, after returning from the Dragon Ball world, he'd rushed to Hell to suppress a demon god.
He'd forgotten about this.
"What are these?"
Saige caught the Senzu Beans Kaiser tossed over.
They looked like ordinary beans.
"These are called Senzu Beans."
"They're remarkable."
"As long as you're not dead, no matter how severe the injury, they'll heal you instantly."
Kaiser's words stunned Aetius and Cresto.
Saige nearly crushed the Senzu Bean in his hand.
"What did you say?"
"Are you serious?"
First, he spoke of joining a divine war.
Now, he produced something like Senzu Beans.
Saige even wondered if Kaiser was some god's avatar.
"You're serious?"
Aetius couldn't hide the excitement in his voice.
Cresto, beside him, was trembling.
They'd endured countless battles.
They knew the value of Senzu Beans.
"Teacher, seniors, why not try them?"
Kaiser smiled.
Senzu Beans restored life energy.
In the Dragon Ball world, they might be unremarkable.
But in the Saint Seiya world, they were divine artifacts!
Aetius, without hesitation, popped a Senzu Bean into his mouth.
A surge of life energy washed over his body.
His slightly aged frame rapidly rejuvenated.
"Such potent life energy."
"And my hidden injuries... they're completely healed."
"It's unbelievable."
Aetius opened his eyes.
They were filled with awe.
Senzu Beans, in the Dragon Ball world, worked even on beings like Supreme Kais.
Their power was undeniable.
Cresto didn't hesitate either; his thought body vanished.
When he reappeared, it was his true form.
Unlike his youthful thought body,
Cresto's true form was mature and weathered.
And far stronger.
"Unbelievable."
"To think such a thing exists."
Cresto was equally shocked.
The Senzu Beans' effects exceeded expectations.
They were immensely helpful.
"How many of these do you have?"
Saige looked at Kaiser.
Senzu Beans were a strategic weapon for the Sanctuary.
They could drastically reduce casualties.
"I'll give the Sanctuary a hundred for now."
Kaiser produced a hundred Senzu Beans.
"A hundred…"
Saige hadn't expected Kaiser to have so many.
He'd assumed such miraculous items would be scarce.
Kaiser must have obtained them somewhere by chance.
"Is this your confidence for joining the divine war?"
"With Senzu Beans, your survival rate is indeed much higher."
"You're giving the Sanctuary a hundred... aren't you keeping any for yourself?"
Aetius looked at the hundred Senzu Beans, understanding some of Kaiser's confidence.
"Don't worry, I have plenty left for this mission."
Kaiser smiled.
He didn't mention he had thousands more.
Revealing too much wouldn't be wise.
A hundred was a carefully considered number.
Enough to heal the current Gold Saints' bodies.
And to help Aetius and Cresto restore their life energy, returning to their peak.
The rest would cover the Sanctuary's needs for over two centuries.
It maintained a sense of urgency while preserving the Sanctuary's top-tier forces.
A reasonable amount.
"Since you're set on this, we won't stop you."
"But remember one thing: your life is crucial!"
"Even if you can't seize the World Tree's seed, you must protect yourself."
Aetius patted Kaiser's shoulder, speaking earnestly.
Over two centuries, Aetius's spirit had been worn down.
Without Kaiser, he'd have long succumbed to despair.
If Kaiser fell, Aetius feared he'd lose control entirely.
After all, Kaiser was key to ending the cycle of Holy Wars.
"Don't worry, Teacher, I understand."
Kaiser nodded solemnly.
"I'll help you from the shadows."
"But you know, against first-tier gods, my aid won't do much unless I act directly."
"Be careful."
Athena's voice echoed in Kaiser's mind.
"I understand."
Kaiser acknowledged.
After arranging everything,
Kaiser contacted Odin.
He agreed to enter the Nine Realms.
Odin promptly sent him coordinates.
Leaving the Sanctuary, Kaiser arrived at the location.
"This is awfully close to Asgard."
Kaiser glanced around; it was the Nordic tundra.
The spatial node here was fragile.
It seemed someone had deliberately opened a tunnel.
Without much hesitation, Kaiser stepped through.
After a dizzying whirl,
Kaiser landed on the ground.
"The Nine Realms have suppression too?"
After landing, Kaiser looked around.
The climate resembled Earth's; this must be the World Tree's Midgard.
Also called Midgart.
The realm of humans.
But it wasn't just humans... mythical creatures lived here too.
Beasts, elves, dwarves, and more.
"You've finally arrived."
A clear female voice sounded in Kaiser's ears.
Space rippled, and a tall woman stepped out from the shimmering void.
"Who are you?"
Kaiser frowned, sensing strong divinity in her.
But no divine spark.
Likely a demigod.
Her appearance reminded Kaiser of a group from Norse mythology.
The Valkyries.
Legend held they were Odin's elite guard.
Not only powerful in combat, they guided warriors' souls to Valhalla.
But in myth, Valkyries were more like recruiters than true war gods.
"I am Brunhilde, a member of the Valkyries."
"I'm here on Lord Odin's orders to assist you."
Brunhilde's expression was cold.
As if indifferent to everything.
Kaiser knew of this Valkyrie.
Odin's daughter, the most famous among the Valkyries.
And in Norse mythology, the destined wife of the great hero Siegfried.
She later betrayed Odin and was exiled.
Kaiser hadn't expected her to be his contact.
"Weren't you exiled by Odin?"
"Yet you still follow his orders?"
"That's unexpected."
Kaiser looked at Brunhilde.
"I just don't want my fate to be a puppet's."
"But this concerns the Nine Realms' survival... I can't stand idly by."
Brunhilde's tone remained cold.
Yet it hinted at her lingering hope for the world.
"Do you know Siegfried?"
Kaiser suddenly asked.
"Who?"
Brunhilde frowned.
She hadn't heard the name.
"Interesting."
Kaiser realized this Brunhilde, likely just exiled by Odin to Earth,
Was still unfamiliar with humans.
"Why not join me? Since you've been exiled by Odin."
"You're no longer a Valkyrie."
"You're free from Asgard."
"After this is over, want to come with me to the Sanctuary?"
Kaiser looked at Brunhilde.
As a demigod, her strength was undeniable.
And demigods depended on lineage.
Could an ordinary demigod compare to one with a god-king's blood?
In Greek mythology, Zeus's demigod son, Heracles, became the God of Strength.
His power was well-known.
A match for first-tier gods.
Brunhilde, though not yet at Heracles's level,
Was a descendant of a god-king's bloodline.
She had that potential.
But as a Valkyrie, she hadn't found her true self.
Kaiser saw a chance to recruit her.
Besides, even now, Brunhilde had steady eighth-sense combat power.
On Earth, she was a powerhouse.
Likely not far behind Aetius or Cresto.
And comparable to the Heavenly Realm's demigods.
A formidable ally.
"The Sanctuary?"
Brunhilde frowned.
She knew of the Sanctuary.
The mightiest force on Athena's Earth.
Victors of countless Holy Wars.
She glanced at Kaiser.
For Odin to entrust him with the World Tree's contest in the Nine Realms,
His strength had to be at least second-tier god level.
Otherwise, joining such a divine war was suicide.
"If I survive this divine war, I'll go with you to Earth."
Brunhilde thought for a moment before responding.
"Alright!"
Kaiser nodded.
He'd only extended the invitation as a test.
He knew Brunhilde wasn't weak, but in this divine war, she was little more than cannon fodder.
She could handle ordinary beasts or giants without issue.
But facing gods would be tough.
"So, which of the Nine Realms are we in now?"
Kaiser asked.
He needed to determine where the World Tree's seed would emerge.
"We're in Midgard, the Middle Realm."
"Most of its inhabitants are humans."
Brunhilde replied.
"Midgard, huh?"
"That's within my expectations."
Kaiser began sketching on the ground with a branch.
He mapped out the nine realms of the World Tree.
"Where do you think the World Tree's seed will appear?"
Kaiser looked at his sketch and asked.
Brunhilde frowned.
"I'm not sure."
"I only recently learned the World Tree is about to produce a seed."
"You know I'm not favored by Odin."
"There are things I'm not privy to."
"But if I had to guess, I'd say Alfheim or Vanaheim are the most likely."
Brunhilde offered her opinion.
Kaiser circled those two realms with the branch.
First, he ruled out Niflheim, the Land of the Dead.
One of the World Tree's three main roots was there, gnawed by the dragon Nidhogg.
Unless the World Tree was foolish, it wouldn't form its seed there.
"Could it be Asgard?"
Kaiser frowned.
Neither Vanaheim nor Alfheim had the spiritual springs to nurture the World Tree's seed.
"What you can think of, Odin can too."
"If the seed truly appeared in Asgard, it'd be a disaster."
"Ragnarok would come early."
Brunhilde said calmly.
That made sense.
Jotunheim was also unlikely.
Kaiser hadn't expected to rule out the three spiritual spring locations right away.
But it was logical.
If the seed appeared at a spiritual spring,
It would be exposing its location.
What would be the point of forming it?
Besides, the World Tree didn't need spiritual springs to take root.
In Saint Seiya: Soul of Gold,
Loki nurtured the World Tree with Gold Saints.
And countless heroic spirits.
Excluding the three spiritual springs, Vanaheim, Alfheim, and Midgard were the most suitable.
"This will be hard to find."
"If the World Tree intends to hide it."
Kaiser frowned.
Finding the World Tree's seed wouldn't be easy.
"No wonder the seed, born in these two years."
"Wasn't found by Loki until nearly five hundred years later."
Kaiser mused.
But this was good news for him.
If he could find the seed smoothly,
He might not even need to fight.
He could grab it and run.
The situation was better than he'd imagined.
"Let's go find a place to settle."
Kaiser said to Brunhilde.
She didn't object.
Freshly exiled to the mortal realm, she had no destination.
Following Kaiser saved her the trouble of thinking.
"Definitely medieval vibes."
Kaiser gave a wry smile, eyeing a distant castle.
***
If you enjoyed this story, don't forget to drop 5 stars and your power stone. And if you want to read more than 70 chapters in advance, feel free to visit: pat reon . com / KangTL