Not only White and Sage, but other past Gold Saints could not be revived either (for example, Rugonis, Aphrodite's master, who did not participate in the Holy War of his generation). They had not taken part in the Holy War between Hades and the Sanctuary, so their souls had long since been reborn.
Otherwise, if he could resurrect them all, the Sanctuary would truly be unprecedentedly powerful. Even all the heavenly gods combined would not dare to make a move on the earth.
After all, the father of the previous generation's Leo Regulus, Ilias, possessed unpredictable Lightning Plasma and was a top-tier fighter who could merge with the earth through power surpassing the gods.
What a shame—such admirable Gold Saints. Unfortunately, the most I can do is revive ten from the previous generation.
Eleven Gold Saints of varying forms, temperaments, and personalities appeared before Meruem. The Cosmo radiating from several of them even surprised him.
In terms of pure Cosmo alone, they were no weaker than ordinary Second-tier Gods. And compared to gods, though they lacked certain mystical techniques, their combat power was even greater—because they had been warriors from the start.
"Weren't we supposed to be in Cocytus? We died, didn't we? Wait—have we been resurrected?" The eleven former champions opened their eyes one by one, staring at their bodies in disbelief.
Though a few of these Gold Saints' Cosmos were weaker than the current generation's, their combat experience and lost techniques held immense value.
The twin brothers, Asmita, and little Leo—the Cosmo radiating from these four was truly formidable. No wonder even Yoma had taken losses from Aspros and Asmita's prayer beads.
"Welcome back, Gold Saints of the previous generation." Meruem paused. "I'm deeply sorry you suffered in the Underworld for so many years."
"Who are… you? This generation's Pope?"
"That's Lady Athena's Cosmo!" Just then, sensing unfamiliar Cosmos in the Sanctuary, Saori arrived as well.
The Gold Saints currently guarding the Twelve Temples suddenly looked up toward the temple, feeling those overwhelmingly powerful Cosmos.
"The previous… generation of Gold Saints… truly resurrected! Lord Meruem did it."
"That is the situation." After Meruem's explanation, the eleven former Gold Saints sat in a circle, listening carefully. They now understood the circumstances.
"I'm deeply sorry to have gathered you all here once again." Saori bowed deeply to the eleven Gold Saints. What they had done truly merited this gesture.
The former Gold Saints did not see it that way, however. In their hearts, giving everything for Athena and the earth was only natural, so upon seeing Saori bow, they hurriedly stood.
"Doing this means opposing the gods of heaven. Have you considered the consequences?" The only one who reacted differently was Asmita, who quietly asked Meruem.
"The gods? So what? Even without doing this, the mortal world will eventually fall into their hands. Among all the gods, only Athena stands with humanity, and the situation is growing more severe. Not just the few gods you know about—even the Goddess of Discord, the Goddess of Love, and the former Sun God have all appeared. If Saori—I mean, Athena—makes a single mistake, humanity will have no future. I don't believe other gods who occupy the earth will treat humans the same way Athena does."
"I understand. In that case… I'm in." After hearing this, Asmita decided at once.
This time, Meruem was a bit puzzled. "Why?"
"Because you're telling the truth. I can sense it. And I feel power in you no less than Athena's—no, even surpassing it." Worthy of Asmita, who could perceive all things. How high was his current realm? Eighth Sense? Ninth Sense? From his ability to defeat that man closest to godhood outside the Specter army, his strength was extraordinary.
Born blind, he had lacked one sense from birth. To reach his current realm while missing a sense spoke to terrifyingly high talent. Having passed through death, his power now fully matched that of gods in the ordinary sense.
There were also the twin brothers Defteros and Aspros, and little Leo who had reached unity with nature. Though Sisyphus the "commissar" was said to have reached the same unity as Ilias, in truth he had only grasped a bit of the wind's surface. He could not be compared to little Leo's transcendent unity. Otherwise, he would not have had to gouge out his own eyes just to deal with Aiacos. Full unity with nature was at a level capable of instantly defeating the god-blooded Rhadamanthys.
Soon the other Gold Saints expressed their willingness to continue serving Saori, as they had originally been Gold Saints loyal to Athena. Even the Defteros brothers were no exception. Though both were indeed unruly, they remained loyal to Athena. And having learned the truth, the two brothers still had a score to settle with Yoma.
"Knock knock." At dusk, someone knocked on Helena's door. Helena, who had been caring for her younger siblings, quickly set down what she was doing and hurried over.
Is it him? An image of a stubbly middle-aged man rose in her heart. Though clumsy and not good with words, being with him always felt… reassuring.
To her disappointment, when she opened the door it was not the bearded uncle. It was a long-haired man—she recognized him as the famous local physician, Lord Fafner.
"What? Lord Andreas can treat us for free?" Learning this news from Dr. Fafner, Helena was overjoyed. Her declining health meant she could not work long hours lately, which worried her greatly—what if she collapsed? She still had so many younger siblings to care for.
Lord Andreas really is a good person, willing to treat us poor folk.
Helena told her siblings to lock the doors and windows and take care of themselves, then left with Fafner. In her haste, she forgot she had arranged to meet Deathmask that evening.
Shortly after Helena left, Deathmask—along with a group of curious Gold Saints eager to see what kind of woman had caught Deathmask's eye—knocked on her door.
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