Early morning at Cagliari Elmas Airport on Sardinia, a facility used for both military and civilian purposes. In recent years, tourism had flourished, and as Italy's second-largest island, it saw swarms of tourists arriving from all over the world. There were East Asian tour groups waving small red flags, and travelers from other parts of Europe, all queuing in chronological order at the immigration gates. All except for one, a Gulfstream G550 that had just landed.
The private jet, with its shark-like streamlined fuselage, cut through the airflow. The moment its landing gear kissed the runway, it captured everyone's attention. Many craned their necks, wondering which magnate had arrived. However, as the airstairs descended, the figure who appeared in their view was a young Asian youth.
He was too young, far too young to resemble a tycoon. He stood there like a tulip bud on the verge of blooming, even appearing somewhat inexperienced.
"Hey, hey, isn't Sister Marin overdoing it a bit?" Seiya himself was actually a little taken aback.
He racked his brains but couldn't recall Marin's identity before she became a Saint. He wasn't overly familiar with the original work; perhaps she was the young lady of some conglomerate. Her casual arrangement had turned out to be a Gulfstream G550.
However, more important than the private jet was the fact that, as he looked around, this was clearly not Japan.
"The protector whom I serve said that this is the stage most fitting for you, young master," Miss Salome, a woman with brown skin and Middle Eastern features standing beside him, said with a smile. "Moreover, her assistance to you ends here. You must walk the rest ofthe path yourself. She looks forward to the day you meet again."
The Middle Eastern beauty who had briefly accompanied him then departed, leaving Seiya alone in this foreign land. He looked at the throng of people at the immigration checkpoint and also saw the taxi drivers waiting outside the railings, waving for customers. More so, many people were looking at him.
This Asian youth, who had arrived via the VIP channel on a luxurious private jet, was unmistakably the scion of an incredibly wealthy family. Kusanagi Godou, who had just passed through the immigration gate, was one of those watching. But he soon noticed that this wealthy young man was looking back at him and nodding gently.
"Did I just encounter a mysterious guardian holding an item with a considerably imposing aura right after landing?" Seiya sensed the origin of that aura from the other person's backpack, but he didn't approach to converse, as he had more important things to do.
At that moment, on the airport tarmac, another plane, this one from Milan, Italy, landed.
A young woman descended with light steps, the hem of her crimson skirt fluttering with her movements.
Erica Blandelli glanced at the Gulfstream G550 taking off in the distance, then quickly averted her gaze. As she walked through the crowd towards the VIP channel, the sound of her high heels clicking on the floor seemed like a cheerful melody.
At this point, nothing was set in stone; everything was still possible.
The girl who wished to achieve a miracle, and the boy who carried an unknown destiny, had coincidentally arrived on this lonely island west of Italy. At this time, Sardinia was still vast under a clear sky, with warm sunshine and gentle breezes, as if this happiness would be maintained until the very eve of a disaster that defied mythology.
————————
————————
Seiya, holding a tourist guide map he'd picked up at the airport and wearing a sunhat, gazed at the ancient street before him.
He confirmed it: this was Sardinia, an island in the central Mediterranean known for its vastness and isolation. Sardinia possessed a unique Italian culture and was also one of Europe's oldest regions, famous as a sailing paradise.
Sister Marin had said this was a stage fitting for him. Had she misunderstood? His most important task now was to find Athena's reincarnation, Kido Saori, to complete the novice quest and obtain the Pegasus Cloth.
Seiya once again opened the thing that had accompanied him for three years, something he could tentatively call his system, his golden finger. It didn't have functions for adding points or leveling up; it merely recorded his current level and the combat techniques he had learned. The only icon lit up was the novice quest at the very bottom.
[When darkness engulfs the world, Saints, symbols of hope, will emerge. For the sake of the Earth and humanity, embark on your journey!]
[Please complete the Novice Main Quest: Meet Athena's reincarnation. Reward: Pegasus Cloth.]
This was the simplest novice quest; he just needed to meet her. Yet, Sister Marin and her subordinates had sent him to Sardinia, Italy. He knew Athena's reincarnation, Kido Saori, should be in Japan.
A bell dinged from the bakery next door. The stout, beer-barrel-figured proprietress handed him a pineapple bun wrapped in brown paper. Seiya, with empty pockets, simply smiled and said "thank you" in broken Italian. Discovering the owner also spoke English, he quickly switched to English to chat.
From them, he learned that Sardinia hadn't been peaceful recently. Natural disasters had successively occurred in regions from Bosa to Orgosolo, and Barumini. Either typhoons, earthquakes, or an excessively harsh sun.
Someone even swore they had seen a phoenix from ancient Eastern mythology appearing out of a rainbow on a rainy night.
Rainy night, phoenix, rainbow—how do these words even go together? Seiya thought. But the pineapple bun was delicious, and he didn't want to interrupt the owner's enthusiastic chatter.
"Actually, the number of tourists during this period is seventy percent less than before," the owner said, looking at the teeming crowd ahead. "Seventy percent less and there are still this many?" Seiya was somewhat shocked. He quickly followed the owner's gaze and understood: it was a tour group from East Asia, wearing little red hats. They constituted the majority of the remaining tourists.
Seiya headed to his next destination. He wasn't in a hurry at all. Walking on the streets during this beautiful transition from spring to summer made him feel that if he just kept looking, he would eventually find what he sought.
Meanwhile, Kusanagi Godou, who had also traveled a great distance from East Asia, was also searching for someone. He bore a task from his grandfather: to deliver an ancient stone tablet to an old woman named Lucretia Zola. Sardinia was too large; finding one person was incredibly difficult.
Until—a wind blew in from afar.
"A typhoon? It's a bit strong," Kusanagi Godou clutched his backpack, his expression slightly contorted.
In the vision of most people, the originally clear sky suddenly darkened, as if clouds from the nine heavens had descended, gathering a tempest. An unknown power in the form of a tornado descended from Porto Torres and rapidly advanced towards the old town of Nuoro.
But in the eyes of the witches, knights, and Saints remaining on the island, it was a tornado twisting with blue lines—the incarnation of a god, manifesting on earth in the guise of a mighty wind.
Seiya was incredibly close, as he was currently in the old town of Nuoro. He also saw a youth in a white robe, chasing the fierce wind.
_____
Greetings! ✨ Walnut here with another translation! Saint Seiya united by their strength!
I've arranged two exclusive coupons. Choose wisely! 😉
⚰️ HUGE DEAL : 👻 30% OFF ! 👻
On "Director of Wangsheng Funeral Home" to unlock a massive 40 advanced chapters across all stories. This premium offer is for a very limited time!
⚰️ GREAT DEAL: 👻 10% OFF! 👻
On "Wangsheng Funeral Home Consultant" for 20 advanced chapters. Cupom: SAINTOFATHENA Don't wait, this deal will be buried soon!
100 powerstones = +1 Bonus Chapter for everyone! 5 reviews = +1 Bonus Chapter for everyone!
Secure your early access before it's too late!
👻 patreon.com/Walnutchan