"Uncle… sob… are you really… okay?" The little boy looked up and asked.
"My child, I'm really fine. Can you tell me your name?" Maierin asked gently.
"I… I'm Aphrodite… I… I'm a demon…" Aphrodite muttered softly.
Maierin was momentarily stunned but maintained a kind smile as he reassured, "My child, you are not a demon."
"But… but everyone who comes near me… dies… Papa and Mama are gone… Brody is gone… Everyone hates me… They call me a demon…"
Maierin's gaze darkened. He gently embraced the boy, hoping to offer comfort through warmth.
Aphrodite—the future Pisces Saint. Seeing the Eternal Garden in his hands, Maierin instantly realized the tragic fate that awaited him.
Among all the Gold Saints, the Pisces Saint could be said to have the most sorrowful destiny. The Pisces Saints of every generation lived in constant contact with the Royal Demon Roses, gradually developing a resistance to their poison. However, their own blood would also carry the same toxins. If they spent too much time around others, they would unknowingly poison them. As a result, all Pisces Saints lived solitary lives, devoid of friends. Even their closest comrades had to keep their distance.
Aphrodite's Cosmos had awakened, likely triggering the seal on the Eternal Garden, causing it to unbind itself and seek him out. But Aphrodite did not yet know how to control it, nor could he contain the poison within himself. This led to the deaths of his parents and others, making people fear and ostracize him, branding him as a monster—a demon.
Thinking about the Aphrodite in his memories, Maierin sighed. Even though Aphrodite had sworn loyalty to the corrupted Saga and believed in power as justice, he was still one of the Saints who longed most for peace. He was known as the Warrior of Beauty Who Shines Between Heaven and Earth.
Even now, it was evident how kind Aphrodite's heart was. Despite all the suffering, the rejection, and the tragedies he endured, his first concern was still for others.
"You are not a demon, Aphrodite. You have the potential to become a great hero—you just haven't learned to control your power yet." Maierin reassured him.
"Really…? Can I… become a hero?" Aphrodite asked timidly.
"Of course. Come with me, Aphrodite. I will guide you to become a strong hero, and you will make many new friends."
"Really? I can… have friends? They… won't fear my poison?" The boy's eyes showed a glimmer of hope.
"Of course."
As soon as Maierin spoke, a warm energy flowed into Aphrodite, suppressing the poison he unknowingly released and resealing the Eternal Garden.
"Uncle, what's happening? It feels so warm and comfortable…"
"I've sealed your poison within you. Now, you won't have to worry about harming anyone."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"That's wonderful!" Aphrodite was overjoyed. After the deaths of his parents and his best friend, this was the first time he had been embraced again—the first time he had felt warmth in a long while.
Then, an unexpected sound broke the joyful atmosphere.
Growl~
Aphrodite froze in place, clutching his empty stomach as his face flushed red with embarrassment.
Ever since his parents died, he had been alone. No one dared to help him. He survived by scavenging leftovers or picking wild fruits. He could not bring himself to kill small animals for food, so he was constantly hungry. Earlier, he had been searching for food when he ran into Maierin.
"Hahaha, come on, I'll introduce you to your new friends." Maierin took Aphrodite's hand and led him out of the flower field.
But just then, the Eternal Garden suddenly broke free from Aphrodite's grasp, transforming into a streak of light and flying toward Sanctuary.
This panicked the little boy. Ever since he had been shunned and left alone, the basket had been his only companion—his only friend.
"Haha, don't worry, little one. It's just going to where it belongs. When you grow strong enough, it will return to you." Maierin comforted him.
"Really?"
"Yes. That basket is called Eternal Garden, a sacred artifact of the Pisces Gold Saint. When you become the Pisces Gold Saint, you will be worthy of wielding it again."
"Really? Then I must become the Pisces Gold Saint!" Aphrodite cheered, but then hesitated. "Um… Uncle, what is a Saint?"
Maierin chuckled and began explaining what Saints were and what Sanctuary was.
"Sir! Are you alright?" Kanon asked with concern.
"I'm fine."
"Boss, who's this girl?" Deathmask asked impatiently. He wasn't the only one; Kanon, Aiolia, Milo, and Shura were all listening closely. They were all struck by Aphrodite's beauty.
"Introduce yourself," Maierin gently nudged Aphrodite forward.
Aphrodite hesitated at first, fearing he might harm them. But as he stepped closer and saw that they remained unaffected, he relaxed.
"I… I'm Aphrodite… I'm a boy…" he shyly introduced himself.
"Aphrodite… What a lovely name… Wait, what!? You're a boy!?" Deathmask nearly jumped.
"Uh-huh…" Aphrodite nodded hesitantly. He was used to being mistaken for a girl, but it still embarrassed him.
Kanon and the others turned to Maierin, who barely held back laughter and nodded.
Their expressions instantly turned crestfallen.
"No way! I can't face the world anymore!"
"I… I just got flustered over a boy…"
"My illusions are shattered! The world is ruined!"
The five of them clutched their heads in shame. How could someone so cute… be a boy!?
"Pfft—hahaha!" Maierin finally burst out laughing. He had deliberately withheld that detail just to see this reaction.
"Sir!"
"Boss!"
"Uncle!"
The five youths glared at Maierin, knowing he had tricked them.
"Alright, alright, I won't laugh anymore. Pfft. But really, you should know better than to judge by appearance. Didn't you notice his Adam's apple?" Maierin teased.
They blinked and turned to look again. Sure enough, though faint, there was a small bump in Aphrodite's throat.
"You guys should take good care of Aphrodite," Maierin instructed. "He's been through a lot and hasn't had any friends. Be kind to him."
"Yes, Boss!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Great! It's lunchtime. Let's eat here. Kanon, gather firewood. The rest of you, get to work."
"Got it!"
Among the flowers and fields, a warm scene unfolded—an adult and six children enjoying a peaceful meal together. If a traveler passed by, they would surely want to capture this beautiful moment, preserving a memory of harmony in a chaotic world.
Maierin continued southward, having now restored most of Europe's sacred artifacts. Other than Kanon's Mask of Darkness, all other relics had been returned to Sanctuary—along with Deathmask, Aiolia, Milo, Shura, and Aphrodite.
His next destination was Asia. It was time for the others to part ways; they needed to return to school. Teaching them academic knowledge was beyond Maierin's expertise.
The only one who remained was Kanon, who insisted on staying as a bodyguard.
"Sir, are we really going to wipe out Hydra?" Kanon asked excitedly. As a natural warrior, the thought of battle thrilled him.
"No, Kanon."
"Huh? Oh…" Kanon sounded disappointed.
"…We're going to recover stolen artifacts and rescue a certain hero who's about to save the world," Maierin said.
Kanon paused, processed the words, then brightened. "Sir, isn't that Captain Steve Rogers? In this war, he's the only one worthy of being called a hero, right?"
Maierin smiled. "Kanon, Steve is a hero, but remember: being a hero isn't about legendary feats alone."
"Then… who else is a hero?"
"The Saints before you—those who fought knowing they weren't strong enough, yet still stood to protect the Earth. The ordinary people who supported the war effort, helping however they could. What do we call them?"
Kanon was silent for a moment before solemnly replying, "They… are all heroes."
"Yes, they are."
A hero isn't always a figure in the light. Some remain in the shadows, their hearts burning with unwavering resolve. Some are lost in the crowds, quietly offering what little they have.