"The Holy War has ended. The following records are based on the accounts of Saints Dohko and Shion. Though I was unable to witness firsthand how the Saints paved the path to victory with their blood and sacrifice, I will do my utmost to record it faithfully and ensure it is passed down."
...
June 7th
Hades' Castle has been destroyed. The Twin Gods are sealed, the Four Dream Gods defeated, and the Specters can no longer be resurrected. Though Hades himself escaped to a dimensional space called the Lost Canvas, the tide of war has finally turned in our favor. I believe that with the united efforts of the Saints, we will overcome Hades' forces and once again protect the love and hope of this world.
...
June 15th
The situation has taken another drastic turn. To obtain the divine metal Orichalcum and repair the Ship of Hope—the vessel needed to reach the Lost Canvas—Saints Kardia and Degel ventured alone into the depths of the ocean, to the lost city of Atlantis.
When I heard this, a terrible premonition gripped my heart. Atlantis is the domain of Poseidon, the God of the Seas. Unlike the Four Dream Gods or the Twin Gods, Poseidon is a major deity!
Saints Kardia and Degel will be alright… won't they?
...
June 19th
Today, the world itself trembled. In the height of summer, snow began to fall. The sky was blotted out by storm clouds, a sight I will never forget. From the heights of Sanctuary, I looked down upon the Aegean Sea, hoping its beauty might soothe my sorrow—but the sea was frozen solid. News from the outside world spoke of a mysterious mini ice age, engulfing the entire planet.
Then it struck me—such a phenomenon could only be the work of a Saint.
And soon, Shion confirmed my worst fears.
Saints Kardia and Degel have fallen.
On their journey to Atlantis, they encountered Wyvern Rhadamanthys, one of Hades' Three Judges, and Pandora, the Commander of the Underworld.
To stop Rhadamanthys, Kardia fought alone, mortally wounding the Specter at the cost of his own life. Meanwhile, Degel confronted the newly awakened and enraged Poseidon. Using his ultimate technique, he froze the entire ocean, sealing both Poseidon and himself within Atlantis.
...
June 26th
Shion tells me that after paying a heavy price, the Saints have finally breached the Lost Canvas. But within that accursed realm, several powerful Specters still stand guard. Once again, I find myself gripped by worry...
July 10th...
July 30th...
...
August 5th
The Holy War is over. Shion and Dohko have returned.
But... they are the only ones who came back.
None of the other Saints, not even the much-heralded Tenma, nor Lady Athena herself, returned from the depths of the Underworld.
When Shion's younger brother, Alexei, heard the news, he wept uncontrollably, clutching Shion's shoulders so tightly his fingers turned white.
I thought I had grown numb. I thought I could remain a mere witness and recorder. But I am still human—I cannot be without emotion.
As the war raged on and more Saints fell, my resentment toward Lady Athena grew. As a goddess, why did she watch her loyal warriors march to their deaths without lifting a finger?
But when Shion recounted Athena's actions throughout the war, my anger vanished entirely.
Lady Athena is a goddess who truly loves this world. As Saint Sisyphus once said, "Her love for us is the light that guides our path."
I imagine the Saints must have smiled as they died, knowing they had fulfilled their duty. I imagine they must be celebrating in the heavens now, for their sacrifices were not in vain—victory was finally ours.
"This concludes my record of the Holy War. I do not know how I endured it, but I fear I can no longer lift my pen. Every stroke of ink brings back memories of the Saints' sacrifices. Yet I am proud—for through my efforts, their struggles have been preserved."
"To my descendants, and to any who may chance upon this book: Protect it well. The deeds of these heroes must never fade into obscurity. Remember them. Always."
— Recorded by Lasfair Mondpaira
...
As the final page closed, Shion gently stroked the aged cover, his eyes glistening with tears.
From the moment he received this diary, he had read every word with painstaking care. He was a survivor of that war, a witness to the sacrifices of his comrades.
After the Holy War, Sanctuary lay in ruins. He had assumed the mantle of Pope, with his brother Alexei at his side, while Dohko stood guard over the seal of the 108 Specters.
Now, Sanctuary had begun to flourish once more. He was proud—he had not failed the trust placed in him. Yet whenever he recalled the war from over two centuries ago, his heart ached.
He felt ashamed. The reason he and Dohko had survived was simple—they were the weakest among the Gold Saints of their generation. The most perilous missions had never fallen to them. Even within the Lost Canvas, their comrades had shouldered the brunt of the fighting.
In the final battle, Athena, to ensure Sanctuary's legacy would endure, had used the last of her power to send them back to the mortal world.
If only I had been stronger... Could more of my comrades have survived? Could I have saved Lady Athena?
But there was no answer to that question. There never would be.
"Old man... are you alright?" Howard asked gently.
"I'm fine. Just reminiscing. Age makes one sentimental," Shion replied, wiping away a tear.
Steve, Howard, and Peggy stood in silence, wanting to offer comfort but finding no words.
This ancient book had been painstakingly recovered from a destitute noble. Only after swearing to return it to Sanctuary had they been allowed to take it.
All three had read its contents. They now knew without doubt that Shion had been a participant—and a survivor—of that devastating war two centuries ago.
If even they, as outsiders, could feel the weight of those sacrifices, what must it be like for Shion?
"Thank you," Shion said, bowing deeply to the three. "For returning this book. It is one of Sanctuary's most treasured relics."
"W-Wait! Old man, don't bow to us! You'll shorten my lifespan!" Howard yelped, darting aside and hastily helping Shion up.
"You've earned this gratitude. After Lasfair left Sanctuary, heartbroken, I thought this diary was lost forever. Yet now... it has returned." Shion sighed.
"Well, we got it back for you, didn't we?" Howard said with a grin.
"Yes. Thank you. Saga."
"Your Holiness."
"Place this book in the vault. Ensure it is well-preserved."
"Your Holiness... I must refuse." Saga knelt on one knee, shocking Shion. To his further surprise, Aiolos and Aiolia also knelt, their voices firm.
"Your Holiness, we beg you—allow us to read this diary! Let us learn of our predecessors' will and inherit their mission!"
"You... Very well. Go."
"Yes!" The three carefully took the diary and hurried from the hall.
"They're right, old man," Howard said. "Heroes like those Saints deserve to be remembered. I'm sure the fallen would have wanted it that way."
"I agree, Your Holiness," Steve said. "I've always considered myself a hero, but after reading this, I realize how much I still have to learn."
"Even as a woman, I was moved to my core," Peggy added. "You and your comrades were truly extraordinary."
Shion chuckled. "It was our duty. No praise is needed. Had it not been us, others would have risen in our place."
"Shame I'm not a Saint. I'd have loved to fight alongside you," Howard said wistfully. Steve and Peggy nodded in agreement.
"To become a Saint, one must train not just the body, but the heart and spirit. Only those who embody 'Heart, Body, and Skill' and 'Benevolence, Wisdom, and Courage' can earn a Cloth's recognition," Shion explained.
"I see," Peggy mused, committing the words to memory. Such rigorous standards might prove useful in the future.
"Hey, don't I qualify?" Howard asked, running a hand through his hair with exaggerated flair.
"Hahaha! My boy, if you wish to be a Saint, you'd first need to renounce your... indulgences," Shion teased.
Steve and Peggy burst into laughter.
Howard flushed crimson but had no retort. Defeated, he slumped in his seat.
"Do not despair. Even if you are not Saints, we may yet fight side by side. As Lord Myrin has said, the Age of Man will give rise to many heroes, each with their own unique strength. At their peak, they may even rival the Saints. And..."
Here, Shion paused, his gaze locking onto Steve with startling intensity.
"Uh... is something wrong?" Steve asked, unnerved.
"...Young man. Have you ever considered becoming a Saint?"