Chapter 271: Chapter 271: A Divine Priest is just one more step to becoming the Pope…!

〜Projection of All Worlds〜

“MA-NI-GOLD! Damn it, can’t a Gold Saint live? Why do they all meet such tragic ends?”

“Everyone has flesh and blood. Watching them die with my own eyes really makes me feel terrible.”

Now, almost all the Gold Saints who appeared alone are dead, and each one died more heroically than the last. This war is simply too cruel for humanity.

Manigoldo truly gave his all, not even leaving a corpse. Only the still-glowing Cancer Cloth remained, guarding his respected master.

Aside from anything else, just watching Manigoldo’s life-for-a-life maneuver was enough to shock everyone.

The path of the gods… a realm humans cannot tread, yet Manigoldo fearlessly took the body of the God of Death with him.

“He was still a bit too impulsive, wasn’t he? Didn’t the Pope say he had a trick up his sleeve?”

Everyone from other worlds felt that Manigoldo was a bit impulsive… but just exchanging his life for the God of Death’s record was enough to make him stand out among the Gold Saints.

Perhaps in Thanatos’ eyes, humans were as insignificant as dust, but Manigoldo’s final sacrifice to destroy the God of Death’s possessed body also proved to Thanatos that humans were not as weak as he thought.

…..

〜Jujutsu Kaisen World, Future Timeline〜

“Besides the first time he resisted the terrifying Heavenly Fate, this is already the second time he’s risked his life to protect his master, isn’t it?”

Itadori’s expression was somber as he looked at Manigoldo, who didn’t even leave a corpse. Even in death, he still thought of putting the Cancer Cloth on his master.

“Yes, that’s Cancer, the cool and powerful Manigoldo.”

Kugisaki Nobara nodded silently.

This master-disciple relationship is truly touching. Although Manigoldo didn’t know the Pope’s purpose in drawing out the God of Death’s soul, he was filled with trust in the Pope.

Manigoldo learned the principles of life from the Pope, and therefore greatly respected him, willing to give his life for him! Although he appeared cynical on the outside, he was incredibly gentle on the inside.

…..

〜JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, Part 5: Golden Wind Worldline〜

Giorno’s eyes widened as he beheld the radiant golden soul burning within Manigoldo—a brilliance that rivaled the sun itself.

“To praise humanity… is to praise courage itself! With pride and resolve like this, humans can momentarily surpass even gods!”

The difference between gods and humans is insurmountable, but Manigoldo’s pride, this attitude of looking down even on gods, completely displayed humanity’s fearlessness!

Mista slammed his fist into his palm, shouting:

“EVERY. GOLDEN. SAINT. IS A TRUE MAN!”

Thanatos, as a god, his arrogance that made him underestimate humans too much. Manigoldo was truly the first human to ever beat a god in the true sense.

…..

〜Type-Moon World, ██████ Worldline〜

In the 7th singularity, Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia

At this moment, Merlin noticed the power of that Underworld Wave.

“Manigoldo’s ’Underworld Waves’ seems to be even more powerful than the Pope’s. Their combined strength directly separated the God of Death’s soul from his body.”

As expected of Manigoldo, who could see souls since childhood. If he were still alive, he might very well become the next Pope.

The Wise King Gilgamesh watched Manigoldo’s death scene and finally put down his clay tablet, slowly crossing his arms.

“Gods will ultimately fall due to their arrogance. The battle between gods and humans is not without hope.”

Although he didn’t know what the Pope intended to do, his persistence in drawing out the God of Death’s soul must have had its meaning, perhaps even being the most crucial step in defeating the God of Death.

…..

〜Saint Seiya Shioriverse, The Lost Canvas timeline〜

“YOU FOOL! Manigoldo, what foolish thing are you doing?”

The usually composed Pope lost his usual calm as he watched Manigoldo die.

Everything happened too fast in that instant, even his screen self didn’t react… or rather, Manigoldo’s actions were beyond his expectation.

Although sealing the God of Death was his goal, he wanted Manigoldo to live more. He shouldn’t have been so impulsive; he naturally had a way to deal with the God of Death’s body.

Manigoldo laughed freely, scratching his head.

“Master, IT’S NOTHING! Taking the God of Death’s body with me is worth it.”

Isn’t it? Seeing the God of Death’s look of impotent rage was simply worth the price.

…..

Manigoldo seemed utterly unconcerned, feeling he had profited, while Thanatos, on the other side, also looked satisfied, a truly win-win situation.

“Hahaha, this is the price for angering a god. Disappear in the passage, BODY AND SOUL!”

Thanatos felt a sudden enlightenment. This annoying Cancer was finally dead. All that remained was an old man who had lived for hundreds of years. Dealing with him would be effortless.

…..

〜Type-Moon World, Fifth Holy Grail War Worldline〜

“I can’t help but think the priest possessed by the God of Death seems rather pitiful… Surely someone should stand up for him?”

Tohsaka Rin, whose focus was different from everyone else, felt a bit strange. Perhaps having witnessed Ishtar descending by possessing her own body, watching the priest die like that gave her a sense of shared suffering.

He was inexplicably possessed by the God of Death while alive, and now, just as the God of Death’s soul was stripped away, he hadn’t even had a few breaths of fresh air before he was gone again…

This person was simply too unlucky. His death was more unjust than Veronica’s.

As soon as Tohsaka Rin said this, everyone present was speechless, looking at each other, not knowing what to say.

The key was that what she said made a lot of sense!

This priest was truly a capital “tragic.” If Tohsaka Rin hadn’t brought it up, they wouldn’t even have noticed him.

…..

[ At the cost of his own life, Manigoldo finally destroyed the God of Death’s body. Looking at the remaining Golden Cancer Cloth, Sage could no longer suppress his inner grief and let out a roar.

But at this moment, Thanatos, with only a soul remaining, was still incredibly arrogant. For him, it was merely the loss of a body, nothing painful or itchy!

He could have as many vessels as he wanted, and the Pope Sage before him was an excellent choice.

As he spoke, the God of Death’s soul drilled into the Pope’s body, and the black Star symbol, representing the God of Death’s power, appeared on the Pope’s forehead.

“With your body as the Pope, I can move freely within the Sanctuary and easily take Athena’s head.”

The God of Death momentarily forgot himself, fantasizing about taking over the Pope’s body and wreaking havoc in the Sanctuary.

But… the next moment! Thanatos heard the Pope’s slightly mocking voice.

“What’s wrong, Thanatos?! Do you find my body inconvenient to use?”

The Pope, who had been in pain, calmed down and stood up directly. Thanatos then discovered with horror that his possession had not succeeded.

“I already said, THE POPE IS ONE STEP AHEAD OF THE GODS!”

The Pope tore off the robe from his chest, revealing the Silver Altar Cloth of Hakurei, and Thanatos’ soul was being sealed within it.

“This is my brother’s Silver Altar Cloth. My brother and I spent over two hundred years continuously injecting power into this Cloth.”

“Now you are like a bird in a cage, unable to escape.” ]

[ …..]

〜Projection of All Worlds〜

“Watching the Pope being possessed just now, my heart almost stopped. I thought Manigoldo’s sacrifice was in vain. Fortunately, it was just a false alarm.”

“The Pope is one step ahead of the gods. This damned sense of security, how reliable are you, YOUR HOLINESS!”

Everyone from other worlds felt a strong sense of security from the Pope, far exceeding the oppressive feeling brought by the God of Death.

He had probably anticipated this scene and had been wearing this Altar Cloth since he arrived, but he hadn’t expected Manigoldo to die because of it.

Even though the Pope traveled thousands of miles to save him, Manigoldo only thought of exchanging his life for the God of Death’s.

“Now I finally understand why the Golden Cloth Manigoldo left behind when he died wasn’t worn by the Pope! It turns out he already had a set on.”

So, this Cloth thing can actually be worn interchangeably. People from other worlds thought that the Cloths, ranked by constellations, were fixed for each person.

…..

〜Saint Seiya Toeiverse, Anime timeline〜

“Are we really wearing the same Cloth…?”

Deathmask routinely doubted his life.

One thing he knew was why he only had one move; it was because of a gap in the inheritance.

Manigoldo, you two master and disciple should at least pass on your skills before setting off! Now I only know one Underworld Wave with no killing power…

“It’s a good thing he only knows one ’Underworld Waves’, otherwise he’d want to be the Pope too.”

Aphrodite secretly rejoiced. Look how proud he is with just one ’Underworld Waves’,.

If he learned all the moves, his tail would surely be wagging in the sky.

…..

〜Bleach World〜

Seireitei, Soul Society

“Excellent… This segment of sealing the God of Death was truly excellent. The strength and strategy of both master and disciple were fully displayed.”

Urahara Kisuke waved his fan, his brows filled with admiration. When faced with an unbeatable opponent, one can only compensate with strategy.

A Cloth infused with power for over two hundred years… From the end of the previous Holy War, they had already begun preparing for this day? What astonishing dedication!

This two-hundred-year plan, it could be said that everything was within the Pope’s predictions, except for Manigoldo’s death.

But it was truly too despairing. Thanatos displayed the arrogance and oppression of a god to the fullest.

Yet, humans fought so desperately, costing Manigoldo’s life, using every possible means, and only achieving this result when Thanatos was careless.

They could only seal him. Can gods truly not be completely killed?

…..

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