"This is New York? So bustling!" Aldebaran marveled at the lively sights around him.
"Calm down, kid. This is just the beginning," Asura mocked. This really was a country bumpkin—he'd never seen the opulence of palaces belonging to the main gods in the mythological age. Even his own royal palace was leagues more luxurious than this still-developing city.
And then there was the Sanctuary. Though it seemed a little run-down now, at its peak, it was a place even gods envied—especially its wealth. Thanks to Melin and Athena's reputation, many minor gods bowed down and willingly paid tribute just to avoid the Sanctuary's attention, offering untold riches.
Even treasures belonging to major gods were seized by Melin under the excuse that "Athena liked them."
"Well… I am from the countryside," Aldebaran said, scratching his head.
"You… sigh, forget it, kid. Just stick with Melin. You'll be living the good life soon enough," Asura patted him on the shoulder comfortingly, thinking to himself, This kid really is an honest one. Didn't even catch that I was teasing him.
"Asura, watch your words. We're not some kind of criminal organization," Melin scolded. How did such a sacred place like the Sanctuary end up sounding like a mafia group when it came out of Asura's mouth?
"Yes, yes, you're the boss, whatever you say." Asura spread his hands, exasperated. These words might fool a child, but in the mythological era, everyone knew Melin was the world's greatest bandit. For his beloved Athena, he'd robbed the crowns off the heads of goddesses from various pantheons. To fund Saint bonuses, he'd raided treasure vaults left and right—his in-laws suffered the most.
"Alright, Aldy. Don't be so shy. Remember, you're now a candidate Saint, a member of the Sanctuary. Out there, you represent our face. These sights may look glamorous, but you have no idea what filth lies beneath the surface. So don't just look with your eyes—use your Cosmos. Understand?" Melin instructed.
"Yes, Master. I understand," Aldebaran nodded solemnly.
Having followed Melin to America, Aldebaran had already accepted his role in the Sanctuary. He deeply respected Melin. Thanks to Asura's subtle hints, he now knew what the Sanctuary truly was, what Saints meant, and just how noble Melin's status really was.
To think a lofty god would treat him—a mere mortal—like a kindly uncle, patiently teaching him… Aldebaran resolved to repay Melin's trust and become the next Taurus Gold Saint.
"Hmm? Those Cosmos… Melin, when did the Sanctuary start operations in New York?" Asura sensed five Cosmos with a strong Sanctuary signature—four Saints, and one with the aura of a leader.
"Heh, Shion is still as meticulous as ever. This wasn't really necessary." If Asura sensed it, so did Melin, and he could even tell who was who.
Just as expected, a motorcade pulled up in front of them moments later.
Shion stepped out with Aiolia, followed by Orpheus and Rubione. Behind them were Steve, Howard, and Peggy.
"Greetings, Lord Melin!" Shion and the three Saints knelt on one knee in salute, making Steve rather uncomfortable.
Though he was now a Saint himself and felt an instinctive reverence for Melin at first sight, kneeling was still too much for him.
"Alright, get up. This isn't the Sanctuary. Don't let others laugh at us." Melin smiled and helped them to their feet, nodding at Steve.
Steve breathed a sigh of relief. He'd only met Melin once, with little interaction, so he wasn't sure what kind of person Melin was. But now, he felt the god was quite easygoing.
"Where's Kanon? I doubt he'd miss something like this," Melin joked.
"Well…" Everyone smiled bitterly.
"Kanon failed his exams and was kept in the Sanctuary for make-ups by His Holiness," Aiolia explained.
"Haha! That's so Kanon. Just as I expected," Melin laughed.
"Hello, Mr. Melin, I'm…" Howard and Peggy took the chance to greet him.
"I know who you are—Howard Stark, Peggy Carter. Shion has briefed me. Thank you for your contributions to the Sanctuary. As long as you align with our ideals, you'll always be our friends," Melin replied.
"Thank you very much." Howard and Peggy finally relaxed. All previous agreements had been with Shion, but Melin was the true decision-maker. Without his personal assurance, they'd felt constantly on edge.
"As for you… Steve Rogers, Bronze Saint of the Shield Constellation—congratulations," Melin said to Steve.
"Thank you very much." For some reason, Steve's knees kept wanting to bend. It wasn't anything Melin did—just a subconscious reflex. But he resisted and gave a formal bow.
"Alright, everyone. This isn't the place to chat. I assume you've made arrangements for us, Mr. Stark?" Melin asked with a smile.
"Just call me Howard, Mr. Melin. I've already arranged everything. Please, come aboard." Though Howard was proud and sociable, he wouldn't dare call Melin by name—if not out of respect, then because Shion and the others might tear him apart.
"Alright, thank you."
"Please."
The convoy drove into the Stark estate. Just before arriving, Howard turned to Melin and said, "Mr. Melin, there's something I'd like to ask—some top officials in the U.S. want to request a meeting with you. Would you…"
"Turn them down. I know exactly what those little ones are up to. Tell them not to mess around," Melin declined outright.
"Alright then. I'll deliver the message." Howard was actually a bit pleased. He and the others hadn't wanted the higher-ups to know about Melin's arrival in the first place, but Shion had insisted: "The Sanctuary has no need to hide. Lord Melin's visit must not be taken lightly." So keeping it secret became impossible.
Howard understood the officials' intentions perfectly—they wanted favors, and maybe to try and threaten him. But if they pushed too hard, it could ruin the delicate relationship Steve and the others had built with the Sanctuary. So he was relieved Melin had said no.
"Still… your little secret organization is quite interesting. I'll allow that person to see me," Melin added.
"You… you know about that?" Howard was stunned. Only four people knew of the group's existence, and they were the only members. How could Melin know?
Then again, Melin was a true god—an upper-tier one at that. Maybe it wasn't so surprising. And by "that person," he probably meant the only one of the four he hadn't met yet.
"Thank you very much."
"You've earned it."
The convoy arrived. Howard led the group into the estate and ordered the guards to keep everyone else out.
"Stark! What are you doing!?"
"We had an agreement!"
"Sorry, gentlemen." Howard shrugged at the angry officials' faces. "Mr. Melin doesn't wish to meet with you. He asked me to tell you: so long as you don't cause trouble, he won't intervene. So… please leave."
"You're lying! We're senators of the world's greatest country!"
"You must have said something on the way!"
"Step aside!"
"Believe what you want. I'm just the messenger. But if you don't leave, I'll call the cops for trespassing. And believe me—your titles might not be enough to save you."
"Hmph! This isn't over!"
"You'll pay for this, Stark!"
The angry officials stormed off with their bodyguards. Just as Howard expected, none dared to challenge him directly.
After sending them off, Howard gave a few more instructions to the guards and returned inside.
"Mr. Melin, the guests have been dismissed."
"Good work." Melin waved his hand, sending a wave of vibrant Cosmos into Howard's body. He immediately felt warm, like his back didn't ache, and his knees stopped hurting. It even felt like something new had awakened within him.
"Young man… learn a little moderation," Melin teased.
"Er… of course, of course." Howard turned beet red with embarrassment, his toes curling in his shoes. At the same time, he felt he understood Melin a bit better. The god wasn't nearly as stiff or solemn as he imagined.
If Asura had heard that, he'd definitely snort, Solemn? A guy who managed to woo one of the brightest goddesses of the mythological age—Athena herself—solemn? Please.