Who is Albafica of Pisces in Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas?
“The roses uprooted by Minos… have they all flown here… Have they lost their fragrance… I… have always been with these poisonous roses… But now, for the first time, I realize… how beautiful they truly are…”
— Albafica
The Man Who Was Both Thorn and Rose
Albafica’s life began in tragedy. Abandoned by his parents near the Pisces Temple, he was found amidst the deadly Demon Roses—a child somehow untouched by their venom, blessed by the very flowers that should have killed him. Taken in and raised by his master, Rugonis, he experienced what fleeting happiness life could offer a Pisces Gold Saint.
The path of Pisces carries a cruel inheritance: the Blood Change ritual. When an apprentice’s blood becomes more toxic than their master’s, the master dies—poisoned by their successor. Unknowingly, Albafica inherited this tragic legacy, carrying the guilt of his master’s death alongside the poisonous blood that now flowed through his veins.
This curse became both his burden and his weapon. He maintained distance from others, presenting a cold exterior that masked his true nature: a man of noble spirit and surprising tenderness, always putting others’ safety before his own comfort.
The Strategic Mind of a Pisces Visionary
What truly sets Albafica apart is his extraordinary foresight—a quality that reflects the intuitive, forward-thinking nature often associated with Pisces energy. Before the Specters’ invasion even began, he had already planted vast fields of Royal Demon Roses around Sanctuary, creating a defensive barrier that bought precious time for his fellow Saints.
His strategic genius extended to protecting nearby villages, where he placed Bloody Roses in anticipation of the Specters’ tactics. But his ultimate strategic masterpiece came at the cost of his own blood: using Crimson Thorns to lure Minos into a trap, then driving a white rose saturated with his poisonous blood into the Marble’s chest.
The Promise That Cost Everything
As the guardian of the final temple, Albafica could have remained safely within the Pisces domain after deploying his roses. Yet one chance encounter changed everything. He made a promise to a village girl named Agatha: “I will protect your village.”
He kept that promise at the ultimate price. Though Agatha’s grateful “thank you” would never reach his ears, Albafica died knowing he had fulfilled his word—as a Gold Saint, as a protector, and as a man of honor.
A Legacy Beyond Poison
Albafica’s story is one of tragic beauty—much like the roses he embodied. From abandoned child to blessed survivor, from accidental patricide to lonely warrior, he carried his poisonous inheritance as both curse and duty.
In his final moments, he transformed what he called his “useless” toxic blood into a weapon that saved countless lives. He fulfilled his promise, protected Sanctuary, and ultimately liberated himself from the fear of harming others with his deadly gift. In death, he found freedom from the burden he carried in life—a truly Pisces redemption story of sacrifice turning poison into protection.
