[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war":3,"chapter-apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-116":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Apostle of the Goddess of War",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},394524,657,"Chapter 116","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-116",116,"\u003Cp>Ch.116 Apostle of the Goddess of War\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the very beginning, it felt dangerously as if the thread of reason was about to snap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their attitude toward him was extremely hostile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Respect and consideration for the Goddess of War were nearly impossible to find, even in the smallest measure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It infuriated him that these people, who had lived long enough to know better, lacked basic manners and decorum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Treating someone this way simply because they were young and their cult was weak only demonstrated how lowly and despicable those humans were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, Sion’s words could not come out kindly either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I stand here today, staking my honor upon the name of the Goddess of War Achille. I will offer separate prayers to the Goddess of Light later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the most he could manage after holding back as much as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The College of Cardinals murmured among themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They never expected he would so brazenly bare his fangs like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Now I understand just how much they’ve suppressed other cults by sheer force all this time.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any cult not affiliated with the Round Table must have always been treated this way. He could tell without even seeing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the Church of Light was a group incapable of escaping the logic of power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you think this is a place for playing word games, War Cult follower?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone shouted while pointing an accusing finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion didn’t even bother listening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then is this a place where children are intimidated and crushed underfoot?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion’s eyes blazed fiercely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He showed not the slightest sign of intimidation before the highest-ranking priests of the Holy Kingdom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What kind of person is this!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah, this fellow has gone mad. Absolutely insane.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang, bang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The presiding judge struck his gavel to calm the assembly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, he himself was the most displeased among them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion kept his gaze fixed unwaveringly on the cardinal presiding over the judgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cardinal surely regarded him as an outrageously insolent brat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Maintain your manners. This is a sacred place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You maintain yours first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion retorted without batting an eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, he merely spoke the truth. It was their own petty-mindedness that made Sion appear defiant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veins bulged at the cardinal’s temples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, this was precisely why followers of the War Cultt were always…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huff. Let’s move past this for now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This unnecessary battle of wills served no real purpose. In truth, such procedures weren’t even necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the Holy Kingdom’s doctrine, believing in any goddess was essentially equivalent to serving the Goddess of Light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was absolutely no reason to stubbornly insist otherwise at this point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cardinal took a deep breath before speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sion of the War Cult. Today’s gathering exists to test the purity of your character and the steadfastness of your faith. Do you understand this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t ask why they were the ones conducting this test.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he felt aversion, he couldn’t very well cut off their heads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, he intended to do his utmost to grate on their nerves as much as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you have confidence in proving your purity here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cardinal narrowed his eyes as he asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You said this is a test. Present whatever challenge you wish. I’ll take it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The College of Cardinals murmured again among themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They exchanged opinions on what kind of trial would best torment this annoying brat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One cardinal stood up with a sinister smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine, let’s see how long that confidence lasts. We have a very simple test.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his gesture, two Holy Knights carried a massive mirror onto the dais. The mirror’s surface was clouded and hazy, reflecting nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is the Mirror of Pure White. Only one whose heart holds not a single speck of falsehood or malice can see their true reflection fully within it. Anyone else will see a distorted image. Go ahead, prove it—how pure your soul truly is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Triumphant smiles spread across the faces of the College of Cardinals. It was a perfect trap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every human inevitably harbors at least a tiny speck of impurity within their heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In reality, this sacred artifact existed primarily to pass judgment upon grave sinners or followers of evil gods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using it against Sion itself was an overt act of exclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Sion failed, they could brand him as impure; even if by some miracle he succeeded, it would merely mean he met the bare minimum qualification, causing them no loss whatsoever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion gazed briefly at the mirror. What he saw reflected was not the cloudy glass—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, he saw only corrupt priests whose hearts were stained pitch-black.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Pathetic, wretched old men.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the heavy truth of the world’s end and the goddess’s impending disappearance, this childish test demanding proof of spiritual purity seemed downright laughable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion did not approach the mirror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, he turned his body to face the cardinals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You called this a test?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s right. Hurry up and prove your purity, War Cult follower Sion!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion chuckled softly. Hearing that chuckle, the cardinals frowned, sensing an inexplicable unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion mocked them openly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shouldn’t it be your turn first, Your Eminences? Wouldn’t that be the proper order?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did you say!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After we generously chose to overlook your insolence, now you dare commit blasphemy!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cardinal spat in fury. Though this hardly warranted such excitement, he couldn’t tolerate Sion’s blatant provocation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They must hold the War Cult in utter contempt.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They seemed to regard Sion’s very existence as an affront to the Holy Kingdom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tormenting him felt natural to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their perception of the War Cult as inferior was deeply ingrained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Disgusting.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion openly radiated hostility toward the Holy Kingdom’s cardinals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You insolent brat!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion continued speaking toward their visibly shaken figures. His voice remained calm, yet the weight behind it pressed down upon the entire stone chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Has even a single one among you, Your Eminences, ever stood before this mirror?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, silence flowed through the stone chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shouldn’t standing before this mirror be a prerequisite for becoming a cardinal? Instead of using it to harass insignificant minor cults.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one answered. They merely glanced nervously at each other, trembling with fear that their own filthy inner thoughts might be exposed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In lives defined by schemes and shadowy power struggles, not a single one among them could stand confidently before the Mirror of Truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confirming their cowardly silence, Sion drove in the final nail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As expected—none of you have.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having spoken, Sion stepped forward confidently toward the Mirror of Pure White and puffed out his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mirror, angled cunningly, perfectly reflected the distorted faces of the cardinals—faces twisted by panic, anger, and fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as though the mirror itself chose to reflect those whose hearts were ugly and tainted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, a change occurred within the Mirror of Pure White.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mirror fully reflected Sion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Exactly as the cardinals saw him with their own eyes—without a single distortion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that enough now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The College of Cardinals tightly shut their mouths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They pretended indifference, clearly irritated but unwilling to show it openly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They call this stone chamber the Hall of Repentance. Who exactly needs to repent here…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion muttered softly under his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone finally couldn’t restrain themselves and shouted furiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cease insulting the sacred sects of the Round Table! You vile War Cult follower! Are you determined to provoke bloodshed even here through reckless provocations!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Vile? Who are you calling vile?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion clenched his fists tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he brought a sword, he would have drawn it to threaten them immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of a blade, he unleashed his aura, overwhelming the entire assembly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who was it that tormented the War Cult arbitrarily and created forced doctrines to oppress us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? Forced doctrines?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve just proven my purity before the mirror—an achievement none of you could accomplish. Now, answer me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion’s clear eyes slowly, deliberately took in each aged and corrupt cardinal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who are the true priests and Holy Knights now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you insulting us, who have faithfully served the Goddess without faltering for decades? This is a grave crime. You must be prepared for the consequences.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You have fallen into corruption. The War Cult committed no crime, yet you treat oppressing and tormenting us as perfectly natural—as if it were merely a form of ostracism or entertainment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stung by Sion’s sharp rebuke, the presiding cardinal cried out,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can endure no more! What are you waiting for? Commander of the Order of the Holy Sword! Drag this rascal out immediately!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All eyes turned to Lagan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the only one present wearing a sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If necessary, you may cut him down. I grant you summary judgment authority.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Lagan slightly twisted the corner of his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You summoned me as a witness, and now you want me to leave again? Don’t bother busy people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can you still speak like that after witnessing such behavior? Commander?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t give me orders.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lagan defied the cardinal directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, no one dared raise their voice or point fingers at Lagan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their attitude toward him was utterly different from how they treated Sion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a bit excessive, Elders. You didn’t even grant him proper speaking rights, then suddenly pulled out a mirror meant for testing demons.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flushed red and blue with shame, the cardinals’ faces contorted grotesquely at Lagan’s criticism.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“H-how dare you speak like that!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They never imagined the Commander of the Order of the Holy Sword would side not with the Holy Kingdom but with the rootless War Cult follower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Precisely because they vaguely understood Lagan’s nature, they’d believed without doubt he wouldn’t take Sion’s side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strict neutrality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lagan typically sided mechanically with the Holy Kingdom when handling matters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s proceed according to procedure, shall we?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lagan issued a warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our Apostle has already undergone one round of verification. Here, we should merely go through the motions formally, shouldn’t we?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cardinals’ lips jutted out sulkily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their faces were so irritating he wanted to tear them off immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Or perhaps you intend to defy the Apostle’s will?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“T-that’s not it, Sir.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But isn’t all this merely formal procedure? Didn’t you all just witness that War Cult follower committing disrespect?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frowning, Lagan sharply cut off their ugly remarks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough. Proceed. First witness—step onto the dais.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lagan lightly tapped Roben’s back. Roben, missing an arm, had been undergoing mental and physical rehabilitation within the Holy Kingdom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d been selected as a witness precisely because Sion had arrived at the Holy Kingdom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cardinal spoke with a dissatisfied expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Make your profession of faith, then testify. Roben, Second Division Deputy Commander of the Order of the Holy Sword.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roben raised his remaining arm to profess his faith to the Goddess of Light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His statement was brief yet powerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It carried a genuine resonance none of the cardinals present could possibly match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, he slowly began to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I personally witnessed… Lord Sion risking his life to exterminate monsters and hunt demons, protecting the people of Foils right beside me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is this true?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. All details are fully documented in the mission records.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cardinal furrowed his brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, they already knew all this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d reviewed it multiple times, searching for any pretext to criticize—but found none.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They couldn’t locate even a single negative speck within Sion’s entire record.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was precisely why they resorted to harassing him arbitrarily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Very well. You may return.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roben descended from the dais.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he passed Sion, he gave him a slight smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He himself hadn’t been much different from these cardinals when he first met Sion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d been a man full of jealousy and greed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after being thoroughly humbled once by Sion, he’d completely repented—or rather, transformed into an entirely different person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, he was making amends for having tormented Sion back then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Am I next? Tsk, I’m bored to death. Seriously.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grumbling, Lagan ascended the dais.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t even wait to hear the cardinal’s instructions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lagan slammed his palm onto the dais.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I stake the honor of the Commander of the Order of the Holy Sword to guarantee the integrity of Sion and the War Cult. Any objections?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stone chamber fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a single breath was exhaled carelessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Descending from the dais, Lagan placed a hand on Sion’s shoulder and walked out of the chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just before leaving, Lagan left one final remark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I knew it already, but truly—you’re all embarrassingly shameful. Uncomfortably so. Someone ought to sweep you all away entirely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after the Commander of the Order of the Holy Sword departed, not a single person dared speak first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Schedule: Every mon, wed, fri and sun\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Review at\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>NovelUpdate\u003C\u002Fp>",2118,"2026-05-30T06:48:22.319Z","2026-06-01T04:30:34.110Z",1,"novelbin.me","5652da74220c3ff92c5976cfc1f3e7d11730844ba2d15d842e8613e855c9c618","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-117","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-115",174,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fapostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-cover.jpg"]