[{"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-15":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},394473,657,"Chapter 15","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-15",15,"\u003Cp>Ch.15 Apostle of the Goddess of War\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I need to finish this quickly. If it drags on, I’ll lose.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two stood facing each other at a distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You. You can’t even use divine power.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You noticed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And yet you dare challenge me, a demonkin?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demonkin asked angrily, his nerves frayed from Sion’s unexpected resilience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t need anything grand to kill one demonkin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demonkin snorted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Arrogance, brat. If you can’t use divine power yet, it’s not too late.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He extended his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Drink my master’s blood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You have talent the Goddess covets. I’ll help that talent blossom. You’ll tread the world beneath your feet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion knew the demonkin’s offer wasn’t false—it was a genuine attempt to sway him to their side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is he trying to convert me before my faith solidifies?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion didn’t even entertain the offer. It held no appeal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…To Sion, the only appealing offer was one that could protect his siblings. Nothing else mattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huu—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion took a deep breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Releasing tension throughout his body, he relaxed his muscles lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Let’s end this now.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his resolve set—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion’s hair left golden afterimages as he shot forward like an arrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Foolish.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demonkin narrowed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taat!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion, who had been watching his eyelids closely, kicked off the ground and leaped high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whooosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An invisible blade carved a long trail where he’d just been standing—precisely evaded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I definitely read the timing.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hypothesis had turned to certainty. Now was the time to apply the countermeasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You noticed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demonkin realized his attacks were being anticipated. Though briefly startled, he remained composed and focused on Sion’s assault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘A thrust? Don’t make me laugh.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the demonkin’s eyes, Sion’s blade seemed to charge straight at him—an illusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Sion’s sword tip vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What—?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swiiish—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he knew it, Sion’s blade had curved around and sliced through his neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demonkin’s eyes widened as if about to tear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How…?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He never heard Sion’s answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he blinked, his vision slammed into the ground, consciousness fading to black.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Sion resolved to end it, the fight concluded instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion flicked his wrist lightly, shaking the blood from his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Exhausted, he slumped to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Sion took deep breaths to recover, Achille alone reviewed his battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Even for Sion, I thought this demonkin would be too much.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I was ready to intervene forcibly if things turned dangerous…]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All her worries proved unfounded. Defying the Goddess’s expectations yet again, Sion had triumphed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pleasantly surprising reversal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even to the Goddess, how Sion defeated the demonkin was deeply impressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[He vaguely grasped the demonkin’s magic mid-fight.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[It was magic exerting invisible influence through sight.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Sion’s counter was unexpectedly simple—swinging his sword faster than the eye could follow.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Goddess of War twirled her hair, clicking her tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Though he’s to be my Apostle… truly… he’s astounding.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more she learned, the more astonishing he became.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having lived immeasurable years, she’d witnessed countless warriors and war heroes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet even the Goddess of War had never seen genius that could inspire such envy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[This demonkin was clearly far stronger than Sion. Appeared to have lived around 150 years. In a fair fight, Sion would’ve lost.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Sion ended it while the foe was still underestimating him. Clever.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Even with Garfenn’s hints, to this extent… Ahaha.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion was the first human to evoke such admiration from her—no empty praise, but genuine awe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haa. That was truly dangerous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his expression never changed, even Sion had been tense during that fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he made even one mistake—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had his predictions been off—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would’ve been Sion’s head rolling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Demonkin are definitely different from humans. Dangerous.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luck had favored him greatly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While boldness was good, he realized he needed more caution moving forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought that he might not live long at this rate suddenly struck him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If I die early, Ruina will curse me. Can’t have that.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After catching his breath, Sion began examining the demonkin’s corpse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tok.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He kicked the body over with his foot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demonkin’s lifeless form rolled limply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rummaging through it—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, the demonkin carried nothing of monetary value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flesh and blood were all a demonkin needed to live, and as a magic-wielder, this made sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Sion found something far more valuable than material wealth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is this the missing artifact?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What he discovered was a golden chalice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No liquid remained inside—only swirling black smoke hovering within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Undeniably ominous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Demonic energy, I suppose.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malevolent energy overflowed from the sacred object.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he didn’t understand fully, it was clear the demonkin had done something foul to the relic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dark energy dancing inside seemed ready to steal his mind if he stared too long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This demonic energy must be what turned the beasts into monsters.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A reasonable assumption—the only explanation that fit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carefully setting the chalice down, Sion inspected the demonkin again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, he noticed something peculiar on the left wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Like master’s. There’s some mark engraved.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking closer, it was a tattoo—a serpent biting its own tail forming a circle, with one vertical line and five horizontal lines at the center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This should suffice as proof.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d need evidence to prove he killed the demonkin upon returning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bringing just the head might not be recognizable to Roben of the Holy Sword Brigade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Will he recognize this mark?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Praying Roben wasn’t that foolish, Sion began slicing off the demonkin’s arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After severing both the arm and head, he wrapped them in the creature’s clothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he stabbed his sword into the corpse, letting it drink blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Goddess. I offer this delicious sacrifice to you.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Hmm. Sion? This Goddess doesn’t actually drink blood… Regardless. Thank you…]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘With this demonkin, you’ll grant me land to farm, right?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One-sided communication.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Goddess smiled wryly and chose the blessings to bestow upon Sion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You must be tired, so I’ll restore your body and reforge your sword. The rest I’ll remember for future rewards.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion’s eyes widened at his suddenly lightened body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Offering something tasty really brings blessings. Nice.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After dealing with the demonkin, Sion returned to camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heading straight to Roben’s tent—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man greeted him with an ‘I knew it’ expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir Sion. You’ve returned. Any success?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. Look at this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tok.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion placed the bundled object on the ground and unwrapped it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demonkin’s cloak was soaked through with blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Incredible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roben exhaled sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For someone who’d gone out alone to return and casually produce a pale head was a sight that would shock even lifelong swordsmen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I found the demonkin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Demonkin?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roben stared disbelievingly between Sion and the severed head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I-Is this true, Sir Sion?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Finally found it! We couldn’t locate a single hair!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roben called his adjutant and issued orders, his eyes filled with determination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We march immediately. Prepare for extermination.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion tilted his head at Roben’s actions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why prepare?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Now that we’ve found the demonkin, of course we—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roben sensed something off in Sion’s tone. The boy was far too calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that he thought about it, Sion returning unharmed after ‘finding’ the demonkin was strange itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roben reexamined the head on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait—this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then noticing the demonkin’s severed wrist beneath the head, Roben paled drastically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Sir Sion. Is this not just a demonkin’s limb, but the actual demonkin’s head? Are you saying that now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. It used magic. Definitely one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Magic?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roben’s voice cracked from sheer shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His brow remained deeply furrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Impossible.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A demonkin capable of magic would have lived at least a century.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even skilled Holy Sword Brigade members would struggle against one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roben himself couldn’t guarantee victory, even staking his life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is this true, Sir Sion? It’s hard to believe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Expressionless, Sion picked up the wrist and asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I brought this since I wasn’t sure. Do you recognize this symbol?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roben was stunned by Sion casually handling the severed limb—then utterly horrified upon seeing the mark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Thi-This is—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face froze upon identifying the symbol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking the arm, Roben scrutinized it intently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he studied the tattoo, the color drained from his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t something one could fake to deceive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s so significant about it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir Sion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How… how did you survive?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion scratched his cheek awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I almost didn’t.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You said you couldn’t use divine power, correct?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Embarrassingly, no.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roben’s mind threatened to explode from overload.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stammering, he barely managed to explain:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This symbol represents the Dark Sigil—followers of the Evil God Magoth who believe in his resurrection. They attack devotees of the Goddess to break his seals.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, these cockroaches rarely appeared outside border regions…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trailing off, Roben studied Sion—more shocked by the boy’s existence than the dark cultists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt as if his soul had left his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without divine power, Sion had single-handedly beheaded a magic-wielding demonkin and returned alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A boy not yet an adult. Who’d held a sword for less than three weeks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roben’s vision blurred slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Envy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The Goddess is unfair…!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shivering from full-body chills, Roben shuddered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No. I’m Holy Sword Brigade. I can’t waver like this.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the harder he tried to shake it off, the more he felt trapped in quicksand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion’s absurd talent left him feeling hollow, dark thoughts creeping in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If I kill this boy now and claim his achievement—’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would be a monumental feat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s from the Church of War anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Holy Kingdom disapproves of the Church of War gaining influence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s regulation—restrictions placed upon them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meaning punishing a Church of War follower would be legally justified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Crush him!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially if he’s Garfenn’s disciple!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Before this brat grows stronger. We must cut him down now!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Doing so would earn him recognition upon returning to the main order—perhaps even promotion trials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reaching the Holy Sword Brigade’s inner circle wouldn’t be an empty dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roben’s desire-filled subconscious focused on the sword at his waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s off-guard now. If I’m to behead him, it must be now.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ddddd…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hand resting on the hilt trembled violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lightning seemed to strike Roben’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What… what am I thinking?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how blinded by envy, he was a devout follower of the Goddess of Light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man who’d lived rightly now contemplated murder and theft of merit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to crawl into a mouse hole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Unbelievable. Did the dark cultist’s corpse influence me with wicked thoughts?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roben smoothed his pounding chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regaining rationality, he realized how absurd his thoughts had been.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sparring had already shown Sion’s skill clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, he’d slain a magic-wielding demonkin without a scratch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Could I even win to begin with?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold sweat dripped down Roben’s back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he drew and swung his sword lightning-fast now, it wouldn’t reach Sion. The more he considered, the wider the gap between them seemed to stretch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t envision cleanly killing Sion in one stroke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blocked, then counter-stabbed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His wrist seized the moment he drew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion unsheathing faster and beheading him instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Only visions of pathetic defeat surfaced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overwhelmed by mere imagination, Roben saw no path to victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘First, I must report to the main order. Judgment isn’t mine to make.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally organizing his thoughts, Roben forced himself to speak while gasping for air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…To win without divine power. Truly fortunate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I got lucky.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s skill. Defeating a magic-wielding demonkin alone isn’t possible through mere luck.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He was strong indeed. I’ll need to be wary of dark cultists from now on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All demonkin and demons are dangerous, but those bearing this symbol are especially so. Extremists are capable of anything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Sion nod in understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So that’s why you were so tense earlier.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You were emanating bloodlust strangely. I thought something was off. Given how dangerous that symbol is, tension makes sense.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roben’s heart plummeted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I was moments from death just now.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Schedule: Every mon, wed, fri and sun\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Review at\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>NovelUpdate\u003C\u002Fp>",1987,"2026-05-30T06:48:22.039Z","2026-06-01T04:30:34.110Z",1,"novelbin.me","b4256eefe0327d9ff6e9a4f757775b43ecbac0de41fd032e47ef99324659dce8","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-16","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-14",174,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fapostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-cover.jpg"]