[{"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-16":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},394474,657,"Chapter 16","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-16",16,"\u003Cp>Ch.16 Apostle of the Goddess of War\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, if he had drawn the sword earlier, he would have died right there on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So you knew all along. I survived.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roben struggled to rise to his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His legs trembled uncontrollably, strength drained from them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The existence of Sion terrified him more than the demon itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suppressing his fear, he barely managed to utter words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve done something extraordinary. I’m relieved you’re unharmed, truly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion shrugged his shoulders, as if to say—What of it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, and…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion suddenly seemed to remember something and pulled an object from inside his clothes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Roben saw it, his eyes widened as if they would tear apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A sacred relic. Is that right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. May I take a look?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion hesitated, extending the relic but then warning,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Be careful. The demon has done something to this object.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roben cautiously examined the sacred relic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The golden chalice was clearly a holy artifact symbolizing the Goddess of Light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The details would have to be investigated upon returning to his homeland.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it was highly likely to be genuine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the problem was…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It really is demonic energy. Oh, heavens.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roben finally understood why a malicious thought had suddenly flashed through his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His inner jealousy had been amplified and manifested by this demonic energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roben gritted his teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn those demon-worshipping bastards! How dare they desecrate holiness…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is it serious? Can it be purified?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roben asked for permission with an uncertain expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May I touch it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. It belongs to the Church of Light, after all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Sion handed over the chalice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Roben laid his hands on it—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roben’s head snapped backward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veins bulged in his neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes rolled up, showing only the whites.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ghk!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was writhing in agony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hand clutched the chalice tightly, refusing to let go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If left like this, he would be consumed and overtaken by the demonic energy—no one could predict what might happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Roben!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion quickly grabbed his shoulder and shook him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roben’s condition abruptly returned to normal back to how he was before touching the chalice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With pale lips, Roben spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“W-what just happened to me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You nearly got consumed by the demonic energy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You touched me, and I came back?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Sion answered honestly, Roben’s expression turned grave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pressed his hand to his forehead and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This… this is not something I should touch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roben asked, his tone now extremely respectful,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir Sion, you said you were Apostle Garfenn’s disciple, correct?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then you must be an Apostle. The Goddess of War seems to be watching over you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Goosebumps rose on Sion’s arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A stranger he had just met was confirming the existence of a goddess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So the goddess really is watching over me.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within Sion, the presence of the Goddess of War, Achilles began to faintly take root.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[How lovely you are, my child.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The goddess began to feel Sion’s soul more strongly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a sign that Sion was truly starting to believe in her existence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roben explained seriously,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is not something an ordinary priest can handle. Only an Apostle directly protected by the goddess could purify such demonic energy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not even a knight of the Order of the Holy Sword?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Sion’s words, Roben gave a bitter smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m just a low-ranking member. It seems this demon was beyond my capacity to handle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So what should we do with this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s an embarrassing request, but unless Sir Sion keeps it temporarily or finds a way to purify it…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was truly an unreasonable request, one that made Roben bow his head in shame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion looked at Roben, somewhat flustered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I purify it, what then?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What happens to this sacred relic? I recover it, I purify it—then what?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roben understood Sion’s implication.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a meek voice, he replied,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…We will pay a fair price. Apart from any wager or reward, we will purchase this relic from you using the Order of the Holy Sword’s budget.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion looked at the chalice, overflowing with ominous demonic energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All sorts of thoughts flooded his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How much is this relic worth?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surely a considerable amount.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if I purify it too, wouldn’t its value increase even more?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is a chance to make a huge fortune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Actually, none of that matters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Can I even purify it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion paused, pondering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no idea how to purify it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d never even heard of such a method.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he took it straight back to Elim right now and showed it to his master or the bishop, they could probably handle it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who knew what might happen if he kept carrying it around?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bringing it near Elim might affect the vagrants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if it harmed his younger siblings?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Absolutely not. I must resolve this here.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After some thought, Sion recalled one possible method.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If the goddess is watching over me—’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That method was prayer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Perhaps she will help.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having organized his thoughts, Sion placed the chalice before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll try praying to the goddess. Please make sure no one enters the tent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roben’s face brightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite everything, the holy knight who served the light showed no greed or selfishness in the face of evil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even lowering his pride to beg someone he had previously looked down upon meant nothing compared to confronting the demon worshippers’ vile deeds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He might be lowly, but he had not fallen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, Sion also intended to do his best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s little chance, but I’ll try.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, understood. I’ll guard the entrance. Call me if you need anything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roben left the tent, asking respectfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The back of the holy knight who served the light looked tragically lonely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion knelt before the chalice tainted with malice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He swallowed hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If it doesn’t work, I’ll just take it to Elim.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion closed his eyes and clasped his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Goddess. Goddess of War. A humble devotee offers this prayer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The goddess responded with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I hear you. My child.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they could not fully communicate, they sensed each other’s presence, and understood each other’s intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have found a sacred relic corrupted by demonic energy. If left as is, it will taint everything around it. Carrying it around would be even more dangerous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please grant me the power to purify this demonic energy. I beg you sincerely. Could it be done using the demon’s blood I offered? If it’s not enough, I’ll borrow some in advance… This is for the revival of the church.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, the calculating nature of Sion only made the goddess find him endlessly adorable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[No such thing is needed. Purifying evil requires no transaction.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The goddess accepted, placing her hand upon Sion’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[My future Grand Apostle. I shall grant you power.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Sion’s eyes snapped open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strange force pierced from the crown of his head down his spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Divine power?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion instinctively recognized what it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he had never learned or been taught, he could feel the sacred energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this wasn’t divine power, then what could it be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion sensed the change within his body and steadied his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The goddess must have answered his prayer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly, Sion reached his hand toward the chalice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, the demonic energy contained within the chalice began being sucked into Sion’s palm, as if Sion himself were absorbing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once started, the absorption of demonic energy continued without end, as if determined to finish completely. The speed gradually increased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, Sion’s arm began trembling violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t purifying the demonic energy—he was absorbing it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The amount of demonic energy filling his body kept increasing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with it, the pain intensified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt as if demonic energy was flooding and flowing through every blood vessel in his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Khh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion groaned in pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be… failure?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he not strong enough yet?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unable to fully handle the goddess’s power?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“G-goddess! Something’s wrong…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as such negative thoughts arose,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Impossible. My child. Just endure a little longer. This is my arrangement for your sake.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Sion couldn’t hear the goddess’s words, he shook off the bad thoughts and sat firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He focused on his breathing, concentrating on resisting the demonic energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Now that I think about it, it’s not unbearable.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The goddess had chosen absorption over purification.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘There must be a reason.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion trusted the goddess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He trusted himself, beloved by the goddess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sweat dripped down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion trembled like an old man suffering from chills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he endured, thinking of this as merely a difficult training session.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He brainwashed himself into believing that if this were training directly given by the goddess, he could endure even worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Well done.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The goddess smiled with satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Achilles carefully controlled the demonic energy to minimize Sion’s pain and prevent injury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Just endure a little longer, and the precious demonic energy injected by a 150-year-old demon will transform into your divine power.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The golden divine power of the Order of the Holy Sword that Sion had envied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The goddess inwardly pitied Sion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she seized this opportunity to make her future Apostle stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click, click, click!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion’s jaw clattered uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only was sweat pouring from his entire body, but impurities were also being expelled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The goddess directly intervened in Sion’s body, purifying impurities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a rare blessing, seldom seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vaguely sensing that affectionate touch, Sion clenched his teeth even harder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gradually, change arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thorns flowing through his blood vessels softened, becoming as smooth as milk and honey flowing through the goddess’s garden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The searing, burning pain vanished, and an unknown power began to well up from within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially that strange sensation in his chest—bright, sacred, and powerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Something incredible has happened.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion didn’t exactly know what it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he realized the goddess had absorbed the demonic energy and transformed it into something beneficial for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Probably divine power.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly, Sion opened his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he moved his arm, it felt unbelievably light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if he had become an infant again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his newly acquired arm, he grasped the sword lying beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, mentally drawing out the sacred power residing in his chest, he transferred it into the blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an extremely difficult process.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merely imagining it caused his neck to tighten, his heart to race, and his breathing to quicken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Sion didn’t give up. He struggled to maintain maximum concentration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Going through a process as delicate as running while carrying a full cup of water without spilling a single drop, tears welled up in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A blade emitting black light—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and beautifully twinkling starlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At last, the colors of Achilles were seeping into Sion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion fell into a state of ecstasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Achilles touched his cheek.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Well done, my child.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he stepped out of the tent, the sun was already peeking above the horizon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a beautiful sunrise, so radiant it made the previous night’s ordeal seem like a dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roben had stood guard at the tent entrance all night without a single moment of sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“S-Sir Sion?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Roben saw Sion, he was startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His appearance was terrible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, despite his pitiful state, something immediately caught Roben’s attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“T-the sword…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This? Divine power. Is that right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a question that didn’t need answering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For only divine power could cause the miracle of light to dwell within a blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. That’s right, Sir Sion. The goddess has truly favored you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The result was obvious without needing to ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The meaning of war’s coloration dwelling in the sword was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m relieved.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion sighed in relief, letting his shoulders relax.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, he handed the cleanly purified chalice to Roben.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It should be safe now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, Roben could hold it without any problem. The demonic energy had clearly vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Sir Sion. I owe you a great debt.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, it’s fine. I did it expecting compensation anyway.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion said casually and shuffled away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll just get some sleep.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I apologize.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Roben’s sudden words, Sion turned back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For doubting and criticizing the Church of War, for tormenting you throughout our journey—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion cut him off with a shrug.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll listen properly after I’ve rested with a clear mind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roben stood dazed for a moment, then smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, of course. We’ll talk in detail later. I’ll handle the cleanup.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Schedule: Every mon, wed, fri and sun\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Review at\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>NovelUpdate\u003C\u002Fp>",2088,"2026-05-30T06:48:22.039Z","2026-06-01T04:30:34.110Z",1,"novelbin.me","5cac20576bfc96c66d3a25d5479ddb8ea7c8c6c8c4be797072daf4ac4a00743e","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-17","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-15",174,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fapostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-cover.jpg"]