[{"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-2":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},394460,657,"Chapter 2","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-2",2,"\u003Cp>Ch.2 Apostle of the Goddess of War\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This is absurd…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn let out a hollow laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For someone who had never fought before or held a weapon, that skill was ridiculous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No, I’m not even sure if it can be called skill. That was… just instinct.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Garfenn, who had survived countless battlefields and fights, was astonished by the child’s martial talent. Just as the goddess had boasted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Goddess. Did you do something to this child? Bestow some kind of blessing?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[No. I merely observed. Where would I get the power to do such things now?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Hah. Unbelievable.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Did I not tell you? A talent more brilliant than any child I’ve seen before.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘More brilliant than me?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Indeed.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That hurts.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[A goddess must only speak the truth.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Garfenn wasn’t hurt at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was such overwhelming talent that he couldn’t even feel jealous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anything, he was happier than the goddess right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Finally, I can retire.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The slave trader, his ankles severed, rolled on the ground and screamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, you bastards! Kill them! What are you doing? Attack!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did the mercenaries remember they had been hired by the slave trader. They had to earn their pay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy turned his sword toward the approaching mercenaries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Oh? Planning to fight them too? Not just the slave trader?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Garfenn marveled at the boy’s audacity, the mercenaries belatedly tried to draw their weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? W-why won’t this—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What the—?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for some reason, their swords wouldn’t unsheathe, and their spear tips became as heavy as lumps of iron, sinking into the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their weapons refused to move as they wished. An invisible pressure weighed down on their entire bodies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Leave now, and I’ll spare you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn spoke with a fierce expression, unleashing what could be called a killing intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“F-fuck!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Run!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mercenaries fled without looking back. They were terrified that staying any longer would cost them their heads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The caravan staff, who had been watching the slave trader’s reaction, chased after the mercenaries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hack, ptui!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn spat and glared at the merchant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seems you didn’t treat your subordinates well enough for them to stay loyal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guh…! Spare me, please! I’m begging you! I’ll give you as much money as you want!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn scowled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It was a sacred duel sworn before the goddess. How dare you break your oath? Are you telling me to commit blasphemy now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I-I never swore to the Goddess of Light!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn clicked his tongue and shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I did. The goddess I serve witnessed this duel.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“W-what kind of nonsense is that? What goddess would allow such a thing?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Goddess of War.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wha…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The slave trader, drenched in sweat, slowly twisted his lips into a sneer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah, hahaha! No wonder you’re nothing but a thief, serving a goddess like that. You worthless trash! The Goddess of Light sees everything! You’ll be punished!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“‘A goddess like that’…? Finished?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn gripped the sword slung over his shoulder. One more blasphemous word, and more than just limbs would be severed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the slave trader, already deranged, had crossed the line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m finished! Even if I die at the hands of a war-mongering fanatic, the Goddess of Light will recognize my grievance and save my soul! Hahahaha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before his laughter could end, the slave trader’s head separated from his neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His head sprayed blood in the air before unceremoniously hitting the ground and rolling away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn gasped in surprise. It wasn’t him who had struck—it was the boy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did you just do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If he died by my hand, and I don’t believe in the goddess, does that mean he won’t be saved?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy scratched his cheek awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He was a bad man who hit me and my siblings. I don’t regret it. I’ll gladly pay the price.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a witty answer, and his motives were impeccable—full marks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Impudent brat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn chuckled so hard his shoulders shook.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The goddess was laughing heartily too, though the boy couldn’t hear her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah, haha! Anyone who enslaves children deserves death. You’ve done no wrong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After laughing for a while, Garfenn tossed the boy the keys.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Free your friends.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The freed children clung to each other in relief. But they still eyed Garfenn warily, their gazes filled with fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A natural reaction, given Garfenn’s monstrous appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are they your siblings?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We met after being captured.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not by blood, then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy quietly answered while holding his siblings. Though not related by blood, he had protected them out of responsibility. Their bond was extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why protect them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Just because?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m the oldest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A simple answer, but it carried an indescribable resolve. For his young age, his depth of thought was remarkable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn was convinced once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Courageous, virtuous, and strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was more than qualified to be the Goddess of War’s apostle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aren’t you afraid?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy answered as calmly as if discussing someone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course I was. I was scared earlier too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hoho…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite his composed words, his demeanor in battle had been entirely different—like a ruthless killer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Garfenn didn’t mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as he fought well and remained virtuous, that was enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had chosen well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you have a home to return to? Karak Village?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No. There’s nothing left there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn nodded sympathetically. Karak had been engulfed in a great war years ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy must have been orphaned then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So what do you want to do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Didn’t you buy me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s true. So will you follow me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The conditions were met, but the most crucial factor—willingness—remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course. You saved my life. I was taught to repay debts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even without knowing who I am?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn struggled to suppress a smirk. The goddess was already smiling warmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll find out in time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again, the boy answered nonchalantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s not normal. It’s hard to imagine what this child has experienced, what suffering he’s endured.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the boy seemed to react simply and without much thought, his mind was profoundly deep. Every word he spoke was impressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about your siblings?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I can’t leave them behind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you won’t come with me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll repay my debt. But can I help them settle somewhere first and repay you later?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn knew this wasn’t a lie to deceive him. The boy would return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Garfenn shook his head coldly. Neither he nor the goddess had much time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy hesitated. He didn’t want to abandon either. His head grew hot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the goddess intervened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Garfenn, my child.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Yes, Goddess.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Take them all.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘All of them?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Indeed.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn was puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Do you mean to take them all as disciples?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[No, Garfenn. Now that we’ve found a successor, we must rebuild the order. Those children will be of great use.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘You’ve had this planned for a long time, Goddess.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[This has been my design for ages.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn could almost hear the goddess’s pride in her voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since she insisted so strongly, he decided to endure the hassle for now and crossed his arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine. I’ll take all of you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy looked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, but your siblings will serve in the order.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The order?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. As priests or nuns. Consider it repaying the debt. You won’t refuse this, will you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course not!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy jumped in protest, like a child afraid his food would be taken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The church is safe, right? They’ll be fed, sheltered, and…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But it won’t be comfortable or idle. They’ll work tirelessly, pray, and serve. Can your siblings endure that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of answering, the boy looked at his siblings. They cautiously nodded. Anything was better than this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confirming their resolve, the boy knelt before Garfenn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, sir. I’ll repay this debt until the day I die. Order me to do anything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You won’t regret it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if it’s hard enough to kill you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s hard enough to kill me, but it won’t kill me, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It might.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, the boy hesitated—but only briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I already considered myself dead once.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not a trace of childishness left. I like that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He ruffled the boy’s hair with his thick hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he asked one last question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you think of war?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy thought for a moment before answering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I hate it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What if you could end war?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is there a way?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I want to know it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You want to end war?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. No one gets hurt that way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At last, Garfenn smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This boy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the next Apostle of the Goddess of War.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know you lied earlier. What’s your real name?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Sion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sion of Karak. You are now my disciple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Disciple…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn made an uncharacteristically holy gesture as he added,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My name is Garfenn. Apostle of Achille, the Goddess of War.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? Then—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The playful tone in Garfenn’s voice vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air grew heavy as iron, and his gaze turned murderous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was solemn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suffocating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Will you follow me down the path of the sword, serve Achille the Goddess of War, and become her blade?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion stared intently at Garfenn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the overwhelming pressure, he showed no sign of intimidation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anything, his gaze was eerily serene—like that of a saint who had transcended death itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cautiously, Sion spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Before I answer… can I ask one question?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ask.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I lost my family to war. My village. These siblings too. War took everything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn listened silently as Sion continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I hate war more than anything. Even so… is it okay? Can someone like me follow the Goddess of War?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A brazen confession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression showed resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was blasphemous to say such things before the Apostle of the Goddess of War.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Apostle of the Goddess of War smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A look of utter satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need for pretentious saintliness. If you were like that, I’d have killed you already. Just cut. Become her blade and cut. Pour out your hatred.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Will that really be enough?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. If you do, you’ll find the answer you seek.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The answer I seek?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion tilted his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The meaning of war. Its value. Its end. Whatever it is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn spoke as if he already knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, Sion had wondered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What is war, that it took everything from me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did my family and village have to die?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is war just?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Does it ever end?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was like you once, struggled with the same questions, cursed war and its vile weapons.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you find an answer?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I did.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn answered without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At last, Sion bowed his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll wield the sword until I find my answer too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it you seek?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…The end of war.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Goosebumps ran down Garfenn’s spine. The goddess felt the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t like complicated things. I just… want war to end. Can I achieve that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion’s wish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was what the Goddess of War desired most of all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Find the strongest sword and end all war and suffering in the world.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At last, the moment had come for her to obtain the blade she had longed for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn placed his hand on Sion’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The goddess’s hand overlapped his.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Seek, and you shall find. The goddess watches over you.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Schedule: Every mon, wed, fri and sun\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Review at\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>NovelUpdate\u003C\u002Fp>",1894,"2026-05-30T06:48:22.039Z","2026-06-01T04:30:34.110Z",1,"novelbin.me","534aef1e9d5b3f086b3d460dccd0d9b0c58f859f5b89f35659a7134705e11503","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-3","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-1",174,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fapostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-cover.jpg"]