[{"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-23":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},394481,657,"Chapter 23","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-23",23,"\u003Cp>Ch.23 Apostle of the Goddess of War\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dark clouds loomed over a small village known as Valley Village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this place, not even properly named, an ominous wind tore sharply through the trees, howling with a sinister edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang! Clang! Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The metallic sound of a copper shield being struck echoed in every direction, and instantly, the entire village fell into a silence as if it had swallowed its breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion peered outside, his body pressed against the wall as he followed the village chief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A group of men were openly causing a ruckus in the center of the village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bandits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were three of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instinctively narrowing his eyes, Sion focused intently on observing them. A phrase that Garfenn always emphasized came to mind:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoever you face, observe and analyze them relentlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially those who appear weak—you must be most cautious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>True experts always conceal their fangs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recognizing that is where a fight truly begins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…There aren’t any among them.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling a slight sense of relief, Sion strained his ears to listen to their conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bandits shouted without hesitation:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ve come to collect again today! You know exactly what you need to hand over, don’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once a week! Hand over a young woman. The younger, the better. If you’re hiding someone, it’s best you bring her out right away!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, Sion doubted his own ears. Could such words really come out of a human mouth?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evil always transcended reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their attitude, as if this were a completely natural occurrence, stirred something cold and restless deep within Sion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Killing them won’t bring any guilt.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The village remained deathly silent. No one stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, which sane person would willingly hand over their daughter or wife?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re going to act like this again? You’ve got no learning ability at all. You people in this village are hopeless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re counting to three. If you don’t hand someone over, we’ll just break into any house and drag someone out. And we’ll leave her half-crazed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bandit issued his threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every villager was surely praying silently, “Please, not my house.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For humans are weak and cunning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as it’s not me, it’s fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They seemed to be enduring day by day with the sole hope of surviving just today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, too, was such a day, as the sun set.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the desperate prayers of the utterly helpless were about to begin—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―One!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The village chief hastily grabbed Sion’s arm and pulled him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir, quickly hide! Hide! Go into that room over there and conceal yourself behind the shelves! I’ll call you when the time passes. Tier! You too! Hurry!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about you, Chief?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion resisted and asked in return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry. Before these bastards take someone else today, I’ll try to stop them—at least today!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if that could possibly happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion noticed the chief’s arm, pulling at his own, had absolutely no strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the gaps in his shirt, he saw bruises covering his chest and thin, bony arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘These must be the marks from stepping in to intervene each time and getting beaten up.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―Twwwooo!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion sharpened the blade in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once again, he prayed to the Goddess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Goddess, grant me the strength to punish these men.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>May the blessing of the Goddess of War be upon this land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next moment, Sion shook off the chief’s grip and kicked open the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thrrree— Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the bandits turned their gaze toward Sion. They had never seen this face in the village before. Was there really someone here who looked like a nobleman?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion approached the bandits, boldly staring them down, one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could have closed the distance in an instant and severed their throats, but he needed something more dramatic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something symbolic—like a moment showing the villagers they didn’t need to be afraid anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems thieves have broken into the village.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who the hell are you, brat?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion answered, his eyes flashing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sion of the War Cult. I am a holy knight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pfft—! What? What cult?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey hey, did this kid just say he’s a holy knight? Now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bandits laughed crudely, mocking and ridiculing Sion with vulgar words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They didn’t care that he was holding a sword. To them, a brat like this wielding a blade was nothing to take seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion paused, steadied his breath, and spoke again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He needed to establish legitimacy before carrying out the execution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Goddess of War, Achille has sent me here. To protect the people of this village, and to punish those who prey upon the innocent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah, hahaha. Look at this guy talking!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Goddess of War, Achille? That war-crazed Goddess? There are still people who believe in that Cult?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion gripped his sword scabbard tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a split second, he pictured drawing his blade and slicing off their heads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Haaah. Calm down. For now.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judgment must come before punishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, blasphemy could warrant immediate execution, but now there was a greater purpose at stake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sun sank behind the mountain. The crimson twilight peeked out only at the very top of the sky, casting its final light across the earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion’s eyes grew cold and still. Slowly. Bitingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I ask you—did you indeed torment the villagers and abduct women, holding them captive?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In response to Sion’s question, one of the bandits stepped forward, thrusting his face toward Sion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s right. I did it. I took them and had my way with them. What are you gonna do about it? Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His foul breath sprayed across Sion’s face. Sion didn’t blink an eye as he murmured:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that so? Then you’ve committed a crime.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And what? Is your precious Goddess gonna punish me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha! Damn, I’d love to see that! Goddess of War! Come on, try to kill me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion drew his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chilling ring of steel flowed between Sion and the bandit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bandit’s face, still shoved forward, twisted in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You fearless little brat! Who the hell do you think you are, drawing your sword in front of me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop fooling around and kill him, Kwan. It’s over.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Got it…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last sliver of twilight hanging at the edge of the village vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if the Goddess who had been observing the world had blinked, a deep darkness suddenly enveloped everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud. Thud…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then, a head fell. As if the Goddess’s blink had been a guillotine. Swish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why don’t you keep talking?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shut up—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the remaining bandit could even comprehend the situation, Sion’s figure blurred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwaaak!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Uwaaah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion’s blade plunged into the bandit’s open mouth, wide with shock. Sion’s movements were precise and merciless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack. Sion twisted the blade and pulled it sideways. The cheek tore open, and blood and flesh spilled out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The execution was carried out in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only one sinner remained. Sion swung his sword through the air, flinging off the blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bandit staggered backward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“W-what? W-what the hell! Hey! Don’t come near me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tell me. What did you do to the women after you took them? Did you touch them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fffuck! I don’t know! I don’t know anything! I just took the women! I only followed orders!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion stepped closer and asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Was it Holt’s orders?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“H-Holt? Who the hell is that? I only follow my boss’s orders! I don’t even know my boss’s name, but it’s definitely not Holt!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bandit babbled incoherently. Still, it didn’t seem like he was lying. With his life on the line, he didn’t seem smart enough to fabricate a story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So Holt isn’t the leader of the bandits?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed the truth could only be uncovered after eliminating all the bandits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Whether it’s the bandits or Holt, once I clear them all out, it’ll be resolved.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it was Apur’s request or the village’s problem, it didn’t matter. Acting like the War Cult means solving things with violence. That was all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud. Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion continued advancing toward the bandit. The bandit raised his sword in threat, but it was no threat to Sion at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fighting spirit was already broken. In battle, morale is always the most important thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Sion’s sword strikes were overwhelming because of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whether it was orders or not, you committed a crime. So you must be punished.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please, spare me! I beg you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Terrified, the bandit dropped his sword and stumbled back. He tripped over a rock and fell flat on his back. His head throbbed, but he had no time to care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He crawled backward on his buttocks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please…! Fffuuuck!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion raised his sword. The bandit, in a panic, could only stretch out his hands. Please, don’t do this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion’s blade pierced through his palm and into his eyeball.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aaah— Ugh. Grrr.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade plunged deeper, stabbing into his brain. Soon, the bandit’s body collapsed lifelessly. Sion held the blade a moment longer. It was an act of feeding the blade with blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I have punished the criminal, my Goddess.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having completed the offering of the three bandits, Sion stood up and turned around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the previously silent house, movement began to stir. One by one, people started to emerge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet their expressions weren’t triumphant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the contrary, they trembled with fear, like someone who had disturbed a hornet’s nest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They feared the consequences that would follow more than they felt gratitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wouldn’t do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘To fear mere bandits more than the Goddess? Unthinkable.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion gripped his sword even tighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“S-sir holy knight. Th-this… this…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The village chief approached and tried to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was breathing heavily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone, please listen!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion raised his voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand what you fear. But you must overcome it. I will help you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, there was no response from the villagers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion made the sign of the faith, playing the role of a devout holy knight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Goddess of War, Achille has sent me here to destroy the evil tormenting you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do not fear. Come out. I will take care of everything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eyes of the people below the hill trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A star of extinguished hope flickered once more, but they were too afraid to grasp it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Telling people oppressed by tyranny to hope again was, unexpectedly, a cruel thing to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you afraid of retaliation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The village chief avoided Sion’s gaze and stammered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Y-yes. If he brings all his subordinates…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion realized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a matter of numbers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The villagers believed that no matter how well Sion fought, he couldn’t possibly handle more than ten bandits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To someone unfamiliar, that’s exactly how it would appear. If he had arrived with an army, the people would have cheered and actively helped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Powerless people have no means to protect themselves. If I leave, who will protect them then?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without power, you get plundered. This was the instinctive response born from ingrained fear. It was the way of the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Sion wanted to reject this principle. Was there no way for the powerless to live without worry?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Does the Goddess know the answer?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he served as her Apostle, would she show him the answer?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion’s thoughts grew deeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for now, he set his doubts aside and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll go and kill the leader too. Once I wipe out all the bandits, you won’t need to fear anymore, will you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Please don’t do this. It’s too dangerous. You should leave now—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Tier stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chief! No, everyone in the village! Please, just hear me out!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked terrified to step forward, his fingers fidgeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was barely audible, but he was trying to summon courage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tch! You brat, what are you doing? Stay put!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Always causing trouble, and now you’re making a big speech?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The village elders began scolding Tier. The women joined in with their own remarks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From their sharp attitudes, it seemed the chief was the only one who cared for Tier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“B-but—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let him speak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier’s only ally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chief stepped forward, calming the villagers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression was still uneasy, but he granted Tier one final chance to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier looked at Sion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion nodded at him, and finally, Tier raised his voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I—I saw it all! Sir Sion defeated a Mains who appeared in Foils!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Mains?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The villagers began murmuring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a backwater village like this, such a tale was like a ghost story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A being that had consumed the blood of an evil god and become something other than human. It was hard to believe without seeing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that… really true?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a Mains truly existed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if Sion was the one who defeated that terrifying Mains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then perhaps…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Schedule: Every mon, wed, fri and sun\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Review at\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>NovelUpdate\u003C\u002Fp>",2122,"2026-05-30T06:48:22.039Z","2026-06-01T04:30:34.110Z",1,"novelbin.me","93c52e20c95c0d8785ca17cb65e03701053271e27dcadff07ff9afd4ae3a19c5","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-24","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-22",174,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fapostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-cover.jpg"]