[{"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-24":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},394482,657,"Chapter 24","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-24",24,"\u003Cp>Ch.24 Apostle of the Goddess of War\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Older villagers believed in the existence of the mine monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some had actually seen it, and others had fled to remote mountain villages to escape it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its very existence was a disaster, and only a knight from a religious order could stop it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, the strongest weapon humanity possessed was the knight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in a village where people spent their entire lives in mining, this fact was unknown, so the presence of someone like Sion didn’t resonate with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They didn’t understand the destructive power held by one who was a knight of the goddess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Tier, who had some exposure to the outside world, desperately tried to prove Sion’s worth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes! In Foils, rumors are already widespread. Sir Sion is stronger than the knights of the Church of Light!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Church of Light? Isn’t that the biggest church?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stronger than the knights of the Mains Deity’s order?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the claim that he was stronger than the Order of the Holy Sword, the villagers finally reacted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, it seemed, one had to be famous first to be taken seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after hearing he was stronger than the Order of the Holy Sword did the villagers begin to truly grasp his significance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People’s gazes turned toward Sion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion awkwardly smiled at the unexpected praise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“S-Stronger than the Church of Light?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that even possible?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re saying this little brat is stronger than the knights of the Holy Kingdom? Tier!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t you get it even after seeing it just now? Those measly bandits aren’t even comparable!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Watch your mouth! Someone might be listening!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few villagers scolded Tier as if he had uttered blasphemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the claim of being stronger than the Order of the Holy Sword couldn’t completely erase their fear of the bandits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My younger sister was taken! I don’t even know if she’s alive! Isn’t that right? Mr. Lumen? Your daughter was kidnapped too! And you, Aunt Rea, you just stood there and watched your sister get taken!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier pounded his chest as he pleaded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once opened, his mouth continued spewing anger without pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How long will you keep trembling in fear? How long will you keep losing your family? Aren’t you angry at all?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who isn’t angry?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We just don’t have the strength to fight back… We have to survive, don’t we?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They said if we stay quiet, they’ll return them. It’s best not to cause a commotion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You actually believe a promise made by bandits?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We can’t help it! Are we supposed to all just die? What’s the point of dying pointlessly?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haa…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier felt as frustrated as if a thorn were lodged in his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion empathized with his feelings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at the same time, he fully understood the villagers’ perspective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Without strength, it’s natural for them to act this way. They can’t believe. They don’t have the mental strength left to believe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would take a long time and peace to restore minds that had been subdued by relentless violence and terror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people here were utterly exhausted, both mentally and physically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion grabbed Tier’s shoulder and shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tier. Stop. They’re not listening to us right now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? But—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We have to show them through action. Once we solve the problem, the villagers will understand. Please guide us to where the leader is. You know, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I-I know the mountain paths, but…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The village chief interrupted Tier, warning him in a concerned voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you really planning to go alone? Right now, there must be at least thirty of them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can’t run away just because the battlefield is unfavorable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion answered calmly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, this was the path an apostle of the Goddess of War was meant to walk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I clearly… warned you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The village chief had issued his warning, but Sion remained unmoved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My Goddess will protect me. Don’t be afraid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reading Sion’s determination, the village chief nodded as if making his own resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tier. Guide him to the left path from Fist Rock. That way leads to the back trail of the mine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yes, Chief.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’ve just sent someone out, so they’ll let their guard down until sunrise. This is all the help I can offer, Sir Knight. If you don’t return within half a day, we’ll evacuate the village. That means you’ve failed, and we’ll have to find our own way to survive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simply not blocking their path was already a great help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll be back before then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please, return safely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There will be no more suffering for you in the future.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The village chief turned away, and the knight climbed the mountain without a farewell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Climbing a little higher and looking back, Sion saw the villagers beginning preparations to leave the mountain valley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the chief had said. If things went wrong, they feared retaliation and were trying to escape early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though their family members had been kidnapped, they were powerless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Those who can survive must survive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Sion felt sorrow for the villagers’ plight—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh— I’m so frustrated I could die! I’m a coward myself, but I just don’t understand why everyone in the village has become such a bunch of cowards!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier vented his frustration by taking out his anger on a tree with his axe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion watched him and chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lower your voice, Tier. The bandits patrolling around might hear you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, yes. Sorry, sir…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier lowered only his voice but remained furious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No! No matter how scared you are, how can they just sit there doing nothing when their daughters, sisters, and siblings are being taken?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…That’s because you’re a brave man, Tier.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier raised only one eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He genuinely didn’t understand what Sion meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re a courageous man.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you even talking about…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion smiled and explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Acting when in crisis, speaking your mind in front of many people—it’s not easy, is it? I couldn’t do it myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, thanks to Tier’s courageous actions, Sion had arrived here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so today, one unknown woman had been saved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though no villager acknowledged Sion’s efforts or expressed gratitude, Sion felt satisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier was grateful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Goddess Achille surely knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re a special person, Tier. So there’s no need to be angry. Special people become heroes. We’ll solve the problem, that’s all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When that time came, people would understand without needing to be told.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good deeds aren’t done for recognition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You are noble on your own, without needing to be taught, my child.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Goddess smiled contentedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t regret bestowing divine power upon Sion’s heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you for standing up for me earlier, Tier. I thought you were a coward, but I apologize. I’m sorry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion said sincerely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his words, spoken without much thought, struck Tier’s chest like bolts from a crossbow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A hero…? Me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had never once thought about it in his entire life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That he could be someone special.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But everyone in the village hates me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, Tier had spent his whole life being disliked. This fact had always made the young woodsman feel inferior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I did see someone like that. Was there a reason?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My parents died. I had to rely on neighbors for food, so they found me annoying. They treated me like a freeloader.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh, whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier swung his axe at young grass sprouting nearby, pouting his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His parents had died shortly after his younger sister was born. To save her, he had no pride or dignity left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier’s life was like his chipped axe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who could possibly hate such a person?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…At least Sion didn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But in my eyes, Tier, you’re a good person. You’re special enough. Believe in yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You have the courage I could never possess.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh— To receive such praise from a knight of the Church…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier opened his mouth wide, his prominent front teeth clearly visible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the first time in his life he had ever been acknowledged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And by a noble knight. Was this a dream?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehehe… No, sir. You’re the special one. I believe in your swordsmanship. Let’s go defeat those bandits!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though a peer in age, Sion was someone worthy of respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier wanted to keep following him and learn from his attitude and values.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If possible, his swordsmanship too.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion pointed forward with his finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that Fist Rock? It really does look like a fist.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You have a sharp eye. Hehe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, Sion found Tier’s goofy grin unpleasant. It felt like he had suddenly become someone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s hurry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion turned onto the left path, almost as if avoiding Tier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier stuck close to Sion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to say something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But nothing came to mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had almost no common ground, and the gap in their social status was vast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, it wasn’t normal for them to walk together so casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion was exceptionally tolerant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why is he acting like this? Always.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion felt slightly burdened, but the goddess found the situation amusing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had never seen Sion so flustered before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Tier found something to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, sir… You must feel offended, but are you really alright?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Offended? Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well… You’re a high-ranking person… And the village didn’t welcome you properly, in fact, they distrusted you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion sighed and stepped onto an uphill rock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, that was an unpleasant fact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion himself didn’t care about being disrespected, but the Church of War being disrespected was far from pleasant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It must be because my skill is lacking, or perhaps the reputation of my church is insufficient.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s not—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion smiled bitterly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a problem he couldn’t solve immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Changing the general perception of the Church of War was as difficult as plucking stars from the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not the villagers’ fault. After all, even you didn’t know about the Church of War, did you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“W-Well, yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So should I cut off their heads just because I’m offended?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kyaa!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier touched his neck to check if his head was still attached. Thankfully, it was intact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking back on his rudeness the previous night still made him shudder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Sion had been an ordinary noble or high-ranking priest, Tier would have been dead long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, of course not.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I must be a bandit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier listened carefully to Sion’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He regarded them as precious teachings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Now this is what a real priest should be like. The priests from other churches… pfft.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier’s affection toward Sion and the Church of War he belonged to grew stronger by the moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At last, a bandit camp came into view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wooden palisade made of sharpened logs surrounded it, and the surroundings were desolate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rotten wood fragments and rusted metal pieces were scattered everywhere, clearly showing how rough and neglected this place was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion and Tier crouched behind the tall grass, carefully observing the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion narrowed his eyes and scanned the area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One man guarding the entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Other than that, no signs of life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just one. The rest must all be inside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir… What will you do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In response to Tier’s quiet question, Sion slowly drew his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s something I realized earlier.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He murmured in a low voice as he rose to his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that instant, the air around his entire body changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The innocent boy was gone. A warrior radiating a chilling aura now stood in his place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s no need to give scoundrels even a chance to speak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stay here, Tier. You’ll only get in the way if you interfere.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion’s gaze turned cold and sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it was time to see blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t just a simple fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the Goddess’s punishment upon criminals who had trampled the powerless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The time for execution had come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whirr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a flick of his wrist, the sword leapt into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he caught the spinning blade in a reverse grip, Sion lowered his stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Phwaat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pulling his shoulder back and stepping forward with a long stride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shwaaark!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throwing strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade, slicing through the air, pierced the guard’s chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without stopping, it buried itself deep into the palisade behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guh—k.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard collapsed lifelessly without even a scream. The corner of the palisade protruded through his ribs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion walked slowly forward and pulled his sword from the man’s chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creeeak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stepping over the threshold of the camp, the bandits resting inside turned their gazes one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confused stares.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But soon, they turned into instinctive hostility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion calmly met all their gazes and slowly opened his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In the name of the Goddess of War. I condemn 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>",2125,"2026-05-30T06:48:22.039Z","2026-06-01T04:30:34.110Z",1,"novelbin.me","696d3f9503d2ba16a1be0b79acbb4c3ffcc45dd71111a9e3ee63d4394f49743c","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-25","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-23",174,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fapostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-cover.jpg"]