[{"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-25":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},394483,657,"Chapter 25","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-25",25,"\u003Cp>Ch.25 Apostle of the Goddess of War\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time Tier regained his senses, a knife was already buried in the neck of the bandit who had been on guard duty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You killed him… by throwing a knife?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The distance was quite far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if one ran, it would have taken a long time to cover it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet from that distance, Sion had thrown the knife with an arm whose muscles hadn’t even fully developed and hit the target perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is that even a human being?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Tier’s exclamation had even finished, Sion had already retrieved the thrown knife and entered deeper into the camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He declared:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In the name of the Goddess of War. I shall punish you all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment those words ended, Sion’s figure vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What—what the hell?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier hurriedly ran forward, peeking out just his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And what he saw was…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A scene of pure massacre.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bandits were utterly disoriented by Sion’s surprise attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None of them, whether friend or foe, could even grasp the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When something small, like a wild animal, darted past with a whoosh! and struck, a warm liquid gushed from their abdomen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking down, they saw blood and entrails spilling out helplessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they tried to locate the small beast that had attacked, it was already far away, repeating the same act on another comrade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure moved as if appearing and disappearing at will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“C-crazy…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bandit who witnessed this from afar screamed at the top of his lungs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s an a—tta—ck!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bandit who had shouted was already beheaded by Sion, who had closed the distance without a sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Splat!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood splattered along the path Sion walked. The ground was dyed rose-red, as if a painter had flung paint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Incredible…!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier witnessed all of this with his own eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And his gaping mouth didn’t close—it only widened further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion’s sword dance far surpassed anything Tier had ever imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just a matter of exceptional swordsmanship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raw power capable of slicing through body parts like chopping vegetables.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speed so fast it resembled a wild beast, impossible to follow with the naked eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And judgment sharp enough to avoid numerical disadvantage and swiftly move to advantageous terrain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier would have dismissed all of this as a fabricated tale had he not seen it himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s not human.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no other way to describe Sion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t a skill any ordinary person could imitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stronger than the Holy Sword Brigade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His abilities weren’t limited to merely defeating a Mains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That’s not a human—that’s something else entirely…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment, Tier realized it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A knight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A holy knight of the Goddess of War.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Ah…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So this was what a being blessed by the Goddess looked like.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion’s figure, swinging his sword in a state of selflessness, was incredibly brutal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet to Tier, it looked like a miracle being performed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unexpectedly, Tier felt the presence of the Goddess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier fell to his knees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he prayed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Almighty Goddess, Lady of War.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enchanted by Sion’s swordsmanship, he had come to believe in the Goddess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Achille was the only Goddess who had helped him, and she had shown her power through Sion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faith naturally arose in the heart of one who had tasted a miracle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘From today onward, I dedicate my life to the Goddess of War.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though a bandit might discover him and attack at any moment, Tier didn’t care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such things were no longer important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a precious moment. A miraculous experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash! Aaagh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of blades and screams sounded like hymns. Everything felt sacred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he had never heard such a hymn before in his life, Tier imagined this must be what one sounded like.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grant the Goddess’s messenger strength, courage, and whatever else—just shower him with endless blessings…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you doing, Tier?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The messenger of the Goddess spoke to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man, who had lived his entire life in the mountains, had transformed into a fervent believer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, Sir Sion. Messenger of the Goddess.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion stepped back slightly, taken aback.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why is this guy acting like this again?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s—unbelievable! I saw it with my own eyes and still can’t believe it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t get so excited at a massacre scene. Ah, wait a moment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Sion said this, he knelt before a corpse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He plunged his blood-soaked blade into the ground, and the blood began to be absorbed into the blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Good heavens!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier almost cried out in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A living sword?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No, the sword isn’t alive.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade, now soaked in blood, turned black and began to sparkle like stardust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever it was, it was a mysterious phenomenon. Since it was something performed by a holy knight, it must be related to the Goddess’s power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, proof that the Goddess truly existed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Don’t doubt, you fool!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier scolded himself for the unbelief and irreverence that came as naturally as breathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Since it’s the Goddess of War, maybe he’s offering the blood of fallen enemies as tribute? It’s kind of creepy, but…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But so what?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had experienced the existence of the Goddess of War and witnessed the miracle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From today, he would become a follower of the War Cult, and he intended to observe and learn everything about Sion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sorry, did I make you wait long?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion had finished his offering prayer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pool of blood on the ground had completely disappeared. It was a miraculous wonder, no matter how many times he saw it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In return, he gained restored stamina and a slight increase in holy power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“W-what should we do now, my lord?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier spoke without meeting Sion’s eyes. A mix of wanting to grow closer and recognizing the other’s nobility coexisted within him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Before killing the last one, I asked where the leader was. He said he was over there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion pointed with his finger toward a cave entrance with a deep hole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, there. That’s the mine entrance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So it is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It used to be where the village men worked… but they couldn’t anymore.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dark shadow passed over Tier’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, thinking that Sion would soon resolve everything, he smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go. Let’s rescue the people quickly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, my lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they reached the cave entrance, Sion frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier also jumped in surprise and hid behind Sion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An unfamiliar voice echoed from inside the cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well now, this is troublesome. Did you two kill all my men?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man emerged from inside the cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was clearly different from the bandits they had defeated so far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From his build to his gait, nothing about him resembled an ordinary bandit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is this Holt?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion guessed, but couldn’t be certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One thing was clear: this man was undoubtedly the leader who had seized the mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you Mr. Holt?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bandit leader’s eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Who are you? Who sent you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Goddess sent me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Goddess? Hah. How ridiculous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bandit leader scratched his head. He looked back and forth between Sion and Tier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One of you is the boy who escaped from the village. I should’ve killed him when I had the chance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His observation and memory were sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion and Tier were secretly surprised and wary of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, the leader was different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t someone meant to merely serve as a bandit chief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion drew his sword and pointed it at the man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bandit leader still hadn’t drawn the twin daggers at his waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did you do with the kidnapped women?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He frowned. He clearly felt deep displeasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s none of your business, brat. You’re about to die anyway.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grrr. Sion gritted his teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dark thoughts flashed through his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So words won’t work after all.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion took a deep breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t get excited. The opponent is a veteran. This is just cheap provocation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I fall for such shallow tactics, the gap in skill will only widen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kiiing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion instantly closed the distance and swung his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leader tilted his head back, narrowly avoiding the attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His reflexes were sharp enough to react to Sion’s lightning-fast assault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re indeed strong…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was no ordinary man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion gave a slight smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The opponent responded with an equally bitter smirk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without a doubt, this was the strongest enemy he had ever faced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, he couldn’t help but feel joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Defeating a strong enemy would please the Goddess, and greater blessings would return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you going to keep stalling? If you don’t hurry, it’ll be dangerous—for the women. Kik.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The provocation was becoming increasingly blatant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless of the true intent behind the words, one thing was certain—it was in poor taste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion loosened his shoulders slightly, then lunged forward like a pouncing lion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A powerful sword strike clashed against the twin daggers. Sparks flew, and dust rose from the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion was fully immersed in this battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His opponent was technically superior, and even a moment’s carelessness would mean death for Sion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In terms of pure swordsmanship, the bandit leader was overwhelmingly superior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion fought by instinct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang, clang! Clang-clang-clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bandit leader’s attacks grew faster. With both arms, he swung the daggers in dazzling motions, too quick for the eye to follow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Sion, who fought with a long sword, this was a difficult opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enemy surpassed Sion’s greatest strength—speed—making the matchup unfavorable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his strength still undeveloped, overpowering the opponent with brute force was impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Splat!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A scratch appeared on Sion’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That was close.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he had tilted his head just a moment later, he would have lost his eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the leader was thoroughly gaining the upper hand, he stopped his attack first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked with a slightly twisted expression:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You brat… why are you grinning?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? Me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah. You look like you’re about to die, so what’s so funny? What’s so amusing while taking every blow?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion gave a cold, sarcastic smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because I’m learning a lot from fighting such a strong opponent?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion’s shadow surged forward. His speed increased even further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn! The leader nearly lost track of Sion and hastily swung his arms to block.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haa… haa…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion raised his sword forward again. His breathing had grown slightly ragged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re forcing your speed. You’ll die if you keep that up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I don’t, I’ll lose anyway.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bandit leader looked at the sharp youth before him. The boy radiated an aura as if he’d cut anyone who touched him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Trying to match my speed?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bandit leader sneered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was only one way to defeat him:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To move faster than he did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young swordsman seemed to understand that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘With that long sword? Impossible.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sssk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leader lowered his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spread both arms wide, raising the daggers like claws.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a bat about to spread its wings, his shadow stretched long on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Still, there’s no need to drag this out. I’ll end it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without blinking, neither man wasted a single breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just one strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment where even the slightest breath could decide victory or defeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion sprinted toward the gate of life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I have to risk my life—otherwise, I can’t win.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the only way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fight where he was inferior in speed and technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ultimately, the only means to overcome it was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To accept death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fear surged through him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Sion didn’t hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both moved simultaneously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An extreme speed duel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leader closed his arms like scissors, aiming to sever Sion’s neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confident in his speed, he knew there was no way he could lose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion’s blade reached first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Cling-clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood droplets scattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Sion who bled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gaaah… you damn madman…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet it was the leader who fell to his knees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He writhed in agony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His right shoulder was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tried to stop the bleeding with his left hand, but the hemorrhage was uncontrollable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud, thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion approached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood streamed from the X-shaped wound on his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leader’s face twisted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You cut off your own arm just to land a hit… and gave up your heart for it? Are you insane!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To reach faster, I had no choice but to abandon defense.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Even so, who in their right mind actually does that?! They’d just run away! If I’d been just a bit faster, you’d be dead! You were just lucky!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I’m alive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was such a hollow, absurd answer that it almost made him laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leader twisted his face in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion remained utterly calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I charged in, believing in the Goddess and ready to die.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You didn’t. That’s why I won.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just one difference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That single difference decided victory or defeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, the one who desired it more had won.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion took his final step forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leader looked up at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chill ran down his spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mad, blue eyes stared directly into his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Schedule: Every mon, wed, fri and sun\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Review at\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>NovelUpdate\u003C\u002Fp>",2166,"2026-05-30T06:48:22.039Z","2026-06-01T04:30:34.110Z",1,"novelbin.me","3c50b14d153da93d2142e9125b5cd45e7d9a7959943cb33df2d809eff05329fb","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-26","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-24",174,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fapostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-cover.jpg"]