[{"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-28":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},394486,657,"Chapter 28","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-28",28,"\u003Cp>Ch.28 Apostle of the Goddess of War\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwa-woong—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Filling the dark, damp cave were the surging currents of two Divine powers—black and azure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deep blue radiance clashed against a hue that held stars within it. Waves of energy burst sporadically, and gravel rained down from the cave ceiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One faith bloomed from the sword of a man trapped in the past, while the other blazed from the tip of the blade wielded by a boy marching toward the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paa-aang—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their Divine powers clashed once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no special technique, no artful finesse—just a head-on collision of strength against strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A stubborn headbutt to prove whose faith was stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whose belief was more righteous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwa-woong!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Light and darkness intertwined, creating an invisible storm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mine walls cracked, and a shockwave threatening to collapse everything engulfed the surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fragments of shattered blades brushed past cheeks and embedded into thighs. Still, neither of them stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frenzied, they hurled everything at each other until their bodies threatened to break apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwaang! Kwaang-kwaang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ghk……!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten collisions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holt gritted his teeth and endured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes were bloodshot, veins bulging red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not yet, not yet!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hand gripping the sword trembled violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His breathing was ragged, and his stamina had already reached its limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A young, talented War Knight had exhausted his Divine power after just ten exchanges.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since he could no longer receive divine energy from the Goddess of Wisdom, he had survived only on the Divine power he had accumulated within his heart over the years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After prolonged flight and battle, his divine energy had finally worn down completely—here, at this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a holy knight, the exhaustion of Divine power was tantamount to a death sentence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion stood silently, one hand holding his sword, looking down at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You seem to be having a hard time holding on any longer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shut up……!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holt growled, swinging his blade wildly in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he snarled, his legs trembled, and his breath refused to steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nevertheless, he did not retreat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To step back would feel like everything he had lived for was being invalidated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I lose to someone like you… then my entire life up to now…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Would it become a meaningless life?” Sion asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holt bared his teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then perhaps it’s better to lose right here. If a life can be negated by just one defeat, it must have been insignificant to begin with.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion lowered his sword as he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At the very least, your corrupted life will come to an end.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holt laughed bitterly, his shoulders shaking pitifully. It was a sharp, piercing remark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re really an arrogant brat……!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holt lunged forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His final strike followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holt launched his body with every last ounce of strength he had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With all his soul, he unleashed the dark radiance he had cultivated over a lifetime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion, with an unshaken heart, swung his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Even though I don’t believe, the Goddess embraces even me.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was his belief—that his path was not wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blade met blade once again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paa-ang—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive wave of energy exploded, and stalactites from the cave ceiling shattered as they crashed to the ground. Dust and rocks rained down upon the heads of everyone inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood sprayed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holt’s body slowly collapsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ghk…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion’s sword had deeply cut through his chest, cleaving his ribs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That single strike brought Holt down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holt hung his head, trembling for a long while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, his strength gave out and his knees buckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion supported his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kill me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holt whispered weakly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re good. You’re the best. Go ahead and act all proud.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion remained silent. The old knight seemed to have more to say before the end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haah, it’s truly strange.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holt gazed into the air and smiled faintly. His wrinkled eyes glistened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Suddenly, I had this thought.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What thought?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holt slowly lifted his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes were dim, his lips trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The idea that losing here, stopping here, might be the Goddess’s will. ‘Stop now, child. Come back to me…’ It feels as if the Goddess is calling me once more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holt stared at the ceiling, smiling faintly as if seeing something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A foolish thought, really—that perhaps, just like the day I was first saved, a warm light might descend upon me again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the cave, as dust gradually settled, his quiet breaths echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I just want to stop now and go back. Back to the Goddess… into her warm embrace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke as if dreaming. The light faded from his eyes, and the sword in his hand slipped to the ground. Clang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……I want to go back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After saying that, all strength left his body. He closed his eyes, bleeding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fallen knight, at the end of a long, arduous proof, imagined himself slowly breathing his last, heading toward the place he had desired most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps the Goddess of Wisdom had stepped beyond her boundaries to call back the lost sheep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You are…… strong, young knight. The Goddess will surely love you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fallen knight of wisdom finally marked the end of his weary life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his end was not a happy one, his fervor surely rivaled anyone’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion stood by him for a long while, silently offering a prayer to the Goddess of War, paying his respects as a fellow knight and priest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Well done. My warrior.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Goddess gently caressed Sion’s back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier and the women cautiously approached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone opened their mouth to speak, but couldn’t bring themselves to continue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing his prayer, Sion spoke heavily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Faith… is something I understand, yet don’t understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was neither blame nor pity in those words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the sincere thoughts of a man standing at the end of this battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cave, once a mine and now used as a prison, was quiet, like an abandoned house long left empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The duel between the two knights had concluded, and everyone had watched its outcome in tense silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion stepped forward and knelt before Holt. Holt lay bleeding, seemingly lost in memories of the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The light in his pupils had faded, dull and lifeless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Menesia… my Goddess. Save me… grant me permission to build a small house in your garden.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir Holt. May you stand upon the Scales of Wisdom and be judged.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At last, I shall see my Goddess.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion slit Holt’s throat, granting him a peaceful death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So that he could reach the Goddess he longed for, as quickly as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Phew…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been a duel that stirred many thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twisted faith, false faith.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless of its form, he had arrived at the conclusion that it was still faith.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion allowed the fallen knight’s blood to stain his sword. Achilles gladly accepted the offering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion’s mansion grew larger, and his wealth in gold and treasures increased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow… this is…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion touched his chest. The knot of divine energy nestled in his heart had grown slightly larger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if it was false faith, the Goddess was satisfied simply by his devotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Even if it’s not sincere, how could it not be faith when you act, speak, and think for me, Sion?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Goddess Achilles embraced Sion from behind. Though he could not feel the warmth, Sion vaguely believed in the Goddess’s presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His doubt remained—not in her existence, but in the goals and beliefs of the Goddess of war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet even his actions to resolve that doubt were recognized by the Goddess as service.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, Sion gradually became her apostle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he himself still denied it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion also collected the material spoils.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slung the sword Holt had wielded onto his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a rather fine blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having been used by a knight his entire life, it was even better than the sacred sword Rebecca had gifted him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Sion stood up, Tier approached with his younger sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“S-Sir Sion!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tier. Are you unharmed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course I’m fine! Are you injured, Sir Sion?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion answered with a pained expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I nearly died.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha. The fight was intense. But still, still… I believed. I prayed to the Goddess of War.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion’s eyes widened in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From today, I want to believe in and follow the Goddess of War. I want to become a noble knight like you, Sir Sion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Oh, my.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Goddess covered her mouth, and Sion broke into a wide smile at the unexpected gift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Tier seemed genuinely converted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those eyes burning with faith could not possibly be fake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s more faithful than I am. That’s a good thing.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion bowed deeply in gratitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, come on! What are you thanking me for? I should be the one thanking you. Come on, Silvia. Say hello too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silvia shyly hid behind her brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This kid… so ill-mannered.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier flustered, urging Silvia forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s alright. Let’s get outside first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion simply smiled and released the people imprisoned in the dungeon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, knight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You saved me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the women who had been trapped expressed their gratitude to Sion with one heart and one mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruina visited Bishop Gustein, who had been caring for Kaili, whose fever had not subsided for several days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bishop. Someone’s come looking for you outside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gusteine turned and asked. Ruaena scratched her cheek as she replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well… they said they’re from the clan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I see. Alright. Please look after Kaili for a moment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gustein wiped his hands and left, while Ruina placed the back of her hand against Kaili’s forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl, who had spent all day staring at the Goddess statue, had caught a cold, but her fever stubbornly refused to break.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like a simple cold that should have healed quickly, yet it wouldn’t go away, and the worry kept growing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Brother Sion… please come soon.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Bishop Gustein stepped outside and encountered an unexpected visitor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man in flamboyant clothing, completely out of place in the quiet, barren Elim, was waiting for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clown-like man raised one hand and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bringing wind and happiness! Greetings. I am Arichi, a member of the clan from the Postal’s guild under the Church of Abundance!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gustein found this chattering man extremely noisy. With a dull expression, he glanced at the carriage behind Arichi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriage was packed full of cargo. What on earth was all this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A merchant? If so, go away. We don’t have the luxury to pay high prices for goods.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, no, no! Priest. I’m not a merchant. I’m a courier from the Postal’s guild, delivering goods—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand. Hm. So, what brings you here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gustein’s nerves were already frayed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t help but worry about Kaili, that poor child who had been sick for days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unaware of the church’s circumstances, Arichi cheerfully grinned and pulled out a gold coin from his pocket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The jingling sound caused Gustein’s eyebrows to shoot up like an eagle’s wings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Two hundred gold coins in this sack. One month’s worth of food supplies, various construction materials and tools. A contract stating that you, Bishop Gustein of Elim Church, will receive sponsorship from Chairman Apur and a portion of the profits from the mine for the next three months. All addressed to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? What are you talking about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gustein was startled and opened the sack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good heavens! It was truly filled with gold coins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arichi, sensing the moment, promptly pulled aside the cloth covering the carriage. Abundant food supplies were revealed in full view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gustein asked in astonishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I never ordered any of this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Someone else purchased it and sent it by mail! So you don’t need to worry about payment! Haha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“W-who? Who sent all this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gustein swallowed hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t think of a single person who would send such a massive amount to the church.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with absolutely no conditions attached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here. The sender.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arichi handed him the contract.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As it was a contract sealed under the blessing of the Goddess of Abundance, it held the full legal validity of a certified document.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gustein took the paper and read it. His brows furrowed tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The contents were so unbelievable that he had to read it several times to confirm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What have you done, Sion……?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Schedule: Every mon, wed, fri and sun\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Review at\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>NovelUpdate\u003C\u002Fp>",2048,"2026-05-30T06:48:22.039Z","2026-06-01T04:30:34.110Z",1,"novelbin.me","32ea00d221386e6c02762d7ed43544ee701f8edf80ea4c24802d273a66f39d31","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-29","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-27",174,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fapostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-cover.jpg"]