[{"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-29":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},394487,657,"Chapter 29","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-29",29,"\u003Cp>Ch.29 Apostle of the Goddess of War\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they emerged from the mine cave, the dim light of dawn was spread across the land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long night, sunlight—soft like a mother’s gentle touch—wrapped around the women, as if they had finally tasted hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the women could not look directly at the bright sun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment they saw each other’s faces, the scars branded upon their foreheads were the first things to catch their eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some lowered their bangs to cover their foreheads, while others tore pieces of cloth from their clothes and used them as makeshift head coverings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of one madman, how many women had lost their ordinary lives?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it permissible, in the name of the Goddess, to steal the lives of innocent, vulnerable people?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Truly.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With an uneasy heart, Sion led them down toward the village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Sion arrived in the village, he was astonished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There are… people here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier, standing beside him, reacted with equal surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The village chief had clearly said they would leave the village if he didn’t return within half a day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet people were still here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even smoke rose from the chimneys.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If someone had lit a fire in the morning, didn’t that mean they were preparing food?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion led Tier and the women into the village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they appeared, people began emerging one by one from their homes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the village chief finally opened his door and stepped out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face was clean-shaven, the messy beard completely gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chief greeted Sion warmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir Knight. You’ve returned.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chief? You didn’t leave?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion wouldn’t have been surprised or disappointed if they had left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, he had considered it only natural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would have been troubled about what to do with the remaining women, after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I decided to trust.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Didn’t you say you were sent by the Goddess?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I did.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s all. When everyone else turned their backs on me, the Goddess was the one who reached out to help. I chose to believe in her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, Sion felt a lump in his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the Goddess pinched the tip of her nose, fighting back tears as she leaned against the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Thank you. Thank you for believing in me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, it’s we who should be thanking you. Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The village chief took Sion’s hand. It was a rough hand, one that had spent a lifetime building and protecting the village. Yet it felt softer than sunlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion clasped the hand firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smiling, the chief led Sion forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go. I knew you’d return, so I prepared a feast.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow, really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course. We’ll honor our village hero. It’s not much, but it’s what we have.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chief led Sion away, and the villagers reunited tearfully with their lost daughters, wives, and loved ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had endured a terrible ordeal. The banquet proceeded with a calm, subdued atmosphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The meal was modest, with little to offer, but more importantly, they couldn’t simply laugh and celebrate when they had lost people to mourn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They ate simply, chatted quietly, shared empathy for the suffering they had endured, and wore sorrowful expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion steadily tore bread and scooped soup into his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite having witnessed a tragedy and accomplished something extraordinary, he neither bragged nor showed pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He made no demands, asked for no rewards or compensation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This soup is slightly sweet. It’s delicious. What did you put in it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Sion—such a down-to-earth knight of the Cult—the village chief felt an odd impression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should he call him detached? Certainly, this boy was no ordinary child. He was barely old enough to be a grandson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had single-handedly defeated a bandit gang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That gang had numbered in the dozens, including skilled mercenaries, and others had long since given up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Were all knights like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surely not. There was no doubt that this boy, Sion, was special.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chief grew curious about Sion—and about the War Cult he belonged to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, he had already decided in his heart to stay and wait for Sion, rather than abandon the village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Um… would it be possible for us to join the War Cult?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At those words, Sion paused with his spoon halfway to his mouth. He smiled warmly and nodded. His expression said he didn’t even need to hear the answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, it was only natural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What priest in the world would turn away someone who wished to join their Cult?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially for the War Cult, whose followers were nearly wiped out, such a welcome was even more essential.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course. But is there a special reason you’re asking all of a sudden?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We met an extraordinary person and received exceptional help. Even if we were forced to convert, we’d accept it willingly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Force? No, nothing like that will happen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion waved his hand dismissively. The chief liked Sion even more for his sincere nature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier, Silvia, and the other villagers eating nearby felt the same way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One by one, they began to take interest in the War Cult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the moment Sion saved their lives, the grace of the Goddess of War had become an unforgettable, sacred memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Me too! Sir! Can my younger sister and I follow you all the way to the church?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier was especially eager.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kekeke,” the chief laughed and added, “He’s got no attachment to this village anyway. No family ties. Take him and use him as a servant if you’d like.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, that’s not what I meant—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please, Sir Sion! I beg you! I’ll do anything! I want to serve Lady Achille, the Goddess of War, up close!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion chuckled awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t know how to respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier, the chief, and others kept approaching Sion as he ate, pleading to join the War Cult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They begged to be taken along, asking how they could believe in the Goddess of War.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When was Sunday? What were the prayers?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chief gathered everyone’s opinions into one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you think? Let’s make the War Cult our village’s official religion!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I agree!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, of course! There’s no need to ask!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll carve a statue of the Goddess of War! We’ll place it at the village entrance!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The village’s only carpenter immediately stood up. Everyone was enthusiastic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion, scratching his head, was at a loss over the astonishing change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Goddess watching from afar felt the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Ohhh, my Sion. This miracle you’ve brought forth. This Goddess is moved… sniffle.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His luck was tremendous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only had he completed Chairman Apur’s task and earned a huge sum of sponsorship money,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>but he had also converted an entire village to the faith.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miracles were unfolding along Sion’s path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guided by the Goddess, achieved through Sion’s efforts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I suppose converting one village means the wealth of an entire village has been added to my assets?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Goddess chuckled and answered his unspoken thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Is that all? My power has slightly recovered as my number of believers grows. As a reward, I shall grant you my blessing, Sion.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Goddess of War returned a portion of her restored power to Sion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[My warrior shall never be struck by blind blades or arrows on any battlefield.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The divine barrier of the Goddess of War settled upon Sion’s cloak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unaware of this fact, Sion smiled and relayed the message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our Goddess cherishes everyone. You’ve made a wise choice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chief, now fully enthusiastic, asked eagerly—by now, the gathering had turned into an impromptu worship session centered on Priest Sion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, what is the prayer? What do we say before meals?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion’s mind went blank, as if doused with cold water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Uh… there isn’t one?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Truly amazing, Sir Sion. I never thought you’d actually pull it off.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apur wrinkled his ugly face and turned away from the object Sion had brought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Holt’s head, pale and lifeless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t believe a young boy could casually carry such a thing around. How could his stomach be so strong?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Apur had demanded Holt’s head as proof of mission completion, Sion had brought it—but seeing Apur recoil in horror made Sion feel rather absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion didn’t reveal the full details of what happened in the mining village to Apur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no benefit in telling him about a corrupted knight kidnapping women to forcibly turn them into priestesses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nor was it a pleasant story for a fellow religious person to hear about corruption in another Cult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’d grown weary after a long period of hiding and fled into a cave. His body was weakened, so I was fortunate enough to defeat him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How modest of you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apur used the tip of his finger to pull cloth over the object, covering the grotesque man’s head. Meanwhile, he thought to himself:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, my judgment was flawless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I made a small investment and hit the jackpot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’ll become a major figure soon. The profit I gain from giving him a little gold and a share of the mine’s profits is substantial.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether the War Cult he belonged to grew stronger, or whether Sion alone rose to fame, both outcomes benefited Apur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Either way, it was no loss to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There are no further issues?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course not! Ah! Would you be interested in taking on an additional request?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion’s eyes narrowed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Does he take me for a mercenary?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have you forgotten I’m a knight?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apur quickly brought his hand to his lips, licking them nervously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, Sion was not an ordinary knight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He hasn’t fallen into corruption like other religious men, yet his greed surpasses anyone’s. He’s ambitious. He thinks big. Remarkable for such a young age.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This boy was terrifying—one who could strip Apur of everything he owned if Apur ever let his guard down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the greater the investment, the greater the return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Precisely because he was honest and faithful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apur abandoned his usual cautiousness and smiled at Sion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As promised, I’ll send the regular sponsorship and reconstruction funds every month without fail.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Chairman. May good things come your way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion shook Apur’s hand and left the chairman’s office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Sion appeared, Loenhaugter immediately turned his gaze toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This old knight raised his mustache into a broad smile the moment he saw Sion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“See? I was right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t I say Sir Sion would win?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, I was just lucky.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s no such thing as someone who’s lucky every time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Loenhaugter escorted Sion all the way outside the building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he was Apur’s personal attendant, the man seemed strangely idle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they finally reached the main gate, Loenhaugter asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How did Holt meet his end?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm. I’m not sure. He seemed full of regret, I suppose?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion honestly recalled Holt’s final expression—the man he had personally sent off. Loenhaugter nodded thoughtfully and opened the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Sir Sion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Sir Loenhaugter, what was your relationship with Holt?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“An old comrade-in-arms. Let’s just say that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a long era of war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How many fleeting connections had passed among men who carried swords?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially those who survived—survival itself was proof of strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their bonds and enmities alike ran deep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir Sion. Be careful. Your fame is growing steadily, and with it, many pests will come crawling.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll be cautious then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion gave a brief nod and stepped through the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the eastern gate of Foils, a group of new believers waited for Sion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re here. It’s been a while.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To his surprise, Garfenn had come to greet Sion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was still huge, like a grizzly bear, and had a hideous face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But seeing his master after so long, Sion felt as joyful as if meeting his own father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn gave him such stability, such peace of mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How did you meet these people?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t be so surprised. The Goddess led me here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, I see!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn laughed and ruffled Sion’s hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, Sion. You… what on earth have you been up to in my absence?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Haha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn’s eyes widened, and he glared at Sion as if about to scold him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion tensed slightly—but then Garfenn burst into loud laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Goddess won’t stop praising you. I’m getting sick of it—my ears are bleeding!”\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","ab8b986cfdbd7526bfb1c4c0645dff26dc2b9ce534d2ccddedb1639dca0ed056","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-30","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-28",174,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fapostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-cover.jpg"]