[{"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-56":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},394414,657,"Chapter 56","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-56",56,"\u003Cp>Ch.56 Apostle of the Goddess of War\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uwaaagh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several couldn’t hold back their nausea and turned their heads away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sensation of slicing through flesh with a knife still vividly lingered in their palms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were people just thrown into real combat. Of course they weren’t accustomed to killing. Sion was the abnormal one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier took charge of the cleanup after the battle. His heart was still pounding rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the task had to be done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took the lead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s quickly treat the injured and move out. There might be more scouts around. Next time, don’t confront them head-on—sneak up behind, capture them, and find their main base.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Commander.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Locating the main base and eliminating it—this was the core of their current mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even dealing with three scouts had been this exhausting and overwhelming. Doubts arose whether wiping out the main force was even possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet they had to do it. Retreating here would mean civilian casualties. They bore the responsibility as members of the Order of the War Knight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier gave the order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We move out in ten minutes. Dismissed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knights struggled to maintain their composure, moving despite the draining fatigue. They checked their wounds and gulped down water in large swallows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Phew.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion, watching the scene from afar, also relaxed his tension. He had been gripping his hands tightly, anxiously observing every moment in case someone died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been ready to rush in at any second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Experience was valuable, but life came first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you died, nothing else mattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, no tragedy occurred. He believed the Goddess had intervened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion closed his eyes briefly in prayer. His long eyelashes lowered gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, my Goddess. Thanks to you, no one was injured.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I did nothing. My warriors fought well—that’s all.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Goddess patted Sion’s shoulder. Though her voice didn’t physically reach him, Sion felt joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lately, Sion never forgot to offer prayers of gratitude to the Goddess. He kept doing it deliberately until it became a habit. Thanks to this, Sion’s divine power slowly, like specks of dust, began accumulating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alongside this, there was another practice he was undertaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a concept of divine power manipulation taught by Garfenn. Sion was interpreting it himself and refining it further into an advanced form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Until the path of divine power forms a loop.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the moment he woke and opened his eyes, he continuously circulated his divine power. It wasn’t merely stored and used only when needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘By constantly circulating it, I reduce even the brief moment required to summon strength.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This way, he could react faster and more effectively to threats. His body would always adapt to divine power, maximizing efficiency of its use.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, once this became second nature and possible without conscious effort, the loop would form and flow even during sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The path of holiness would soon become a self-traveling ring, circulating infinitely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This would directly lead to enhanced physical recovery and regenerative abilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That wasn’t all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His control over divine power would naturally improve, and resistance would develop against magic or mental interference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually, when the divine power loop was fully formed, his body would merge with divine power. His very existence would become sacred—truly a walking nemesis to demons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, this required immense time, effort, and patience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he asked Garfenn and Marquisin, they said it was a concept that would normally take an average person ten years to fully understand and master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I don’t have that kind of time.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion was someone who had to live one year as if it were ten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Signs of war were erupting everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one knew when the devil-worshippers might launch a full-scale war. The tension was so intense that such a scenario tomorrow wouldn’t have been surprising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time was gold. Sion wasn’t impatient, but he worked as if every person’s life depended on the next day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His current goal was to drastically shorten the time required to complete the ‘Divine Loop’ he was now practicing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I keep going like this, it won’t be long. Even in the worst case, I should be fully adapted within this month.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given that he had maintained divine power circulation even during this tense period, the time required should have been even further reduced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion shifted his focus back to the Order of the War Knight. He narrowed his eyes, carefully observing each individual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Still, this is truly unbearable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not intervening and merely observing was paradoxically more exhausting and difficult. The mental fatigue felt heavier than the dampness of a swamp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tier’s first judgment was half a beat late. Still, I’d say it was passable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze turned to Set. It was a look of both cold objectivity and deep affection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That kid Set. His shield technique is still a complete mess, but this time he definitely did well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Set blocked the goblin’s attack, Sion instinctively clenched his hand without even realizing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had almost impulsively intervened, fearing his younger brother was in danger, but forcibly suppressed the urge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But thanks to Set’s brave initiative, no one fell into panic, and they succeeded in counterattacking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had Set not stepped forward, everyone would have frozen in fear at the monster’s roar and ended up bloodied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Set’s contribution to this first battle was significant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As an older brother, Sion felt secretly proud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was when it happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Just now…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion turned his head toward the east.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been continuously spreading his divine power to detect movement, and a certain group had caught his senses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not goblins, but humans. Who are they?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hair stood on end. His instincts sensed danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Their direction of movement…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It overlapped with the Red Knights. Could their target be the same?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Meeting them feels troublesome.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wanting to eliminate such variables, Sion decided to move in. It was time for him to fulfill his role.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion calculated distance, direction, and time. His mind worked quickly and precisely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The knight unit still has a long way to go before encountering the goblin group. They need at least half a day more. So…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since nothing major would happen in the meantime, Sion decided to hurry and check on the unfamiliar group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they posed a threat, he would eliminate them and return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, the ten-minute rest ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier got his men back on their feet and resumed the march. They had to cross a deep swamp, so the burden would be heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good luck, hold on strong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion silently cheered for them as he headed in the opposite direction. He pushed off the ground and leapt swiftly to another tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The marching Order of the War Knight merely thought a monkey had passed by.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion heard the sound of mud surging with each step he took.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground sank deeply, and vegetation was thick. The air was sticky, like melting rubber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Getting closer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something stirred. A presence burned intensely, glaringly strong. In this kind of terrain, one would normally hide their presence, but not so here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“On the contrary, they’re flaunting their presence. Do they have confidence in their strength?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion hid himself on a tree, lowering his breathing. Soon, a red-clad group emerged, pushing through the underbrush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five in number, they each carried a massive spear, a longsword and dagger, a chain scythe, a scripture marked with flame patterns, and similar items.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They all wore long robes embroidered with flame-shaped eyes, and seeing this, Sion’s eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion recalled what he had studied with Ruina—the external characteristics of various major Cults. He had memorized them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Flame Cult…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This group, which worshipped the Goddess of Fire, Agnia, was known among the Round Table Cults as one of the most secretive and mystical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most influential in the southern regions of the Empire, their power was so great that they could have established an independent nation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was when it happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Don’t spy on us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A steel chain flew toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion instantly drew his sword, deflected the chain, and leapt away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion nimbly jumped down from the tree and landed opposite them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the five, a man carrying a long spear over his shoulder, stepped forward. Even in this humid, hot place, he covered half his face with a red mask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Reveal your identity. Are you a devil worshipper?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone was almost accusatory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion answered without lowering his guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am a War Cult believer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“War Cult believer?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The masked man tilted his head sideways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve heard there used to be an old War Cult base in the northern part of this swamp… But wasn’t that Cult destroyed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A vein throbbed on Sion’s temple. The silent Goddess Achille’s furious roar echoed through her throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You… you firewood wretches!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion glared at the Flame Cult member and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Watch your words.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An apology came from the lips hidden behind the mask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If any remain, I apologize. I meant no offense. I’m not well-informed about the central Empire’s affairs. I truly believed your Cult had vanished.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had heard that a vast tropical region separated the southern and central parts of the Empire. Geographical barriers often caused delayed information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if Sion’s exploits and the War Cult’s revival had occurred, it would likely only have reached the central and western regions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For now, news of War probably hadn’t properly reached the Imperial Capital, the Holy Kingdom, or especially the southern regions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion sheathed his sword. He also bowed his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t mean to spy. I was cautious because I didn’t know who you were.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand. I also apologize for attacking first. We were chasing a devil worshipper. I mistook you for him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s understandable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Considering they had started by exchanging blows, the conversation was progressing rather peacefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, they were believers in a Goddess. Unlike devil worshippers, they shared the common ground of being able to communicate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you’re members of the Flame Cult?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. We were burned of sin and reborn from the ashes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is that how Flame Cult members introduced themselves? He had heard they were mysterious and highly closed-off, with doctrines bordering on fanaticism.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even from a few exchanged words, he could sense it. Sion revealed his name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am Sion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am Rakian.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion and Rakian clasped hands. Rakian’s hand was rough—clearly the hand of a spear master who had undergone countless trainings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still, why is a War Cult believer here? I can’t imagine why you’d come all the way from Elim to this swamp.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard monsters have been appearing nearby and attacking villages.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You came to exterminate them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rakian planted his spear shaft on the ground and leaned on his shoulder. Then he continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve heard the Imperial Capital has been in chaos lately? I heard devil worshippers have started their activities.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion nodded readily. This was a good opportunity to exchange information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. The Blood Cult has been active near the capital, and I heard the Holy Kingdom was attacked by the Darkness Cult.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…As expected.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Flame Cult priests murmured among themselves, glancing at one another. They apparently weren’t well-informed about the northern regions either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their expressions darkened further. The murmuring ceased as they turned back to Sion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The situation is worse than we thought. I’ve heard it’s even more severe in the east, with the Wisdom Cult. Even the Scales Knights are overwhelmed—mercenary groups are active there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mercenaries too…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Retired holy knights have formed mercenary bands to protect people. We’ve even heard of the Owl Mercenaries and the Black Flag Unit’s exploits.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had vaguely heard about mercenary groups. Bishop Gustein had mentioned it in passing. With soldiers in short supply, ordinary people had started forming self-defense units.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion spoke again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about the south? We’ve had no news from there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Death Cult is slowly moving. But for now, it’s minor. Just sending a few Cult knights is enough to suppress it. Though we did let one slip, which is why we’re here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, Sion was seized by unease. It was the same thought he’d had since earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let one slip? Could it be…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A Death Cult priest who initially mistook you for someone else. He hid himself in this forest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, Sion felt that the Death Cult priest who had hidden here might be connected to the goblin group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Sion’s anxious premonitions had never been wrong so far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Schedule: Every mon, wed, fri and sun\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Review at\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>NovelUpdate\u003C\u002Fp>",2083,"2026-05-30T06:48:22.319Z","2026-06-01T04:30:34.110Z",1,"novelbin.me","1b441772adfb2b31c8b2fb7c21bde5428aae204e9f11cb2ccb6e37280cf171b1","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-57","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-55",174,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fapostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-cover.jpg"]