[{"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-58":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},394416,657,"Chapter 58","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-58",58,"\u003Cp>Ch.58 Apostle of the Goddess of War\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Set swallowed hard and thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If Brother Sion were here right now.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wouldn’t have been fazed by this terrifying scene at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, his competitive spirit would have flared up, and he’d probably be boasting about launching an immediate attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…But not now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Courage must be grounded in reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clearly different from mere recklessness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap, tap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alt tapped Set’s forearm. He communicated silently, only moving his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’ll go inform the main group. You stay here and guard this spot. You’ll be okay, right?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold sweat ran down Set’s back. He gulped and nodded. His head trembled uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Really? Are you sure you’ll be okay? Will you go?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No. Mr. Alt, please be careful.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Got it. I’ll be back quickly. Don’t push yourself—just keep watch.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Understood.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alt disappeared back into the bushes. Set was left alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He became hypersensitive to every rustle of grass in the wind. A sense of dread gripped him, as if something would suddenly leap out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His limbs began to tremble involuntarily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mind went blank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What exactly am I doing right now?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a short while ago, he had been peacefully spending time with his sisters, Ruina and Kaili.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, he snapped back to reality—here he was, in a place thick with the stench of death, risking his life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shiver, shiver, shiver, shiver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even hiding in the cracks of rocks was terrifying. He feared his breathing might be heard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘B-brother…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Set pulled out a wooden necklace and gripped it in his hand. It was a crude ornament carved by Sion. Set treasured it like a talisman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Never before had he wanted to rely on this necklace as much as he did now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Set steadied his breath and resumed watching the front. The sun had set. Twilight descended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish, swish, swish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The darkly flickering flames and the eerie movement of the bushes in the damp wind felt unsettlingly ominous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was when it happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kee-ruk?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A goblin burst through the bushes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One, two, three…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only three were visible at first glance. Set drew his sword with trembling hands, but it was futile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sudden blow to the back of his head knocked him unconscious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Found them.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion finally detected the familiar presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crouched low on a tree branch, he silently approached the rock where the knights had hidden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Armor caked in mud, faces clearly showing exhaustion and tension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was obvious at a glance how grueling the journey through the marshlands had been.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, he was proud that all members had safely reached the goblins’ main camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Tier, you’re doing pretty well. Are you naturally suited to command?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion inwardly sighed in relief and followed their gaze to peer beyond the rock. He saw the goblin nest. His brows instinctively furrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Bigger than I thought.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t just a simple goblin nest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crude but systematically built watchtower, wooden palisade walls, and ominously rising dark red smoke from the center of the colony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the center stood an altar, crudely assembled from animal bones, from which a strange, alien energy faintly emanated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It wouldn’t be surprising if a Death Priest was controlling the goblin horde.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that were true, this battle would be far too difficult for a novice knight brigade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion once again confirmed the lingering sensation of Sacred Flame in his palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Maybe I’ll end up needing to use this after all.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He decided to observe the situation a little longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to see how the knight corps would handle this crisis on their own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But… the atmosphere is strange.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was excessive anxiety and restlessness for what should have been a tactical meeting. They looked like lost lambs standing before a predator, visibly trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What’s going on?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion gathered divine power and heightened his hearing to an extreme degree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His senses spread out like a transparent net, sweeping across each presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He confirmed one by one, feeling relieved. Despite the grueling journey, they had all survived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, he searched for the most important presence—the familiar, sometimes recklessly vibrant energy of his younger brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Where is that kid Set…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Sion’s senses wandered in empty space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s not here.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Set’s presence, which should definitely be here, was nowhere to be felt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion’s heart turned cold. He focused again, spreading his sacred energy even more widely and intensely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind the rocks, between the bushes, atop the trees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nowhere was there a trace of Set.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chilling premonition crept up his spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that very moment, one shocking sentence flew like a dagger into his enhanced hearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Damn it, why isn’t Set coming back?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Could it be… something happened to him with those goblins…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Commander, we can’t wait any longer. Set might have been captured. We have to go save him!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he heard those words, Sion’s mind went completely blank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Set has been captured?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion’s heart plummeted into a bottomless swamp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier’s anguished voice followed. His voice trembled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…N-no, we can’t. Attacking recklessly now would be foolish. Look at the scale. It’s much larger than expected. We should retreat and seek help…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a rational decision for a leader. One couldn’t risk the lives of many to save a few. A cold but logical choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion understood the logic in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his heart, his instinct as an older brother, absolutely refused to accept it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why had he followed them like a shadow on this dangerous mission? Sure, experience was valuable, but above all, it was to ensure not a single one of them would be lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now his most precious younger brother was in danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s my fault.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shouldn’t have brought him. It was foolish to put a mere 14-year-old child into actual combat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An accident had occurred during the brief moment he stepped away to check on the Church of Fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I have to find Set.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion began searching for Set again. He focused all his divine power into a single point, sending his senses deep into the heart of the enemy camp far beyond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He still felt Set’s faint life force. Through the goblins’ murky aura, the stench of blood, and the marsh’s foul odor, his divine power pressed forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Found him.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Set’s presence was faintly detectable near the central altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the energy was extremely weak, as if being crushed by something. What surrounded Set’s aura wasn’t the goblins’ energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What is this feeling?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was… intensely cold, unholy, and seemed to deny life itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The very stench of death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, the pale-faced female priest that Rakian had mentioned flashed through his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion’s eyes snapped open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His pupils burned with a flame of shock and fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Set, unconscious and laid upon a black altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him, a woman’s silhouette chanting incomprehensible incantations, raising a white aura with pale hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The goblins were merely her guards, assigned trivial tasks like kidnapping people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The true master of this nest was none other than the Death Priestess that the Church of Fire had been chasing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion’s grim prediction had come true once again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, the goblin horde and the Death Priestess were connected. The Death Priestess seemed to be commanding the goblins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was no longer a simple mission to exterminate a goblin nest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a race against time—to stop a wicked ritual and save his brother, who was about to be sacrificed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no more reason to watch. He had to act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion’s body dropped silently from the tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a piece of darkness detaching itself, he landed behind the panicked knights like a black panther.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knights, startled by the presence, began drawing their swords—then froze as they recognized the familiar silhouette even in the darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Relief, like a beam of light, flashed across their terrified eyes, mingled with shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“S-sir Sion!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier was the first to recognize him and shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mix of shame at having his helplessness exposed and complex emotions at the arrival of a savior played across his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This can’t be!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re saved. It’s Sir Sion!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A knight clenched his fist in joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had been at the brink of annihilation. Everything was about to collapse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier’s leadership was being tested, and distrust was spreading among the members like a plague.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, with the appearance of just one person—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion—the darkness instantly retreated as if it had never been there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flag of faith and courage toward the Goddess of War reclaimed the high ground in their hearts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was pitiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was shameful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was no helping it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[……These children are not Sion.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Goddess Achille softly exhaled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion was an anomaly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would be a lie to say she wasn’t disappointed in the warriors whose courage had broken. But that was what made them human. Humans were weak and fragile beings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only among them did a few exceptional individuals become heroes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knight brigade’s hero, Sion, opened his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What happened?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze had already passed beyond the knights, piercing through to the evil colony beyond the rocks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier instinctively straightened his posture and reported in a trembling voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I sent Set and Alt for reconnaissance. Alt returned, but Set, who was supposed to keep watch, hasn’t come back even after all this time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alt stepped forward to add to the explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“W-we agreed he’d wait here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion didn’t blame Tier. He knew his decision wasn’t wrong. If Sion had been in Tier’s place, he would have done the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Sion possessed a responsibility and power that transcended logic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hero walks a different path from ordinary people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We were thinking of going to save him, but judged it too reckless with our current strength—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of all people, it had to be Set who went missing. Under Sion’s oppressive aura, Tier began rambling out excuses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tier. As a commander, it was a reasonable judgment. I would’ve done the same.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I’m sorry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What good does saying sorry do me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ghk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You did well. If I had to pick a mistake, it would be mine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion said quietly. His gaze passed over Tier, sweeping across every knight who had fallen into despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Set is still alive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All trace of warmth vanished from his face. Only a blade-sharp determination remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s being held at the central altar in the goblin nest. He’s about to be offered as a sacrifice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s terrible!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We have to go save him immediately!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knights became agitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Relief washed over them at the news that Set was still alive, and fury ignited at the mention of a sacrifice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing all this, they couldn’t just stand by and watch. Even if it cost their lives, they had to launch a reckless assault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If one only chose battles they could win, that wasn’t the way of the War Cult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You all go back. The mission is over.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion refused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had long passed the level of gaining mere practical experience. This was a fight where even Sion himself would have to risk his life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“B-but!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have neither the time nor the intention to persuade you. Go back. That’s an order.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion turned his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kiiing—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sword was already in Sion’s hand. Dark, ominous mist rose violently from it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll see you in Elim.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tat!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion charged forward. Moments later, torches collapsed and flames surged upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Keeeek!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The goblins’ ear-splitting screams tore through the darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five shadowy figures cloaked in red robes were taking a brief rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man wearing a mask to hide facial burns—Rakian—suddenly opened his eyes wide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze turned toward the dark marshlands, toward the north.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A section of land lit up brightly amid commotion. It was fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What is that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His comrades’ attention also turned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They seem to have encountered the goblin horde. There’s a high chance the escaped Death Priestess is over there too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rakian stood up. His eyes, visible behind the mask, glinted coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s time to purge sin. Move out immediately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He adjusted the grip on the massive spear slung over his shoulder. The other Fire Priests quickly finished their preparations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The disciples of fire threw themselves into the darkness. Their target was clear—the distant place where flames rose, illuminating the night marsh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Schedule: Every mon, wed, fri and sun\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Review at\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>NovelUpdate\u003C\u002Fp>",2054,"2026-05-30T06:48:22.319Z","2026-06-01T04:30:34.110Z",1,"novelbin.me","9702f16fa0aec9e6477e449d5014076383872b45e13de4a61c17410133661a7b","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-59","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-57",174,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fapostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-cover.jpg"]