[{"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-8":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},394466,657,"Chapter 8","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-8",8,"\u003Cp>Ch.8 Apostle of the Goddess of War\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion uncovered the bloody truth behind the Baron’s household. Pleased with his first heroic act, he fell into a deep, contented sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, Rebecca awoke and took charge of the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once things had settled slightly, she summoned Garfenn and Sion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you. You really saved me, Sion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thought it might be a trap…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion hesitated before speaking the words Garfenn had taught him:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I upheld chivalry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh my.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rebecca smiled shyly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a successful line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Leaving so soon? You could stay longer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our journey is urgent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Disappointment dripped from Rebecca’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She brushed her fingers over Sion’s hand and made a request.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sion… Could you become my knight?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surprise was fleeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion refused outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He already had a master to serve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My only master is the Goddess of War.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Goddess silently covered her mouth in emotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Rebecca’s heart trembled at such a romantic answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What impressive smooth talk.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn, too, was silently astonished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even he had never managed such polished words when first becoming an apostle. He hadn’t even thought of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Sion adapted frighteningly fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tongue was sharper than any sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps the concept of the ‘ultimate sword’ wasn’t so abstract after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What a shame. You would’ve made such a dashing knight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Setting aside her disappointment, Rebecca smiled and made another offer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then will you visit sometimes? Starting today, the War Apostle is always welcome in this city.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rebecca promised to officially change the city’s religion to the worship of the Goddess of War. The process would begin as soon as she formally inherited her title.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The statue of the Goddess of Wisdom had already disappeared from the parlor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The city’s carpenters were busy sculpting an effigy of the Goddess of War.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Sniff!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Achille wiped away a tear, deeply moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How long had it been?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She could barely remember.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And… this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rebecca held out a sword to Sion with both hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My father’s sword. A family heirloom. Please take it. It’s yours now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion glanced at Garfenn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn gave a slight nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This, too, was the victor’s right—a spoil of war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Lady Rebecca.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion accepted the sword. Even the scabbard alone marked it as a masterpiece.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lady Rebecca… This is presumptuous, but may I ask one more favor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion paused while examining the sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rebecca raised an eyebrow and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course. Speak freely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Could you clear up the misunderstandings about the Goddess of War? Let people know that my master came to this city not to bring bloodshed, but to prevent it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that all?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rebecca shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You slew demons for us, and all you ask is that? The War Apostle is modest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clearing misunderstandings is the most important thing right now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn and the Goddess watched Sion’s actions with quiet pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the restrictions imposed by the Goddess of Light, they had stubbornly remained silent, believing it uncool to explain themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion, however, found that strange, unspoken doctrine childish and foolish—so he acted to change it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Traditionally, such things are revealed later for dramatic effect…]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But Goddess, hasn’t the misunderstanding only grown like a snowball until now?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[This time, it seems to have worked out because that girl fell for Sion.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Are you implying I lack charm, in so many words?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Goddess fell silent for a moment before speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Garfenn. You misunderstand me.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Regardless, Sion has done splendidly. Better than expected.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Indeed. A new age calls for new winds. Let us observe Sion’s methods.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Understood.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, the truth about the Goddess of War spread through Rebecca’s domain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though people found it hard to believe, rumors began reaching other regions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The War Apostle had slain demons and saved the land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A week after leaving Rebecca’s domain, Sion’s party paused on the road to rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the rare peace, Garfenn spoke to the Goddess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Goddess, you seem in unusually high spirits today.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Oh, my magnificent warrior. Is it that obvious?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘You’ve been humming in my ear. Only a fool wouldn’t notice.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I see. The truth is, I’ve been in excellent spirits lately.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Goddess Achille smiled softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her cheerful humming drifted like a breeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn watched her with a gentle smile, his expression laced with loyalty and relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s because of that boy, isn’t it?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Hush. He’s too adorable. I can’t remember the last time I had a city worship me. Small as it is, I can hear their prayers! To celebrate, I opened a bottle of my treasured wine.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘When I tried persuading you before, you refused so stubbornly. This warrior feels a bit slighted.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Goddess chuckled playfully and stroked his cheek.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her touch was warm, but there was a loneliness beneath it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Do not think that way. Back then, my heart was as cold as midwinter.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘True. But I always knew your heart would warm like spring someday.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[My warrior, your words grow sweeter by the day. I know it is all thanks to you.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn bowed humbly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Only because you guided me, Goddess.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Garfenn, it is your sacrifices and efforts that allowed me to begin anew. All of this is built upon the foundation you laid.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn recalled the Goddess’s past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they first met, Achille had been cold and sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, she was full of laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn desperately wished this would continue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It all started with that boy.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the distance, Sion was tending to his siblings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Goddess and Garfenn watched quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion’s siblings had learned to take care of themselves, gathering firewood and fetching water with their small hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘As we raise him, we’ll face opposition from other Goddesses.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Naturally. They won’t be pleased to see me nurturing another apostle.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I will be your shield.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I trust you, my warrior…]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion returned shortly after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn’s gaze turned to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sit, Sion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion settled by the campfire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flames cast a glow over his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s time I taught you what you need to know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s more to teach?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well… truthfully, no. Your swordsmanship is instinctive—teaching might ruin it. Tampering could regress you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Goddess agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion wielded his sword by instinct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forcing instruction upon him would only break what made him exceptional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All he needed was experience—walking the line between life and death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then what will you teach me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“History.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The important history a War Apostle must know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion looked slightly bored but straightened his posture to listen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Think of it as an old tale.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t look so skeptical. I’m quite the storyteller.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion smirked at Garfenn’s bravado.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearby, his siblings were cooking a simple soup under Ruina’s guidance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the water boiled, Garfenn began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In the lofty heavens lies the Divine Hall, where a round table stands. Even infants know this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Random question—are there no male gods?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A male god? I’ve never even imagined such blasphemy. What kind of irreverent thought is that? You really…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Never mind, then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn cleared his throat and continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Long before you were born, a great war raged.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve heard of it. The War of the Goddesses.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you know. The Goddesses turned on each other. Led by the Goddess of Darkness, who became the Evil God.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was ancient history, now treated as myth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our Goddess sided with the Goddess of Light and helped crush the rebellion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For ages beyond human reckoning, the Goddess of War, Achille reigned as the mightiest of all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion pondered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘With frequent wars, her prominence makes sense.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But soon, a question arose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she was so powerful, why was she now scorned, without a single proper church?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn answered before he could ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That became the problem. The Goddess grew too powerful. The others envied and feared her. In the end, they framed her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Framed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. They poisoned her chalice with madness-inducing venom. A despicable act!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion swallowed hard, now engrossed in what he’d expected to be a dull history lesson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After that, the Goddess, consumed by madness, turned her blade on her fellow deities. Many perished… and she was stripped of her True Name and imprisoned.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But—that’s unjust!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It was.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn smiled bitterly, sharing her grievance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because she submitted without resistance, the Goddess of Light acknowledged her innocence—but did not forgive her for harming others.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion gritted his teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The injustice burned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even a non-believer would rage at such a story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn sighed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She had to atone. Banished from the Round Table, she was demoted and tasked with cleansing her sins.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cleansing… how?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Descending to the mortal world. Eradicating evil—demons, apostles of the Evil God—completely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s impossible! With all the restrictions and hatred, how could she?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn’s scarred face twisted into a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As you said, misfortune piled up. The War Faith lost its divine power and influence. Misunderstandings led to rejection. No humans remember the Goddess’s plight. By my time, only a thread of the faith remained.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn’s hardships were etched into every wrinkle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our duty as apostles is to cleanse her sins—until she regains her name and returns to the Round Table.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s complicated and difficult.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For now, you needn’t delve deeper. Just slay the wicked. As many as you can.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, have you been fighting the Evil God’s apostles all this time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn clenched his fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Countless times. And now, here we are. My mission is over. Reviving the War Faith is your task.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion nodded silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No answer was needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn’s face, his scars—visible even when he bathed—spoke clearly of the battles he’d fought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I want to succeed like Master.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion fell into thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His path was becoming clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Help people, defeat enemies, and rebuild the War Faith. It’s simple. That way, my siblings can live safely within it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His purpose solidified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion smiled, resolved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To protect those dear to him, he would become the Goddess’s blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Serve as the Goddess of War’s sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Build a grand manor in her garden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That would be the happiness of Sion, his siblings—and Achille herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My shoulders feel heavy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sion, you’ll succeed. I guarantee it. The Goddess believes in you too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She’s smiling beside you right now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A slight shiver ran down Sion’s spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if the Goddess believed in him, he had nothing to fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two exchanged smiles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll do it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I trust you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By then, the meal was ready.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruina handed out bowls of soup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A delicious aroma rose from the pot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s done. Eat up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It tasted terrible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Schedule: Every mon, wed, fri and sun\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Review at\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>NovelUpdate\u003C\u002Fp>",1755,"2026-05-30T06:48:22.039Z","2026-06-01T04:30:34.110Z",1,"novelbin.me","1d57375ceb8305518d2718adc46fd55fb397ca7e762a581f47a4408569f6891a","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-9","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-7",174,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fapostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-cover.jpg"]