[{"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-85":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},394443,657,"Chapter 85","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-85",85,"\u003Cp>Ch.85 Apostle of the Goddess of War\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s get moving.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Kegan’s concise words, the return procession toward Elim began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The injured were loaded onto makeshift carts, while light luggage was divided among Sion, Jena, and members of the Black Banner Unit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some members of the Black Banner Unit remained behind to finish cleanup and maintain order, while only a small number would return with Sion ahead of the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Commander. Are we officially knights of the Cult now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“War Knights, huh? Sounds kind of cool.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing their subordinates’ excited chatter, Kegan frowned and scratched his cheek.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re not kids—stop getting so excited. Stay calm. Maintain the dignity of a knight. And no more spitting phlegm on the ground.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pfft!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Commander, you quit drinking first!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you talking about? Alcohol is a basic necessity in the War Cult!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really? Is that true?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knights turned to look at Sion. Sion felt his breath catch in his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn these new recruits!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, when he thought of Bishop Gustein or his master, it was a fact he couldn’t deny.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion let out a deep sigh before replying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Moderate drinking can help with morale.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Sion’s words, Kegan smirked and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“See?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So the commander really was a War Knight back in the day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As it turned out, Kegan himself was the most excited. He felt pride more than anyone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘War Knights.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To think he’d come full circle and once again serve Achille. One truly never knows what lies ahead in life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kegan took one last look back at Kashibelli Rock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, he had rebuilt the graves of his old comrades. Even if temporarily, he had come to honor their souls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He vowed to return again someday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For now, Elim was urgent, so he couldn’t properly conduct a full memorial service.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then from now on, should we call this kid… no, should we call him Sir Sion?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone glanced cautiously at Sion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His skill had already been thoroughly proven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No foolish, hot-headed fool dared challenge him now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s no strict hierarchy. Just call me by my name, casually.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm. R-really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knights brightened visibly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Kegan quickly scolded them into order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shut up, you idiots. He’s destined to become an apostle of the Goddess. Show proper respect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, yes, sir! We weren’t planning anything, really!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jena added her voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re not mercenaries anymore. If you don’t fix those mercenary habits now, you’ll never get a proper burial later. I’ll start by scolding you myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When did you ever serve as a knight?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You want to die?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sorry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The implication was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rough life of a ground-level mercenary was over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had been reborn as sacred knights serving the Goddess, devoted to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They must now uphold the dignity befitting that role and demonstrate appropriate conduct and manners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is tough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You, a good-for-nothing bastard with no background, wearing a knight’s insignia—this is your rise in status. Be proud of it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fuck you. You’re just as rootless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha. No fighting now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Sion’s mediation, the formal march finally began in earnest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though lively atmosphere was fine, this was the return procession of a knight order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They raised the cross-sword banner high and made their presence widely known.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The War Knights are here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This region is under the protection of the War Knights—no one should dare cause trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Achille’s iron hammer strikes without distinction between human and monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion gazed contentedly at the fluttering banner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘We’ve come a long way.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had obtained a capable training instructor as planned, and acquired an excellent knightly order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only had the War Knights’ combat strength visibly changed, but their sphere of influence had also expanded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From Elim to Foils.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From Foils to the northern mountainous region of Foils.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And again to the southern marshlands of Elim and the eastern territory of Deogel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, it was fair to say the War Cult’s influence had grown significantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Foils now depended on Elim to the extent that their business couldn’t function without it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The areas surrounding Foils and Elim were now under the War Cult’s responsibility for maintaining order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, the War Cult had secured a solid home base. Centered on Elim, they aimed to gradually expand their influence and dream of a complete revival of the Cult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if, ultimately, they could end the rampant chaos caused by the increasingly unstable evil deities—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘My Goddess…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion suddenly placed a hand over his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His chest, shoulders, arms, and back still ached sharply. It wasn’t just fatigue from battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was closer to aftereffects from his soul being invaded by the decaying magical energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If it weren’t for the Goddess, this wouldn’t have ended with mere aftereffects.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would certainly have lost his life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He deeply wished to express his gratitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He offered prayers constantly even now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for some reason, no answer ever came back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Communication had always been impossible, but recently he had felt a sensation at the crown of his head, allowing him to sense the Goddess’s will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since awakening, he hadn’t felt it even once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘She must have overexerted herself because of me.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt remorseful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, anxiety crept in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is everything really going to be okay like this?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one would show him the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had to find it himself, to push through alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it was winter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion continued riding forward, facing the cold wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several days passed, and Sion and the War Knights arrived at a certain estate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the villages and towns they had passed through on the way were deserted, but this place was the only one still inhabited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Deogel Castle, where the people Sion had rescued during the past Sword Ghost incident had settled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A modest but sturdy-looking fence surrounded the area, and the shabby roofs were in the middle of repairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An old woman at the village entrance was startled when she saw Sion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh my, who is this? Isn’t it that knight from back then!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s an honor that you remember me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion dismounted and accepted her greeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If it weren’t for you back then, we’d have been dead long ago. Please, come in, at least have a meal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Perhaps I will. I’d also like to see the lord once.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, Lord Yohart?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. How has he been lately?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People spoke in unison, praising him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s doing well. Really doing well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You can see he’s putting in effort. Someone of his status doesn’t need to care about commoners like us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still don’t like him much. But what can you do? He didn’t choose to be like that either.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their relationship still carried mixed feelings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, affection outweighed hatred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When someone seeks forgiveness and lives trying to atone for their sins, people’s hearts naturally shift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Kegan also felt deeply moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion had intended to simply greet them and move on, but the village was already in an uproar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Children rushed over and surrounded Sion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s really him! The uncle knight!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We were really grateful back then!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, here. A gift.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he knew it, a child was holding out wildflowers to Sion. In the small hand were broken daisies, dandelions, and unnamed grasses tangled together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion politely bowed and carefully accepted the flowers. The child’s eyes sparkled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come back again! Promise!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Okay.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, he had forgotten what it felt like to be someone others waited for. That feeling gently caressed Sion’s heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jena, watching from behind, giggled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re popular with girls, aren’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not exactly absent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion gave an awkward smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hard to seduce, though. Don’t tell me you’ve got someone waiting in Elim?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Jena’s words, Sion’s breath caught.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not exactly a lover, but someone similar did exist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion couldn’t easily bring himself to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, she was his sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jena’s lips curved downward in a disappointed arc. She genuinely looked let down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh? Not saying anything? So there really is someone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha! She got rejected. Rejected!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who’d go after such a young boy anyway?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You really want to die?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jena suddenly lashed out in irritation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion deliberately ignored her expression, which clearly showed lingering regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, Kegan slowly approached, a few wildflowers resting on his shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The kids look at me like I’m some kind of important person too, you know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You really are important.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What have I done? The important one is you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The people gathered here—all were protected by the Black Banner Unit. There’s a reason they welcome us so warmly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kegan laughed bitterly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It feels strange. I wonder if what I’ve done was truly meaningful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just seeing these people smile again is proof enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Sion’s pure, untainted answer, Kegan’s heart began to race, unable to calm down easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His soul was more innocent than Kegan could have imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment, Kegan finally fully understood why Sion had been chosen as the Goddess of War’s knight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That’s right. Only a soul pure to its core can become the Apostle of the Goddess.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was something inexplicable by skill alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garfenn was rough, yet more tender than anyone. This boy Sion was more sincere than anyone in saving people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His guilt fell away like being sliced by a knife. Though his mistake couldn’t be undone, he could live to repay it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forgiveness would be sought in death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he wasn’t forgiven, it didn’t matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would do his utmost in this life to save people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An unbidden surge of emotion rose up. He struggled hard to swallow it without showing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The horizon he had passed through came into view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Land filled with painful memories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A place where mistakes, regret, despair, and sin had been born—a battlefield where he had fought fiercely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his head again, looking at Deogel Castle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People were living.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were lives saved from the perilous Decay Cult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This alone was an achievement he had no reason to envy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had done well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as he continued like this from now on, everything would be fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Save people.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was how Kegan had been saved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve truly come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lord Yohart Deogel, worn down by exhaustion, warmly welcomed Sion and Kegan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked like someone who hadn’t slept much. Yet his expression was far brighter than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t the only one who had been saved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion and Kegan explained what had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the lord protecting this land, it was necessary to share information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yohart stroked his slightly grown beard as he murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…So the Decay Cult was operating in secret. How horrifying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. But now it’s gone, so this region is safe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Could someone else come to fill the void?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As long as the Wisdom Cult doesn’t collapse, it should be fine. And—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion said confidently,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If anything happens, the War Cult will intervene.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yohart was genuinely impressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion’s words had never felt so reassuring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Does that mean the Deogel Estate can receive protection from the War Cult?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion tilted his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s been that way all along.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, he lightly nudged Kegan’s shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’re in crisis, my senior here will immediately send the knightly order.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm? Y-yes, that’s right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kegan belatedly chimed in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He still hadn’t fully adjusted to the fact that he was now the Commander of the War Knights and their training instructor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He needed to adapt quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha, this is truly reassuring. I can live with peace of mind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. Any problems at the castle? Did any monsters appear while we were away?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No. As Sir Sion predicted, no monsters appeared. Only the cursed sword I held was the issue.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yohart smiled bitterly, glancing at the cursed sword Sion had taken from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. The terrain doesn’t seem particularly favorable for monster habitation. It’s actually better suited for human settlement.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yohart nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now all that remained was for him to resolve himself, lead his people well, and revive his estate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hand holding his teacup tightened with resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Deogel Estate will officially begin serving the Goddess of War.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sion smiled and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, please tell everyone about our Goddess. And when you have time, it’d be great if you could visit Elim.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“R-really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. When a noble from a prestigious family visits, it’ll help with promotion too, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, I see. I’ll do that. Right after this winter passes, I’ll come with a modest gift…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t need to bring anything! But if you do, make it something practical!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kegan inwardly couldn’t suppress his shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This kid… his skill at manipulating people with words…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Schedule: Every mon, wed, fri and sun\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Review at\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>NovelUpdate\u003C\u002Fp>",2110,"2026-05-30T06:48:22.319Z","2026-06-01T04:30:34.110Z",1,"novelbin.me","81cd7bb0b7474ca9ced3813d412d0ea62f6ce8d18b8bacb1a4da1368f8418ecb","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-86","apostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-chapter-84",174,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fapostle-of-the-goddess-of-war-cover.jpg"]