Chapter 13

Ch.13 Apostle of the Goddess of War

Pushing the Tribute.

Although a slight doubt arose as to whether this was something holy knights should be doing, it wasn’t important.

I’m a Church of War follower. I can’t avoid fighting. Battles, gambling—everything is a struggle.

Moreover—

If I can just pull this off well, I should at least secure the front yard, right?

Sion’s own empire, to be built in the Goddess’s garden.

Laughing, he told himself that the starting point was now.

“I’ll also take an apology. That’s the most important thing.”

“……Haha, fine. But what will you do if you lose?”

“What do you want?”

Roben answered swiftly, like a spider sensing prey.

“Acknowledgement. The acknowledgment that the Church of War has begun expanding its forces to stir up trouble again. Even if you lose, if you refuse to acknowledge it, the Holy Kingdom will arrest you.”

Sion twisted his lips.

This had escalated a bit.

The coercion wasn’t just ordinary, either.

It was clear the Church of War was being singled out.

“So that’s what you were aiming for. Severing the limbs of the Church of War. Are you that afraid of us?”

“As someone once said, your assumptions are excessive, Church of War follower Sion. Do you really think the Holy Kingdom would fear a Church without a single believer?”

Roben mocked him, borrowing Sion’s own words.

Damn human.

In his mind, Sion slaughtered Roben dozens of times.

The only reason he couldn’t bring himself to act on it was that he was now a follower who served the Goddess.

Because the right choice was not indiscriminate violence, but justified force.

Besides, his opponent was the Holy Kingdom.

Blindly picking a fight with the Goddess’s Church at the Round Table wasn’t the right move.

The means of retaliation had to be justified.

Goddess, please bear with me just a little longer. I’ll definitely repay this humiliation.

In response to Sion’s sincere prayer, the Goddess raged, punching the air.

[My child. This Goddess believes in you. You will flatten the nose of that arrogant light Church follower! How dare they! Disregard! My! Apostle!—!]

***

Sion stuck close to the Holy Sword Brigade.

Roben had presented it as sharing information.

In reality, it was likely for surveillance, but Sion cooperated despite seeing through the obvious ploy.

He wasn’t familiar with this region, and his hidden intention was to gather valuable information to act first when the time came.

Fortunately, the Holy Sword Brigade weren’t complete villains, either.

Though they had the goal of looking down on and trampling the Church of War follower, they didn’t outright attack to exclude or kill him.

Thanks to that, meals and lodging were resolved without worry.

After finishing the meal provided by the Holy Sword Brigade, Sion separated himself and sank into meditation.

Roben sought him out then.

Even considering that Sion was a Church of War follower, the fact that he was the disciple of that Garfenn was enough to pique the curiosity of a fellow warrior.

It was pure curiosity that drove Roben to approach.

“Training?”

Sion quietly opened his eyes.

“……Do you need something?”

“Seems I interrupted your focus. My apologies.”

“It’s fine. I was just thinking about what I saw earlier today.”

“What did you see today?”

Sion recalled the golden sword he had seen during the day.

The mysterious phenomenon of light imbuing the sword was something one couldn’t help but be captivated by after seeing it just once.

He wanted to replicate it, but without knowing the principles, it was frustrating.

He had no master now, and he couldn’t just go ask the Holy Sword Brigade, either.

“The phenomenon of light imbuing the sword.”

Hearing Sion’s words, Roben tilted his head slightly.

“You really must have joined recently, huh?”

“……Yes.”

“How long have you held a sword?”

Sion hesitated briefly before answering.

“About two weeks.”

“……What did you say?”

“Less than a month. I don’t remember exactly. My apologies.”

Roben frowned at Sion’s words.

He scratched his bearded cheek.

Two weeks? Not two weeks since joining, but two weeks since holding a sword?

It was completely unexpected.

Regardless of Sion being a Church of War follower, the swordsmanship he had displayed was considerable.

It was absolutely not a level someone who had held a sword for two weeks could show.

He must have misspoken.

Roben brushed it off casually and explained.

“It’s called divine power.”

“Divine power?”

“A miraculous power that naturally accumulates in the soul through daily prayers to the Goddess, offering tributes, studying scriptures, and nurturing faith. A miracle that counters the power of demons.”

“I see……”

Sion’s face grew troubled.

Did one need faith in the Goddess to wield such power?

For Sion, this was a miracle he couldn’t use right away.

Faith didn’t just appear because he decided to have it—it was a difficult hurdle.

“It’s understandable if you’re new. Normally, it takes at least two years of training after picking up a sword before we even explain the concept. Sir Garfenn must have thought it was too early for you.”

“Is that so?”

It was true.

Garfenn had also said it was too early when he mentioned teaching him how to fight demons.

He had learned other unconventional methods, but what Garfenn had intended to teach him back then was likely this divine power.

He also called it the power to cut magic.

Sion listened to Roben’s words with a slightly deflated spirit.

His ambition was great, but the path ahead was still too long.

But it’s definitely a way to grow stronger. I have to learn it.

Sion recognized the direction he needed to take next.

Imbuing the sword with the Goddess’s power.

“Those who believe in the Goddess and wield a sword are blessed with power. If you believe in the Goddess of Light, the sword will take on a golden hue. As you’ve seen.”

Sion couldn’t easily shake off the memory of that beautiful radiance in his mind.

“It was pretty.”

“Haha, indeed. Beautiful and awe-inspiring. With effort, Sir Sion, your sword will likely take on a black hue.”

“A black hue?”

“The color symbolizing the Goddess of War is that of the night sky. A black sword with shimmering starlight.”

Sion slightly lowered his head to look at his own sword.

He imagined this pure white gleaming sword turning black.

And the starlight it would emit—

That would be cool.

Sion looked at Roben.

“Thank you, Sir Roben. I didn’t know you had this side to you.”

“This side?”

“A kind side.”

“You have a strange view of people.”

“You acted strangely.”

Roben snorted.

He hadn’t approached the Church of War follower out of goodwill but curiosity, and seeing him more lacking than expected, he had let his guard down.

Being Garfenn’s disciple doesn’t inspire much confidence either.

In his mind, Sion’s evaluation had already hit rock bottom.

It didn’t even seem worth dragging him to the Holy Kingdom.

Such effort was only warranted if he posed a threat.

If anything, he now felt a bit of pity and even a slight desire to treat him well.

Even if he was a Church of War follower, he wasn’t a worshipper of evil gods.

Though lowly, he was still a fellow knight…

Teaching a clueless junior a thing or two wasn’t a difficult task.

“Walking the path of faith is difficult. Those who wield the sword are ascetics. Since you’ve become a spiritual knight yourself, I suppose we’re comrades in a way. Well, if you have any questions, feel free to ask.”

“A spiritual knight……”

Sion murmured and closed his eyes.

It looked like he was praying.

Roben discreetly stood up, thinking to himself.

The Church of War really must be on its last legs. Recruiting someone like this…

The outcome was obvious even without seeing it.

***

After Roben left, everyone except those on night watch fell asleep.

In the dead of night, Sion sat upright and offered a prayer—something he had never done before.

Goddess, Goddess. Are you listening?

[I am always listening, my beautiful child.]

I’m not sure if I should say this, but… I still lack faith.

[It’s alright, my child. This Goddess knows your heart well.]

The Goddess smiled joyfully, answering Sion’s words diligently.

Though her voice didn’t reach Sion’s ears, the Goddess didn’t miss a single word.

Achille felt no annoyance toward her lovely apostle.

Sion sighed softly and brought up the heavy thoughts he had been holding inside.

Truthfully, I’m not sure. I know you exist, and that you’ve helped me…

But rather than believing in you, it feels closer to praying to protect my siblings and yearning for strength.

The Goddess smiled faintly at Sion’s difficult confession.

The act of confessing one’s shameful truths itself was courage and proof of goodness.

Far from being angry, the Goddess was even more moved by Sion.

Covering her mouth, she shook her head. It was an indescribable fondness.

[How can you be so lovable?]

Sion’s confession continued.

But I’ll keep trying. I’ll keep praying, and I’ll wield my sword for you. Then someday, I’ll be able to imbue my blade with your power, right? That beautiful night sky color.

…So please forgive me. For my rudeness now.

The Goddess replied, though her words wouldn’t reach him.

[Of course, my future War Apostle. Faith is like an illusion.]

[Humans need idols to lean on when weak, to achieve what they desire.]

The Goddess repeated what she had consistently taught Garfenn.

[What matters is the action that springs from the heart. Do as you will, my Sion.]

The Goddess gently stroked Sion’s cheek.

[I will guide you.]

Sion smiled at the end of his prayer.

I feel a little lighter.

Confessing his sins and repenting in his own way had lifted his spirits.

Even if he couldn’t summon a black blade right away, the confidence to cut through anything welled up like a spring.

Sion rose from his seated position. Tonight, he could sleep with a slightly lighter heart.

Well, if she couldn’t understand even this much, she wouldn’t be a Goddess, right? I’ve heard the Goddess’s heart is as vast as the ocean.

Sion laughed to himself.

[S-Sion?]

Goddess Achille was slightly flustered.

***

For the next two days, there was no progress.

No monsters appeared despite patrolling the city’s outskirts, and with no merchant caravans traveling to and from Foils due to repeated attacks, the silence persisted.

The Holy Sword Brigade weren’t enthusiastic about the search.

They seemed unable to understand why they, with their high worth, had been mobilized for such menial tasks.

It was a matter of pride.

We’re just wasting time. Is this really the right move?

At this rate, the supplies stockpiled in Elim would run out.

Even to Sion, who didn’t know Elim’s circumstances well, it didn’t seem plentiful.

Amid his growing impatience, a few of the Holy Sword Brigade approached him.

“We’re bored during break. Mind sparring with us?”

“Sparring?”

“At this rate, our bodies will stiffen. We’d also like to experience another Church’s swordsmanship. It’s not a bad deal for you either, right?”

Sion glanced around.

A few of the more spirited members of the Holy Sword Brigade had surrounded him.

The pressure was no joke.

They must be itching for action.

The Holy Sword Brigade were warriors too, and after going so long without combat, their bodies were restless.

Coincidentally, many spiritual knights wanted to test their skills against a Church of War knight.

And wasn’t he supposedly Garfenn’s disciple?

Regardless of the truth, it was only natural to want to cross blades.

I’m feeling sluggish too… but this is pointless.

Irritated by their request, Sion answered curtly.

“Will sparring help resolve the case?”

His slightly sharp reaction prompted Roben to mediate.

“It won’t help the case, but at least we can gauge each other’s strength.”

“Gauge strength.”

What was the point of that?

Sion wasn’t convinced in the slightest by Roben’s argument.

Roben shrugged and added,

“Knowing each other’s strength will help in actual combat. Experiencing it firsthand is quicker, but it’s also useful to know how much your allies can support you.”

Sion pondered Roben’s words.

Ideally, he’d avoid situations where he needed others’ help.

But things rarely went as planned.

Sion wasn’t invincible—there would be times he needed assistance.

However, this sparring was unnecessary for him.

I don’t need to gauge their strength.

He had already assessed the Holy Sword Knight’s capabilities.

No exceptional fighters here.

None among them were opponents he couldn’t defeat.

At best, their leader Roben seemed somewhat worth learning from.

For all their bravado in looking down on him, they were all mediocre swordsmen.

[My apostle, you must not avoid a fight when challenged.]

Meanwhile, Achille cheered him on.

The Goddess of War was of a combative nature.

Even if the fight had no justification or benefit, avoiding battle was against her Church.

I don’t know. I just want to vent my frustration right now.

More than anything, their constant belittlement and sly disregard felt like an insult to the Goddess of War.

Would I have challenged them if I were my master? No.

Sion chewed his lip.

They had asked for a spar because they looked down on him.

He hadn’t liked the Holy Sword Brigade from the start.

This was a chance for legal retaliation—he found no reason to refuse.

Let’s settle this now. Who’s superior? I can’t appear weak.

Beasts and humans alike bare their fangs at those who seem weak.

Such types were easiest to handle with the logic of force.

One way or another, the most certain method in the world of males was establishing hierarchy.

“Fine. At this rate, my body will stiffen too.”

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