Chapter 30

Ch.30 Apostle of the Goddess of War

“Huh? Lady Achille?”

“Of course. The Goddess used to cling to me as her apostle, but now she follows you around instead.”

“Wow……!”

Sion blinked his sapphire-colored eyes in astonishment.

He had vaguely sensed it, but had she truly been beside him all this time?

“She’s been watching over you ever since you left for Foils. The Goddess has told me everything you’ve accomplished. I’m proud. I’m amazed. No—astounded.”

“It was nothing special.”

Garfenn chuckled weakly and patted Sion on the shoulder.

“Do you think just anyone can draw forth sacred power they’ve never even been taught? Even ordinary knights take years to achieve that. Not to mention you killed a mage—someone who can use magic! It’s incredible, truly.”

Sion didn’t fully absorb Garfenn’s praise. He couldn’t tell if his master was just trying to boost his confidence.

Of course, he didn’t think he lacked talent. He just considered himself slightly better than average.

Hadn’t he nearly died when fighting Holt’s lieutenant?

That opponent had been truly formidable.

Only his quick thinking in the moment had saved him. If he kept fighting such dangerous battles, he’d eventually die.

And now, according to Garfenn:

“You’ve pushed yourself too hard with all these reckless fights. Holy Sword Unit, mages, former knights… It’s a miracle you’re still alive.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You won, so it’s fine. It must have been a necessary battle, and the Goddess approved—it was a just and rightful duel.”

That was a relief. Sion nodded.

It was good to know his actions hadn’t strayed from the Goddess’s will.

‘Oddly, my steps were always drawn forward. So everything really did have a purpose after all.’

Garfenn smiled faintly and turned his head.

“Let’s talk more about this later. First, introduce me to these people.”

“Didn’t the Goddess tell you?”

“The Goddess only talks about you.”

[How unfair, Garfenn. Turning me into a mere side character!]

Garfenn felt a bit sad that the brief peace he’d enjoyed since reuniting with the Goddess had been shattered.

Honestly, the past few days without the Goddess constantly nagging him had been peaceful.

[Who would’ve thought, huh? People might think I’m some doting mother obsessed with her beloved son!]

But now that he’d rejoined Sion, he could hear the Goddess’s voice again, and it was already exhausting.

“This is Tier. He wants to join the War Cult.”

“Oh, hello, sir!”

Tier stiffened with tension and bowed nervously to Garfenn.

Garfenn’s only reaction was a grunt of ‘Hmm’.

“Master?”

“What?”

“Why… why aren’t you saying anything?”

“What am I supposed to say?”

“He’s a new believer!”

“So what?”

Sion’s words caught in his throat. What kind of response was this?

“You should welcome him!”

“Should I?”

“Shouldn’t you actively celebrate and guide them? Isn’t that what a priest is supposed to do?”

At Sion’s suggestion, Garfenn reluctantly turned his head and mumbled:

“Ah. Well. I’ve never had to do that before. Welcome, everyone…”

Sion slapped his forehead.

Now he understood why Garfenn hadn’t gained any new disciples during his time as an Apostle.

Gustein had been too busy maintaining and repairing the church to spare any effort, and Garfenn had been too focused on going wherever the Goddess directed and swinging his sword.

In the middle of all that, making an effort to convert new believers was an extra burden, and Garfenn simply wasn’t the type to do it by nature.

More than anything, Garfenn still had deep insecurities about his appearance.

His disfiguring burn scars and the oozing sores on his face made it hard for him to look people directly in the eye.

‘It’s a shame, Master.’

Simply interacting with people normally was a struggle for him.

Especially when dealing with women, it must have been even harder.

‘…No wonder.’

The War Cult had barely managed to survive until now.

Even Achille herself, though skilled in battle, lacked exceptional strategy in matters like this, so she had just let things be.

Just as the situation had reached complete chaos, the treasure known as Sion had arrived.

‘I’ll have to work harder.’

Sion smiled and began introducing the new disciples one by one.

“This is Anna.”

Then Anna, one of the women who had been imprisoned by Holt, stepped forward to greet Garfenn. She had been the only woman to speak while trapped in the cave.

Unbothered by Garfenn’s appearance, she extended her hand for a handshake.

“……”

“Master, at least say hello.”

“Welcome. I’m Garfenn.”

Garfenn awkwardly turned his gaze away as he took her hand. Anna firmly grasped both of his hands. Garfenn flinched and pulled back.

“I owe your disciple a great debt. Please give me some small tasks to do in the church.”

“…Hmm. Just pray diligently, and that will be enough.”

“I’ll remember that.”

Garfenn hurried past Anna and moved to the front of the group.

“Then let’s go back. I came because I thought there was a problem, but it seems I was just interfering.”

“Interfering? Having you join us makes me feel much more secure.”

Sion smiled and walked beside Garfenn.

Indeed, being near his master still felt comforting.

Sion was still young to handle all 15 new disciples on his own.

…Of course, Garfenn had never dealt with such a situation either, so he was just as flustered.

If anything, Garfenn was in a more difficult position.

The reunited apostle and Goddess exchanged words.

In this somewhat unfamiliar situation, both struggled to adapt.

‘Almighty Goddess, what exactly is that boy, Sion? Was conversion really this easy?’

[I don’t know either……?]

***

Sion’s group arrived in Elim after three days.

Thanks to Sion having cleared out the monsters along the way, they weren’t attacked once.

Even passing bandits saw Garfenn and didn’t dare to attack.

Under the protection of the Goddess of War, it was a peaceful journey home.

“Brother!”

As soon as she saw Sion return, Ruina ran and hugged him tightly.

“Big brother!”

Set followed and leaped up to cling to Sion. Set had gained some weight and was heavy enough to make Sion stagger.

It was good to see him healthier.

Sion opened his mouth.

“Hey, did you two behave? Nothing bad happened?”

“Yeah, yeah. Nothing at all.”

“I didn’t cause any trouble! Did I do well?”

“You did great.”

Sion looked at the decoration in Ruina’s hair. His lips naturally curled into a smile. It was something he had given her.

And it suited her perfectly. She looked just like a noble lady’s daughter.

“Ruina, you’re wearing what I bought you.”

“What? Uh, yeah. My hair was messy!”

“It looks good on you.”

“……Thank you.”

Set tugged at Sion, demanding attention. He proudly showed off the new clothes Sion had bought him.

“It fits perfectly. I was worried it might not fit.”

“Sis fixed it when it didn’t fit!”

“Really? Ruina’s sewing skills are that good?”

Ruina shyly avoided Sion’s gaze, lowering her head and pretending to look at an ant. She hid her scarred hands behind her back.

‘She’s gotten shyer since I was gone.’

It was fortunate that his younger siblings were safe and well.

Sion felt immense fulfillment from this journey.

He became even more certain that the path he was walking wasn’t wrong.

As long as he kept going like this, everything would be fine.

“Oh, these people—”

Sion was about to introduce the new disciples who had joined them when Ruina grabbed his arm and pulled him.

“Brother, never mind that. It’s about Kaili.”

“What about Kaili?”

“You have to see for yourself. She’s not doing well.”

The room where Kaili was staying was oppressively hot.

Heat filled the entire space.

Sion’s heart sank.

His youngest sister lay breathing shallowly, unable to open her eyes.

“Kaili. Kaili! It’s me, your brother Sion. Try to wake up.”

“She hasn’t been able to get up. It’s not a simple cold.”

Gustein, who had been constantly caring for Kaili, wiped sweat from his brow. He looked completely exhausted.

“Why? Why is this happening?”

“I don’t know. I’m not a doctor, so I can’t say for sure. I’m doing everything I can, but… hmm.”

Sion bit his lip and grabbed Kaili’s small hand just then.

“…Brother, you’re here.”

Kaili opened her eyes and weakly called for Sion.

Even in her pain, she managed a smile for him.

There was no angel more pitiful.

“Kaili. Yeah, I’m here. How did you get sick?”

“I don’t know… I just feel hazy and hot.”

“It’s okay. Brother will make you better.”

“Okay. I’ll sleep a bit. Now that I’ve seen you.”

“You were waiting for me?”

Kaili closed her eyes and gave a slight nod.

Brave girl, so young.

Sion felt a sudden lump in his throat.

There was a place to return to, and people waiting for him in Elim.

Realizing this once more, his chest tightened, and his nose tingled with emotion.

Ugh. Sion quietly wiped his eyes without anyone noticing and stood up.

“I’ll take care of Kaili. You go rest, brother.”

“…Alright.”

Ruina sat beside Kaili again, changing her cloth, and told Set to fetch fresh water.

Whenever Ruina wiped Kaili’s sweat, she seemed to improve slightly.

Meanwhile, Garfenn watched the four of them from the doorway.

His eyes were suspicious.

‘Goddess… this feels strange.’

[Yes, my great warrior. You’re right. It’s awakening. That’s what this is.]

‘Wait. Has the Goddess marked her?’

Garfenn asked.

The Goddess shook her head.

[I don’t yet have enough divine power to mark anyone. Either the child was born with the vessel… or another Goddess has marked her.]

‘If it’s just something she was born with, we can take good care of her. But if another Goddess is involved, this will be troublesome.’

The Goddess spoke with bitterness, and a hint of anger.

[Yes. This time, we must not let her be taken away helplessly, like Arwen.]

‘We must prepare.’

The Goddess nodded.

Thanks to Sion, she had regained a foundation to start anew.

At such a crucial time, they couldn’t afford to lose the vessel meant to become the saintess.

Arwen had been truly powerless and helpless before, but this time was different.

They must use every means available—the Goddess of War and the Cult alike—to protect her.

With Sion by their side, they believed they could succeed.

In her garden, the Goddess clenched her fist tightly.

[I’ll also start making inquiries.]

***

Several days passed since Sion’s return.

For the first time in a very long while, Elim was bustling with people.

Though most were women in ragged clothes, still weak and lacking energy, their mere presence was enough to breathe life into the abandoned holy site.

Just having more people with vitality made everything completely different.

As a result, Gustein couldn’t even sleep, overwhelmed with work.

He had to plan church repairs and design new housing for the village.

Many had expressed their intent to settle permanently, and they had received donations, so there was no reason to delay any longer.

Ruina cooked with the women from the mining village.

Since most had been housewives, the food was prepared quickly.

The pile of chores that had been piling up was now being handled swiftly with more hands.

Relieved, Ruina worked even harder.

Indeed, a place where people live needs more people.

‘We can’t leave wanderers on the streets forever.’

Sion and Set walked through Elim’s streets, handing out bread and soup to the homeless.

Even the rubbery, tough bread was precious food for them.

“Brother. Are all these people going to become members of the War Cult?”

“Yeah. And they’ll be the believers you’ll need to protect and keep in order.”

“Hmm… I need to grow taller fast.”

“That’s right. Drink your milk too.”

Sion and Set’s task was to gather the homeless and settle them in one place.

Those who came with grievances against the Goddess of War were subdued by force and made obedient.

After all, in the end, they were all people who had come this far to a rundown place seeking salvation.

About a week passed like this.

Construction materials and carpenters arrived, and housing construction began in parts of Elim. The recovering people were gathered together for worship.

Leading the service, of course, was Bishop Gustein.

After decades, he was finally able to perform a priest’s duties, and he was so moved he teared up.

“Let us… begin the worship service… hrmph.”

Gustein blew his nose and began teaching the history of the Goddess of War.

Watching from afar, Garfenn and Sion stood side by side.

Garfenn spoke, his voice slightly choked.

“Thank you, Sion. You’ve done something incredible.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“The believers. I never imagined the day would come when so many would pray in Elim.”

—I think you were too complacent, Master. That’s what Sion wanted to say, but decided against it.

Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, different talents.

As long as they complement each other, they could lead the Cult forward.

Instead, Sion smiled brightly.

“The Goddess must be happy, right?”

“Of course. The Goddess told me so herself.”

“What did she say?”

“…Finally, the staircase has begun to appear.”

“The staircase?”

Sion tilted his head in confusion.

Garfenn sighed deeply and explained.

“The staircase leading to the Round Table. The staircase to the heavens—the place the Goddess was exiled from and could not return to.”

Thanks to Garfenn’s sacrifice and Sion’s deeds, the Goddess of War, Achille had finally regained hope of returning to the heavens.

By gathering more believers and receiving their prayers, the Goddess of War could reclaim her former glory.

And that path would lead directly to Sion’s own happiness.

Schedule: Every mon, wed, fri and sun

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