Chapter 39

Ch.39 Apostle of the Goddess of War

Sion returned to Elim carrying Kaili, who had fallen asleep from playing.

It was only a five-minute walk away, so there wasn’t much meaning in distinguishing distances.

After all, the forest near Elim was essentially the territory of the Wildflower Cult.

You could say the two factions existed within the same fence.

‘A strategic alliance.’

That was exactly the nature of their current relationship.

As he walked, Sion thought to himself.

‘Still, Kaili……’

Earlier, Sion had witnessed something strange—Kaili doing something peculiar.

‘She suddenly stopped playing in the water and just stared at the sky, and then a strange light settled above her head. Her eyes flickered too.’

At first, he thought it might have been a rainbow or just a reflection of light on the water.

But now, thinking back carefully, that wasn’t it.

He couldn’t quite describe it precisely, but it was close to a sacred aura—perhaps like a circular halo.

And for just a brief moment, her eyes held a strange glow. A fleeting instant that only someone like Sion would have noticed.

This wasn’t the first or second time Kaili had done something like this, so it wasn’t something he could just brush off.

‘I should consult Master soon. I hope she’s not sick.’

Sion carried the softly snoring Kaili back to his room.

Anna, who was cleaning the room, took Kaili from him.

The two exchanged no words, communicating only through gestures and glances.

‘Everything alright?’

‘Yes, thanks to you. I’m always grateful, Lord Sion.’

‘I’m the one who should be grateful.’

‘Is there anything you need?’

Sion smiled gently and shook his head.

He almost brought up Garfenn but decided against it.

He had a vague sense of how Anna viewed Garfenn.

There was a flow of rational, emotional exchange between them—something even Sion, who was usually oblivious, could recognize.

‘I should pretend I don’t know. Ruina also told me not to get involved.’

It wasn’t a child’s place to meddle in adult matters.

‘I hope things work out well.’

Sion gave a small smile and went to find Garfenn.

Sure enough, true to his master’s advice that one should rest whenever possible, Garfenn was fast asleep.

“Master.”

Sion shook Garfenn awake.

“Ugh… mmh. Sion?”

“If you keep sleeping now, you won’t be able to sleep tonight.”

“Won’t be able to sleep? What nonsense is that?”

To Garfenn, this was absurd. It was common sense that once your head hit the pillow, you fell asleep.

“Anyway, why are you here?”

Garfenn slowly pushed himself up, then curled his legs and asked while still lying down.

“We need a system.”

“Hmm? What system?”

Garfenn raised one eyebrow and asked again.

“A system for growing stronger. I need your guidance.”

Garfenn scratched his head and stared at his disciple.

‘This kid… he’s actually serious?’

Seeing Sion like this for the first time, even Garfenn was taken aback.

Even the Goddess of War, Achille was surprised.

[Hmm. My Sion is asking for teachings. How remarkable.]

‘Could it be because of the demon-blooded being?’

[Most likely. He must have sensed a limit. At his age, having severed a demon-lord’s arm after wielding a sword for less than a year—he doesn’t realize how absurdly talented he is.]

Garfenn clicked his tongue inwardly.

‘Indeed. Ambition truly has no end.’

[He’s a different kind of vessel. Just look at how he brought the entire Wildflower Cult over.]

‘Yes. That was truly astonishing. Who would’ve thought he’d make such a proposal right then and there.’

The Goddess of War, Achille was thoroughly pleased. In effect, the Wildflower Cult had submitted directly to the Goddess of War.

Which meant their prayers and a portion of their divine power now flowed to Achille.

Thanks to Sion, these days the Goddess of War, Achille hadn’t had a single frown on her face.

[Give him full instruction, Garfenn.]

‘Understood. Is there no special blessing you wish to bestow?’

[There is a particular blessing I’d like to give Sion. But it requires more divine power to manifest. Convey my intentions well.]

Garfenn broke into a slight grin and spoke.

“Indeed. Is this because of that demon-blooded being?”

“Yes. You defeated him so easily, but I could barely cut his arm……”

Sion clenched his fist in frustration. He was still bitter about fainting during the mission.

“Sion. Severing a vampire lord’s arm isn’t ‘barely’ anything.”

Sion remained silent at those words. To him, it didn’t seem particularly impressive.

What good was it?

‘I still lost in the end.’

Sion was extremely harsh on himself.

It was this self-flagellation that drove him forward.

“Haa. That’s why those who have something always want more.”

Garfenn sighed briefly and ruffled Sion’s hair vigorously.

Then he stood up and said,

“You’re already strong enough. There’s no benefit in being impatient.”

“No. I’m still far from sufficient. It’s not just because I lost to the demon-blooded being.”

“Then what is it?”

“Well, it was a trigger, but the real reason is……”

A greater threat is approaching.

Even without full knowledge of the political situation, he could vaguely sense it.

The emergence of the evil god worshippers.

This wouldn’t end with mere blood cultists.

“War is coming. I need the strength to subdue demon-blooded beings. Strength like yours, Master.”

“It took me twenty years to reach this point. Even if you demand it, I don’t have any way to make you stronger faster.”

Sion shook his head.

“I’m not asking for a shortcut.”

“Hmm.”

“Just show me the way to grow. I’ll handle the execution myself.”

A fierce flame burned in Sion’s eyes.

It was as if his intense desire for growth had taken physical form.

Garfenn scratched his head. Sion’s earnestness touched him, but it also made things difficult.

“You’re the type who fights by instinct. Being taught might actually harm you. Do you understand that?”

“Yes. But what I’m asking for is―”

“You’re not asking me to teach you swordsmanship, are you? Of course not……”

Garfenn grabbed Sion’s body and scrutinized him closely.

The divine power within him had grown immensely, unrecognizably so.

It seemed Marquisin’s divine power had seamlessly merged with Sion’s without side effects.

Just this alone meant he had become incomparably stronger.

‘And his growth speed is already absurd as it is.’

If Garfenn gave Sion exactly what he wanted, he might overdevelop and suffer side effects.

This was a delicate matter that needed careful handling.

After pondering, Garfenn finally spoke.

“There’s no orthodox path in swordsmanship. At least not for you. Growth will come naturally through accumulated experience, not through teaching. After fighting the demon-blooded being, you must have gained new insights.”

Sion nodded in agreement.

If he fought the Vampire lord again, he felt confident he could fight better.

He had already received ample inspiration regarding swordsmanship. Organizing and refining it in his mind would lead to further growth.

Thus, the real issue for Sion was……

“It’s about divine power. Seeing the Vampire lord’s magical power made me realize something.”

“……It was shocking.”

Sion recalled the vampire lord and made a displeased face.

Like a demon-blooded being who had lived for centuries, the sheer scale of the energy he wielded was unfathomable.

That demon must have fought for days on end.

In contrast, Sion had exhausted himself within minutes.

The sheer amount of magical energy alone was absurd, but the sophistication, elegance, and power of his magic further stirred Sion’s competitive spirit.

“That’s why I want to go back. I must kill that Vampire lord with my own hands.”

Sion gripped his scabbard, resolving himself.

Garfenn cut him off sharply.

“No. I cannot allow that.”

“If we leave him alive, who knows how many people he’ll harm?”

“Still, no. That’s not your role.”

“My role is to protect the weak and destroy evil. You made me swear to that, Master.”

“You little brat.”

“As long as that demon-blooded being lives, I cannot rest peacefully.”

Sion stood his ground against Garfenn.

Even though Sion often stubbornly insisted on things, he had never been like this before……

His disciple was already trying to step beyond the fence.

Was it really right to allow this?

‘Goddess, please guide me to the answer.’

Garfenn sighed deeply in frustration.

“Chasing after demon-blooded beings is only allowed once you’ve grown strong enough—strong enough to satisfy me.”

“I’ll remember that. So please help me.”

Sion was desperate.

Only when he became strong enough to kill a demon-blooded being could he feel even a little at ease.

Until then, he couldn’t escape worrying about his younger sister’s safety and the security of Elim.

The demon-blooded being had, in effect, cursed Sion.

[Guide him, Garfenn.]

‘Yes, my Goddess.’

The Goddess, knowing his heart, gave Garfenn a subtle hint. Reluctantly, Garfenn nodded.

“……First, you must learn how to handle divine power at a higher level.”

“I beg you, Master.”

Garfenn huffed and crossed his arms.

Finally, he could act like a proper master, and he felt a surge of pride.

‘Even though I never thought I’d have anything to teach this talented brat……’

Garfenn said,

“In fact, the divine power the Goddess bestowed upon humans to counter demon-blooded beings’ magical power is precisely for this. Wrapping a blade in divine power to cut through magical energy and spells—that’s the basic idea.”

“Yes. I’ve heard that.”

Sion was already listening intently.

This was a rare teaching, so he valued this moment deeply.

“While Apostles grow stronger by receiving blessings, setting that aside, the answer lies in learning how to ‘utilize’ it.”

“Uti… lization?”

Garfenn nodded. Instead of explaining further, he stepped back from Sion, saying it was better to see it once. Then he extended his hand and gathered divine power.

A small amount of dark energy gathered in Garfenn’s palm. Sion gasped in amazement.

“Th-That’s!”

“Yes. What’s commonly known as magic.”

Whoosh!

As soon as he finished speaking, Garfenn swung his arm.

The magical energy in his palm exploded with a bang, hurling Sion far away.

It was a shockwave accompanied by a loud noise and physical force.

“Wha—? Ugh?”

Sion, flung unexpectedly, groaned as he collapsed onto the ground. Garfenn’s shadow loomed over his face.

“Simply gathering divine power doesn’t allow you to launch it like this.”

“So magic is……”

“Yes. Gathering divine power and then utilizing it. The principle is the same. Demon-blooded beings simply do it far better.”

Garfenn extended his hand. Sion took it and stood up. Garfenn brushed the dirt off Sion’s back.

“For your current level, merely gathering divine power and wrapping it around your sword is sufficient. That alone is enough to kill half-demons.”

“Then to defeat a demon-blooded being, I need to utilize divine power more skillfully……”

“Yes. You must learn to launch it like this, strengthen your body with divine power, and so on. There are many ways.”

“I could also launch a blade wrapped in divine power.”

“You catch on quickly, as expected.”

Garfenn smiled, satisfied.

Sion also showed interest, sensing something just out of reach.

Humans, observing demon-blooded magic, had gained ideas on how to utilize divine power.

To research and counter it, the Magic Association was born.

Later, the Mage Kingdom emerged.

“Elves are undoubtedly superior to humans, so they’ve greatly aided research. This is how progress and battle have advanced.”

“I understand now. Learning divine power utilization is the way to grow stronger.”

Garfenn sat down on a rock, adopting the attitude that he’d finished teaching.

“So?”

Sion asked.

“What?”

Garfenn shrugged.

“The utilization method. How do I do it? You have to teach me.”

“That easily?”

“What?”

Garfenn chuckled and shook his head.

“I can’t teach it to you. This is my own method of utilization. Since everyone’s innate constitution differs, learning mine won’t necessarily work for you.”

“Then……”

“At first, you must discover and learn it yourself.”

Sion scratched his head vigorously. He’d never found his master more annoying than today.

Was this really a master?

“Even so, I can’t find a utilization method suited to your constitution. I myself rely purely on instinct, so I’m not in a position to give advice. It’s just accumulated experience over a long lifetime.”

Magic research was still in its early stages. Its history hadn’t even surpassed a hundred years.

Understanding, interpreting, and perfectly applying magic still had more unknown territory than known.

“Then what should I do?”

Sion scrunched up his face in frustration.

He might not know swordsmanship, but when it came to divine power utilization, he was completely blank.

He had no idea where to even begin.

“What are you overthinking?”

“What?”

“Didn’t I say? It was the elves who interpreted the demon-blooded knowledge and disseminated it to humans.”

“Oh!”

Sion clapped his hands lightly without thinking.

“Marquisin!”

“Exactly. That’s who you should seek help from now. At first, he’ll be more helpful than me.”

Garfenn chuckled quietly.

His expression was one of delight—such chances to tease the proud Sion were rare.

“Thank you, Master!”

“So now the elf will be your master.”

“Really?”

“Don’t take it too seriously.”

“Ah, yes.”

Garfenn lay back down on the rock and said,

“Go learn what you need. Then we’ll talk.”

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