Chapter 87

Ch.87 Apostle of the Goddess of War

“……From now on, training begins.”

Kegan’s voice echoed across the training ground.

The next morning.

On the practice field where the excitement of the founding ceremony had yet to fade, all members of the Order of the War Knight had gathered early.

Sion was silently watching the scene from somewhere in the back row.

As an observer and heir to the apostle’s position, assessing the War Knights’ combat strength was also an important duty.

“Just yesterday it was chaotic, but everything has quickly fallen into order.”

This was all thanks to Kegan’s hard work.

Even after drinking heavily with Gustein all night, he hadn’t slept but instead worked straight through the night in his office.

He had individually reviewed and memorized the personnel records of the War Knights.

He had drawn up the organizational chart, decided where to assign each person, and in what way to lead and grow the Order of the War Knight—everything had been planned and finalized in just one day.

It turned out Kegan was a monster obsessed with work.

“Truly impressive.”

Gustein and Garfenn’s judgment had been accurate.

No matter who else might be brought in, no one seemed better suited to lead the War Knights than this man, Kegan.

All the hardship Sion had endured to recruit him had been worth it.

“The first training session is simple.”

Kegan raised his hand.

“A sparring match between the original knights and the newly joined members. You’ll be grouped and paired off. Just one match per pair. Based on this, I’ll decide future groupings. The evaluation standard is up to me, so if you have complaints, come fight me after it’s over.”

Umseong—

A faint chuckle could be heard from somewhere.

And tense breathing.

That was understandable, as the new recruits clearly displayed a relaxed, confident attitude.

In contrast, the original members who had been with Elim appeared visibly tense and withdrawn.

Sion understood.

Set, Tier…

These were people who had trained and sharpened their swords alongside Sion in the early days. They had climbed from the very bottom.

Of course, even now they hadn’t risen much higher than that, but their accumulated experience was an asset that absolutely couldn’t be ignored.

Even so, the new recruits were on a completely different level.

Most were monsters among monsters, survivors hardened only through real combat. Individually, and even as a team, there were few who could compare to them.

The gap between the original members and the unit led by Kegan was inevitably large.

“But that’s what makes it more interesting.”

Sion smiled slightly and focused.

The first match.

Set and Parva, a new recruit.

“Hold on, Set.”

As Sion quietly cheered, the sparring began.

After cautiously probing each other with training wooden swords, the two quickly clashed violently.

The result was clear.

Puk!

Set was thrown helplessly backward.

Yet he gritted his teeth and got back up.

Without retreating, he stood his ground again.

Puk, ddak!

Set took several more hits, and as he staggered slightly, Parva landed a solid kick to his abdomen.

Although he lost, Sion, watching from the side, nodded in approval.

“He’s still far from good enough. His opponent was too strong.”

Set, face full of frustration, was supported by Parva.

Kegan’s knights were masters of battle who had roamed battlefields for at least ten years.

Rookies who had held a sword for less than a year stood no chance against them.

There must be absolutely no desire to win.

The original members had something else to show.

“At least show some perseverance.”

Next was Tier versus Naden.

Tier was arguably the ace among the original members.

Bolstered by his comrades’ enthusiastic cheers, Tier stepped forward.

“Hey! You’re supposed to be the strongest? This’ll be fun to crush!”

His opponent was a female knight who looked young.

She wasn’t actually that young—just naturally youthful-looking.

Still, her appearance didn’t quite suit someone called a War Knight. She was self-conscious about this and thus acted even more manly.

“What did you say?”

Tier frowned.

The match began immediately.

“Haaat!”

Tier attacked aggressively without holding back.

Swish!

Naden, quick and agile, easily deflected the attack.

Her footwork was light, her upper body evasion skillful.

After dodging Tier’s careless swing, she immediately countered with a sharp strike to his abdomen.

In the end, Tier was defeated too. The gap was so vast he couldn’t land a single hit.

He desperately tried to at least graze her, but Kegan stopped him, so his dream remained unfulfilled.

“Man, you’re a real loser. Hehe. You’re not gonna cry like a girl, are you? Huh? Don’t like it? Then get lost before I kick your ass.”

“Fucking hell. Crazy bitch.”

Their amusing exchange brought laughter to the training ground.

It was livelier than before.

“He showed decent perseverance.”

Sion nodded in satisfaction.

Sparring matches continued afterward.

Most results were the same.

Victory went to the new knights.

But oddly, the winners looked more awkward than the losers.

New recruits who knelt down were bleeding from the nose but still spirited.

A few even sparkled their eyes at Kegan, saying, “One more match, please!”

Kegan stood with his arms crossed, carefully observing each person.

“……Good.”

When all matches had ended, he spoke.

“Experience, skill, training—all were superior among the new recruits.”

At this, the new recruits slightly puffed up their chests.

“But—”

Silence fell instantly.

Kegan continued.

“Raw spirit, wit, potential for growth—the original members weren’t bad either.”

Veteran members nodded in agreement. Though they had overwhelmingly dominated their opponents, most were inwardly surprised.

“They were better than expected.”

“Yeah, exactly. Clumsy, but they’ve got talent.”

“They’ve got perseverance too. I liked that.”

“It’ll be fun taking care of these cute juniors.”

Technically, they were the juniors themselves, but no one thought of it that way.

Tier, Set, and the other original members felt the same.

Kegan came down from the platform and walked straight toward Sion.

“You’ve gathered some decent ones.”

Sion straightened his shoulders.

“Who gathered them, exactly?”

“You?”

“My contribution was significant. Ahem.”

Kegan chuckled. The smell of alcohol still lingered on his breath.

“I’ll train them well. They’re good enough to shape into something solid.”

“Please take good care of them, Senior Kegan. Be as harsh as you need to be.”

“That’s my specialty.”

Kegan asked,

“Any special missions you’d like to assign them to?”

“No. If possible, use them as guardians of Elim.”

Sion continued seriously.

“As for blades swung against enemies, I’m enough.”

Kegan fell silent for a moment.

He could sense the resolve behind Sion’s words.

“……You’re a young one acting unnecessarily mature.”

“Me?”

“You’re not cute at all.”

Sion shrugged.

Kegan snorted. Then suddenly, he spoke seriously.

“They’re good raw materials. I’ll refine them well, so you should rely on them too. That’s the best path for all of us.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Sion turned his body.

Now the knights would begin proper training.

Sion himself had plenty to do as well.

“Well then, I’ll be off.”

“Alright.”

As Sion walked away, Kegan’s yelling immediately began.

From the start, curses flew everywhere.

“Set, good luck surviving.”

Sion chuckled softly.

Never before had he felt so grateful for being born with talent.

***

“I can’t even remember how long it’s been since we’ve gathered like this to eat peacefully,”

Sion said, picking up his chopsticks.

The table was filled with a generous spread of food—hot chicken dish, stir-fried vegetables, soup.

A proper meal.

It had truly been a long time.

Since her older brother had returned, Ruina had finally had a chance to show off her cooking skills.

……Most of it was actually Anna’s doing.

“You have no idea how much Ruina has been through.”

Anna said casually.

Ruina, her hair neatly tied and wearing an apron, blushed. She silently nibbled her food.

Somehow, Sion ended up being scolded by Anna.

Anna, who had taken charge of Elim’s household the moment she arrived, had helped Ruina a great deal.

Ruina even seemed to be seeking her advice on personal matters.

“I know your missions are busy, but at least think of Ruina and keep in touch, Sion.”

“……Sorry. I’m sorry, Ruina. Every city I went to was empty.”

“A-ah, no! Brother. Sister Anna. It’s okay…”

“Hmm. Let’s eat first. Sorry for making things uncomfortable.”

Anna had become considerably more resilient since the beginning. Her survival instincts had sharpened immensely, making her attentive to every little detail.

She had become like a mother figure in Elim, caring for everyone’s hearts.

“By the way, what’s going on between Anna and Master?”

There was definitely a strange atmosphere.

Whenever they were together, both seemed awkward and spoke less.

“It’s clear they have feelings for each other… but progress is so slow.”

Sion didn’t know who was worrying about whom, but he was deep in thought as he ate, pretending it was a serious dilemma.

Ruina, sensing the mood, opened her mouth.

“Brother. How was your mission? Wasn’t it dangerous?”

“Huh?”

Instantly, countless threatening moments flashed through Sion’s mind.

From the Sword Ghost to the Apostle of Decay.

Even his encounter with the evil Goddess.

The disgusting curse of Decay, still vividly etched in his heart, felt fresh.

He had truly faced death. He couldn’t possibly tell Ruina about what he’d been through.

“If I did, she’d never let me go on missions again.”

Sion casually shrugged.

“Nothing special. Just fought a few monsters. I brought back Senior Kegan safely too.”

“G-good…”

Anna sighed inwardly at Sion’s dry response.

“What a frustrating man.”

Regardless of being a good person, he wasn’t necessarily a good man.

To have such a pretty, kind-hearted woman by his side and not realize his own fortune.

“His answer is already failing. Ugh!”

Chalkkak, chalkkak!

Anna’s chopsticks moved more aggressively. Sion glanced nervously, and Ruina fidgeted anxiously.

Sion finally forced himself to speak.

“U-um, Anna, how have you been lately? You seem to be adjusting well, but are you not struggling at all?”

Anna smiled calmly.

“Struggling? I’m living in luxury. Compared to when I was trapped in the mine prison, even hardships feel joyful now.”

“That’s good to hear. Your attitude is admirable too.”

“We’re all endlessly grateful to you, Sion. Every morning when we wake and every night before we sleep, we pray.”

That your path may be filled with fortune.

That you may safely pass each day.

“The people of the mining village all owe you a debt. Not a single person complains. They say they’ve never been happier. Don’t worry, Sion.”

Her words were sincere.

They were also exactly what Sion most wanted to hear.

The people I saved.

Living happily, without worries.

Finding happiness within the strong shelter of Elim.

“There’s nothing more I could ask for.”

To see people living.

To live alongside them, sharing life.

It was Sion’s simple, yet truly difficult, wish.

He lived each day to protect that wish.

To safeguard life, its dignity—as a paladin of the god of war.

“The food. It’s delicious.”

“Ohoho, really?”

Anna covered her mouth and laughed.

Ruina gave an awkward smile, going “Ehehe.”

Anna, wearing a mature smile, said,

“This is food Ruina cooked by steadily learning from me. Her skills improve day by day, don’t they?”

“Really? Amazing, Ruina! It used to taste terrible all the time!”

Ruina glared at him.

“Brother, you don’t have to be so brutally honest, you know? Huh?”

“S-sorry. I wasn’t being considerate.”

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