Chapter 99

Ch.99 Apostle of the Goddess of War

A middle-aged man wearing a golden cloak and wearing a stylish, smug smile spoke mockingly.

“Tsk, tsk. Look at you two. Fighting amongst yourselves like this—fellow disciples of the Round Table Goddesses.”

His words were shockingly audacious.

If it weren’t for his attire, one wouldn’t have been able to tell whether this man was just some street ruffian or the actual leader of the Holy Sword Brigade.

His scolding continued.

He spoke so roughly and shamelessly that Sion and Arwen kept missing their chances to interrupt.

He also talked endlessly.

“Monsters are running rampant, and the lackeys of the Evil Gods are causing chaos—yet you’re fighting each other? How fortunate you are. Go on, keep fighting. Let’s see how far you’ll take this.”

“…”

At that moment, someone approached the Commander of the Holy Sword Brigade and tried to calm him.

“Please exercise restraint. There are many watching eyes. Besides, this is the domain of the Goddess of War.”

Upon hearing the words of what appeared to be his attendant, the commander scowled deeply.

“When did we ever care about formalities? And why are you here making the atmosphere so stiff?”

“C-C-Commander…”

His first impression was extremely frivolous. He was exactly the kind of man whose free-spirited behavior suited him perfectly.

On the contrary, such a demeanor seemed entirely mismatched with his high status. Only someone with such a cheerful personality could possibly endure the burden of being the Commander of the Holy Sword Brigade.

‘People of this caliber must all be insane.’

Sion thought inwardly.

Are strong people crazy, or do they become strong because they’re crazy?

Either way, this commander, who could easily pass as the leader of a bandit gang, possessed a level of skill that contrasted sharply with his lighthearted attitude.

His mastery was so profound it was nearly impossible to estimate.

It was a level comparable to Garfenn—if Garfenn didn’t hide his true strength, he might be about this strong.

The commander’s eyes turned back to Sion.

With a face weathered by countless battles, scarred and rugged, he stared intensely at Sion before finally speaking.

“So you’re the next apostle of the War Cult, the one making waves lately in the Holy Kingdom and the Imperial Court?”

“Making waves?”

“Yes, making waves.”

His answer was low and soft, a mischievous, playful smile playing on his lips.

“There are all kinds of rumors. Some say you’re Garfenn’s hidden son, others claim you’re a half-breed born from a human and a demon race.”

Sion couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh.

“Heh… heh…”

“Seeing you in person, you definitely don’t look like Garfenn’s son.”

“Why not?”

The commander made a strange gesture, scanning Sion’s face up and down. His manner was utterly disrespectful.

“You’re actually good-looking. That’s just unfortunate.”

“…”

Garfenn would have been deeply hurt if he’d heard that. Sion was grateful, for the first time, that his master wasn’t present.

The madman continued speaking.

“Besides, no matter how bad Garfenn is, he wouldn’t take a half-demon as his disciple. And honestly, could he even have children in the first place?”

Fwip!

The commander turned to his attendant and asked.

The attendant shrugged, giving him a look that clearly said, “Why the hell are you asking me this?”

Arwen, standing nearby, answered instead.

“It’s impossible. There have been many secret experiments, but I’ve never heard of a single successful case.”

“Hey, hey. You people from the Wisdom Cult—how on earth do you know about things like that? That’s disturbing.”

Arwen made a face of genuine disgust.

“It’s common knowledge in the Central Library of the Holy Kingdom. And those experiments were originally conducted by the Light Cult, weren’t they? Commander Lagan.”

“Oh? Really?”

“Yes.”

“My apologies, Arwen.”

Arwen took a step back.

“Save your apology. But why exactly are you here?”

The commander tilted his head, twisting his lips into an unpleasant sneer.

“I already said it. I came here personally to stop your idiotic, brainless fight.”

“So why? Why did you come if it’s such a stupid fight…”

Arwen seemed to be repeating “patience, patience…” to herself.

Commander Lagan’s sharp eyes darkened.

“Weren’t you all supposed to be forbidden from clashing without permission, as disciples of the Round Table? Isn’t that the very doctrine you Wisdom Cult followers hold so dear?”

Arwen countered. The atmosphere began turning hostile.

“Permission? We obtained it! We sent official documents to the Holy Kingdom and received approval. Should I show you?”

“No, I know that.”

“Then why?!”

Lagan sighed in annoyance before replying.

“It was allowed back then, but it’s not allowed now. That’s all it is, simply put.”

“What…?”

“Arwen.”

Lagan’s voice suddenly turned solemn, spreading through the air like a command that momentarily dominated the space around the three of them.

“As of this moment, the Wisdom Cult is prohibited from attacking the War Cult.”

“W-what?!”

“The demand for the handover of the priestess is now unilaterally invalid.”

“Why?!”

Her roar carried divine power, shaking the fields of Elim. Reeds flattened instantly.

“…My ears are going to bleed. Ugh.”

Lagan covered his ears, grimacing.

He was too old a man to handle the genuine fury of a young girl.

“Just tell me quickly. What gives you the right to strip us of our authority—”

“The War Cult has been granted the right to appoint the priestess.”

“What?”

“What?”

Even Sion, who had been silently listening, repeated in disbelief.

He couldn’t help but laugh.

“Say that again. What did you say?”

“Why are all the young people these days so hot-headed?”

Lagan recoiled in alarm as the young man and woman rushed toward him, desperate to confirm the truth.

But since it was important, he immediately explained to prevent further outrage.

“The Round Table Goddesses have granted the Goddess of War’s request. From now on, the War Cult has independent authority, including the right to appoint the priestess.”

“Wow.”

“That’s impossible.”

“If you don’t believe it, I can even show you the official documents you love so much, Arwen.”

Arwen screamed.

“Show them to me!”

“Ugh, how bothersome. Haah. Ken!”

“Yes, sir.”

Ken, the commander’s attendant, rushed forward as if he’d been waiting and handed the official document to Arwen.

Whoosh!

Arwen snatched the document at lightning speed and began reading it. Sion leaned in closely beside her, almost cheek-to-cheek, reading along.

And gradually, their expressions began to diverge.

Joy and sorrow intertwined.

“It’s done!”

“…This is a fraud. This has to be.”

“Uh, Arwen? Did you just commit blasphemy?”

“What?”

“What? What did you say? Hey, Ken, did you hear that?”

Ken nodded.

“Young ladies these days are truly terrifying.”

“Isn’t she the one rumored to be a crybaby?”

“Yes.”

“Then why have I never once seen her cry?”

Ken clicked his tongue.

“Even a woman’s tears know their time and place. You wouldn’t understand that, Commander, being a single man.”

“You little bastard.”

“I’ll take my leave now.”

Ken took back the document Arwen returned and quickly disappeared.

Arwen glared at Commander Lagan with a sharp expression, as if ready to draw her sword at any moment.

“Blame me all you want—it won’t do any good. Take it up with your Goddess. It’s unanimous. You saw it clearly, didn’t you?”

“…”

“Then… what happens now?”

Arwen was speechless, and Sion seized the opening.

“What do you mean, what happens? Just go on as usual.”

“Haah… thank goodness.”

The commander chuckled.

He looked at Sion with curious eyes.

“Your accomplishments are impressive. Even I find it hard to believe what I’ve seen.”

“I was just lucky.”

“Luck? Only those with strength can grasp luck. Surviving encounters with the Apostle of Blood and the Apostle of Decay? That’s absolutely not luck, kid.”

“…”

Sion fell silent.

What more could he say?

“Until I saw you in person, I didn’t believe it either. I thought the Goddess of War was just being greedy, trying to reclaim her rights.”

“Goddess Achille wouldn’t do such a thing.”

“I know. That’s exactly why it’s so unbelievable. That’s your credibility.”

“…”

“Now that I’ve seen you in person, I understand. It’s not exaggerated. In fact, you might even be underestimated.”

Sion kept a blank expression, but inside he was cheering.

This was none other than the Commander of the Holy Sword Brigade.

In terms of sheer power, one of the most elite humans on the continent.

A knight whose strength stood at the very pinnacle—excluding perhaps the demon and elf races.

He had earned recognition from such a man.

It was as valuable as Garfenn’s approval.

It would have been strange not to feel good.

Sion bowed his head respectfully. The commander’s carefree smile curved into a gentle arc.

“Thank you for your courtesy. You’re the first young man to show me such respect. I’m actually touched.”

“…I see.”

Now he understood why Arwen disliked this man. The conversation itself was exhausting.

How on earth did such a person become commander of the Holy Sword Brigade?

“Anyway, now that you’re not fighting, pull back your troops and establish a peace agreement. Do I really have to handle something like this in person at my age? Huh?”

“But why did you really come? Even so, couldn’t you have just sent the documents? For the Commander of the Holy Sword Brigade to come in person is a bit…”

It clearly didn’t make sense.

Arwen also wore a face that clearly asked, “What’s going on?”

They wanted answers.

“Hmm. This might take a while. Hurry up and promise not to fight each other, then let’s eat something. What’s Elim famous for, food-wise?”

***

Lately, Elim hadn’t had a single quiet day.

Its scale grew rapidly, changing the scenery from one day to the next.

Some days, dozens of people would arrive all at once.

Recently, they’d even fought a war.

Once a place nearly reduced to ruins and treated as little more than an archaeological site, it had now grown to the point of drawing scrutiny from other Cults.

And today, the Holy Sword Brigade itself had arrived—not just any unit, but the Commander of the Holy Sword Brigade.

And not just him, but his main force under his direct command…

Excluding the Apostles of Light, he was the pinnacle of martial power in the Holy Kingdom.

He was the very embodiment of a moving judgment hammer.

Wherever he passed, evil could not remain.

Unrivaled strength.

Military power without equal.

Naturally, the Cults of the goddesses, including the Round Table, had no choice but to be on high alert regarding his movements.

His actions were practically equivalent to the will of the Apostles of Light, to the will of Goddess Eru herself.

Even fellow Round Table Cults would be punished if they erred.

Smaller or mid-sized goddess Cults caught secretly committing corruption would be eradicated without mercy.

Among the Round Table Cults, he stood overwhelmingly at the very top.

His combined power and authority were such that he could rightly be called the ruler of this land.

Even the Imperial Court existed only under the influence of the Holy Kingdom.

“How long has it been, Bishop Gustein?”

“I can’t even remember. So you’re still alive, then?”

“Haha! I’m not so easily killed. Seems I’ve got a long life ahead of me.”

“Thanks to the blessings of Goddess Eru, no doubt.”

“You always have a spine in your words, Gustein.”

Yet Gustein showed no fear before such a remarkable man.

He was shockingly blunt.

One might wonder if all disciples of the War Cult were fearless.

“Could anyone be more suspicious than the Holy Sword Brigade commander showing up out of nowhere at such an odd time?”

“Hahahaha!”

His laughter was obscenely loud.

After finishing his laugh, Lagan took a small sip of the cheap wine Gustein had offered and said,

“I come bearing good news, and you treat me so harshly?”

“So you’ve granted us the right to appoint the priestess?”

“That’s right.”

“Finally!”

Gustein clenched his fist tightly.

Arwen, standing in the office with them, slightly frowned.

“Well done. Now the restrictions placed upon Goddess Achille are lifted. The world’s misunderstandings will naturally resolve themselves.”

“…Hmm.”

“You and Garfenn—both of you have suffered greatly. Paying off karmic debts.”

Gustein wore a look of deep reflection.

Memories of the past flashed through his mind, bringing waves of joy, sorrow, grief, and delight.

Tears dropped steadily onto the back of his hand.

His hands were wrinkled and rough—evidence and medals of the sacrifices and time he had devoted to Elim.

Lagan smiled kindly and comforted Gustein.

“Now rest a little, alright? Look, you’ve got a bright young man here already.”

Gustein turned his head, wiping his tears as he spoke.

“What are you talking about? It’s just beginning. That kid still has a long way to go. He’s still wet behind the ears.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Then, this ‘wet behind the ears’ kid—can I take him to the Holy Kingdom for a bit?”

“What?”

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