Chapter 125

Ch.125 Apostle of the Goddess of War

Goooo!

Sion, who’d been running, lifted his head. The moonlight was so enormous and close it seemed to blanket the entire night sky.

A bizarre phenomenon was unfolding beneath the skies of the Holy Kingdom. Darkness surged forward, riding the rough night winds.

‘This feels ominous. Too ominous.’

If it were merely an ominous feeling, that would’ve been fortunate.

However, the current situation was far more serious than Sion imagined.

Thud.

Sion hit something.

An invisible barrier had been erected.

He could sense it by spreading his divine power.

‘It surrounds the central area of the Holy Kingdom.’

The energy forming the barrier was demonic—but so strong and dense that even Sion struggled to affect it.

‘Did the Evil God personally erect this barrier?’

He recalled the hand that had taken Evelyn.

If all the Evil Gods had indeed gathered on this land, such a phenomenon wouldn’t be surprising.

They wouldn’t have launched their grand scheme without preparation.

‘They’ve erected a barrier around the center of the Holy Kingdom, intending to settle things inside without interference.’

The demonic energy reinforcing the barrier grew denser by the moment, far surpassing any level that could be physically cut through.

Beneath his feet, swarms of rats began boiling over. In the sky, flocks of crows cawed noisily, grating against his eardrums.

It was a desolate scene straight out of the apocalypse.

‘Goddess, please help me.’

Only the power of a Goddess—equal at minimum to an Evil God—could cut through such a barrier.

Fortunately, Achille was already by Sion’s side.

[Understood, Sion. Hurry. I’m worried about Garfenn.]

She’d already sensed it—

That her Apostle had encountered the gravest danger.

Though she’d desperately wished to avoid this situation, even a Goddess couldn’t intervene in such a tragic fate.

Responding to Sion’s prayer, Achille imbued her power into Sion’s sword.

The sword greedily drank in the Goddess of War’s power. The killing intent coating its blade gleamed ferociously.

‘Let’s hurry.’

Sion swung his sword toward the barrier.

—!

Jjjeooooook!

He split the barrier—but the sensation felt like cutting through sticky flesh. The sound echoing in his ears matched that feeling.

Invisible demonic energy slid off the blade like viscous liquid.

“What the…?”

It was revolting. Sion frowned in disgust.

“It feels exactly like slicing open some creature’s belly.”

[Accurate, Sion.]

Goddess Achille gazed skyward with narrowed eyes.

[This wasn’t an ordinary barrier.]

Even Achille was taken aback. The Evil God’s faction had clearly sharpened their blades.

[The Intestine of Corruption…]

[They even prepared something like this.]

This barrier covered the entire Holy Kingdom.

The long era of peace had persisted not only because they’d remained hidden, but also because they’d conserved their strength solely for this day.

They’d truly gritted their teeth in determination, waiting specifically for today.

[It’ll be dangerous if this drags on. Even now, knights are probably slowly succumbing to corruption, wavering between states.]

The Round Table Goddess was currently severed from the Holy Kingdom.

The connection flowing from the Heavenly Gate had been blocked by the Intestine of Corruption.

Here, only the Evil Gods who’d originally descended into this world and the Goddess of War Achille could wield power.

[So that’s why they’re specifically targeting Garfenn.]

Because among their plans, he was the only Apostle capable of creating variables.

Achille assessed the battlefield.

Excitement surged through her head, lifting her spirits higher than ever before.

An unfavorable situation.

Only she herself could turn the tide.

This was precisely the scenario she loved, welcomed, and enjoyed most.

The stage was set for the ruler of the battlefield.

Finally, it was time for Achille to return to the world.

[Eru.]

Achille sent a final message.

To her patron, her eldest sister, and the one who’d cared for her—these were her last words.

[If this is your will, then so be it.]

From afar, Goddess Eru’s voice reached her.

[You’ve chosen, Achille.]

[From start to finish, how shamelessly cruel.]

[I’m sorry, my sister.]

[Will we meet again?]

Eru paused briefly before speaking.

[In some form or another, we will meet again.]

[Alright, understood.]

[I’m ashamed I can do no more for you.]

[You’ve worked hard. Rest now.]

[Leave the rest to—]

Snap.

The spiritual connection severed.

It seemed she’d reserved her final strength to transmit it all to Achille.

[…She’s really gone.]

For the first time, Achille felt loneliness.

The patron deity of this land had vanished.

Her dream of returning to the Round Table had shattered into nothingness.

But there was no time to grieve.

Now that the baton had been passed to her, she had to command the battlefield.

She could savor her sorrow only after victory in war.

Steeled with the resolve to sever the intestine, Achille stood tall—transformed into the ruthless Goddess of War who showed no mercy to her enemies.

Her sole goal now was victory in war. Nothing could stop her.

[Sion.]

[Can you hear me, Sion?]

She knew it was still too soon. Properly attuning spiritually and formally becoming his Apostle before making contact would’ve been correct.

But given the circumstances, there was no time for such formalities. She trusted Sion to endure it.

“…!?”

Abruptly halting his full-speed run, Sion froze. He looked around wildly, eyes wide open.

“What voice is that?”

[Sion, it is I. Your Goddess.]

“…!”

His brain flooded with divinity. Sion had to bend his wobbling legs, instinctively dropping to one knee.

[The situation is urgent, so I’ve come to you despite the strain.]

“G-Goddess…”

Just as Garfenn had said—ecstasy overwhelmed him, and trembling wouldn’t cease.

A chill ran through his entire body. Every single cell convulsed and danced. Hymn sheet music spontaneously formed in his mind.

But before he could fully savor this sensation, the Goddess issued a command.

[Sion.]

Her divine voice resonated in his head.

Sion bowed his head slightly and replied softly.

[Cut down the Heavenly Gate.]

* * *

“It must be an unavoidable fate. I’ve searched for you so long, Apostle of Darkness.”

“Is it for vengeance? How persistent.”

The shadowy figure sneered.

“Come then, Apostle of the Goddess of War. Kill me and complete your vengeance. Comfort the souls of your woman and daughter in hell.”

Each word pierced his heart like a dagger.

His patience vanished instantly. Reason paralyzed; empathy evaporated.

Only fury continued stoking its embers.

‘He wants exactly this—such a cheap provocation.’

But it was nearly checkmate. Garfenn knew he couldn’t trust himself not to fall for that low-level taunt.

That’s precisely why he’d tried to avoid the Apostle of Darkness. He’d hoped other knights would hunt the others while someone else dealt with the Apostle of Darkness.

That had been Sion’s wish—and his plan to safely return to Elim.

But peace never lasted in Garfenn’s life. The Evil God’s followers were tenacious and vicious.

Regardless of his plans, they were determined to latch onto Garfenn.

Because he was the Apostle posing the greatest threat to the Evil God’s faction.

From the moment Garfenn knelt before the Goddess of War and grasped the blade of vengeance, this fate became unavoidable.

Garfenn blinked.

‘As long as I don’t lose my reason…’

He could win without mutual destruction.

Meeting the Apostle of Darkness didn’t necessarily mean death.

Garfenn trusted in his martial arts, honed over years. He trusted Achille and her divine protection.

Victory was all that mattered.

If he fought defensively, reinforcements would surely arrive.

And…

‘Sion.’

He trusted his successor.

“Let’s end this. My tiresome shadow.”

“Come.”

Garfenn lowered his waist—and his massive figure vanished.

—!

In the next instant, air exploded across the area, sending building debris flying.

Collision of War and Darkness.

The avenger’s blade swung as if to destroy everything.

Kwaa—kwa-kwaang!

Each time Garfenn’s greatsword cleaved the air, jet-black sword energy scattered through the sky.

Boong! Boong!

Nothing caught in its trajectory remained intact. No one dared recklessly step into that gap.

Neither the Holy Kingdom’s knights nor the Evil God’s followers were exceptions.

They were truly the strongest knights.

A legendary duel, destined to be remembered for ages, had begun.

Each clash left deep craters in the earth.

It seemed as if a dragon large enough to cover the sky was leaving footprints and claw marks across the city.

Sword energy waves tore through the surroundings in all directions.

No one could track the two knights’ movements. Though there was no time to spectate, their eyes couldn’t look away from the fight.

Swwwwak!

Jet-black sword energy split the darkness. The slashes continued relentlessly. Ruthless violence erupted from the Black Wolf’s arm.

Darkness, attempting to swallow the  Apostle of War, repeatedly tore apart and reformed.

To any observer, Garfenn clearly held the advantage.

‘As expected—this is absurd.’

Lagan, watching the fight, clicked his tongue.

Even Lagan—who’d thought no one but Naru could rival him—felt awe at this display of martial prowess.

Both the Apostle of Darkness and Garfenn inspired the same feeling. If a Goddess were to manifest and fight, it would probably feel exactly like this.

Amidst this, Lagan couldn’t hide his shock at Garfenn’s dominance.

‘For someone past his prime to be this strong…’

It was impossible to imagine how formidable he’d been in his prime. Indeed, the claim that the Evil God’s faction had hidden away because of Garfenn wasn’t an exaggeration.

“Well, I’ve enjoyed the show.”

Lagan drew his sword. Sacred light coiled around his blade like fine threads.

“It’d be perfect if you finish your vengeance yourself.”

Lagan deeply bent his knees, then sprang upward like a coiled spring. In an instant, he inserted himself into their battlefield.

Kwaaaaaang!

Whooo.

Dust exploded upon his landing. Garfenn and the Apostle of Darkness had no choice but to pause their fight momentarily.

Lagan, who’d suddenly intervened, muttered to himself.

“I was asked a favor by your disciple.”

“Hm?”

“I’ll take this one, senior.”

The Commander of the Order of the Holy Sword’s intervention eliminated any potential variables. It was the best Sion could do.

Even the stoic Garfenn felt inward relief.

He’d struggled to focus on the fight due to lingering unease. Right now, accepting help was the right choice—even if he disliked it.

Garfenn twirled his greatsword and spoke.

“To intrude on a knight’s duel—you’ve no sense of honor.”

“Haha, if I cared about honor, would I be Commander of the Order of the Holy Sword?”

Garfenn gave a faint smile.

“That’s the only thing you’ve said that made me laugh.”

“Feeling a bit friendlier now?”

“No.”

“Tch.”

“More importantly, what’s your plan? No matter how you look at it…”

“We’ll manage somehow. Reinforcements should arrive any moment now.”

“But—”

“Instead of arguing, why don’t you hurry and go help our Apostle!”

Garfenn lifted his head, staring toward the Grand Cathedral.

The Evil God’s aura emanating from there felt unusually strong.

The one under concentrated fire was none other than the Apostle of Light.

Horrific, unfamiliar monsters and demons swarmed in hordes.

“They’re trying to seize the Heavenly Gate.”

“Yes! Exactly!”

Sssss.

The Apostle of Darkness expanded his form.

An endless mass of malice condensed into darkness—merely looking at it made one weep blood and lose consciousness.

Only because they were the Commander of the Order of the Holy Sword and the Apostle of the Goddess of War could they withstand gazing upon it.

“Don’t interfere in this fight, Commander of the Order of the Holy Sword.”

“But I don’t want to.”

“Whether you like it or not, that’s how it’ll be.”

“What…?”

Before the darkness could finish speaking, Lagan sensed something strange.

Garfenn felt it too—he even broke into a cold sweat.

“What is this?”

He couldn’t sense the Goddess’s divine power.

He’d known about the barrier, but the faint light power he’d felt from the Heavenly Gate had vanished.

As if erased from the world in an instant.

And then…

“K-ugh!?”

His mind began to warp. Latent violence and cruelty flared like wildfire.

An instinctive desire to eliminate anyone radiating holiness was etched into his being.

“Lagan. Hey, kid. Snap out of it.”

Garfenn urged him, but the Commander of the Order of the Holy Sword’s blade was already pointed at Garfenn.

The darkness sneered.

“At last. You’ve fallen to corruption.”

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