Chapter 133

Ch.133 Apostle of the Goddess of War

Whoosh!

Sion felt the back of his neck grow hot. Being the center of attention like this was becoming hard to handle.

“Uh, well……”

Instructor Kegan went a step further, even drawing his sword to give a formal salute. At this point, it felt like he was being teased, right?

Sion scratched his head and walked over to Kegan.

Kegan shouted to the knight order again.

“Everyone, continue with your training!”

“Yes!”

Set was among the group. The kid had a face full of stern discipline, but when he made eye contact with Sion, he gave a slight smile before focusing back on his opponent.

“Unit Leader. Are you trying to kill me with embarrassment?”

“Oho-ho. Of course not.”

Unlike before, Kegan treated Sion with full formality.

Even when Sion insisted he be casual, Kegan stubbornly refused. He believed that unless he himself showed proper respect to the Apostle, the Order of the War Knight’s discipline wouldn’t be established and the Apostle’s authority wouldn’t be upheld.

He wasn’t wrong. Sion felt grateful to Kegan, who handled everything efficiently on his own.

“Another mission, is it?” Kegan asked.

“Yes.”

“I see. You’ll be busy from now on……”

“I probably won’t have much time to stay put in Elim.”

Sion replied bitterly.

That’s why he was trying to imprint as much of Elim as he could in his eyes right now. The sight of this city, which would surely have changed again by the time he returned.

“Let me handle growing the Order of the War Knight without any problems.”

“I heard you’re already carrying out missions.”

“They’re still greenhorns, but they’re managing alright?”

Kegan laughed heartily as he praised the new recruits.

The original Black Banner Unit would naturally perform well, and the training of new recruits was also proceeding smoothly.

The reason Garfenn had so strongly advocated for Kegan was proving its worth. His legacy continued to strengthen Elim.

As Sion was about to leave, Kegan stopped him.

“Don’t you need a squire? Now that you’re an Apostle.”

“No, it’s fine. Not really.”

“Even so…….

Appearances are important, aren’t they? The Church of War is rising to become a major church, and the Apostle is the face of the church and a symbol of its authority, so it would be good to pay attention to such things.”

“Really… Fine.”

Well.

Among the Apostles he had met so far, none traveled without a squire or an aide. Except for Garfenn, everyone had someone with them.

‘It would be nice to have someone, I suppose.’

As long as it wasn’t for fighting.

‘Well, this time I’m just going to meet Mr. Loenhaughter.’

It was a good opportunity to show off the newfound authority of the Church of War, as Kegan said.

It was also a chance to proclaim that the Church of War remained steadfast during this chaotic time.

“Alright. Let’s do as you say, Mr. Kegan. I’d like to take about two people.”

“Oh, a wise decision.”

Kegan scratched his beard and looked over the training grounds.

“Is there anyone you’d like to take?”

“Not particularly. Just recommend some capable comrades.”

He didn’t know much about the Order of the War Knight personnel either. He was simply trusting Unit Leader Kegan’s judgment.

“Then……”

Kegan frowned for a moment, then shouted.

“Set! Jien!”

“Yes!”

The two people who were training immediately stopped their movements and answered. It was impressive how the others continued sparring without paying them any mind.

“Come up.”

At Kegan’s command, the two quickly ascended the platform. They were as agile as squirrels.

Both were still breathing heavily from the rough training.

One was Sion’s brother, and the other was a former refugee whom Sion had passed by a few times on the street.

When he first came to Elim, she helped Ruina with small tasks; it was unknown when she had applied to the knight order.

“I recommend these two. Both are quite capable and will assist you well.”

“Hmm.”

Sion stared at the two standing stiffly at attention, sweating.

Kegan wouldn’t have chosen Set just because he was Sion’s brother. He must have recommended him because he was truly capable and reliable.

Indeed, it was clear that Set now treated Sion not as his ‘brother’ but as the ‘Apostle’ of the Goddess of War.

This seriousness was a pass.

Sion nodded readily. From now on, he intended to treat them as the Apostle of the Goddess of War.

“We depart in one hour. We’re going to Foils on a brief business trip. Expect it to take about a week, so prepare sufficiently and meet me at the North Gate.”

“Yes, Your Apostleship!”

“Understood!”

Set and Jien saluted with their fists and then swiftly left the training grounds.

Watching them, Sion chuckled.

“Unit Leader Kegan. Do you teach them by hitting them?”

Kegan also laughed heartily, boasting that such a thing wouldn’t happen.

“They’d probably wish I hit them. Maybe?”

Sion agreed.

The madness in this seasoned unit leader’s eyes……

***

“I, I’m honored to be assisting you this time!”

Jien froze stiffly in front of Sion. Unlike during training, her slightly loosened short hair was a maple-leaf color.

“Nice to meet you.”

Sion found Jien’s rigid attitude awkward. And the one suffering the most in this situation was none other than Set.

He had to treat his brother not as a younger sibling, but as a squire, an aide, as someone providing support.

The subject was none other than the Apostle of the Goddess of War.

He should treat him officially.

At the same time, he had to get along with his comrade. It might have been easier if it were just him and his brother alone, but strangely, he felt self-conscious and his words and actions were overly careful.

“Yo, Your Apostleship. What, what is our mission?”

Set asked, even more nervous than Jien. Sion found it hilariously killing him inside, but he bit the inside of his cheek to hold back his laughter.

“Ahem, ahem. You just need to follow me around, nothing special. I probably won’t have anything specific for you to do.”

“Understood!”

“Yes, Your Apostleship!”

“And……”

Sion scratched his cheek and pleaded earnestly.

“The title ‘Your Apostleship’ is uncomfortable for me. Please just call me by my name. Casually.”

“……!”

“Th, that!”

Jien tightly shut her eyes.

“Just kill me instead.”

“Is it that uncomfortable?”

“……Yep! Sorry!”

Set also nodded his head vigorously. It was insanely awkward. It was better to just draw a line and keep their distance.

Faced with their desperate refusal, Sion had no choice but to concede.

“Well, alright.”

It wasn’t like their mission would be hindered by a difficult title.

Sion shrugged his shoulders and urged his horse forward.

The stifling journey began. In this situation, even Sion began to realize something.

‘The time has come for me to be an adult.’

His position demanded it, and his actual age did too. He heard Jien was a few months younger than Sion.

He felt a sense of responsibility in many ways. The situation has truly changed now. He was in a position where he had to take responsibility and lead.

‘……It’s hard.’

He suddenly missed his teacher again.

The Goddess Achille watched this with satisfaction. Her Apostle, who had grown and grown repeatedly, now facing another hurdle in his growth, was nothing but endearing to her.

[Huhu, the children born of war comfort each other’s wounds and move forward.]

It was a pleasing sight. A soft smile, like a sprout, appeared on the Goddess Achille’s lips.

After traveling for another half day, Sion’s party decided to make camp.

It was the road to Foils. The path was well-maintained, so there were many suitable camping spots along the way.

They were places mainly used by merchants. Set and Jien found a suitable spot among them and prepared the camp.

Sion, in a quiet spot, began to practice using his newly acquired authority.

The ‘Subspace’. It was a remarkable blessing that allowed him to take out and use his sword and various other arms anytime, anywhere, without having to carry them.

This blessing, usable only by the Apostle of the Goddess of War, was perfectly suited for use on the ‘battlefield’.

Currently, Sion wore the Demon Sword, and stored his teacher’s greatsword in the subspace. He consciously practiced opening the subspace, taking out the black greatsword, and putting it back in.

Meanwhile, Set and Jien, while setting up the camp, began to spill the words they couldn’t say while being next to Sion.

“He’s insane, absolutely insane.”

“Ugh, shut up.”

“Isn’t he so cool? Your Apostleship?”

Jien’s eyes sparkled as she praised Sion. The reason she became a knight was solely because she admired Sion’s existence.

Rather than doing ordinary women’s work, she wanted to hold a sword like Sion and perform splendidly. The desire to become like her object of admiration made her grow quickly.

Indeed, Jien was highly talented. She hadn’t been in the knight order for long, but she already possessed top-tier skill among her peers.

There was a valid reason for her selection this time.

“Just walking behind him makes my heart tremble. What should I do? What’s wrong with me?”

“Jien, you’re really annoying. My ears hurt!”

“Then who am I supposed to tell this to? I’m jealous of you. Having someone like Sion as your brother.”

“My brother is cool, though. Ahem, ahem.”

Set found Jien’s fussing tedious and irritating, but he also felt good that his brother was so popular.

He shrugged his shoulders and felt proud.

“To think such a person is our Apostle. It’s truly insane.”

Jien simply couldn’t calm her excitement. Even Set thought it was excessive. It was more than just a rational liking.

It was something closer to goddess worship.

‘She’s so cringey, seriously.’

She was the girl who had done nothing but talk about Sion throughout training and while living in the barracks.

Not only did she get to meet him in person, but she got to accompany him as his aide; how happy must she be?

Jien had a crazed look in her eyes, hammering in a stake while muttering to herself.

“This is my chance……”

“What? What chance?”

“To leave a deep impression on Sir Sion.”

“……?”

“You can do it, Jien.”

“What are you talking about?”

Set left Jien, who was lost in her own world, and started making a fire.

It was a world without light. Fire was something you always had to carry. Because of this, rumors were spreading these days that the Goddess of Fire’s power was gradually growing.

Tap! Tap!

He struck the flint against dried grass to nurture the spark, then transferred it to the campfire. His movements showed how many times Set had camped out in Sion’s absence.

‘Brother……’

Set cautiously glanced at Sion. He had his eyes closed and was doing something on his own.

He hadn’t noticed before, but seeing him again today, something caught his attention.

‘He has more scars.’

Scars had formed on his face and arms. Every time he returned from an external mission, a few new ones would appear. How severe would they become over the years as they accumulated?

No matter how strong Sion was, or that he was the Apostle of the Goddess of War, as his younger brother, he couldn’t help but worry.

Even if she didn’t show it, Ruina also suffered inwardly and was sad every day.

What kind of fights was his brother fighting in places he couldn’t see?

‘……I probably can’t even imagine.’

Set quietly made a resolution.

He would become stronger faster, so that for every three new scars his brother gained, he would reduce it to one.

If he could grow as a War Knight and take on even a little of Sion’s burdens, his brother’s load would decrease significantly.

Swish.

Around the time the campfire brightly illuminated the campsite,

Sion approached Set. He wore a slightly playful smile and gestured with his chin towards Set.

“Shall we have a sparring match for the evening?”

“Huh? Yes……?”

“I need to see your skills. This is also an opportunity.”

“Uh, uh?”

Kyaaa—!

Jien came running over from the side, shouting.

“Your Apostleship! Your Apostleship! Me too! May I also request some sparring instruction!?”

As Jien rushed over like a cicada, Sion nodded with a slightly taken-aback expression.

“Sure. My body will get stiff if I just stay still.”

“Kyaaaaah!”

Jien could no longer hold back her suppressed excitement and let it all out. Sion took a step back from her insane fussing.

Set quietly clenched his fist.

‘How far can my sword reach?’

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