Chapter 137

Ch.137 Apostle of the Goddess of War

Sion’s thoughts accelerated like an ocean current. Even as the cold sea breeze blew, his head felt warm. The acceleration of his thoughts was tremendous.

An intuition came. There was an abnormal phenomenon. A sensation like something piercing his brain told him so.

‘Could it be related to Mr. Loenhaughter’s disappearance?’

Sion furrowed his brow and stared east. That’s where the strongest abnormal sign was felt.

He sensed something like an indescribable, ominous wavelength.

‘How could I not have sensed such a large presence until now?’

It was a feeling that hadn’t been there until just after leaving Foils port. Was it something one could only feel upon entering a certain point?

Looking around, it seemed no one else had noticed. No one, including Set and Jien, reacted to the abnormal sign.

‘But it’s a bit strange.’

He had felt it somewhere before. But he couldn’t quite recall what he could have felt out here in the middle of the ocean.

‘Probably felt it in the Holy Kingdom.’

Sion considered various possibilities. If it was the ominous energy felt in the Holy Kingdom, it was highly likely to be the presence of the Evil God.

Could an Evil God, or its followers, be roaming nearby?

If so, Loenhaughter might have been kidnapped by the Evil God faction.

‘But that’s strange too. The energy felt from the east is too far from here.’

They had suddenly vanished without a trace. Until now, there had been no sightings anywhere on the continent.

If they were searching for Holy Grail shards separately, stories of someone witnessing them should have been heard.

Was Loenhaughter’s kidnapping an act secretly committed by the thoroughly hidden Evil God faction?

‘Why him?’

No matter how capable and secretive he was, was he worth kidnapping by the Evil God faction?

An absurd imagination visited Sion. He wanted to ignore it, but the reality wouldn’t allow it. He had to respond considering all possibilities.

“Your Apostleship. The ship has stopped. What’s the matter?”

Set and Jien returned.

Even if they hadn’t caught on, they had read Sion’s somewhat serious atmosphere. Anxiety swirled in their eyes.

“Something is approaching from the south.”

Sion spat out casually.

“Huh?”

Set looked around, not knowing where south was. Jien pulled out a compass from who knows where and checked the direction.

“Over there……?”

Jien moved her lips alone. Nothing was visible.

“It’ll be here soon. More importantly, did neither of you feel anything?”

Sion asked.

There were two directions where he had detected something. One was something approaching from the south, and the other was the ominous presence felt far to the east.

In terms of seriousness, the one in the east was far more dangerous.

Set and Jien looked at each other and then shook their heads regretfully.

“I’m not sure.”

“Nothing……”

“I see.”

Sion nodded without any sign of disappointment.

‘It is a feeling coming from a very distant place.’

But an uneasy feeling remained. With a wavelength of this magnitude, he should have sensed it earlier out at sea.

‘From what point did I start feeling it? What is it?’

Just as Sion was frowning and lost in thought alone,

From the crow’s nest atop the mast, the lookout shouted.

“Flags sighted! Pirate ships! Due south!”

The sailors’ atmosphere instantly became tense.

Piiii—

A sharp whistle sound spread throughout the hull.

Captain Rontel began directing the sailors quickly and skillfully. Encounters with pirate ships seemed commonplace.

“Red! Red pirate flags! It’s Magwen’s Flame Ho!”

“……What!”

“That’s impossible!”

“Does that really exist!?”

The sailors’ tense atmosphere turned into nervousness.

Captain Rontel’s voice, swearing ‘Damn it,’ was also heard.

The sailors’ footsteps quickened even more.

“They seem to be dangerous pirates, right?”

Set quietly spoke up.

“Magwen’s Flame Ho… I heard it’s the most notorious pirate crew among the Foils merchant groups.”

Jien picked up his words and brought out the information she had gathered. Her all-night information gathering was paying off.

“Any other information?”

Sion asked Jien. Jien continued happily, explaining about the pirate ship’s captain.

“I heard he’s a legendary demon in these waters. He rarely shows himself, and lately, no one has seen him. Because all the sailors who met him died.”

Jien added in a small voice.

“But ta-da— he’s appeared now? We’ll have to see if it’s real.”

“Thank you, Jien.”

“What should we do, Your Apostleship?”

Set rotated his shoulders. He seemed to be preparing for battle. Confidence was felt in his warm-up movements.

“If a fight breaks out, fight while protecting people so no one gets hurt. Since it’s a battle on a ship, we must be more cautious.”

Sion also spoke while sharpening his senses. If it were just humans, it might be different, but if the captain was a demon, the story changed.

They had to ensure not a single casualty.

“Since War Knights are aboard, let’s show them an overwhelming victory.”

“Yes!”

“Understood!”

Set and Jien shouted loudly. The sailors, who had been frightened, finally noticed the Church of War swordsmen and began to feel relieved.

Normally, the moment they saw Magwen’s Flame Ho, they should have fled with all their might. Or, they had to hand over the goods on the ship intact to survive.

It was an extremely rare pirate ship, but its notoriety was widespread.

The biggest problem was that since it was a pirate ship led by a demon, ordinary humans found it hard to resist.

But now was different.

They were fighting alongside holy knights who fought demons and protected people. They weren’t afraid.

A thick fog began to spread over the sea. The horizon, which had been clear until just now, blurred into a grayish hue, and the black silhouette of Magwen’s Flame Ho became increasingly distinct.

The pirate flag hanging on the mast fluttered in the wind, making an ominous sound.

A burning skull was drawn on the flag, and the gloomy atmosphere emanating from the hull was chilling.

“Damn it. It’s real……”

“Just like the legend.”

The sailors’ breathing became rough.

Captain Rontel’s sharp commands echoed across the deck, but his voice also contained a slight tremor.

“Battle stations! Move to your positions immediately!”

The hurried footsteps of sailors grabbing their weapons tangled, turning the deck into a chaotic crucible.

Sion stood in the center of the deck, regulating his breath. His hand rested on his sword hilt.

‘……What is it. This sense of incongruity.’

The ominous energy felt from the east still lingered in his mind, but for now, he had to focus on the threat approaching from the south.

He narrowed his eyes and observed the pirate ship’s movements.

The ship was getting closer, intending to collide.

“Your Apostleship, should we let them come aboard?”

Set said in a low voice. Jien’s expression was stiff, her fingers trembling slightly.

“Stay calm.”

Sion calmly reassured the two knights.

To Set and Jien, he was an utterly strange person. Sion was the only one not showing any tension, even with a demon’s pirate ship this close.

“If they move first, we’ll respond. Set, Jien, protect the people on the deck. Don’t let a single person get hurt.”

At that moment, a sharp sound came from the closest pirate ship.

Swish!

A fire arrow flew through the fog. The oil pouch tied to the arrow tip fell onto the deck, scattering flames.

Fizz! Swish!

A sailor screamed and rushed to put out the fire, but soon a second, then a third fire arrow flew in succession.

Flames shot up from one side of the deck.

“Water! Bring water!”

Rontel shouted. Sailors frantically scooped and carried seawater to extinguish the fire, but the pirate ship was approaching rapidly.

Thud!

The bronze ram on the bow of the lead pirate ship cut through the sea, targeting their ship.

The ship’s speed increased, splashing spray everywhere.

“Brace for impact!”

Rontel yelled.

The sailors crouched low on the deck and grabbed the railings. But Sion didn’t move. His eyes weren’t on the pirate ship’s ram but on the giant shadow standing behind it.

Magwen.

The demon captain’s aura was distinctly felt even through the fog.

“Your Apostleship, they’re determined to sink the ship!”

Jien shouted urgently. A dagger was in her hand, and hatred for demons burned in her eyes.

“I’ll handle the demon. I leave the rear to you.”

Sion muttered low and drew his sword. The blue-tinged sword gleamed in the sunlight.

Kwaa—ang!

At that moment, one pirate ship grazed and collided with the side of their ship. A rough grinding sound of wood scraping their flank echoed.

The ship listed, and screams erupted among the sailors.

Sion maintained his balance, firmly holding his ground on the deck.

His senses tracked Magwen’s aura.

‘He’s coming.’

Ropes and grappling hooks flew from the pirate ship.

Chaa-reuk!

The grappling hooks caught on the deck railings, connecting the two ships. Pirates began crossing over via the ropes.

They all felt imbued with the Evil God’s power. It was as if fanatics had become pirates.

Magwen moved. Swinging her red short hair and crimson cloak, she grabbed a rope in one breath and leaped onto their ship.

Thud!

Her massive body landed on the deck, shaking the wooden planks.

The demon, over 2 meters tall, had only her chest wrapped in bandages, her upper body covered only by a cloak. Despite wearing leather pants on her lower body, her solid leg muscles were prominent.

Her exposed red pupils stared straight at Sion.

A massive curved sword was in her hand, and a faint black energy rose from the blade.

“Hoh.”

Magwen’s voice was dry and rough like the salt of the sea.

“I sensed a holy knight’s aura and came to check, and it was you?”

Magwen asked, looking at Sion.

“Do you primarily target holy knights? I heard your face is rarely seen.”

Magwen laughed, resting the large curved sword on her shoulder.

“Filthy holy knights shouldn’t set foot on the sacred sea.”

Magwen grinned, revealing her saw-like teeth.

The legend of Magwen’s Flame Ho seemed understandable.

They only hunted holy knights or priests, which is why they were rarely seen.

Also, they were so strong that no one could survive.

Instead of answering, Sion faced her. His demon sword trembled slightly, emitting a black light. The surrounding air grew heavy.

The sailors held their breath, and Set and Jien kept their positions, watching the pirates.

“Magwen.”

Sion opened his mouth. His voice was calm but held a resolute strength.

“Is that right?”

“Yeah. That’s right.”

“What’s the exact reason for targeting this ship? Goods? Or are you really hunting holy knights?”

Magwen gave a villainous smile.

Thud!

She stomped her foot once and answered.

“Does piracy need a reason? You just take. Be it treasure or the life of someone you don’t like.”

“Aha.”

Sion tilted his head slightly.

“I thought there might be some reason, at least.”

“There isn’t.”

“A demon, just roaming around doing piracy. No special story, just degenerate.”

“……What?”

Magwen’s eyes became bloodshot.

It was nonsense she was hearing.

Swear words almost spilled out. “What kind of bullshit is that?”

“Say that again. What did you say?”

Magwen drew up her demonic energy and asked again. Her exposed fangs were incredibly sharp.

“Following an Evil God, and all you do is mere piracy. Isn’t it pathetic?”

Koo—oong!

The next moment, Magwen had leaped.

Her heavy bulk appeared right in front of Sion’s nose as if she had teleported.

The sharp tip of the curved sword was about to pierce Sion’s eyeball.

Thump.

Sion’s demon sword had pierced through Magwen’s jaw.

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