Apostle of the Goddess of War

Chapter 11

Ch.11 Apostle of the Goddess of War

Thunk!

The firewood split cleanly in two. Sion’s axework left no room for error, each log severed into perfectly uniform pieces.

‘For the Goddess. For myself. For my siblings. I must grow stronger.’

With each reaffirmation of his resolve, his strength and skill grew. His body felt sturdier too.

At first, he thought it was just his imagination, but when he asked Garfenn, he learned otherwise.

As his faith deepened, the Goddess’s blessing strengthened, and so did Sion.

The Apostle of the Goddess of War was said to surpass all others in strength. Even if nothing else, this was the one truth Goddess Achille emphasized again and again.

‘The Apostle of the Evil God fears none more than the Apostle of War.’

Though Sion still couldn’t bring himself to believe in the Goddess wholeheartedly, he felt her presence vividly.

Eager to hear her voice one day, he resolved to offer more sincere prayers.

Crack!

As Sion split the logs, Set gathered the pieces and stacked them neatly.

His role was to bundle the firewood and carry it to the hearth.

Watching Set, who seemed engrossed in his stacking game, Sion asked,

“Where’s Ruina?”

“Learning something from Bishop Gustein.”

“Like what?”

“Uh… taxes? Something complicated I didn’t get.”

Sion straightened his back and took a deep breath.

Ruina, being sharp, had begun assisting the bishop. Gustein was speeding up her training, likely planning his retirement.

It was obvious how fond the bishop was of her.

‘Good.’

If Ruina secured her place in Elim, Sion could rest easier.

“And Kaili? Same as usual?”

“Yeah, same. She’s getting weirder, though.”

“Don’t call your sister weird, Set.”

“Ugh. Sorry.”

Sion was especially strict with Set, being the only boy.

Strong as he was, Sion didn’t want him going down the wrong path.

To Set, Sion was both an older brother and a father figure. And Set followed his lead without question.

Though lately, Garfenn seemed to be taking on some of that paternal role.

“How’s training?” Sion asked.

Set’s face lit up, and he threw a playful punch into the air.

“Yeah! I think I’m getting stronger! Maybe even as strong as you soon!”

Sion snorted.

“You’re a decade too early.”

“Hehe, let’s spar later!”

“Only if you train hard.”

“Got it!”

Sion resumed chopping.

“Set. If I’m ever not around, you’ll have to protect Ruina and Kaili.”

“Isn’t it safe here?”

“Not yet. Outside the church, there are plenty of bad people. And we don’t know when this place might be attacked.”

He let slip a fraction of his worries.

For Sion to walk the path of an Apostle without hesitation, his siblings’ safety had to be guaranteed.

Oddly enough, Set was the one he trusted most for that.

Whether Set understood his concerns or was just happy to be given responsibility, he grinned and flexed.

“Leave it to me! I’ll protect them!”

“Good. I’ll be away often. It’s up to you.”

At that, Set’s enthusiasm dimmed slightly.

“So… I won’t see you much?”

Sion shrugged.

What else could he do?

“I’ve got things to do. But it’s all to protect you guys. You understand, right?”

“Yeah… But at least once a month?”

Sion smirked.

“Depends on how hard you train.”

“Ugh! Fine! I’ll train like crazy!”

As Set dropped to do push-ups, Ruina approached.

“What are you two up to?”

“Ruina!”

She handed him a clean, neatly folded handkerchief.

“Here. Wipe your sweat.”

“Thanks.”

It smelled faintly of flowers.

Taking it back, she added,

“Brother Sion. The bishop wants you.”

“Now?”

“Yeah.”

Straightening his clothes, Sion headed to the bishop’s office.

Sunlight streamed through the small window as Gustein and Garfenn conversed.

Garfenn had been absent for days.

He often left without explanation, returning with news—sometimes of wars blamed on the Goddess, other times of miracles. Rumors swirled, from plagues being called ‘Achille’s curse’ to whispers of her kindness.

These snippets were all Sion had to gauge what an Apostle’s life entailed.

Bowing, he greeted them.

“Master. You’re back.”

“I hear you’ve settled in well.”

“Thanks to your food and shelter.”

“Praying diligently too?”

“Yes.”

Garfenn smiled, satisfied. Even if it was just pretense, sincerity alone was progress.

Seeing Sion walk a path so different from his own past eased Garfenn’s worries.

‘My retirement might come sooner than I thought.’

Gustein motioned for Sion to sit and explained why he’d been summoned.

“Sion of Karak.”

“Yes.”

“I can’t leave the church right now, and Garfenn has urgent business elsewhere. So, we need you to run an errand.”

Sion straightened.

“Name it.”

His body itched for action.

Chores were fulfilling, but he longed to serve the Goddess in a way only an Apostle could.

Wasn’t he the heir, after all?

He wanted tasks befitting that role.

“Follow the northern road. In three days, you’ll reach Foils, a trade city.”

“I’ve heard of it.”

Ruina had mentioned it while learning church affairs.

“We ordered supplies from there. They were due five days ago, but there’s been no word. Bandits, perhaps. We need answers.”

“Retrieve the supplies, then?”

“And find out what happened.”

“Understood.”

His voice carried a hint of disappointment.

He’d hoped for something grander—hunting demons, perhaps, or confronting other Apostles.

Though not one for violence, as the Goddess’s heir, he yearned to prove himself.

As he nodded reluctantly, a question struck him.

“Wouldn’t the city handle this? If their merchants were attacked?”

Gustein and Garfenn exchanged glances. The bishop’s lips twitched.

“Normally, yes. But this situation is… delicate. No contact, no news. We’re running low, so we must investigate ourselves.”

At last, something interesting.

Sion finally smiled.

“I’ll bring my sword, then.”

“Sion, let me be clear. This is strictly a supply retrieval. Understood?”

“Of course. I’ll bring back the supplies.”

Gustein repeated the warning; each time, Sion nodded with an ambiguous smile.

Once he left, the bishop massaged his temples.

“That boy’s quietly unhinged.”

“He’s meant to be the Goddess of War’s Apostle. Ordinary won’t cut it.”

“He’s more dangerous than you.”

Garfenn huffed. This bishop, really.

“I’m not dangerous. I only fight justly.”

“Hmph. The ones who say that are always the worst.”

Gustein clasped his hands behind his back, watching Sion sprint off through the window.

“…He’ll manage, won’t he?”

Garfenn chuckled.

Not a shred of concern.

“He’s my disciple. Of course he will.”

***

“What? You’re leaving on an errand?”

“Yeah. To Foils.”

“Foils…”

Ruina frowned. That city had been nothing but trouble in trade dealings.

“Brother, the rumors aren’t good.”

“Why?”

“Too many people—mercenaries, thief guilds. Lately, even Evil God worshippers. And Mains.”

“Mains?”

Humans who drank demon blood for immortality and power. Unlike true demons, forged by the Evil God, they were still dangerous.

And they walked among crowds?

“Yeah. The bishop thinks Mains might be behind this.”

“If it’s them… No wonder communications were cut.”

“It’s dangerous. Be careful, okay?”

“I will. Seems there are more Mains than we thought.”

Ruina crossed her arms.

“The world’s more rotten than we realized.”

Sion smiled faintly.

“You’re starting to sound like a priestess.”

“What? N-no!”

Flustered, she turned red.

Sion liked this side of her—sharp yet flustered.

If Ruina secured a key role in the church, it’d ease his mind.

Knowing this, she worked tirelessly—to impress Gustein, to lighten Sion’s burden.

“Just watch out for Mains. If you get hurt, I’ll kill you!”

“…Thanks. I’ll be careful.”

Mains, huh.

He recalled Baron Flandre from the Estert territory.

Garfenn had said he only won because the Baron had freshly consumed blood.

Older Mains were truly formidable, wielding magic with ease. A real nuisance.

‘I’ll fight carefully.’

He debated between two swords—one stolen from a slaver, the other a noble blade from Rebecca.

‘Better gear is safer.’

In the end, he took both. One could be sold in the city.

As he finished packing, he asked Ruina,

“Want anything on my way back?”

“Huh?”

“Anything you need?”

“Well…”

Combs, jewelry, pretty dresses, perfume—gifts flooded her thoughts. She wanted to look nice for him.

But she shook her head with a small smile.

“Nothing, really. But if you insist… Clothes for Set and Kaili? A size bigger. Snacks would be nice too.”

“They’re growing fast. Got it.”

Sion fastened his sword.

“I’ll be back. Look after them.”

“Yeah.”

Ruina reached out as he turned but stopped herself. Instead, she waved.

“Come back safe!”

“I will.”

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