Apostle of the Goddess of War

Chapter 4

Ch.4 Apostle of the Goddess of War

Spoils are the rightful claim of the victor.  

Sion perfectly understood the War Cult’s doctrine after hearing it just once – that taking possessions from those you’ve defeated in battle isn’t theft but a legitimate act.  

‘He’s even more ruthless and cold-blooded than I was.’  

[Compared to Sion, even my Great Warrior who was called the Devil of the Battlefield seems like an angel.]  

The goddess crossed her arms in satisfaction.  

[What a remarkable child. Garfenn, we must raise him with even greater care.]  

‘With your help, Goddess.’  

[Of course. I haven’t felt this motivated in ages. I almost want to start a war with Sion leading the charge.]  

Soon after, Sion returned. When Garfenn squinted to look, he saw Sion’s hands full of various items.  

Pretending not to know, Garfenn asked:  

“What’s all that?”  

Sion hesitated as he set the items down.  

“…These are…”  

“You can be honest with me.”  

“I legitimately defeated some bandits and took these spoils. Repaying my debt will require money, so I thought I could sell these to raise capital for business.”  

Garfenn remained silent. Sion, checking his reaction, asked cautiously:  

“Sh-should I put them back?”  

Garfenn shook his head in admiration.  

“Well I’ll be damned. Where did such a remarkable boy come from?”  

Only then did Sion relax. So confiscating wicked men’s belongings was actually virtuous!  

“Follow me, Sion.”  

“Yes.”  

Garfenn stood and headed toward the reed thicket where Sion’s massacre remained undisturbed.  

‘Utterly merciless.’  

Garfenn knelt beside one corpse and extended his hand toward Sion who had followed.  

“Give me the weapon you killed them with.”  

Sion handed over the dagger. After just a few uses, its edge was already chipped and dull.  

“Sion. Watch closely.”  

Thunk. Garfenn plunged Sion’s dagger into the corpse.  

Then he closed his eyes and murmured softly. To Sion, it sounded like a prayer.  

Suddenly, something miraculous occurred.  

The spilled blood reversed its flow, seeping into the dagger.  

“Whoa—”  

The roughly used, damaged dagger was restored to like-new condition. In fact, it became sharper and more refined than before.  

“How did that happen?”  

Unable to contain his curiosity at the wondrous phenomenon, Sion asked.  

“It’s one of the few remaining blessings from the Goddess of War.”  

“Blessings?”  

“Yes. We offer the blood spilled in battle as sacrifice.”  

“So you can repair weapons this way?”  

“When the goddess’s power was stronger, she could even heal wounds.”  

Though currently unavailable due to the War Cult’s weakened state, this blessing had saved Garfenn’s life many times in the past.  

“There are other divine gifts too. Though now with her weakened state, I’ve received few of them.”  

[Garfenn?]  

“Ahem.”  

Garfenn cleared his throat and ignored the goddess’s interjection.  

“But the truly important thing is different.”  

“What is it?”  

“The blood we offer as apostles accumulates in the goddess’s garden where we go after death. The more sacrifices we make in life, the greater our rewards in her garden.”  

In short, being the goddess’s apostle wasn’t unpaid labor.  

“Endure hardship in life, enjoy peace and rest in death.”  

“Is…is that really true?”  

Sion swallowed unusually hard.  

“Of course.”  

“Wow… Then you must have quite the fortune, Master?”  

Garfenn puffed up his chest proudly.  

“Enough to buy a small kingdom, perhaps.”  

“I’ll build an empire then.”  

“Terrifying child.”  

“Huh?”  

Garfenn chuckled but soon returned to a solemn, even bitter expression.  

“The most important thing… is that souls can be saved.”  

“Souls?”  

“The goddess can redeem the souls of our loved ones. To dwell eternally in her garden.”  

S-so then… Sion’s lips trembled slightly.  

“Could I see my family again?”  

“If you strive hard as the goddess’s apostle.”  

“And my siblings could come too?”  

“You’d need to offer many sacrifices.”  

Sion clenched his fists tightly.  

He’d found his driving motivation to push himself mercilessly.  

Even if it meant being broken, cut down, or collapsing.  

He now had a purpose to devote himself completely.  

“Teach me.”  

“The method?”  

“Yes. The prayers.”  

Garfenn returned the dagger while explaining:  

“The War Cult has no set prayer texts.”  

“Really?”  

“Improvise. If the goddess likes it, she’ll accept it.”  

Sion’s mind went blank.  

How could he recite prayers that would move the heart of a goddess he didn’t even believe in?  

Grasping the dagger, Sion said bluntly:  

“The War Cult seems too lax about everything.”  

“Heh heh, you’ll become the same in time.”  

Sion swallowed the rude remark – no wonder you have no followers.  

Instead, as he entered the reed thicket, he began pondering what words might earn favor.  

‘How ambitious.’  

[How wicked, Garfenn.]  

‘What do you mean?’  

[You omitted that building an empire in my garden would require enough blood to populate an empire.]  

‘He’s too young for that knowledge yet.’  

[You’re right. Ah, Sion is praying.]  

‘What’s he saying?’  

The goddess stifled a laugh before answering:  

[He’s asking if it tastes good.]  

‘What a terrifying mind.’  

[How adorable, simply adorable.]  

***

At dawn, Garfenn set the wagon in motion.  

Sion’s siblings rested in the cargo area while Sion learned to handle the reins beside Garfenn.  

“Do you know anything about the goddesses?”  

Garfenn asked suddenly.  

He planned to gradually teach about the War Cult. Unlike other faiths with scriptures and doctrines, theirs relied solely on oral tradition.  

“The Goddess of War?”  

“Any goddess. Just share whatever you know.”  

Sion searched his memories, recalling his mother polishing a wooden idol in his early childhood.  

“When I was little, we worshipped the Goddess of Fire.”  

Garfenn started at this unexpected answer.  

“You little heretic. Were you a firestarter?”  

“Firestarter?”  

“That’s what we call the savages who worship the Fire Goddess.”  

“My mother prayed to a wooden idol every day, so I followed along.”  

Garfenn stiffened, his face paling.  

“…Well, fire is essential for households. And she’s the second most popular goddess after Light. Hmm, nothing strange about that.”  

“Yes.”  

“You should’ve mentioned being raised in that faith. At least you understand the concept of goddesses?”  

Sion nodded that he had a general understanding.  

“There are many goddesses, with the Goddess of Light as the chief deity. The eight most worshipped hold seats at the Round Table. The Fire Goddess is among them.”  

“What about the Goddess of War?”  

“She once held the highest seat, though not anymore…”  

Not anymore?  

Sion looked puzzled.  

The goddess secretly expressed hurt:  

[My child. Must you reveal even that? This goddess feels slighted.]  

‘He needs to understand our current situation to prepare properly.’  

[Slighted, so slighted…]  

‘…My apologies, Goddess.’  

[What authority does a weakened goddess’s words hold? Very well, very well…]  

The goddess fell silent again.  

Garfenn, feeling like he sat on pins and needles, continued:  

“Due to various circumstances, the War Cult’s influence has greatly weakened. A goddess’s status and power grow with her followers, but ignorant humans misunderstand and reject the Goddess of War.”  

“People die in wars – isn’t it natural they’d dislike her?”  

Sion spoke this hard truth with a smile.  

Goddess Achille burst into tears on the spot.  

Sion was pure evil, sparing neither man nor goddess.  

“That’s the misunderstanding, Sion. The goddess doesn’t desire war.”  

“She doesn’t?”  

“…She’s practically a pacifist. You’ll understand in time.”  

Sion wanted to ask if Garfenn just couldn’t refute this, but firmly believed there must be deeper meaning beyond his current understanding.  

After half a day’s travel, they reached a small city with no bandits in sight. Guards kept sharp watch on the walls and gates.  

A stern-faced guard approached Garfenn with outstretched hand.  

“Show me your identification.”  

Garfenn rolled up his sleeve to reveal his wrist. Sion glimpsed it too.  

‘A scar?’  

An oddly shaped scar marked Garfenn’s wrist. The guards exchanged startled looks – definitely not welcoming expressions.  

Garfenn shrugged nonchalantly.  

“Give me a moment.”  

“Take your time.”  

The guard summoned his superior, who regarded Garfern with clear displeasure.  

“This city serves the Goddess of Wisdom. What business does the Apostle of the Goddess of War have here? Unless…”  

The captain trailed off uncomfortably.  

Garfenn waved dismissively.  

“No intention of starting fights. Just passing through for lodging.”  

“…Very well.”  

At the captain’s nod, guards cleared the way.  

“I’ll inform the lord. Quarters will be arranged.”  

“Grateful for your hospitality. May I tour the city first? Some shopping to do.”  

“…If you cause no trouble. Very well.”  

As their wagon passed through the gates, Sion cautiously asked:  

“They seemed reluctant toward you.”  

“Your observation is correct.”  

“You’re a goddess’s apostle! How rude.”  

“Shall I kill them?”  

“Should we?”  

Garfenn restrained Sion, who seemed fully serious. Jokes required caution around this boy.  

“I jest.”  

“Oh. A joke…”  

Sion studied the guards’ unfriendly gazes and asked:  

“But why such dislike?”  

“Recall what the captain asked – why had I come?”  

“Yes.”  

“There’s a misconception that wherever War’s apostles go, conflict follows. That we’re warmongers causing trouble.”  

“A misconception?”  

Garfenn stated firmly:  

“A complete misunderstanding. More accurately, we go where conflicts are brewing.”  

“Eh? Then…”  

“Correct. This city will soon see trouble. That’s why the goddess sent me.”  

“To prevent fighting?”  

“Yes. To minimize casualties. Saving lives and spreading true knowledge of the Goddess of War to gain followers is an apostle’s primary duty.”  

Sion’s lips parted in realization as he nodded blankly.  

“She really is a pacifist.”  

“Ignorant people confuse cause and effect, spreading false rumors. My fearsome appearance doesn’t help matters.”  

“Don’t worry. I’ll correct these misunderstandings now.”  

“You never miss a chance, do you?”  

“…Can’t I ask the goddess to fix your face too when we reach her garden?”  

“You… truly…”  

“Huh?”  

Garfenn shook his head helplessly. What was the point arguing with a child? Sion’s pure malice just left him speechless.  

Pulling his hood low in the town square, Garfenn muttered:  

“I…I’m starting to like the Goddess of War a bit more.”  

“Oh?”  

“She does good deeds, right? Doesn’t even complain when wronged. Almost foolishly so.”  

Hearing this, the goddess shuddered. Noticing her reaction, Garfenn added:  

“You believe in her.”  

“Even if it’s false, you’re my life’s benefactor. I’ll bloody my hands if needed.”  

“This kid…”  

Neither Garfenn nor the goddess could bring themselves to dislike Sion.  

Garfenn parked the wagon and pointed toward the market.  

“I’ll wait here. Sell the goods and sharpen your weapons. Ah, buy treats for the children too.”  

“Don’t you need anything, Master?”  

“Just give me any leftover coins.”  

“…”  

“I jest.”  

Sion’s briefly darkened expression lifted.  

“I’ll return soon.”

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