Apostle of the Goddess of War

Chapter 169

Ch.169 Apostle of the Goddess of War

The night sky tore apart.

As soon as Sion left the barracks, Goddess Achille lent him her power.

The newly engraved epic of feats on Sion's star permitted his flight.

Sion crossed the sky.

The clouds of the night sky heaved and split.

Boom— Boom!

The atmosphere in the air screamed as it tore.

Kegan watched the apostle disappearing into the distance and murmured lowly.

"I no longer know what to call the apostle."

Everyone outside looking at Sion thought the same.

Sion is human.

Even as an apostle of a Goddess, there was no human in history who could fly like that and directly kill Goddesses and Evil Gods.

Sion was.

A unique existence.

'I hope I'm not too late.'

Sion gritted his teeth.

In the distance, the lights of burning Foils faintly dyed the sky.

Ruina and Set's lives and deaths might be hanging in the balance there.

His mind went blank.

Before being the Apostle of the Church of War, he was an older brother.

He was family.

Behind him, Achille bit her lip and whispered.

[Do not be anxious, Sion. Goldina has confirmed their safety.]

It was welcome news. Sion asked back.

'Did the Goddess of Abundance check for us?'

[Yes. But it seems to be a dangerous situation.]

'……Understood.'

[First, go save Set. Ruina is being protected by the War Knights.]

'Yes.'

Sion's senses were already piercing through the night.

Pinpointing Set's location, he glided like a hawk folding its wings toward that spot.

***

Boom—!

Debris from collapsed buildings poured down. Stone walls crumbled, and flames shot up from within.

Set lifted a fallen War Knight covered in blood.

"Hold on! It's not over yet!"

"B-but we can't anymore…."

Set urged his subordinates whose will had broken. Before he knew it, Set had reached a position to lead a unit. Despite his young age, his skills and charisma were recognized.

"Buy us as much time as possible! Reinforcements are coming! Protect Foils! Do not give up! We are War Knights!"

Snap!

Set gritted his teeth and raised his sword.

They were already surrounded.

Knights bearing the emblem of the Imperial Army locked shields and slowly closed in.

There was no hesitation in their eyes.

Even though they were fellow citizens and believers worshipping the same Goddess, they treated them like fanatics of an Evil God.

An Imperial Knight shouted.

"Sweep away all remnants of the Church of War! Those who disobey orders shall be executed in the name of His Majesty the Emperor!"

"You crazy bastards…!"

Set spat out a curse.

He knew the Church of War was hated, but he never imagined the Imperial Army would launch a surprise attack to exterminate them.

The fact that they had invested considerable effort over a long period to infiltrate skilled agents was chilling.

"Attack!"

Clang-clang!

Battle erupted again. Fierce exchanges took place. The War Knights fought hard despite being at a disadvantage.

However, they could endure no longer. They were driven to a cliff's edge. There were hardly any knights left.

"Haa, haa."

The tip of his sword trembled.

His breathing was rough. There were already deep cuts on his shoulder, and cracks ran through his black armor.

The remaining soldiers behind him shouted.

"Sir Set! We can't hold on anymore! We will block them, so please escape!"

"I will fight until the end."

He would no longer flee leaving comrades behind. Set steeled his resolve. He prayed to overcome fear with faith.

"……The Goddess of War must be watching. And—"

Set smiled with blood-stained lips.

Above all, there was someone he believed in.

'If it's Brother Sion, surely—'

Just then.

The air cried out.

Boooom—!

The sky above the city flashed and tore open.

All eyes turned to the sky.

Between the burning clouds, a streak of black light was descending.

Like thunder, an explosion roared, and a single flash falling from the sky struck down.

Someone, as if possessed, spoke.

"……Is it a god?"

No.

That was not a god, but a human who kills gods.

Boom— Bang!

Thump—!

A black knight landed. Black energy coiled around him as if gathering. It seemed as if all killing intent in the area was being sucked into him. It was sheer overwhelming presence.

Swish!

Sion swung his arm.

Ka-boom!

A storm burst forth.

Centered on the spot where he landed, surrounding stones, corpses, flags, and flames were all pushed back.

The ranks of the Imperial Army collapsed like autumn leaves before the wind.

Sion's Divine Power transcended human limits.

His presence was extremely distinct.

His eyes glowed red, emitting a radiance that pierced everything.

As he took one step forward, the atmosphere shook violently.

"A-Apostle Sion…!"

Set called out, kneeling.

Sion did not answer.

He simply quietly stepped in front of Set.

As he moved, the air around him rippled black and red.

"This is a city protected by the Church of War."

His voice was cold.

"Attacking this place means rebelling against Goddess Achille."

Click.

A demonic sword was drawn.

At that moment, the rising flames were extinguished by the wind.

"Receive the whip."

Booooom—!

The Apostle of the Goddess of War swung his sword.

Black tendrils burst outward in all directions, sweeping through the ranks of the Imperial Army.

Armor melted away, and spear tips scattered into the void.

He had merely swung his sword, yet the elite forces of the Empire were rendered powerless. Having lost their weapons, they lost the will to fight.

Faced with an absurd gap, some soldiers even knelt on their own and begged for their lives.

Crackle, crackle.

All that remained was the burning golden city and the shadow of one man.

Sion slowly sheathed his sword and turned his head to Set.

"Set. Where is Ruina?"

"……She is safe. She is evacuating toward the port."

"Good."

Sion caught his breath and looked up at the sky.

Moonlight dyed red covered the city.

His cloak fluttered in the wind as he slowly soared into the air again.

"Set. Gather the remaining troops and protect the people. The number of enemies is not large. I will handle the rest."

"A-alright!"

Whoosh!

Sion shot up into the sky.

Set doubted his eyes, wondering if the Sion he saw after so long was really his brother. He rubbed his eyes and looked again, but he couldn't believe it.

Set murmured lowly.

"Did he just… fly?"

***

Whoosh!

Tap!

Sion landed at the port. People were dumbfounded by the sight of a fast-flying object approaching and landing.

They mistook it for the appearance of a monster they had never seen before. Caught in the unexpected assault and the raging flames of war, the merchants of Foils were busy grabbing their belongings and fleeing.

"B-brother?"

However, Ruina, who recognized Sion, quickly lowered her guard.

"Ruina. Are you hurt anywhere?"

Ruina immediately ran and embraced Sion. Though she pretended to be calm, she had indeed been frightened. Her stiff shoulders melted as soon as she saw Sion.

"I'm fine. What about you…?"

Ruina looked up at Sion while still hugging him. Sion's chest was wet.

"I'm fine too. I'm glad you aren't hurt anywhere."

Their reunion did not last long. Sion looked up at the sky and pushed Ruina back.

Thump-thump.

Sion's heart beat loudly. Others around also gasped involuntarily.

A terrifying presence, making the flames of war seem like nothing, began to descend upon Foils.

From across the sea, darkness that could cover even the night sky was rushing in.

[Sion.]

'Yes. It's a familiar presence.'

Rumble, rumble!

Lightning struck from beyond the sea. It was a spectacle where doom was automatically drawn in one's mind.

[It's a Domain. Magoth really intends to settle this once and for all.]

'A Domain? Large enough to cover the sea and the city?'

Achille swallowed saliva and nodded.

[Yes. The Domain of Darkness. An endless abyss. A terrifying one that can swallow even Eru's light….]

'To hear you say that much, I suppose I must be nervous?'

[My apostle knows how to be nervous too.]

'I am a coward.'

Achille chuckled.

[Then how have you fought until now?]

'With faith?'

[A lot. You've become quite a sly fox.]

Sion sheathed his demonic sword and took out his master's great black sword from his subspace.

Even in the boundless darkness, the great black sword sparkled.

'It feels like my master is watching over me.'

Courage welled up. It felt as if the wills of past Apostles of War gathered here, defying the ages.

[Magoth is trying to hold us here while other forces attack Elim.]

'Then….'

[We don't have much time.]

'It's headache-inducing with so many people around.'

[Do not worry about that.]

'Huh?'

Achille was brimming with confidence. She had her own strategy.

[Goldina!]

Achille called out loudly. As the Goddess governing the city of abundance, Goldina was nearby.

[I know you are listening! I heard you intend to come under my wing. Come and let's talk.]

Soon, the Golden Goddess appeared before Achille's throne. The Golden Goddess manifested in a realm Sion could not see.

The Goddess wearing a splendid dress was more glamorous than Eru and shone brighter than the Goddess of Purity.

But Goldina, who looked more noble than anyone, knelt before Achille without hesitation.

[I greet the next Supreme Goddess, the Goddess of War.]

Achille jumped up from her throne.

[H-hey!]

Goldina's behavior was too unexpected. She expected her to bow moderately, but not to crawl completely. Her survival skills were unparalleled.

[I am very late. Having much made my deliberations long. But now that I have chosen my path, you will have much to take from me, Achille.]

Achille smiled bitterly.

[Sister. Let's not do this? We weren't this kind of sisters, were we?]

[Personal emotions are not needed when dealing with gold, little sister.]

[Hmm….]

Achille scratched her cheek.

[I never thought in my life I would receive such treatment from you.]

[Neither did I. But what can be done? One must adapt quickly to change. The only thing that does not change is the value of gold. Gold wins.]

[You haven't changed. Still crazy about wealth.]

[Achille too, still strong and beautiful.]

Achille calmly regulated her breathing and spoke.

[As you know, Magoth is coming. And in a very angry state at that.]

[How may I help?]

[Send your apostle to Elim. Let them become combat power.]

[That is not difficult. In fact, they should have already arrived.]

Achille grinned.

They were sisters who communicated well regarding calculative matters. Since they moved only by the logic of money without scheming insidiously, trust came more easily.

[Good. And—]

[And?]

[Evacuate everyone from Foils. There is no need for them to be sacrificed to Magoth.]

[You mean spend gold.]

Achille stared coldly at Goldina.

[You must do this much. Consider it a token of loyalty. Also, hang about 500 bags of gold on my apostle.]

[……Very well. Instead, ensure my share is secured clearly after the war.]

Achille was disgusted. One should not talk too long with a sister crazy about money.

Because the end of every conversation flow eventually leads to money, money, money.

After the conversation ended, Goldina stood up.

[I offer one bag of gold per person.]

The Goddess of Abundance offered her accumulated wealth to make a wish.

Goldina chanted a spell and snapped her fingers.

Snap!

The next moment, not a single presence remained in Foils.

[Hmm. Now it is finally quiet.]

'It feels peaceful.'

Sion and the Goddess looked at the sky. It was as if the sky was covered with a black cloth.

Swoooosh.

Then, as if pressing a finger onto the black cloth, it gathered into a single point and began descending to the ground.

A bizarre spectacle unfolded beneath the sky of Foils.

Soon, the curtain of darkness settled right above Sion.

All senses were black.

The only thing visible was the sublime figure of Magoth manifesting as he tore through the tent.