Apostle of the Goddess of War

Ch.193 Apostle of the Goddess of War

The distance at which they thrust their swords was identical. The targeted spots were the same.

They precisely aimed their blades at places hard to react to.

It was the best countermeasure in a fleeting moment. Set watched and was amazed.

'Amazing! Incredible!'

It was mesmerizing to see Goddess Achille hold a sword, but Sion, who once again revealed himself as a master rivaling the Goddess of War, was also proud.

Set's chest grew hot. It was awe as a pure warrior.

'Will I ever… reach that realm someday?'

While a young man nurtured a dream, Achille and Sion, for whom all this was natural, quickly retrieved their swords.

"Sion. Why are you here?"

"And what brings you here, My Lady? I thought you left on a journey this way."

There was much to say to each other.

They wanted to hug out of joy.

But this was not the time. The surroundings were still an ominous gray.

It was not strange if a curse flew in from anywhere at any time. Rather, one must expect and guard against such things.

The two reunited at the boundary of death. The words exchanged were not warm.

"I came here chasing a purpose. I happened to discover repulsive Demonic Energy. I met a human called a Black Mage. He trapped me in a Domain and attacked."

"Black Mage. I see. I also came after hearing news that Demons were spotted at the northern Land's End."

"Personally?"

Achille also held doubts.

The question implied, 'Are you not the Emperor?' Sion awkwardly scratched his cheek.

He was getting scolded by a Goddess too. Being Emperor wasn't all good.

"Well… it turned out that way. It's been too long since I swung a sword."

"I think I know what you mean. I understand. It must have felt like your body was stiffening."

"As expected, My Lady! You're the only one who understands my heart."

"Haha. As expected of my apostle. Well, then. Shall we finish what we started?"

Achille's eyes sharpened. Sion did not miss Achille's appearance. It could be interpreted as a positive signal.

'Somehow she seems excited. Even though she met the threat called a human.'

Sion nodded quietly. Looking closely, it was similar to the reason he himself had jumped out of the throne.

Because it was Sion, he fully understood the Goddess.

'A born battle maniac.'

The Goddess of War and Sion were similar in many ways. From the aggressive aspect to the nature of seeking out battlefields.

That is why he became the Goddess of War's apostle.

"Haha!"

Sion burst into laughter. When Achille asked why, Sion just answered he was happy to be able to fight with the Goddess.

"It is an honor."

Achille also smiled faintly.

"Not a bad answer. It is an honor for me too."

Sion drew his sword again. He took a combat stance.

A glorious battlefield unfolded. It was an honor unmatched as an apostle.

"So, where is this guy called the Black Mage?"

Enjoy the joy of reunion later. There are mountains of things to say, and there will be plenty of time to share feelings.

Achille answered.

"A human. A skeleton appearance with skin and bones clinging together. He spews disgusting tentacles from his back. He uses ominous magic. He is the source of the Demonic Energy overflowing in the air. Sion, it would be easy for you to find."

"I see. I know what to do."

"Yes. Simple."

Sion and Achille spoke simultaneously.

"Let's smash him."

"Let's crush him."

***

"The Apostle of War indeed. He is surely reliable."

"I know. I've seen him fight a few times actually. He was like Achille in her prime."

"I think so too."

Goddesses followed behind Achille and Sion, whispering among themselves.

Effectively, they were in the position of lackeys. With the Apostle of War intervening, there would be no situation where they could be of great help.

'Even if a fight breaks out, there won't be time to be active.'

Originally, Achille and Sion were now bloodthirsty to dispose of the enemy.

They seemed to regard fighting a human without Divine power as some kind of amusement.

"They're betting on who will kill him first. Seriously."

"Like the Goddess of War and the Apostle of War."

"I really don't understand."

"No need to understand. They were born that way."

"Hmm."

Novilla spoke softly.

"Guys. Shh."

"Why? Novilla."

"Don't you feel something? Since a while ago."

"Huh?"

"Concentrate and feel."

Goddesses simultaneously closed their mouths. Novilla was not the type to talk nonsense. Mesilla might, but not her.

They even held their breath trying to find what Novilla said.

Soon, without needing to ask Novilla, everyone felt the same thing.

"It's Divine power."

"My goodness."

The direction was toward Achille.

Surrounded by Demonic Energy and very subtle so hard to detect, but there was definitely energy touching the skin and stirring the soul.

"It's been a while."

"True sustained Divine power that doesn't disappear in a second."

"I'm tearing up."

Goddesses' nose tips tingled.

They didn't know how long it had been since they felt such clear and brilliant energy. It felt like coming home, and their bodies became light naturally.

"Let's not say anything for now. Let Achille enjoy this situation purely."

"Alright."

"Authority is returning subconsciously."

Sirin inferred, and everyone quietly agreed.

It was a very important point. The Goddess was on the verge of regaining her status.

The key depended on whether Achille enjoyed it.

Whether it was fighting or war, pure violence or whatever.

"Achille's happiness. It must be a journey to find the real one. Whatever it is, let's just cheer her on."

"Haha, let's. That's all we can do."

***

Before long, the target Sion and Achille were looking for appeared.

It was a black nest. Like a large spider web placed on a gray sandy beach.

It was a house made by weaving black spider webs like a nest.

"I feel Demonic Energy from inside."

"Black Mage… It is there. Same presence."

Sion pulled the corners of his mouth to his cheekbones.

"It's been a while since I met a human. This shouldn't be, but I'm quite excited."

"Yes. You shouldn't say things like that."

However, Achille said that with the same face.

The joy of finding an enemy worth fighting and eliminating did not fade. Desire to crush finely and slice was full.

The Goddess of War becomes stronger when there is conflict.

Now that the war coming after a long peace ended, Achille had only decline left.

Thus, Achille sought amusement. A play that might be the last.

"Then."

"Shall we go?"

Anyway, for Achille or Sion, it is better if they become weaker and have no use for swords.

Personal amusement… is something to resolve separately. There are many healthy methods.

One step, two steps, continuing to advance carefully, suddenly the spider web tore.

Groooow—

A stench blew with the wind. Sion and Achille blocked their noses and mouths with their forearms.

The wind containing ash grew rough. From the front, the Black Mage stood wearing a cloak and pressing the hood deep. The cloak and hood were all woven from tentacles.

The appearance was like a grim reaper.

"That guy intends to settle it too."

"He would. Originally, he lured us here."

The Black Mage opened his mouth.

"Sion. The strongest human. Finally we meet."

"I didn't want to see you."

"If I kill you, it will truly be my world…."

Sion chuckled.

"You think you can kill me?"

"Of course."

The Black Mage laughed loudly. It was a loud laugh like thunder roaring loudly.

"A human without a single Divine power can do nothing against me no matter how much you struggle."

Clang!

Before the words ended, tentacles flew in. It was a tentacle full of Demonic Energy.

Crack!

Sion and Achille ran to both sides. The tentacle stuck into the ground, and that ground turned from gray to black.

"That would be dangerous if touched!"

"I know!"

Crackle crackle!

Cracks formed on the ground and collapsed in order.

The tentacles stuck in the ground stretched and rushed toward Sion and Achille.

Sion and Achille avoided the tentacles with agile movements.

Boom!

All sorts of things broke and split.

Goddesses watching the heaven and earth shattering by magic for the first time in a while and knights who followed couldn't come to their senses.

Staying far away to not get swept up in this fight was best.

The Black Mage sneered at the Goddess of War and Apostle running away.

"As expected, without Divine power you can't do anything, can you!"

The Black Mage raised both arms. As he stretched his hands toward the sky, black lightning began to strike from the sky.

Boom!

Crash!

Tentacles and black lightning rushed in mindlessly. Sion and Achille could only avoid.

There was no gap to advance and attack the Black Mage.

'Like a mage.'

It was not baseless confidence.

It showed he had held his breath waiting for this day.

'But.'

Sion and Achille reversed the atmosphere almost simultaneously.

At first, the tactic of weakening strength to grasp the opponent's full power and the timing to start a counterattack overlapped perfectly.

Top masters had something that communicated without words. It was a response coming from having the same nearly perfect strategy and method of calculating and distributing necessary stamina.

Flash!

Sion and Achille jumped out simultaneously.

This time it was forward.

"What!"

The Black Mage was flustered at the unseen rushing speed. He increased the amount of lightning and pulled out all tentacles stuck in the ground.

Crash crash—!

Crash crash crash!

There was absolutely no gap.

However, the Goddess of War and Apostle of War found every needle hole and slipped through them.

When tentacles wrapped around legs, they barely pulled feet out, and parried black lightning with blade edges.

"Unbelievable!"

It far transcended the art humans could produce.

"What about having no Divine power!"

Almost arrived. The Black Mage gritted his teeth and started shooting curse magic.

"Do not dare touch my apostle!"

A powerful curse flew in.

Achille threw her body and blocked in front of Sion.

Boom— Crackle!

She purely received the curse with swordsmanship and split it.

It was a feat that if the Black Mage had eyes, they would have surely popped out.

"My Lady!"

"Go forward! I will protect you!"

"Yes!"

"Huh?"

At that very moment.

Achille's hair stood on end bushily.

Sacred energy began to whirlwind from below her feet.

Sion trembled even while running out.

'Divine power….'

[It has returned!]

An auspicious voice echoing in the head.

Pure light sweeping away all idle thoughts, agonies, and debris stuck in the brain.

The power that all evil fears and causes convulsions.

Flare!

Flames ignited on Sion's blade.

Star flames containing the Milky Way shining in the black universe.

The Goddess of War's Divine power.

[Yes….]

Achille conveyed.

[You have recalled. My apostle.]

The Goddess of War, Achille's True Name held since she was originally born.

[I was not governing war. I only wished to protect someone.]

What Achille truly wished was none other than—

[My name is Achille….]

[I am the Goddess of Protection.]

Screeech!

The Apostle of Protection swung the sword.

The clear blade sound scattered in the air drove out all Demonic Energy.

Simultaneously, the area brightened.

Silver sword energy stretched in all directions and purified everything.

Bell sounds rang in the world.

Blessings descended upon the world.

The Goddess has returned.

Foolish humans who regained what they lost started praying again.