Apostle of the Goddess of War

Ch.195 Apostle of the Goddess of War

Sion lay down and gazed at the night sky. Over the pitch-black curtain, stardust was scattered, making a path.

It was the first time he had appreciated such a beautiful night sky without any worries. Until now, he hadn't had the leisure to enjoy it fully.

'Beautiful.'

It was the color of the Goddess of War. The color held by the Goddess of Protection was silver mixed with night and the Milky Way, but personally, Sion thought the Goddess of War's color was a bit prettier.

"What are you thinking about so deeply?"

Set, who was lying beside him, asked. Tier was also lying quietly next to him.

It was natural for personnel to escort him when the Emperor went out.

Sion found this treatment quite uncomfortable, but it was unavoidable.

The maximum concession was accompanying the two who were the most comfortable for him.

"Set."

"Yes, Emperor Your Majesty."

Set raised his upper body and answered. Tier also raised his body along with him.

Sion looked at the two of them and sighed.

"I told you to treat me casually?"

Set shook his head repeatedly.

"You know well that I can't do that?"

"No, I know. I'm the Emperor so I can do as I please."

Set gritted his teeth. A hopeless Emperor. He still hoped to be treated like an older brother.

It wasn't bad, but it was unavoidably uncomfortable. There were social norms and perceptions Set grew up seeing. He wasn't a great person who could ignore them so casually.

"It's not just the two of us right now."

"Why? Is Tier uncomfortable? Tier!"

"Yes, Emperor Your Majesty!"

Sion grumbled.

"Are you uncomfortable with me too?"

"Yes."

"……Really?"

"There is a pressure that the word Emperor gives."

"Weren't we close friends?"

Sion asked with a sulky face. However, it was useless for Set and Tier who were already used to it.

"We didn't live closely enough for that. Yes. There wasn't really a chance to talk."

Sion was silent for a moment then opened his mouth.

"Right now, I'm looking back on the path I've lived."

"It's wonderful."

"It's the footprint of a hero."

"But why me?"

Set sighed deeply.

"Because you're too great. Basically a man who became a god, it's not that easy to treat you casually."

"Even though I'm your brother?"

"Because you were my brother! It's harder. It becomes awkward."

"I don't feel that way?"

"I do."

"……Okay. I understand."

Sion blinked. After gazing at the night sky, he turned and lay on his side.

His heart felt tattered. His head was malfunctioning too.

If he tried more, the wound seemed like it would grow bigger.

'Enough. Enough. What am I expecting, really.'

Emperor Sion's worries only grew. Upon rising to the absolute ruler called Emperor, there were too many things to lose.

He tried to take responsibility, but it didn't mean giving up everything.

Sion was still human so it was hard to accept this situation easily.

It was a newly born worry. Separate from being overwhelmed by work as Emperor… It was a very hard thing.

"Um, Emperor… no, Brother Sion."

Set called cautiously. Tier was also restless, looking only at Sion's back.

"Why."

Sion answered grumpily. He was angry at himself for feeling like a child.

"A-are you angry? Our words… so."

"It's okay. Set. I know what you mean."

"But!"

"I said it's okay really. It's hard to expect the same feeling as before."

"No. I did wrong. I drew the line too much—"

Whoosh!

Sion jumped up. He stood straight from the recoil of lying down.

"Enough. Let's spar."

"Huh? Suddenly?"

"Enemy surprise attacks don't distinguish day and night. They come when you're taking a dump, or bathing. They're vicious and persistent. Just like me."

"No, no!"

"Tier. You come out first."

"Um… Your Majesty?"

Thump, thump.

Sion turned his neck and spoke coldly. There was no compromise.

"His Majesty the Emperor says he wants to blow off some steam, got a problem with that?"

"H-haha."

"Save me. Brother."

"Too late."

***

Late at night, Sion entered the bedroom.

On the wide bed, his wife was fast asleep, and beside her, Sion's child had eyes closed like an angel.

The nanny would be on standby in the next room. Since the Empress must sleep enough at night, she would dispatch immediately if the child cried.

After confirming everyone was safe, Sion left the bedroom again.

Guards bowed their heads to Sion. This treatment was still unfamiliar.

It was uncomfortable even during the apostle era, so it would be a concern beyond words now that he became Emperor.

Sion walked without destination.

It wasn't a building worthy of being called an Imperial Palace yet. The short walk ended at the end of the corridor. It was merely at the level of a slightly large mansion for now.

The Imperial family and Palace they would move to were being built diligently.

Sion looked at the Imperial Palace not even half completed. He sat on the window frame and endlessly watched the city bathed in moonlight.

"Will you not enter the bedroom, Your Majesty?"

Someone spoke quietly. Sion knew who it was just by the footsteps without looking.

"You should sleep too, Bishop. I heard you haven't slept much lately."

"Bishop. What kind of title is that? I'm an Administrator now."

"To me, you're Bishop. Still."

Gustein sat in front of Sion. Both sat their buttocks on the window frame and looked outside.

"Will you have a drink?"

As expected, Gustein came holding alcohol. He couldn't sleep without alcohol. It was a nasty habit he had since first meeting in Elim.

"You told me not to drink for health before."

"Occasional drink is a tonic. Hehe."

Sion chuckled. It was something only old men who liked alcohol would say.

"Give it."

Sion received the bottle. Without separate cups, they drank one sip each and passed it around.

"Ugh. I still don't know the taste of alcohol. It's just bitter and strong."

"That's because you haven't lived life enough yet."

"I'm all grown up now too?"

"Hahahaha!"

Gustein laughed so loud the corridor shook. Several servants woke up.

"Your Majesty."

"Yes."

"If you have worries, you can confide in me at least."

"Really?"

"Yes. I'll be busy to death, but hearing one more worry of Emperor Your Majesty won't make things better or worse."

As always, Gustein grumbled. He was full of affection but not the honest type.

"I like that rough affection of yours, Bishop."

"If you say embarrassing things, I'll leave."

Gustein wiped his mouth and handed out the bottle. Sion also took the bottle, drank, then spoke again.

"I just feel a bit lonely these days."

"Hmm."

"My siblings call me Your Majesty and find me difficult. Even colleagues or comrades who were close are like that. It's not like before. I want to stay as I am…."

Gustein nodded saying he understood.

"The loneliness of the absolute ruler."

"Loneliness of the absolute ruler?"

"Goddesses or Emperors usually feel it. You must have felt it during the apostle era too. It's an emotion those who rule over others inevitably feel."

"Loneliness…. I am lonely, really."

Gustein smiled, dragging the corner of his mouth.

"Garfenn was like that too. Due to his nasty personality, it was loneliness in a different sense… anyway."

"I miss Master."

"Me too."

Both looked outside without anyone leading.

Moonlight warmly embraced the new Elim.

"It would have been really good if that guy lived to see this sight."

"It would have been very good."

Gustein poured the bottle into his mouth.

"The alcohol is all gone."

"Go sleep now. Administrator. You'll collapse."

"Dying while working is a good death."

"Don't drink anymore already."

"Hahaha. We'll live long and see. Hearing Your Majesty's well wishes too."

Gustein got down from the window frame. He looked at Sion blankly then said.

"It seems it would help to visit the Goddess."

"Probably, right?"

"She will understand Your Majesty more than anyone."

"I understand. Thank you for listening."

"Well, I was glad to have a drinking buddy."

"Administrator."

"Yes."

"Drink good alcohol. There's lots of expensive alcohol coming from various places."

Gustein only tore the corner of his mouth without answering.

Sion turned his head outside the window again.

Gustein quietly paid respect to the Emperor then left.

Sion was immersed in thought for a long time.

***

Next day, Sion greeted Ruina and the child as soon as the sun rose then left the castle.

Set and Tier, who were thoroughly educated by Sion, accompanied him, unable to regain their senses. They had to do their job as Royal Guards.

The place they arrived at was full of people.

"What are all these lines?"

Sion asked Set. Set answered immediately.

"It's a line to see the Goddess."

"Really? This many?"

"Yes. Touching the living Goddess's jade body in person is no ordinary honor."

"I see."

As Sion wondered curiously, Tier beside him intervened.

"There's a rumor among people that just seeing Goddess Achille's face heals painful places."

"Huh? Really?"

"Yes."

"Is it true?"

"……It shouldn't be likely, but you never know. The Goddess might secretly bestow blessings."

"True."

It's a world where Divine power has returned a little.

It shouldn't be difficult for a Goddess to heal patients.

'Plus, looking at such a long line, they must have prayed a lot, and Divine power will gradually fill up.'

Holy Knights who didn't neglect training and had thick faith could swing sword energy again.

Mages also found hope again, reorganized the alliance, and made the Magic Guild Alliance.

Sion found this distasteful, but he couldn't help it since he promised to guarantee freedom.

The world was still chaotic. They were experiencing the chaotic period just before a new era opened.

"Your Majesty? Where are you going?"

"I'll stand in line too."

"Huh? Your Majesty can just go right in."

"No."

"……"

Sion was uncompromising. He had no intention of enjoying any privileges. Only those assisting were tired. His stubbornness was no ordinary stubbornness.

Eventually, Set and Tier also had to stand in line for two hours.

"Who is this?"

As much as the waiting time was long, there was pleasure in audience with the Goddess.

"Goddess!"

"My Sion. Why are you meeting me standing in line? If you spoke, I would have made time."

Sion shook his head.

"Just. It's not that urgent."

"Haha. My Sion is truly an Emperor without privilege consciousness."

"You look like a fool."

Priestess Kaili, who was assisting the Goddess beside him, puffed her cheeks.

She was slightly angry that he didn't come to see her. Sion corrected saying it wasn't like that, but it was insufficient to soothe Kaili's young heart.

"Come visit later with flowers. Even without that, she's been complaining lately that we can't sleep in the same bedroom at the Imperial Palace."

"Well, that's… because the Goddess of Healing is receiving 100-day prayers…."

"That's not what's important?"

Achille smiled, finding Sion cute.

Sion closed his eyes tightly and bowed his head deeply.

"I'm still here. Your Majesty."

"I know. Empress. I'm sorry."

"Hmph."

"……Okay. Love fights later. My Sion. What business brought you to me? Meeting like this is fresh and welcome."

Achille smiled lightly.

It was an expression like looking at a son.

Sion thought he did well to come to Lady Achille and started confessing his worries.

"That is…."