Apostle of the Goddess of War

Ch.196 Apostle of the Goddess of War

Consulting worries or making confessions while seeing a very beautiful Goddess in person was a special feature of the New Empire.

It was to the level of enchanting believers with beauty alone. Not all believers standing in line came for faith.

Achille nodded while lightly touching her slender fingers to her lips.

"I see. So it turned out like that."

"Yes. So my head hurts a lot these days."

Briefly and clearly, but with content never light, Sion conveyed his worries.

The Goddess also listened properly to Sion's worries not as Emperor or Apostle, but as one believer.

Looking outside, there were not just one or two lines of people. At least dozens of lines were connected everywhere.

Like the Goddess Religion, you can meet several Goddesses in one building, but this happened because each preferred Goddess was different.

Watching this, Sion thought separating the church later was inevitable. Perhaps there would be a future where each Goddess becomes independent again.

However, now is not the time.

If religion splits again in this chaotic period, confusion will grow. Even if it's messy, being tied up now is the best option.

Sion waited for the Goddess's answer while sitting awkwardly. Meanwhile, he exchanged glances several times with Kaili working as a Priestess.

'Thinking again, it's unbelievable. To think I would take Kaili as a wife too….'

Having a husband while being a Priestess was a custom hard to accept in many ways. Social perception wasn't very good either.

Sion built a new nation, and taking advantage of the gap where Elim's laws weren't equipped yet, he did it. The ceremony was done by Kaili and assisted by Ruina.

Since Ruina pushed his back too, even the Emperor couldn't help it.

Every day as Emperor was eventful. He was exhausted without missing a day.

'Really. I miss the days of hunting demons.'

Sion missed old times. The time when he was active as the Goddess of War's Apostle.

"Sion."

Achille called Sion as if finishing organizing thoughts. Sion straightened his waist again and pricked up his ears.

"The loneliness of the absolute ruler cannot be resolved no matter what you do."

"Hmm… Is that so? Well, you would know best."

"Well similar. I also lived as a strong person for a long period, and experienced much envy and jealousy."

"You suffered because of that too."

Achille smiled as if swallowing bitter medicine.

"It's all past. Anyway, the advice I want to give is simple."

"I will listen."

"Accept it. Adapt and conform. Your environment has fundamentally changed."

Sion bit his lip.

'As expected, it can't be helped.'

If not regretful, that would be a lie. But today, he couldn't hide emotions properly.

"I see."

"Sion. My child."

"Yes, Goddess."

"It would be sad. You'd fear change, and wish a future of being alone didn't come."

"That's right."

Achille was cold like the sword she wielded.

"But this Goddess also hasn't found a method for this worry. It's agony and loneliness."

"That's right."

Achille patted Sion's shoulder and comforted him. She looked at Sion with a benevolent smile.

"Time is medicine. Time always gives us answers, and like a panacea, it heals all diseases."

"Those words are also correct."

Achille met eyes with Kaili then laughed.

"I will give advice that will help temporarily."

"Huh? What."

"Go on a journey."

"Jour… ney?"

"Yes. It means go and rest. Leaving everything aside, right now you are too tired. You worked as Emperor even after finishing work as Apostle."

"Ah."

"It's understandable to be tired. Your mental power and body must be in bad condition."

Sion nodded vigorously.

There would be no better consultation anywhere than this.

"Thank you. That would be good."

"Gustein, that child will need an excuse to persuade too."

"I will handle that—"

"No. It will be needed. Ruina must understand too… and you must get permission from Kaili."

"Ah."

Sion looked at Kaili. Her expression couldn't be said to be good.

Sion opened his mouth smiling awkwardly.

"Okay?"

"……I heard all the circumstances, what do you want me to do? Go. I was dying of pity for you anyway. Rest fully and recover."

"Hmm."

It wasn't a refreshing answer. Sion's heart was like that.

"Sion."

"Yes, Goddess."

"Goddess of Protection's Apostle. Find and bring a candidate."

"Apostle, candidate?"

"Yes. Now you became Emperor, so isn't the Goddess of Protection's Apostle position empty?"

"True. That's right."

Sion laughed. There was no better excuse than this.

'No, this isn't even an excuse. It's my truly needed mission.'

Achille winked at Sion.

For this reason, he doesn't have to feel guilty leaving.

"However. The limit is three months. If you can't find during that time, come back for now. Finding Apostle talent won't be easy. Plus, the second child is almost here too, right?"

Achille stroked Kaili's cheek. Kaili said it was okay with a red face, but she was absolutely not that kind of person.

She was a child who wanted Sion more than anyone and disliked being apart even a little.

"I understand. If it doesn't work, I will come back immediately."

Achille blinked. The Goddess's consultation ended here. Fairly, one person shouldn't take too much time.

Sion bowed his waist to the Goddess before coming out.

Achille urgently gestured and called Sion. Sion ran thinking something was up, the Goddess said.

"You won't give an offering?"

"Huh?"

"I consulted for you."

"Ah."

"There are no exceptions. It's the doctrine of the new Goddess Religion."

Sion was blank for a moment then looked for Set.

"Did you call? Your Majesty."

"Got money?"

"Yes…?"

***

The next morning, the Imperial Palace courtyard was unusually busy.

Partly because construction was in progress, but today a particularly special event happened.

People's footsteps didn't stop even though it wasn't the Emperor's departure or hunting preparation.

Boxes and bags, map cases came and went, knights and servants moved busily holding lists. The person standing in the center was none other than the Emperor, Sion.

Emperor Sion was wearing a travel coat instead of ceremonial clothes usually worn. It was simple clothing worn during the Apostle era long ago, not a uniform with an Imperial emblem engraved.

Clothes where color and decoration weren't noticeable, but Sion liked that rather.

'It really feels like part of my skin. Just right.'

Sion was smiling so Ruina approached and asked.

"Isn't there too much luggage?"

Garfenia was held in the nanny's arms and smiling brightly. Sion smiled widely at the child then answered.

"I'm expecting about three months. This much is the minimum."

As Sion muttered while lifting one box, Set standing beside reacted immediately. Because Sion gave a cue to take his side.

"It's not much. It's insufficient. Empress."

Ruina glanced at the annoying younger brother knowing Set's intention.

"You're going to find Apostle candidate, not go peddling."

"Haha."

"Do you really have to go? Especially at such a busy time?"

Ruina looked like she didn't like it at all. Garfenia was still a baby.

It was a time dad should be around. Yet he insisted on wandering outside, as a wife it was exasperating.

At Ruina's words, Set closed his mouth. Just for this moment, he must watch the Empress's mood more.

Sion also sighed small as if giving up everything and closed the box lid again.

"It's literally that. Goddess Religion was established, and the Apostle post is vacant. There are other Goddesses' Apostles but it won't do without the Supreme Goddess's Apostle, right?"

"That is…."

Ruina also couldn't think of words to refute anymore.

Sion was Achille's Apostle before being Emperor, father.

He hadn't completed his last mission as Apostle yet.

Finding a successor.

This much he had to step forward himself. Originally it would be a matter tens of years later, but since Sion became Emperor, it was a critical matter hard to delay anymore.

"Alright. Hoo. It can't be helped."

"Thank you for understanding."

"Instead, you must come back soon? Even for our Garfenia."

"Of course."

"Also, even for Kaili."

Sion nodded. This time with an infinitely serious face.

He was skilled at grasping the atmosphere. It was the 7th sense developed to survive as two women's husband.

At the edge of the courtyard, the knight order was waiting, but Sion refused accompanying personnel.

He insisted on going alone unconditionally.

He also refused guard forces following secretly. Actually, the word 'guard' attached to Sion itself is a funny story.

Who is protecting whom?

"Set. I know what you're thinking but. I said clearly."

"……Really can't? This is my neglect of duty."

"Emperor says it's okay."

"Still—"

"End of talk. This journey is going as Apostle of Protection Sion, not Emperor Sion. Have you ever seen an Apostle with guards?"

Set didn't speak more.

Just for this time, there was no sign of breaking the Emperor's stubbornness. Compromise was a word not in Sion's head.

"I'll be back soon."

"You're the Apostle of Protection, will it be easy to find such talent?"

"It will be hard to find, but still, my intuition is good."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

Sion was firm. There was no more conversation.

Sion, who finished packing luggage, lifted his head and looked at the sky. It was clear weather. Wind was calm, it was a morning perfect for departure.

Ruina opened her mouth.

Her expression was more honest than any time. Eyes mixed with worry and regret.

"Always say words. You know?"

Sion smiled brightly.

"Take care of your body. I'll be back."

"Yeah. Absolutely."

"Don't worry. There are no threat elements now. No Evil Gods, no demons, no Demonic Energy world."

"That's right…."

Ruina organized as if grabbing Sion's collar and spoke lowly.

"Don't overdo it. Don't get hurt either. Now you're not alone."

"I know."

Sion hesitated for a moment then grabbed Ruina's hand. He had grabbed hands countless times on the battlefield, but this careful moment was rare.

"I leave the Palace to you."

"That's my role."

Ruina smiled. She was a strong woman, and a person sufficiently prepared as Empress too. So more trust went.

Following that, Kaili appeared. She was equipped with Priestess clothes, but for today only, it was simple clothes not for ceremony.

"Packed luggage?"

"Yeah."

"As expected, fast. You wanted to run away from home?"

"Haha."

Kaili stood in front of Sion then looked at him silently for a moment. Usually, nagging would come out first, but today was different.

"……Be careful."

"Yeah."

"Really."

Too many emotions were contained in that one word, Sion laughed unnecessarily.

"When you come back, focus only on me now."

"Don't say things like that here. It's embarrassing."

"I'm saying it beforehand so you can't run away."

Kaili said so but didn't let go of the hand. Sion grabbed that hand tightly.

"I promise. I'll come back within the limit."

"Keep the promise."

Kaili kissed Sion's forehead briefly for the last time and stepped back. As a Priestess, as a wife, it was her own resolution.

Preparations were almost finished.

Sion looked around the Imperial Palace for the last time. The empire he built, the place he must protect.

Until just a while ago, all this felt like a dream that wouldn't come true, but now it was reality.

'It will be okay.'

During the days fighting as Goddess of War's Apostle, Sion always moved forward only.

There was no leisure to look back, no reason to stop. But now that he became Emperor, it was different. He had to learn how to stop too.

Looking back, leaving it to reliable people, leisure was born.

It was the fruit Sion achieved and harvested. Just seeing and feeling all this, Sion smiled refreshingly.

"Your Majesty, departure preparation complete."

At the knight's report, Sion nodded.

"Good."

Sion mounted on the horse and raised his hand for the last time greeting. It was a short farewell to Ruina and Kaili, Set and knights, and this empire.

The castle gate opened, and the Emperor's small procession started moving slowly.

Emperor Sion rose on the road again calmly.

To put a period as Apostle.