Apostle of the Goddess of War

Chapter 171

Ch.171 Apostle of the Goddess of War

"How's the tea? And the cookies?"

"They're… delicious!"

Sion had been tasting the desserts Eru served for hours. He couldn't understand why they were having a tea party on a calm lake.

'She must have been that bored.'

Originally, she was such a chatty and frivolous Goddess. However, thinking of Eru, who must have always been lonely as an absolute ruler due to her innate nobility, he felt somehow pitiful.

"You can eat and eat here without getting full. Isn't it nice?"

"……It's paradise on earth."

"Aha-ha! What's with that expression? You don't look happy at all."

Sion swallowed a bit of tea with a choked throat and spoke with a gloomy face.

"I've eaten too much, so I'm getting a bit tired of it."

Eru hummed at Sion's words, then grinned.

"I was planning to prepare the main course now, though?"

"Huh?"

"I prepared warm stew and a whole roasted turkey. I'll grill the mushrooms until they're golden brown too."

Sion swallowed saliva. He was tired of only eating sweets, so perhaps eating something salty would be better.

"Umm. That sounds good…."

"Aha."

Eru burst out laughing. Wiping even her tears, she finally opened her mouth.

"You are indeed kind."

"Huh?"

"It's a joke. You aren't even hungry, so why would I prepare a feast? If you want, I can serve it."

"I'll pass, then."

Eru sat back down on the chair. She stared at Sion for a moment before speaking.

"You are the perfect apostle for Achille. I chose well."

Sion asked seriously.

"Why me?"

"That's the wrong question, Sion."

"Is it?"

"It should be, 'Why Achille?'"

"Hmm."

Sion scratched his head. He felt Eru's gentle gaze. He didn't get angry even at her method of answering a question with a question.

"Your power is special. You are unparalleled even among humans. But looking back at history, you weren't the only genius like yourself."

"Really? That might hurt my pride a bit."

"Well, there were only a handful, right? Maybe one every three hundred years?"

Sion silently gave a thumbs-up. Eru smiled pleasantly and continued.

"But even they could not become as strong as you are now. There was a limit. They were born human, and no matter how much divine power and favor they received from a Goddess, it was the same."

"So, the reason I became this way despite not being exceptionally special is because of Lady Achille?"

"That's right."

Silence flowed again. Sion watched Eru's reaction before opening his mouth.

"As expected—I still don't understand."

"Achille and you both possess outstanding talent in combat. Up to this point, there isn't much difference."

"Yes."

"But the important thing is that neither of you particularly likes fighting."

Sion tilted his head.

"I like fighting? When I meet a strong opponent, my blood boils."

"That's different from enjoying competitiveness and slaughter."

"……That's true."

"Usually, most people become drunk on their power once they possess great strength. With very high probability."

Sion began to gradually realize the true intent of Eru's words.

"A human who does not abuse their possessed power and possesses merciful, flawless goodwill. That is you, Sion."

"Goodwill."

"There has never been a genius in long history who knew how to use innate talent correctly."

"I understand."

Eru crossed her legs.

"The sword Achille was looking for is exactly that. An absolute powerhouse without malice. Only such a person will use the power where needed even after my extinction, end the war correctly without becoming drunk on power."

Sion smiled bitterly.

"What if I harbored other intentions?"

"That's impossible."

"Why?"

"It's the same now, isn't it? You, Sion, are good. Even though you could become the ruler of the world and reign if you set your mind to it, you do not think evil thoughts."

"You never know. I might change my mind after finishing this conversation."

Eru's rainbow-colored eyes sparkled as she stared piercingly at Sion.

"Will you?"

Eru asked with conviction.

Sion felt as if his soul was becoming transparent. It was a sensation where his heart was not just read but laid bare for others to see nakedly.

"……No."

"See?"

Eru smiled lightly. Sion could say nothing. Faced with such overwhelming conviction, he couldn't even attempt to deceive her.

It would have been a provocation where he wouldn't even break even.

"I know you well. You are a wise child who knows well that there is nothing to gain by attacking me with clumsy provocations."

"You really know me well."

"I do. How long have I waited? I looked into the future and expected only you, child."

Sion asked.

"Am I… meeting your expectations?"

"So far, there is nothing lacking."

"That's a relief."

"Now you must finish things well. As Achille's sword, you must manifest that child's power beyond its limits yet not lead the world to destruction."

Sion listened calmly to Eru's words. Eru continued speaking.

"Overwhelming power that can destroy the world is, conversely, also power that can maintain the world's peace."

"That's difficult."

"It instills irresistible fear in Evil Gods, Goddesses, and humans alike."

Sion slightly scratched his cheek.

"You mean I should become an object of fear to suppress strife?"

"That's right. It's not always the correct answer, but it is the best option. Unless you sweep everything away completely."

Sion nodded. Eru's purpose was Achille's dream. For that, she waited for Sion for a long time and arranged everything.

Eru turned her head away from Sion and gazed at the lake. Pretty carp swam beneath the calm water.

"I… failed."

"No, you didn't."

"My rule apparently wasn't that good."

"Everyone misses the Goddess of Light."

"That is grateful to hear, but, hmm, in my opinion, it isn't so."

It was the anguish of an absolute ruler. Sion could not understand it. He silently closed his mouth.

"But I hope the world that you and Achille build the foundation for, and that future humans will inherit, will be even a little better."

"……What should I do now?"

Eru rested her chin on her hand.

"You must stop Magoth and make Serine come to her senses."

"Is that possible?"

"I will stop Magoth. As for Serine… I leave it to you."

Eru shook her head. Serine was undoubtedly Eru's failure. She was clearly a thorn in her throat and a painful finger.

"What exactly is the problem with Lady Serine?"

Eru spoke with a lonely smile.

"The Goddesses are my sisters and younger siblings, but I controlled and used them arbitrarily. At times, I erased their existence and recombined them."

"……"

"It is a side effect born from my arrogance and desire for control. Becoming obsessed with power and meddling with various things, broken toys were created."

Sion slowly closed his eyes. Lost in thought, he pondered Eru's story.

"Somehow, I became unable to touch that child. It's hard to explain, though."

"Then—"

"I cannot lay a hand on her. That is why I decided on my extinction and left the aftermath to you and Achille."

If he wasn't flustered, it would be a lie. Sion's heart ached at the flaws Eru confessed.

Realizing that even the omnipotent Eru was not perfect, he even felt powerless.

If even a Goddess has flaws, what are humans striving, struggling, and suffering to become perfect for?

As if knowing Sion's heart, Eru advised with a clear voice.

"There are things that are beautiful because they are imperfect. Humans, Goddesses… and the world too."

"If everything were perfect, it might be boring, I suppose."

"Right? It would be full of dull daily life without any twists and turns."

"That might be so. But I still dislike pain."

Eru stroked Sion's cheek. It felt like warm spring sunlight touching his cheek.

"So—create a world that isn't perfect, but is free from pain."

"That's too difficult. And boring. I'm not even a Goddess."

"Grieving and suffering over the world you will create in the future is also the beauty possessed by humans."

Sion did not agree but decided to concede. He nodded readily, stood up, and said,

"It's about time I go. I've heard all I need to hear."

"Is that so?"

"I don't fully comprehend everything, but how could I possibly know the Supreme Goddess's thoughts?"

"That is true. Shall I send you off?"

"Yes."

Sion steeled his resolve. Swallowing, he captured the image of the most beautiful and good Goddess in his eyes one last time.

"Send my regards. To everyone. And, forgive and understand them. They are all children who went astray due to my mistakes."

"If you're going to do that, stay and clean up the mess yourself."

Sion grumbled. Eru just smiled silently.

"I'm saying this because if I faced them directly and said this, I'd get slapped. That's the reason I invited you here."

Sion nodded and laughed. He thought he understood what she meant.

Contrary to her image, Eru is a Goddess with many sins and full of mistakes. That is why she is afraid. Of being scolded, asking for forgiveness, and causing pain.

"Then, goodbye."

"Farewell, Sion."

***

Vroooom!

Sion's pupils rippled. A faint blue light circulated within them. His sanity returned.

Simultaneously, the darkness cleared.

Beams of light poured down from above his head.

Light returned to the world filled with darkness.

It wasn't temporary power. Literally, the existence called 'light' had returned to the world.

Magoth also flinched momentarily. The Evil God of Darkness parted his lips.

[What? No way. This feeling is…?]

Splash!

Magoth's arm was cut off. Sion's Corruption Sword sliced off the arm gripping his heart.

However, Magoth's arm regenerated quickly. The important thing wasn't that Sion revived from endless death.

An unbreakable soul and heart were natural for an Apostle of War, and the Goddess of War must have mobilized all means to revive him.

The problem was….

[Eru. Answer me. Eru!]

The point that the presence of the Goddess of Light could be felt within Sion's soul.

Magoth was greatly agitated. The shadows rushing toward Sion froze in place, turning to stone.

Even Magoth, who had released all power, returned to his former beautiful Evil God form.

[Eru! Is it you? Are you alive inside there?!]

Magoth grabbed Sion's shoulder and pressed him. Now, the fight dropped in priority.

Obsession and longing for Eru stopped Magoth's rampage.

"Hmm."

Magoth felt Sion's gaze. They faced each other from a slightly separated distance.

Magoth glared at Sion with a cold face. His eyes were chillingly cold, as if demanding, 'Show me Eru, not you.'

Sion shook his head a few times to regain his senses before speaking.

"Wow, I really thought I was going to die."

"……?"

Stomp.

Sion took one step forward. An aura of light burst forth. Magoth gasped involuntarily.

"Evil God of Darkness. First, I must convey my thanks."

"What?"

Sion's gaze turned cold.

"Thanks to you, I experienced death. Not metaphorically, I truly died."

"Death is humanity's oldest friend. Is it something to get that angry about?"

"I just felt bad. The fact that I came back to life instead of experiencing death and extinguishing forever was just—"

Magoth cut off Sion's words.

"Stop the long speech. I didn't come here with the intention of conversing with you."

"Then why did you come?"

"To complete my karma. To finish you and Achille, and to revive Eru by using you as a sacrifice."

Sion nodded, then shook his head and curled the corner of his mouth.

"That plan sounds plausible, but it will be useless."

"What do you mean?"

"I experienced death, and saw what lies beyond it."

"……Beyond death?"

"Yes. The end of the world, or perhaps the next world that exists afterward."

Magoth frowned with his fine brow.

Disliking to hear more, he slowly raised his hand.

"If you continue with word games…"

"I met Lady Eru there."

Magoth's hand lost its direction. His pupils shook greatly as well.

"What?"

"A message from Lady Eru. Do you want to hear it? Or not?"

"W-what are you saying?"

"You don't want to?"

Magoth bit his lip. Black blood trickled from his black lips. It felt as if a lump of lead was placed on his chest.

Magoth dropped his head powerlessly.

"I'll… listen…."