The 31st Piece Turns the Tables - Chapter 134
Episode 134:
The Black Pilgrims appeared four months after the selection of the final ascetic in the Labyrinth of Asceticism.
Gloomy figures with T-shaped tattoos on their eyes entered the room.
– (ㅜㅜ) A rough look at the black pilgrims
– They look exactly alike haha
– Why do they look so unfair haha
Kang Seol looked at the person who was at the front among them.
The woman who introduced herself as Chameli seemed to be the leader leading them.
She was a woman with excessive tattoos, but it seemed like she would look neater if they were removed.
And in the most remote spot, Kang Bo-seok, who had been severely beaten by Kang Seol, was standing on his feet.
“may I come in?”
“Ah, there is only one chair for guests here….”
What Kang Seol said meant that there was no way to provide seating for so many people.
Chameli looked tearfully at the people standing behind him.
One of the pilgrims standing behind said.
“It’s okay for us to stand.”
“But…”
“You don’t have to worry about these things.”
Chameli couldn’t help but nod.
She sat down on the guest chair and Kang Seol sat across from her.
“I’m sorry to greet you like this. Let me introduce ourselves once again. We are the Black Pilgrims. “My name is Chameli, the bishop of Nevenia in the Holy Kingdom of Baranoa, and the person in charge of them.”
Bishop of Nevenia Diocese.
Kang Seol sensed that the woman was an unusual person from the jewelry she was wearing and the elegance she implicitly felt.
‘He’s the head of the Diocese of Nevenia….’
Even considering that Nevenia was not a very large country, the position of the head of the diocese was quite high-ranking. At least he was the one responsible for the believers living in a land area the size of a kingdom.
‘But why is a man like the parish priest wasting his time here?’
There was a high probability that that woman was among the pilgrims who were observing the situation when she confronted Kang Bo-seok four months ago.
What Kangseol was curious about was what the local parish priest was trying to do here for four months.
Chameli, who must have guessed Kang Seol’s question, bowed his head to Kang Seol.
“Bishop.”
“Not like this…”
The believers standing behind exhaled in bewilderment.
However, there was no significant restraint on Chameli’s actions. She was literally majestic.
“Why are you lowering your head?”
Kang Seol, who received a greeting from the top of his head, felt suspicious and asked.
Chameli answered calmly.
“I would like to ask for your forgiveness here for testing you.”
“… test?”
When the word “test” came out, Kang Seol immediately realized Chameli’s intentions.
‘Could it be that Kang Bo-seok started to select the final ascetic at that time?’
In the first place, it didn’t make sense for the black pilgrims to be interested in the labyrinth. Even at the time, it was questionable as to why they, who were supported by Baranoa, a wealthy nation, had entered the labyrinth that adventurers coveted.
“okay. Was it a test for you to fight between me and the person over there for the position of last ascetic?”
“That’s right.”
“That’s unpleasant.”
“All I can say is that I’m sorry.”
“What were you testing me for?”
Chameli made eye contact with the snowfall.
In contrast to the dark tattoo under his eyes, his eyes sparkled like jewels.
“Your strength.”
“My… power?”
“Are you not thinking of becoming a pilgrim?”
“doesn’t exist.”
– Nope.
– (Adamant)
– Where haha
– I’m only planning on spooning it (shameless)
– It’s so funny that you refuse like a knife haha
– I like it because it’s refreshing haha
Kang Seol realized that such a worthless offer was just thrown out.
The real story will come later.
“That’s too bad.”
“You don’t look very sad.”
“… Did you notice anything?”
“yes.”
“Actually, I didn’t think you were the kind of person who would accept such an offer. So I’m not really disappointed.”
“Is there something else to talk about?”
“… that’s right.”
Now to the main point.
“I want to ask you for help.”
“help? “Isn’t Baranoa’s support enough?”
“Seongguk is currently struggling with various problems. “The timing and situation are not good for support to come all the way to Nevenia.”
“What is the problem?”
“I didn’t understand the question. Seongguk? Or are you talking about our problems?”
“To be exact, I’m curious about both.”
“The problem of Baranoa is not something that I, just a diocese leader, can talk about. But… I can tell you about the problem on Nevenia’s side.”
Whoa… When
Chameli waved her hand, a background like the night sky was drawn around her hand.
Slurp…
And then the shape of a being took shape there.
The entire body of the knight wearing black armor is depicted in small size.
“This is our problem.”
“….”
“Why are you doing that?”
“no.”
Kang Seol desperately managed her expression to hide her embarrassment.
‘Karuna?’
The appearance of the knight shown by Chameli was almost similar to that of Karuna.
It’s just that the energy felt in that form was different.
“Commonly known as the Black Knight. Although he has many appearances, he is someone who has left his traces all over the continent for a very long time. And every time he left a trace, an unrelated life fell under his sword.”
“The Black Knight… It’s fun.”
“If you hear the details, it won’t be interesting at all. “One of the Black Knights we were tracking in Baranoa has flown into Nevenia.”
“Are there multiple Black Knights?”
“That’s…”
Chameli bit her lip and thought for a moment, as if having trouble answering. She gave the details one by one, as if she had made a firm decision.
“In fact, according to records, the Black Knights were numerous when they first appeared.”
“many? how much?”
“I guess it’s over seven…”
“Are you saying that’s different now?”
“yes. Probably… I’m guessing around two or three. “Currently, we have only succeeded in tracking down one person.”
“…Why have their numbers decreased?”
Chameli said, swallowing dry saliva.
“… they seem to hate each other.”
“Hate each other?”
“It is said that when different Black Knights face each other, the stronger Black Knight absorbs the power of the other Black Knight. “Maybe… there’s conflict between them.”
“Hmm…”
Kang Seol asked for other information.
“When did the black knight you were pursuing come here?”
“Some say it was probably half a year ago or even a year ago.”
“It’s recent, but I don’t know for sure. … Are you going to stop him?”
“I’m already trying to stop it, but…”
“It didn’t work out the way I wanted.”
Chameli nodded.
“It is such a powerful enemy.”
“Is the reason Baranoa does not support you because the Black Knight is powerful?”
“No matter how powerful the Black Knight is, he cannot compare to the prosperity of Baranoa. However, I know there is another reason… I’m sorry, I don’t know the exact reason…”
“Is Nevenia watching this?”
Chameli looked at Kangseol with an expression as if he was joking.
“There is no way a corrupt monarchy would step up for the greater good. I’ve already requested it, but it didn’t help. Ultimately, it is a problem that must be resolved within the diocese.”
“… Hmm.”
“This is actually a problem that Baranoa does not need to address. However, the appearance of the Black Knight has always brought blood to the people, so we cannot ignore the planned disaster, so we took action at the diocese level.”
It’s something you don’t have to do.
Manpower was limited and it was not an easy problem to solve.
However, as a holy country, we cannot tolerate the sacrifices of the people.
It was Baranoa’s dilemma.
Suddenly, something curious occurred to Kangseol.
That was the intention of the parish priest who spent four months waiting for snowfall here.
“What were your plans if I couldn’t overcome the labyrinth?”
“You overcame it.”
“That’s it…”
She smiled calmly and answered Kang Seol.
“Everything just goes according to providence. “It was a test for him.”
“Hmm…”
In fact, Kangseol didn’t like the sacred nation of Baranoa very much.
Baranoa could have been more rotten from the inside than Nevenia.
I said this because I knew that, but Chameli’s gentle response made me look at this incident quite positively.
“I understand for now. “It takes all my strength to catch that black knight… is that right?”
“yes that’s right.”
“If the Black Knight is so strong… maybe even I can’t do anything about it?”
“That’s not true, brother. You are stronger than any adventurer we have encountered.”
“It’s probably one of the transferees that is relatively easy for the diocese to deal with.”
If you look at all the characters in the history of Pandea, there are many adventurers who are stronger than Snow Snow.
How deep is the history of the Pandean continent that such a person could not have arisen?
Chameli avoided answering with a grin. Instead, he tried to calm things down by handing Kang Seol a carrot.
“Although this is a secret request, we will go through the formal request process, and when the job is completed, fair compensation will be paid to you, brother. Is there anything else you want?”
“Hmm…”
Considering that it was a reward prepared by Seongguk, perhaps through this request, I could see something that was hard to find.
‘Regardless of how strong the Black Knight is… compensation is important.’
All work is worthless unless it comes with a reward. Just like the life of an adventurer.
Kang Seol rested his chin and thought for a moment, then tapped his cheek a few times and said, curling the corner of his mouth as if he had an interesting idea.
“If you’re going to ask me separately… it must be quite urgent, right? And if you’ve been waiting around here for four months… there’s no suitable replacement.”
“Brother, please tell me what you want. “I can give you the answer later.”
“I would like to receive a sacred object as compensation.”
“….”
At that moment, the pilgrims behind Chameli shouted in a fit of convulsions.
“This interest is now!”
“You are arrogant! “How arrogant you are!”
“Bishop! No need to listen any more! This person is now deceiving us…”
“Stop! Please stop it!”
When Chameli raised one hand as if taking an oath, the pilgrims fell silent again. Just like performers moving according to the conductor’s hand gestures.
I felt a somewhat foreign level of loyalty from them.
‘… Is there any legitimacy to Chameli?’
Baranoa is a place where the corruption of the leadership class is so rampant that the corruption of Nevenia’s royal authority is laughable. Even though Kang Seol had looked into the abyss several times while raising horses, they were never the type of people to interact with.
The means by which they ruled their subjects was the legitimacy of their lineage. Descendants of founding contributors, commonly called purebloods. It is to rule over the subjects by putting them first.
At first glance, I got that feeling from the sight of the pilgrims shaking when the docile Chameli made a loud noise.
“Hmm…”
Chameli said with a troubled expression.
“Brother, all the sacred relics of Baranoa are things that must not be leaked to the outside world.”
“Hmm…”
“But… if it’s not a holy relic of Baranoa… It might be possible. We just happened to have something suitable in our hands. “It hasn’t been reported to the home country yet.”
“Parish, can you say that?”
“That will do it!”
“I think you can give it to me!”
Kang Seol asked.
“If there is a defect….”
“Oh, not to that extent. However, it is an item that has absolutely nothing to do with the history of Baranoa.”
Kang Seol listened to the conversation and thought for a moment.
‘Is it a sacred object from another religion or country? It doesn’t really matter to me though.’
Just as special grade equipment called wonders was obtained in the labyrinth, holy relics were also equipment that could not be obtained through ordinary adventures.
So, this adventure is bound to be quite attractive to Kangseol.
“We made a choice. “Then what is your answer?”
Kang Seol held out his hand.
“It’s called Snowman.”
Chameli smiled and shook my hand with a pure white hand.
“Now I get the name of Brother Benevolent Brother.”
[Accept Chameli’s offer.]
[The Black Knight adventure is scheduled.]
[This is a linked adventure, so you cannot select the next adventure.
* * *
Chameli and the black pilgrims left and Kangseol lay down on the bed, exhausted.
‘I don’t want to do anything…’
Because the events in the labyrinth were so intense, I was rather unfamiliar with daily life outside.
When I close my eyes, I remember being in a sunny desert and stuffing the tough beast meat into my mouth to survive.
‘I enjoyed it later, too.’
Sigh…
A natural smile came out.
Happy memories are usually like this. It blends into the body very naturally.
His short daily life in Tokiwa shined so brightly that he could still see it even as his life unfolded.
“Owner… you look depressed?”
“okay?”
Karen had already come out of the space and was looking down at Snowfall, who was lying on the bed.
“You look listless. “Is it because of what happened in the labyrinth?”
“… roughly.”
I acted calmly after leaving the labyrinth, but in fact, there was no way that strong memory would disappear in such a short period of time.
The moment when I witnessed a human life burning like a comet.
– You only get one chance! Don’t make a stupid mistake! Get out of the labyrinth and greet the morning.
What was Toki’s mind as he headed towards the Harvester’s Lantern? Nothing was certain at this point, but there was one thing that was certain.
Sreuk…
Karen pulled back the curtains, and the sunlight came into Kang Seol’s face.
He survived the labyrinth and welcomed a new morning. Karen monologued while looking at Snowfall’s sunlit face.
“…I’m already asleep.”
Snowfall was exhausted from the exhaustion and fell asleep in an instant.
A time when he was expected to sleep more soundly than ever before.
Snowfall, who should have been in a deep sleep, was overcome by an unknown feeling.
‘This feeling…’
Ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
…
It’s hard to move your body as you want, and it feels like you’re hearing sounds through a wall.
A dream within a dream.
When I put these feelings together, there was only one memory that came to mind.
‘Madness… store?’
When I opened my eyes, red haze was everywhere.
[Someone shows interest in the madness you have collected.]
“… You didn’t even tear up the invitation?”
Kang Seol used the madness store by opening the invitation earlier and received the next invitation, so of course he expected that he would be able to enter at will.
Rumbling… rumbling…
I heard the sound of a frog croaking somewhere.
Rumbling!
The problem was that the frog was so big that the sound was very loud.
Swoosh…
The red haze cleared and soon something was revealed.
“… Toad?”
Rumbling!
A huge toad looking down at the snowfall with its jaw puffed out like this. This toad was much larger than most magical beasts.
What the heck!
When the toad opened its mouth, its tongue came out. As soon as the tongue reached the floor, someone appeared with the tongue.
A woman wearing a dress decorated with jewels.
“Janet?”
The woman lightly sat down on the floor and spoke to the toad.
“Keep him waiting, he’s an important guest, so the conversation might take a bit longer.”
Rumbling!
The toad turned its back and jumped up and ran away.
Janet took off her ridiculous reading glasses and smiled coquettishly. And even the gesture of spreading both arms in an abominable way to welcome snowfall.
“It’s been a long time since I last saw you, Snowman. How have you been?”