Chapter 134
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 134
Chapter Title: The Black Pilgrims' Plea
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The Black Pilgrims had reappeared for the first time in four months since the selection of the final ascetic in the Labyrinth of Penance.
A group of shadowy figures with T-shaped tattoos under their eyes filed into the room.
(ㅜㅜ) Rough sketch of the Black Pilgrims' look
They all look the same lololol
How do they look so pitifully aggrieved lol
Kang Seol eyed the one who had stepped forward at the front of the group.
The woman who had introduced herself as Carmeli appeared to be their leader.
Aside from the excessive tattoos, she had a refined beauty that would shine through if they were washed away.
And lurking at the very back was Kang Bo-seok, who had been thoroughly thrashed by Kang Seol, standing there awkwardly.
"May we come in?"
"Ah, there's only one guest chair here..."
Kang Seol's words meant there weren't seats for such a large group.
Carmeli glanced back at her followers with a troubled expression.
One of the pilgrims standing behind spoke up.
"We're fine standing."
"But..."
"You don't need to worry about every little thing like this."
Carmeli reluctantly nodded.
She took the guest chair, and Kang Seol sat opposite her.
"Sorry for the crowd. To reintroduce ourselves, we're the Black Pilgrims. I'm Carmeli, district head of the Nevenia Diocese in the Holy Kingdom of Baranoa, responsible for this group."
District head of Nevenia.
Kang Seol could tell from her jewelry and the subtle air of nobility that she was no ordinary figure.
'District head of Nevenia, huh...'
Even accounting for Nevenia being a small nation, a district head was a high position—overseeing believers across a kingdom-sized territory, at minimum.
'So why is someone of that rank wasting time here?'
Four months ago, during his clash with Kang Bo-seok, one of the observing pilgrims had likely been this woman.
What Kang Seol wondered was what a regional district head had been doing here for four whole months.
As if sensing his doubt, Carmeli bowed her head to him.
"D-District Head!"
"This is..."
The followers behind her murmured in dismay.
But they made no move to stop her. She carried herself with true dignity.
"Why are you bowing?"
Kang Seol, the recipient of the gesture, voiced his confusion.
Carmeli replied calmly.
"I'm here to apologize for testing you."
"...Testing me?"
The word "test" made Kang Seol instantly grasp her intentions.
'No way... Kang Bo-seok entering the final ascetic selection back then was...?'
The Black Pilgrims showing interest in the labyrinth made no sense to begin with. Backed by the prosperous Baranoa, why would they set foot in a place adventurers coveted? He'd found it suspicious even then.
"I see. So our fight over the final ascetic spot—with that man over there—was your test?"
"Yes."
"I'm not pleased."
"I can only say I'm sorry."
"What were you testing?"
Carmeli met Kang Seol's gaze.
Her eyes sparkled like jewels, contrasting sharply with the dark tattoos beneath.
"Your strength."
"My... strength?"
"Have you ever thought of becoming a pilgrim?"
"No."
Nope.
(Resolute)
As if lololol
I'm just here to spoon in (shameless)
Sharply turning it down is hilarious lololol
Straightforward and refreshing lol
Kang Seol knew such a worthless offer was just a throwaway line.
The real talk would come after.
"That's a shame."
"You don't look too disappointed."
"...Was it obvious?"
"Yes."
"Truth be told, I didn't think you'd accept anyway. So no real loss."
"Is there more?"
"...Yes."
Now for the main point.
"I'd like to ask for your help."
"Help? Isn't Baranoa's support enough?"
"The Holy Kingdom is currently wracked with its own headaches. The timing and situation make it impossible to send aid all the way to distant Nevenia."
"What kind of problems?"
"Did you mean the Holy Kingdom's issues, or ours?"
"Both, precisely."
"Baranoa's problems are beyond what a mere district head like me can discuss. But... I can tell you about Nevenia's."
Whoooosh...
As Carmeli waved her hand, a starry night sky backdrop formed around it.
Shrrk...
And within it, a figure materialized.
The full form of a knight in pitch-black armor appeared in miniature.
"This is our problem."
"......"
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
Kang Seol desperately schooled his expression to hide his surprise.
'Karuna?'
The knight Carmeli showed resembled Moonlight Knight Karuna almost perfectly.
The only difference was the aura emanating from the form.
"Commonly called the Black Knight. It takes various shapes, but for ages, traces have appeared across the continent. And wherever those traces linger, innocent lives fall to its blade."
"Black Knight... intriguing."
"You won't find it amusing once you hear the details. One of the Black Knights Baranoa was tracking slipped into Nevenia."
"There are multiple Black Knights?"
"Well..."
Carmeli bit her lip, hesitating, then steeled herself and spilled the details.
"Records say they first appeared in numbers."
"Numbers? How many?"
"Estimates suggest over seven..."
"So not anymore?"
"Yes. Probably two or three now, we think. We've only successfully tracked one so far."
"...Why the decrease?"
Carmeli swallowed dryly before answering.
"...They seem to hate each other."
"They hate each other?"
"When different Black Knights crossed paths, the stronger one absorbed the weaker's power, or so the tales go. Perhaps there's infighting among them."
"Hm..."
Kang Seol asked for more intel.
"When did the one you're tracking arrive here?"
"Around half a year ago, though some say a year."
"Recent, but uncertain. ...Planning to stop it?"
"We are, but..."
"Not going well, I take it."
Carmeli nodded.
"It's that powerful."
"Is Baranoa holding back because it's so strong?"
"No matter how mighty the Black Knight, it can't compare to Baranoa's holy might. There's another reason, but... sorry, I don't know the exact details."
"And Nevenia just watches?"
Carmeli shot him a look like he'd told a bad joke.
"A corrupt throne won't step up for the greater good. We asked, but no dice. It's on the diocese to handle."
"...Hmm."
"This isn't even something Baranoa has to address. But Black Knights always bring rivers of common blood, so we can't ignore the looming disaster. That's why the diocese stepped in."
Something they didn't have to handle.
Manpower was limited, and it wasn't easy.
But as a holy kingdom, they couldn't turn a blind eye to the people's sacrifice.
Baranoa's dilemma.
Suddenly, curiosity struck Kang Seol.
It was precisely the district head's intent in waiting four months for him here.
"What if I hadn't cleared the labyrinth?"
"But you did."
"That's..."
She smiled serenely.
"All things flow according to providence. That's why we tested you."
"Hmph..."
Kang Seol didn't particularly like the holy kingdom of Baranoa.
Its inner rot might surpass even Nevenia's.
He'd probed those depths aloud several times, finding them unworthy of dealings.
But her gentle response shifted his view of this matter positively.
"Got it. You need my strength to capture that Black Knight... right?"
"Yes."
"If it's that strong... even I might not manage?"
"No, brother, you're stronger than any adventurer we've faced."
"Probably among the easier marks your diocese handles."
If ranking all figures in Pandea's history, stronger adventurers than him were a dime a dozen.
Pandea's deep history wouldn't lack such souls.
Carmeli dodged with a smile, offering a carrot instead.
"It's a secret commission, but we'll follow formal procedures. Success means fair compensation. Anything specific you want?"
"Hm..."
A holy kingdom's reward? Likely something rare even for him.
'Strength aside... the reward matters.'
Without reward, no deed has worth. Adventurer's life.
Kang Seol propped his chin, pondered, tapped his cheek, then grinned mischievously.
"If you're asking me specifically... it's urgent, right? And waiting four months nearby means no real alternatives."
"Brother, name your desire. Then I'll answer."
"I want a holy relic as payment."
"......"
Instantly, the pilgrims behind Carmeli erupted.
"Th-This insolent fool!"
"Arrogant! Utterly arrogant!"
"District Head! No need to hear more! He's mocking us—"
"Enough! Stop!"
Carmeli raised one hand like swearing an oath, silencing them like orchestra players under a conductor.
Their loyalty felt almost unnatural.
'...Does Carmeli have legitimate bloodline?'
Baranoa teemed with leadership corruption mocking Nevenia's throne. Kang Seol had glimpsed its abyss, deeming them untouchable.
They ruled believers via "pureblood" founding heroes' descendants.
Her commanding shout and their trembling hinted at it.
"Ahem..."
Carmeli spoke awkwardly.
"Brother, Baranoa's holy relics can't be leaked outside."
"Hmm..."
"But... if not Baranoa's... it might be possible. We have something fitting on hand. Haven't reported to the homeland yet."
"District Head, you don't mean that one?"
"Th-That'll do!"
"Grant it to him!"
Kang Seol asked.
"If it's flawed..."
"Not that bad. Just unrelated to Baranoa's history."
Kang Seol mulled it over amid their talk.
'From another faith or nation? Doesn't matter to me.'
Like the labyrinth's miraculous gear, holy relics were beyond normal adventures.
This quest appealed greatly.
"We've made our choice. Your answer, brother?"
Kang Seol extended his hand.
"Snowman."
Carmeli smiled brightly, clasping his hand with her pale one.
"At last, I learn the benevolent brother's name."
[You accept Carmeli's proposal.]
[Black Knight Adventure scheduled.]
[This is a linked adventure, so you cannot select the next adventure.]
After Carmeli and the Black Pilgrims left, Kang Seol collapsed exhausted onto his bed.
'Don't wanna do a thing...'
The labyrinth's intensity made everyday life feel alien.
Closing his eyes still brought the blazing desert sun, stuffing tough beast meat down his throat to survive.
'Eventually enjoyed it, though.'
A soft chuckle escaped.
Pleasant memories seep in naturally, like this.
His brief days with Toki shone brilliantly amid life's tapestry.
"Master... you look down."
"Do I?"
Karen had slipped from her space, peering down at him on the bed.
"You seem drained. The labyrinth?"
"...Sort of."
He'd acted composed post-labyrinth, but those intense memories wouldn't fade quickly.
That moment witnessing a life's comet blaze.
- Chance comes once! No foolish mistakes! Escape the labyrinth and greet the dawn.
What had Toki felt charging toward the Reaper's lantern? Nothing certain now, save one truth.
Shrrk...
Karen drew the curtains, sunlight bathing Kang Seol's face.
He'd survived the labyrinth, welcoming new dawn. Karen gazed at his lit face, murmuring.
"...Already asleep."
Exhaustion had claimed him instantly.
A deep sleep he needed more than ever.
Yet Kang Seol stirred amid an odd sensation.
'This feeling...'
Hooo...
Familiar.
Body unresponsive, sounds muffled through walls.
Dream within a dream.
One memory fit perfectly.
'Madness... Shop?'
Eyes opening to red mist everywhere.
[Someone shows interest in the Madness you've collected.]
"...Didn't even tear the invitation?"
He'd expected voluntary entry after using the last invite and getting a new one.
Rumble... Rumble...
Frog croaks echoed from somewhere.
Ribbit!
The issue: the frog was huge, its cry deafening.
Hooo...
Red mist parted, revealing something.
"...Toad?"
Ribbit!
A massive toad, jaw puffed enormously, glaring down at Kang Seol—far bigger than most beasts.
Snap—!
It gaped wide, tongue lolling to the floor. Someone stepped off it.
A woman in jewel-encrusted garb.
"Janet?"
She landed lightly, addressing the toad.
"Wait nearby. Important guest—might take a while."
Ribbit!
The toad hopped away backward.
Janet tossed her absurd monocle, flashing a coquettish smile. Arms wide in obnoxious welcome.
"It's been ages, Snowman. I trust you've been well?"