The 31st Piece Turns the Tables

Episode 505

“Wait a minute… if it’s Chameli…”

“Could it be… a candidate for the next Pope?”

Avani and Shinba stood up and muttered.

‘… the next Pope?’

Kang Seol only knew that she supported the pureblood forces of the holy kingdom of Baranoa, but he did not expect her to be such an important person.

To be precise, I just wasn’t interested.

“They are travelers. “Did my visit get in the way of your travel fatigue?”

“Oh no no! That can’t be…”

“Sit this way!” “It’s warm here…”

It seemed as if the sound of an abacus was being heard in the merchants’ heads. If I can somehow get to know each other, I will be able to use that relationship someday.

When Kangseol looked at Chameli, she answered briefly.

“There are dozens of people like me in Baranoa. So it’s a status of nothing.”

Then I understood.

The power of the holy kingdom of Baranoa should not be judged as that of an ordinary kingdom. Until now, the Holy Kingdom had only used the power it had accumulated for the livelihood of the people or for missionary activities.

The reluctant power that was revealed at first glance was by no means small.

And according to news that came after the war of the times, Baranoa was eager to expand by devouring neighboring countries.

The power accumulated so far has begun to be expressed externally. It was true that no matter how rotten a country Baranoa was, it was puzzling.

‘The power of the surrounding countries surrounding Baranoa must have been formidable, right?’

In fact, Kang Seol had a horse who was active based in Baranoa, so that was certain.

Although Baranoa’s inherent power was strong, the power of the surrounding countries that kept the castle in check could not be ignored.

However, continuing the expansion offensive…

‘Either there was some kind of deal… or Baranoa ended up having a stronger power than I expected.’

If it was the former reason, there was no need to worry too much, but if it was the latter reason, you had to be a little wary.

The famous people of Seongguk had quite a grotesque side.

In any case, even though Chameli was a candidate for Pope, it was revealed fragmentarily that he did not hold much power.

Not only did there seem to be few people waiting for a single carriage, but the pilgrims escorting them were also not of a high standard.

Sigh…

“Chameli, this is not the time to be like this. “Even now…”

And he even carelessly interrupts the conversation.

“Don’t you know that it is more important now than at any time during my last journey?”

“What is that…?”

“… No, please stay back.”

“I will be responsible for the safety of the former parish president…”

Chameli asked Kang Seol with a grin.

“As long as you’re safe by my side, you’ll be okay, right?”

Kangseol smiled and answered.

“of course.”

“Did you hear? “Could you please step aside for a moment?”

“… If you do that, I will leave.”

Chameli approached Kangseol and whispered.

“Can we talk privately?”

Kangseol briefly saw Avani and Shinba.

As Abani and Shinba were going about their business, they noticed that Chameli wanted to talk to Kangseol alone.

Nod nod nod…

Chameli nods furiously while she’s not looking at them.

Sigh…

I followed Chameli, where the snowfall occurred first. It seemed like it was going into the bushes, but it didn’t go that far.

“Before I came here, I met a shaman and heard a fortune telling.”

“Foretelling… do you believe in that?”

“Is it strange?”

“for now.”

“That’s strange. Well… first of all, I’m a believer.”

Chameli said with a shrug.

“They said that you will meet someone special during your trip, so don’t be impatient.”

“….”

“Everything will go as it should.”

“Being a precious person…”

“Well… out of all the relationships I’ve had, I can only think of a few relationships that could be called precious people.”

“… You’re alive, Chameli.”

Kang Seol noticed that the emotions brought about by his reunion with Chameli were unusual. It was a mysterious feeling that I couldn’t pinpoint.

“… Iknow, right.”

“The faces of the people I was with….”

“It’s a little different, right?”

“… many.”

Her face darkened.

“The people who took care of me for a long time… are all dead.”

“….”

“The person I was grateful to who had been by my side since before I could walk has also gone far away.”

I didn’t ask why.

The war of the times or the secret history of Baranoa. Whatever it was, it had already happened.

Snowfall changed the topic to remove the shadow from Chameli’s face.

“It seems like the group has been very concerned about their safety since a while ago. What’s going on?”

“I’m being chased now.”

“… yes?”

She smiles brightly.

“I can’t give details to outsiders, but it’s because of the conflict within the church. To put it simply: a power struggle.”

“It’s a complicated thing, but…”

In the past, Snowfall had simply thought of her as the head of a diocese far away from Baranoa. But before she knew it, she had become a greater person than before.

“You’ve grown up.”

“Have I… grown?”

“Now you have the skills to confidently fight against old people in your home country.”

“Ahahaha! “What is that…”

She kept smiling as if she was satisfied with her conversation with Kang Seol.

“Still… I feel good about that compliment.”

But the laughing ends here.

Kang Seol erased her smile and said.

“Do you need help?”

“… can you help me?”

“….”

Snowfall paused for a moment.

If Kang Seol had been a free being before, now he was a being with limited freedom.

In order to prevent the plan of immortality, prepare to ascend to heaven and gather the power of the times.

Now was the time to move forward.

No matter what incident is involved in Baranoa, if it goes against his path, he cannot be involved in it.

Especially if this is an extremely personal matter.

“Brother.”

“It’s been a while since I’ve been called that.”

“Was there another name?”

“…snowfall.”

Chameli said with a surprised expression. Kang Seol reveals her name to someone.

“You’ve changed in many ways.”

She asked Kang Seol, looking at the moonlight.

“Do you remember when we first met?”

I remember.

“I remember.”

“Audenin’s Labyrinth of Asceticism. “You were already a celebrity before you even met me.”

Those days when people were called ascetics.

Snowfall met Chameli.

“Even the suppression of the Black Knight and the expedition to Alkatron… it all feels like a long time ago now.”

“Because that much time has passed.”

Years of time.

A novice adventurer became the king who marked the end of an era.

“How about this?”

“… what?”

“With all the time that has passed, have we taken a step forward?”

I get it.

Kang Seol got to the root of the strange feelings he felt after meeting Chameli.

It is a longing for time gone by.

“Not with Mael…”

“Ah! Mael! I guess I asked for help when he was away. But fortunately, they quickly promised support. “I’m really… a friend I’m grateful for.”

Mael Chameli.

It is a name that everyone has missed.

“I see…”

“Even though time has passed, the world is still hard. I am just a weakling and the current trend is dizzy. Greater confusion than before is tormenting the people. Maybe… everyone is having a difficult time. But…”

she said, looking into Kangseol’s unwavering eyes.

“You are still walking through the storm. “Wanderer.”

Chameli said firmly.

“Do you need help? I need. But… you don’t have to force yourself to give me time. “It would be better to use your power in a way that is more beneficial to the world.”

[Chameli becomes the next pope candidate for the Holy Kingdom of Baranoa. A woman you had a long relationship with has come to ask for your help. It may be of great help that will decide everything, or it may be limited to helping with simple tasks. This is a very important decision and must be answered carefully. How would you answer?]

1. Chameli I cannot overlook your difficulties. If there is anything I can help with, I will help.

2. Chameli Unfortunately, I have a problem that needs to be resolved urgently. I’m sorry I can’t help you.

…

* * *

Snowfall decided to take Chameli before an ordeal that she could overcome on her own.

It was decided to escort them only to the rendezvous point with the Relic Association’s support troops.

It doesn’t deviate too much from the originally intended path.

“Hmm… Master Chameli, this is….”

“Yes?”

“It’s no different from walking… isn’t it? “It’s not surprising if you give up your heels to your pursuers at any time.”

Knock knock…

knock knock…

The horses in Chameli’s carriage could not run. There were no empty seats in her carriage to begin with, so there was no room for snowfall to squeeze in.

Inevitably, the guard, Snowfall, walked on foot, and the carriage also kept pace.

It would be an extremely foolish act for others to see that a carriage adjusts its speed for a person walking.

“And… why do those people….”

“By coincidence, our paths overlapped.”

Avani, Sinba, and their escort, Cluj.

They too were moving along with the carriage.

Hehehe…

I even brought a mule carrying a bundle.

The pilgrims could not understand.

Because I have never seen or heard of snowfall.

“Who on earth is the author to do something so outrageous?…”

“Escort him to the meeting place with the relic society. “With that alone, there will be no problems with this schedule.”

“…is that true?”

“While I’m away, how about stopping by the village?”

One of the new pilgrims nodded furiously.

“I like Joe.”

“… sisters!”

“Eup…”

Laughter bloomed inside the carriage.

They arrived in the village around afternoon.

Perhaps because of Chameli’s strong insistence, the pilgrims who had been wary were now inevitably swayed by the atmosphere.

Of course, not only Snowfall but also Avani and his group stayed in the village.

Avani spoke to both Snowfall and Chameli.

“Ahaha! “I think we will stay here for a while and then head to a different direction from where we are going.”

“It was an honor to meet you! “Please remember our names!”

“The bishop….”

“Abani Shinba. “I will remember today’s meeting with the sisters.”

“If you have some time left, maybe you can pray…”

“Shinba!”

Avani was shocked and shouted, but Chameli just laughed.

“As much as you want. “I will pray for the traveler’s luck.”

When I went in looking for a place to eat, the owner greeted me insincerely.

“Sit down, what would you like?”

“Simple vegetables and drinks…”

Jeokjeok… Jeokjeok…

As the pilgrims were ordering from the owner, Kangseol became interested in the food that the man wearing a robe next to him was eating.

When the owner asked Kang Seol, he tried to answer.

“Where are you?”

“The same thing this person is eating…”

The man who was quietly eating muttered at that time.

“This is the worst! Don’t eat it! “You have to order something else!”

“what? “This bastard….”

“Don’t you have too much conscience to sell something like this for money?”

The owner stood in front of the man and spoke.

“Have you said everything?”

“Was it wrong?”

“No, actually, I wasn’t confident about that dish. So, I told you to order something else.”

“Damn… who knew you couldn’t cook like this? “Did you make this with your eyes closed?”

“what? Ha ha ha ha ha! “That’s poignant!”

“I just said what I had to say! If you continue like this, you will be ruined. “I’m worried!”

“It’s okay because there aren’t many stores in this town anyway. Give it to me and I’ll give you something else. “I don’t take any money.”

“no! I just eat whatever I was eating. Instead, be nice to this friend sitting next to you. “Please don’t face an unfortunate future like me.”

“…Sure.”

Kang Seol became interested in the man sitting next to him.

Kkeikiik…

“Huh? Here again…”

“Ugh… I’m embarrassed.”

Avani and Shinba had already said their goodbyes, but it seemed like they couldn’t find a suitable place to eat.

After saying hello to Kang Seol and his party, they settled down in a corner.

A small store in a small town.

Many people gathered there.

A group of ordinary merchants.

An unknown man.

Candidates for the next Pope and pilgrims in Baranoa.

And then there’s Kang Seol and his party.

Kang Seol felt an inexplicable sense of comfort in this space. Is today just one of those ordinary days?

Snowfall asked the man with the hood of his robe deeply pressed down.

At first glance, part of his flesh and features were visible, but his overall impression was not visible.

“Where are you going?”

“Well… where am I going now? “I wish someone could tell me… I’ll have to ask my friend when I see him.”

Kang Seol is about to change the question after hearing an unknown answer.

“I’m looking for a friend… a friend who went away a long time ago. “I’m sure you miss this body terribly!”

“okay.”

“….”

The conversation is cut off for a moment.

Although the way he spoke was unusual, it wasn’t annoying to hear.

“Then where is your friend…”

the man said.

“I’ll have to ask my friend about that too.”

It’s a strange sad story with a strange man.