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After their brief conversation, the monastery doors closed, and Leomaster and the pilgrims who might still be alive returned to their ascetic practices and "trials."
A saint was crucial under the present circumstances, too. Who knew when the Aurora Order would receive news of them? Would they have to wait until all of this was over?
Agalito took one last look at the Black Monastery, which almost blended into the gray sky, then carried his lamp swiftly around its left side.
Anderson, who had recovered some strength and received medicine and bandages, hesitated for a moment before gritting his teeth and following.
He had to leave this place. Staying would keep him alive, but he would inevitably become a fanatic of the True Creator who knew nothing but prayer and praise. Right now, his only chance of leaving was to follow the King of Immortality.
He reacted when he heard I was a member of the Iron and Blood Cross Order... His conversation with the Aurora Order's saint was normal, too. They were unfamiliar with each other, but there was no hostility. Anderson ventured a bold guess, staking everything on it. Perhaps he wouldn't mind one more person aboard the Death Announcer...
But if I do that, how am I supposed to escape afterward?
Keeping a moderate distance between them, the two silently skirted the Black Monastery and headed east.
After walking for an unknown length of time, Agalito abruptly stopped in the middle of taking his next step. His foot hung in the air before he slowly drew it back.
The lightning had stopped. Ahead lay black fog indistinguishable from their surroundings.
He raised the lamp, then hurled it forward with all his strength.
As the oil lamp left his hand, darkness rushed in from every direction. Anderson