The Abyss Pilgrimage

Anto’s squad pressed forward, the landscape bearing the stark marks of relentless combat. Corpses of dark creatures and shambling undead lay strewn everywhere, painting a vivid picture of the brutal battles that had raged incessantly across this land, continuing even now.

“By the way,” Randall began, “will there truly be impossibly strong entities here?”

Beside him, the swordsman Tikka and Knight Ilivy remained alert, their gazes sweeping the surroundings.

“Even if we encounter a terrifying presence so powerful it’s insurmountable, we will fight to the death to create an opportunity for you to escape,” Mula declared. “So there’s no need to worry.”

She then added, “You’re not actually scared, are you?”

“I’m not scared, but this forest has left a rather profound impression on me,” Randall confessed, wiping sweat from his brow. “After all, this is truly a land forsaken by the gods.”

“Forsaken by the gods…” Anto murmured, listening to his words. Randall then looked at him and said, “Though, it doesn’t seem to be the case now. Isn’t your presence here the best proof that the gods sent you? But I don’t believe in that god, so it’s hard for me to say such things.”

“It’s fine,” Anto responded with a smile. “I don’t believe either.”

“If gods truly existed as they are described, the world would not be in this state,” Anto stated, sensing the irregular auras and rare traces of light in the air. “They’re heading this way, and the darkness over there grows deeper. What exactly are they fighting?”

“They are fighting the Abyss,” Tikka slowly replied. “If what you just said is true, Anto, I think I understand the situation here.”

“On the surface, the border’s collapse was a week ago, with massive dark tides overwhelming most areas, yet the outpost held. That was our assumption, only confirmed by what we saw. But what if… the gate linking to the Abyss was never closed?” Tikka speculated.

“We felt nothing was amiss because someone has constantly been clearing those entities in this forest. That’s why the situation outside wasn’t particularly obvious. If the forest’s corruption has reached this extent, then the enemies here are far more formidable than we imagined.”

“They’ve been clearing this place without ever informing anyone of the true situation. They truly intend to die here rather than call for aid…” Mula’s voice trembled slightly. “This isn’t courage; it absolutely cannot be called bravery. This is simply… foolishness.”

“But it’s a foolishness they believe in.” Facing countless corpses, these beings from the Abyss had been defeated by those people, yet no one knew their current fate.

“Ilivy, what are they preparing to do in their current state? If it were merely clearing, they wouldn’t delve deeper. This isn’t normal. The area ahead is already transforming into a demonic realm. What’s going on?” Randall pressed.

Ilivy looked towards the area and replied, “If I’m not mistaken, these people intend to undertake a pilgrimage.”

“A pilgrimage?” Everyone was stunned. Ilivy gritted her teeth. “They’re not just clearing the monsters around here; they want to go deeper. They want to touch the Abyss, to fight those entities within the true Abyss, to enter the demonic lands, until death claims them.”

“These are absolute madmen! Have they not considered that even after death, their bodies could become tools to harm humanity?” Tikka said helplessly. Anto, gazing at the abyssal land, found himself speechless, for he had never before stepped onto ground so severely corrupted.

“But they shouldn’t have reached it yet. Their speed isn’t enough to reach the core,” Anto stated. “Let’s continue to pursue them and see if we can catch up.”

“Don’t come any closer!” A voice suddenly rang out. Everyone looked up to see a figure slowly approaching. Anto recognized the silhouette: black garments stained with blood, and her long white hair dishevelled. The young woman walked step by step, blocking their path.

“It’s the one from yesterday…” Anto murmured. Other figures also emerged from the depths—the black-clad pursuers. They were indeed here.

“Is this the Black Cross Church?” Tikka asked, not lowering his weapon, nor did Mula. As they watched, the Old Priest approached and spoke.

“Yesterday, I told you not to enter. Why did you still come in?”

“Yesterday… those were Captain Vincent’s men, weren’t they?” Anto asked. Ilivy stepped forward and performed a Papacy salute, a gesture rarely seen.

“We are not the soldiers from yesterday. I am Ilivy, from the Rose Knights.”

“Rose Knights… I didn’t expect to encounter survivors of the Rose Knights here,” the Old Priest said, his attitude visibly softening after learning their origins. “So, why have you come here?”

“We came here yesterday and rescued one of our compatriots, a nun from the border church,” Anto explained. “We also learned about your activities here.”

“Alaiya… are these the people you met yesterday?” the priest asked. The young woman nodded. “They are. That nun’s light… it was very powerful.”

“So her name is Alaiya…” Anto said, looking at the young woman. “We heard you intend to undertake an Abyssal pilgrimage, a suicidal attack, so we rushed here to try and stop you.”

“Suicide? No, we will not commit suicide,” the priest countered. “Everything we do is for atonement.”

“Our past actions betrayed our vows—the vows to protect this land,” the priest explained. “What we are doing now is merely for atonement.”

“Exiling yourselves to barren lands, fighting ceaselessly until you fall, or engaging in such battles far from everything—do you truly believe this is atonement?” Anto asked, raising his head. “This is not a righteous path, Reverend. We have more important and necessary things to do. This approach, while brave and resolute, brings no glory. It is merely a foolish, irresponsible act of self-gratification.”