Pope's thoughts

What to do.

A mysterious girl appeared abruptly and left behind a single book.

Judging from Sajin's reaction, she was likely a reincarnated soul.

"Sajin, summon I-eight."

To Sajin, staring blankly at the spot where the girl vanished.

Sajin snapped back to awareness and immediately acted.

Sajin’s form dissolved at the spot.

No matter how many times one sees it, it appears identical to spatial magic teleportation. In truth, it is one of the specialized skills possessed by Sajin—part of the ninja ability set.

Unfortunately, even Sajin himself does not understand the underlying mechanism. Moreover, due to the unique nature of the skill, replication seems impossible.

Ideally, I would have trained the entire Forbidden Magic Unit in it.

The Forbidden Magic Unit, including I-eight, was summoned by Sajin. This unit detects individuals with Taboo skills or hidden demons infiltrating human society, and eliminates them.

Taboo skills rarely reach level ten unless under exceptional circumstances, but the possibility is not nonexistent.

As long as a possibility exists, early elimination is the optimal strategy.

Thus, the Church has historically enforced strict penalties against those bearing Taboo skills.

Likewise, demons, indistinguishable in appearance from humans, occasionally infiltrate human society under pretext of exile or espionage.

Detecting such infiltration is one of the Forbidden Magic Unit’s primary missions.

Due to this nature, the unit always includes at least one individual with high-level鉴定 skills.

I-eight, summoned by Sajin, possesses such skills.

Sajin called I-eight to examine the book left behind by the mysterious girl, to verify whether it posed a threat.

While awaiting I-eight’s arrival, organize thoughts.

First: who is that girl?

The only confirmed detail at this time is that the girl appears to be acquainted with Sajin and is a reincarnated individual.

Yet one thing remains unexplained under that reasoning.

The fact that Sajin immediately recognized the girl as a reincarnated soul.

Sajin possesses no鉴定 skill.

She should not have a鉴定 stone on her person.

If so, why did Sajin recognize that girl as a reincarnated soul?

Knew each other before?

No.

Sajin is always under surveillance.

Any suspicious movement would not go unnoticed by me.

There should have been no opportunity for a secret meeting to occur without her knowledge.

Yet, many aspects of ninja skills remain enigmatic.

The assessment reveals nothing of the whole picture. Beyond Sajin's own declaration, there remains a possibility he conceals some ability.

There was no line by which she could slip away unnoticed.

Yet, judging by Sajin’s expression, that did not seem to be the case.

It appeared he was genuinely startled.

Sajin lacked the skill to deceive even moderately.

Transformation abilities existed within ninja techniques, but he had never demonstrated proficiency in using them.

If Sajin possessed even slightly more acting ability, his opportunities would have increased significantly.

A pity.

Above all, Sajin lacked basic prudence.

His ninja skills had been the reason he was kept close, yet he failed to master them.

Ugio, sent to the elven village, was far more reliable.

How many times had she questioned whether she had chosen the wrong person to retain.

Oh—no, no.

Once again, her thoughts had drifted.

Assuming Sajin truly did not know the girl, the possible conclusions were limited.

Perhaps the girl was exactly as she had been in her previous life—Sagin, known in the world of Kusama Shin, in that world’s original form?

It makes sense that Sajin immediately recognized the girl as a reincarnated being upon seeing her.

But that in itself is the problem.

The girl could not be the same form she had been in the previous world.

Sajin, Ugio, and Yurien all differ in form from their previous lives.

According to reports from Ugio, the other reincarnated individuals held captive in the elven village are likewise affected.

She does not seem to be an exception.

If so, the maiden must have deliberately disguised herself in the form of her previous life to come here.

What is the reason for this?

Several possibilities exist. Yet the most likely explanation remains that they knew Sajin was here.

Sajin's existence was classified even within the church.

Only a select few I trust possess this knowledge.

Had information leaked from there?

Alternatively, the leak might have originated from Sajin himself.

Or perhaps it was the result of an unknown skill, akin to Sajin’s ninja abilities.

If so, there would be no traitor. That would be reassuring.

No—reassurance is impossible.

This is because the information here is completely exposed.

I did not notice the girl was disguised.

The disguise was that perfect.

It must have been achieved through an unknown skill I am unaware of.

If she is a reincarnate, she should possess special abilities like Sajin.

Could one of those abilities involve disguise?

What was her objective, then?

It is likely written in this book—but touching it without鉴定 is dangerous.

As long as there is even a possibility of a trap, caution is required.

Nothing can be done until I8 arrives.

I wanted to hear more details from Sajin, but I have already sent him to fetch I8.

Failure.

"Pope, we have arrived."

"Enter."

Just in time, I-eight has arrived.

The man who entered through the door had his face concealed by a white cloth painted with a picture of an eye.

The Anti-Magic Unit was something akin to the Church's clandestine faction.

Being hated is common. For that reason, the face is concealed and the name falsified to avoid detection.

Even among fellow humans of the same church.

Only fellow members of the same anti-magic unit could know this.

The colleague, too, served primarily as a counterbalance to mutual surveillance.

Sajin entered the room, calling out to I8.

"Without delay, examine this book for me."

As you wish.

I8 gazes at the book through the cloth.

But there was no response.

She would normally report the results to me immediately, but now she remains still, staring fixedly at the book.

What is it?

Identification impossible.

"What?"

"This book returns only 'Identification Impossible' as the result."

Identification Impossible?

I have never heard such a thing—no, not quite. Once, there was an instance.

n%I = W skill.

It is said that attempting to identify the contents of this skill results in nothing but 'Identification Impossible' displayed.

But what does this mean?

n%I = W was deliberately obscured by the will of a higher administrator.

This appears to be a measure both to favor reincarnated individuals and to protect them.

Hence, the Identification Impossible.

If this book is classified as Identification Impossible, then it must belong to a principle outside this world.

Or perhaps it is a relic from before the system was activated.

This may be far more dangerous than I anticipated.