The Pope's Torment

"Eight, read it."

The conclusion reached after deliberation was to have Eight examine the contents.

If reading it triggered some unforeseen consequence, sacrificing Eight would resolve it.

Eight noticed the intent behind the request, paused for an instant, then silently took the book and began checking its contents.

The expression was hidden beneath cloth marked with the eye symbol of the Anti-Magic Unit, but it would be the face of a man resolved to accept death.

Those who belonged to the Anti-Magic Unit must always prepare themselves to die, at any time, under any circumstances.

"Sajin, tell me about that girl."

I must learn about that girl before Eight finished reading.

"Ah. She's Wakaba-hime. My classmate from a past life. And the most beautiful girl in school!"

A subtle dissonance stirred in response to Sajin's words.

What is the issue?

A beauty?

Did Sajin call that girl a beauty?

That is strange.

In my perception, I did not consider her appearance exceptional.

Then, a shiver runs through me.

I cannot clearly recall the girl’s face.

“Sajin, could you clearly see that girl’s face?”

“What? What kind of obvious thing are you saying? Did you finally go senile?”

What is this?

Even after reviewing my memories, I can only recall her as white.

Even with my record-keeping skill.

This implies something is obstructing my perception.

But why?

And why does it not affect Sajin?

Was the spell designed to target only specific individuals?

Or did Sajin already know her, rendering the spell ineffective?

Either way, the purpose is incomprehensible.

If recognition inhibition was effective even against Sajin, might he not have realized she was a reincarnate?

What was the intent in that case?

Or was she testing whether recognition inhibition could be breached?

Uncertain.

My speculation remains just that—speculation.

I cannot discern the girl's intent.

Only this is certain: her ability to conceal the existence of the technique from me.

Disguising herself in the form of her previous life—her special skill may well be illusion-based.

A girl like Hayato—she embodies the perfect beauty of a cool beauty. It’s as if she stepped straight out of a manga. That kind of appearance—like a celebrity, really. She wears glasses, trying to stay unremarkable, but no amount of that could hide her looks. That hair—definitely not natural. And her figure—excellent. That’s what the golden ratio means. Her hair—so smooth, long, straight. You could see an angel’s halo around her. Or rather, are you an angel yourself? The black hair was good, but Hayato’s pure white hair from earlier was also striking. She was already unreal to begin with, but white hair glowing like that—it’s fantasy. Divine. Damn. Seriously, damn.

What is wrong with this one?

“Is he smitten?”

"No! That's not it! Not some vulgar emotion! This is devotion!"

Even here, at the very center of the world’s largest religious organization, speaking devotion to an ordinary person who is not a deity.

Feels as though the education has failed utterly.

So be it. Appearance is irrelevant. What matters is the kind of person they were.

"Unintelligible."

For a moment, the meaning of what was said failed to register. It was uncharacteristic of me to experience a lapse in thought.

You don't understand?

To speak so much and yet not understand—what is this?

"Her mystery is part of what makes Young Leaf so captivating."

"Playing around. That won't clarify anything."

She never interacted with others. Silent. Expressionless. No one knew what she was thinking. We merely watched her from a distance. That was enough.

Sajin concluded with an expression of apparent enlightenment.

Perhaps I made a mistake in my selection.

I now believe it would be better to recall Yurien from the Analeit Kingdom's academy and subject her to covert training.

"Your Holiness, the reading is complete."

As I stared at Sajin's foolishness, a voice came from I8.

"Hmm. Any changes in condition?"

"Yes. Judging by the examination, no status abnormalities have occurred. Unless it is delayed in effect, there appears to be no direct harm."

"Your phrasing suggests indirect harm might still occur."

"Given the nature of the content, it is too unusual. It may prove harmful."

I8 spoke with hesitation.

Hm?

This reaction was unexpected.

I8 is an exceptional man in covert operations.

Regardless of the content's danger, such an ambiguous response is rare.

"Is8, I wish to hear your candid assessment. Should I personally examine the contents of this book?"

"Yes. If the information contained herein is accurate, I believe only the Pope may render a proper judgment."

"Is this an urgent matter? If not, I shall read the copy."

"I personally recommend reviewing it as soon as possible. However, if one considers the possibility of a delayed trap, it may be wiser to examine the copy first."

I paused briefly, then took the book from Is8's hand and began to read.

The likelihood of a trap was negligible from the outset.

An opponent capable of infiltrating the core of the Divine Word Church with such ease, under such rigorous security.

They would not resort to such indirect methods as traps. A single assassination would suffice.

If something were to happen to me now, then I was simply a man who had reached the end of his time.

There are subordinates who will carry on my will, even if this body ends.

Preparations for succession and contingency plans—this has been my routine since becoming Pope.

Yet this book was something extraordinary in another sense.

I suppress the urge to clutch my head.

"Why a spider?"

Sajin murmurs from beside me, peering at the book.

The content is absurd. The doodles in the margins are absurd too.

"Shiromi-san, you have such a playful side?"

"Idiot. This is a hidden message."

At first glance, the spider is drawn cutely. But it carries an important message.

First, the spider's body is white.

When one thinks of spiders, the first image is of her—the oldest divine beast. Her followers' bodies are black.

And it lacks the scythe-like forelimbs.

A creature with a white body and scythe-like forelimbs.

As one who possesses recorded skills, I can recall the disturbance caused by that creature as if it happened just moments ago.

"Nightmare of the Labyrinth"

A mysterious creature linked to the Divine Word Sect.

This is what it signifies.