S34 Branch Point

Following behind the Pope, we arrived at a salon.

A tasteful table stood at the center, surrounded by spacious sofas.

The Pope settled onto one of the sofas and gestured for us to sit opposite.

Katia hesitated briefly before sitting, but I ignored her and lowered myself without delay.

There seemed no point in being cautious here. Honestly, I felt unwell and found standing increasingly difficult.

I sat directly in front of the Pope, in the center of the sofa. Syrilis leaned against me, pressing his body close.

He occupied the exact spot that obstructed Katia from sitting.

Once Syrilis sat, Katia had no place to sit.

I considered telling her to move to the opposite side, but Katia, after a fleeting glance, walked around the back of the sofa and sat down on the side opposite to Syrilis—right beside me.

…Still feels like we’re pressed together.

The Pope’s warm gaze was uncomfortable.

The women who had accompanied the Pope began serving immediately.

Tea with a pleasant aroma was placed before us, along with several types of light snacks arranged on the table.

When they finished, the women left the room.

Only the Pope and we remained.

Scanning the space, no hidden presence was detected.

Unless someone possessed stealth surpassing my perception, no one was within sight.

Is this not… overly careless?

“Are you certain? Alone like this?”

"Yes. No need to worry."

The Pope’s calm reply concealed intentions beyond my understanding.

What is it?

In this person’s presence, I feel unsettled.

Not the same as when facing Yotsuba—something different, deeper.

Like standing before a vast, soft cotton mass.

It seems easily burnable, yet resists piercing, resisting impact.

Appears fragile, yet seems capable of deflecting everything—such a vague impression.

"Yes. First, would you be so kind as to assess me? That way, I can prove I am not under coercion. I am currently visible. Please proceed."

Assessing another person is considered impolite.

Especially among nobles—this tendency is pronounced.

Reading another’s status is seen as a privacy violation. Calling it impolite is understandable.

A Pope would not casually allow another to conduct an assessment upon them.

Perhaps this is a demonstration of sincerity?

"Then, I shall proceed."

With the thought that even a minor doubt should be dispelled, the assessment is attempted.

『Human LV1 Name Dustin

Status

HP: 34/34 (Green)

MP: 29/29 (Blue)

SP: 21/21 (Yellow)

ATK: 19/22 (Red)

Average Attack: 27 (Details)

Average Defense: 25 (Details)

Average Magic: 33 (Details)

Average Resistance: 34 (Details)

Average Speed: 23 (Details)

Skills

SP Consumption Reduction Level 4 Magic Perception Level 3 Magic Manipulation Level 3 Focus Level 10 Thought Acceleration Level 2 Prediction Level 8 High-Speed Computation Level 10 Memory Level 10 Coordination Level 2 Leadership Level 3 Long-Range Communication Level 2 Identification Level 10 Harmony Light Magic Level 3 Holy Light Magic Level 1 Healing Magic Level 3 Miracle Magic Level 1 Poison Resistance Level 8 Sleep Nullification Pain Nullification Level 10 Pain Reduction Level 2 Visual Enhancement Level 3 Auditory Enhancement Level 3 Olfactory Enhancement Level 2 Gustatory Enhancement Level 1 Tactile Enhancement Level 1 Life Level 5 Mana Level 4 Explosive Speed Level 2 Endurance Level 2 Power Level 2 Sturdiness Level 2 Mage Level 3 Guardian Level 3 Sprint Level 2 Dignity Level 4 Self-Restraint Taboo Level 10

Skill Points: 0

Title

"Master of Self-Restraint," "One Who Knows Reincarnation," "The Leader," "King," "The Savior," "Saint"

What is this?

The Pope's鉴定 result was far beyond expectation.

The low stat values. The fact that nearly all skills were non-combatant in nature.

No, that part was not entirely unacceptable.

Even as leader of the ultra-gigantic organization known as the Divine Word Church, one was not necessarily required to possess high combat capability.

Choosing intellect over force to rise above others.

That was the Pope's way.

But that was trivial.

What I could not overlook was the presence of two skills: Self-Restraint, and Taboo Level 10.

"Taboo... "

A whisper escapes.

In the Divine Word Church, possessing Taboo itself was supposed to be an unforgivable sin.

It was revealed through Yuri—also a reincarnated being and a candidate for Saintess—speaking with bloodshot eyes.

The Divine Word Church does not tolerate those who possess the Taboo skill under any circumstances.

And yet, the very leader of that Church holds the Taboo—level cap status, no less?

What kind of joke is this?

"Knowing the Taboo is precisely why it cannot be spread. You understand this clearly, do you not?"

"Wha—!?"

Though phrased as a question, the Pope appeared certain.

He knew I had the Taboo at level ten.

How could he know that?

I raised the Taboo to level ten when I revived Ana in the elven village.

The Pope could not possibly know such a thing if he was not present. Moreover, I had never told anyone that I possessed the Taboo. I had taken extreme care to ensure it remained undiscovered.

Yet how did the Pope know?

My voice cracked with panic. The Pope’s smile deepened.

—!

Idiot!

Was I not acting as though I admitted his words were correct?

Cathia and Sue were already staring at me, faces startled.

...Could it be that I had been set up?

“Fufu. There is no need for such a face. It is simpler and more helpful if you already know the Taboo. I merely wished to confirm. Whether or not you currently possess it makes no difference. We have long since passed the stage where we would act against you.”

As the words suggested, no hostility emanated from the Pope toward us.

Yet, whether or not he could be trusted remained unclear.

If this aged man possessed such strength, I doubted my eyes could detect malice hidden beneath his calm smile.

“Taboo is the memory of sin.”

The Pope erased his smile, closed his eyes, and spoke quietly.

“Our sins from the past. The record of them. Taboo is what forces us to remember them. We must atone for these sins.”

— Atone.

The threat from Taboo still echoed, unbroken.

The Pope took it seriously. Acted accordingly.

“But people are weak. Crushed by guilt, they flee toward easier paths before atonement. Even if it means erasing themselves. They believe it is easier to yield to the impulse to simply vanish, rather than endure prolonged suffering. Therefore, the Taboo must remain unknown.”

That might be true.

The thought of this discomfort lasting indefinitely makes me feel drained too.

Even I, a reincarnated one with no connection to this world’s past, feel it.

For those who have lived here continuously, it is not abstract. They may suffer more than I do.

The Taboo menu includes a record of reincarnation history.

In my section, only blank space exists.

My previous life occurred elsewhere. Outside the system’s scope. No record.

But the people of this world are different.

The reincarnation history contains records of every past life of an individual.

Records from the moment the system was born.

How the system came into existence.

How the individual has lived since the system's inception.

All of it can be shown.

— Repent.

Along with that thought.

Indeed, the record of sins is a well-known concept.

It makes sense that being constantly shown such records and threatened with repentance would eventually crush a person.

Indeed, that is why the Pope regarded the Taboo as dangerous and strictly suppressed those who possessed the skill.

To protect that person.

"Yet one must remember someday. The reckoning of sins never ends. The accumulated interest demands even a soul worn thin by time, and collapse looms ever closer."

The Pope kept eyes closed, face turned upward.

At that moment.

"World Quest initiated. Either obstruct the plan of the malevolent god seeking to sacrifice humanity to prevent the world's collapse, or cooperate."

The familiar divine voice resonates directly within the mind.

Simultaneously, a white silhouette appears in the periphery of vision.

"What... what was that?"

The suddenness leaves the mind unable to process.

A glance toward Katia reveals she too frowns, her expression strained.

Turning to the opposite side, Su appears dazed—yet somehow accepting.

Judging by their reactions, the divine message was not audible to me alone.

"Has it begun."

The Pope, the only one maintaining composure in the room, murmurs with a tone tinged with fatigue.

"Begin? What do you mean by that?"

"The time for choice has arrived."

The Pope slowly turns his face forward, opening his eyes in response to my immediate question.

Overwhelmed.

By that Pope’s unshakable gaze.

Despite his status being vastly inferior to mine, his combat ability negligible, the unwavering resolve in his old frame— I felt, for the first time, true strength.

“We must choose. To live, repaying the great debt to the gods we betrayed. Or to die, repenting our sins.”

Katie and Sue, unaware of the Taboo’s contents, could not follow the conversation.

Yet they sensed something momentous was unfolding—whether from the Pope’s unmistakable intensity, or simply the tightening of their own bodies in tension.

I felt the same.

“I oppose the demon god by sacrificing the god I once revered. This is what the end of the Divine Word faith means.”

It was an unthinkable declaration—like the heavens themselves had turned upside down.

"Hero Shrein. Which will you choose? Man or god? Only one can survive."