... Huh??

High Priest Ragil, head of the Papal faction—called the Conservative faction ever since the Pope vanished.

To skip the details, from Ragil's standpoint, it would be preferable to leave the papal seat vacant rather than enthrone an incompetent Pope.

Thus, until the missing Pope returns, he aimed to keep the seat empty.

Several candidates surfaced seeking the papacy, and by Ragil's orders, some of them were eliminated.

But at last, a climber of a priest called Narikin was formally nominated as a papal candidate.

When he was promoted to High Priest, Narikin received recommendations from merchants and the like—a Reformist priest. Ragil could see nothing but a deeply inconvenient future in which Narikin became Pope.

By good fortune, Ragil was selected as one of the overseers for Narikin's papal trial. Barring extraordinary circumstances, overseers are chosen from multiple factions, so this was only natural.

And so, during the discussion of what trial to give Narikin.

The Reformist High Priest Ronesky proposed some lukewarm trial along the lines of "Guard the Bible for one month," so Ragil added the condition: "Carry it in such a way that it is always visible."

Not only Ronesky, but Elder Magni of the Saintess faction also agreed, and the addition was approved.

"… Hm. Well, if it's just that much. I shall accept High Priest Ragil-dono's proposal."

"Well now, judgment will differ on what counts as 'always visible,' won't it."

The principal standard was set as: so long as it is convincing to the people, there is no problem. If the conditions are tightened too much, the overseer will be unable to demonstrate the exemplar and it'll just force a retrial.

Visible to whom, and how frequently? It was decided this would be judged flexibly while actually running the trial.

—Of course, should there be those who target the Bible, the difficulty of this trial will skyrocket.

Naturally, Ragil intended to have Narikin's Bible targeted.

Damage the Bible here, and then, so long as they didn't target Ronesky's exemplar, Narikin would fail the trial—and Ragil's goals would be achieved.

… Such was the trial that had been decided and imposed just the other day.

For today, the plan was to investigate how Narikin was carrying the Bible, in order to send assassins after him. The time limit was a full month. There was no need to rush.

He is human, after all; he must sleep.

"H-High Priest Ragil, this is terrible!"

"What is it, Balakdo?"

High Priest Balakdo of the same faction entered Ragil's office. Balakdo had been assigned to keep tabs on Narikin… What had happened to warrant "terrible"?

"Narikin, that man, he has left the town!"

"Hm? So he fled at once, did he. Hmmm. The people won't accept that, surely. The trial fails without our lifting a finger."

Ragil chuckled to himself—kukuku—but Balakdo shook his head.

"No, even though he left town, we can view his situation in the public square!"

"… What? What do you mean by that?"

"They are using something called a farsight magic tool! A-anyway, it will be faster to see it in person!"

Pressed by Balakdo, Ragil reluctantly rose to his feet.

They were guided to the square, where a crowd had gathered.

"What is this commotion? Make way! Let us through!"

"Who's the old— Ah! Ragil! Forgive me! P-please, this way!"

So Ragil reached the center of the crowd. There stood a large, square panel on a pedestal—with Narikin moving within the panel. He seemed to be inside some cave somewhere.

On his chest, the Bible was strapped down with a leather band.

"W-what is this…?"

[Hm? Oh! Why, if it isn't High Priest Ragil-dono.]

"!? N-Narikin! Can you see me!?"

[Thanks to the magic tool, yes. The parent unit and child unit show each other and allows us to converse. As you can see—]

Narikin in the panel displayed the child unit—an armband. In the small plate affixed to it, Ragil's face was indeed reflected.

When he waved his hand, the Ragil inside the smaller panel inside the panel waved back… The slight delay, and the fact that it wasn't mirrored like a looking glass, made for an odd sensation.

"… Incredible. I've never seen such a magic tool… This is of national-treasure class!!"

[Your discerning eye serves you well. This was lent to me by a certain royal, in fact. When I said I needed it for my trial, they graciously agreed… The activation time per day is limited, but it is convenient indeed.]

He casually flaunted his connections to royalty. It was a remarkable tool that bridged the distance between outside the town and within without issue, allowing conversation. Which royal, Ragil did not know.

"A-and Narikin. What are you doing?"

[Ah. I'm delving a dungeon.]

Narikin said it as if it were nothing.

"… Huh? A dungeon?"

[Indeed. I mean, 'Guard the Bible while showing it to the people for one month' alone is… far too easy, is it not? So I thought I'd conquer a dungeon while I'm at it, and make the process public.]

"… Hah??"

Easy. The trial. Therefore, also dive a dungeon.

… It made no sense!! If it's easy, then let it be easy!

[That said, I don't know how far I can get in a month. It is solo, after all.]

"S-solo!? You're challenging a dungeon solo!?"

[Is there a problem? Ah, and I have no need of reinforcements. A lukewarm conquest would be dull, you see. I'll simply enjoy myself to the fullest—oh, a monster.]

With Narikin's words, the image in the magic panel shifted, and a goblin appeared. It was armed—but Narikin cut it down in an instant.

The magic panel returned to showing Narikin.

"N-Narikin. Which dungeon are you challenging?"

[That is still a secret. I've said all this; if I fail to conquer it within the month, it would be embarrassing…!]

Narikin gave a flashy wink.

[Ah. We're nearing the communication limit of the magic tool. That's all for today. Let us meet again tomorrow at the same hour! Everyone, please come watch again tomorrow as well! Until then!]

"W-wait! Explain in more detail—"

With a pop, the panel went black.

… He could make no sense of it.