Second Trial Announced

Narikin did not conquer the dungeon.

"Mumu! Drat, before I knew it, tomorrow is already the deadline for the trial! This won't do; I need to cut the conquest short and head back… Sorry, everyone! See you!"

Rather, he chose not to.

He could have gone as far as smashing the [Dummy Core], but he remembered this was still only the first of three trials and decided that would be going too far, so he stopped himself.

There were some complaints from the viewers, but a complete dungeon clear is a miracle-level feat to begin with. Doing it solo is something only a Saintess could manage.

Most people said it could not be helped even if he did not clear it, and even the complaints were more like requests of, "Nooo! Just take it all the way to the end!"

At the very least, Narikin's approval rating over this month had shot past "skyrocketing" and blown through the ceiling. The people already wanted him to forget the trials and simply become Pope—and conquer the dungeon, too.

And this was still only the first trial.

At any rate, that first trial ended with him safely returning the Bible to Ronesky, an indisputable clear.

The genuine article was unscathed, and the people who watched the stream could testify that Narikin wore the Bible at all times.

Even if someone tried to butt in, they would be laughed off with a, "What is this guy even saying?"

And then—

"Duel Saintess Alka—and win."

That was the second trial imposed on Narikin upon his return from the dungeon.

"… Is that all?"

"Sorry, that's all."

Compared to a dungeon conquest, it was an almost absurdly simple trial. Magni was honestly relieved that Narikin had not completed the conquest.

However, it carried important political meaning.

As proof, High Priest Ragil of the Saintess faction was glaring at them, face pale.

"All you have to do is prove you're above the Saintess… Public support is already pretty solid, but if we make it decisive here, no one will be able to complain."

"I see."

There even exists the "Saintess Faction" and there exists plenty who want to enthrone the Saintess as Pope.

That is because the Saintess is the symbol of "martial" prowess — the power to conquer dungeons.

If he could defeat such a Saintess in a one-on-one duel, the very foundation of the Saintess faction would be blown away.

If Narikin were to lose to Saintess Alka, they would think about it then.

They would either have the current Saintess provide the exemplar, or devise a trial more appropriate than this. Magni very much wanted Narikin to break through the trial.

"Then, Saintess Alka-sama. When would be good for the duel? Please tell me a convenient day."

"Hmm. My schedule is open even right this very day…"

Alka hesitated.

"Is there some problem?"

"… Just one. To accept the duel, allow me to propose one condition."

"And that is?"

"In truth, I am searching for a certain person. — Yes, the one who, that day, completely repainted my heart and awakened me to the truth…!"

That day. That truth. It was the night the Saintess bared her fangs clearly at the Pope.

There had been a terrorist who led the chant of "Down with the Pope," forcing the Pope to disappear from the holy capital Kuromaku.

And needless to say, that person was the Narikin before her. His face had been completely changed, however.

"I wish to offer that person my thanks. Please arrange for me to meet them. If that can be granted, I will gladly accept the duel. Narikin-sama, will you not indulge my selfish request…?"

"… Oh. Ah, yes. Very well. I shall do what little I can…"

In other words, she wanted him to find and bring a certain "nameless terrorist."

In a way, that was the real trial.

And in this case, the Saintess did not need to present any exemplar.

Suppressing the twitch at the corner of his mouth, Narikin answered the Saintess with a handshake.

 

＊ ＊ ＊

 

"Help me, Master-emon!"

"Honestly, Narikin-kun… So, what's wrong?"

No sooner had the trial been given than Narikin came to consult me. (For reference, "Help me, Master-emon" is a traditional greeting I taught him to use when he needs help.)

Just what kind of unreasonable demand had he been given? I listened to Narikin's story.

Hmm, hmm. I see. So that's how they're playing it.

"Yeah. There's no problem at all."

"Eh, really?"

"Even if she says she won't forgive an impostor, the real thing is right here."

"! Indeed! Then please return my face to the previous one… ah, that would make Narikin disappear. Right, Master, please meet the Saintess as Narikin, then—"

"Hold it, hold it."

Narikin made that proposal since he himself had been the terrorist back then. However—

"Back then, the 'inside' was me. The body was yours."

"Ah. Now that you mention it… Hm? Then please possess me…? We're short a body! Shall we make one more?"

"No need for anything that troublesome. Do you not know my skill?"

I have [Super Transformation].

And it has leveled up so I can transform into "anyone who has ever existed" as well. The condition is that I know that form well, but—

Narikin's past appearance naturally satisfies that condition.

… Come to think of it, that story took place after Narikin went to the Holy Kingdom. No wonder he didn't know.

"So, I'll go there as that terrorist. Just introduce me to Saintess Alka."

"As expected of Master! The problem is solved in an instant!"

"Name… let's go with Kyou."

To slip into the Holy Kingdom, I'd borrow Soto's power; no big hurdles there.

The bigger problem was—

"More importantly, Narikin. Can you beat the Saintess?"

"… The Saintess's strength is an unknown."

Exactly. The Saintess is a quasi-Hero-class powerhouse. Whether a mere dungeon monster like Narikin can beat her — that is, quite simply, the difficult part.