"Lord Alan. Before that, I need to ask why you targeted the young lady."
Ward stopped me for a moment.
But the other party didn't seem willing to wait.
"I don't know what you're talking about, but die!"
As Pope Linus said that, five black shadows lunged from behind him.
Every single one had [Ninja Master].
Three of the shadows came at me, while the remaining two went for Ward.
"Shadow Meld!"
As I readied my sword to meet them head-on, the assassins sank into the shadows.
Oh, nice skill you've got there.
Shadow Meld—the very skill I'd been planning to take from Mist, but couldn't because my father dealt the killing blow.
If they can use Ninja Master, I have no choice but to take it.
I used [Perfect Research] to pinpoint the alternate space where Shadow Meld hid them, then gave chase with the space-time magic [Teleport].
"How can you here!?"
Seizing the tiny gap of confusion from an assassin who never expected to be pursued, I stole [Ninja Master].
That was all I needed.
I swiftly killed the assassin stripped of [Ninja Master], then shifted into the alternate space of the next assassin's Shadow Meld and repeated the process.
When I returned to the papal chamber, Ward was struggling.
He couldn't find any clue to pin down the assassin, who was using Shadow Meld to execute hit-and-run attacks without leaving a trace.
"This isn't looking good."
I took on one of them, tracked them as they dove into the shadows, teleported after them, and so on.
By the time I got back, Ward had a knife buried in his left shoulder but had also landed a devastating kick that tore a hole through the assassin's side.
Let them cut the flesh, then break the bone.
That must have been the only way he could create an opening for a counterattack.
"Heal!"
I healed Ward's wound.
While at it, I also cured the poison that had been inflicted by the knife.
"You healed both a deep wound and lethal poison with just Heal?! Your healing surpasses even the Saintess!"
Ward had already witnessed my Resurrection before, so he wasn't particularly surprised, but the Pope was dumbfounded.
If he found out I could use Resurrection, he'd probably lose his mind.
"I've incurred another debt, haven't I."
"If I don't send you back safely, Geese is going to be furious."
"Don't ignore me! Ggh, my resources are all spent… Those [Diamond] bastards talked big but aren't even here—worthless lot!! Oh right, you said your name was Alan? How about joining my faction from now on?"
Huh? Why now of all times?
"I'll naturally revoke the heresy designation and even appoint you as a cardinal. With abilities like yours, there's no need for that annoying ornament called a Saintess! In fact, why not declare the Saintess a heretic and designate you as a saint instead?!"
Pope Linus was making his desperate appeal.
Come to think of it, his name was a little similar to that father of mine—Ryan.
That alone was enough reason not to listen.
"Being a replacement for the Saintess? No thanks. All I want is a peaceful life and to be treated normally."
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Skills: [Reverse], [Divine Eye], [Sword God], [Gentleman Thief], [Dark Magic], [Rock-Iron Magic], [Holy Magic], [Space-Time Magic], [Scorching Magic], [Frost Magic], [Magic Hand], [Seduction], [Pain Relief], [Complete Status Ailment Resistance], [Fire Spirit's Protection], [Phantom Demon], [Lightning Swift], [Dark Spirit's Protection], [Monstrous Strength], [Thunder God Sword], [Fortune], [Clear Storm Magic], [Humility], [Heaven's Gate], [Ninja Master]
Rank: Gold (Arisa: Gold)