The Sponsored Heroines Are Coming for Me

Ariane.

The former saint’s figure is overall slender.

Perhaps that’s why it wasn’t easy to make the connection.

Her long bangs nearly obscure her eyes,

and their color is a rich, deep black.

Of course…

‘It’s just a feeling, nothing more.’

From her build to her overall appearance, there were similarities but also significant differences.

It was just that her hair color left an indelible mark on my mind.

More importantly, I needed to focus on how to survive.

‘Though I do have a backup plan…’

The so-called “Title Runaway” plan.

But it’s a rough idea with several conditions that need to align.

If possible, I’d prefer to avoid causing chaos.

The best approach would be to unravel the charges tied to me.

But how?

Especially when the Pope has such overwhelming abilities.

The moment he approached me, it happened in an instant.

— Step.

He looked like an ordinary man from the neighborhood, but his steps were anything but.

The weight of his presence was palpable as he stopped about three meters away.

“So, you’re Ian Blackangers.”

“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Holiness.”

He was the Pope, the spiritual leader and father of all.

I spoke in the most formal and respectful tone I could muster, a clear and composed voice, devoid of any complaints about being unjustly captured.

Though I was bound, I acted as if I wasn’t, maintaining my courtesy.

Of course, it was a calculated act.

If I protested now, it would only seem as if I were admitting to the charges.

Instead, I needed to project the impression that I had nothing to fear.

I had learned this tactic from observing Lord Lipenstein.

As if I had become him, I infused my voice with that kind of composed confidence.

It served to suggest both that I wasn’t afraid of the accusations and that I was innocent.

Naturally, my inner anxiety began to subside.

I even started to think I might be able to evade the Pope’s interrogation.

But the Pope was a step ahead of me.

He smiled.

“Hehe, you’ve been observing, haven’t you?”

“I’m not sure what you mean…”

“I noticed your trembling has subsided. Right after that execution of the witch, you seemed to calm down. Quite the perceptive young man.”

Damn it.

Wasn’t he the one being perceptive here?

Despite the distance, he had been monitoring my condition.

Honestly, couldn’t someone of his stature afford to be a bit more lax about such things?

As I grumbled inwardly, the Pope’s sharp gaze swept over me.

— Step.

He took about three more steps forward.

Now there was only about two meters between us.

Still, his voice remained kind.

“Being perceptive isn’t a bad thing. It’s likely why you managed to deal so brilliantly with that heinous Evan in Lichten, even as a mere student.”

“You’re too kind.”

“Indeed. But you’re aware of this as well, aren’t you?”

“What might that be?”

“That sometimes, excessive brilliance invites suspicion. Oscar, noted in his report that your actions were overly precise and flawless. Hehe, imagine being so exemplary that it raised eyebrows—”

The Pope continued.

“He said that you seemed to see the future.”

A moment of silence.

Premonition and prophecy are grave sins.

At least, according to the doctrine of the Deus Church.

The weight of such a sin is akin to impersonating God.

The reason is clear.

Only Deus, the omniscient and omnipotent deity, is said to govern the future.

Thus, those revered as Great Prophets are, without exception, priests of the Deus Church.

But I am not one of them.

What appears to be prophecy in my actions is merely a result of having prior knowledge—information I memorized while playing the game.

In fact, this might be even more dangerous if discovered.

If they find out… everything will be over.

A witch hunt?

That would be the least of my problems.

They’d likely throw a grand celebration for capturing a devil.

The delicacies served at the party would likely be thin slices of my flesh carved one by one by Oscar.

“…”

The Pope’s seemingly admiring words concealed such sharp blades within them.

A brief flutter in my chest.

A tiny tremor, like a gentle breeze in the midst of calm.

I immediately stopped my thoughts.

But it was already too late.

The Pope’s smile deepened ever so slightly.

With that slight tremor, he had surely gleaned some information from me.

‘F*ck’

I swallowed the curse that threatened to escape and maintained my facade of calmness.

The Pope raised a hand, pointing toward the flickering flames in the distance.

“Since I began walking this path, I have never sent an innocent person to those flames.”

“I see.”

“The unbelievable feats you’ve accomplished could simply be seen as a talent destined to go down in history, nothing more.”

Honestly, even just having this conversation with the Pope was a significant privilege.

If his words were to be believed, he met with accused individuals personally to ensure no innocent person would be punished.

From that perspective, he didn’t seem like a terrible person.

“It’s an honor.”

“However, there is something I cannot accept.”

His eyes grew stern, his aura unmistakably resolute.

An intangible pressure radiated faintly from him.

“It is said that you caused a great deal of distress to one of our Church’s saint candidates.”

“What do you mean…?”

The sudden shift caught me off guard, and I faltered slightly.

Did he glean something else from my hesitation?

His presence became even more oppressive.

“Aria Lumines. I’ve received countless reports that you disturbed her mind. Do you have anything to say about that?”

Of course, I did.

But…

‘I didn’t help Aria when she needed it, and that’s the truth.’

Even knowing she was in pain, I didn’t reach out. There was no reason to. It was a simple fact.

But admitting such thoughts to the Pope would be foolish.

Thus, his words were a direct blow.

Did he sense my hesitation?

The Pope took another step toward me.

The closer the distance, the stronger his power would become.

I swallowed nervously.

Maintaining my composure any longer felt impossible.

At that moment…

— Ssshhhhh

A sensation like a breeze swept through my mind.

It blew away all the clutter—my doubts, fears, and concerns.

A sudden wave of tranquility.

It felt as if my emotions had become a vast, still ocean, utterly calm and undisturbed.

And it wasn’t just my perception.

“…?”

The Pope’s eyes twitched as he looked at me.

His confusion was palpable.

Seeing that, I realized something instinctively.

The title [The One Who Beheld the Pinnacle] had been activated.

The conditions for acquiring it required facing both the Emperor and the Pope at a breath’s distance—roughly one meter.

I had already fulfilled the Emperor’s condition during the Richard Pierce commendation event. Now, having faced the Pope up close, the title was activated.

It was an odd feeling.

It didn’t feel like I had gained a sudden new power.

Rather, it was as though I had achieved some mental clarity, allowing me to see the world more calmly.

The Pope’s voice carried a faint trace of bewilderment.

He must have sensed that part of his influence on my thoughts had been blocked.

‘… Now that I think about it, this title has also given me immunity to mental attacks?’

A satisfied smile crept onto my face as I spoke.

“I only did my best for her.”

“…You did your best?”

“Yes.”

I explained to the Pope about my actions—about what I, or rather Ian Blackangers, had done.

◆

“Oh! So that’s how it happened! You’ve been through so much! Hahaha!”

“…”

After recounting my efforts to help Aria, the Pope’s demeanor shifted instantly.

The overwhelming intensity from moments before vanished, replaced by the image of a kindhearted neighbor.

No, perhaps not just a kindhearted neighbor.

“You’ve worked so hard. I must personally thank you for taking care of Aria, one of our saint candidates. Truly, thank you.”n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

“…Yes.”

“And isn’t our Aria just adorable? When she first met me, she couldn’t even make eye contact. But over time, she’s grown so much more comfortable. Ho-ho-ho.”

It didn’t feel like talking to a neighbor—it was more like speaking to a doting father gushing about his precious daughter.

Whenever he mentioned Aria’s name, the way he smiled was just…

‘A bit creepy, honestly.’

An irreverent thought crossed my mind, but I wasn’t worried. After all, I had the title that granted mental immunity.

“The saint candidates are incredibly precious to us, given the importance of the saint’s position. That’s why I treat them like my own daughters. Among the current candidates, Aria is the most adorable, though. Ho-ho-ho.”

Seriously.

What does adorable have to do with anything, Your Holiness?

I wanted to retort, but as a criminal tied to a chair, I held my tongue.

For a moment, I simply observed the Pope’s doting demeanor, which could only be described as embarrassingly indulgent.

“So, what will you do?”

The Emperor, who had been watching from afar, finally spoke.

His voice carried a hint of exasperation.

Well, discovering that one’s rival turned out to be such a doting “father” would surely be disorienting.

At that moment, I couldn’t help but wonder if this, too, was part of some political strategy—

The Pope’s way of making the Emperor lower his guard.

The Pope, after a bit more exaggerated fuss, finally opened his mouth.

“The verdict on this young man, Ian, will be determined after observing Aria’s trial for ascension to sainthood.”

“…”

I frowned.

Aria was bound to fail this trial.

The Pope, however, declared this with a soft smile.

“If this boy’s words are true, then Aria will surely deliver good results.”