Civil Servant in a Romance Fantasy

498 – Multi-ethnic and multi-religious – 3

Council. A meeting where high-ranking cardinal-level priests and renowned theologians of the Dawn Church gather to discuss the doctrine, norms, and future of the Order.

As the Dawn Church is the mainstream religion on the continent and the state religion of each country, the continent’s attention is drawn to the Pope’s mere mention of the possibility of opening a council. Isn’t a council a council where the leaders of the religious denomination gather in one place and fight without compromise? It’s even weirder if you’re not interested. How could it be said that the Council would even stop worldly wars?

That is how powerful the authority of the council is. The most recently held council was the time when the empire was replaced from Apels to Kpelopen and the sacred calendar was introduced rather than the imperial calendar, so councils are held only in times of rapid change in the history of the continent and the history of the denomination.

Therefore, once the opening of the council is confirmed, the continent’s political and diplomatic circles remain silent. Because the common sense and customs that have existed up until now are collapsing starting from the Council. No matter how much you build a castle on a rock in the world, the result of the council is to destroy the rock itself, not the castle.

“During my reign, the World Tree was revived and a council was held. You have all the experiences that others cannot.”

That is why the emperor muttered such complaints with an expression as if he had been liberated. What would be the point of preparing for the revival of the World Tree since last year and convening ministers to instruct them on future measures? Thanks to the Pope’s declaration of a council, all preparations turned into waste.

‘This can’t be helped.’

Even if the emperor and the pope are equal beings, if it is a matter involving God, they have no choice but to yield superiority to the pope.

The emperor promoted the resurrection of the World Tree and the second coming of Constantina as ‘a symbol of Enen’s protection and the steadfastness of Heaven’s will.’ However, at the Council, ‘Constantina is an idol and the World Tree is just a big tree.’ All.’ If we conclude this, the emperor will go from a monarch favored by Enen to a pagan chieftain. It’s a terrible thing to even imagine.

“Anyway, that’s the way it is. I don’t feel comfortable sending a newly married minister to another country, but I want it because the council is the cause, not anything else.”

“Couples can spend time together at any time, but isn’t the Council a great cause for the continent that has come for the first time in hundreds of years? Don’t worry.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

The emperor’s expression brightened slightly at the declaration that he would go along obediently.

“It’s embarrassing to say I’m the minister, but how about going with Lord Ma Jong? Lord Ma Jong was also at the place where the World Tree was resurrected, and isn’t he in a position to inherit the blood of the elf elders? If the Pope welcomes it, he won’t hesitate. “

“I am so grateful for Your Majesty’s warm wisdom.”

I bowed my head to the emperor’s suggestion. What they meant was that we should go as references, and if it was okay with us, we should go on a honeymoon and go to the Holy Church side by side as a couple.

This is a tremendous consideration even for the emperor. Sending Trixie, the duke and the core of the system’s defense, out of the empire, even if only for a short time? It is a difficult decision to make unless you have a lot of determination.

‘It’s a honeymoon.’

It was unplanned, but not too bad.

No, I decided to think it wasn’t that bad. If you can’t avoid it, enjoy it.

I went to work to prepare for a business trip called “Honeymoon” And left work less than two hours later.

I gathered together the couples who were blinking at the unprecedented speed of leaving work and explained the situation. Since I was invited as a witness to the Council, I have to go to the Holy See soon.

“I didn’t go to the church during the beatification ceremony, but I had no idea it would end up like this.”

“That’s right. I thought I would never have to go further in my life.”

I ended up nodding my head as Mar muttered in confusion. Even during the enormous event of beatification during her lifetime, she did not set foot in the Holy Church, but she never dreamed that such a large-scale event would occur, far surpassing the beatification ceremony.

Of course, how many people on the continent would have guessed that a council would be held during their lifetime? Even beyond simply opening, her husband was pointed out by the Pope as a reference. This is even stranger if you expect it.

“Still, they said there wouldn’t be a big problem if I went since I was a reference for simple on-site proof, not a reference for a theological discussion.”

First, I said something positive to ease the slightly tense atmosphere. It is true that the opening of a council and the invitation of references are unexpected, but that is not to say that they are variables that naturally elicit criticism.

I don’t have to take the lead in doing anything, I just have to sit and answer questions. Traveling to a foreign country is just a hassle, but it cannot be said to be difficult or dangerous.

“Besides, I’m a lucky person, so I’m sure they’ll treat me well when I go. Don’t worry too much.”

As a bonus, the next saint is my student. If there is a priest who starts a fight or annoys you, you have ample means to get rid of them.

In the first place, if a person was crazy enough to argue with a guest called by the Pope, he would not have become a priest.

“Then, brother. How about wearing the clothes you got at the fair when you attend the council?”

“At the fair?”

Rin’s words reminded her of the white clothes that were probably asleep in her closet by now.

It’s definitely a good idea. I usually only wore the uniform of the Inspection Department, so I forgot about it, but if I went to the Holy Church wearing a gift from the Holy Church, I would be able to make a good impression.

‘I was the one who received it.’

But it’s a little embarrassing. At the time she received a gift commemorating her beatification from Cardinal Alexandria, she was unable to see the event in person because she was busy working at her club’s booth. Later, she forgot to remember the person she heard from.

“White clothes are a little strange, but… I guess that’s good, right?”

“Of course. Try wearing other clothes as well. I always wear black.”

I quietly turned my gaze to Rin’s scolding.

She did not say that black clothes were comfortable because they did not show any stains. If she said something like that at this time, she would only get scolded.

“Ah.”

In the meantime, Rize let out a low exclamation as if she remembered something.

“If your brother goes to the Holy Church, will Eri and Phine see you next time?”

These words pierced my conscience, so I instinctively flinched.

That’s right. I was so caught up in an unexpected overseas business trip that I forgot about it for a while.

‘You must be disappointed.’

As the establishment of the Ministry of Inspection approached, Eri and Fine’s work also increased rapidly. Thanks to this, her face was barely visible during her wedding to Trixie.

I said I would still be able to find time to fit in with my honeymoon, but it turned out that I was leaving for the Holy Church with Trixie. It’s like screwing over kids who are already hard to see.

“…I’m not leaving right away, so I’ll go find you before you go.”

With those words, I glanced at Trixie.

For some reason, she kept a calm expression even after hearing that the two of them were going to the Holy Church alone, and I guess it was because she felt sorry for Eri and Fine. Perhaps because he is an elder, he shows such deep and beautiful consideration.

Unfortunately, his ears were fluttering violently from earlier, probably out of consideration, but I decided not to notice him.

***

“Your Holiness, please reconsider. It’s not too late. We can settle things now with a large-scale mass to celebrate the resurrection of the World Tree.”

I closed my eyes to the senior cardinal’s earnest request. Perhaps because he was anxious, he said something that did not make sense, unlike the usually cautious chief cardinal.

Is it true that it is not too late? The declaration of the opening of the council has already reverberated across the continent. Cardinals from all over the continent are entering the country one by one, and the ruling class of each country is silent at the sight of the large-scale movement of cardinals.

In this situation, it is impossible to cancel the opening of the council. In that case, the Pope’s declaration becomes nothing more than a bluff, and the name of the Council, which should be heavy and exalted, falls to the ground.

Nevertheless, the reason why the senior cardinal, who is also a member of the Secretariat, advises to cancel the council is not because he wants the name of the Pope and the authority of the council to fall.

“The church is not ready to move on. Rather than bleeding to death from excessive surgery, it is right to endure the humiliation for a while.”

They are blocking it because they believe that damage to their authority would be better than the shock this council would cause.

It’s a pity. He is a senior cardinal who once dreamed of reforming the religious order. He is a senior cardinal who respects previous popes and proudly declared that he would change the denomination someday. Although the chief cardinal got older, his position rose, and his field of view became broader, those years were enough for the passionate priest to become a politician who compromises with reality.

Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s wrong. He said that blindly pursuing ideals without looking at reality would be ruining the church, and that he compromised with reality meant that he still had room for dreams.

That’s why I came forward. The chief cardinal who receives instructions from the Pope can compromise with reality. However, the servant of the Lord’s servants, the one who should reach heaven last, must not bow to reality.

The Pope, and only the Pope, must look at the sun. Even if we become blind at the end, we must do it in order to be confident before our Lord in the future.

“Chief Cardinal.”

“Yes, Your Holiness.”

When I opened my mouth, the chief cardinal raised his deeply bowed head again.

And when I saw the expression of faint anticipation, a bitter smile appeared. Breaking someone’s expectations is something you never get used to, no matter how many times you experience it.

“All merit is the arrangement of our Lord, but all wrongdoing is the servant’s mistake.”

“Your Holiness…”

“This old man will carry all the resentment and hatred towards the religious order under heaven.”

That was enough. The chief cardinal simply bowed his head in sorrow as the words left no room for further persuasion.

The chief cardinal stepped down. Since it is impossible to cancel the council, it seems that they are trying to increase the possibility of the council being concluded successfully.

I am both sorry and grateful. As expected, the senior cardinal still had some of the passion he had in the past.

‘Even if I fall, you will carry on.’

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I smiled even though it wasn’t such a situation.

Even if I fail, my dreams will not collapse. Just as I developed a dream of reform by watching my seniors, I too will become someone else’s dream.

Then, even if you die carrying all your resentment and hatred, you can go on smiling. As much as I shoulder, the denomination can get time to change. We can wait for the emergence of new reformers.

‘It’s best to succeed now, though.’

I picked up the documents on the desk.

The Pope’s burden that contains the ideals that my seniors dreamed of and the things that I must pass on as a reality to my juniors.

[ … Mass in each country is conducted by a priest from that country taking into account the culture of the region, and the Holy Church oversees whether the Mass is in conflict with doctrine and must not intervene further.

We objectively understand all actions committed by the Dawn Church during the religious wars, and in the case of radical and radical actions, we formally apologize and compensate the descendants of the relevant religious community.

Do not forget that our Lord is only Enen, but acknowledge and consider the positive functions of paganism.

We acknowledge that faith and goodness do not always coincide.

… ]

A mission that must be accomplished.