Civil Servant in a Romance Fantasy

500 – Multi-ethnicity, multi-religion – 5

The Pope’s office, where we arrived under Tanian’s guidance, was simpler than expected. No, even if you look at it objectively, it was quite small and compact.

Thanks to this, I clearly felt the difference in culture as soon as I came to Holy Church. Worldly monarchs and nobles can show off their authority and power the higher and more splendid their castles are, but the Pope, who is on par with the emperor, lives in an office at the level of a wealthy commoner.

‘I don’t think I’m doing this because I’m frugal.’

If the current Pope was a frugal person and lived in a small space, I would overlook it, but I heard that this office has a long history of being used by previous Popes. It contains the traditions of the denomination, not personal inclinations.

‘Is there no need to show off?’

Suddenly a thought occurred to me. Unlike blue bloods, who inherit everything through blood ties, the selection of popes and cardinals is strictly based on merit. This could mean that since everyone knows your dignity without having to show it off, it doesn’t matter if your office is small and simple.

When I thought about it that way, I even felt a sense of wonder. It is simplicity that comes from confidence. It’s much cooler than being overly dressed up for no reason.

“Precious people have come.”

Anyway, when we arrived, the Pope stood up and approached us with a gentle smile on his face.

“I wanted to greet this old man at the port, but he’s been busy lately. Thanks to him, I committed the rudeness of sitting down to greet the blessed woman.”

“How can you say such a thing when the Lord knows and the entire continent knows that your Holiness is busy? It is just an honor to meet you like this.”

He calmed down the corners of his mouth that were shaking at the unusual greeting and smiled at him.

Of course it was meant as a joke, but if the Pope really came to the port, that would be true disrespect. Excessive protocol is a ruthless rudeness that erodes the other person’s mental strength…

“As expected, the Blessed One has a warm heart. He truly seems to be living according to the Lord’s teachings.”

“That’s too much praise.”

I awkwardly laughed along with the Pope as he burst into laughter.

‘What does it mean to live according to the Lord’s teachings?’

I can’t even remember the last time I went to church.

Of course, the Pope probably said this out of courtesy, so he did not bother to ruin the atmosphere by saying such a thing. What’s important now is the situation in which the Pope is confronting me and Trixie.

“It’s been a while since I saw you, sister. It’s the first time since the abdication ceremony, right?”

“It’s already been a year ago. I’m glad to see that His Holiness is doing well as well.”

After briefly greeting me, the Pope turned to Trixie and bowed politely.

‘Mongrye.’

When I glanced at Trixie, Trixie also smiled completely businesslike at the sight of the Pope slightly lowering his head.

There is definitely something. It may simply be a courtesy towards an elder and a leader in the magic world, but considering his status as the Pope, it falls under the category of ‘courtesy that does not necessarily need to be worn.’ Nevertheless, if he bows his head first, it means that he is planning to say sorry to us.

“I will treat you two now, so you can go back now, Brother Tanian. Thank you for your hard work.”

“Yes, Your Holiness.”

Hearing the Pope’s words, Tanian bowed his head respectfully and retreated.

“Ah, I’ve been keeping precious people standing for too long. Please sit comfortably.”

And the Pope offered us a seat with a smiling face.

Your eyes are brightly shining.

“Thank you, Your Holiness.”

I had a gut feeling when I saw those eyes. I think we can hear the real reason the Pope invited us and why he showed such splendid protocol by appointing Tanian as our guide.

…By the way, as soon as we met, I got to the point. Although I felt comfortable, I was a little embarrassed. Isn’t it normal to conduct a subtle exploration and then get to the point? It is rare to see people deviating from the norm the older they are and the higher their position.

‘It must be difficult for the Holy Church.’

I was able to get a glimpse of the suffering of the Holy Church through that unconventional move. If a superior with both experience and ability is unconventional, it is an inevitable condition that his subordinates will die.

I can only express my condolences to the priests of the Holy Church.

The council was held in St. Togra Cathedral under the name of the Fifth Council of Enestye.

“As the warm light of the Lord shines on all continents and all peoples, the lowly servants who followed the Lord’s teachings worshiped the Lord’s noble will and tried to spread the banner of love, peace, and salvation.”

The Pope, seated in the highest seat in the conference room at St. Togra Cathedral, recited the opening speech with a reverential expression.

“However, contrary to the will of the Lord, who is eternal and perfect, these lowly servants are so inadequate that they must seek change. We must change again in order to become even a little closer to the Lord, 172 “In my capacity as Pope Waldsack the 37th, I declare the opening of the Council.”

With those words, the Pope, cardinals, and theologians sitting in their seats all stood up and made the sign of the cross.

“In order to get closer to the Holy Will, I pledge to be open and honest before the Lord.”

“””In order to get closer to the Holy Will, I pledge to be open and honest before the Lord.”””

The sight of nearly 300 people making an oath before God at the same time was sacred even to me, who has little faith.

…Yes, it was definitely sacred…

“Are you saying that right now? The 27th Pope, Pope Matten IV, said that the teachings of the Mass should not be distorted even to the slightest bit! But taking into account the culture of each region? It’s okay to respect culture, but in the end, each region has different teachings. “Isn’t it obvious that you’re going to get off!”

“That’s the story of a time when parishes spread out all over the place were unable to communicate smoothly! Today, the development of magic and technology has united the continent, and we can immediately recognize and prevent the fact that respect for culture leads to distortion of teachings. It has reached! The 78th Pope, Pope Gernisius VIII, also expressed concern that teachings without change may lead to stagnation in the denomination!”

It is basic to point fingers at each other and shout.

“Apology for radical and extreme actions? Is that necessary? Of course, there are some problems when looking at the actions at the time by today’s standards, but it is too hasty to ignore the circumstances of the time. The period of religious wars. Order was maintained through blood and force, and our suppression of the heretics by force was not an unusual but natural action.”

“I admit that the actions of that time were natural and unavoidable given the times. However, did that naturalness come to an end at the time? The bloody victory at that time became our foundation, and based on that foundation, the denomination continues to this day. “We have moved forward. Can we be confident that we have not inflicted excessive ostracism and oppression on the descendants of paganism in the process?”

“Does it matter if they did it? The descendants of paganism did not admit defeat and inflicted countless terrorist attacks on the religious order. The inevitable choice made for the stability of the religious order and the peace of believers cannot be said to be wrong. Or perhaps the culture of paganism After your research, are you so absorbed in paganism that you are representing their position?”

“What?”

The religious paddock asking ‘Are you a pagan?’ Is a bonus.

“Hey, what level of priest’s school are you in, you bastard!”

“Huh, are you proud of being on the same level as your juniors at that age?”

At some point, it went back and forth between insults and sarcasm.

‘What the f*ck.’

It is said to be a council. This isn’t a council, it’s like hell.

Confused, I carefully held Trixie’s hand next to me. I don’t think she would be able to maintain her sanity if she didn’t even have skin contact with her beloved wife.

“Carl, are you sure that all masses are like that these days? It’s been a while since I went to church…”

Luckily, Trixie seemed to feel the same way, so she didn’t reject my hand and opened her mouth with a slightly trembling voice.

“No. I don’t understand either.”

I answered Trixie in the warmest voice possible.

Even I can’t understand that scene right now.

“That’s normal. In fact, I sometimes get surprised when I see that scene.”

In the meantime, Tanian, who had taken a step back from the outside world, approached us.

It’s even more confusing. Is it okay for a guy who is said to be the next saint to be playing around? Shouldn’t he throw himself into hell and fulfill his will?

Perhaps he sensed those gazes, Tanian sat next to us with a grin on his face.

“Didn’t you swear at the opening ceremony that you would be completely honest before the Lord? That’s why I’m speaking so honestly without worrying about respect or etiquette.”

“No.”

That went beyond the level of honesty. If Enen sees that scene, I think he’ll ask me to hide it.

“And if the cardinals gather together, they must show that level of honesty to have an equal discussion with each other.”

At that moment, the words “What nonsense” Were rising to the top of my throat.

I can’t say anything since I’m more accustomed to one-sided orders than discussions, but I still understand that discussions require polite questions and answers in a rational and elegant atmosphere. Even if it’s not like that, at least it’s not this hell.

“Cardinal is a position that can be achieved only after thoroughly proving one’s abilities, starting from an apprentice priest.”

This time, Tanian must have sensed my confusion and continued his explanation in a calm voice.

“A person who has pledged to follow God’s will has walked that path for decades. Needless to say, the depth of values and beliefs he has built up over the years. If a person is soft enough to break his will through ordinary discussions, he should have been a cardinal in the first place. “I wouldn’t have been able to get to that position.”

“Huh.”

When I heard those words, I naturally sighed.

It has some persuasive power. Even ordinary people tend to become conservative and firm when they have their own beliefs. But how great would it be if a person rose from the bottom to the top, and that too with his own ability, not the power of blood relations? He became a cardinal because he had tremendous faith, and by becoming a cardinal, he even gained confidence that he was right.

And hundreds of such people gathered in one place. Certainly, no one can or will change through ordinary discussion. Only by pouring everything into a discussion like this without thinking about the future will there be a result.

…

‘But this is a bit much.’

I sighed as I looked at the cardinals who looked like they were about to get into a fist fight.

I heard that the cardinal’s clothes are red because they symbolize the blood of martyrs, but isn’t it actually a symbol of the blood shed at the Council? I know it’s a blasphemous thought, but looking at that…

‘Huh?’

Then, an unusual figure caught my eye.

Even though it was the Pope who quietly guarded the head of the table, the elderly man sitting near the head of the table watched the chaos with his arms crossed. All the cardinals—or at least the saints—are alone in a situation where they are making their own claims.

“This is Cardinal Pedro Otvaya, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.”

I was able to find out the identity of the old man through Tanian’s added comment as he turned his head to follow my gaze.

“He is like the head of the conservative faction within the denomination. You can think of him as a political opponent of the Pope.”

“I see.”

Is the department in charge also the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith? I heard that it used to be a heresy interrogation castle.

“Your Holiness must have been in quite a bit of trouble.”

“He is someone who considers it his mission.”

He nodded his head and raised his hand at Tanian’s words.

Now I have to slowly do as the Pope asked.

***

As expected, the council fell into chaos.

‘As expected, it comes out like this.’

When I looked at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, who was sitting on my lower left, he made eye contact with me and nodded.

Anyway, he is a person who is easy to understand and difficult to deal with. As soon as it opened, the conservative cardinals poured out hard-line remarks at once, and the council became incredibly confused. To the point where there is bound to be endless bickering without any productive discussion for at least a few days.

Perhaps the purpose of the growth is to increase antipathy towards the topic of reform among neutral cardinals. If bitter words and shouting are exchanged between each other, the neutral faction has no choice but to focus on the cause itself.

‘Since you failed to stop the council, I will make you sit down from within.’

It is a simple but sure method. Conservative cardinals also have a right to speak. The strategy of growth cannot be stopped unless legitimate rights are restricted.

However, this is as expected. Therefore, we have also prepared countermeasures for that.

“Excuse me. Can I speak for a moment?”

At that moment, the person raised his right hand and asked for the right to speak.

“Of course. The Blessed One is an honored guest whom we have invited, so please speak comfortably.”

As soon as I was allowed to speak, the cardinals, whose heads were heated, also began to silence themselves.

Of course, it is very rude to interrupt a person of reference, a living Bokja, when he wants to talk.

“I was invited as a witness to the resurrection of the World Tree, but what is being said now has nothing to do with the World Tree.”

And at the words of Blessed Count Tyglehen, the expression on the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith’s expression was slightly distorted.

On the other hand, the expressions on Bokja and I were extremely peaceful.

Now we can lead the council.