Ch.360Episode 14 – One Religion, One Faith, Two Saints

The fresh sunlight penetrates through the window. The morning spring sunshine was too intense to be received with a drowsy mind.

Camilla, who had burrowed out from her fluffy blanket, curled up in the center of the bed.

“Camilla.”

The gentle knocking sound barely registered. It was followed by mumbling that resembled a newborn’s babbling.

“Just a moment…”

“It’s morning. Time to get up.”

“5 minutes… Just 5 minutes…”

What am I to do with this troublemaker?

I sighed as I stared at the firmly closed door.

“Lucia is waiting. If you don’t get ready now, you’ll be late.”

“Mmm…”

“I said get up…”

Despite my desperate plea, the only response was sleep talk like “Just 10 minutes…”

After staring at the door that showed no signs of opening with an expression that had aged three years, I threw out some bait that might entice Camilla as a last resort.

“If you’re late, there will be no welcome feast.”

Slam!

The door was yanked open and a pale face popped out. Camilla appeared in her pajamas, gripping the doorknob as she met my gaze.

“When do we need to leave?”

“Within 50 minutes.”

“I’ll shower right now!”

Episode 14 – One Religion, One Faith, Two Saints

The glorious day has arrived.

In the distance, the sun rises, burning away the morning mist, and brilliant dawn light shines down on the dew-laden gravel path as if bestowing a blessing.

Sunlight breaks into hexagonal patterns as it passes through tiny specks of dust on the glass. The clear sun adds languor to eyelids already heavy with fatigue.

As I struggle to keep my unusually heavy eyelids open, a gentle voice tickles my ear.

Francesca.

“Are you tired?”

“Yes, a bit sleepy.”

As I rub my eyes to drive away the drowsiness, Francesca readily strikes up a conversation.

Her appearance was distinctly different from usual.

Her hair, like melted amethyst, was tied up, and she was adorned with various cosmetics.

The clothing made by a renowned tailor also harmonized with her beauty. A brown-toned suit that added vitality to her transparent skin. The potentially pale impression was perfectly complemented by pastel tones and checkered patterns.

With her striking appearance and meticulous self-care coming together, Francesca’s beauty shone even more brilliantly.

The sight was enough to wake me fully, and I smiled as I offered a playful compliment to Francesca sitting in front of me.

“You’ve really put in some effort today.”

“I’ve always been like this.”

Francesca answered calmly, lifting her head slightly. As always, her attitude was quite confident. I smiled gently and turned my gaze toward the window.

The road leading to the cathedral where the canonization ceremony would be held.

The streets were so packed with people that there was barely room to step. We rode in a carriage provided by the Order, slowly moving through the massive crowd following the police escort.

“There are a lot of people gathered.”

“It’s a global event, after all.”

“True, it is the Order’s festival.”

The canonization ceremony of the Order, revered as one of the world’s three major religions, is truly a global event.

Clergy and monastics had naturally been looking forward to the canonization, and both believers and non-believers alike had flocked from all over to witness it.

In a world where divine power exists as a mysterious force, the influence of religion was this tremendous.

I quietly sighed as I looked at the congested main road.

“If we had left just 30 minutes earlier, we wouldn’t be delayed like this. I wonder whose fault that is…”

“Hehehe…”

Camilla scratched her cheek with an embarrassed expression.

“That’s why I told you to go to bed early and wake up early.”

“I couldn’t sleep because I was too excited…”

As Lucia’s canonization ceremony drew closer, Camilla could barely contain her excitement.

Having lived her entire life on Earth and only seen magic in movies, Camilla would often tell me that every day here was new and fascinating.

She’d say that when she wakes up in the morning, she can’t wait to find out what happened the night before and what will happen today. This time, she must have been curious about what events would unfold at the canonization ceremony.

Having worked in intelligence and seen all sorts of weirdos, I can declare with certainty that Camilla was among the top five most unique individuals I’d ever encountered.

Incidentally, one of those top five is sitting in front of me.

“If you hadn’t stayed up so late, this wouldn’t have happened.”

“Tch!”

The British girl pouted and grumbled.

“Still! It’s not so bad to go slowly and enjoy the sights!”

“We agreed to call this a traffic jam.”

“Oh, you’re being too harsh!”

Trembling with frustration, Camilla finally moved to a corner in a sulky mood. Finding her behavior cute, Francesca began to laugh softly.

“Don’t scold her too much, Officer. You’re not in a position to talk.”

“What did I do to deserve that?”

“Look in a mirror.”

Her slender finger gently brushed the area around her eyes. After doing so, Francesca continued with her question.

“Your dark circles have reached your chin.”

“…Ah.”

“What were you doing last night to develop dark circles that weren’t there before?”

I stared blankly out the window.

Then, smacking my lips, I broke the silence.

“Well, I had a bit of a quarrel with someone.”

“You? Did you lose?”

“Of course not.”

As the South Korean Minister of Defense once said, a fight should continue until the enemy surrenders.

…Though that surrender might be a bit different from what I meant.

*

Traditionally, a saint’s canonization ceremony is held at Altiora Cathedral, but the Order decided to hold this ceremony at Tranquille Cathedral.

This was because the unwritten rule that only one saint could exist in an era had been broken.

According to church law, the ceremony should be held at Altiora Cathedral, where saints have resided for generations, but the owner of Altiora Cathedral is Veronica, who was canonized a decade ago.

The prevailing opinion in religious circles was that a new owner couldn’t be installed while the current one was still alive, so the Vatican selected Tranquille Cathedral as the venue for Lucia’s canonization.

For reference, Raphael’s coronation will be held at Medius Cathedral, the Pope’s residence.

Tranquille Cathedral, newly elevated to a grand cathedral with the birth of a new saint.

I can’t help but exclaim in admiration as I look at the cathedral I’ve returned to.

“Wow…”

It feels like just yesterday that I snuck in here to meet Lucia during her seclusion. And now it’s already the day of her canonization.

I wasn’t the only one captivated by the sentiment. Even Camilla, who had been sulking earlier, was now looking around at the majestic cathedral scenery, chattering non-stop.

“Wow. This place is beautiful no matter how many times I see it. Will Lucia live here from now on?”

“Yes. She’s the sole owner of the cathedral now.”

A canonized saint receives many privileges from the Order. They wield political influence and receive diplomatic treatment comparable to that of the Pope.

One of those benefits is receiving a cathedral as their residence.

Some criticize this as religious figures becoming worldly by becoming owners of churches, but this has been the custom for hundreds of years.

The Order’s saints, as descendants favored by the heavenly deity, have the right to stay in a cathedral and can reside there as long as they wish until death.

A prime example is Veronica. Immediately after her canonization, Veronica became the owner of Altiora Cathedral, where she still resides. Of course, she’s criticized for taking the privileges while neglecting her duties, only working when she feels like it, but no one denies Veronica’s authority as a saint.

Well, it’s none of my business anyway.

The people suffering from Veronica’s deviations and negligence are the Pope and high-ranking clergy, not me.

Anyway.

We made our way to Tranquille Cathedral, where the canonization ceremony would be held.

The gazes of clergy from various regions and government representatives from different countries followed us like tails. But we didn’t pay any attention to this.

Camilla was a unique individual with a freer spirit than even the most dedicated hippie, and Francesca was a celebrity accustomed to being in the public eye.

I’m no exception either.

It’s only natural for a spy to be followed by gazes.

However, what concerns me is…

“Officer Frederick.”

Not the gazes of schemers.

“His Highness the Grand Duke is calling for you.”

*

Billowing smoke fills the room.

A terrible smell emanated from the ashtray piled high with tobacco. But the bottles of whiskey rolling on the floor gave off an even stronger scent.

Despite the thick smell of alcohol and cigarette smoke.

The seated woman paid no mind as she poured herself a drink until the glass was brimming.

A hand that firmly grasped the crystal glass.

The sound of gulping rang out clearly for a moment. After filling her throat with alcohol in one go, the woman wiped her mouth with her sleeve and exclaimed.

“Phew…!”

Slam!

Veronica roughly put down her glass and muttered with a flushed face.

“Damn it… They say raising a daughter is pointless… These little wenches in pairs…”

“…Holy Saint. You should stop drinking now and leave.”

Despite the clergyman’s pleading advice, the saint didn’t bat an eye.

“Sob…! That, that, garbage bastard…”

Veronica, slumped over the table, began to make sniffling sounds.

Watching this, the clergyman quietly closed his eyes and clasped his hands.

O Lord, please send down just one bolt of lightning to bring her to her senses.