Ch.379Episode 14 – One Religion, One Faith, Two Saints (End)

# The Coronation and Canonization

The coronation and canonization were the Church’s greatest festivals and ceremonies, while also carrying deeper meanings beyond what was apparent on the surface.

Especially in a political sense.

Lucia, who was canonized as the new saint following Veronica. Because a successor had been selected while the predecessor was still alive, numerous speculations and interpretations followed.

Some believed that with the birth of a third religious leader—unlike the past when two religious leaders, the Pope and the Saint, divided religion—confusion would be inevitable both politically and religiously.

The implication was that as power once concentrated in Veronica became dispersed to Lucia, diminishing the Saint’s authority, wouldn’t there be a power struggle between the two Saints?

So then, what were Lucia, newly elevated to sainthood, and Veronica, who had maintained her position as Saint for over ten years, doing now?

“Mmm… What time is it—EEEK?!”

“…What’s wrong, Veronica? Let’s get some more sleep…”

“Major! Lucia! Everyone get up quickly! We’re going to be late!”

They had been sleeping in until the morning of the coronation day.

## Episode 14 – One Religion, One Faith, Two Saints

Lucia’s canonization and Raphael’s coronation could be described, without exaggeration, as the most magnificent festival in the Church’s history.

However, for those who knew the reality, the canonization and coronation were like massive bombs.

Since previous Popes had wiped out minor sects through ruthless suppression and inquisition, factions within the Church had largely divided into two:

1. The Nicaean Faction.

This was where priests who valued traditional values gathered. Though slightly shaken due to the emergence of science and magic unveiling mysteries, the Nicaean Faction still enjoyed overwhelming support.

Priests working in judiciary, ethics, doctrine and discipline, internal affairs, general administration, finance and audit, and public security belonged to this faction. Officially, Veronica was also registered with this faction.

Although some evaluated that they had become somewhat more mellow compared to their heyday when they wielded the blade of holy war and inquisition mercilessly.

Judging by the annually increasing special activity budget of the Inquisition and the wailing of investigators echoing in intelligence agency offices worldwide, this faction had yet to abandon its true nature.

2. The Kadıköy Faction.

This was a reform-oriented faction. If you hadn’t slept through world history class, the term “Church Unity Movement” would immediately bring the Kadıköy Faction to mind, as it was such a famous denomination.

Most priests affiliated with the diplomatic department, evangelism association, and science academy belonged to this faction. The same went for the cultural council responsible for dialogue and cultural exchange with Al-Yabd and Nirvana, as well as academic affairs. Teachers at the diplomatic school training the Church’s diplomats were also broadly considered part of the Kadıköy Faction.

The Kadıköy Faction, advocating church unity, received support from minor denominations both inside and outside the Church.

In contrast to the Nicaean Faction, they benefited greatly from fatigue over ruthless religious suppression and the advancement of science and magic.

Most observers classified Lucia as part of the Kadıköy Faction.

This was because the Church’s charity office, which oversaw love and service, had historically maintained close ties with the Kadıköy Faction, and the convent that took in orphaned Lucia was also a facility operated by the Kadıköy Faction. For reference, the charity office was Lucia’s first assignment after graduating from the theological college. She had been working there until the oracle descended.

Thus, the two Saints belonged to different factions.

Of course, Lucia had never once implied or directly stated which faction she was affiliated with, so there were only abundant speculations.

But the real problem lay elsewhere.

“What about Raphael? The one becoming Pope. He was definitely from the Nicaean Faction, right?”

“That’s right.”

Raphael, who succeeded Pope John XVI, was a priest from the Nicaean Faction.

Having majored in ethics and law during his theological college days, his first assignment was at the Papal Court. Raphael, who mainly handled heresy trials, was recognized for his experience and joined the Inquisition, spending a full 21 years there before rising to the position of Chief—a quintessential conservative cleric.

As with all intelligence agencies, views of the Inquisition, both internally and externally, were not particularly favorable.

Within the Church, serious religious suppression and conflicts with other religions were cited as causes, while externally, illegal espionage activities and the misconduct of inquisitors operating in foreign countries were pointed out.

And Raphael was a jurist who had once ruled other religious people as heretics and expelled them abroad, and an intelligence agency director who led the Inquisition, commanding both domestic and overseas departments.

That’s where the problem began.

“I heard that all the clergy from Al-Yabd and Nirvana are not attending today? And some government officials from the Mauritani continent are also not attending.”

“Would they come to congratulate someone who became Pope after practicing religious suppression and violating sovereignty? He was already unpopular for being an insufferable old-fashioned prick. If it were me, I’d have packed my bags and gone home.”

Veronica criticized the Pope (to-be) in a scathing tone.

She wasn’t wrong.

It was true that views of Raphael were unfavorable both inside and outside the Church. Though there were some differences depending on political inclinations, several government leaders who took issue with Raphael’s past refused invitations and did not attend the coronation. Some attended Lucia’s canonization but skipped the coronation.

Given this situation, those who had hoped that the emergence of a new Saint would bring winds of change to the Church were disappointed.

What could change when an even more stubborn old-fashioned person than his predecessor had secured the Pope’s position? Moreover, Veronica, who held the first seat of the Nicaean Faction, was still an active figure.

Hence, there were views that the two Saints would fight bitterly during the new Pope’s reign. The suggestion was that Raphael, who had succeeded to the Holy See, would instigate conflict between the Saints.

Considering that the values Raphael would advocate in his coronation speech were “peace” and “harmony,” this was truly an ironic situation.

However, Veronica’s thoughts seemed different.

The new Pope, opposition with her sister—none of that mattered to her. Because right now, she had something else important on her mind.

Actually, it was important to all of us.

“We’re going to be late at this rate!”

Lucia, dressed in her attire, checked the clock and shouted. The moment I tightened my tie and gathered my belongings, Veronica grabbed both Lucia’s and my wrists and sprinted through the cathedral corridor.

“Let’s just get going! Hurry, before that stubborn old Raphael starts making a fuss!”

*

Fortunately, we arrived before the main ceremony began. This was possible thanks to a cleric who boasted driving skills so impressive that even the famous Busan taxi drivers would have to concede defeat.

The venue for the papal coronation was the Medius Cathedral. It is the oldest church in the holy city of Laterano and home to the “Holy See,” the symbol of the Pope.

As we entered the cathedral, we were greeted by a bustling crowd. High-ranking officials representing governments from various countries, famous individuals invited in personal capacities, and bishops and cardinals in formal attire.

As always, Camilla was seated in the front row. I carefully took the seat next to her and greeted her.

“Hello. Did you sleep well last night, Camilla?”

“It was a peaceful night. It’s been two days since I last saw you? Where were you this time?”

“At the cathedral. Something came up briefly…”

“I see.”

Camilla nodded understandingly with her arms crossed. The medals she had received from the Empire, the Church, and the Magic Tower clinked together.

Her expression was quite welcoming for someone I hadn’t seen in just two days. It wasn’t like I had been away for that long.

Despite my silent absence, she didn’t ask for specific reasons. She probably assumed I had been busy with intelligence agency work.

After exchanging greetings with Francesca, who was conversing with Church clerics, and having brief conversations with government officials who recognized me, the coronation ceremony began.

As we watched Raphael succeed to the Holy See and ascend to the Pope’s position, Camilla leaned over slightly and spoke.

“I received a message from the Grand Duchess yesterday. She wants to meet three days after the festival ends.”

“Will we start training right away?”

“It seems that way.”

Grand Duchess Alexandra Petrova intended to train Camilla as soon as her official schedule was completed. Although I hadn’t heard the detailed schedule and content of the training, the first lesson was set for three days later.

“I suppose the Empire’s government affairs take priority, so the training was postponed. The Grand Duchess is leading the imperial delegation, after all.”

Still, the fact that it’s starting right away in three days shows that the Grand Duchess is quite serious. Perhaps she’s excited about taking on a disciple in her later years.

We continued our conversation in lowered voices, listening to the bishop’s voice echoing through the cathedral.

“And one more thing. The Grand Duchess sent someone to Ms. Francesca.”

“To Francesca?”

“Someone from the embassy came to the hotel. I heard the police talking, and it seemed to be a consul.”

“A consul, huh.”

A consul would be the position of an overseas branch director of an intelligence agency.

The Empire’s national intelligence agency is the Imperial Guard, so the person was probably from there.

A foreign intelligence officer contacted an informant under my management. Considering Francesca’s status, it wasn’t unusual, but given my relationship with her, it was something I needed to address.

I carefully approached Francesca and whispered in her ear.

“I heard someone from the Kiyen Embassy came to see you?”

“Yes.”

“Let’s talk for a moment.”

*

Official cover intelligence officers stationed at embassies. The vigorous activities of officially recognized spies are an open secret in diplomatic and intelligence circles.

Whatever the reason, a diplomat’s activities were considered normal duties, and their status, protected by international conventions, served as a solid shield for intelligence officers.

However, for an intelligence officer, having an informant contact a foreign spy is a spine-chilling matter. In the intelligence world, the one who gets caught becomes the fool, which makes it all the more concerning.

Fortunately, the diplomat from the Imperial Embassy who met with Francesca did not harbor any sinister intentions.

“Ah, so it was someone sent by the Grand Duchess?”

“Yes. It was a diplomat sent by my grandmother.”

The Imperial Embassy’s Imperial Guard overseas branch director. The consul had sought out Francesca with a letter from Grand Duchess Alexandra Petrova.

It wasn’t a letter containing any secret content.

Just an ordinary letter inquiring about her well-being. It also mentioned that she had something important to discuss and wanted to see Francesca’s face before returning to the Empire.

“Well, well.”

Using a high-ranking intelligence officer as a letter carrier. And the content wasn’t even significant.

Considering that after Nicholas VI ascended to the throne, the command structure of all intelligence agencies was unified under the Emperor, using an intelligence branch director as a messenger would not have been an easy feat even for the Grand Duchess.

But it actually happened.

The branch director of the Imperial Guard, who only takes orders from the Chief and the Emperor, delivering a letter merely inquiring about the well-being of a friend’s great-granddaughter. Other intelligence agency branch directors would find it absurd if they knew.

But in my judgment, this was a good example that starkly showed the power structure within the Imperial royal family.

The fact that she could privately mobilize an intelligence agency, which is more sensitive than the military, even though the Crown Prince had barely taken over military authority, meant that the Grand Duchess’s power was formidable. Perhaps it was such a trivial matter that it was overlooked, but Nicholas VI was not a man to be trifled with.

He was an Emperor who would purge even his own children if necessary.

“Hmm. I understand for now. Was that all the letter contained?”

“Apart from saying we should meet again later, there was nothing else. Considering my grandmother’s temperament, that was probably the main point.”

“And the consul?”

“Similar. He asked the usual questions, then requested that I keep quiet about the northern affairs before leaving.”

I verified the facts through Abbas intelligence officers stationed at the embassy. I wanted to confirm whether there was really no special conversation between Francesca and the Imperial Guard branch director.

Embassy personnel monitoring the hotel room interior confirmed that her statement was true. They also tipped me off about who the consul contacted after leaving the hotel and where he headed.

I was relieved that the concerns I had didn’t materialize.

As time passed, the coronation ceremony eventually concluded.

Raphael, now dressed in the pure white vestments permitted only to the Pope and Saints, came out to the cathedral terrace and officially proclaimed his ascension as Pope. The Church’s bishop completed the coronation with the symbolic procedure of pouring olive oil on his head.

Laterano, with its new master of the Holy See, was enveloped in a festive atmosphere.

Believers came out to the streets to welcome Raphael, who had become Pope, and all the captains of the Holy Knight Orders gathered at the holy site pledged their loyalty to the Pope. Among them, I saw the face of Captain Ferretti, the Holy Knight who had fought alongside us.

I heard the Knight Order was still in the north, so it seems only the captain had returned. Dressed in uniform rather than armor, he told me during our conversation that he would return to the Empire as soon as the coronation ended. His hearty laugh, which I had often seen in the north, remained unchanged.

In the cathedral’s banquet hall, I exchanged work-related conversations with foreign military attachés. There were many intelligence officers dispatched from intelligence units, but also officers who had served in the field or headquarters before volunteering for embassy positions.

And a little later.

In the cathedral’s bell tower, which offered a panoramic view of Laterano, I met two familiar people.

“Veronica, Lucia.”

The two Saints slightly turned their heads to meet my gaze.

“Finally, you’re here. You came last, Major.”

“Have you been waiting here?”

“Of course we waited. Abandoning women like this, is this what a man should do?”

With her hands cupped to her mouth, Veronica sent unnecessary criticism my way. Her playful personality remained the same, but her flushed face showed signs of intoxication at a glance.

In front of the two Saints settled in the bell tower were scattered bottles of alcohol. There was also food that appeared to be snacks, but it clearly wasn’t from the banquet hall.

They must have secretly brought it from the kitchen.

“I looked everywhere for you, and here you are already having a party. The Pope is right over there, and what are you two, who are Saints, doing here?”

“Can’t you tell just by looking? We’re having a drink. Come join us for a drink too, Major.”

“Good grief.”

I naturally joined them and poured a drink. There were three glasses, as if they had prepared for my share as well.

As I emptied my glass, Lucia asked with an awkward smile.

“Did you finish your work well?”

“I wrapped things up more or less.”

“That’s good.”

At that moment, Veronica, who had been picking at the snacks, interjected.

“You must be happy, Major. With women on both sides.”

“When did I ever have women on both—”

“Oh my. Then who was that man lying between the sister and the older sister last night?”

That comment suddenly reminded me of the previous night. I hadn’t intended it, but somehow I ended up falling asleep between the two Saints.

It was an unplanned sleeping arrangement. How could I have known that Veronica would cover my eyes on her own and Lucia would pull me into bed?

The water was already spilled, but the embarrassment was mine to bear. Lucia cleared her throat with a shy expression and avoided my gaze, while Veronica began to speak in a proud and boastful voice.

“It’s fortunate, isn’t it? At least the older sister and younger sister won’t have to fight over one man? It’s a situation everyone can be satisfied with, except for the fact that the Major is a bit of a pervert.”

“Satisfied? No, that’s not—”

Her confident attitude was exasperating. It was absurd enough that the instigator was acting this way, but her eloquence made it even more bewildering.

Regardless, Veronica was snickering.

“It’s fun teasing the Major after a while. But don’t take it as a joke? I really have no intention of fighting with my sister. Neither do I, nor does she.”

“……”

“So let’s all say cheers! Why aren’t you filling your glasses quickly? My arm is getting tired.”

I picked up my glass. Lucia also filled her glass to the brim. As the glasses clinked in mid-air, fireworks lit up the night sky.

As if blessing a new era.

The Saint, gazing at the colorfully dyed night sky, grinned.

“Oh, and Major.”

“Yes.”

“Know that you’ll die by my hand if tears flow from my sisters’ eyes. I’m already dying from stomach pain, but if my insides burst too, I’ll really go crazy then.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Now, let’s drink up quickly and move to the next place to continue! Today is the last day off!”

Usually, wouldn’t one go home at a reasonable hour at times like this?

Such thoughts crossed my mind, but it didn’t matter.

As Veronica said, this was the end of our break.

As with all drinking gatherings, the atmosphere was convivial.

And finally, truly.

Spring, when life begins to sprout, had arrived.

## Episode 14 – One Religion, One Faith, Two Saints -END-