Ch.73Church Order Disposition (3)

The Metropolitan Archdiocese was established in each independent kingdom or empire. Currently, only six Metropolitan Archdioceses remain, each having existed for at least 200 years.

If Claude’s request were to be accepted by the Holy See, it would mean the emergence of a new Metropolitan Archdiocese in this world after nearly 200 years.

“Your Majesty, this cannot be done. Establishing a Metropolitan Archdiocese just to gain recognition as a kingdom carries too much risk. It would be no different than having another Holy See within our country!”

The Canaan faith has endured for over a thousand years, and the fact that only six Metropolitan Archdioceses have existed during that long period explains their significance.

The Metropolitan Archdiocese originated from the Holy See’s desire to manage believers in distant regions and to counter powerful monarchs.

Secular rulers feared the distant Holy See but did not fear the nearby churches, which were weak and scattered. The Holy See found this situation quite displeasing, which eventually led to the emergence of Metropolitan Archdioceses—massive churches that managed other churches, similar in structure to the Holy See itself.

The Metropolitan Archdiocese wielded such immense power that it could even excommunicate others as long as it adhered to church law. Most priests working in Metropolitan Archdioceses were high-ranking clergy, notably including cardinals who had the right to vote for and be elected as the Pope.

These powerful Metropolitan Archdioceses had always faithfully carried out the Pope’s orders, resulting in monarchs of kingdoms and empires constantly being troubled by the church.

In this situation, Leclerc strongly opposes Claude’s plan, concerned that he might be aiming for kingdom recognition like during the Carolingian era and swallowing the deadly poison that is a Metropolitan Archdiocese.

“I understand that. But they will no longer wield such power. The age of humanity is coming.”

“…?”

“Hmm…”

I see, they don’t understand.

If I were to tell Leclerc or others about what’s going to happen, they would think it’s nonsense.

It’s not that the people of this world are particularly ignorant. Even on Earth, very few people predicted the eventual decline of Catholicism during its heyday.

“Leclerc, the church of the future will not be the church you know. The church that monopolized the ideology of faith and wielded absolute power will no longer be able to do so due to the emergence of new competitors.”

“You speak of heretics, Your Majesty.”

“Yes, the strongest faction among the heretics, protected by the Emperor, calls themselves the Reformists.”

The Reformists worship the same god as the Canaan faith, but they follow the scriptures, not the Pope.

Regardless of which side wins the civil war in the Empire, the church will no longer be able to act as freely as before to prevent the spread of heresy.

They’ll try everything to win over monarchs. In that process, Metropolitan Archdioceses that follow the Holy See’s orders will inevitably weaken.

If they try to wield the same power as before? The Holy See knows better than anyone that monarchs would become disgusted and convert to the Reformed faith.

After all, many of the Imperial faction are feudal lords who became Reformists out of disgust with the Canaan Church. Seeing this, they can’t possibly fail to realize the implications.

“So just think of the Metropolitan Archdiocese as a large church without power.”

“A large church… you say?”

“Yes, just a magnificent and beautiful church that will engrave the results of my reign in the eyes of future generations.”

Confiscating church territories, using the Metropolitan Archdiocese as bait to get approval from the Holy See, and even receiving financial support—this is excellent.

Even if some figures in the Holy See notice my plan, there’s nothing they can do. It’s common sense that increasing Metropolitan Archdioceses leads to increased church power—how could the Holy See, the church’s headquarters, argue against establishing a Metropolitan Archdiocese?

“Even so, couldn’t the Holy See, unwilling to let go, still try to interfere in Your Majesty’s affairs through the Metropolitan Archdiocese?”

“Hmm… that’s possible. Let’s think about that when the time comes.”

“…Yes, understood.”

Both know that conversion remains the ultimate option, but Claude and Leclerc refrain from mentioning it.

They simply pretend not to know and move on to the next topic.

……….

“Oh… how devout!”

“Indeed. To think the King of Lotharing would be such a pious believer—we seem to have misunderstood him.”

The Holy See, having received Claude’s proposal, now addresses him as the King of Lotharing rather than the Duke of Burgundy, as if they had always done so.

After all, they couldn’t establish a Metropolitan Archdiocese in a mere duchy.

“How do you view the King of Lotharing’s intentions?”

“Isn’t he trying to simultaneously resolve the issues of sending mercenaries to the Empire, the strained relations with the Holy See due to the confiscation of church territories, and the problem of his unrecognized kingdom?”

“We think so too.”

A transaction requires giving something to receive something in return, and this proposal fits that concept perfectly.

No one here can imagine that Claude is simply extracting benefits without giving anything substantial in return.

“However… the King of Lotharing’s intentions are somewhat impure. Using faith as a bargaining chip like this—doesn’t it seem like he’s saying ‘take this and keep quiet’?”

“That can’t be helped. Take comfort in restoring the sanctity of the church, which has been shaken by the rise of heresy.”

“I understand.”

A Metropolitan Archdiocese is worth that much.

It can effectively bring all churches in the country under the Holy See’s control and efficiently suppress monarchs who might act recklessly.

Throughout history, many monarchs have tried to abolish Metropolitan Archdioceses, but this is the first time a monarch has desperately requested one.

‘He must be quite desperate.’

Indeed, Lotharing has many enemies.

Carolingian is undoubtedly Lotharing’s arch-enemy, and relations with the Holy See are on the verge of collapse due to issues related to the Empire and church territories.

Is establishing a Metropolitan Archdiocese the solution he desperately sought while trying to find a way out…?

Hmm… Well, although it’s not entirely to my liking, generosity is a virtue. I should grant his wish.

“However, Your Holiness, the Holy See currently has limited available funds due to supporting the crusade and hiring mercenaries.”

“Hmm… that’s not good.”

This is the first new Metropolitan Archdiocese in 200 years. Moreover, it’s being established at the monarch’s own request.

If the church at its center is small or shabby, it won’t be able to display its sacred majesty to those heretics…

“We’ll have to receive more donations. We should tell churches around the world to send more offerings.”

“The… faithful churches have already maximized their offerings to support the crusade. I’m not sure if they have any capacity left.”

“Hmm…”

That’s true. If we demand more offerings now, the burden on the people would become too great.

A way to obtain funds without harming the livelihood of the people…

“What about… indulgences?”

“Hmm?”

At that moment, a priest who had been watching carefully speaks up hesitantly.

Suddenly receiving the gaze of countless people, the priest fidgets nervously before calmly explaining his idea to everyone.

……….

“Holy One!”

“Huh…?”

As I turn my head, I see Jeanne pressed against the iron bars, looking at me.

Things were progressing smoothly, so I came to check on Jeanne’s condition, but it seems she already knew I was coming.

“How did you know I was coming?”

“Because of the holy aura emanating from you, Holy One.”

“Hmm… well, alright.”

I can’t sense such an aura at all, but based on past experiences, Jeanne’s words must be true.

It’s remarkable that such a frail child possesses such abilities.

“How’s the prison?”

“It’s very comfortable. It’s essentially a noble bedroom with the name of a prison.”

“Hmm… that’s good, but don’t you want to get out?”

“…Pardon?”

Jeanne’s eyes widen at my unexpected question.

She knows her situation as a rebel better than anyone.

Always preparing herself mentally to face execution without despair, Jeanne feels her resolute heart wavering.

‘Do I want to get out? Of course I do. I want to tear down these bars, deal with those witches, and live quietly alone with the Holy One.’

But… I’ve committed a great sin against the Holy One.

What is the Holy One thinking? Is he testing me?

Jeanne desperately tries to read Claude’s intentions, while Claude inwardly smirks at her reaction before continuing his explanation.

“Ah, I don’t mean release or anything like that.”

“Then…?”

“Hmm… how should I put it… yes, let’s call it exercise time.”

“…Pardon?”

Seeing the cell door open as she listens to Claude’s words, Jeanne becomes even more confused.

Exercise? She has never heard of a prisoner being allowed to leave their cell for exercise.

“Are you going to run away?”

“N-no.”

“Then what’s the problem? Come out.”

“Y-yes…”

With small shackles on both arms, Jeanne hesitantly exits the cell at Claude’s urging.

Claude, with his memories from his previous life, recalls prison exercise time and offers this walk out of pity for Jeanne, who hasn’t been able to move a step outside her cell. However, Jeanne interprets his offer differently.

She thinks the Holy One loves her enough to break the law for her.