Ch.76College (2)

“Ah… Ahh…”

I’m crazy, I’m crazy, I’m crazy.

Yesterday I was too enraptured to think properly, but now that I reflect on it, I was way too bold.

My whole body tingles when I remember the lowly gazes of the servants and attendants who saw me walking with the Saint. It’s so hard to suppress the corners of my mouth that keep trying to curl up.

Swoosh—

“Hmm…”

Even though I learned everything from Lord Armand, I deliberately pretended not to handle the utensils properly. I even left a bit of food on my lips to look clumsy.

When the Saint saw me like that, she treated me like a lover and took care of me in every way, and that feeling of being cared for was truly the best. The sensation of her touch on my skin is still so vivid.

Jeanne traces her lips with her hand, recalling the feeling of the Saint’s handkerchief touching her mouth.

“It’s going well.”

I just need to keep this up.

The Saint is kind and can’t easily ignore the weak, so I need to act vulnerable to catch her attention.

If I gradually build up our bond this way, someday I’ll take the place of those two witch women, and I’ll be able to eliminate those wicked women without any interference.

Of course, by then the Saint will like me more than those witches, so she’ll naturally choose me.

Good, now it’s time to show my devotion.

“Our Father who art in heaven—”

Having roughly finished planning her future, Jeanne instantly erases all the idle thoughts that filled her mind and prays to God to bless the two of them.

The delicate sound of prayer, completely at odds with the gloomy atmosphere of the prison, fills the cell.

……….

“Your Majesty, I heard you’re establishing a university.”

What’s with this guy?

It’s been only about half a day since I told Luca about establishing a university, and suddenly the cardinal barges into my office to talk about it.

He’s not someone who works in my palace, not a guest, not someone who manages the church territory of Lotaring like Armand, and he certainly didn’t request an audience. Judging by his confident attitude, he doesn’t seem to realize he’s made a mistake.

Or perhaps he’s just playing dumb and pretending not to know.

“Ah, yes. Is this about theology-related matters?”

“You catch on quickly. Yes, that’s right. As the Holy See’s representative—the center of faith and the spreader of righteous light to the world—I cannot remain idle when a new repository of knowledge is being established.”

As expected, if the cardinal is coming about the university, it could only be about this.

If they could monopolize university theology in addition to establishing the archdiocese, it would be the greatest achievement from the Holy See’s perspective.

“Could we fill the positions of clerics teaching theology at the university with individuals selected by the Holy See?”

See that? He’s not even hiding his desires and is openly revealing them.

Honestly, I want to tell him to go eat dirt.

Churches must be managed by clerics dispatched from the Holy See, but universities are not religious facilities, so there’s absolutely no need to follow the Holy See’s orders. However, if I openly refuse with hostility, the rejected party will surely harbor resentment.

Above all, they’ve already taken so much, and now they want more?

“Hahaha, the professors to be employed at the new Dijon University will be selected primarily from those loyal to me. After all, many of the students studying there will eventually occupy the core positions of Lotaring.”

“…I see.”

In short, there’s no reason to accept foreigners who are more loyal to the Holy See than to me and don’t even speak the same language.

Of course, it’s extremely rare for clerics to be more loyal to a monarch than to the Holy See, and since all the Canaan scriptures are written in the same ancient imperial language, clerics can communicate with each other regardless of nationality, so what I said can’t possibly hold true.

This cardinal surely knows this fact very well, but he shows no sign of trying to refute my argument.

That’s because what’s important in my words is not the sound entering his ears but the true meaning behind them: “You’ve already taken enough, what more do you want? Don’t even think about it, just get out.”

“Of course, we will consult the Holy See about the theology taught at the university and its professors. It’s unthinkable to discuss theology without the Holy See. Once the archdiocese is established, we’ll receive guidance there.”

“Hmm… I appreciate Your Majesty’s kindness.”

After briefly contemplating something, the cardinal nods and smiles.

He’s probably assuming that since the university and the archdiocese will be close to each other, he’ll be able to fully control the university’s theological education.

‘As if I’d let that happen.’

I said I would seek advice, not permission, didn’t I? It’s common for those in power to completely ignore the advice of consultants.

If the consultant had power, it might be different, but as I’ve said repeatedly, the religious sector will be unable to exert its strength due to the rampant emergence of heretics, so they can never interfere with me.

Above all, it’s very important that the Holy See verifies the individuals after I select them.

If the Holy See were to provide the candidates and I were to verify them, the pool of candidates would be filled with the Holy See’s people, and if that happened, it would be very difficult to wash away the Holy See’s influence from the university.

“By the way, are you building a new structure for the university? If so, I think the workforce and materials might be divided in two, which could delay the construction of the cathedral.”

“Ah, there’s an unused castle in Dijon that I’m thinking of converting into a university. Unlike churches, which must be designed for piety, universities only need buildings that are spacious enough, with well-divided areas and properly placed tools and books.”

Near Dijon, there remains a castle that the House of Burgundy used hundreds of years ago. Although it was abandoned after the construction of Dijon Castle where I am now, it’s sufficiently spacious with many rooms, being a former ducal residence.

It might not be enough for a future university, but for now, with only seven subjects, it should be sufficient as a university. Above all, it feels wasteful to leave that castle idle.

“Well, that’s enough about the university… So, is the establishment of the archdiocese progressing well?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Thanks to Your Majesty’s generosity, we’ve secured an excellent site. The architects we hired were pleased that it’s on solid, flat ground.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Since it will be a representative architectural work commemorating my reign, it naturally needs to be built as large and magnificent as possible, which requires a spacious and suitable site.

Of course, the construction will take longer accordingly, which is also good because it allows me to drag out the establishment of the archdiocese.

Please build a masterpiece that will go down in history.

……….

Creeeeak—

“Uwaah… Is everyone doing well?”

“…”

“…Huh?”

I finished my work and went to the room where Chloe and Ines are, but strangely there’s no response.

Are they all sleeping? It’s twilight, but the sun is still up.

“Ah, they’re sleeping.”

There are thick lumps covered with blankets on the two beds placed at opposite ends of the room. They must be sleeping with the blankets pulled up over their heads.

Hmm… Even though they’re not showing yet, pregnancy must really drain their energy. I’m sorry I couldn’t take better care of them.

‘I should leave quietly without disturbing them—’

Thud—

“?”

Suddenly, I hear the sound of the door closing behind me. I can even feel the vibration through my skin, so I know I didn’t mishear it.

What’s going on? The door couldn’t have closed by itself.

“Husband.”

“Brother.”

“Gaaah?! What, it was you two.”

At that moment, I hear Chloe’s and Ines’s voices simultaneously in my left and right ears. It’s like a gentle breeze entering my ears, giving me goosebumps.

No, it’s not about the breeze, is it? Their tone somehow feels very cold—

Whoosh—

Bang!

“Ugh?!”

Suddenly everything goes dark, and my head is pushed to the ground.

Moreover, my arms, which were moving freely until just now, are stuck to my body and won’t move, and my feet, which should be planted on the floor, are stuck together and dangling in the air.

‘Ugh… a blanket?’

The sensation brushing against my face and the back of my hand feels exactly the same.

It seems my entire body has been wrapped in a thick, dark-colored blanket. And the culprits behind this are Chloe and Ines.

“What’s going on?! What is this all about?”

Thump—

Two heavy objects are placed on top of my body, which has been turned into a cocoon by the blanket.

This familiar weight and shape… it’s Chloe and Ines.

“This prank is going too far.”

I want to throw off this blanket right now and find out why they’re doing this, but my hands and arms won’t move at all.

I can feel something wrapped around my wrists and arms, which is why—

‘Ugh…?!’

At that moment, I feel a cold gaze piercing me.

Normally, I shouldn’t be able to feel any gaze while completely covered by a blanket. What on earth…

It makes my whole body break out in goosebumps, and simultaneously, I hear the voices of the two women.

“Because husband…”

“Because brother…”

“”Did something wrong.””

“What do you… Hey, hey!”

I wanted to ask more about their sudden incomprehensible words, but I couldn’t.

The blanket that had been tightly wrapped around my entire body except for my feet is gradually rolled up and then stops abruptly at my waist, while in contrast, my pants are pulled down.

I feel both of their hands on my bare legs.

“What are you doing? If you wanted that, you could have just said—”

Thump—

“—mmph!!”

Something presses down on my face, preventing me from speaking any further.

With my vision blocked and my entire body tightly bound and unable to move, only one part of my body remains vigorously active.

I was released four hours later.