Chapter 18. Empathy and Understanding (8)

The two people who caused the trouble left, and the chapel fell silent.

But soon, murmurs of voices echoed again.

Most of them had expressions of ‘bewilderment.’ Some of them had been furious upon hearing the two’s story, but after seeing the Saint’s face, which answered so clearly, they were left speechless.

“Then, is there anyone here who thinks the Saint’s position should be revoked?”

The unwritten rule of maintaining purity had been broken.

Of course, the scope of ‘purity’ varies depending on who is thinking about it. In the secular world, a kiss wouldn’t be a big issue, and if anything, it would be judged by whether or not sexual intercourse occurred.

If it weren’t inside the church, there would be many people who would find the act of ‘judging’ itself strange.

However, this place was inside the church.

Especially the fact that such an event occurred within the convent was a troublesome matter in many ways.

Of course, only the two of them knew if they had truly done more than just kiss- but given that they shared a room, the possibility was high.

“Even so, they caused such an incident inside the church. And in the chapel, which should be the most sacred.”

One of the clergy members said.

“Is that so?”

“A prayer is a sacred ritual to face God. The chapel is for that sacred ritual. To kiss someone and embrace them within it…”

“Yes, generally, it might be somewhat inappropriate and disrespectful to do in front of others.”

The Pope replied as if it were amusing.

“But, did our God forbid it?”

The clergy member could not answer the Pope’s question.

In the previous religion, it was. The Bible had detailed conditions for sacrifices written in it from a very long time ago. Even though many things were simplified by the time of the New Testament, all the rituals performed from a ‘Catholic’ perspective were based on principles derived from studying that Bible.

However, the God believed by the current denomination is different.

The being who directly communicated with that God was only the first Saint. Although that ‘Saint’ position was very important to the church, she mysteriously disappeared after saving the world, leaving no time to establish detailed commandments.

There were Blesseds. There were also those designated as Saints. But none of them held a position comparable to that ‘Saint.’

Then, finally, someone who claimed to speak directly with God appeared.

“Wasn’t the person by her side the one who corrupted her?”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Considering what happened in the chapel- apparently, the knight was the one who kissed first.”

“Hmm, I see.”

The Pope turned his head and looked at the Hero sitting near him.

“Do you think your daughter would be the type to do such a thing?”

“……I don’t know.”

Perhaps he was lost in thought as a father. After a long silence, he finally opened his mouth.

“I don’t know. I never thought my daughter would fall in love with the Saint.”

The Pope nodded.

And then he looked back at the clergy member who had brought up the topic again.

“Then, let me ask. What is corruption?”

“That is…”

“In this world, that is, in a world where the power called ‘Holy Power’ exists, we know for sure what the opposing power is, I think. But then, are all those who wield that opposing power corrupted? Aren’t they the very pillar that protects this world?”

“But, even so, same-sex sexual acts-“

“Did our God ever forbid it?”

The clergy member fell silent.

“If it brings forth a stronger Holy Power than anyone else, wouldn’t that person’s actions be right? Among those present here, who, while maintaining their purity, can summon a stronger light than she, whom we intended to elevate to the position of Saint? How many can pray with their lives on the line in the face of magic that can melt people?”

No one could answer.

“Let me ask one thing.”

Seeing that the surroundings had quieted down, the Pope spoke in a calm voice.

“Do we call a holy person a Saint, or do we create the being called that Saint? If it’s the latter, then it doesn’t matter who ascends to that position.”

But no one could answer that.

Because the person they called ‘Saint’ was someone in such an important position.

“Brothers. And Sisters. Much has changed. The faith we knew has changed, and the rules of this world have completely changed. If we try to set rules based only on the stories we previously established, who would ever agree to follow those rules?”

“Then, if we do not follow any book, any previous belief, what should we follow?”

“Is it something that faith must follow?”

The Pope asked back.

“If we have to create everything anew-“

“There’s no need for that.”

The Pope spoke calmly.

“That being who watches over us, that noble being whom we believe in, has He not already bestowed upon us someone we can believe in?”

“…….”

“Someone who is good above all others, who dedicates herself to the world. Someone who has cared for the dying since childhood, saved them, and lived her entire life like that, don’t we know her?”

The Pope’s voice was serene.

But at the same time, it carried weight.

“Then, shouldn’t we just follow in her footsteps? Is it so difficult to think of goodness? These are the cliché things we’ve talked about since we learned language and discussed social norms. Things that everyone would be satisfied with after hearing them. But not easy to follow. We already know that is goodness.”

Having said that, the Pope fell into thought for a moment.

The man who had been the Pope until now, the one who had seen the rules of the world crumble, the new denomination being formed while rebuilding those rules, and this was the first time he became Pope after the denomination was formed, could soon reach a conclusion.

The previous religion disappeared, and the current religion has no will left by God. All current doctrines were created by later individuals, and all scriptures were written by authors who were alive. What part within them is truly what God desires?

Everyone says different things, everyone claims different rules are right, and everyone tries to determine what is right among them.

The Pope thought differently.

Until now, at least what the Pope had seen was only one thing. The power bestowed by God, and the actions of those who follow that power.

Anyone who believed in God could use the power, but those who could use that power with great strength had something in common.

“Until now, God has shown us only one thing. There are no complex stories, no complex rules. He does not tell us to do this or that. He merely lends us power and sends people to show us.”

“……Then, what did Your Holiness see?”

One of the clergy members asked cautiously.

The Pope smiled faintly.

“God loves us. If so, isn’t there only one thing we can learn from that? To love ourselves. To love our neighbors, cherish them, and care for each other.”

That was what he had seen, what the noble being above had consistently done for those below.

And it was the only thing He desired.

*

Then the Pope just left.

There was no particular outcome for us.

However,

“At least, the two of you will not be punished for having someone you love.”

Sister Maria relayed that message to us.

Hearing that, I let out a light sigh of relief. At least Ria wouldn’t be punished because of me.

“However, he did leave one request.”

As Sister Maria said that, her face turned very faintly red.

“…Even so, the convent is a place we all share, so within it… perhaps try not to engage in overly excessive acts.”

“Ah.”

At those words, I was momentarily speechless.

“Hmm.”

But somehow, Ria, who was beside me, made a sound of slight displeasure.

What is she trying to say-

“But, if not here, then where?”

“…….”

At Ria’s words, Sister Maria’s expression went blank.

“We live inside the convent.”

“That is…”

Sister Maria looked around with a bewildered expression, then sighed deeply.

And as if she had given up on something,

“…He probably just wishes for it to be done in a place where others can’t see. After all… it is inside the convent…”

She said in a voice drained of energy.

I couldn’t lift my face in front of Sister Maria like that.

Ria smiled and gently hugged my waist.

“This much is okay, right?”

“Excuse me, even so, it’s not like a conclusion has been reached yet. Wouldn’t it be better to be a little careful, if possible? The Nun Superior is watching from behind, you know.”

Only when Sister Maria became truly serious did Ria clear her throat and release my waist.

……Anyway.

But, well.

Even in that situation, seeing that Ria was a little disappointed that she let go of my waist, I guess I’m already quite far gone.

The words “I love you” were, well, sincere.

I prayed that one day I would have the courage to say it sincerely, without acting.