episode_0038

038 – Hyde arrives in Florence and meets Archibald # 1

〔To my love Psyche.

Psyche.

It has already been 15 days since I left the Agarpe territory.

It is only now that I am writing this letter because the journey by carriage was very painful due to the hard saddles and bumpy roads.

I am going through the forest now. They say that if you pass through this forest now, you can see the Rem River running through Florence.

It would have been great to have seen that beautiful scenery with you, but it is a pity.

For your information, Lady Milione is sitting next to me.

Lady Milione is a rude person, but she is doing well now.

I will send you another letter as soon as I arrive in Florence.

From my husband Hyde─.〕

It was quite fun to write a letter to my wife who was waiting for me.

As I wrote the letter, I felt my heart toward Psyche swell even more.

It’s already been 15 days since I left Agarpe.

I was about half a day away from Florence’s arrival and was filled with anticipation.

“City of writers, art, and theology.”

Wouldn’t Florence, filled with cultured people, be the most suitable city for Hyde, who dreams of becoming a priest?

However, Milione just snorted.

“It sounds like a writer and an artist. Florence is a city full of hypocrites and charlatans. If you live for just a week, you will be disgusted by the foul smell that your oily face gives off.”

Milione has been living a quiet life these days.

He did not carelessly spit out abusive language or recklessly cause trouble for people.

I thought it was probably because the story I said while wearing Rust’s mask that “Hyde’s weakness is the Yojo Lady” worked well.

But as the procession approached Florence, Milione’s demeanor became unfocused, like someone suffering from anxiety disorder.

For Milione, it must be his hometown and home that he misses.

“Arrived! Miss Millie! I can see Florence in the distance!”

The old knight, Old Man, came out of the forest and shouted.

Perhaps because the carriage was on a high hill, I could see the scenery below at a glance, and saw a city with a wide golden field and a river.

The city walls were sophisticated and the minarets in each district were tall, making it truly a wonderful place.

“It is indeed a big city with a population of 200,000.”

Even from a distance, you could feel that it was a lively city.

The carriage drove downhill and was now heading towards the entrance to the city.

We were able to meet the guards at the entrance to the city, and under the relaxed attitude of the old knight, Old Man, we were able to enter the city without any problems.

“Miss Millie. Would you like to go straight back to the mansion? We cannot delay any longer as we have to present Master Oscar’s body to His Majesty the Archbishop.”

Oscar’s body was embalmed, but it was a hot summer and embalming technology was not good as it was in the dark ages.

A foul smell was wafting from the carriage carrying the coffin, and everyone was so tired that they seemed to want to finish their work quickly and rest.

“Then let’s go to the mansion.”

Milione spoke in a calm voice.

And as he looked at me, it felt as if he was asking “What should I do?”.

“I would like to see Durgien’s Great Chapel. Michelan’s masterpiece ‘The Creation’ is spread out on the ceiling, right? The building itself is said to have been built for 200 years by the best architects of the time.”

An unprecedented building.

The greatest chapel in human history was built by all kinds of famous architects and artists, passing it from successor to successor for 200 years.

My back was so itchy that I couldn’t stand it because I wanted to see that building.

How nice would it be to pray in a magnificent building?

It will literally feel like God is with me.

“I have an appointment with my father in the evening, so come to Archibald Mansion.”

Swish-.

Milione walked away as if he had lost interest in me.

I finally got to get away from that hungry lion-like woman and have some free time to myself.

freedom-.

How sweet and wonderful are these words?

The greatest gift God gave to humans was free will.

“Freedom is a wonderful thing.”

# # #

Now, using 100% of my free will, I headed to Durgien’s cathedral. Although I was tired from the journey so far, my body felt energized as I walked around the city.

“Bread, buy it-. Bread-.”

“Selling newspaper─.”

As Florence was the center of the Durgien region, commerce was very developed and its roads and waterways were beautifully maintained.

Thanks to the tiles on the floor, there was no mud at all, and the people’s clothes looked very clean and elegant.

“Sir Royman, have you read the academic journal posted this time? With the newly invented telescope, we can now observe celestial bodies in the sky even better!”

“I want to talk about the mural painted in the chapel this time. Have you ever seen “The Last Judgment”? This picture is also amazing… !”

oh my god-.

I never thought there would be a place where people walking up and down the street discuss science and art.

Wouldn’t places like this be rare even in modern society in the 21st century?

“I’m thrilled!”

I never thought there could be a place in this barbaric world where intelligence shines so brightly.

Because all the people I’ve met so far have been nothing but heretics and fraudsters who are angry, angry, and howl like animals.

So, looking at this street, I was so moved that I knelt down and prayed on the spot.

“Lord, I thank you for leading my steps and bringing me here… !”

I felt like crying with joy.

No, he might have been crying already!

Someone giggled while looking at me like that.

“What is that guy again?”

“Look at your outfit. Looks like a hillbilly from the countryside somewhere?”

“There are always a few people who come to Florence and do such embarrassing things every day.”

Are you saying my behavior is like a hillbilly?

It may indeed have seemed that way.

Now I got up from my seat and quickly walked towards the main chapel of Durgien.

And the moment I got there, I felt like I was freezing.

“Oh my god, can humans create such beautiful buildings?”

The magnificent exterior made of marble and the golden decorations seemed to pound my heart. What about the angels decorated on the exterior walls?

What is the power of the huge bell tower?

I felt like a pilgrim looking at the great basilicas of Europe with their long history and value, with great emotion.

I can travel the world in a place like this, something I have never been able to do even in the 21st century.

What about the inside?

I was very moved and tried to go inside, but a knight in silver armor frowned and blocked me.

“Stop. You must pay to enter.”

No─.

Do you have to pay to enter a chapel?

I couldn’t understand this treatment.

“Church is my home with the Father. Why should I pay to go where my Father is? Do you pay when you go into your own home?”

At my words, the knight in silver armor chuckled.

Soon the driver pointed to something, and there it was written:

“Anyone entering the Durgien Basilica must pay one silver coin as an entrance fee.”

“Public official recognition of Archbishop Medici Archibald.”

No, do I have to pay to go to some church?

I didn’t understand, but if there were rules, I had no choice but to follow them. Since money is good, I really wanted to look inside the chapel.

I paid one silver coin and was about to enter the chapel, but the knights once again blocked my path with their swords.

“ Look at this, stranger. You cannot enter the reverent and holy cathedral dressed like that. Please come dressed in more sophisticated attire.”

Is this true?

Do you have to pay attention to what you wear when going to church?

Of course, it was good to pay attention to clothing.

But my clothes were the best clothes I had and the neatest clothes I had. And yet, I got rejected.

What, you don’t even go to a famous restaurant, you go to church and you have to follow the dress code?

I felt bad in many ways.

“Drivers. What do you think about the church? Is the church a cultural heritage? Is it an idol that should be worshiped? People do not exist for the church, but the church exists for people.”

“Hoo─. I want to hear that in detail, right? People do not exist for the church, but the church exists for people. It’s a very interesting story.”

At that time, someone spoke to me from behind.

The knights who were frowning at me seemed to be quite high-ranking people as they straightened their postures.

When I turned my head, I saw a priest’s uniform with purple dye. He was wearing a silver Roman collar around his neck, but now I see it was real silver.

Although his physique was thin, he did not look weak at all, and the waist and crown stretched straight toward the sky looked like someone had driven a knife straight into the ground.

Jalang-.

And on the sword-like man’s chest was a golden cross.

Gold plate priest.

It meant that he was an incredibly high priest.

His face, with his gray hair neatly pulled back, was slightly pale, but his amber eyes were very clear, his expression was as sharp as that of a bird of prey, and he looked confident.

If Doban was like a roaring lion, this man probably feels like an eagle soaring in the sky.

“Archbolt preload-. on duty. There is no problem.”

“Thank you for your hard work today.”

From the knights’ salute, I figured out the man’s identity.

Archibald Yeha-.

There is only one person called that in this kingdom.

“Are you Archibald Medici?”

I asked.

Then the knights, who had been very nervous, trembled, their armor clanking.

“Yeah, you guy! Your Majesty, what kind of speech habit is that!”

“The insignificant wooden monk, Nabulaengi! Your Majesty, we will kick this rude guy out right away!”

Ssuk seu-.

The knights grabbed both of my arms.

Since they were the ones guarding the temple, their skills seemed to be really high, so I had to be helplessly dragged away like a prisoner being arrested.

“Wait─. I haven’t heard his introduction yet.”

Then Archbishop Archibald raised his hand.

When the drivers stopped, I lowered my head, brushing away the dust and wrinkles from my clothes.

“My name is Hyde, a monk from Agarpe. Archbishop Archibald, I have heard of your name and reputation. It is an honor to meet you.”

Archbishop Archibald.

Although he was at odds with the Agarpe family for political reasons, as I said before, I really wanted to meet this man at least once.

And I don’t know whether I should say that the archbishop I actually met was in many ways exactly what I imagined, or whether I should say that he was more than I imagined.

Soon the archbishop spoke.

“Monk Hyde. Ah, I see. You are that Hydro. I wanted to meet you at least once. But before that, I want to talk about what I was talking about earlier. Is this church for people?”

Archbishop Archibald, whom I met in person for the first time, was a man full of composure and dignity.

Indeed, there was a reason why he was respected by many people.

I felt happy that I could share my theological ideas with him.

What is sex?

What is a cock and what is a prick?

How many centimeters is the length of the dick that drives women crazy?

For the past five years, I should have only talked about this, but I was really moved to hear the question, “Is the church for people?”.

I spoke quickly because I didn’t want to lose that emotion.

“Church is not simply a building, but a community and individual. Also, even if it is a church that represents a building, shouldn’t the church open its doors for the poor and sick?”

“So, Hyde, do you mean that we should keep the doors of this great temple open 24 hours a day for vagabonds and beggars and freely share what is inside?”

“Strictly speaking from the Bible, yes. The Lord also said that healthy people do not need a doctor. The gospel is for the unrighteous. Church is also for the poor and sick.”

“I see. Is it strictly Biblical? Monk Hyde, then why are you wearing clothes?”

Why are you wearing clothes?

Then take it off? Do you walk around naked?

Of course, I couldn’t talk about it.

And no matter what I said, I realized that I had already fallen into Archbishop Archibald’s logical trap and could not escape.

Archibald said.

“Didn’t the Lord tell us to take off our clothes for those who are naked? But, Hyde, you wore a robe, a top and trousers underneath it, and shoes.”

indeed.

Archbishop Medici Archibald was this kind of man.

Tuk-.

Soon Archibald put his hand on my shoulder.

“This is a common mistake young priests make. Looking at everything in the world optimistically according to the Bible. That’s not a bad thing. But life is reality and tomorrow continues.”

“… … .”

“Follow me into the main sanctuary. There is something I really want to show you.”

Archibald walked ahead and I followed behind him.

Soon we were inside the basilica, with its gleaming marble floor, and a hunchbacked man stopped mopping the floor and bowed his head towards the archibald.

“Your Majesty, thank you! My mother’s condition has improved a lot, as if my prayers last time had an effect!”

“I see. But the thanks goes not to me, but to my Father in heaven.”

Soon the red-skinned woman, who had trouble with one arm, stopped shaking the dust and smiled brightly at Archibald.

“Your Majesty, the weather is really nice, isn’t it?”

“That’s right. Undine, your face looks as good as the weather.”

The main temple was very large.

That required a lot of management staff, and most of them seemed to be people who were physically challenged or looked down upon because of their race or skin color. Archibald said while looking at them.

“Many people are making a living from the simple building you mentioned. If there is no entrance fee, they will end up out on the streets. Now, what is right?”

“Still, I think it’s wrong to charge an entrance fee. What if the church’s threshold, which should be the lowest, raises its own threshold?”

One or two must not be compromised.

I knew better than anyone else the man who lost everything after compromising like that.

Soon Archibald was also laughing.

“Yes, that is actually correct. Hyde, you are a very just and faithful priest. Actually, everything you said is correct. However, the finances of this cathedral are so bad that they have to collect admission fees from the church. Please take pity on me.”

Sze-.

Archbishop Archibald took something out of his pocket.

It was a scroll, and it had a bunch of numbers written on it.

“Florenzo’s nobles and rich people did not pay the donations they had promised. Hyde, if you are just, you know that stealing donations is a sin.”

Indeed─.

Is this something I want to test to see if he is suitable as a husband for my daughter?

“Baron Voltaire lives nearby. If we succeed in getting a donation from him, we’ll reconsider collecting the toll fee. There are about 5 hours left until our dinner date, so it will be a rush.”

“1 hour is enough.”

Swish-.

I took the scroll and went outside the main temple.