episode_0150

The power that governs the world was divided into two areas.

Secular power headed by the emperor.

The authority wielded by the Europa Church.

And in today’s world, the religious authority has finally stood above secular power.

For hundreds of years, the Pope existed to oppress the emperors whenever they offended them.

Sometimes, the replacement cycle was not as long as that of air conditioner filters, and it was often reduced to a biological stove that heated the Holy See.

But in the past, just three years ago.

“As a result of my open conversation with Emperor Henry, I was able to correct some misunderstandings we had between each other. It was a useful time filled with honest conversation. Ah, doesn’t the Emperor think so too?”

“Yes, that’s right. His Holiness… … .”

Henry, who received an empty table for breakfast and shouted that the Pope was trying to kill him, responded by gritting his teeth.

Either way, the Pope spoke loudly, smiling at everyone who was only looking at his mouth. Raven and Licia were peering out of the window of Canossa Castle, peering out to see what was happening.

“I hereby declare that as of this time the excommunication imposed on the Emperor has been lifted! With this, there will be no more unnecessary wars and conflicts.”

“Wow!!”

“Pope Is he God! The Pope is he God!”

A feat of making the emperor offer a sincere apology with just one word.

The priests, remembering the humiliation and persecution they had suffered, secretly shed tears, and Gregory became a wise man.

In the middle of the Vatican, a common center where no one comes and goes.

Gregory leaned against the constellation and reflected on the good times. It was the heyday of a glorious and brilliant life.

My eyes, which had been lost in memories for a while, returned to their original positions when I heard a shout coming from outside the window.

They who once cheered and chanted my name more passionately than anyone else were now standing outside the Vatican, just changing their words and shouting evil.

“Where on earth has the peace gone? They said there would be no civil war!”

“Your Holiness, you will need to explain this behavior carefully. I heard that the princess of the empire personally came to the Vatican and tried to coordinate things. Shouldn’t you have taken that opportunity and resolved the issue amicably?”

“Pope Is he sane? Pope Is he sane?”

The situation in the Vatican has been fluctuating like a roller coaster lately.

The cracks in the authority that seemed to last forever probably began when Henry was excommunicated again.

Nobles and churches all over the world were shocked by this spineless excommunication.

A flood of accusations was made with flashy rhetoric, and Gregory was able to extend his life several times.

It is true that he added a little, or even a hint, of personal resentment, but Gregory was not completely left with nothing to say.

It was a choice that took into consideration the body’s own basis for judgment and the political situation, as he ascended to the position of Pope even though he was rotten.

“One excommunication already brought Henry to his knees, but wouldn’t the next excommunication ensure that the authority of the Holy See surpasses that of the emperor?”

“Also, the new emperor, Rudolph, is probably expecting our help. It is not right to say that you only support it with your lips. You will have to show it through direct action!”

Even though I had to turn around and talk.

To put it bluntly, it was as if he had bet all his money on Rudolph Coin and shouted gazua.

“No need to worry too much. It looks like the Pope is talking nonsense.”

“Of course, if he is still the Pope… That’s right.”

Heinrich, who heard the news, seemed not to be defeated by this trickery and created a pope out of nothing.

“All faithful believers of the Empire! After convening a council and deliberating for a long time, our bishops were able to conclude that Gregory was not worthy of the position of Pope.”

“For poisoning his predecessor, for being a member of a group of cultists, and above all, for excommunicating the emperor without reason and based on his own selfish desires! That is why I, Clement, ascend to the throne of the new Pope by the vote of the bishops.”

This is because former Bishop Guiberto and current Pope Clement began their activities in earnest.

Those who had always jokingly said that they liked the Pope so much that they wished there were more of them, were unable to come to their senses in the face of their broken common sense when the Pope actually split into two.

“His Holiness… Two?”

“Ah, the whole world is the Pope… … .”

“Now, now. Everyone, calm down. Now it is time to choose which one is the true Pope.”

According to common sense, it is normal for there to be only one Pope.

This debate over “I like mom, I like dad” quickly spread to the Vatican.

“Is what I just heard true?”

“Your Holiness, that is… … .”

“Excommunication! Both Heinrich and that scoundrel who calls himself Clemens are excommunicated!”

Immediately, another intercontinental ballistics scandal was launched, and Gregory ordered the Vatican to refrain from speaking on the subject.

However, human psychology is such that the more you block something, the more you want to do it. It was natural for people to talk behind their backs, such as the command to keep quiet.

However, it was still within the acceptable range.

For an army that had been hastily built, Rudolf was showing an unexpectedly strong fight, often reporting victories, and steadily keeping Henry at bay.

Those shouting outside will eventually die down on their own if the victory continues.

All that’s left is to wait. After receiving the news that the battle had begun, Gregory waited for the results, slightly nervous.

“Your Holiness, Your Holiness!”

“What’s going on?”

“A messenger has just arrived. It’s a defeat!”

For a moment, Gregory chewed his lips.

However, age did not go anywhere, so he immediately changed his expression and waved his hand, pretending to be relaxed.

“What kind of big deal is that? Give words of consolation to Rudolph and tell him to take care of himself and do his best in the next battle-”

“That’s not the problem! It was His Majesty Rudolph who died in battle!”

“Well, what… … ?!”

No matter how much he was Gregorio, he couldn’t keep his poker face up to this point.

The face that used to have a benevolent light was cracked.

“Did you just hear that?”

“Of course you heard.”

“Hmm, maybe it’s time to change sides… … .”

The priests passing by nearby muttered something to each other, nodded in unison, and dispersed.

Gregory opened his mouth to stop them, but only his lips twitched and no words came out of his throat.

It’s impossible to stop everyone who passes by the Holy See, and even if you can, it won’t be long before merchants and pilgrims who like to gossip will start talking about it.

Sure enough, within a few days, the news spread beyond the Vatican and throughout the city.

“It’s time.”

“Everyone, stand up, who will protect His Majesty if not us!”

They, who had once been unable to even breathe loudly, put a loudspeaker in their mouths and screamed as if they were letting out everything they had been holding back.

“Rudolph is dead! What else could this mean? This means that Europa has placed her will on His Majesty Henry.”

“Do you mean that Pope Gregory really has the sense of responsibility to shoulder the heavy responsibility of the church? Even with those light and careless words and actions?”

“Maybe now is your last chance, but it’s never too late. We must return the crown to the rightful emperor even now!”

“Stop, stop! The Holy Father is just looking on, and what nonsense is this?”

“Did you just say Pope? So which Pope do you mean?”

“Of course-”

“I am referring to His Holiness Clemens!”

“How did that guy get in here? Get it out now!”

The Vatican entered a state of brain death.

*****

Recently, Heine’s stock price has been showing a catastrophic rise, hitting new highs every day.

He broke the drift in one fell swoop and entered the center of power. Even if it wasn’t much, it was a big step forward.

At the very least, it was enough that he had risen to a position where he could be considered as a successor when there were no other options.

And the main contributor to this good news.

Heine left around noon to see him, who had gone to bed early the previous day, and to see Lisia’s face if she was with him.

“Lord Raven?”

“His Majesty called me and I left a little while ago. Can you tell me when you get back?”

“No, it won’t take long anyway. All you have to do is wait.”

Something seemed to be missing, so I grabbed a nearby soldier and asked him, and that’s what came out.

Anyway, I wasn’t in a hurry right now, so all I had to do was pass the time by talking to Lisia. I just happened to have something to talk about.

A cold city woman of this era who knows how to whip herself hard.

But Heine, who was as warm as his friend, knew the value of promises.

And although I didn’t make it with full knowledge of the inside story, a promise is a promise anyway.

Heine, who must have gained a certain position, worked hard to campaign for her to be ‘not her biological daughter’, just as Lisia had requested.

Honestly, it would be a lie to say that I wasn’t jealous, but she wasn’t a self-destructive person who found her own unhappiness in her friend’s happiness.

He said he was doing it because he loved himself so much, but his willingness to support him was enough.

In that sense, he had even reserved the earl’s seat. I thought about asking him if he was worried and offering a little help.

“Licia, are you inside?”

“… … .”

There was no answer from inside the tent.

There is no way Raven would have taken Licia to her father. From what I observed, Lisia wasn’t the type to go out in particular.

Maybe he was sleeping inside. Or concentrating on something. Most of the time, that focus is Raven’s idea.

In fact, Heine had been feeling that way since his college days.

Anyone would be able to make that inference, seeing as he often mumbles words like ‘I can’t stand it’ in his sleep, and wakes up with a devastated face like a rebel who lost his emperor.

Every time that happened, I thought to myself that it would be better to have a more wholesome dream, but I decided not to interfere as it was a personal matter for now.

But at the next moment, doesn’t Heine need to soften his direction a little? I thought.

That’s right too.

“Seup… … .”

“Licia?”

“Oh.”

As a result of putting it off under the belief that it would be taken care of, we ended up in this awkward situation.

“Your Majesty, this is-”

“No, it’s okay. Because I understand… … .”

Raven, is it okay like this?