episode_0154

The governing system of the Papal States is different from that of secular monarchs.

Unlike lords who seek the legitimacy of their rule through blood, the Pope is elected through strict voting.

A person can become pope only if he or she receives two-thirds of the votes among the cardinals, the highest-ranking clergy.

Although, in the process, there are times when they ‘unfortunately go missing’ or ‘accidentally get kidnapped by thieves.’

Voting means that there is an approval rating, and the fact that this approval rating exists means that there are opponents.

And of course, since he was the main force, Gregory managed the Vatican well.

In short, this means that the Vatican was filled with clergy who sympathized with the cause that the authority of the church, the authority of the church, should be superior to the authority of the emperor.

Those who received priestly orders from Heinrich? Isn’t it obvious to anyone that he will stab me in the back if the situation arises?

And although it was not possible to stop everything, the plan ended with results that could be considered successful.

“That, His Majesty the Emperor-”

“Didn’t the church crown the emperor? So how can it be said that the position of the church is not above the empire?”

“That is indeed true. People often seem to think that the realms of the secular world and faith are separate, but in reality, faith is a broader concept that includes the secular world.”

“Yes, the emperor must obey the authority of the church!”

But if there is one thing that Gregory overlooked here.

The fact is that the magisterium, which is the authority of the church, and the papal authority, which is the authority of the Pope himself, are clearly different powers.

“But why should Gregory be the representative of the church…? … ?”

“He, no one else, brought the situation into such a catastrophe! Isn’t the Vatican on the verge of destruction?”

It is good for the church to stand on top of the empire.

It’s all good. But why does he have to be the representative of that church?

This rice cake began to spread secretly with Rudolph’s death, and the priests began to take a bite of it.

And there was a force that was waiting with bated breath until the Pope was weakened.

“How does the church try to get involved in the empire! Who was it that said that worldliness and faith are separate spheres?”

“Give the coffin back to His Majesty the Emperor!”

Clergy supporting the emperor.

To be precise, these are those who want to elevate Clement to the position of Pope.

The humiliation and persecution I have received so far.

He ate alone, his name was omitted from the council list, and he rarely participated in theological studies.

The pro-Heinrich clergy, who had been curled up and trembling not long ago, rose up all at once, saying, if not now, when will they raise their voices?

And here, a chemical reaction occurred that no one expected.

“That’s right! Gregory, step down immediately!”

“Over there.”

“Huh? Why? If you ever plan to stop it-”

“No, no. It’s no different, I was just thinking the same thing.”

Anti-Gregorian clergy.

Pro-Heinrich clergy.

These people, who normally could not come together like water and oil, realized that their primary goal was the same during an unprecedented disaster.

“Then we… Are you colleagues now?”

“I can’t help it. This is a temporary alliance!”

“For now, let’s say so. But know this that I have not forgiven you yet!”

In an instant, a truly dangerous combination was born in the Vatican.

The Pope fell into a groggy state.

There was little he could do at this point, with the oral syllables and the juhwaipma overlapped.

My job was to warm up the Holy See, and my last pleasure was watching priests starting spontaneous combustion.

And not long after, the soldiers camped and sat down under the walls of Remus.

At the point when people saw it with their own eyes, Gregory’s approval rating increased not only among the clergy but also among the people, who began skydiving without a parachute.

“Wow, what is this!”

“The Pope must come out and explain! Were all the prophecies that said victory a delusion that came from a dream?”

“Of course I should have been the Pope. That’s what I’m saying, please vote for me in the next election.”

“Yes, His Holiness Clemens is already there. What a fool.”

The power he held in his hands and his religious authority faced a crisis the likes of which he had never experienced before.

In the end, Gregory had no choice but to admit that special measures were necessary.

“Who is there? ”

“Yes, Your Holiness.”

“Bring a pen and paper. I guess I should write my own letter.”

Even if that action means enlisting the help of barbarians.

*****

The battle does not start as soon as you meet.

A formal invitation to surrender was delivered to Remus, and a smooth refusal was immediately returned.

“Gregory did not set any conditions. I intend to fight no matter what.”

“He speaks of peace, but he loves war more than anyone else. I knew this answer would come.”

Heinrich felt his stomach turn when he saw the tightly closed door.

The moment when I had to bow before the Pope was better than the feeling of my internal organs being twisted, but it was a memory that remained like a kind of PTSD. In short, it was a symptom that could be called door phobia.

My bloated stomach refused to accept the food, and I ended up skipping this meal as well.

And there was one fact that made me feel even more disturbed.

“Your Majesty, we gathered the residents who had evacuated nearby and heard all their stories.”

“Yes. What is Gregory doing now?”

“The entry of merchants trying to enter Remus has been completely banned for five days. Records of food and weapons shipments just prior to the blockade were also discovered. It is clear that we have been well prepared since the time we crossed the mountain range.”

“The preparation is really thorough. It would have been nice if that ability had been at least half as good as preparation.”

This time too, it was the soul duo, the Pope, who blocked him.

When I think about the ups and downs we had together since childhood, I didn’t really have any childhood friends, but it was time to put an end to this terrible relationship.

However, the timing came, not the opportunity.

“How to break through the castle wall?”

“I put my head to the head with the generals, but it will be difficult.”

No matter how much you say it’s Heinrich who shouts with every breath to overthrow the Pope.

Even for him who had once again taken on the position of the one and only emperor, there was an impossible task.

“On one side, there is a river that makes it impossible to even approach, and there is also a moat leading from it. Even if you break through the castle wall, there is still one more layer of wall inside. The watchtowers and forts in between are notorious as soldiers’ tombs.”

“Is there anything else I should pay attention to?”

“We have confirmed that sufficient food and supplies have been secured. If you were to simply surround them and kill them, it would take years.”

“Nothing is easy.”

One of those few things was a siege.

If I had the ability to turn my hatred into a catapult, I would have already brought down the castle wall ten more times, but the reality was harsh. There was a series of stories that all made one feel depressed.

Was this how the Pope felt in the past when he was frustrated with only one step left to reach his goal?

I didn’t want to sympathize with this corner, but I wanted to come back later and take over if I had to step down, just as Gregory had made waves.

Heinrich raised his head and saw the long, cool castle walls extending to the horizon.

The building, which could only be completed by running at full speed for 30 minutes, was a work of art in itself.

If it were an ordinary castle wall, you might have hoped for a fluke, but it wasn’t like that.

It was rude to compare it to a crudely woven wooden fence or a stone wall built as high as two people.

The place where the Holy See is located is Remus, a place with thousands of years of history.

It was once the capital of an ancient empire, and now it is the heart of the church.

It was a place with a double-digit history of invasions, and it was the wailing wall that thwarted those who were aiming for brilliant glory.

The number of times he has overcome countless challenges from famous conquerors, barbarians, and pagans can be counted on one hand.

“Materials entering and leaving the city have been blocked. We have received cooperation from nearby nobles on amicable terms, and we will begin the siege if you give us the order.”

“The siege of the castle has just been completed. Your Majesty, can we start making catapults now?”

“No, wait a moment. Generals should prepare attack plans in case of an emergency, but try using other methods first.”

The old knight is an object of fear, not contempt. Surviving for a long time in a profession where death is common is proof of strength.

Likewise, the fact that the wall, which was built to collapse, had stood on this land for well over 700 years was enough to be worthy of being called impregnable.

Unless you go crazy, you can’t give a head-to-head match here.

But in the end, it is the weak soldiers who protect the castle walls.

Heinrich was convinced that the human spirit was nothing compared to the wonders built from stone.

“Are you executing your plan? Bring in the servants sent by the Count of Canossa and those I have told you about in advance.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

It was clear which side would be easier to capture.