Episode 275: Rumbling.
The wooden wheels of the prisoner’s carriage, which had iron bars instead of doors, bounced on the stone road and made a harsh noise.
The carriage tilted for a moment, but the woman seated in it maintained her posture without the slightest wobble.
Seeing the peaceful face with even the eyes closed, the eyes of people passing by the east gate of the church all focused on the group.
“You don’t look like a prisoner?”
“Don’t mind. They are paladins.”
“Still, it’s unique. Besides, that light coming out from behind that woman is strangely cozy. What is it?”
“It’s because it’s morning. It’s just morning sunlight, man.”
“He’s someone who makes you feel good just by looking at him?”
“Oh, that person. I told you not to pay attention?”
The people’s noisy gaze made Transport Manager Grant’s frustration explode.
“Get out of the way!”
He quickly approached the iron bars and growled in a low voice.
“It won’t do you any good if it becomes known. If you have a brain, you should think, right?”
Eat.
“If you have a brain, think about it, brother. What difference would it make to me? Are you saying I’m a heretic?”
The moment he heard those words, Grant’s face became as hard as stone.
It’s just a religious inquiry, but it’s just a formality. Once a person is labeled as a heretic in the ‘above’, burning at the stake is confirmed. In my 20 years as a Holy Knight, I have never seen an exception.
If someone who was going to die anyway came out to die with me…
Just thinking about it for a moment made a cold sweat run down my spine.
“What do you want? I told you in advance that I will not commit heresy, even if it kills me…” “
Please let me meet Cardinal Austin first. All you have to do is let him know that I have arrived.”
“…what?”
At those words, Grant’s stiff face suddenly brightened.
Cardinal Austin Pruitt is renowned as an honest and sincere priest in the Catholic Church. Because he was a respected priest without any of the common scandals while ascending to a high position.
“Is that okay?
” Yes. That’s enough. To close my mouth.”
“…Good.”
I don’t know what this heresy’s intention is, but if it’s related to Cardinal Austin, there’s nothing wrong with it.
Grant nodded vigorously.
Seeing him like that, Ilya secretly sighed. I exhaled.
According to Logan’s message through Viktor, we would meet him at the interrogation anyway.
‘Your Majesty Logan, I must see him first and make a judgment.’
The cardinals of the central temple, whom I had only heard about through rumors from far away.
Unfortunately, few of those rumors were good ones.
* * * In a dungeon where not a single ray of sunlight enters, it’s time to get used to the eerie cold creeping in through the thin straw bales.
Jailer He spoke cautiously,
“Bishop Ilya. It’s a meeting. He’s a high person, so maybe…”
It felt too polite to say to a prisoner, but as a guard, it was acceptable.
It might have been bright outside, but Ilya’s appearance in the dark dungeon with a faint halo was definitely unusual.
“Ah. it’s okay. Thank you for your words.”
She answered with a smile, and the guard seemed relieved and went upstairs again. Soon, someone quietly came down to the basement.
“Sister Ilya. Indeed… I can understand just by looking at it. You are the one who received the stigmata. Austin Pruitt greets the saint.”
A gentle smile on his pale, thin face. His
white hair was neatly combed back, and he was wearing an old robe. The robes he was wearing were so old that they had the pattern of Anima, the god of fire and food. The red circle was so blurry that it was almost impossible to see.
And just by looking at that outfit, Ilya really liked this old priest.
“I… received a message from him, but I wanted to see him first and confirm. But after meeting him, I’m worried that I may have asked to meet him too hastily. “Your Majesty the Cardinal.”
“No, no. In any case, sooner or later, the Holy Father will find out. You don’t have to worry about it.”
“…I heard what you wanted to do, but you still call me Your Holiness?”
“Until all the facts are confirmed, you have to follow the law. “No matter how much the other person broke the law, if I also broke the law to punish him, it would be a betrayal of the customer.”
From the first impression to the words with a clear subjective opinion,
Ilya no longer feels like trying this old priest. “I have heard of the matter you mentioned .
I will follow the wishes of His Majesty Logan and the Cardinal.”
“Thank you, Saint. This old man’s heart seems to have finally become reassured.”
The moment when the gazes of two warm-hearted people intersect.
– His Holiness the Pope! How can you stay in this shabby place without saying a word….
The guard’s voice echoed from the top of the underground stairs, and both of them were surprised. The person’s face hardened.
“
It’s hard to meet someone whose face is hard to see in such a rough place.”
Pope Julius Umberto I.
Like Austin, he had a neat appearance with pure white hair neatly combed. His face was also wrinkled and presbyterian like Austin’s, but that was the only resemblance between the two. The
pure white robes made of the finest silk had patterns of gods engraved on them with sparkling gold thread, and the high magistrate worn on top of his head shone softly, showing off his presence
. The silver eyes famous for penetrating the hearts of people, along with the faint halo behind them, proved that he too was a saint chosen by God.
However, looking at the Pope like that, Illya’s frown only narrowed.
The frowning gaze was similar to that of the Pope. At the moment they were about to meet, Austin, who was standing outside the cage, hurriedly bowed his head towards the Pope.
“I see you, His Holiness.”
“I see you, His Holiness.”
As Austin bowed his head, Ilia also hurriedly bowed her head along with him.
The Pope said Looking at the two, he calmly opened his mouth.
“Yes. Was there a reason why you came so early to meet the person subject to religious interrogation, Austin?”
“…I wanted to confirm the rumor that she was a saint, Your Holiness. If there is any violation of procedure, please reprimand me.”
“Why would you reprimand the Cardinal for something like that? It’s understandable to be curious. But next time, please be more careful.”
“Yes, Your Holiness.”
Is it an illusion if I feel that the two people’s eyes are sharp, unlike their gentle voices?
The Pope, who was laughing, suddenly asked the main point.
“Yes. What is it like to see it in person?”
“…Sister Ilia is clearly a saint.”
“Yes. It’s impossible for a priest with that halo to not know, especially.”
The Pope’s silver eyes flashed strangely as he looked at Ilia.
“But it’s really difficult for a saint to break a taboo. The interrogation will be difficult.”
“There is no way the saint would break a taboo. If that were the case, I wouldn’t have received the stigmata…”
“Stop. Cardinal Austin: I make the decision. It’s the same in the interrogation room.”
“…Yes, Your Holiness.”
“But don’t look so nervous. “It’s the first time in 30 years that I’ve seen anyone other than myself receive the stigmata.”
“The saint will become a symbol of the temple. Please…”
“Hmm, well. Indeed…”
Ilya looked at the old man who clicked his tongue as he said that.
Or, more accurately, at the halo shining behind him.
‘Ordinary people, or even really high-ranking priests, wouldn’t be able to feel it. It’s so subtle.’
I knew because I had the stigmata.
That the Pope’s halo was fake, originating from ‘something’ on his wrist.
But then a question arose.
– There is a rumor that Pope Julius’s halo is fake. I really confirmed it. His Majesty said that he would like you to contact us separately if you decide to do so.
‘How on earth did King Logan know about this?’
I myself had never even heard of the rumor.
The shocking statement that the saintly status of the Pope, the center of the temple, was fake and that the halo was fake
. How could anyone dare to imitate divine power, regardless of who it is?
‘No magic can do that.’ ‘It’s impossible.’
The complex consideration was clearly reflected on Ilia’s face, and the Pope smiled and opened his mouth.
“Aren’t you glad to meet you too? I can clearly feel the stigmata recognizing each other and emitting a sound of joy.”
The wrinkled face contained a benevolent smile, but that pretense seemed even more ugly.
What was ringing in response to one’s own stigmata was not the stigmata, but the Pope’s wrist. Because it was something that existed.
‘Is this possible with magic? Making up divine power? What is this…’
Confusion was growing, but Ilya hastily lowered her head.
“Yes, Your Holiness. The sound of that precious stigmata is spreading through my soul.”
It was the first lie Ilia had told in a long time, but fortunately her voice did not tremble.
It was something she had practiced countless times since meeting Victor.
And a bright smile appeared on the Pope’s face at those words. Seeing the rising, Ilya was once again convinced that her choice was right.
“Yes. As expected. Nice to meet you. Well, I have stigmata, so I guess I won’t be able to interrogate you.”
“Your Holiness. Then…?”
Austin, who was nearby, interjected with a smile.
“Still, the procedures must be followed, so the trial will have to be held. But don’t worry too much. ‘I’ will acknowledge and support you, so there won’t be any major problems.”
The Pope ignored him and just patted Ilya’s shoulder with a soft smile.
‘That’s it.’
However, thanks to that touch, Ilya was able to see the pure white bracelet inside the Pope’s wide sleeves.
It was something that made her grind her teeth, but she did not show it at all and just looked at the Pope with an expression of gratitude and emotion.
“Yes. Thank you so much, Your Holiness.”
This was also a promised performance.
However, Austin, who did not know this fact, widened his eyes in great surprise.
Is it because of Austin’s expression?
Or is it because he liked Ilia’s performance?
“Yes. See you tomorrow then. Oh, Austin, you too.”
The Pope turned around with an even deeper smile.
And the next day,
almost all the priests of the central temple gathered to watch the heresy inquisition held in the largest hall within the central temple.
“What will happen?”
“Saint. There was also a rumor that?”
“Oh, no way.”
The crowd murmured. As
more than a thousand priests, not seen anywhere else on the continent, participated as spectators, the huge hall quickly became noisy.
But soon.
“From now on, Bishop Ilia of the Diocese of McLane. We will proceed with the heresy interrogation of Gabon. Everyone, be quiet.”
As the Pope’s voice echoed throughout the Daejeon, the commotion died down in an instant.
Ilya, with her hands and feet shackled, entered the now quiet Daejeon.
Clang. Clang.
The sound of heavy steps gave an idea of the weight of the shackles she was carrying. Ilya’s expression was relaxed as she walked among a thousand priests.
Soon, the priests’ eyes widened when they saw the halo behind her.
“Aren’t you really a saint?”
“What? Isn’t it a trick?”
“No. It’s definitely a feeling of divine power.”
“Then the rumor is really…”
The rumbling voice gets louder again.
“Quiet. Be quiet!”
Ground. Ground.
The clear sound of the Pope’s baton silenced the commotion again.
Before the Pope could say anything more, one of the nine cardinals sitting next to him stood up.
” His Holiness the Pope. There is a rumor that Sister Ilia is a saint who overcame the plague and received the stigmata. “It would be right to check the rumors before starting the catechesis.”
Cardinal Sam Freeman, known as Pope’s left hand, spoke on behalf of the priests gathered here.
The Pope immediately nodded after hearing those words. .
“That’s right. Bishop Ilya, can you prove your stigmata?”
At those words, Ilya nodded without hesitation.
“Although I am lacking, I would like to state here that I received the stigmata through the grace of Amunda.”
Jjiik.
When she tore off the right shoulder of her already worn-out robes, a vivid blue circle was visible on her white shoulder. At
that moment, the priests, who felt the divine power spreading even more powerfully, cheered in unison.
“Really!”
“It’s true! ”
“You saint! Saint!”
The palace became noisy again, but this time the Pope did not calm down the commotion.
After a while, the noisy atmosphere gradually calmed down, and only then did the Pope take out his baton again.
He opened his mouth with a calm face.
“This is Bishop Ilya. The Daehan Inquisition was a story about the means used in the process of overcoming the plague. However, since the stigmata supports the legitimacy of the means, I think the doctrinal debate is meaningless.” As
all eyes in Daejeon focused on him, the Pope paused for a moment and then spoke again.
“He declared the heresy inquisition invalid . And I appoint the victim, Saint Ilia, as an honorary cardinal!”
“Wow!”
At that moment, loud cheers filled the Daejeon.
The heresy inquisition hall had actually turned into a new cardinal’s appointment ceremony hall.
‘Ilia, you are now the temple’s head . It will become a symbol that washes away negative rumors and proves its nobility.’
The Pope smiled gently as he looked at the cheering priests,
and then extended his hand towards the saint who would become his new companion.
“Come here, Sister Ilia. I will personally bestow the cardinal’s robes and robes.”
The Pope smiled unusually and gestured to Ilia.
Then Ilia approached the Pope in front of over a thousand priests gathered in the interrogation hall.
The pure white robes and robes were handed down as if they had been prepared in advance.
The moment Ilya took it out of the Pope’s hand, cheers erupted again.
“Meet His Eminence the Cardinal!”
“Meet the Saint!”
More than a thousand voices rang out loudly.
Listening to those voices, Ilya smiled. She waved her hand.
Even with her robes and disheveled hair that had faded during the months of transportation, her beauty shone, and the halo given by the stigmata made that beauty look more divine.
“You are truly a saint .” . It’s so beautiful….”
“Because it’s the incarnation of God….”
A murmur of laughter.
At that moment, the entire Daejeon was filled with all kinds of cheers and admiration.
“Such an auspicious day. “Now that the majority of the temple’s priests have gathered, we would like to submit a more important agenda than the heresy inquiry to the meeting.”
Austin Pruitt stood up with some priests following him.
People’s eyes were once again drawn to the unusual atmosphere and voice. “Cardinal Bonn
is proposing a motion to impeach Pope Julius Umberto I!”
The next statement completely turned the interrogation room upside down.
“What?”
“What do you mean?”
“Did I hear you correctly?”
Daejeon In the midst of this uproar with a different meaning than before, the Pope let out cold anger:
“Cardinal Austin. Are you talking in your right mind?”
But the pale-faced old man just continued calmly.
“The grounds for impeachment are bribery and abuse of power, and in addition, he is the prime suspect or instigator of 23 crimes committed inside and outside the temple. Wow. I will also submit evidence.”
The atmosphere of the interrogation room changed in an instant.
“…What is that?”
“The Pope?”
“Is there such a thing as impeachment?”
“There is. Although it’s been 200 years. More than that, is that really true?”
Murmur.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Austin Fluitt! Are you now desecrating the laws of the temple? At least two cardinals must agree to the impeachment of the Pope!”
While the Pope watched calmly. As
Cardinal Tenor Rainey shouted in anger, Daejeon became quiet again.
Externally as well . A cardinal from a well-known papal faction.
But there was nothing wrong with what he said.
“Oh, is that right?”
“That’s right.”
“There was something like that.”
Rumors about the corruption of the Pope’s faction were rampant even within the corrupt temple, but just one word. The atmosphere changed.
This meant that the proposal of impeachment itself was not permitted.
However,
“I will agree to the impeachment motion.”
Honorary Cardinal Ilia, who had been appointed a little while ago, raised his hand and the atmosphere of the interrogation room changed once again.
