Episode 273 Two months ago, it was only a few days after the temple’s unilateral notification.
There was a brief commotion in the royal castle.
“What’s going on?”
“Your Majesty. That’s…”
Unexplained coordinates connected to the king’s direct crystal ball.
The communications office officials fell into a state of panic due to the sudden contact, which did not even know what method was used.
In the end, only after Logan himself stepped forward did the person in the communication sphere reveal his face, and his identity, which was soon revealed, was truly beyond everyone’s expectations.
[A servant of Anima, the god of fire and food. Austin Pruitt.]
It was a common self-introduction among priests, but the weight of the name was different.
The name of one of only nine cardinals in the world.
Logan had no choice but to reply with a slightly stern expression.
“We have already received notification from the temple. Do you have anything else to say besides the official notification?”
The answer to that question was truly unexpected.
[Not everyone in the temple follows the Pope’s decision. I reached out to McLane on my own to help him.]
Of course, even if I heard something like that, I couldn’t believe it right away.
“…What do you mean?”
[I am telling you that there are people who want to restore the position of priests who have become estranged from the people of the corrupt church.]
“I am sorry, but this is something I cannot easily believe.”
[…I thought so. So, I would like to give you some information so that His Majesty can build up your trust in me.]
“Information?”
[The current Pope is by no means the one who moves the temple with only one purpose. Dispatch of the Heresy Questioner. How many of the purposes contained therein do you recognize, Your Majesty?]
“Huh…?”
Cardinal Austin’s subsequent words were very interesting.
[There has already been talk about the need for an investigation into ‘abandoned people’ for several years. However, the opinion of most educated priests was that it should be a careful investigation to understand God’s will.]
Austin, who was silent for a moment as if trying to choose an appropriate expression, then spoke in a cautious voice.
[It is true in the original doctrine that saying such a thing as a land abandoned by God is in itself a blasphemy that undermines the absoluteness of the Nine Great Gods.]
“The Pope distorted the doctrine? Is there a reason for that?”
[The Pope wants to show off the power of the temple. The real goal is to show off a force that has not been projected externally for over 50 years and to establish a firm influence even in the eastern part of the continent. Although it is a bit strange that the work was carried out in such a hurry that it took some unreasonable measures.]
There was no remark in Logan’s ears.
“…By using our kingdom as a stepping stone?”
[That’s right. The leader of the heresy inquisitors dispatched is a man named Ethel Fabrun, and he is a snob who would not deserve the position of a priest, let alone a cardinal…]
“I already know the facts about him, Your Eminence Cardinal.”
He stopped talking, but from that point on, Logan was very interested in Cardinal Austin. Seeing how excited he was talking about Ethel Fabrun made me start to trust him.
[Hmm hmm. Is that so. Anyway, no matter what excuse he makes, he will try to accuse them of heresy.]
“I will achieve other goals by conducting a larger investigation than I should have done in the first place… Well, if I am not in the situation, it is a good move.”
Should we consider an all-out war with the temple?
Logan’s expression darkened as a gloomy thought came to mind.
The opinion of most residents was that if all the officially known military units of the temple were gathered together, it would amount to almost 1/3 of the total strength of the empire. This means that it can stand alone against the 8th Eastern Corps, the 7th Western Corps, or the Imperial Central Army.
If we were to engage in an all-out war with such a temple, even if we won, we would not have the capacity to prepare for an imperial war.
in other words.
The country is ruined.
“Hmm, somehow I thought things were going strangely well. So, that’s right.”
Logan’s stomach was boiling and his temper was rising, but Logan quickly calmed down.
Since I returned, I haven’t had any trouble getting over anything.
We have achieved too much so far to be frustrated by something like this.
“So what help can you give, Cardinal?”
[Yes?]
“If the only help you can give me is by informing me of the Pope’s purpose, I would appreciate it, but I don’t think it will be of much help. I have to be prepared in case the Cardinal’s guess is wrong.”
[Oh, of course you will. Fortunately, I think there is something I can do.]
Logan’s expression brightened a little at the cardinal’s assurance. However, after hearing the next words, I couldn’t help but be confused.
[This Pope’s event also has another small purpose. It’s Bishop Ilya.]
“Yes?”
[Bishop Ilia. A rumor is spreading among the priests that she, who was repatriated for breaking a taboo, received the stigmata.]
“If you say stigmata…?”
[It is proof that God’s will has come to this earth. The blessing of having God’s symbol engraved on your body and your divine power exploding is the stigmata. The faint halo that is visible to the ordinary eye is the proof.]
Logan was able to immediately recall the changes that Bishop Illya had seen in the Raftan territory.
‘I don’t know what the symbol of God is, but the halo is definitely…’
[If Bishop Ilia is indeed determined to be a saint, he will automatically receive the status of cardinal. Perhaps the Pope plans to save her from pressuring her for breaking a taboo and then gain her loyalty.]
“Yes?”
[Because he is already being criticized as the worst Pope in history due to his condemnation of corrupt temples and innocent priests. If we can make the repatriated bishop a saint, we will be able to appease public opinion.]
“Ah…!”
[Of course, if there are no stigmata, you will be referred to the Inquisition as is.]
“…I don’t know about the stigmata, but I confirmed the halo.”
Logan didn’t know it meant that much, but the cardinal’s face immediately brightened when he heard those words.
[Are you serious!? Hahahaha. This makes me feel less anxious.]
That laughter only made Logan’s doubts grow even more.
“But what does Bishop Ilya have to do with the help you mentioned?”
[If she really turns out to be a saint, I plan to try to reform the temple around her. We have been collecting records of crimes of corruption and exploitation committed by the Pope and his gang. Based on that data, if a number of high-ranking priests, including the saint and myself, advocate for the Pope’s impeachment, the number of Popes targeting the McLane Kingdom will become a problem.]
For Logan, it was truly a proposal like rain in a drought.
but.
“…Will the Pope step down so easily? As far as I know, most of the cardinals are the Pope’s confidants.”
[There is complete evidence and support from saints and many high priests. All priests with knowledge will follow us.]
The problem was that the enthusiastic cardinal who made the suggestion seemed to have a flower garden spread out in his head.
‘I’ve rarely seen those classy priests.’
But it seemed possible. It seemed like the kingdom’s crisis could be overcome to a great extent just by the political conflict within the temple.
There.
‘Impeachment, impeachment. Why is it so familiar? Something similar happened in my past life… Ah!’
In an instant, my mind became bright and a memory from my past life came to mind.
Definitely helpful information in this situation.
Of course, that alone won’t be enough, so if we mobilize more numbers…
“If we do this well, I think we can provide help from outside.”
A cold smile appeared on Logan’s lips.
[Yes?]
A companion whose head is a flower garden is bound to have its own uses. At least I won’t give up because of real-life difficulties.
And the difficulties of that reality could have been taken care of by a helper like himself.
‘Even if this is a lie, I have nothing to lose.’
Logan accepted Austin’s offer with a cruel smile.
And now, two months later, Logan contacted Austin.
“The Heresy Investigation Team is completely under my control. Now is the time to show them what you promised.”
[…Everything will only be true if the rumors about Bishop Ilia’s stigmata are true, Your Majesty.]
Logan spoke with a grin, but Cardinal Austin seemed weak for some reason. As the time approached, I felt anxious.
Logan smiled brighter and comforted him.
“This is a fact I have seen with my own eyes. Don’t worry, Your Majesty the Cardinal.”
[…I believe it, Your Majesty. Then, I will personally greet her…]
“Oh, that would be difficult. I have sent someone to tell you in advance, so please contact me just before the religious inquiry. Isn’t it strange for a cardinal to personally greet a heretic? ”
[I see. haha. I guess I was nervous. [That obvious fact…]
I was once again worried about this old priest who was excessively naive for his status and age.
‘Well, it doesn’t matter to me.’
To ensure that what Austin and his group wanted to do would not end in vain, Logan was preparing a means to turn the dangerous embers of the Pope’s impeachment into a huge forest fire.
Viktor confirmed it directly to Ilya.
That the halo he saw was really a stigmata.
Then, no matter how things turn out, Bishop Ilia will enter the heart of the central temple. Of course, there is a difference whether you are on the Pope’s side or not.
‘If we make the noise as loud as possible.’
The temple will no longer have the energy to worry about McLine.
“Please notify me again when the date for the rebellion is set. We will assist accordingly.”
[Yes, thank you. But… how can you help us in McLane…?]
“You will find out when the time comes.”
[Ahahaha. I feel reassured. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your consideration. Then, I will tell you as soon as the date is set.]
Well, I don’t know. I don’t know if you’ll really like it though.
Austin hung up the communication with a much flushed face, having somehow taken in Logan’s laughter.
Logan let out a long sigh as he looked at the communication port that soon turned off.
“There shouldn’t be any other variables.”
Every time you think you have passed a difficult time, another hardship comes.
To be considered the price of changing the future, I had to suffer from extreme stress that felt like my soul was being squeezed every time.
‘Maybe it’s because I’m lacking…’
In the future, where the flow was changed by his hands, things that didn’t happen in the past life kept popping up. Plague aside, I never imagined that children like Stella would become an excuse to invade the temple.
‘I can’t get caught up in the temple here.’
The real challenge is only a few years away.
We had to end this variable with minimal damage and generate maximum power. So that at least the eastern 8th legion of the empire can be definitely blocked.
Hope seemed out of reach, but it couldn’t be defeated by these variables now.
‘No matter what the incident, I have overcome it. ‘Nothing is different now!’
Since returning home, he has been working hard to protect his clan and family.
After many incidents, the object to be protected expanded to include the country, but the work to be done did not change.
There is no other way.
Logan strengthened his resolve once again and left the communications room.
“If any communication comes to the same coordinates, notify me immediately. And tell Damian Nadal to enter the palace immediately.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The moment Cardinal Austin’s preparations are over, there will be a big blow from this side as well.
One shot that can make even the cardinal’s plan, which is full of ideals in his head, a reality.
“Now all we have to do is wait.”
My fist was clenched so tightly that the veins were popping out.
