Civil Servant in a Romance Fantasy - Chapter 900



900 – Let’s live first – 4

Is white clothing better or red clothing better?

It may seem like a rather trivial and meaningless question, but what kind of clothes one wears in an occasion where etiquette is required can have an impact on the identity of a particular group or the justification for a country to take power.

In the first place, the very fact that you have to choose certain clothes means that there are strict rules, rituals, and customs. The original purpose is completed by intertwining such elements.

‘Both colors have strong symbolic meaning.’

Anyway, the white and red vestments that the Pope chose are the ones that the saints (genuine) who will be canonized while alive will wear, so the two vestments have their own meaning and authority.

First of all, the white garment is a symbol of the Pope and the saints. It means that they will follow the will of Enen selflessly and devote themselves to the believers, and it is the same as a pledge to step down from their position if the pure white garment becomes ugly and dirty. This is a tradition that has been passed down since the first Pope of the Dawn Order, so the authority of the white garment is formidable.

On the other hand, the red vestments are the symbol of cardinals, and at the same time, they are the symbol of martyrs who shed their blood and died for the church. And those who were martyred for the church often performed various activities in addition to martyrdom. Thanks to this, many of the martyrs were canonized as saints.

‘That’s why the symbol of an adult was also red clothes.’

The problem seems to have arisen when I was canonized while I was alive, not after my death.

It was not officially established that ‘the symbol of a saint is a red garment!’ It was simply that many of those who were canonized were martyrs, and the honoring of saints was connected to the honoring of martyrs, so red garments were favored.

But a living person, not a martyr, is canonized? Dressing a living saint in red? It’s a disaster on the level of a newlywed groom appearing in a shroud at his wedding.

But it is also difficult to dress them in white. It is also a bit much to dress other people in the symbols of the Pope and saints.

‘and.’

I feel like my hair is turning white. Is this how the Confucian scholars felt when they faced the Yesong controversy?

There are reasons to choose either side, and reasons to avoid either side. If you choose one side, the future is clear where the other side holds you back.

So that’s why the Pope called him. Even the Pope, who confirmed the canonization without the person’s knowledge, seems unable to make a decision on this matter on his own.

‘I don’t want to show up wearing a mask.’

He furrowed his brows slightly and collected his thoughts.

First of all, I am mentally reluctant to wear red clothes. Although I am not sensitive to superstitions and jinxes, attending a ceremony wearing a shroud is crazy. If I do something like that, Enen might misunderstand and say, “Oh! Our saint wants to be martyred!” I have no intention of going to heaven anymore.

But the white clothes are too burdensome. Of course, if a living saint is born, I will boast of authority second only to the Pope and the saints, but it is a separate issue whether that authority is officially recognized. If I receive the same ceremony as the Pope or the saints in front of the heads of the church and numerous priests, my future will be difficult.

Maybe if I succeed in a miraculous retirement… the church might kidnap me and tell me to become a priest…

“As expected, even you, brother, have a hard time deciding.”

“Isn’t this a problem that contains the history of the religious order? How could I, who live for a moment, put a burden on the history of the religious order that will continue on for eternity?”

The Pope smiled faintly at my words.

“If you look at the history of the church, it is unprecedented. But doesn’t the absence of precedent mean that it could have been created in the present day?”

He made a bombshell declaration with a smiling face.

It’s unsettling. If there is no precedent, it is true that those who do it for the first time become the precedent for future generations. However, making such a statement at this time is quite ominous and scary.

“We will do whatever you choose, brother. Even if you choose the third way, we will embrace it as a new precedent.”

“yes?”

“What has happened once cannot happen twice. If a canonization occurs in the future, it would be right to proceed with your decision as a precedent.”

The hand that was resting on my knee shook like crazy.

Don’t do that. Don’t put that burden on me. I don’t want it to be remembered in the history of the church, let alone the history of the empire.

“Ah. Blue or green, that’s fine.”

I almost burst out laughing because it was such a sure kill.

Blue is the eternal blue sky, and green is Constantine.

– Woof!

Perhaps aware of her master’s confusion, Titi, who was lying quietly next to me, began to gently lick my hand.

Thank you, our Titi. I think I’m able to hold on mentally thanks to you.

“Or would you like it yellow like that kid?”

“We will review it positively.”

For a very brief moment, I began to hate the Pope.

I knew he was a great man both as a person and as a priest, but I felt an uncontrollable resentment.

Fortunately, I didn’t have to decide on my outfit on the spot.

“It’s not an easy decision to make. Please take your time and think about it while you’re at the church.”

Of course, it was only a few days of grace, but even those few days felt precious.

To be honest, it is unfair. The Yesong debate is something that the Confucian scholars have been fighting over for years, but I have to make a decision by myself in a few days. How cruel is that?

‘Is it better to be alone?’

In fact, it would have been a bigger mess if several people had put their heads together.

It would have been nice if the Pope had left the controversy over clothing entirely to his own will. If cardinals and theologians had gotten involved, the church might have been split in half.

“Brother.”

“Oh, you called?”

As I was silently fiddling with my teacup, Tanian, who was sitting across from me, opened his mouth.

It’s embarrassing. I went to see Tanian right after my meeting with the Pope, but I still can’t get over the aftermath of the clothing debate. My body is here, but my mind still feels trapped in the office.

“I feel embarrassed because I feel like I’ve placed a huge burden on you, brother.”

I just smiled awkwardly at those words.

It is said that Tanian also intervened in the discussion of my canonization as a potential saint. If so, he must have also discussed the clothing, and he must have known about the time I was beaten by the Pope.

“However, whatever choice you make, we will support your choice. You are the one who has accomplished the feats to become a saint while still alive, and you will be the one who will be canonized in front of all people.”

“Thank you very much for your kind words.”

“So, bear the burden, but do not let it crush you. That is all I, an inexperienced servant, can say to you, Brother.”

Tanian smiled gently and then lowered his gaze.

“You received such a precious gift, but it doesn’t help you?”

A doll elephant was lying on the desk. I looked down at the gift I had prepared for Tanian’s child.

“You’re not helping. Thanks to you, brother, I feel like a burden has been lifted from my heart.”

“That’s great. I was just about to give Pietro a new toy, and you happened to give me this cute gift. I wouldn’t have been able to raise my head if I hadn’t been able to repay you in some small way.”

The voice was so full of satisfaction that the corners of my mouth slightly went up.

As expected, I am a professional father. I choose the gifts that my children want appropriately and give them at the right time. The name of father of nine children was not earned through poker.

“Yes. Your wife will be bringing Pietro soon. How about you give this gift to Pietro yourself?”

“Is that okay? You might be wary of adults you meet for the first time.”

“My child is truly an angel to those who are kind to him. It makes me think that the Lord has given him the ability to recognize people.”

I could already see signs of my son being foolish, and I couldn’t help but chuckle.

He’s not gifted with ability, he’s just a baby who doesn’t shy away from strangers. As for recognizing friendly people, honestly, what kind of crazy person would treat the next saint and the son of a saintly growth like that? Everyone who sees him will be friendly.

“It is indeed Enen’s grace that has been bestowed upon you. The faithfulness of you and your Eminence the Cardinal reaches to the heavens, and it seems that Enen is also deeply interested in your child.”

Of course, speaking without a filter about what comes to mind is an atrocity that only people like Rutis and Erich would commit. It is rude to pour cold water on an acquaintance you haven’t seen in a long time.

“Haha, it’s nice to hear those words from a living adult!”

“No matter how noble an adult may be, would he be a saint?”

I opened my mouth reflexively at Tanian’s words.

Even in a private setting, it is best to avoid making statements that could be interpreted as ‘a saint is more noble than a saint’. Even a saint is considered to be someone who only listens to good words in front of a living saint, so there is no greater trouble than that.

Because if you can match or surpass a saint, then the next only one is the Pope. You may have to stand shoulder to shoulder with the being who rules the continent along with the Emperor.

I don’t like that. If that future comes, I’m ready to lie down between the tombstones of the six Earls of Rivenoman.

“How can there be a distinction between those who follow God? It is simply a matter of who prays more frequently and who is more familiar with divine power.”

Tanian seemed to understand my determination and quickly collected his words.

Thank you. How fortunate that you are not a brash and impulsive guy like Ryutis.

“Tanian, brother.”

“Oh, ma’am.”

“Your Eminence, Cardinal, have you arrived?”

And soon after, Cardinal Alexandrina entered the room holding a little boy in her arms.

Needless to say, the atmosphere that was almost awkward was revived.

“elegance!”

– Woof woof!

However, I was a little disappointed that Pietro was more interested in Titi than in the doll I had prepared, but Titi is also my companion dog, so I guess this is also my gift.

I can’t leave Titi like a doll, but please play hard during the few days I’m in the country.