Civil Servant in a Romance Fantasy - Chapter 458

458 – Holy, Blessed, and Apostle – 1

Cardinal Alexandrian, who appeared like the wind, quickly opened his mouth without any hesitation, as if he was planning to disappear like the wind when he left.

“We have decided to beatify the two of you to the rank of beatified. This is a matter judged appropriate for the growth of the Congregation for Canonization, and was given final approval by the Holy Father yesterday.”

Personally, I tend to prefer the cardinal style of speaking rather than talking in circles. The way I speak as a civil servant is because I have no choice in my work, but when I hear other people doing it, I feel like a dog too.

Still, if the information to be conveyed is unusual, I think it would be better to speak a little more seriously. He spoke so casually that for a moment I thought, ‘I don’t think canonization or beatification is possible.’ I thought you said that. Where do you see the cardinal proclaiming beatification?

“Also, if the two of you return to Enen, we will proceed with the canonization process immediately. This will not change even if someone other than the current Pope takes the position of Pope, so you do not need to worry.”

I could feel my eyes trembling at those words. Blessed during life, confirmed saint after death?

‘What is that?’

This is the first pattern I’ve heard in my life. Please don’t talk about such an important matter so casually.

‘I’m glad I came out alone.’

Soon, I felt relieved that it was just me and the cardinal. Marr happened to be out alone because he was checking on newly purchased supplies. If Marr had been there, wouldn’t he have suffered a brain freeze and froze?

I, too, am confused as I am from a different world, but the shock of Mar, who is from a native country, was even greater, never less.

“You seem very surprised.”

In the meantime, the cardinal asked, still smiling.

“…It’s not a common occurrence anyway. It’s a little surprising.”

I answered honestly because it was a natural question. It is an incredible thing that he was beatified while he was alive, but canonization confirmed after his death is truly unheard of.

No, if canonization is confirmed in the first place, can’t it just be done during one’s lifetime? Or beatification can be done after death. What kind of situation is this?

“I understand. Cardinal Aldino also had doubts about my proposal.”

The cardinal laughed and carefully bowed. He spoke politely, as if he were a subordinate attending an audience with a superior.

After a series of misadventures, this time my body, not my head, stiffened. The only people to whom the cardinal must bow are Enen, the Pope, and the Emperor. For me, a noble, bowing down to my waist rather than even bowing is too much courtesy.

“Your Majesty, please raise your head. How can someone who follows your teachings do this to a mere believer?”

First, I quickly came to my senses and expressed my burden. I feel like I want to grab him by the shoulder and pull him up, but that’s just rude.

However, contrary to my embarrassed feelings, the cardinal continued speaking in a calm voice.

“The reason for canonization was confirmed, even though there was a condition of posthumous death, because the two had the qualifications to become saints. Nevertheless, beatification was limited to the circumstances of the church, so how can we not be ashamed as servants who follow the teachings of the Lord?”

Then, my waist, which had been bent at about 50 degrees, went down to about 65 degrees.

I’m going crazy. It was a situation where raising him up wasn’t enough and made him bow even further.

“Brother, you deserve to receive the Lord’s blessing and ascend to the rank of a saint. I brought such a person down to the rank of a saint due to human circumstances. Please accept my apology.”

Seeing the cardinal acting like a believer in front of a saint rather than a cardinal in front of believers, it was difficult for him to open his mouth.

I’m so glad I’m the only one here…

There was a small – no, very big commotion, but it was quickly resolved. When I said I accepted the apology, he stood up like a sword.

I’m still dizzy, but I was able to understand it by considering the cardinal’s position as much as possible. In terms of the empire, wouldn’t it feel like the current minister is bowing down to a commoner who was given the title of Count Livnoman? No matter how much you are a minister, if you act stiffly in front of Count Livnoman, you will suffer the wrath of the imperial family and all kinds of insults.

‘It’s worth sleeping.’

My throbbing head calmed down little by little.

“Canonization and beatification are the authority of the Holy Father, so I cannot beatify you here. The Congregation for Canonization is a place where we select people who deserve respect and report them to the Holy Father. Please understand.”

“Of course, you have to understand. I am also a bureaucrat, so I can fully understand.”

The cardinal burst into laughter at the joking answer.

Other people are ministers of the empire and the growth of the Holy Church, but in the end, they are civil servants belonging to the bureaucracy. Civil servants know well the suffering of civil servants.

“Brother, I’m glad you’re the minister. Thank you for your mercy.”

When the word mercy naturally came out, I almost smiled bitterly. Now, every word choice is full of courtesy.

“Ah, the beatification ceremony will take place at the Cathedral of St. Togra. Of course, the beatification party is not required to participate in the ceremony, so you can comfortably wait for the results in the Empire.”

Still, the cardinal quickly explained the schedule for the beatification ceremony, as if he was planning to return soon.

Saint Togra Cathedral is a symbol of the Dawn Church located in the Holy Church. I was worried about whether I would have to go to the Holy Church, but fortunately there was no need to travel abroad.

“And this is my small sincerity to the future saint as part of his growth in canonization.”

After saying that, the cardinal took a few steps closer and placed his left hand on his chest and his right hand on my head and recited his prayer.

Not long after, I saw a white glow coming from the cardinal’s hand, and it seemed like he was giving a blessing.

– Ah, what a surprise.

?

For a moment, both the cardinal and I froze.

I heard a familiar voice ringing in my head, and the cardinal felt a pagan energy in the future saint.

– …Ah, you’re from the Enen side. I suddenly felt a tingling sensation so I did something.

I heard a calm and relaxed voice as if I had quickly grasped the situation, but I was not at peace.

“Brother…?”

Because the cardinal’s eyes, which sensed the energy of another god within my body, were unusual.

Blessed (Pagan). Even when I think about it, it’s terrible.

‘Damn.’

Let’s calm down. It is a fact that both the Empire and the Church of Dawn know that I am connected to a pagan god in the North, and that the God of the North intervened in the resurrection of the World Tree. Therefore, the cardinal, a high-ranking official in the religious order, must have heard about the eternal blue sky.

Now the cardinal is embarrassed by the sudden beatification (paganism) and is looking like a crusader. If you explain in detail, it will clear up any misunderstandings.

It will definitely happen.

***

I stared blankly at the elf praying in front of me—more precisely, in front of the tree where I lived. I don’t have a body, but if I did, I wouldn’t have been lying on the floor scratching my stomach. It is such a familiar sight.

“Our Mother Constantina, the eternal blue sky that protects the World Tree. Today, too, we thank you for the mercy you have granted to the lowly mortals who are in charge of managing the World Tree.”

The elder of the elf race, who had just finished praying, picked up huge scissors to trim the branches again today.

I feel a little nervous. From the day I stayed in this tree until now, that elder has been praying and arranging the branches every day. Of course, I don’t think it’s unusual because I know very well what kind of existence Constantina is to elves and what the world tree that Constantina bestowed means.

‘If you cut a person’s hair this much, they would go bald.’

I just think I organize things too often.

It’s fascinating. I’m sure I cut it every day, but how do I still get something to cut? Is it possible that new branches are being added without my knowledge?

“Eternal blue sky. Are you experiencing any inconvenience?”

– …Nothing. In the first place, this is the house I stay in, not my body.

“I understand. However, if you experience any inconvenience, please let me know at any time.”

When I saw the elder cutting the branches with a smile, I said, ‘I’m fine, just stop.’ It was difficult to say that. As a god myself, I have seen countless believers, and believers with this type of personality tend to become discouraged and depressed when you try to stop them from doing something.

So what should we do? Even if it’s annoying, I have no choice but to tolerate it and accept it.

“Auntie Sky! Auntie Sky!”

“Good morning, good morning!”

I can’t stand the noise they make.

The elder must have woken up to the sound of cutting branches, and the quiet fairies suddenly came out and flew nearby.

Please, please be quiet. I don’t want to suffer from the morning…

“Ajumma! Auntie! How many days are left? When will our house be built again?”

“How many days? How many days?”

I felt like I would burst out laughing at the sight of the fairies chattering as usual today.

My arms are also ugly. If there had been at least one decent temple, we wouldn’t have had to live with being tormented by fairies.

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– I just need to sleep for about 3,500 more nights.

“3,500? Really? Really?”

I don’t know either. Constantina created the World Tree, or did I create it?

– Yes.

I resisted the urge to say that and finally gave the answer.

Although it is difficult to calculate detailed figures, we can know that it is up to 10 years. So, 3,500 is not incorrect.

“500? Not 500?”

“Five hundred! Five hundred!”

– Isn’t 500, not 3,000, too much?

The skill of striking is quite a work of art. Constantina taught me good things.

‘Let’s run away.’

Just as I was about to become increasingly dazed, I barely managed to hold on to my fading consciousness and prepared to run away to the secret base.

I was able to hold on for a while, but today I just can’t do it. I have to go as an honorary priest for a moment.

‘I just need to last 3 hours.’

They are overly energetic fairies, but if they are away for three hours, they will lose interest and play among themselves. Because it has been like that until now.

For that reason, I gathered my wits and headed towards the body of the prospective priest─

– Ah, what a surprise.

As soon as I entered the body, I was startled by the stinging and hot sensation.

My small and precious secret base has been desecrated.

“Indeed. This is the energy of the eternal blue sky.”

Seeing the Enen child muttering as if he was interested, a small feeling of sadness came over me.

At best, the one you meet as soon as you run away is a child from the Enen side. She came here to rest, but she’s being harassed by this new guy she’s seeing.

“I was surprised that you had a pagan spirit, but it’s okay if it’s an eternal blue sky. You are the one who helped revive the World Tree.”

Furthermore, it hurts my heart that someone who is not a member of Enen and is a child below them says things that seem like they are evaluating me.

Me too, I was a popular god in my old days. Once a month, hundreds or thousands of cows and horses were sacrificed as sacrifices.

‘…I hate the local residents.’

– What do you mean by being in Jeong Ju-min’s body?’

I grumbled a little, but this rude honorary priest gave me a blunt answer.

It’s really sad.