Civil Servant in a Romance Fantasy - Chapter 501

501 – Multi-Ethnicity, Multi-Religion – 6

The conversation that took place in the Pope’s office was quite impressive.

“I would like to acknowledge that although there is only one Lord of the denomination, there are many Lords of the continent.”

It was a statement that even I, who prides myself on having low religious beliefs, could not help but be surprised by. As the World Tree was revived and the god of a different race called Constantina reappeared, it was natural for the Church of Dawn to take a different stance than before. In a situation where the hitherto invisible God and his gifts have begun to appear again, do we just stick to our existing position? It means that you will sink into your own contradictions.

However, I thought that other positions would also be strictly Enen-centered. During the religious war, it was the Dawn Church that shed countless blood and won. It was the Dawn Church that reigned as the mainstream religion on the continent for over hundreds of years. Therefore, I thought that Constantina would be treated as a subordinate deity of Enen, or a guardian spirit, rather than an independent deity.

“Believers in God and independent cultures are awakening, so what right do we have to downgrade a legitimate God? Enen also respected Constantina, so we, his servants, can only follow his will.”

But not the Pope. He did not downgrade Constantine, but he recognized her as the deity of other religious communities. He recognized it as an independent deity.

It’s amazing. Of course, Constantina is the god of the elves, and it is embarrassing to say that she is a handful compared to humans, so recognizing her as an independent god will not cause much damage to the Church of Dawn. Too many years have passed for the Dawn Church to be swayed by heresy.

Still, it is an unconventional declaration for the Church of Dawn, a monotheistic system, to recognize gods other than Enen. No matter what it may be like now, this choice may shake the hegemony of the Church of Dawn in the future.

“Are you okay? It will end with Constantina for now, but other gods may appear again in the future.”

“If we teach correctly and do good, we have nothing to fear even if there are many pagans. We already had the experience of being chosen by the people.”

Trixie was also mesmerized by the Pope’s gentle yet firm words. Even I, a person from another world, can’t believe it, but Trixie must have been so horrible.

“However, unfortunately, not all of my compatriots think the same way as me. Therefore, I will avoid mentioning the World Tree as much as possible at this council and bring up other agenda items first.”

If the world tree appears on the agenda of the council, there is no choice but to recognize the god Constantina. The resurrection of the World Tree after hundreds of years and the advent of God are causes that leave even the most hard-line conservatives speechless. However, if the argument continues over issues other than the world tree, the decision can at least be postponed.

While decisions are delayed as much as possible, the council is overflowing with controversial agenda items. The Pope explained that if the neutral cardinals are tired of intensely discussing different issues, they are more likely to support a conservative plan than the bombshell ‘recognition of another God’.

In other words, it is a race against time. If the world tree is pushed forward from the beginning of the Council, the Pope will win, and if it is blocked, the conservatives will win.

‘I guess that’s why it looks like this.’

That is why the external magic scene was held at the same time as the opening ceremony. From the conservatives’ point of view, they must lead the mood before the word world tree is used to avoid Constantina being recognized as an independent god.

As it happens, the reform plan that the Pope wanted to pass during the Council is widely known even to conservatives. That’s right, he’s been passionately insisting on it since he took the throne, but it’s even weirder if you don’t know. Thanks to this, the conservatives were making a brilliant fuss by first citing the agenda advocated by the Pope and, by extension, the progressives.

Of course, I didn’t know that there would be such a fuss that there would be a lot of double lust. I would believe it even if it was a back alley rather than a council.

“Since this is being discussed by the faithful gathered here, even I, an ignorant person, can dare to guess how important it will be for the proper faith of the denomination and the continent.”

Anyway, as soon as the Pope allowed him to speak, he spoke.

I liked the Pope’s will her hers, and since she was acquainted with the elves, including her maternal grandmother her hers, I did not like the idea of Constantina being relegated to a guardian spirit or lower -level god. If Constantina is demoted in my presence, then how dare I raise my head before her maternal grandmother?

“But unfortunately, I am a worldly person. Although I would like to listen to the debates that will determine the future, I have a duty to serve the empire and my subjects, so I must return home quickly.”

That’s why he said words that gave strength to the Pope. Thanks to this, the Pope’s expression became brighter, and the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith quietly closed his eyes.

“So, I would like to ask you to discuss the World Tree issue first.”

There was silence for a moment due to the confident and direct request. In a one-sided situation, such a direct request could be seen as rude, but the guest they invited said, ‘I’m busy, please do it quickly.’ If you say that, it would be difficult to refuse. It’s rude and all, but I’m busy. What can I do?

“That is correct.”

Breaking the silence, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith opened its mouth.

Since the person who would be the biggest obstacle was the first to speak, I was nervous without even realizing it. Although it is said to be correct, the position of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is to postpone discussion of the world tree as much as possible. I don’t know what kind of words they will use to stop me─

“I made a mistake by appointing a busy person. As the Blessed One said, let’s start by discussing the World Tree. No matter can be placed above God.”

?

‘What?’

The tension quickly turned into embarrassment. Not only did he readily accept my opinion, but he also mentioned God in his own words, hinting that he would regard Constantina as his own god.

What? What on earth? Didn’t you say he was the head of the conservative faction? Didn’t you go to all kinds of trouble to stop Constantina just a little while ago?

When I glanced at the Pope in confusion, his expression was extremely gentle. As if I knew it would turn out like this.

…

‘Good is good.’

As soon as I saw that gentle expression, I relaxed. There must be something I don’t know about.

***

Following the request of Blessed Count Tyglehen, he gave up his hard-line remarks. If there is no point in blocking it, you have no choice but to go with the flow. We can’t undermine the denomination’s capabilities by being stubborn.

“We will adjourn for a moment. We will meet again in two hours.”

In the meantime, the secretary, Gyodansillokseong, declared a recess.

A bitter smile came out. According to the original plan, we should still be leading the council with hard-line statements.

‘It’s over.’

All plans went wrong. Now all I can do is apply the brakes for a less radical result.

Yes, for a ‘less’ radical result. It is a reality that can no longer be denied that the denomination will move forward in a different way than before.

A reality in which we must recognize beings other than our Lord as gods, and erase with our own hands the history of victory written with blood.

‘This too must have been arranged by the Lord.’

I sighed softly. If the Blessed, who has received the Lord’s favor, supports the Pope’s will, isn’t that also the Lord’s arrangement? If so, he must follow as a servant.

“Your Majesty.”

“Hmm?”

As I left the conference room with somewhat heavy steps, the conservative cardinals who had been waiting for me approached.

Seeing that their expressions aren’t very good, it seems like everyone is thinking the same thing as me.

“You’re probably tired, but you’re getting some rest. Why are you waiting for this old guy? Are you showing off that you’re younger than me and that you have a lot of energy?”

He made a joke to those cardinals.

“Are you going to end it like this?”

However, despite all the jokes, the answer that came back was hard.

Never mind. I can’t believe people younger than me are this boring and blunt.

“Then what can we do? Who would have thought that His Holiness would have even recruited the Blessed One. After all, he is very resourceful.”

“Yes!”

“I’m not deaf.”

The cardinals’ expressions became even darker at the blunt answer.

“…So, are you saying that we should dismantle the glory accumulated by our ancestors with our own hands and share the fragments with the heretics?”

“You.”

“Should we deny the one state with our mouths and establish another state?”

Those words that were bitter and at the same time full of resentment made me smile bitterly again.

How can you not know how I feel? I also opposed His Holiness’s claim with the same sentiment. We have acknowledged Ishin, who can compete with Enen, the only lord of this continent and all people, and have denied the glory that our sages built with their blood.

“That is what the Lord has arranged.”

Still, you have to follow it. The Blessed One, who was favored by the Lord, supported His Holiness’ wishes. The World Tree was revived as Bokja watched. If this is not the will of the Lord, what is the will of the Lord?

“And didn’t you see it too? Even the cardinals who had remained neutral began to support His Holiness’will. Now we are pushed out both in terms of cause and in numbers.”

“That’s…”

“Do not deny the majority decision. They are people who, like us, have a heart of reverence for the Lord and devotion to the believers. If we were unable to persuade them, we should conform to their opinion.”

The cardinals who were dissatisfied with the word ‘conformity’ also sighed as if they had given up one by one.

It’s a natural reaction. How can we have a discussion if we don’t follow the majority decision? Are you saying that just because you don’t like the results of the discussion, you should start another life?

‘It doesn’t make sense.’

The reason we oppose His Holiness’s reform plan is to protect the noble name of the Lord. But you’re tearing the denomination in half for opposition? On the contrary, it is like profaning the name of the Lord.

If someone talks about factions or independence, I will take the lead in recommending to His Holiness that he be excommunicated. Cardinals exist for the sake of the denomination, and it is impossible for the denomination to be destroyed due to the cardinal’s dogmatism.

“If you understand, everyone go back and rest. Now, only one agenda item regarding the World Tree is finished. There are still a lot of agenda items left, aren’t there?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

I turned around to see the cardinals trudging around. I also have a lot to think about during the two-hour recess.

‘I will have to give up the next papacy.’

Undeservedly, his name is being mentioned as one of the candidates for the next Pope, but it is right to give up as there are signs that the Council will be concluded according to His Holiness ‘wishes His.

If the council is passed, reforms will be promoted according to the opinions of the progressives, and if I, a conservative, become the next pope, the reform plans will proceed well. He will go down in history as an incompetent and stubborn Pope who ruined an important time for the denomination to change.

I don’t like that. I admit that I am recorded as an old man because of my actions, but I do not want to become the Pope who ruined the religious denomination.

‘In the end, you win.’

I laughed. His Holiness was merely a Pope chosen by cardinals who were tired of the previous Pope’s reforms to take a short break. For a Pope like that to lead a council, what a life.

‘How on earth did Bokja convince me?’

I took a step forward, remembering the decisive factor in my defeat.

Is the Lord really looking down on His Holiness the Pope?