Chapter 452
The discussion of faith with Cardinal Alexandrina went smoothly.
In fact, it was nearly impossible to have a cozy conversation with a Cardinal. Besides the Pope, a Cardinal is at the pinnacle of priesthood, and discussing faith with another priest? That’s basically a polite, roundabout declaration of war on their logic and values!
Yet, Mar and I are just ordinary folk with no fancy logic or values to break down. We’re blessed individuals in the eyes of the gods. No matter how eloquent and logically sound Cardinal Alexandrina may be, she ends up softening her tone when speaking to us.
“To contain the world within myself rather than myself within the world is only fitting. How could a mere human vessel contain the ocean that is the world?—This is the realization of Saint Galen I, the fifth Pope of the Sect, from the wilderness. Have you heard of it?”
“I’m embarrassed to say this is my first time hearing it.”
“His realization is one of the pillars supporting the Sect today, and he was so wise and kind that he left behind a wealth of words. Even passionate priests struggle to remember everything he said.”
Just like right now.
It was all rather confusing. As Cardinal Alexandrina explained the anecdotes and their meanings from the Sect, it felt as if she was comforting an ignorant student. I felt more embarrassed for admitting my ignorance!
‘Why is she so soft?’
If we had accidentally met in private and were just discussing faith out of boredom, I could understand this atmosphere. It’d be weird if a casual social chat had such a heavy and awkward aura.
But this was supposed to be a session aimed at canonization. Even though Mar and I are blessed by Enen, that’s just a potential criterion, not guaranteed. In fact, being candidates for sainthood should should require even stricter scrutiny.
However, the Cardinal seemed miles away from scrutiny, as if this conversation had no bearing on our canonization whatsoever.
‘And I’m not the only one feeling this way.’
Could it be that she’s immune to tense atmospheres from having faced the Emperor? But then I glanced at Mar’s expression, and her confusion was quite apparent.
Mar had been deeply studying the scriptures upon hearing about the Cardinal discussing faith. And what’s returned is her looking utterly dazed by a fluffy lecture instead.
“Oh, is it already this late?”
Amidst this, the Cardinal glanced at the clock, giving signals that she wanted to wrap up the conversation.
“Since you two have answered so sincerely, I couldn’t help but get carried away.”
I awkwardly smiled at her gentle words. Hearing that from someone who had mostly received “I don’t know” as answers from me felt like a stab to the conscience…
—
It was time to wrap up the day and lie down on the bed.
“Saint Galen I was the Pope who laid the groundwork for the Dawn Sect to evolve into the mainstream religion we know today, and he’s one of the few Pope’s referred to as the Great Pope.”
“I see.”
“One of his notable teachings emphasizes voluntary adherence rather than coercing believers through a discussion with the head of a heresy—”
I became embroiled in Mar’s burning desire to review her studies and failed to close my eyes.
‘I really should be sleeping soon.’
Glancing at the clock moving slowly, I then diverted my gaze back to Mar. The words to suggest we call it a night were nearly floating at the tip of my tongue, but knowing Mar’s fervor, I couldn’t bring myself to say it.
‘She must be feeling uneasy.’
Unfortunately, Mar’s enthusiasm isn’t fueled by curiosity but an anxiety. ‘Why is the responsible person for canonization acting like this?’ That sort of unease.
For days now, Mar has been feeling both the elation and the tension of being candidates for sainthood. Even if she doesn’t become a saint, she finds joy in the fact that she was blessed during our wedding, and that both of us are candidates together is an honor for our family.
However, the canonization’s responsible figure is currently behaving in anything but a serious, saintly manner. That leaves enough room for worry—wondering if there’s something wrong with the blessing she received or if she made a mistake when speaking with the Cardinal.
That’s why Mar kept her scriptures and holy texts close. Not knowing why the Cardinal is behaving that way, she at least wanted to perform the discussion of faith correctly.
‘Sorry for being such an inadequate husband.’
Watching Mar read the scripture seriously, I felt a wave of guilt wash over me. If only I knew why the Cardinal was so gentle, I could comfort her, but without a clue, I could hardly say anything.
So, what else could I do? If I can’t solve the problem, I’ll at least keep her spirit high. I’ll have to pull an all-nighter studying until Mar feels satisfied.
“And this is… Ka, Carl!?”
“Studying is good, but let’s create a comfortable atmosphere. If you’re overly tense, you won’t last long!”
Still, I couldn’t just leave my precious wife in pain. I pulled Mar into my arms and laid down on the bed.
As I caressed her hair, a wave of calm washed over me. I could read while lying down, so wouldn’t it be just fine to study like this?
“Carl, the environment and posture are also important for studying… Eep!”
I interrupted Mar just as she was about to deliver her (possibly a lecture) with a playful nibble on her neck.
Fortunately, it seemed my intentions were received. Not long after, Mar put down her scripture and kissed my neck. It felt like we naturally transitioned from a midnight study session to sleep, and I felt satisfied.
“…It was Carl who started it.”
“Ah.”
A small issue was that despite having set the scripture aside, I still couldn’t sleep properly, but spending a noisy night during our honeymoon is a rather petty problem. Let’s not think too much about it.
—
After being guided to Tannian’s former room by the Minister of the Information Department, I ended up visiting his mansion every single day. All to confirm whether the Minister and his wife were worthy of sainthood, and for my own happiness.
After five days of chatting with them, I finally reached a conclusion.
“So can you repeat that? What did you just say?”
“Elder, is your hearing going? Wait, considering your age, it’s probably finally—”
Before he could finish, a handkerchief infused with divine power soared through the air.
Of course, throwing a piece of cloth at someone wouldn’t properly fly, yet thanks to the Cardinal’s divine energy, it zipped through the air and smacked right into my body.
But still, it was just a handkerchief.
“Ouch! What if I bruise?”
Yet, getting hit is getting hit. As soon as it hit me, I pouted and protested to Elder Aldino.
“If something as minor as that makes you feel pain, you’d break your leg while walking!”
I quietly sealed my lips at the sight of Elder Aldino gently clenching his fists. If I stirred the pot any further, I might just get a hurricane of divine winds thrown my way.
“…Okay, well then, can you repeat that? What did you say?”
“It seems good to canonize you two as Blessed and to posthumously elevate you to sainthood.”
My quick response caused Elder Aldino to furrow his brows.
That reaction was understandable. He probably expected either saining or blessing; after all, witnessing the miracle of the blessings at our wedding meant it was impossible not to bless us.
But the idea of living as Blessed and then suddenly becoming a saint after death? That was something I don’t think he could’ve anticipated.
“If you’re posthumously becoming a saint, then why not just do it right now? What’s the point of going through Blessed first?”
However, the Elder didn’t respond to my words with outrage over such ridiculousness; rather, he inquired about my thinking. As the leader of the delegation, he needed to know what I was thinking, but I appreciated his respect for my position as a budding leader.
“The blessings you both received were miracles witnessed by countless individuals. Plus, you are neither heretics nor cultists, so there’s no need to dispute that.”
So, I opened my mouth sincerely. I’m not just that little boy Alexandrina receiving teachings from Elder Aldino anymore; I am now Cardinal Alexandrina Teresa!
“Also, the Minister participated in the suppression of the Twilight Sect two years ago. Even without this miracle, he should have received compensation from the Sect.”
“That’s something Brother Tannian formally brought up. There were so many involved in the suppression effort that we’re still compiling records.”
Acknowledging my words, Elder Aldino nodded in agreement.
A miracle with ample witnesses, the record of suppressing the Twilight Sect, genuine devotion instead of heresy or cult—though the Minister’s wife didn’t take part in the suppression—it certainly suffices.
“However, both of you lack knowledge and logic regarding faith.”
They were just slightly lacking from being perfect.
“Saints must be perfect in the eyes of the people! While the achievements of the Minister and his wife cannot be denied, the people will look for piety and devotion they can see in front of them instead of things they haven’t witnessed.”
That would be troublesome. No matter how positively I think about it, the Minister and his wife possess knowledge of faith somewhere between a novice and an apprentice priest. It’s the average noble standard, but that’s far too lacking when compared to sainthood.
If that happens, people might just think that someone lacking faith and knowledge has become a saint. They might even believe the Sect is forced to bestow the honor of sainthood on a powerful noble.
That would be dreadful. It would cast doubts on the Sect’s history, integrity, and fairness. The true merit of two individuals certainly deserving of sanctity would get questioned.
“That’s why I’d like to finish with a blessed canonization for now. While Blessed is somewhat overlooked by the populace, it’s recognized among the nobility.”
“Hmm.”
Once I wrapped up my explanation, Elder Aldino stroked his chin, deep in thought.
“To be referred to as Blessed during one’s lifetime and then become a saint after death, away from public scrutiny…”
Thank goodness, as he mumbled that several times, it seemed that he found it rather reasonable.
It ought to be reasonable. After all, I have a record of blossoming from nothing as a budding leader.
‘Just don’t mention the lottery system.’
In truth, my pondering between gaining immediate sainthood or posthumous canonization ended with a lottery system. As long as the outcome is favorable, who cares about how we chose?
Even if it had been through immediate sainthood, I wouldn’t have faced any major issues.
—
Cardinal Alexandrina left telling me there would be good news soon.
‘It feels like we didn’t do anything.’
I was still confused. What could she have seen from us that warranted mentioning good news? Does she have a third eye on her forehead that allows her to see through everything?
It was a plausible theory, but I shoved it aside. Since the Cardinal said “soon,” I can wait for results.
—Wait a moment, I need to ask something. Is now a good time?
Right now, my mother’s call was more pressing than saintly matters.
“Yes, of course.”
I answered cautiously while smiling at my mother, who also gave me a faint smile back.
It was a little surprising. Just a few days ago, she contacted me to congratulate Mar and me on our candidacy, and she didn’t ask any questions then. So what could she possibly want to know now—
“—By any chance, Erich, do you still not have a… significant other?”
Ah.
The moment I heard that, I instinctively looked down. That ‘by any chance’ and ‘still not’ made it clear that my mother had misunderstood something.
This wasn’t a curious question about when Erich would bring home a partner for marriage; it sounded more like she was asking her son if he already had a partner!
—…
Unfortunately, my silence seemed to have sufficed as a sufficient answer for my mother.
She briefly pinched the bridge of her nose and swayed.
‘Erich, you bastard.’
What the heck happened at the territory to make my mother react like that?
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