Chapter 458
The wind-like Cardinal Alexandria burst onto the scene and, without missing a beat, quickly opened her mouth as if she planned to vanish just as swiftly as she arrived.
“We’ve decided to elevate the two of you to the ranks of the Blessed. This is deemed appropriate as a progression towards sainthood, and His Holiness the Pope granted final approval just yesterday.”
Honestly, I prefer the direct speech of a cardinal to the usual bureaucratic tongue. I get it; civil servants have to speak that way for their jobs, but listening to it makes me feel like a total fool myself.
Still, don’t you think it’d be better to have a bit of weight in such serious information? If you announce it nonchalantly, people might think, “There’s no way you could be talking about beatification or sanctification.” Seriously, what kind of cardinal declares something so monumental like that without an ounce of gravity?
“Moreover, once the two of you return to Enen, we will immediately proceed with the canonization process. This will remain true regardless of who sits on the Pope’s throne in the future, so you need not worry.”
I could feel my eyes twitching at that. Blessed in life, confirmed saint in death?
‘What the heck?’
It’s the first time I’m hearing of such a thing. Please, don’t throw around such grave matters as if they’re some casual tidbit!
‘Good thing I’m alone.’
Relief washed over me at the realization that it was just the cardinal and I here. I had come alone after checking on supplies recently purchased, but if Mar had been here, I’d probably have frozen like a statue in shock.
It’s one thing for me, coming from another world to be confused; the impact on Mar, being a native, would be ten times worse.
“You seem quite surprised.”
Amid all this, the cardinal was still smiling, asking.
“…Well, it’s not exactly ordinary, so I’m a bit taken aback.”
That was a straightforward question, so I answered honestly. Just becoming Blessed in life is monumental enough, but being confirmed as a saint after death? That’s something I’ve never heard of before.
I mean, if you’re already securing sainthood, wouldn’t it just be better done while still alive? Or can’t you just bless someone after they’ve kicked the bucket? What is even going on here?
“I understand. Cardinal Aldino also had questions about my proposal.”
Chortling softly, the cardinal carefully bowed, treating me as if I were a superior.
With all this bizarre behavior, my body tensed up instead of my mind. The cardinal should only bow to Enen, the Pope, or the Emperor. A mere noble like me doesn’t deserve such an honor.
“Please, raise your head. How could one who follows your teachings bow to a mere believer?”
I quickly collected myself and expressed how burdensome her courtesy felt. If I could, I’d want to grab her shoulders and help her up, but that would be rude.
Yet, contrary to my flustered state, the cardinal spoke in a calm voice.
“Even with the condition of posthumous recognition, sainthood has been confirmed because you two qualify as saints. Nevertheless, due to the church’s circumstances, we have not been able to declare you blessed during life, which must be quite embarrassing for a loyal follower of your teachings.”
She bowed even lower, now around 65 degrees instead of the initial 50.
Great. As if just standing was not enough, now I had her bending lower.
“Brother, you are one who should naturally rise to the ranks of the saints, and having pulled such a person down to blessdom as a mere man, I sincerely hope you can accept my apologies.”
Seeing the cardinal act like a cleric in front of a saint made it hard for me to find the words to respond.
I’m genuinely glad it’s just us in this room…
A little—no, a massive commotion occurred, but it was quickly wrapped up. When I accepted her apology, she was back on her feet as if it were nothing.
I was still a bit dazed, but trying to comprehend it from the cardinal’s point of view gave me just enough insight. This must feel like a current minister bowing to Count Livnoman in the Empire. No matter how big the minister is, if he acts haughty before Count Livnoman, he would surely incur the wrath of the imperial family and receive all sorts of insults.
‘Well, I suppose it’s fair enough.’
The throbbing in my head started to ease.
“Canonization and beatification are reserved for the authority of His Holiness, so I cannot bless you here. The sainthood office is merely a place where worthy individuals are presented for the Pope’s report. I hope you understand.”
“Of course, I will. You know I’m a bureaucrat, so I completely grasp it.”
My joke elicited a small laugh from the cardinal.
Even though everyone around the Empire talks about ministers and the growth of the Holy Kingdom, at the end of the day, they’re just civil servants. The struggles of a civil servant are well understood by another civil servant.
“It’s lucky you are a minister. I’m grateful for your kindness.”
When the word “kindness” slipped out naturally, I almost grimaced. Every word now had an abundance of etiquette behind it.
“Oh, the beatification will take place at St. Togra Cathedral. Of course, the blessed individuals are not obligated to attend, so feel free to wait for the results at the Empire.”
With that, the cardinal hastily briefed me on the beatification schedule, perhaps considering it time to head back.
St. Togra Cathedral serves as a symbol of the Dawn Sect located within the Holy Kingdom. I was worried I’d have to trudge all the way to the Holy Kingdom, but thankfully it seems I won’t need to leave the country.
“And this is a small token of my respect to the future saint.”
With those words, the cardinal stepped a few paces closer, placing her left hand on her chest and her right hand on my head as she began reciting a prayer.
Before long, a white glow began to emanate from the cardinal’s hands. It looked like a blessing was being cast—
– Whoa!
!?
In that instant, both the cardinal and I frozen in place.
With my mind resonating with familiar voices, the cardinal was sensing the ominous presence of the other god within me.
– …Ah, it’s one of Enen’s kids. I suddenly felt a prick, and I was wondering what was happening.
Understanding the situation too quickly, a calm and languid voice flowed out, yet I certainly wasn’t feeling calm.
“Brother…?”
The cardinal’s gaze sharpened upon sensing the energy of another god swirling within me.
The Blessed (heretical)? Even I find that horrifying.
‘Crap.’
Calm down. The Empire and the Dawn Sect already know that I’ve connected with a heretic god up north and that the World Tree’s resurrection involves that same northern god. So the cardinal, holding a prominent position in the church, ought to have heard about the eternal blue sky.
Right now, the cardinal must be freaking out because of this unexpected news of blessedness (heretical), but once I clarify properly, we can clear up any misunderstandings.
I’m sure of it.
*
Staring blankly at the elf who was praying in front of me—or rather, specifically in front of the tree I’m inhabiting—was a familiar sight. If I had a physical form, I’d probably be lying on the ground and scratching my belly. That’s just how used to this scene I’ve become.
“Our Mother, Constantina, oh, eternal blue sky who protects the World Tree. Thank you for allowing this humble mortal to manage the World Tree today.”
Emerging from her prayer, the elder of the elf tribe wielded a giant pair of scissors, ready to tidy up the branches.
I felt a bit unsettled. This elder has been tending to the branches daily since the day I came to inhabit this tree. Sure, I understand what Constantina means to elves and the significance of the World Tree she granted, but it still feels a tad excessive.
‘If you cut off a human head that much, wouldn’t they end up bald?’
It just seems a bit too frequent, that’s all.
It is curious. They are certainly pruning daily; how do new branches keep coming? Is it possible that new ones sprout without me knowing?
“Oh, eternal blue sky! Is there any discomfort on your end?”
– …Nope. After all, this is my home rather than my body.
“I see. But if anything does get uncomfortable, please feel free to tell me anytime.”
Watching the elder smile as she snipped away at the branches made it difficult for me to just say, “I’m okay, so stop it.” I’ve seen countless believers with this kind of personality; if you tell them to stop, they might just wither and become gloomy.
So what can I do? Even if it bothers me, I just have to silently accept it.
“Heavenly lady! Heavenly lady!”
“Good morning, good morning!”
I absolutely cannot stand their chatter.
The moment the elder started trimming the branches, the previously quiet fairies swarmed out and began to flutter nearby.
Please, please be quiet. I really don’t want to be bothered this early in the day…
“Auntie! Auntie! How many days are left? When will our house be back?”
“Days? Days?”
If anything, I felt like scoffing at the relentless chatter of the fairies that continue without fail each day.
My fate is just tragic. If I had even one intact temple, I wouldn’t have to deal with these fairies day in and day out.
– Just about 3,500 more nights.
“3,500? Really? For real?”
I don’t even know. Constantina is the one who created this World Tree, not me.
– Yup.
I held back the urge to say that and responded as best as I could.
I may not be able to calculate the exact number but I know it’s up to 10 years. So surely, saying 3,500 isn’t that far off.
“And what about 500? Can’t we do just 500?”
“500! 500!”
– 3000 is one thing but 500 is too much!
The way they throw their demands is absolutely artful. Constantina sure did teach them well.
‘Let’s get out of here.’
Just as my mind started to fade, I grasped my waning consciousness and prepared to flee to my secret hideout.
I held out for a while, but there was no way I could endure it today. I needed to temporarily retreat into the body of the honorary priest.
‘Just gotta hold on for three more hours.’
Though the fairies are overly energetic, if I leave for three hours, they’ll surely lose interest and just start playing among themselves, as they have before.
So I steadied my mind and headed towards the honorary priest’s body—
– Whoa!
Upon entering, I was shocked by a warm, prickly sensation.
My precious little hideout had been sullied.
“How quaint. So this is the aura of the eternal blue sky.”
Seeing the kid came from Enen mumbling with intrigue brought a swell of bitterness within me.
The first encounter I have after finally escaping is with one of Enen’s kids? I was expecting to rest, but I’m being tormented by a new arrival.
“You seem surprised to have the aura of the heretic inside you, but if it’s the eternal blue sky, it’s fine. After all, that person contributed to the resurrection of the World Tree.”
Not only do they have no business talking down to me, but it also hurts coming from a kid junior to Enen.
In my heyday, I was a mighty god! Back in the day, I used to receive sacrifices in herds every month.
‘…I despise settlers.’
– What are you even saying while being in the body of a settler?
I mumbled under my breath, but the grumpy honorary priest shot right back with a curt reply.
It’s outright pitiful.
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