Chapter 118: Childhood Friend – Controversy
“Daniel! I am sorry to bother you, but do you have a moment?”
Lena ran into the library and called out to Daniel, who always sat in the same spot. He looked up from his book and greeted Lena.
“Oh, Lena. Of course. What can I help you with?”
“I have something to ask. It’s about…”
“Well… Lena, it might be better to talk outside.”
Veronian, who had hardly interacted with women before, blushing, withdrew his hand from Lena’s grasp.
He gestured to remind her of the need to be quiet in the library and then moved with Daniel, a high-ranking apprentice, to the lobby where it was okay to be noisy even in the library. Sitting at a small table there, Lena nervously asked her question.
“Daniel, do you know why priests are forbidden from marrying? Please tell me.”
Daniel was a bit taken aback but also pleased.
Feeling proud to be able to provide a sincere answer since her question assumed, “You must know this already,” he responded at length.
“It was judged that celibacy was better for devout servants of God. If I remember correctly… during the time of the 5th Saint ‘Trigorov,’ it was established as a rule. Before that, there were no rules regarding priests’ marriages. I think this prohibition is quite reasonable because…”
His words continued on, and Lena listened somewhat disappointedly.
She was not interested in cases where priests who forgot their duties and married faced repercussions.
She wanted to hear whether it was okay for priests to marry or if there was a way for priests to marry.
“I see…”
Finding out how many priests had fallen from grace when there was no celibacy requirement in the past, Lena became even more disappointed and persistently asked again.
“So does that mean there is no way for priests to marry? Or are there cases where the Church allows it…?”
“…No, there isn’t. I can firmly answer that. Because those who want to renounce their priesthood to marry need to go through a certain procedure. They must renounce their status as clergy and transfer the divine powers they received to someone else. Also, they have to pay back what they received in education at the institution… They say that serving in the Church for several years can be considered repayment.”
Lena’s mouth was shut tight upon hearing that there was already a system in place.
Feeling frustrated and thinking, ‘How can there be no way?’ Veronian said.
“But isn’t that a bit ludicrous? No, it’s even childish.”
“What do you mean? Are you talking about Church rules?”
Surprised, Daniel raised an eyebrow slightly.
But Veronian had no intention of picking up his argument. This meek gentleman was once again becoming a passionate debater eager to discuss theology.
“Yes. I think driving away those who worship God, including priests, just because they want to marry someone they love is a bad habit. If they have not committed any major wrongs and just want to marry someone they love, it cannot be anything but childish.”
While Daniel was momentarily stunned, he argued.
“I believe the Church is just a tool for worshipping God. The truly important thing is not the tool but the human heart directed towards Him, isn’t it?”
“You are audacious. I understand what you mean, but there are reasons behind setting up rules in the holy Church. Judging from your view of the Church as a ‘tool,’ it seems like you have taken lectures on ‘Udean Dogma,’ and because you have not completed your studies yet, you are thinking like that, but even Udean acknowledged the necessity of the Church as an organization.”
“I’m sorry, but I find it difficult to agree. Our Tenth Church is currently teaching more believers than ever before, and now we have started to relieve the poor in various parts of the continent. Before that… I won’t deny it. We were definitely busy building a new church and expanding our presence. I also heard from Lena recently, but now there are churches even in remote mountain villages. However, I don’t think that is a wrong thing. By building churches everywhere, believers have access to teachers and opportunities for healing. When we compare it to the population, there is actually a shortage of churches in the cities.”
Daniel tried to counter, but surprisingly Veronica readily agreed. He had grown up in a small village with few people, and the monk who raised him as his son after he lost her parents worked in the church in that village. After fully agreeing with the church’s achievements, Veronica spoke, “But bureaucracy is a different issue. The clergy today are far inferior to the ancient clergy. The ancient clergy devoted their lives solely to helping humans. Without being ordained as priests or monks, they willingly farmed and helped others to the best of their ability. The reason they should be respected is because they overcame adversity with their beliefs alone.”
Daniel seemed to acknowledge his words for a moment, and Veronica continued, “But now, there are too many things being done ‘in the name of the Tenth Church.’ It is not about individual beliefs but about following the commands of a bureaucrat like the Archbishop at the top of the hierarchy. Think about it. How many barbarians have been massacred by crusaders in the past few decades. I found out this as soon as I came to the church, but the cases of crusaders being punished for disobeying orders have increased dramatically since they started slaughtering barbarians. Although it is now on the decline, this is because there are hardly any tribes of barbarians left who believe in false gods. There is only one thing this phenomenon indicates – the church has enforced things that crusaders did not want to do in the ‘name of the Tenth Church.’”
Veronica chuckled bitterly, saying, “In the name of the Tenth Church… I find this intolerable. When did the church start putting its name before the beliefs of the clergy? Our great Lord didn’t even reveal his name. I think this indicates how serious the bureaucratization of the church has become. At times like this, what should be emphasized even more is not the efficiency of the church as an organization, but the individual beliefs. Of course, these beliefs should be the free beliefs of unassigned humans.”
“Oh… Veronica, you have read ‘The Shackles of Creatures’ and ‘The Responsibility of Creatures.’”
Daniel sighed deeply. This heralded the beginning of a more profound and serious debate.
‘The Shackles of Creatures’ was a book written by the Second Sage ‘Constyno Rauno’, explaining the relationship between God and creatures, a very philosophical work. It dealt in depth with a tremendous number of topics to the extent that some of the fundamental philosophies of theology were derived from a few chapters of this book.
“Yes, I read ‘The Shackles of Creatures,’ but I do not agree that God has assigned humans.”
“…Since you have read both books, you can discuss it more elaborately.”
Daniel sighed once again and continued. Conversations with people who think like this were truly, truly exhausting, as he knew from experience.
“The word that came out in the fifth chapter of ‘The Shackles of Creatures’ was ‘assignment.’ I think it was a bit of an exaggeration…”
“Yes, that’s right. The content could imply that humans are born and assigned according to the intended will of the Lord. I cannot agree with that. According to ‘The Responsibility of Creatures’ written by Lazar Rauno…”
“Just a moment. Before we move on to that, I want to summarize the story we discussed earlier. So, your opposition to the things done in the name of the Tenth Church was because of the ‘free will’ given to humans. Is that correct?”
“That’s right.”
“Also, if you think that way, that’s because of ‘The Responsibility of Creatures’ written by the Third Sage Lazar, right? In that case…”
Lena, who was listening to the conversation in between, began to find it difficult to understand the debate between the two.
She had studied theology diligently, to a level even Daniel would acknowledge, but she had not gone beyond the level of having a solid foundation. She had not yet read ‘The Shackles of Creatures’ by Constyno Rauno or ‘The Responsibility of Creatures’ by Lazar Rauno, a book partly written in refutation of her great-grandfather’s work.
So, Lena said, “Um… I’m sorry, but could you please explain a little more?” And Daniel and Veronica were happy to explain.
Perhaps before engaging in a full-blown debate, it was necessary to confirm what each other knew and how they understood it, and what premises they were operating on.
“The ‘Shackles of Creation’ might entail that the entities who determined how each human would live may have also predetermined the manner in which each will go on. However, the Sovereign of all creation, who is the absolute owner, possesses such inexhaustible power. Most of the theology that you are aware of, this must be emphasized, assumes that the shackle is affixed to creation. Therefore, humans are expected to be grateful for the lives given to them and not to act recklessly.”
As Daniel briefly explained the ‘Shackles of Creation’, Veronian discussed the ‘Responsibility of Creation’.
“The ‘Responsibility of Creation’ mainly comprises arguments opposing the ‘Shackles of Creation.’ The Sovereign granted humans ‘free will,’ and humans bear the responsibility of living their lives according to that will. Some may claim it as a right, but how can the life of creation be considered a right? It is an absurd claim for the nobility and aristocracy.”
“Ahem.”
Daniel coughed uncomfortably.
In truth, it was because he was of noble descent. Though he had relinquished his title upon entering the apprenticeship of the Church of the Cross.
Daniel continued, “In any case, summarizing: this is what you will learn soon after studying, so there is no need to look so disappointed.”
“…Haha, it’s okay. How long have I been here…”
However, there was someone who arrived later than him, and Lena was unable to finish her sentence. Daniel and Veronian returned to the main topic, and Daniel took the lead.
“What did we talk about? I can’t remember. I’ll just speak as it comes to mind. So, Veronian, you opposed the priest’s prohibition on marriage earlier. You may think that the free will of the clergy should take precedence over the church’s rules. Is that correct?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Good. However, do you not think that the desire of the clergy to marry is also bound by a shackle? … I understand. You don’t think so. In that case, as any argument seems futile, I should quote ‘The Responsibility of Creation.’”
Daniel briefly gazed upwards to accept a belief he did not hold before returning his head to its normal position.
Indeed, it is senseless.
“…If everyone has free will, then the creator of the church rules must also possess free will. As ‘The Responsibility of Creation’ also delineates, that will should be responsibly executed, not indulged. Therefore, if everyone has free will, clashes of wills are inevitable. However, if one’s free will causes another’s will to bend, it is irresponsible. Winners will be unjust, and losers will become powerless.”
After taking a moment to breathe, Daniel continued, “It may seem common, but it is due to looking at the world with a skewed perspective. It’s the thinking of those who do not truly believe in God. Our fate is predetermined. What kind of person we are born as, what moments of victory and defeat we will have, how we will live and die, it has already been decided. We must be thankful for such a life and live vigorously without neglecting our predetermined fate.”
“But…”
“I apologize. I have one more thing to say. Previously, we discussed how the church is a tool and that human hearts are more crucial, and even if shackles are placed, it does not diminish the value of a human heart. Therefore, instead of using the term ‘shackle,’ it is more fitting to call it destiny or a ‘calling’ bestowed by God. Let me conclude by citing the example of the case involving the Paladins. It was claimed that the incidents where the Paladins were punished for disobeying orders to punish barbarians because they worshiped false gods occurred under the banner of the Church of the Cross. Do you agree?”
Daniel looked at Veronian to confirm and asserted, “This is a faulty inference. Because expelling barbarians who believed in false gods was a major objective of the church decades ago. There were many cases where the Paladins were extensively involved, leading to an increase in instances of disobedience. However, observe. The current contingent of Paladins held by the Church of the Cross is considered the most superior in terms of both quantity and quality. Not only for their skills but also for the power and faith they embody. This was possible because the expelling of barbarians became a process of purification, where knights who realized their destiny was not to be Paladins left, and those who understood the calling of a Paladin remained.”
Daniel concluded his argument. It was Veronian’s turn, who pondered his words for a moment before speaking a little late.
“…That could be possible. However, there is a potential for misinterpretation of such a calling. Consider this. If humans were bound by fate, with everything from their personalities to their environments predetermined, then they would lack the motivation to strive for improvement. Is that what the gods desire? The gods want us to live to the best of our abilities. That’s why the land flourishes as much as we put effort into it. That’s why I feel a sense of resistance towards the term ‘placement’ written in ‘the shackles of creation.’ It’s a cruel notion to think that every human is predetermined in their life. Furthermore, I don’t believe that the world operates in such a way.”
Veronian took a deep breath and pointed alternately between Lena and himself as examples.
“Both Lena and I were able to enroll in the monastery through recommendations. I don’t know how Lena arrived here, but if it weren’t for the help of the villagers and my father, I wouldn’t have been able to come here. It’s something I am deeply grateful for. But were the people around me ‘placed’ for my sake? I don’t think so. It was thanks to the warm hearts of those people who raised money for me over the years, and because the monk who studied with my father was at the educational facility and helped me, that I was able to barely enroll here. This was a process driven by human hearts and efforts. Of course, if everything is said to be bound by fate in ‘the shackles of creation,’ there would be no way to escape that claim. So, I only suggested the possibility that even in ‘the shackles of creation,’ things might not be set in stone, it’s not a certainty.”
Listening to Veronian and Daniel’s words, Lena was lost in deep thought.
Is my life predetermined?
Was it predetermined that I came here?
According to ‘the shackles of creation,’ it was predetermined.
Priest Ophelia passing through the village of Demos in the autumn was already inevitable, and it was my destiny to come to this monastery from the beginning.
But she had objections.
The reason I could come here was that Lev asked me to become a priest, and because I accepted it.
I had given up.
Truly.
And I confessed to Leb that I wanted to marry him and live happily together in Demos village for the rest of our lives.
But…
– “I wish you didn’t give up on your dreams.”
Lev replied to the question of whether I wanted him to become a priest or not with hesitation.
However, he hesitated so much that even if he had said the opposite of leaving, it didn’t seem like he had been ‘placed’ to send me to church. Also, whether to accept his advice not to give up on my dreams, or to confess again, saying, “I like you.”… That was also a choice given to me.
After much deliberation, Lena came to a conclusion.
‘Yes. I have decided not to give up on my dreams. This is my will, not something predetermined.’
Because even the decision to marry Lev and live happily was right at the brink.
Either choice would not have been surprising because the two options were so close, it was hard to believe that it was all predetermined.
As Lena drifted away from her thoughts, Daniel and Veronian were still debating the issue.
But ‘the shackles of creation’ was such a broad inference that there seemed to be no way out of that logic, and ‘the responsibility of creation’ easily garnered sympathy for the process of thinking and contemplating we engage in.
“However… Isn’t this something we could learn from asking the Saintess?”
Lena inquired. Before Daniel and Veronian could respond, a reply popped up from behind.
“It seems the Saintess doesn’t answer such questions willingly.”
An old man appeared behind Lena, and Daniel jumped up in surprise.
“Cardinal Mihaer!”
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