Chapter: 804
Tannian’s wedding wrapped up, leaving a deep impression on the guests.
Though still underage, he was treated as a saint for his actions, marrying none other than Cardinal Alexandriana, a rising star in the church. Their union was enough to grab the whole continent’s attention, and to top it off, the Pope himself officiated the ceremony, even blessing the child in Alexandriana’s womb!
This was a clear indication that the Pope actively supported Tannian and Alexandriana, showcasing them as the future of the church. It was a flex showing off the church’s readiness for a generational shift, boasting a deep pool of talent.
Of course, it was no news to anyone that this future saint and thirty-something cardinal would lead the church. Even in the shadowy world of politics, for them to fall from grace would mean the church would have to be in absolute ruins.
‘Still, knowing something in the dark and making it official are two different matters.’
Official versus unofficial is just one letter’s difference, but the status is worlds apart. Plus, with year-end and New Year events coming up, Tannian could stand as the center of society before this shockwave wears off.
This was clearly set in motion by the Pope. He was determined to nurture Tannian, who already had considerable clout.
And the reason behind this push was likely to ensure the church remained steadfast during the major event of a papal transition.
‘To make this sacrifice seems a must for the sake of abdication.’
It was bitter. Reflecting on it, the careful preparation for abdication and the incredible achievement of conquering the Northern Region minimized the noise of his transition.
Even a political monster like me didn’t take my abdication lightly. Even considering I’m on equal terms with the Pope, he is putting in this much effort for abdication too.
‘Retirement is a skill, after all.’
Time to reflect. Even those at the peak of the continent expend energy preparing for abdication and retirement, while I was merely flapping my gums about quitting. I didn’t show the effort that freedom deserves.
A perfect successor, a perfect justification—years, even decades, must be endured to have it all. Just thinking that it can all happen just out of desire is naive.
‘It hasn’t even been a decade yet.’
Moreover, I compressed my civil service life into an unnaturally short time. It’s been less than a decade since I started this job. Why am I, not yet thirty and having worked less than ten years, so desperate for freedom? What was I so rushed about?
Thanks to the Pope, Tannian, and Cardinal Alexandriana, I’ve learned the aesthetics of waiting. The old saying—“the more in a hurry you are, the more you should take a detour”—resonated with me.
From now on, I’ll remember today and proceed calmly.
—
Upon returning to the homeland, the reasons for my rush became clear again.
“Brother Saint Karl has arrived, yes? Please, have a seat.”
It was all because of this damn guy! I was dreaming of escape and freedom because I couldn’t tolerate being under him for even a moment.
“Your Eminence, please! How can you say such flattering things?”
“Flattering? Who else matches the standards of sainthood like you? In recent miraculous events, has there been one you weren’t involved in?”
As I looked at the emperor making the sign of the cross, my fists instinctively clenched.
That bastard. His expression was dead serious, but his eyes were trembling. He seemed to be desperately holding back laughter.
“Even though I am an emperor, I remain a mortal, revering you and basking in your blessings. How joyful it is to have a saint who performs miracles accompany me!”
“Such flattering words, but I am not a saint yet,” I barely managed to rebut, squeezing the curses rising in my throat.
Yeah, I’m not a saint yet, just someone blessed. I only have the Pope’s promise of future sainthood, but that’s not a done deal. Sainthood isn’t something that happens in a flash.
Besides, with the wedding of the future saint and cardinal happening, it’s right after a big event! If they rush a canonization now, it will shift the focus from the wedding to the sainting instead.
So, at least a few months should pass before the topic of my sainthood arises—yet the emperor didn’t stop his relentless teasing.
“Brother, could you turn around for a moment?”
“Why suddenly…?”
As I turned around at the emperor’s words, I froze in shock.
A portrait—without a doubt, it looked like a portrait of me hanging on the wall!
Not just any portrait, but one with a radiant light behind it.
A portrait painted with the divine glow granted only to a saint.
“The church seems to already consider you a saint, don’t they?”
“No, that… that can’t be.”
“After all, whether posthumously or while living, the outcome is the same. Just accept it… Cough cough!”
As I turned back to face the emperor, he was doubled over in laughter, nearly bowing from the force of it.
That bastard. Instead of comforting a loyal subject returning from a trip abroad, he’s laughing at me.
“Sorry, Minister. I tried my hardest to hold it in, but I just couldn’t.”
Now dropping all formalities, the emperor howled with laughter.
“Seeing the Minister before me and the Minister in the portrait overlap, how could I possibly hold back!”
As the emperor’s laughter grew louder, all I could do was suffer internally.
I swear the me in the portrait looked like it was crying as well, but maybe that was just my imagination.
“Well, anyway, congratulations. The wedding gift prepared for the bride and groom will be the Saint Tannian Cathedral built by you.”
Just hearing that ominous name made my stomach churn, and I squeezed my eyes shut.
Is it really okay to give such a foreboding gift?
—
With the heart wrenching into pieces, I was able to recover from the soothing words of my wife.
Of course, while my wives were delighted that I would become a saint in life, they also expressed concern about the weight of the burden rather than simply laughing at me.
Tears almost formed from the duality of their encouragement and worry. I was thankful they focused on the load I’d have to carry rather than just the glory.
‘That bastard doesn’t show a shred of this consideration.’
Soon, I transformed my moment of melancholy into resentment. If the emperor had shown even a hint of hesitation over my living sainthood, I wouldn’t have felt this hurt.
When the absolutely logical sense that sainthood is something for after death got shattered, it irked me greatly that no one had thought about what impact my living sainthood could have.
‘Does he have any backers?’
With that thought in mind, I observed the children joyfully playing in the garden.
In this world, the merit of the subject is the emperor’s merit. If I accomplished wonders, the aftermath must also reach the emperor. If I achieved living sainthood, the emperor shares in the miracle.
Let’s think carefully. What miracles could I claim that would give the emperor justifiable credit? What logic would persuade the church to bestow a portrait on him too?
‘The restoration of the World Tree is a solid choice.’
The World Tree burned by Apels was revived during the current emperor’s reign. This could be interpreted as a miracle stemming from his divine favor.
Yet, even so, that’s only sainthood for the dead. A saint would be out of the question, and even blessed status is achievable only in death. The shock during the Tree’s revival was all absorbed by me, it seems hard to make use of it again.
What about the submission of the Northern Nomads who resisted the indigenous peoples for ages? No, bringing this up would drag the emperor into it rather than the situation.
Or maybe the ancient beasts awakening from two thousand years ago?
‘Now that’s an interesting thought.’
Leviathan, Behemoth, and Giz are beings that modern magic and technology cannot replicate. If I package this well, it might yield some good results.
Alright! A great emperor who awakens even the beasts that slept for two millennia! A being that makes the forgotten entities submit. If I present this in a media-friendly manner—
‘Wait.’
Just as my ambition began to consume me, my communication device in my pocket suddenly lit up, startling me.
For an instant, I feared the emperor had caught onto my schemes. Indeed, once someone starts plotting, even the smallest things become suspicious. It’s impossible to not have doubts about things that defy common sense.
– Your Grace, it’s the Minister’s secretary.
“Oh, what’s going on?”
As I calmed myself, the usually stone-faced minister’s secretary appeared on the screen.
An exceptional talent responsible for the Prosecutor’s Office in place of this incompetent minister. His youthful appearance would have made him the new Prosecutor if he weren’t held back by the likes of me. Unlike someone living in the Sun Palace, he had a pleasant demeanor that improved just by looking at him.
– I have an urgent matter to bring to your attention, so I’m reaching out without following proper protocols.
“Is it for me?”
But despite his pleasant face, he wasn’t calling for a very cheerful reason.
He essentially had the authority of a deputy minister. Unless something required the minister’s specific decision, he handled issues on his own, and would even avoid reminding me unless absolutely necessary. Everything could be processed in batches every quarter or half-year.
Yet here he was, reaching out first? This was hardly a normal occurrence.
“Speak up. If there’s something for me to tackle, I’ll take care of it.”
– It’s about the…
After a moment’s hesitation, the secretary cautiously continued.
– There seems to be a small disturbance from the Narzen family; a probe must be initiated.
“Okay, and?”
– Huh?
“Hmm?”
An awkward silence hung in the air. The secretary and I simply stared at each other, neither of us willing to break it first.
I waited for him to elaborate on the Narzen inspection.
– Um, Your Grace. It’s about the Narzen Count family.
The look on his face suggested no further explanation was needed.
What’s going on? If the secretary reacted this way, then something must be off regarding the inspection? Can a mere count dodge the inquiry like that?
‘…Narzen?’
But why does that name feel oddly familiar?
– I believe that a relative of your Grace’s aunt is married into the Narzen family.
“Oh.”
Only after hearing the secretary’s clarification did I remember.
One of my aunts did marry into the Narzen family!
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