801 – Here We Go Again – 5

Unlike the time of Juven, I decided to enter the Holy Church alone.

When I asked Eri if she wanted to go with me, she shook her head violently. Apparently, the wives say, ‘Don’t repeat trips to places that other people have gone to.’ It appears that the same gentleman’s agreement exists. It is a heartwarming consideration to leave that person’s memories as their own.

Actually, I also feel comfortable entering the Holy Church alone. If it’s a honeymoon trip, you have to stay in the Holy Church for a few weeks, and I’m a living blessed person and the person who gave me a large gift. If you stay in the church too long, you may be subjected to all kinds of cheers and handshakes.

So, after entering the country alone, have a reasonable conversation with Tanian, and quickly return home as soon as the business is finished. This is the best schedule.

“Are you going alone?”

“Oh. That’s how it happened.”

However, it just means that I’m going solo without a wife, and it doesn’t mean I’m really going alone.

This time, I decided to enter the country at the same time as Erich. When I went to Juven, I entered the country early for travel, but there was no need to do that this time.

“My disciples also had a hard time because they met the wrong husband. I hope she has many friends outside the border.”

“It’s okay. I’m actually proud.”

“That’s right. If not during times like this, when would you ever cross the border?”

And when I said hello to Zenobia and Sarah next to Erich, they accepted me with bright smiles.

I was grateful but also sad. Unless Erich’s connections spread across the continent, there would be no need for those two to cross the border. If you want to relax peacefully on the islands and get some fresh air from time to time, it was enough to visit the famous sights in the empire.

But what can you do? The guy we both fell in love with boasts of his connections in the continental district. Moreover, if some people celebrate as a family and others celebrate as individuals, the person receiving the congratulations may feel disappointed.

“My nephew has been busy studying abroad since he was born. Still, he has to go to the academy in the empire?”

“Woo-“

Anyway, when I extended my finger to Robert, who was in Zenobia’s arms, Robert grabbed my finger and cooed.

Thanks to this, his mind quickly became calm. He has smaller hands than anyone else, but warmer and cozier hands than anyone else. Children who have just been born have a magical power that is difficult to express in words.

‘This is how I become a father.’

Now I’m not a dad, but a eldest dad, so what’s it like? If two out of three letters are correct, it is a majority. That’s all.

“But brother.”

“Huh?”

“What should I do if I prepare something like that as a gift? “I feel embarrassed for no reason.”

It was a valid complaint, so I couldn’t bear to refute it.

If the older brother and younger brother are shown side by side, the gifts are naturally compared. But a guy called my brother presented a sacred site and a temple as a gift? No matter what Erich prepared, he was bound to be pushed back. Even if Erich and I don’t think anything of it, even if Tanian, who receives the gift, is grateful to all of us, other people start whispering.

“Is there anything to be embarrassed about? It’s okay to think that your older brother gave you a gift for your younger brother.”

That’s why I comforted Erich appropriately,

“If you really thought that way, you would have said something about eating it raw.”

A series of irrefutable words came out and I quietly looked away. I couldn’t be confident in front of Robert who was staring at me.

“…What have you prepared?”

In the end, unable to overcome her nephew’s bright eyes, she slowly opened her mouth. If Erich’s gift is on the weak side, I think I’ll give him something else.

“Silver light. Silver is often used in the Church of Dawn. If you give it as a gift, it will be used where it is needed.”

“Oh.”

However, the answer I received was a gift far beyond my expectations.

If my gift is the epitome of a cause, Erich’s gift is the epitome of practicality. As Erich said, silver is a material that is used in a variety of religious ways. From the denomination’s perspective, silver is more for more, so it will be mined with joy.

Fortunately, I don’t need to add more. Unfortunately, I used cheats such as Enen’s Footprints, and Erich’s Silver Mine is not only suitable as a gift, but it is also excellent.

‘I’m sorry.’

In my mind, I offered a small apology to Erich. I, too, am satisfied with my desire to find a good gift.

Still, I didn’t expect to see something like Enen’s footprints. Who would expect something like that and look for a gift?

If you’re going to argue, blame Enen when he was a newbie who was inexperienced in power control.

As soon as he entered the Holy Church, he was treated as a VVIP.

“Welcome, brother. On behalf of the Church, I welcome your visit.”

A middle-aged priest who greets you as if he had been waiting for you as you fall onto the teleportation magic circle.

Looking at the cross and red robes around his neck, he is not an ordinary priest, but a cardinal. And if you think about the list of key figures in the country that you briefly looked at before entering the country—

“Thank you for your hospitality, Your Majesty. You must be busy with your diplomatic duties, but thank you for welcoming me in person.”

Cardinal Willem, Minister of Diplomatic Affairs. The person in charge of diplomacy and protocol came in person.

“Don’t say things like that. No matter how busy you are, is there anything more important than greeting you?”

When he immediately recognized himself, Cardinal Willem smiled even brighter and lowered his head.

I was a little embarrassed because I was treated so politely. Even Cardinal Lisciuco, Archdiocese of Ausgen, is higher than me in terms of protocol, so I wonder how great this man, who is one of only thirteen in the church, must be. You have to bring at least an imperial duke to be able to say that you are on par with the leaders.

“His Holiness also told us to treat you with special care. Our denomination has benefited greatly from you.”

However, I am not an ordinary imperial noble, but a blessed person and the discoverer of the Holy Land. If I show disapproval, the church will probably not know what to do.

So what should we do? For the sake of everyone’s happiness, we have no choice but to take this treatment for granted.

“Thank you very much. However, I did not visit alone…”

As I looked back, Cardinal Willem smiled and nodded.

“Haha, don’t worry. Of course, we will treat the family members who came with you as if we were treating you. We are flexible enough to do that.”

“Thanks to Brother Tanian, I know well that the members of the church are flexible and merciful.”

“Well, it would be difficult if you used him as a standard. Brother Tanian is a particularly special person among us.”

At those words, both I and Erich, who was behind me, reflexively burst into laughter.

Yes. If Tanian were the average and standard of all priests, it would be very difficult. Because the church will go beyond being innovative and progressive and become something of a twisted netherworld.

***

I ended up having a private meeting with His Holiness.

Master, who would normally be next to His Holiness, also stepped aside for a moment, leaving only His Holiness and I in the office.

“In just a few days, you will have a real family, not just a religious family. Congratulations.”

“How can there be distinctions in family? To me, all my brothers and sisters, including Your Holiness, and Sister Alexandriana, who will become my husband, are precious family members.”

“It’s a pleasure to say, but please don’t go anywhere and say something like that. Your new bride will be quite disappointed.”

“Oh, that’s for sure. I’ll keep that in mind.”

His Holiness smiled softly at my answer.

Just looking at his smile she made me feel warm and it made me smile too. His Holiness is a priest who deserves respect, and is quite an easy-going person compared to his position as Pope. He was someone who came to me like a grandfather when I lost my family, so I reacted without even realizing it.

If you think about it carefully, it is a blessed and blessed relationship. He was like a teacher and grandfather who took care of him like a father. If it weren’t for these two people, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

“Brother.”

“Yes, Your Holiness.”

“This old man dares to think of you as his grandson. It is truly arrogant to treat a saint, the son of God, with such arrogance.”

“Your Holiness. How can you say such a thing? If I am the Lord’s son, then aren’t you the Lord’s representative and a descendant of the chief disciple?”

Eventually, I hurriedly shook my head when I heard that the relationship between me and His Holiness was not a one-way street.

“Hehe, I didn’t say this for the sake of confession. I just got to watch the wedding of a brother who is like my grandson, and in a few months, I will have a great-grandson. I felt like I was going to enjoy a lot of thanks to the Lord’s protection.”

After saying that, His Holiness held my hand carefully.

“It’s to the point where I feel like it’s okay to step down now.”

“Yes?”

My body suddenly stiffened at the shocking declaration that followed.

You’re leaving. I don’t know what you mean by that. Who is going to step down?

“Sir, Your Holiness. How can you make such a joke?”

It seems that His Holiness was making a little joke for me as I was about to get married. It’s clear that you worked hard for a little guy like this grandson.

If that joke was meant to relieve my tension, it succeeded. Because the tension that had been quietly binding my heart disappeared in an instant.

The problem is that it is resolved due to external shocks, not my efforts.

“Brother. This old guy has been in a position he deserves and has been able to do a lot. It would be greedy to keep his position any longer.”

However, contrary to my wishes, His Holiness continued his harsh words.

“We held a council, watched the resurrection of the World Tree, and subdued the resurrected Death King. The emperor of the empire, who was younger than me, had already retreated due to circumstances.”

“That thing.”

“My reign cannot be longer than this. If I continue to hold my position, people will look to Waldsack, who has taken the position of Pope, rather than to the Pope, who is the servant of the Lord.”

At the same time, I became clearly aware of His Holiness’ feelings.

His Holiness wants to avoid receiving too much attention, reverence, and admiration for him. He was prepared to incur the hatred of believers through the council, but perhaps thanks to the Lord’s blessing, the council led by His Holiness received the blessing of all people. As a result, His Holiness’ authority and reputation soared higher and higher.

Therefore, anyone will believe and follow His Holiness’ words. With a gesture from His Holiness, all believers will move forward.

As if we were serving the Lord.

‘It’s a situation where the servant is considered the master.’

Since you have lived your whole life for the Lord, you probably want to avoid such a future.

“I want to at least show my child that his great-grandfather was the Pope.”

“I will definitely stay in place until then.”

Instead of trying to dissuade His Holiness, we supported His Holiness’s will, and His Holiness smiled again as if he was grateful.

‘…Wait a minute.’

This can’t be right.

“Hey, Your Holiness? Your holiness is stepping down. Who knows but me?”

His Holiness’ smile became even deeper.

‘Oh my.’

There is none. There is still no one but me.

‘We will fight noisily for a while.’

A bitter smile came out. This suddenly led to a fight against the brothers and sisters who tried to dissuade His Holiness from abdicating during his lifetime.

Under attack from all cardinals, including Master, we must support His Holiness ‘will ignore the earnest cries of all priests and believers.

It’s a dizzying future just to imagine.

“Your Holiness. Brother Karl and his family he has come.”

Still, I heard Brother Willem’s voice along with a small knock on the door, and the dizzying future disappeared from my mind.