803 – Here We Go Again – 7

The sun is bright today.

No, it feels hot beyond the bright level. Even though it was the middle of winter, the sun was so hot that I thought it was burning me.

Is this the wrath of God? Is this the view of a victor who reigned as the sun god during the religious wars and defeated countless competitors?

‘We reached an amicable agreement through prayer.’

Looking up at the sun─ it was impossible to look at it, so I lowered my head to where the sun was.

I felt sad and resentful. Out of consideration for Enen’s pride and respect, the footprint fossils were left in the north. Instead of cutting out the footprints and sending them to the church, a temple was built on top of the footprints so that only priests could see them.

Obviously, our agreement ended there. Even though Enen was reluctant to reveal it to everyone, he tolerated showing it to the priests.

‘Such a dirty betrayal.’

Still, behind the scenes, a terrifying revelation was being made to the Pope. A crazy revelation to me, who is already a living blessed person, to be canonized while I am still alive. The terrifying revelation that he would be called a saint alive, not dead.

Even the slash-and-burn strategy is a work of art at this level. They pretend to agree in front of you, but then attack you mercilessly from behind. Is this how we can win the hellish religious war?

“Brother, you are fully qualified. The miracles and achievements you have accumulated so far are splendid, but it is because the Lord wants it. I will definitely canonize you, even if it means burning out the last flame of this old man.”

Eventually, I remembered what the Pope had said and sighed a little. The Pope, who had decided to abdicate during his lifetime, designated eunuchs as his last task.

A miraculous Pope who reigned as the pinnacle of the church and state for a long time and led the council successfully. In recognition of my contribution, the Pope, who is certain to be canonized after my death, says he will use his last political power and last passion his to make me a saint.

No one can stop this. Even the current emperor is not enough to stop the actions of that political monster. This will only be possible if the situation that is online in the corner of the imperial palace comes back to the stage.

‘Life…’

With trembling hands, I took out the communication tool from my pocket.

News of the Pope’s decision to abdicate and canonize during my lifetime. How on earth should I report this crazy news? What kind of expression would the emperor make upon hearing that report?

I know you will laugh at the latter when you hear it. They will laugh very excitedly.

***

Weird. Even though it was winter, it felt warm, not cold. Instead of a wind as harsh as a knife, warm air like my parents’ arms embraced me.

Of course, the weather did not go against nature. Today is still winter, and it is still a cold day. The wind was cold as it should be.

Nevertheless, I will remember today as a warmer and more cozy day than any other day. Because the joy that can overcome even the winter winds has come to me.

“How do you feel?”

“It’s beautiful.”

Sister Alexandriana wears a pure white dress rather than the red priestly uniform that is the symbol of a cardinal.

When she gets married, she becomes a married couple instead of her older sister and her younger brother, so Alexandria I tries to speak as softly and comfortably as possible.

She is my wife, smiling more shyly than ever and touching her stomach as if she were embarrassed.

‘My family.’

How could I be eaten by the cold with such a precious and lovely person in front of me? How can one succumb to the cold and tremble?

I am a saint who is gloriously and undeservedly called the Son of God. He is the son of the sun who looks over us. So you can’t miss out on something precious just because of the slightest cold.

“Red also had a bright charm, but white had a pure and clean charm.”

And after seeing her sister’s dress, she chose sincere admiration rather than complimenting with flowery language.

Anyway, I am not good at praising someone and showing affection. If you want to embarrass the other person with your immaturity, it is best to be sincere and not nitpick. What I am best at is moving with sincerity, and what is most comfortable is taking responsibility with sincerity.

“Our treasure will think so too.”

“Well, is that so?”

“Of course.”

At my confident answer, the sister smiled more beautifully than anyone else.

My child came to me and my sisters like a treasure. Our precious child is like a treasure that no one can have. That’s why we named our child Treasure.

I’m sure Treasure will look at her mom and praise her for being pretty. My mom will be happy that she is the most beautiful in the world.

“If you don’t plan on having a wedding just the two of you, leave quickly.”

Just as I was about to stretch out my hand toward Treasure, Brother Aldino, a member of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, opened his mouth.

Thanks to this, I was a little embarrassed. I was just trying to check my appearance for a moment in the waiting room, but I got completely distracted. So much so that the brother who was quietly watching from the side urged me.

“I’m sorry─”

“Today is a day for us, so can you be a little more patient?”

However, the sister’s complaint was quicker than my apology.

“I guess I just said it after holding back. Normally, I would have pushed him to leave right away.”

Unfortunately, it was a complaint that was quickly refuted.

“I have a lot to say, but I will hold back today. So, all you have to do is go out now and pledge your eternal love in front of the Lord and the guests.”

“Thank you for your valuable advice, brother.”

“Still, I can’t tell you how fortunate I am that Brother Tanian listened to me.”

Brother Aldino let out a small sigh and glanced at the sister, and the sister’s shoulders shrank for a moment.

In fact, when our premarital pregnancy was discovered. Just as I received advice from Master, she received lengthy advice and scolding from Brother Aldino. Maybe that’s why, these days, sisters often flinch when they see their brother’s eyes.

But what can you do? It is true that we were in too much of a hurry to get pregnant before marriage, and your advice was indeed sound. It’s something that just has to be endured silently.

“Treasure. You must have suffered a lot under your immature mother. Please rely on your uncles and aunts to grow up brightly.”

“You can move a little faster in life…”

“It’s immature to say things like that.”

Even though the sister chose to protest actively rather than remain silent, this is also a matter for the sister and brother.

It’s probably true. If not, it’s a bit difficult.

Thankfully, His Holiness was in charge of hosting the wedding ceremony.

At first, Master, who was also a senior cardinal, was scheduled to take charge, but thanks to His Holiness’s insistence that Master sit in my family’s seat, this glorious situation unfolded.

“Happiness can be achieved on one’s own, but it can also come without one’s knowledge. The fact that the bride and groom met here is happiness that they achieved for themselves.”

The third main character is happiness that came without the groom and bride knowing.

When His Holiness added that, laughter erupted from the audience.

It’s a happy thing. Even the guests who were shocked to see the sister’s boat at first acknowledged the existence of our treasure and congratulated us. Even though he joked about what was so urgent, he did not express anger and asked how a priest could do that.

It is indeed a fortunate thing. We were able to hold our wedding ceremony with blessings instead of shouting.

“Brother Tanian and Sister Alexandriana are the pillars of the church and the church. Although they are younger than anyone else, they have qualities that are incomparable to anyone else, and I have no doubt that these two will lead the church in the future together.”

And for no reason, I heard rave reviews that made my face warm.

I knew that His Holiness thought highly of me, but I had no idea that he would declare me his future peer in such a public setting. This must be His Holiness’s expression of affection and proof of trust.

Although he trusted me so much that he told me something as huge as his abdication during his lifetime his his his his. You could have hidden that a bit.

“Also, the new future that will be born between the two futures. I believe that it will move forward on a brilliant path under the protection of the great Lord.”

A blessing for treasure that hasn’t even been born yet. At the end of that undeserved blessing, His Holiness smiled brightly.

He did not smile as an emcee who was supposed to lead the wedding ceremony, but as my grandfather and Treasurer’s great-grandfather.

***

If there is such a thing as fate, I wonder how many people’s fates are intertwined with the minister’s fate.

How can that be a fate that one person has to endure? Even if it is not possible, it is clear that the fates of more than 10 people have merged into one. Otherwise, there is no way you would be at the center of all kinds of commotion every time you cross the border.

“It’s done.”

However, what is important now is not that the minister is at the center of the commotion.

It is important that the minister at the center returns with a bug-bitten face.

“It’s perfect.”

Thanks to this, I muttered alone in the empty office. That’s how much my heart was shaken more than ever.

Taeyangjeon, the center of the imperial palace. The office is the most important place in Taeyangjeon. Since this is where the emperor handles all business, a portrait of Emperor Eimanca hangs in the emperor’s office. This is a place where the great emperor is watching, so it is a noble meaning not to be rash even in trivial matters.

And the portrait of the minister was hung opposite the portrait.

Instead of just a portrait, they hung a portrait of a minister painted like a saint.

“Hehe—”

I hurriedly bit my lip at the laughter that came out of my mouth.

If you suddenly burst out laughing alone, Sir Hendrick outside the door will be suspicious. For now, I have to grit my teeth and endure it. We have to be patient while waiting for the spectacle to see this portrait.

Until we take a look at this portrait we received from Gyo-guk, we must.

‘I never thought they would take this out already.’

At the same time, a wonderful feeling rose up. Who would have known that I would already be using a portrait that I thought would only see the light of day after my death? The church that gave this portrait probably didn’t know either.

‘Canonization and retirement while alive.’

Eventually, the twitching corner of his mouth slowly lowered. I can’t stop laughing because the minister’s name will be preceded by ‘last name’, but it is also not a light matter that the Pope is considering abdicating during his lifetime.

Still, the current Pope is an upright and driven person. If such a person decides to abdicate during his lifetime, it is as good as a confirmed decision. All that remains is who will be chosen as the next Pope.

‘It will be easy for a progressive cardinal to be elected.’

It is a denomination that achieved major changes through the Council. In such a situation, a conservative cardinal becoming Pope would be like returning to the past. Wouldn’t there be a high probability that a progressive cardinal would become the new pope?

So first, let’s check the list of progressive cardinals again. If possible, we need to ensure that a person who is friendly with the empire can become Pope.

‘…Is it okay to be awkward with the Pope since the living saint is an imperial citizen?’

For a moment, that thought passed by.

A living saint is a nobleman and minister of the empire. It’s so reassuring.