Chapter 231
Chapter 231
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 231
Chapter Title: The Commendation Ceremony
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"Don't do that."
I stared at Bishop Paul with sharp eyes, my expression dead serious. He responded with a gentle smile and a slight nod.
"From Brother Howard's perspective, the church's actions must seem incomprehensible."
"You know that, so why go through with it?"
"It's all political, you see. Even those who devote themselves to faith can't completely cut ties with the secular world."
"Because of His Majesty the Emperor?"
The bishop shook his head and lightly moistened his lips with his tea.
Then, with a wry smile, he glanced out the window toward the distant edge of the imperial palace.
"That would actually be preferable. Both I and the cardinal were born and raised in the empire. We've watched His Majesty's reign for over twenty years, so we know he's a tough ruler—but once you bow properly, he lets it go without lingering grudges."
"Even I figured that out after just a year."
Thanks to my crash course in real-world experience, I'd felt it in my bones.
Play along lightly with this and that, secure a spot as one of His Majesty's top five favorite toys, and the perks that come with it are no joke.
Even setting aside the factor of Elizabeth, it was absurd that a seventeen-year-old like me had been granted the honorary title of knight in the imperial guard.
"Then it's because of the nobles?"
"Exactly. In handling this matter, the church followed protocol to the letter. But that's our protocol. To the empire's nobles, it must have felt like interference in internal affairs."
"But didn't it all end up as just a minor incident?"
"That's precisely why it became a problem."
"Hmm..."
I furrowed my brow, racking my brain to understand the bishop's words.
Politics wasn't my strong suit—I lacked the instincts for it—so I couldn't grasp why wrapping it up neatly had backfired.
Wasn't the heresy accusation against me the more serious issue?
"Suppose you had been a heretic. The Holy Kingdom would have pressured the empire, pointing out how the emperor's close aide had gone unnoticed. His Majesty himself would have faced some embarrassment explaining it."
"Yes."
"But it wasn't a clean acquittal either. If it had been, the Holy Kingdom could have simply bowed, apologized, and moved on."
"So isn't this a situation where both the Holy Kingdom and the empire can let it slide? The empire has grounds since I'm no heretic, and the Holy Kingdom has grounds since my actions raised questions."
"That would hold if it were purely an internal empire matter. But this was the Holy Kingdom pressuring the empire from outside."
The bishop paused, took a sip to wet his throat, then continued with a somewhat glum expression.
"Bishop Bianca followed protocol in the trial, resulting in a minor punishment rare for heresy inquisitions. To the empire, it looked like the Holy Kingdom nitpicking one of His Majesty's aides—unwilling to admit their own mistake."
"Hmm... Yeah, that makes sense when you put it like that."
Dispatching investigators for a full probe and trial, only to hand down a fine—it did seem odd at first glance if you didn't know the details.
"As a result, more nobles are starting to think the Holy Kingdom is checking the empire by targeting His Majesty's aide."
"Even though that's not the case here."
I knew the full story, so I could see it wasn't true. But to outsiders watching from afar, it looked like foreigners attacking one of their own. Everyone would view it through colored lenses.
Blood is thicker than water, after all.
"Well... call it karma. The Holy Kingdom has a history of using faith as an excuse to maintain religious power."
"Doesn't every power player do that?"
"Even so, religious leaders shouldn't."
"Fair point."
Everyone should live cleanly and honestly, but when a man of faith slips, the disappointment hits twice or thrice as hard.
Religion shapes lifestyles and social norms—if its enforcers are rotten, it's infuriating.
That's why Protestantism arose in my past life, sparking centuries of conflict between old and new churches.
People were disillusioned with a corrupt faith.
So I understood their sensitivity to such perceptions.
"So the Holy Kingdom wants to use me to show the empire it's no big deal?"
"Precisely. Showing we've resolved things amicably with the party involved will soothe the other nobles more easily."
"Couldn't you just give me a plaque of appreciation?"
"That would feel too perfunctory. His Majesty is demanding solid compensation for you anyway, so a quiet wrap-up is off the table."
"Urgh..."
His Majesty's affection for his subjects felt oppressively heavy—enough to bring tears to my eyes.
After the overload in May, I wanted to lay low until October...
"Can't we keep it as modest as possible?"
"We barely talked His Majesty out of lending the palace. The next idea was holding it in the cathedral with him attending—but we settled it with the crown princess joining to celebrate."
"Ugh..."
To think that was the toned-down version: a simple blessing during service.
The reality was even more nightmarish.
I really hated this.
The higher nobles climbed, the more authority came with duties. But in religion, climbing higher just piled on the obligations.
If a church honoree like me caused a scandal, it wouldn't just embarrass me—it'd tarnish the church too.
Like an anti-smoking ambassador getting caught smoking; the vibe turns awkward.
And with fame comes scrutiny.
Strip away the honor, and it's just shackles. No appeal there.
I was half a skeptic anyway—honors meant little to me.
Just shackles.
But since His Majesty insisted, it probably wasn't that simple.
The man who pressured me for bold, innovative designs wouldn't slap on shackles like some contrarian.
"So, when's the date?"
"Two weeks from now—the fourth week of July."
"That's soon."
"We need to wrap it up quickly to quell the nobles' discontent fast."
"Understood."
"Thank you for your understanding."
I nodded as if accepting, and the bishop's face brightened. He bowed deeply in gratitude.
Then he reached down beside his chair, rummaged for something, and pulled out a stack of papers. He placed half in front of me and half in front of himself.
"What's this?"
"Since you'll receive the commendation, I wanted to explain the brief procedure and preview the items."
"That works for me."
I smiled contentedly and picked up the papers.
Compared to His Majesty springing things without warning, the church was fairy-like in these matters.
"The process is simple. After the service, the cardinal will call for you, Brother. Just step forward."
"Got it."
I nodded and skimmed the order quickly. Nothing to it.
Go out, get a modest celebration, receive the gift, and return.
Rewards were straightforward for anyone, as long as His Majesty didn't ambush like last time.
"Once before the cardinal, he'll offer brief thanks and present these items."
"A Bible, metal cross, and rosary? Simpler than expected."
"The items are plain, but their meaning isn't."
"Blessed by the cardinal?"
"Yes, though not full holy relics—just infused with a sense of it."
"Ooh..."
These carried real weight.
"I'm not sure I qualify for cardinal-blessed items. They're no ordinary goods."
"To a devout believer, yes—but you're not. The light blessing just makes them less fatiguing to carry."
"That's a relief."
"The cardinal labored to find the right balance. Overly lavish gifts become burdens."
"Hm~"
The cardinal understood people, unlike His Majesty.
"Please convey my thanks to him."
"Haha, tell him yourself on the day. He'll prefer that."
"I might be too nervous to speak properly."
"Aren't you overdoing the worry? You handled His Majesty calling you onstage on the spot just fine."
"Humans can do anything to survive."
"Hahaha~"
You've got to keep your cool before someone who might kill you for screwing up.
"After the gift exchange, the crown princess will give a short address. It's to show the empire and Holy Kingdom parting amicably, so just smile and clap nicely."
"Got it. No big deal."
"Too much fuss would tire the flock. Empty rituals wasting time are the real issue."
"Music to my ears."
It was amusing yet reassuring to hear such words from the church, master of drawn-out ceremonies.
A church without even that small consideration would be hellish.
Even if boring, at least it promised a quick end.
"Anything else important?"
"Hmm... That's all the must-knows. Read the rest on the papers if you have time."
"Understood."
Their intent to keep it simple kept the explanation brief too.
"So that's everything?"
"Yes. Anything else from you, Brother?"
"No, nothing."
"Very well. Feel free to relax with tea or head out now."
"Got it."
I drained my teacup quickly, gathered the papers, and stood.
"This was enlightening. I'd love to stay longer, but I should head back."
"As you wish."
"Thank you."
I flashed a bright smile, bowed neatly, turned, and left the room.