Chapter 132
Chapter 132
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 132
Chapter Title: The Crown Prince's Request (2)
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As I was steeling my resolve, His Highness the Crown Prince looked at me with a smile, as if to say it was nothing to worry about, and spoke.
"Do you think you can handle it?"
At those words, I felt my head go blank, as if it had been bashed with a flail.
Why the hell was he asking if I could do it without even telling me what "it" was? That was the thought that hit me.
Not only that, but from the way he was talking without explaining what it was and just expecting agreement, it was clear some massive state secret was involved.
If I failed, I'd disappoint His Highness greatly, so I was in a position where I had to succeed no matter what.
At least it was some consolation that he probably wouldn't throw a two-star major like me into some movie-style spec-ops mission.
My life wouldn't be on the line—that was truly a blessing in disguise.
"Give me your orders, Your Highness. I'll carry them out."
"As expected of Major Jaeger. I knew you'd step up to solve my problem."
It felt like groveling on the floor, but if His Highness told me to do it, that was the path a loyal retainer had to choose.
Besides, doing something was better than twiddling my thumbs on leave for a whole month.
His Imperial Majesty the Emperor had granted me the massive commercial city of Strasbourg, giving me the foundation to build real power.
I had to work hard in return and repay the favor to advance even a little faster next time.
"Very well, then. Let's get to the point."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"A few days ago, His Holiness the Pope sent us a special envoy expressing his will. He fiercely opposes lifting the excommunication on the Franco Republic."
Hearing that, I barely held back a curse from slipping out.
Because the Pope—this guy who'd been nominally respected by everyone for centuries but finally got a chance to wield real influence over a secular state like the Franco Republic when our interests aligned and we let him restore some papal authority.
It was like saving a drowning man, giving him a 20-million-won check—and now that he'd tasted money, he was demanding an extra 50 million since you're at it.
If this weren't in front of the Crown Prince, I'd have unleashed a torrent of swears.
"It's the kind of nonsense that makes your head spin just hearing it."
The Crown Prince nodded in agreement, took a sip of tea, let out a deep sigh, and replied.
"I agree completely. But as you know, His Holiness's position is above even the Emperor of the Reich Empire as God's representative on earth—though the territory and subjects he rules are on par with a single marquisate. He hasn't wielded power proportionate to his authority in centuries. So, he must have gotten a taste of real power this time and started spouting this nonsense."
At that, irreverently, I was reminded of those white tower-like programs where now-21-year-old corporals or sergeants—nothing special themselves—would strut around just because they had the rank.
Ordering around some poor private on a whim and lording over the new recruits.
Likewise, His Holiness seemed to think he could boss around the Reich Empire after we'd led over 70,000 troops to fight the Franco Republic for our national interests—and conveniently boosted his papal authority and stuffed him with cash in the process.
Didn't he realize that if the Pope overreached without grasping reality, he could get replaced or assassinated by his own cardinals?
No, wait. After centuries of being treated as a figurehead for justifying wars and maintaining public order, now that his status had suddenly risen, even if he sensed danger, he might desperately want to seize this chance to become a true pope lording over monarchs like in ages past.
The problem was that this absurd thinking would hurt the Reich Empire.
"Still, if we don't grant this request, relations with the Holy See will sour, and repairing them would require massive donations. And in future dealings with the Holy See, we'd always be at a disadvantage, wouldn't we?"
"For other countries, we could gauge the situation and reject such unreasonable demands. But the opponent is the Holy See. You know better than I what could happen if we openly defy them."
"Yes. He couldn't corner us with excommunication again, but he'd demand penance on the excuse that our faith is lacking despite winning with Deus's power."
But if we gave in, we'd be branded as fools who kept following His Holiness's nonsense.
That would hand rival cardinals in other countries opposing the current Pope a pretext to target the Reich Empire for conquest.
In the worst case, the Reich Empire on the Europan continent could end up surrounded by countless nations, forced into total war like Germany in the World Wars.
Because, just like Germany, there were far too many around us eyeing the Reich Empire.
"So my worries aren't unfounded. In the end, there's only one answer."
"Please tell me."
"A papal envoy sent directly by His Holiness is secretly here in Reichburg right now. He wants to negotiate with us. Persuade him that withdrawing the excommunication now would do more to elevate the Pope's authority."
Honestly, my gut told me this persuasion wouldn't be easy...
But if what the Pope ultimately wanted was to strengthen papal authority, it wasn't impossible...
Why had His Highness tasked me with convincing the envoy, of all people?
"Understood. But may I ask why you're assigning me to persuade the envoy?"
His Highness replied carefully, with a grave expression.
"Simple. This envoy came secretly, so it's hard for regular diplomats to meet him openly. Plus, you have that diplomatic prowess—turning Foreign Vice-Minister Henri inside out with a few words at Nancy and securing lands even Father Emperor couldn't imagine. And since you're officially on leave, if the envoy leaks the agreement secretly, we can use the excuse that a man on leave couldn't possibly sign it."
"I see. Then they've probably already brought an initial proposal to you. Could I see it?"
The Crown Prince showed me the draft negotiation proposal from the envoy.
Stripping away all the formal verbiage, the content boiled down to this:
The Franco Republic government recognizes its sins, repents, and vows to atone—that's fine. But to truly be forgiven for the excommunication, they should offer even more money.
Or offer something else to further elevate the Pope's authority.
If this were a normal diplomatic document, it might drive anyone mad. But in this situation, with the demands so straightforward and simple...
It might actually make persuading the envoy easier.
Because I had a simple way to boost both the Church's authority and the Empire's prestige.
"We've already signed a peace treaty with the Franco Republic, so squeezing more money from them to offer His Holiness isn't impossible—but the treaty already included atonement gold for the Holy See. And we're in no position to cough up our own funds to supplement it. Do you have a solution?"
I nodded and replied.
"It's not impossible. In fact, it's easier because the opponent is the Church."
"Then I'll trust you, Major. I'll prepare generous compensation."
With that, I left the Crown Prince's residence, and late that night, I met the papal envoy.
"Greetings. I am Bishop Luigi Valliera, come to carry out His Holiness the Pope's will."
"I am Major Peter Jaeger, tasked with realizing His Holiness's will through secular means."
We exchanged a few more pleasantries before he said,
"Then let's begin the real discussion."