Meeting in Summer

In the Empire, there are many medals. But among them, few are named after a specific person.

Particularly, those awarded by the Empire's great departments after selecting recipients and receiving the imperial seal are even rarer.

There are various reasons. It's because too much time has passed to create a new medal.

Or, if you designate someone, what about the even greater figures before them?

Or, ultimately, all Empire citizens must honor the imperial name the highest, but if this medal makes the recipient's name higher than the imperial name, it could be a problem. Of course, the last reason is just speculation, not the standard.

Nevertheless, there are some medals named after truly great figures.

But all of them are for those who have already passed away. It has never happened to create a medal named after a living ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠person like now.

“Hmmm.”

“Can't we just pretend it never happened?”

“If only the Medal of Honor was awarded twice, but this... it surpasses that level.”

Has anyone in Imperial history received the Legion of Honor from the Elves? Even the first Emperor couldn't achieve this. It's an enormous feat.

The proud, arrogant Elves themselves presented the medal. Probably, this won't happen again. Many foreign affairs officials were expecting this.

What about Lasquer next? Here, they respect their 12 Knights greatly.

They even received a sword from one of them. Of course, this was something they had wanted to give to Count Friedrich before, but Karl now holds that qualification.

Moreover, against the Lasquer Knights, even in a friendly match, they have an undefeated record.

More than half of the victories were won in the Lasquer homeland. They are proud like the Elves, but they were crushed by this.

It doesn't end here. This surpasses even the Elves and Lasquer.

“Have you heard the news? It seems that in the 4th district, they are holding a prayer meeting praising Karl Adelheit, the young master. Saying that he has received the love of God and the position of a holy relic.”

“Uuuugh! This is why it's a problem. Even if the young master's name is used for a medal, the Bright Light Church would be happy about it?”

“Even so, this is premature. He's still in his 20s. If he were in his 50s or 60s, maybe, but this has never happened.”

The reason the country's affairs are always slow and discussions drag on is simple.

Because we can't leave any wrong precedents. One wrong precedent can shake public sentiment and overturn the foundation of the country. The issue of misuse is secondary.

That's why the Empire's civil servants endure the backlash while trying not to leave any precedents.

This case is the same. We acknowledge Karl's great achievements. To deny it would make one not human.

But he's still alive. No, even if we set aside that he's alive, he's too young. Leaving such a precedent, if later it's used in some other way, there might be a new era.

Too much overinterpretation, delusions of grandeur? I admit it. But the worst is always like that.

We have to anticipate and prepare to prevent it.

“The Crown Prince seems to be looking at it quite positively.”

“The Emperor hasn't said anything yet.”

“What about the War Ministry?”

“The one who received the Medal of Honor twice said that a medal named after him would be an honor, but we have to be careful because it might make the military's influence too strong.”

Yes, that's exactly why it becomes difficult again. Karl has always leaned more towards literature than military?

The medals given to those who have already accomplished great deeds are sufficient. But if we create another one on top?

Assuming we do. Then what about the ranking? The Medal of Honor has been the highest honor since the founding of the Empire. Now we have to place something above it?

Then what about those who received the Medal of Honor? Do we give them new medals?

That would be a problem downward. How can someone who received the Medal of Honor twice be below?

Considering the Elves, Lasquer, and Bright Light Church parts, it's impossible.

In the end, unable to do this or that, the long discussion continues.

“Minister, new news has arrived.”

“New news?”

“Yes. From the Bright Light Church. Precisely, an official letter sent from the Holy See to our side.”

The Interior Ministry Minister looked into ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the details, wondering what this was.

And soon, he let out a sigh, whether it was relief or surprise, I don't know.

*

“Excuse me, could you please say it again?”

“Don't say that. I can't hear the words 'sorry' from a brother who is a benefactor of the Church. Karl Adelheit, the young master. It's a personal letter written directly by His Holiness the Pope.”

“No...”

The white envelope being handed to me in front, and the red seal stamped on it.

My hand trembled slightly. This feeling... Ah, yes. It was similar to the moment I first met the Crown Prince and then the Emperor.

Thinking about that time alone gives me real goosebumps. I never imagined I'd meet such people directly while alive.

'Well, now the Crown Prince is my brother-in-law, and it's fine to go meet the Emperor again.'

Of course, it's not without tension. One is the ruler of the Empire, the other is the future ruler. And the one who sent me this letter is the focal point of the Bright Light Church with its vast influence. How can I not be tense?

Honestly, I'm still dazed. What? Who is sending what? The Pope is sending me a letter? And he wrote it himself?

I thought I should kneel and pray. But it's the Pope, after all. The priests and holy knights of the Bright Light Church didn't give me such a sign.

So, I respectfully received the letter and carefully unfolded it.

“...”

So, what did the Pope write to me?

“His Holiness hopes that you will definitely attend the Great Feast of All Saints to be held this summer, the Jesung-chumrye.”

“The Great Feast...?”

“Yes. If you accept, we the Church will take responsibility from then on.”

Not only did the Pope send a personal letter, but it's an official invitation to the Great Feast. To me, an individual nobleman.

From what I know, this honor goes only to a very few who show true faith. I believe in the Light doctrine, but I'm not that devout.

“Hahaha. Well, it's an honor that may never come again. But can I really go? I might be disturbing the sacred day if I go.”

“It is not at all. How could you say such a thing. Not to anyone else, but to you, Karl Adelheit, the young master.”

The priests are shocked, and the holy knights shake their heads with solemn faces.

We recovered the Church's holy relic. You are a brother who receives the love of God. Who in the Church would think to invite your attendance?

You, everyone. I wasn't serious, of course. I was just being polite.

So, don't take it too seriously. I'm afraid you'll say 'Who said that! You? You! You heretic! You will be purged! You will be burned!'

“Hmph. How could I refuse such joyous news. Since it's summer, classes will be ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠on break, so I'll happily rush to the Holy See in one go.”

“I am grateful for your words, brother.”

“Ah. Can I take this letter with me personally? Since His Holiness wrote it himself, I want to keep it as a treasure forever.”

“Of course. Since it's something His Holiness sent to you, you must keep it.”

That's right? Good. I'll take this as is and give it to Selena's grandfather.

Grandpa is a very devout believer, right? He liked me, and now his granddaughter-in-law is bringing the Pope's personal letter, he'll be happy.

“Ah!”

After saying goodbye and hurrying back to the academy, suddenly a priest stops me.

“Excuse me, brother. His Holiness added a final word that I forgot to mention.”

“It's fine. What is it? His Holiness's last message to me.”

“Um. There is an item blessed by the Cardinals, right?”

“Blessed? Ah, this? When I take out the dagger from my pocket, the priest nods.”

“Yes! Exactly that!”

“Why is this...”

“His Holiness instructed you to bring this dagger with you.”

“This dagger?”

“Yes, brother. After hearing the story, His Holiness wanted to give you a good ending by blessing it himself—”

So, the Cardinals' blessing wasn't enough, so as the Pope, I will bless it directly. That was the content conveyed to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠me through the priests.

The world. It might really become a holy sword. Since I received the blessings of the Cardinals and the Pope, I can be called that without issue.

...No, to be precise, it's not a holy sword. What should I call it. Holy military dagger? Anyway.