The Pope's Dialogue
Although this is a story from the distant future, the direct recording officer of the Bright Light Church's papal territory recorded that day as follows.
The day the light elf arrived at the land pointed out by the Lord.
*
Finally, finally arrived at the papal territory. The train that had been running hard slowed down, and through the window, the commotion felt quite noticeable.
“Karl brother. And the other brothers and sisters as well. We have arrived at Saint Earth.”
Saint Earth. The land pointed out by the Lord that the church speaks of. And just ordinary people call it the papal territory.
A place I had never thought I'd go in my life, suddenly like this.
Conversely, before departing, I glanced up at the sky for a moment. Hmm. The weather is perfect. The sun is bright with just enough clouds so that it won't be dazzling or annoying...
“...What is this?”
Strange. Just a moment ago, there were appropriately scattered clouds, but...
Why does the sunlight seem so intense the moment I step off the train?
It's a mysterious thing. It feels like they're shining a spotlight on me on purpose. Of course, it's just my foolishness thinking that, but...
“Karl. Hey.”
From the side, Selena whispered, so I turned my gaze forward. There, a group of church staff were approaching us—
“Oh my.”
“Grandpa?”
“According to what I know, the person coming over there is... Cardinal Ignatius of the Faith Doctrine Growth.”
Faith Doctrine Growth? What is that, grandpa. I'm not as devout as you, so I don't know what that is...!
“Grandpa. Is that Growth a high position in the papal territory?”
“That's right. Lena. To put it bluntly, it's like being a minister of the Empire.”
“Eh... then compared to the bishops in the Empire...”
“They are even more noble.”
Aha. So, the real high-ranking ones. Understood, grandpa.
Hmm. Such a person came to greet guests? Hahaha. This is really... the anxiety is increasing. What kind of trouble is about to happen!
“Welcome. Brothers and sisters. We sincerely welcome you to Saint Earth, the land pointed out by the Lord.”
Cardinal Ignatius, who was drawing a holy sign with care and showing a benevolent smile. Originally, it should be me, but leaving it to grandpa, who is an expert in church etiquette, is better.
So, I subtly made way, and Selena's grandpa drew the holy sign in return and opened his mouth.
“I am at a loss for words at this grand welcome. Your Eminence.”
“Hahaha. No. Since we are honored guests, moving just this old body is already grand. It doesn't deserve it.”
Then, a bright smile appeared at grandpa's lips. He said he was a devout believer, but the church's welcome seemed to please him greatly.
With this, grandpa's score has surpassed full marks and broken the limit. Though it may not happen, if my relationship with Selena gets tangled, grandpa will intervene on his own!
“Ah, my mind. Your Eminence. I really need to greet the protagonist too. Son-in-law. Come out and greet formally.”
“It is an honor to meet you. Your Eminence. I am Karl Adelheit of Friedrich County.”
“Heh heh. I have heard of brother Karl's reputation. You haven't aged enough to forget even the name of the church's savior!”
After that, as always, we exchanged various stories. The 'various stories' here refer to the situation at the time when we found the holy relic.
Honestly, I don't know how many times I explained that part.
Once to Cardinal Beolant of the 4th Parish in the south of the Empire, once to Cardinal Nicolaus of the 1st Parish, and repeated the same thing to the Empire's Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Just in case the story changes, I really tried not to make a single mistake so that only I would be tired.
“Heh heh... Indeed, the savior is clearly receiving the Lord's love.”
“R-really?”
“Of course. You found the holy relic that the 4th Parish had been searching for in one go.”
In addition, they say the church benefited a lot because of me, but I don't know the political part.
Instead, it would be faster to tell it to the four people standing over there.
“Well. For now, let's move to the seats. We can't welcome guests here forever, can we?”
Following Cardinal Ignatius to the place called Saint Earth. The land pointed out by the Lord. The formal schedule in the papal territory began.
For now, our group was divided into three large groups. Among the members, Selena's grandpa, the most devout believer, said he would move separately.
The reason was that besides the papal territory's main office, he wanted to tour all of Saint Earth as time allows.
There was no particular reason to stop, and since we brought him along, we let him act freely.
Honestly, if I went with him, he'd meet people everywhere and it would be tiring.
Next, the four people also separated, saying they would meet again later.
Now, there are things to discuss with the church and we want to have a deeper conversation about the foundation they created.
And finally, Selena and I—
“The Holy Father is waiting.”
“...”
Yeah. Damn it. I had to meet the highest person in this Saint Earth. Originally, the one who called me was the Pope, so it was natural.
Originally, it would be just me, but since it would be too uncomfortable for this side, I subtly expressed that I wanted to accompany Selena.
Now, as a couple and soon to be even closer, the papal side, who had been hesitant at first, agreed.
“C, Karl. Hey. Look here.”
“...Huh.”
Insane. Really insane. No, is this something made without spending a single penny? That huge cathedral?
A new thought comes to mind about the power of religion. They say it's the result of believers voluntarily donating abilities and talents, or gathering holy funds, but not even jewels or decorations, so it's not flashy. But is this not flashy? Even seeing this pure white building, such words come out?
This is just without decoration. Because there's no need. If something is hanging there, that's exactly the unnecessary thing, I think.
Was I too distracted? I almost got too far from the guide. Wake up. This isn't just a simple papal territory trip.
“Remember this well, brother-in-law. This is not just a simple invitation from the Pope. Whether you like it or not, in the end, you are a noble of the Empire's title, the brother of the Crown Princess, and moreover, a person bound by blood with the imperial family. You must remember that your words, your actions, each one could be seen as the will of the Empire.”
This is why I tried to hold back on politics or power. I don't have any skill in such games!
Rather, fighting with a big sword and gun in the mud over there would be much better. It's not my specialty to shoot bullets with words and tongue!!
Ku gu gu gu—
Meanwhile, the huge pure white door opened, and inside, someone waiting for me was visible.
The Pope, Pellestino XVII. Simply, the representative of the Lord's voice. And broadly, the leader of the Bright Light Church spread across the entire continent.
The biggest among the big ones who even the Emperor of the Empire couldn't casually deal with was sitting.
*
Aging is truly a sad thing. The mind is still young, but the body is not. And the aging body kills the passion inside in an instant.
The brothers and sisters of the church call me a benevolent and above all open Pope when they see me.
But it's not like that. This aging body didn't properly adapt when all kinds of changes blew through the world. Even though my lack of virtue became the church's shortcoming, it was difficult.
For that reason, the young man approaching in front was really grateful.
Recently, this young man. The name of Karl brother has echoed everywhere. Even this aging body could tell how great the name was in one go.
When fierce waves come, you don't resist but ride the wave. If you spread the sail full of favorable wind, there's nothing better.
That's the case now. Karl brother has brought positive energy and hope to this world. Even as a hero, he always lowered himself, showed noble thoughts and actions, and as a result, the Empire itself was influenced by that light and began to move to even brighter places.
Is that all? Even the elves who still have doubts about the light doctrine, and Lasquer who hasn't expanded the church as much due to friction with the Empire. All of them stopped negative remarks against that energy.
This is a very great change. Surely, the Lord couldn't just watch the chaos of this land. Therefore, the light messenger sent here is undoubtedly it.
If it weren't for this young man, no one could have delivered such a bright and hopeful message.
“Welcome. Karl brother. Come here and sit in front.”
“The Empire's Friedrich County, the young master, Karl Adelheit—
“Please set aside such greetings. Did I come to meet you by asking each other's precious time to see such a thing?”
Others would thank him for what he has done so far. But I can't.
The old must look further and deeper.
“I will add detailed stories. Karl brother. So, from the conclusion of this old body.”
“This is for the young hope, and greatly for the entire continent.”
“Become even more. Become an even more shining person.”