Chapter 107 - Chapter 107: Saintess
Steve had come to the Yellow Empire, summoned for Louis's coronation. There, he was granted the ducal title of the Empire, and also given the middle name "Thies". From now on, he would go by Steve Thies Archibalt. This was not known beforehand, becoming a surprise.
Considering the achievements that led to Louis becoming Emperor, it was only natural, and neighboring countries, recognizing the achievement of realizing the Empire's peaceful policy, were in a mood of blessing. Christina, who was sitting alongside, was also becoming a Duchess, so she was extremely proud. In the Kingdom of Cascade, she was equivalent to a Duchess, and in the Empire, she is a Duchess. Excluding the Queen, it was the highest status, and that status spanning both countries was the first in history. Since her family was a Marquis house, in the social circle, she was treated above Aurora and Evelyn.
However, Christina did not look down on Aurora or Evelyn, but formed a faction with those related to Steve, taking the form of fitting within it. There were no fools who would pick a fight with the faction to which Christina, Aurora, and Evelyn belonged, and it had come to build an absolute status. Even in the Empire, she had become friendly with Cecily, who had once slept and stayed at the mansion, and although she was the second wife, those who knew the relationship with Cecily, who devotedly supported the Emperor, did not bother Christina. Furthermore, Nancy could not show up at the Empire's celebration, so she was staying home to mind the house.
The coronation ended safely.
For this coronation, the Fries Holy Church had dispatched the Pope and the Saintess from the Holy Nation.
The Holy Nation was something like an autonomous territory of the Fries Holy Church, and although the area was small, it was independent as a religious state. Since Fries Holy Religion was widely worshipped on the continent, there were no rulers who would try to attack and destroy it.
The Pope was the highest leader of the Holy Nation, and was the top of both religion and state politics. In contrast, the Saintess had no political authority. However, she had immense popularity in the religious aspect, splitting the popularity with the Pope. However, while the Pope was a hideously fat middle-aged man, the Saintess was a young beautiful woman, so externally, the Saintess's popularity was overwhelmingly higher.
When the coronation ended, it became a banquet. To display the Emperor's authority, lavish food was served as much as possible. However, since all attendees were noble people, Steve felt suffocated. Enduring such a meal, he came out of the room and was resting with Christina on the terrace when a female knight approached. Short red hair, her body build was about the same as Daphne's. Since she was quite beautiful, Christina became wary. No, Steve was also wary, but the meaning was different.
"I have a request for Lord Archibalt."
"Who might you be?"
"Excuse me. I am Camilla Frank, a Holy Knight serving Lady Saintess-sama in the Holy Nation. Actually, Lady Saintess-sama would like some time, so I came to convey that. Would your time be okay after this?"
Hearing that, Christina pulled Steve's sleeve. Steve understood that intention and asked the female knight named Camilla.
"Is it okay if my wife accompanies me?"
"Lady Saintess-sama has designated you, Lord, so others, even if they were the Emperor, are not permitted to accompany."
Steve looked troubled at Christina. Christina's expression being stern was the result of Steve's actions so far. Every time he got involved in some big problem, the husband who gathered women's affection, if there was a summons from the Saintess, it wasn't strange to be wary.
Camilla also read that air.
"I do not know what your wife is worried about, but Lady Saintess-sama is prohibited from marriage for life, and her heart is dedicated only to God. Adultery etc. cannot happen."
The Saintess was an existence prohibited from marriage and love for life. That love was supposed to be dedicated only to God. Therefore, all past Saintesses had ended their lives remaining single. At least officially.
Of course Christina knew that, and there was no room for objection. No matter how Christina reached the peak of prosperity in the social circle, she could not match the authority of religion, and had to back down.
"I understand. Can you guide me to Lady Saintess-sama?"
"I will guide you."
With Christina giving up, Steve came to meet the Saintess alone.
Guided by Camilla, he was guided to the room prepared by the Empire for the Saintess.
Inside the room was a petite woman with long blue hair. A girl or just an adult was Steve's first impression.
"Lady Julia, I have brought Lord Archibalt."
"Good work, Camilla."
Steve understood that the one Camilla called Julia was the Saintess. He felt a noble aura that shouldn't be touched.
"Nice to meet you, I am Steve Thies Archibalt."
"I am Julia. The title is Saintess, but calling myself Saintess is embarrassing."
Julia blushed. At that dignity, Steve patted his chest feeling glad Christina didn't accompany.
"So, what is the matter with Lady Saintess-sama?"
"By divine revelation, I have come to consult with you, Lord, and――"
Hearing "divine revelation", Steve's expression became stern.
"I apologize, but I hate God. I don't know if he exists either. I cannot believe in divine revelation."
"You, do you mock God!"
"God, huh, that boring man who created sin first."
Camilla, mocked by Steve regarding God, drew her sword letting herself be driven by anger. But, without panicking, Steve created iron chains with magic and restrained Camilla.
"This discussion is over. You force your religious views, and if I argue, I get my sword drawn. Next time, think you'll lose your life."
Julia hurriedly stopped Steve who was trying to leave the room.
"I apologize. I apologize for what Camilla did. Will you listen to the talk?"
Saying that, she bowed down deeply towards Steve. Since she tried to stop Steve so desperately, Steve also felt guilty, and decided to listen to the talk again. However, he decided to state the reason why he doesn't believe in and hates God first.
"Please raise your head. Then first, let me talk about why I hate God. If you are satisfied with that, shall we continue the conversation?"
"Thank you."
"The reason I hate the existence called God is that, despite claiming to be omnipotent, he does not act like that at all. Wars in the world do not disappear, and the ones who become sacrifices are always weak children. Yet, religious officials all say it is a trial given by God. It is truly unreasonable, isn't it?"
"People live while atoning for sins the soul bore in the past, past lives, etc."
Camilla, who was restrained, said that, and Steve glared at her.
"A town burned by the army, a mother carrying a newborn child jumped into a river, and the child drowned. If this is atonement for past lives, then it would be better not to be born in the first place. If it is hardship to grow up and atone for past sins, I can understand, but what meaning is there in dying right after being born?"
The tone was extremely calm, but Steve's words contained anger.
This is the story of Steve's past life's grandfather's older brother who died young. While escaping a fire caused by US military air raids, the mother jumped into a river and drowned. If that was a trial given by God, I wanted God to show an example of how to survive under the same conditions.
The Fries Holy Church is monotheistic, and the basic doctrine is that an omnipotent God watches humans from heaven. If this were a polytheistic religion where gods also make mistakes, Steve wouldn't have gotten that worked up, but the monotheistic way of thinking was not something that could be tolerated.
However, those who believed in that thought it was fine. As long as they didn't force that doctrine on him, he did not view them as enemies.
"Seeking worldly benefits from God is wrong. Because people are watched by God, they should accumulate right actions and prepare for judgment after death."
The Saintess said.
"If you are omnipotent in the first place, you should have made humans not to do wrong actions."
"As you say, Lord. And my request is precisely because I want you to correct human wrong actions."
"I don't know what I can do, but what is the wrong action you want to correct?"
When Steve asked, Julia took out a small folded paper packet. Steve took it and checked the contents. There was powder inside.
"What is this?"
"It is drugs."
"Drugs!?"
Hearing "drugs", Steve was surprised. He didn't think the Saintess would have drugs. Drugs also exist in this world. And it was prohibited to possess and use in any country, and strictly suppressed.
There was no way to imagine the Saintess having such a dangerous thing.
"Why give me such a thing?"
"Because it is divine revelation. My magic is to receive God's revelation. Moreover, when it activates depends on God, and the revelation came just before departing for this coronation."
"I'll accept that about the revelation, but how did you obtain the drugs?"
"That is because the Church is secretly manufacturing and selling it."
"The Church!?"
Steve was surprised again, but hearing Julia's explanation afterwards, he thought it was natural.
"The Church is recognized as autonomous. That is not only in the Holy Nation, but churches established in each country are the same. Regarding luggage carried into the Church, it is exempt from toll tax, and there is no inspection of cargo. Taking advantage of that, they make drugs in the Holy Nation and carry them into each country. I had Camilla obtain one of these during circulation. Since it's not something that can cause a big fuss just because it's gone, for now it hasn't become a public fuss."
"If the Church is doing it, isn't that a big problem?"
"Yes. However, this is something the Pope knows too. The one utilizing the sales profit and effects the most is the Pope."
According to Julia, the Pope uses drugs on believer women and creates a harem. And that was the same for district heads of dioceses in various places and church managers. And hiding believers who died of overdose was easy for the Church where national investigation rights did not reach.
Hearing that, Steve became indignant.
"Religion is nothing good after all."
"I have no words to reply."
"However, I don't think it's a problem I can do anything about. The Holy Nation is further east from the Kingdom of Cascade. It's a place beyond the country next to the Kingdom of Pasture. Even if attacking, it's too far, and in the first place, waging war against a religious state is extremely suicidal. Also, checking magical aptitude is the Church's exclusive duty, so if it becomes war and that is prohibited, His Majesty the King will probably oppose it."
"I apologize. I only conveyed this matter to you according to divine revelation. How things turn out from now on is known only to God."
"This is troubling."
Steve held his head.
Assuming the drug supplier was the Church, if it is announced and the Church denies it, it's over. The country cannot conduct an investigation into the Church. If forcibly doing that, the Pope will launch a Holy War, and neighboring countries will attack that country. And the judgment of magical talent will not be done.
To fight the Holy Nation and Fries Holy Church knowing that is an impossible task.
"God is nothing good after all."
"No, surely there must be God's protection. Since he watches our actions from heaven."
"If he's watching, I wish he would stop it."
"Well, that is so, but..."
Julia couldn't make a good reply and hesitated.
"Even if announced, it seems our side will suffer more damage. For now, I will consult with His Majesty after returning to the country, but please do not expect too much."
"Everything is God's will."
"Can't everything in the world be without consequence?"
Steve took the drugs and left the room where the Saintess was.
Thank you always for typo reports.