322 - Regressor of the Fallen Family

Chapter 322 "As per protocol, the right to candidacy for the papacy belongs to all the cardinals." Austin dismissed Tanner's curious gaze as he stated the fundamental principle. Finding Tanner's interest had waned, Ilya continued in a humble tone. "Indeed, Cardinal Austin would be a fitting choice for the papacy." "How could I ever compare to the saintess chosen directly by the divine? It is a position much too grand for me." Austin deftly deflected the compliment back to Ilya. While the dialogue was warm and pleasant, to Tanner and the rest of the former pope's faction of cardinals, it reeked of hypocrisy. "If neither of you is interested, perhaps Cardinal Tracy would be suitable." At Sam Freeman's gruff remark, attention shifted towards Tracy. With her usual gentle smile, Tracy shook her head. "How could I take on such a role? The new pope ought to be one of you two." With her words, all eyes returned to Austin and Ilya. One, a symbol of integrity and piety, living his life as a chaste priest. The other, a saintess chosen by the gods. Together, these two had unveiled the corruption of the previous pope and opened up a new era. It wouldn't be surprising for either of them to become pope. "Cardinal Austin should..." "No, the saintess..." Their mutual respect seemed genuine, their gestures of yielding sincere. Yet, the former pope's supporters could only frown further at the heartwarming scene. However. "Considering the former pope's record, there might be some reluctance toward a pope emerging from the saints. Even though everyone knows Ilya's stigmata is genuine." Tracy subtly bolstered Austin's position with her remark. "I agree." Ilya, momentarily surprised, quickly concurred, sensing this was the moment. Tanner, seeing a chance, interjected once more. "If we relinquish our voting rights, it leaves two out of the three, thus passing the motion. So, how do you intend to respond to our proposal, Austin?" Once again, all eyes turned to Austin. His answer would determine the future direction of the sanctuary. The former pope's followers, as well as Ilya, watched in anticipation as Austin met Tanner's gaze with a contemplative look. "…A hundred days of penitent prayer, resignation from cardinalship, and a donation of ninety percent of amassed wealth to the temple. It will be used for a good cause." "What?!" Sam Freeman and other cardinals flared up at what they considered Austin's excessive demands. It was as if he was asking them to relinquish everything. But Tanner raised a hand to quell their protests. "You are certainly more flexible than I anticipated, Austin. It would have been helpful to know this sooner." Was it praise or an insult? His expression left it ambiguous. Tanner appeared to be the only one welcoming Austin's proposal, leaving even his supporters feeling uneasy. But soon, Tanner whispered something to his confidant Sam Freeman, causing a noticeable shift in Freeman's demeanor. "Indeed... Well, if there's a guarantee that once we resign, there won't be any double punishment, I agree as well." With Tanner and Sam's agreement, the other former pope's cardinals, who had been agitated, fell silent. They assumed there must be a solid reason behind their leaders' concurrence. Once again, their eyes turned to Austin. "I promise, in the name of Asaron, the god of light and harmony." Austin Pluight, now designated as the next pope, nodded solemnly. * * * "Why would they accept such harsh conditions?" As they exited the Hall of Glory, Ilya tilted her head in puzzlement. Despite the unexpected ease with which everything unfolded, she struggled to comprehend the reasoning behind it all. Seeing her confusion, Tracy covered her mouth and chuckled. "Indeed, Lady Ilya is remarkable." "Beg your pardon?" At the unexpected remark, Ilya turned to Tracy with a look of surprise. Tracy, with a smile, continued her explanation. "I'm not mocking you. It simply means you haven't been tainted by worldly matters. I sincerely think you are commendable." "What do you mean?" "Austin made a generous proposal. They would have no choice but to accept resignation and penitent prayer..." "But demanding a donation of ninety percent of their wealth..." "Yes, that part is generous." "Pardon?" "Austin phrased it as a 'donation.' Not as an enforced penalty." "What does that imply?" Seeing Ilya's continued bewilderment, Tracy patiently continued with her gentle smile. "A donation isn't enforced or monitored. Austin left them an opportunity to leave gracefully, having saved some for themselves." "What!?" Realizing the true meaning behind the cardinals' exchange, Ilya's face flushed with sudden understanding. "Are you saying he's letting those criminals off? There are already numerous accusations against them! Embezzlement, breach of trust, harassment, rape, bribery—the list of their crimes is endless!" However, despite Ilya's outrage, Tracy merely maintained her ambiguous smile. "Indeed, that is true. But imagine if they chose to bring down the church's leadership along with them. Have you considered the repercussions?" "…That is…" "If the church's structure collapses, no one can guarantee when it will be restored. And the longer that takes, the more the tradition of the gods will fade, giving rise to heretics. Ultimately, it will be innocent believers who suffer." Though reluctant to admit it, Tracy's words held convincing logic. Yet the idea of pardoning the former pope’s accomplices, whose crimes equaled or even surpassed his deceit, was a bitter pill Ilya couldn't swallow. "But isn't that just compromising with injustice?" Seeing Ilya's conflicted expression, Tracy offered a rueful smile and embraced her. "Please remain just as you are, Saintess. Austin and I will handle the worldly affairs." Tracy's touch was comforting, reminiscent of the gentle hand of a mother—a presence absent in Ilya's memories. "I just want to rest." "Please do." And so, Ilya couldn't continue to argue. Instead, she turned away silently, leaving Tracy, who watched her go with that same gentle smile, murmuring to herself. "So naive... It's a pity. If it weren't for the stigmata..." With her usual gentle smile and enigmatic words, Tracy turned back the way she came. There, standing alone with a pensive gaze toward the sky, was Austin Pluight. "Did she understand?" "She seems to grasp that it was a choice made out of necessity. We ought to give her some time to collect her thoughts." Austin let out a slight sigh, turning back with some resolve. "It was an inevitable decision for the good of the church. The saintess will understand and return soon enough." "I believe she will, Your Holiness." The term 'Pope' carried its own power. Despite his earlier troubles, a faint but unmistakable smile appeared on Austin's face. Tracy, having taken note of that fleeting smile, began addressing the main issue with her usual cheer. "It all turned out as I suggested, Your Holiness." "Indeed. I never imagined you could actually persuade them. Well done, Cardinal Tracy. But how exactly did you manage it?" Austin's question was justified. He wasn't some cleric who lived secluded, reciting scriptures in obscurity. He was a priest who stood as a beacon of incorruptibility, even as whispers of the temple's corruption spread alongside it. He hadn't acted on the corruption he knew, and by maintaining his integrity, he garnered his reputation. And so, it baffled him that the corrupted cardinals had withdrawn so easily. Despite the conditions laid out, he knew they would never suffice to sway those blinded by greed. Yet, all Tracy offered as an explanation was her unwavering smile. "I simply showed them sincerity and persuaded them. They did have some conscience, after all." "Hmm…" He knew that couldn’t possibly be the whole truth. However, through the process of the impeachment trial, Austin learned the necessity of compromise with reality. 'Being purely righteous on one's own achieves nothing.' It was challenging enough merely to expose evident corruption. Without the saintess Ilya, none of this would have been possible. Thus, Austin learned to compromise. He was unaware that this might be the very catalyst that led many priests he admired to fall into corruption. "Yes, I will trust in that. It’s reassuring to have the support of the devoted clergy." Represented by Tracy, these were the priests who underwent austerities to seek God's will. To Austin, the ability to continue working with them simply brought a smile. "Indeed. Now, regarding the matter we discussed, Your Holiness…" "Oh… you meant the bracelet of Giulio Umberto?" "Yes." An artifact mimicking divine power cannot exist. For divine power is matchless and inimitable. Yet, the former pope's bracelet seemed to counterfeit divine power. A grotesque item shattering theories held since the temple's inception. That's why it was stored deeply within the secret vault of the Holy Knights. But Tracy had demanded the bracelet's release contingent on persuading the former pope's cardinals—a condition granted only because it seemed implausible they could be swayed. Yet, here they stood, persuaded. Noticing the faint tension on Austin's face, Tracy quickly interjected. "We humble priests merely wish to study how such an artifact might exist. We believe it may be a nearer path to understanding God's will." "You cannot take the item outside of the central temple. Holy Knights will be present during any examination. Is that agreeable?" "As I mentioned, it is purely for research purposes. That is more than satisfactory." Accepting these conditions with a smile, Tracy finally managed to put Austin at ease. "Very well. Let us open a new era together." I will create a new church, usher in a new era. A glint of ambition sparked in the eyes of the aged, devoted priest who had lived righteously for decades. Watching him, Tracy nodded with a wide smile. * * * – And so, let it be known to all the world, the coronation of the new Pope, Austin Pluight the First! "Wowwww!" As Cardinal Tracy's voice echoed through the square, amplified by an artifact, the cheers threatened to shake the entire city. "Finally, the corrupt priests will be removed." "We can trust in Cardinal Austin, no, Pope Austin." "Will the forced donations end now?" Chattering amongst themselves, the citizens of Sancto watched the new Pope's inauguration, their faces radiating joy. Their anticipation for the new pope was palpable. As Austin's image appeared through the projection artifact in the sky, a hush fell over the crowd, who collectively held their breath in focused attention. The pope was not only the temple's leader but the ruler of Sancto Noviens itself. In hopes of memorizing even a fragment of their new sovereign's visage, the citizens craned their necks. Before long, Austin Pluight the First, following tradition, began his lengthy inaugural speech filled with lofty praises. – I, Austin Pluight, uphold the will of the nine divines… "Yawn, Mom, I'm sleepy." "Shh, child. Just endure it a bit longer." "A diligent priest, he speaks so straight and true." "Yes, so proper it's almost sleep-inducing." "Hey, that's no way to talk…" "Kidding, just kidding." As the speech wended toward its conclusion in the quiet atmosphere punctuated by slumbering elders and stifled giggles, a surprising declaration shocked the crowd. – I, Austin Pluight, will extend God’s will through cooperation with the Ares Empire, the greatest power of humankind. "What?" "Huh?" "What does that mean?" Faces filled with perplexity turned to one another, for such an unusual proclamation was unheard of in typical papal inaugural addresses. Bang! "What do you mean by that, Your Holiness! Why suddenly the Empire?" "It is simply to extend more active evangelism, Saintess." "No, the temple must not align with earthly powers! That has been tradition since ancient times…." "We must change outdated traditions, Saintess." Ilya's fervent voice was stifled by the retorts from the Pope and Tracy. "This doesn’t…." "Please calm down, Saintess. It's all to spread God’s word more broadly." Though Tracy’s voice remained warm, Ilya shook her head in adamant denial. "There’s no need to forsake principles to do so! And without any consultation among the cardinals!" "We had consultations, Saintess." "What?" "Currently, the cardinals are you, me, and Cardinal Tracy only. With our consensus, no procedures were breached." "And without informing me? What does that even mean!?" Ilya protested with a tone of disbelief, but the Pope's voice carried a firm resolve. "Enough. The decision has already been made. Do you wish for the Pope to retract what’s been declared to the masses?" "If it’s wrong, it should be corrected!" "No, it will not be. There is no wrong here." Austin’s vehement assertion left Ilya’s expression twisted in confusion. ‘Why, why has he changed so much?’ He bore an expression of sheer arrogance. This was not the Cardinal Austin she knew from not too long ago. How could a position alter a person so abruptly? Too bewildered to articulate her bewilderment, she hesitated. "Stand down, Saintess. The church will undergo many changes henceforth." Tracy interjected with a gentle smile, her tone peculiarly reassuring. "Allow me to escort you, Your Eminence." "Please follow." Then, flanked by temple knights, who barred Ilya’s path, Austin addressed her in a calm, declarative manner. "Now that a new direction has been established, we will commence reformation once the other cardinals are elected. That’s understood, isn’t it, Saintess?" "Wise decision, Your Holiness." As Tracy bowed with a smile, Ilya detected an eerie wave from Tracy’s wrist toward Pope Austin. A sensation akin to divine power but uncomfortably different, one familiar yet repulsive. Recollecting that feeling wasn’t difficult. Being marked by the stigmata, she recognized the faint transfer of power and its essence. The realization sent chills through her. ‘The former pope’s bracelet!’ Standing between her and Pope Austin were the temple knights, their pupils dilated, unmoving. Only now did she comprehend. ‘This is all wrong….’ Everything had gone awry. Her heart sank, yet Ilya marshaled extraordinary composure to conceal her turmoil. Feigning disappointment, she dropped her head wearily. "…I will take my leave." "We shall not escort you, Saintess." Tracy's kind words felt insidiously dastardly, leaving Ilya with a singular, urgent thought. ‘I need to seek help.’ Her mind quickly conjured the image of a confident smile from a king with red hair and red eyes. The King of Mackline would surely offer assistance. Resigned to this thought, Ilya turned away with a resolute expression, leaving both Austin and Tracy behind. She did not perceive Tracy's gaze following her retreat, tinged with a subtle scrutiny.