88 Episode 26 Next | Princess Miko "Medium" (2/2)

Patriarch Nova Lemuria, Patriarch of Orontia, Patriarch of Alexandria, and Patriarch of Hiesolia.

It has been the custom for hundreds of years that the Lemurian emperor holds the ordaining authority for four of the five temples.

To condemn it outright: ......

It was no wonder that Hercule was so angry.

Kronos's face tightened, and he inwardly clutched his head, ”I've done it,.......

The medium smiled gently and said, ”I'll whip your back later,” deciding to carry out the corporal punishment.

Lukanos twitched his cheeks and said, ”What?　He couldn't hide his inner annoyance.

Todoris looked worried and said, ”Your Majesty, please don't get mad and refuse me. Todoris looked at Hercule with a worried look on his face, ”Your Majesty, please don't get angry and say no.” As if asking him to control himself.

And Hercule, ......

”Kkkkkkk ...... hahahahaha!!!!

He began to laugh merrily.

The sound of Hercule's laughter echoed in the quiet room.

After a round of laughter, Hercule reached out his hand to Cecilia.

Cecilia took a moment to brace herself, but ......

It was an unfounded fear.

Her hand only gently stroked Cecilia's hair.

As he stroked her head, Hercule smiled and said.

You're the only one who dared me to ...... go that far. You're a fearless girl. Well, that's okay. You're not even a medium yet. I'll forgive you this time.

Well, it's certainly unreasonable for the Emperor of Lemuria to have the right to ordain people to the priesthood. ......

Hercule muttered inwardly.

. ”Just try not to lose, okay?　I'm sure you're not the only one.

”...... Even if you don't tell me, I won't lose to you, Your Majesty.

Cecilia grabbed Hercule's hand, puffed out her cheeks and said back.

I'm not going to lose.

I'll be back.

I'll be back.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, that's all you have to say!　You're the only one who blames others when you ask for something!

Bang!

The Medium's whip struck Cecilia's buttocks.

Each time, Cecilia's body shuddered and a cry escaped from her mouth.

”Oh, ......, not at all. Well, that's fine. The king didn't mind, either.

I'm sorry ......, but I didn't say anything wrong!

Cecilia rubbed her buttocks and protested to the medium with tears in her eyes.

The medium sighs.

”...... Do you really know what I'm angry about?

”...... I'm just saying that no matter how much you really think something, there are times when it's okay to say it and times when it's not okay to say it, ...... and, you know, it was certainly inappropriate to accuse me of ordained ministry in a place where I'm asking for your backing. I regret that it was ...... inappropriate to criticize her for her ordination in a place where she was asking for ...... her backing.

The medium smiled as she confirmed that Cecilia had understood her scolding.

It's a good thing, then. ...... I'm not saying that your idea is wrong. I also believe that the current situation where the Emperor of Lemuria holds the power of ordination is wrong. It is wrong for a secular power to interfere in the sacred world in the first place. But there is an order to things. First, use that man to solidify your position. Then gain experience and challenge him squarely.

”Yes ......, but why didn't His Majesty get angry?

Cecilia questioned the medium.

At that moment, Cecilia was ready to be beaten.

But Hercule only laughed and patted Cecilia on the head.

”Did you make that statement knowing that ...... His Majesty would be angry?

I'm not sure.　I'm not sure what to say.

In the event that you're not sure what you're looking for, you'll be able to find a lot more information on the web.

The medium let out a small sigh and then replied.

It's because you're a child. He thinks you're a fool, that you can't do much anyway. He thinks you're a fool, that you can't do much anyway. ...... No, he's not only making fun of you, he's making fun of me, ...... and the Messianic Church itself. In the West, we mediums and the Church of Messiah have a lot of power. But in the East, where the Lemurian emperor rules, all the churches are under the control of the Lemurian emperor.

Before the Council of Alexandria.

Hercule arrested the Patriarch of Alexandria, put him on trial, pulled out his tongue and exiled him to an island.

He also sentenced the Patriarch of Orontia, who had excommunicated Hercule, to exile from the Empire and brought him to his knees.

In the East, the clergy could not defy the Emperor of Lemuria at all.

”No matter how wrong you claim to be, his ordination is unassailable. If you or I were to excommunicate him, he would have nothing to fear. He can use his military power to capture us and force us to withdraw it. Unlike the kings of the west, he is a ...... Lemurian emperor with a strong bureaucracy and a powerful standing army.

When the kings of the west are excommunicated, the ......

When the kings of the west are excommunicated, the lords who serve them will give up on them, and in some cases, will try to replace them themselves.

The king depends on the loyalty and military power of the nobles.

However, this is not the case for the Emperor of Lemuria.

Even if Hercule is excommunicated, his bureaucracy and standing army will not betray him.

An excommunication notice is just a piece of paper to Hercule.

”Listen, Cecilia. He's dangerous. There is no one you can rely on more than him as a friend, but there is no one more fearsome than him as an enemy. Be careful.

”...... So dangerous, huh?　I don't think he's that bad. I think he's someone you can talk to.

Cecilia tilts her head.

Cecilia did not understand why the medium was so wary.

It's called longstanding intuition. That kind of type is dangerous.

”That kind of ...... type?

Cecilia asked back, and the medium nodded.

When you live for a hundred or two hundred years, you sometimes see them. There are children like him who are born with their fears, empathy, and other important human traits forgotten in their mother's womb. It's a kind of disease, a disorder. It looks like a normal human being, but in the sense that it is born without something important, it is the same as a human being born without a limb. However, ...... I don't know why, but people like that commit unimaginably crazy crimes, but also become great heroes and merchants. And for some reason, people like them. That's why they're so scary.

Unimportant omake, explanation

Scheherazade: ”Question!　What is ordination?　And what about ordination trading (simonia)?

Hercule: ”Hmm, good question . To explain briefly, as you read, the former is the right to appoint clergy, and the latter is the act of buying clergy positions for money.

Scheherazade: ”I see. ...... His Majesty the Emperor holds that right of ordination ......?　And for what?

Hercule ”Hmm, let me break it down for you. ...... Churches, especially at the Patriarchal level, exert a great deal of influence in the region. They have great economic power due to the large number of donations and endowments they receive, and above all, their power to speak is troublesome. If an anti-imperialist were to ascend to the throne, that would be a problem, right?　That's why I directly appoint pro-imperialists. And clergymen are basically intellectuals, so they can be used as bureaucrats. That's why they're useful for ruling the empire.

Scheherazade: ”So, what is a clergy trade?

Hercule said, ”Even with ordination, I can't appoint the head of every church. One village, one church. There are countless churches. So I can only choose high priests. And the high clergy selects the low clergy and I approve them. Buying and selling is a part of that process. For example, if a child of a powerful merchant or nobleman cannot find a job, they will send a generous donation to the high cleric and ask for advice. The high priest would then introduce them to a church in the village of ”00” that had an opening. How about it? The noble merchant will find a job for his child, the high priest will get a donation, and I will be able to increase my control with ease. Three birds with one stone that will make everyone happy. ......

Cecilia: ”What are you lying about!

Hercule: ”Well, well, little medium. Cecilia: ”What are you lying about?　You shouldn't lick adults too much.

Cecilia: ”Please don't pet me!　Also, I'm not a little princess miko, I have a name, Cecilia!

Hercule: ”Hai hai, chibi Cecilia.

Cecilia: ”Nuh-uh-uh...

Scheherazade: ”Um, where's the mistake?

Cecilia: ”The part about everyone being happy. The most important ...... believers are unhappy because of the corrupt clergy!

Hercule: ”Corruption, I beg your pardon. I don't know where the corrupt element is.

Cecilia: ”Secular power chooses the priesthood, and money buys the priesthood!　It's a secular invasion of the sacred world!　If you don't call this corruption, what is corruption?

Hercule: ”Then who do you think should be appointed?

Cecilia: ”None other than the medium.

Hercule: ”But little Cecilia. How can you be sure that the person chosen by the High Priestess is absolutely correct?　I'm sure you're not the only one.　Does the Bible say anything about that?　It is true that the Hime-Miko is the leader of the Church of Messiah. 　But the Hime-Miko was originally just one of the apostles. She's supposed to be just one believer. For her to dominate the other patriarchs is an act of contempt for the other believers.

Cecilia: ”Yes, it is at ......, but the Princess Priestess (Medium) is also the agent of the Messiah .......

Hercule: ”The Patriarch should be chosen by the believers of the region themselves. Isn't that right?

Cecilia: ”Yes, that may be true, but ......

Hercule: ”In other words, it is only logical that I, who the people of the region swear allegiance to, adore, and support, should appoint.

Cecilia: ”Surely ......, how can that be!

Hercule ”I've won again ......

Cecilia: ”I didn't win!　And it's an unchanging fact that clergy trading is bad!

Hercule ”What's important is whether or not my orders reach the details of the church, and the quality of the clergy is not important . Rather, it's better if the church is corrupt and the people are disappointed. That way, I'll have more support.

Cecilia: ”You've shown your true colors!　You outcast!　When I become a medium, I won't let you do whatever you want!

Hercule: ”Hahahahahaha!　Good luck, little Cecilia.

Cecilia: ”Gnnnnn, mock me for being a child like that!

Scheherazade (Messianism is a good doctrine, but why is there so much internal conflict like this? ......)