Part Three, Section One: “A New Pope”
Chapter Eighty-three
The day after climbing the mountain with Prince Oswald to gather herbs, I visited the church.
“Thank you for your hard work as always. I’ve been hearing talk that the number of elderly suffering from back and shoulder pains has decreased lately. My healing magic can’t keep up, so you’ve been a great help.”
Bishop Bjorn welcomed me with his usual gentle smile and poured me some tea.
“Thank you for the delicious cake yesterday. His Highness Oswald happened to be visiting, so he enjoyed it as well. It was a big hit.”
“I’m humbled by your words. However, I’m honored that it brought joy.”
I expressed my gratitude for the cake from yesterday. Since the prince had a sweet tooth, he was very pleased. Hearing this, Bishop Bjorn looked delighted.
“By the way, I hear that the construction of the cathedral has finally begun.”
“Yes, the blueprint is finally finished. It will be the site of your and His Highness Oswald’s wedding ceremony and a sacred place where many will offer their prayers for years to come, so the construction must be done carefully. Would you like to see the conceptual illustrations of the project? They are magnificent.”
“Yes, I’d love to see them.”
Although there were plans to repair the cathedral, which was damaged by Asmodeus, the restoration work had been delayed and hadn’t started yet. However, with the recent completion of the blueprint, construction had finally begun.
“Here are the illustrations.”
“I see plans for an expansion as well. Does this mean more people will be able to attend services than before?”
“Yes. Many more guests can be invited to your wedding ceremony too.”
As I gazed upon the envisioned plan for the cathedral, I couldn’t help but imagine our wedding ceremony six months from now. Mia and Grace would be attending, but I wonder about Elsa and the others.
Just thinking about reuniting with everyone in half a year made me feel excited.
“By the way, I recently received a letter from Alice from the kingdom of Dalbhat and learned that His Holiness’ condition doesn’t seem to be very good.”
After looking at the blueprint, I relayed to Bishop Bjorn about the Pope’s condition as well, thinking he might not have heard.
“I see. I knew he was ill, but not to that extent.”
Hearing my words, Bishop Bjorn replied with a solemn expression. Naturally, anyone affiliated with the church would react this way, since the Pope was beloved by all Clamu believers.
“Have you met the Pope before, Bishop Bjorn?”
“When I was young, during my training days, I visited the holy sites of Dalbhat with my senior. I spoke with the Pope briefly during that time.”
Reminiscing fondly about the time he spoke with the Pope in his youth, Bishop Bjorn smiled nostalgically.
Could that senior he mentioned be…
“Would that senior you trained with in Dalbhat happen to be Archbishop Henry?”
I brought up the topic of Archbishop Henry to Bishop Bjorn. Prince Oswald’s expression yesterday still bothered me, so I wanted to ask someone close to him about Archbishop Henry.
“Yes, that’s right. My senior, Archbishop Henry, invited me to train in the heart of Dalbhat for half a year or so.”
“So you went to study abroad?”
“Yes. Unlike me who couldn’t devote myself fully to the training, Archbishop Henry was different. Back then, he was invited to join the main church headquarters for more rigorous training instead of returning to Parnacota.”
It seemed Archbishop Henry was outstanding from a young age, talented enough for the Clamu Church headquarters to recruit him. Just being affiliated with the headquarters would make someone elite among church officials, so it was seen as a great honor to be recruited. From Bishop Bjorn’s tone, I could sense his respect for Archbishop Henry.
“But he returned here instead of staying in Dalbhat, since he became a bishop in this country, correct?”
“Yes. Archbishop Henry had no intention of leaving Parnacota behind. He said he wanted to devote himself to saving the troubled believers of this country, and he actively put those words into practice.”
I see, so he prioritized work in his homeland over advancing his career. But when I came here, he was already gone and Bishop Bjorn had become the bishop.
That would mean that Archbishop Henry no longer had a reason to continue working in this country. At least, that was what I thought.
“Lady Philia, I can see you’re wondering why Archbishop Henry left this country, am I right?”
“Was it that obvious?”
“No, but I’d expect someone as perceptive as you to wonder. Yet you refrained from casually asking about something you shouldn’t have. ”
“Yes. I felt it would be presumptuous for an outsider like me to pry into it.”
Everything Bishop Bjorn said was correct.
While I suspected that it might be related to Prince Oswald’s matter, I hesitated to inquire about a story that I might not have the right to delve into. What right did someone unfamiliar with Archbishop Henry like me have to ask? Thinking that, I couldn’t ask anything.
“You are no outsider, Lady Philia.”
“Huh?”
“Archbishop Henry is the older brother of the previous saint, Lady Elizabeth. The circumstances around both you coming here and Archbishop Henry leaving are related to Lady Elizabeth’s death, so you are far from unrelated.”
Oh, I see. Ms. Elizabeth was, if I remember correctly, the daughter of the Elkranz family, a branch of the Martilas house. But Archbishop Henry’s full name is Henry Orenheim.
If he was from the Elkranz family, his full name would be Henry Elkranz.
Since his family name was different, it was impossible to make any connection.
“When Archbishop Henry went to Dalbhat, he was adopted by the influential Count of Orenheim. So it’s understandable you wouldn’t know.”
“Is that so? He should be a cousin to Ms. Grace and her sisters, yet it never came up in conversations so I had no idea.”
Being Elizabeth’s brother made him a cousin to Grace, Emily, Amanda, and Jane. The fact they never brought it up meant it must not have been a pleasant subject.
“You see, Lady Philia, Archbishop Henry always doted on and worried over frail Lady Elizabeth.”
“I’ve heard Ms. Elizabeth had a sickly constitution.”
“Yes, so Archbishop Henry was strongly opposed to her becoming a saint. But Lady Elizabeth refused to waver, saying it was something only she could do, so he supported her in the end.”
It looked like Archbishop Henry cared deeply for Elizabeth.
Given the demanding responsibilities of a saint, it was understandable that he opposed it. And knowing the situation in this country, I also understood why Elizabeth didn’t change her mind.
“Then Lady Elizabeth passed away. The entire kingdom sank into the depths of despair. Archbishop Henry left for Dalbhat just two weeks later.”
“So he was affected by Ms. Elizabeth’s death?”
“He didn’t say that exactly. Just that he wanted to go to the Clamu Faith’s holy land again to rededicate himself to his training. As soon as his request to join the main church was accepted, he reported that and promptly left the country.”
On the surface, Archbishop Henry left Parnacota because he wanted to retrain in Dalbhat, even though he had chosen to stay here when he was first recruited by the headquarters. People’s feelings could change, but after hearing Bishop Bjorn’s story, I frankly felt her death was not unrelated to this.
“However, I happened to witness him arguing with His Highness Reinhardt, her former fiancé, right after Lady Elizabeth’s funeral. That’s why I can’t help but think there was a connection.”
“What? Something like that happened?”
I also heard Prince Reinhardt deeply loved Elizabeth. What could Archbishop Henry have fought with him about?
“Oh! I’m terribly sorry. That was careless of me, I said too much unnecessary information.”
With a regretful expression, Bishop Bjorn apologized to me. I was so interested in Archbishop Henry that I didn’t mind, but…
“No, I was prying into matters I shouldn’t have.”
“No one would consider you impolite for taking interest in Parnacota, Lady Philia.”
“Do you think so?”
“Yes, without a doubt.”
I realized how little I still know about the kingdom of Parnacota. Prince Oswald probably had that look on his face then because he knew about Archbishop Henry’s argument with Prince Reinhardt.
“Lady Philia, would you like a refill of tea?”
“Yes, thank you.”
I should stop digging any deeper.
Having finished the now lukewarm tea, I thought it best to avoid discussing this subject, which was more intertwined with Prince Oswald and Prince Reinhardt’s sad memories than I realized.
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