Chapter 274
"The Pope has been informed by his inquisitors that they are facing obstacles in their investigation due to local interference and seek assistance."
The message was delivered in a composed tone.
Upon receiving the report, the Pope furrowed his aged brow beneath his white eyebrows.
"...Disappointing."
They whine when direct communication is hampered.
'Things have been too quiet lately. It feels like a layer of oil on water.'
The Pope knew he had transformed Ecel Fabrun, a venomous snake, into a pig.
"Not only are they failing to handle the fallen, but they can't even carry out their investigative duties."
"Does that man not comprehend my instructions...?"
"Pardon?"
A wry smile appeared on his face, but it was too late to replace the head of the investigation team, so the Pope spoke with a cold expression.
"Implore the Kingdom of McLain once more and instruct Cardinal Ecel to embrace martyrdom if needed. If the investigation team returns fruitlessly, they will be held accountable."
"...Pardon? Ah, yes. Understood."
Observing the flustered bishop, the Pope clicked his tongue and dismissed him with a gesture.
'Not a single one grasps it initially.'
Those bred in the stagnant temple culture displayed either utter denseness or complete corruption.
From a leader's viewpoint, corrupt individuals seemed more manageable than the obstinate, affirming that his choices had been correct.
'Change is indeed imperative.'
Then, the image of a youth who had greatly influenced this decision crossed his mind.
- By merely advancing the temple's work a bit earlier, you will earn the support of the next Emperor of the Empire.
Besides the substantial donations, that single statement had swayed him.
'Prince Baros. He is truly audacious.'
Though not explicitly stated, he appeared well aware of his desires.
For him, there was no reason to decline an offer that nudged him toward a path he was bound to tread eventually.
As the pinnacle of the continent's religion, he had already relished all the wealth and honors.
Yet, a trace of greed lingered within him.
"It's time I etch my name into history."
The wait had been protracted. The tale of a destitute commoner from Aserian ascending to become the Pope was insufficient to satisfy him.
What he craved was for his name to echo through eternity.
Furthermore, he yearned for the people of the continent to think of the Pope even before the Emperor of the Empire when mentioning the world's sovereign.
The Pope, who had transcended worldly matters, was once a nameless commoner, now hailed as Pope Julio Umberto the First.
'Firstly, I will purge the heresy in the eastern continent and bolster the temple's influence. That's the beginning.'
By subduing the minor nations on the frontier, he would establish absolute dominance over the entire eastern continent.
A Pope who quashed heresy and expanded the church's influence.
A Pope whom even the Emperor of the Empire would bow before.
Grand achievements that would be inscribed in the annals of the church seemed within reach.
Of course, obstacles existed, but they were not insuperable.
"How far has Bishop Ilia progressed?"
"He is projected to arrive in approximately a week, according to reports."
"I see."
If the saint was under his control, some of the dissenters within the church would have to muzzle themselves.
'If she lacks the stigmata, then her disposal will suffice.'
That would serve as a stern warning to the dissenting voices.
It would exemplify that even a bishop could face a religious trial and be burned at the stake.
'In any case, that's when the real enjoyment commences.'
Pope Julio Umberto the First smirked cunningly and peered out of the window.
The holy city Noviens, as magnificent as the imperial capital of Aserian, remained tranquil despite his ambitious designs.
* * *
[Cardinal Ecel has persistently sought guidance on individuals immune to the Holy Power, referred to as 'the fallen'. We have been denying his requests, but the inquisitors are growing increasingly rebellious, leading us to deploy the Third Legion knights for complete suppression.]
"Master, you have exerted great effort. Just endure a little longer."
[Wouldn't the temple intervene if the situation deteriorated to this extent?]
"Indeed, another message has arrived. They are questioning if the royal family's actions are deliberate in opposing the temple's rituals."
"The temple is more proactive than anticipated."
"We intend to delay our response. So please hold on a bit longer. The anticipated moment is not far off."
[Yes, I comprehend.]
'Soon... I must begin preparing.'
After concluding the communication, Logan contemplated the timing and double-checked for any potential hitches.
Lost in thought as he made his way back to the main palace, an unexpected voice caught his attention.
"Oh!? Uncle...!"
"Stella! Address him properly—!"
"Hehe. Your Majesty!"
Pitter-patter.
Before he could pivot, he heard quick footsteps approaching.
Logan witnessed a woman and her guards observing from a distance as the little girl leaped into his arms.
"Oh no!"
With an exaggerated reaction, Logan caught the child, and a genuine smile crossed his face.
Beneath his embrace was a small head with short golden tresses, and her wide blue eyes gleamed up at him, occupying half her face.
Seeing her chubby cheeks form a broad smile, Logan couldn't resist lightly pinching them and inquired with a chuckle, "Oh, my little lady. How did you arrive here? Did you miss your uncle?"
"Uhm. Uh. I came to find... Daddy..."
The child trailed off in response, looking flustered.
Logan teasingly adopted a mournful tone and pretended to lower her down, "Ah, is that so? You didn't miss your uncle, then."
As he began to lower his arm feigning sadness, the child rushed to clarify.
"No, not that. I missed uncle too...!"
Stella's already large eyes widened as she waved her tiny arms, prompting Logan to lift her again.
Her name had been selected by him.
Despite being his master's daughter, he lacked a specific title for her, so he had her address him as uncle, and now she felt closer than a niece.
"I know, hah. Uncle missed Stella a lot too."
"Hehe."
Rubbing her soft cheeks against his face felt like all the worries in the world were melting away.
Observing her play, Logan overheard a slightly embarrassed voice nearby.
"I apologize greatly, Your Majesty. The child is quite determined... We ventured on an excursion to show her around the palace and ended up here..."
The Duchess, Rose Mayor, his master's wife, appeared uneasy. Logan promptly dismissed her concerns.
"Not at all. I've been feeling remorseful for causing my Master so much trouble lately. Feel free to visit anytime. Am I not Stella's godfather after all?"
"Godfather? Uncle, what's a godfather?"
"Stella! You should use respectful terms!"
"Pouting... Your, Your Majesty?"
Intimidated by her mother's scolding, Stella hastily appended her title.
Despite its charm, Logan felt a twinge of guilt for a moment.
"Ah, it's fine. Stella is exempt from formalities with me."
"Really? Uncle is the best!"
"But Your Majesty..."
"Haha, it's fine. Just exercise caution when my Master is present, will you?"
"My child's manners..."
"So it's permissible when he's absent, correct? It should be acceptable that way, don't you think?"
"...Do as you wish."
Accepting Logan's words, the Duchess sighed softly, and Stella happily climbed onto Logan's back like a little monkey.
"Uncle! Over there!"
Forgetting her prior inquiry, she pointed to a corner of the palace, giggling and carefree.
Logan's smile deepened organically with the warmth of the child in his arms.
"Uncle! Here, here! Teehee."
Merely observing Stella play seemed to dissolve the mounting stress within him.
"Where did Daddy go?"
Naturally, there were moments of awkward questioning.
"Eh? Uh... He will arrive shortly."
"Pouting. I miss Daddy..."
"Uncle will grasp Daddy's hand and come to see Stella soon. Just wait, pinky promise."
"Really?"
"Of course, I never break a promise, do I?"
Head shaking.
"Never!"
"Exactly. So, we pinky swear. There."
Pinky swear!
Their tiny fingers intertwined, eliciting a radiant smile from Stella. Recalling the narrative of the temple, Logan's heart twinged.
'These children are labeled... forsaken?'
To designate such endearing children in this manner?
Stella embodied the alteration he had instigated by returning in time, evidence of his successful reshaping of the future.
Proof that he had performed well thus far and would continue to do so.
"…Huh?"
Suddenly, Logan was struck by an odd intuition.
Why hadn't he pondered this earlier?
A future altered by him?
Children born into this new future?
Could it be that other children like Stella...
"No way..."
If his conjecture was accurate, the consequences could be staggering.
He would persist in reshaping the future, and the offspring of those children born there would multiply.
Would this phenomenon be confined solely to McLain?
'Certainly not.'
What if a decade, two decades, or even longer elapsed?
The descendants of those children born there would disseminate worldwide.
Eventually, that would signify...
'Holy power, a world devoid of Gods?'
His heart sank at that daunting realization.
As the grim conclusion dawned on him, his countenance involuntarily twitched.
"It can't be. Surely not..."
Despite attempting to dismiss his apprehensions, a foreboding sensation about the accuracy of his suspicions lingered.
Although he was a returner, Logan too had grown up under the faith in the nine gods on this continent.
The notion of dismantling that emotional foundation was overwhelming, and his complexion paled instantly.
"Uncle?"
Noticing his frozen expression, Stella tilted her head.
"Your Majesty. Are you feeling unwell?"
The Duchess and knights, who stood at a short distance, approached with a concerned gaze.
"No, it's nothing."
There must be an alternate explanation. Undoubtedly, there was.
Sensing urgency, he stated,
"I must communicate with the Master."
"Now? So abruptly?"
"I need to ascertain what those investigators intend to do with those children..."
"Yes? Oh, yes. If Your Majesty insists..."
The perplexity on Logan's face swiftly spread to those surrounding him.
He was cognizant of it, but his urgent desire to validate his fears intensified.
But then,
"Uncle..., why the long face?"
Stella's anxious countenance halted Logan's hurried departure.
He composed his expression and returned a smile, wiped away her tears, and reassured, "No, of course not. You'll see him soon. Look, pinky promise. Don't cry, look at Uncle. Here, we promise!"
"Ah... Thank goodness."
As her little hand brushed away the tears and she smiled once more, his reflection in those large eyes still appeared troubled.
How would that look appear in the eyes of a child?
As he contemplated, a certain defiance burgeoned deep within his heart, repressing his faltering faith.
'Holy power dissipating? So what?'
If these children, like Stella, continue to proliferate and the influence of the gods wanes, what is the issue?
Do the corrupt priests and temple genuinely instill necessity among the populace?
Above all,
When the counterbalance was such an endearing presence by his side?
"Yeah. Witnessing our little lady smile outweighs any deity."
"Eh? Hehe. Am I important?"
"Absolutely. The most important in the world."
"Hehe."
With that adorable laughter, the lingering unease in Logan dissipated.
'Right. What does it matter?'
If necessary, he was prepared to confront even the temple.
What significance does it hold if, decades or centuries from now, the temple and faith fade away?
'That's just pragmatic. As long as it doesn't become a genuine variable to consider.'
He could address it after his plans triumphed and he was liberated from the temple's threat.
If necessary, he could probe later with Bishop Ilia or another clergy. There was no need to affirm the tales of the forsaken alluded to by Ecel now.
'Faith is merely a tool.'
If it fails to facilitate paving the way for the future, if it fails to benefit his life, then all he has to do is discard it.
His briefly unsettled heart solidified further.
"Thank you, Stella."
"Hm? Why?"
"Just because."
Peck.
He tenderly planted a kiss on the cheek of his newfound 'hope' and regained his smile.
Then he embraced the adorable child once more.
"Why is our little lady so adorable?"
"Hehe. It's, it's ticklish."
A few days after Logan's heart solidified with realization, the awaited news finally arrived.
"Your Majesty! A communication has arrived for you!"