Chapter 133: Crown Prince’s Request (3)
Bishop Valliera, could you please reiterate what His Holiness the Pope desires?
Alright. His Holiness the Pope does not intend to ask the Francois Republic and the Reich Empire to continue the war. However, he emphasized that a country in Europa, which should adhere to the teachings of Deus, cannot be forgiven so easily for plundering another country without a proper declaration of war.
Havent the likes of Robespierre and other warmongering members already been subjected to inquisitions, and a hefty penance of 200,000 gold received? Moreover, the Republic is holding penitential masses every Sabbath in hopes of lifting the excommunication.
Honestly, we were the ones who suffered losses, and it was our Reich Empires army that secured territory and compensation as a form of punishment through war.
I couldnt comprehend why these churchmen were so audacious, almost commanding us to fight and die for the dignity of Deuss faith.
But we, the Reich Empire, couldnt confront the Church, so we must endure.
Damn, these churchmen. They were no different from the pre-Reformation Catholicism
I understand. However, His Holiness the Pope, as the foremost shepherd of Deuss faith, believes that the Republics misdeeds must be punished more severely. Therefore, if they want to prove their repentance, they must offer more in penance.
And the penance would be either hundreds of thousands of gold in cash or something that would elevate the Popes authority.
The Crown Prince had said that they would either ask for money or influence to strengthen power, so I had permission to concede anything except territory as a secret envoy.
I could suggest ways to increase the Churchs influence within the Reich Empire or, considering the vast land and compensation we secured from this war, promise to build a cathedral for the victory celebration to save face for the Church, where the Emperor could shout praises for the Pope.
I might even promise to enhance the Churchs authority to operate within the Empire.
I didnt intend to let the Church swagger around in the Empire, unsatisfied even after receiving 200,000 gold, equivalent to a years living expenses for 200,000 Imperial citizens, all under one pretext.
Precisely, I couldnt allow the Church any room to meddle in the internal affairs of the Empire.
Since you, as the envoy Bishop, have so kindly answered, I am eager to help in any way I can. However, I would like to offer a better proposal than just receiving more compensation for lifting the excommunication from the Francois Republic.
Bishop Valliera nodded with interest upon hearing my words, saying,
If its Lieutenant General Yaeger, then I shall listen. After all, you are the famed commander who demonstrated Deuss power in the Hattin Forest.
There was a hint of sarcasm in his tone; frankly, the Bishop seemed quite displeased, as if wondering how I dared to go against the Popes will.
But he agreed to listen because the Emperor and Crown Prince had designated me to negotiate directly with him, the Popes secret envoy.
The victory in the Hattin Forest battle, where I led a force of 4,000 to defeat and annihilate a 10,000-strong Republic army, was already spoken of in the Papacy as a demonstration of Deuss power.
He must have concluded that he should at least hear what I, the commander of the 12th Brigade, had to say.
However, he seemed to warn that they would be greatly disappointed if I offered an uninteresting proposition.
Damn, these sinister churchmen. I wish Deus would take care of such scoundrels.
Ill ask you directly. Does His Holiness the Pope have no intention of further meddling in secular matters, or, like previous Popes, does he plan to directly admonish and instruct those who defy the teachings of Deus?
To admonish and instruct here simply means to appropriately interfere in matters like the initiation of wars or negotiations by secular states.
If a country intended to declare war on another, it would bring a substantial donation to the Pope and ask him to provide justification.
Or if a country wanted to stop a war, they would seek the Popes help. He would mediate, issue a settlement, and in doing so, take a substantial donation.
The Pope, in exercising such influence, would aim to expand his power and authority.
Upon hearing this, the Bishop frowned slightly and answered with a hint of anger in his voice.
Its only natural for His Holiness the Pope to impart teachings to secular nations! How can you say such a thing?
Indeed, it seemed His Holiness the Pope wanted to continue wielding his authority rather than making a shortsighted decision to extort more money.
This could make negotiations easier for me, as per my intentions.
After all, the authority of the Papacy must be exercised at a level acceptable to all nations in Europa.
If they made nonsensical demands, their authority would be deemed worthless.
The proof lay in the event known as the Humiliation of Canossa, where Henry IV was excommunicated for challenging the Popes sole right to appoint clergy, declaring that the Emperor also held that power.
This was possible only because all the princes of the Holy Roman Empire sided with the Pope and supported the excommunication of the Emperor.
The same applied to the Pope of Deuss faith, commanding absolute authority in Europa. If he made demands that were unacceptable to other countries, his authority would be disregarded.
Then, please view this matter with the compassion of a parent and shepherd. The politicians of the Francois Republic, including the main perpetrator of the wars cause, Robespierre, have been handed over for inquisition, and a penance of 200,000 gold has been paid. They have sufficiently repented, making this possible. If you ask for more penance, they wont be able to comply.
Thats a valid point. But the fact that a sinner acknowledges their sin doesnt mean they can be forgiven
I agree with that as well. However, other secular monarchs, even our Emperor, believe the Francois Republic has paid a sufficient price for forgiveness. If the Papacy continues to oppose it, how will other nations view it? If they think that the Popes fiery anger prevents wars from stopping when they should, they might decide not to seek the Churchs mediation.
Hearing this, the Bishop made a face as if he were about to smack his already balding forehead.
It seemed he was practically convinced.
Consider the future. To gain genuine respect from secular rulers, His Holiness the Pope must approach them at a level they can understand.
As I stated, resolving the excommunication of the Francois Republic here was best for both the Empire and the Papacy.
Furthermore, as I implied, unless monarchs were quite insane, they wouldnt blatantly bribe the Pope to declare the other party inherently evil as a pretext for a declaration of war.
Ultimately, unless it involved a preemptive strike like ours, pillaging about three baronies, there would be no need to directly request the Church for excommunication or such.
This was because monarchs who instigated wars were usually aware that todays enemy could become tomorrows best ally.
Unless they were sure they could completely eliminate an enemy nation, theyd avoid inciting irreparable animosity by involving the Church.
However, after the war, to strengthen their justification or when the war drags on and becomes burdensome, they might secretly request mediation from the Church, greasing its palms with donations.
This would make it difficult for the other party to unilaterally break the treaty.
Especially since breaking a treaty and declaring war without a reason could lead to excommunication if unlucky.
After a long contemplation, the Bishop nodded to my words and said,
His Holiness, the Pope, being a figure of utmost integrity, was enraged by the misdeeds of the Republic, warranting excommunication. But if the victim, our Empire, is willing to forgive, it seems unreasonable to demand further penance. I will convey this well to His Holiness. However
I replied as quickly as possible to his words.
In a few days, I will arrange for a grand mass to celebrate our victory in the war against the Francois Republic. Additionally, as I have received great grace from Deus, I will gladly testify to His greatness.
Haha, Lieutenant General, it seems as if you have the ability to read my mind.
Its my duty as a servant of Deus. So, by holding this victory mass, can we expect the excommunication of the Francois Republic to be lifted?
Instead of verbally responding to my question, the Bishop extended his signet ring.
I take this as your approval.
Thus, I succeeded in averting the disaster of the war with the Francois Republic continuing without any additional monetary expenditure.
But a great unease lingered. This seemed risky.
Therefore, I sent a report to the Emperor and the Crown Prince containing evidence and circumstances of the potential madness of the church officials.
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