“You must be familiar with the emblem of our papal state.”
“It certainly was shaped like a key.”
Although it wasn’t winged like the key of Jannate, the emblem of the Vatican of Ezwen was indeed a key.
Listening to Leeha’s response, Pope Urban II began to explain about the emblem.
“The ‘Key of Jannate’ was said to be directly bestowed by Ahlo to the apostles even before the Vatican of Ezwen was established. Although there are various accounts, there is no dispute that it is the highest holy relic of the papal state and symbolizes the state itself.”
“I see.”
Leeha was genuinely surprised.
He knew it wasn’t an ordinary item. He also knew that it was a significant object researched by many in the Vatican of Ezwen to the extent that there were conflicting theories about it.
However, he didn’t realize it was an item described as being “directly given by God.”
Leeha regretted not examining it more closely when it was in his possession.
“That is exactly the issue.”
“Pardon?”
“The Lord did not bestow it upon a ‘pope’. There wasn’t even a concept of a pope back then. When the Lord bestowed the Key of Jannate, it was given to ten apostles. It wasn’t given to a single person.”
“Do you mean that the rights to the ‘Key of Jannate’ are divided?”
Leeha asked cautiously.
Why emphasize the number ten? His guess was somewhat accurate.
“Yes. The apostles received the key from the Lord and selected a leader among them, deciding to formally establish and operate the papal state. However, to check the leader, the rights to the ‘Key of Jannate’ were divided among those excluding the leader. That was the first pope and the first cardinals.”
“Ah, I see!? Your Holiness! If it’s a pope and cardinals—one pope and nine cardinals—”
“Now we refer to them as the ‘C9’, the Council of Nine Cardinals.”
When talking about Elizabeth, Brown, and Kyle, or when interrogating Browless, Leeha recalled the appearances of the cardinals.
When Kaztor killed the previous pope, nine members attended as representatives of the Vatican of Ezwen excluding the pope. The authority over the ‘Key of Jannate’ was divided among them.
That was why the pope’s expression was dark.
Leeha also understood the pope’s intent. How could one use an item with rights divided among nine people?
“With only the members supporting me currently, I won’t secure a majority.”
A vote was necessary.
This meant that at least five out of the nine members of the cardinals’ council excluding the pope had to agree, and the pope did not have enough control over the public sentiment to solicit such agreement at this time.
“Considering your reputation, it’s more favorable compared to the previous pope and even during your days as Cardinal Romero, isn’t it?”
Leeha tried to persuade him, but the pope only showed a gentle yet somewhat sorrowful expression.
“As embarrassing as it is to say, perhaps that’s the reason.”
The brighter the light, the darker the shadow.
As the pope’s reputation improved, the opponents’ jealousy grew, and his kind demeanor accelerated the growth of opposing factions.
“So, what’s the current configuration?”
Hearing Leeha’s question, the cardinal standing next to the pope frowned.
Revealing internal issues of the papal state to an outsider was quite shameful. But who were those present, including Leeha?
The pope sighed and spoke of the situation.
“Currently, it’s about 4:5.”
“‘Currently’ means—”
“There will soon be a vote among the cardinals for member election. After that...”
He referred to the possibly more desperate situation he might not even want to hear.
“There’s a chance it could become 3:6.”
***
“The secret of ‘Laputa’ lies in the ‘Stairway to Heaven,’ and yet those blockheads—”
“Luger!”
Kidd snapped at Luger with a metallic tone.
Luger, realizing his inappropriate language in front of the pope, tried to choose his words more carefully, but the pope agreed with him.
“They are blockheads indeed.”
“H-His Holiness! How can you say such things in front of an outsider...”
11. 천국으로 가는 계단 (Stairway to Heaven) – Stairway to Heaven (it)
The Cardinal’s Advisor had anxiously tried to stop the Pope, but the Pope did not withdraw his words.
Leeha didn’t have the energy to argue back.
In reality, he knew better than anyone what kind of personality Kijung had.
“It’s still too early to laugh. Master Kay, it’s not over until you really reach C9.”
“That’s right. And it doesn’t look like it’ll be easy.”
“Of course, it won’t be easy! What achievements have you earned?”
“Uh... one of them is ‘The Rising Star of the Ezwen Holy Kingdom’.”
『Achievement: The Rising Star of the Ezwen Holy Kingdom (S-)』
Congratulations!
You have resolved many issues that the Ezwen Papacy considered problematic. As a result, the number of people within the Papacy who are watching you is gradually increasing. You will be regarded as a welcomed individual anywhere in the Ezwen Holy Kingdom, and numerous followers of Ahlo will begin to remember your name.
Reward: 21 stat points
Ezwen Holy Kingdom overall intimacy +15%
Free health recovery at any shrine within the Ezwen Holy Kingdom
You are the third registrant of The Rising Star of the Ezwen Holy Kingdom achievement.
The third registrant of the achievement will be recorded in the Hall of Fame, and an additional 200% of the original effects will apply.
Effect: 42 stat points
Ezwen Holy Kingdom overall intimacy +30%
“In the Hall of Fame as the third registrant?”
“Yeah, I have that too. I think I was the second.”
Fernand answered Leeha’s question directed at Kijung. Kijung nodded saying, “Ah, right.”
“Yes. As you are affiliated with Ezwen, it’s likely that achieving a certain number of quests triggers it.”
“That seems to be the case. If I’m the second and Master Kay is the third, the first must be—”
“It must be Raphaela.”
Everyone could agree with Kijung’s words.
Was she not the most renowned user in the realm of Holy Power?
A user who had maintained her reputation longer than Kijung would certainly have achieved this feat.
“Then what’s the other one, Master Kay? It must be an achievement I don’t have.”
Fernand shared the same achievement as Kijung.
Yet, stepping forward and saying something wasn’t enough.
That meant there must have been another achievement that helped Kijung cement his standing.
Fernand’s guess was accurate.
Kijung answered, “It’s ‘The Cardinals’ Jealousy’.”
Just by its name, it seemed like an achievement entwined with faction conflicts that could never be escaped.
* * *
『Achievement: The Cardinals’ Jealousy (S)』
Congratulations!
You have gained significant fame within the Ezwen Holy Kingdom, and as a member of 『The Pope’s Faction』! The path you can choose is now very narrow. You have no choice but to drive out the ruffians engaging in factional struggles within the holy grounds. Want to avoid it? Even if you claim not to be part of 『The Pope’s Faction』, the 『Anti-Pope’s Faction』 will not leave you alone unless you are a frontline figure battling monsters. So, let’s surpass those who approach religion with warped perspectives and demonstrate true faith! The Lord will guide you on a hard but rewarding and warm path.
Reward: 25 stat points
Intimacy with cardinals of 『The Pope’s Faction』 +25%
Intimacy with cardinals of 『The Anti-Pope’s Faction』 -50%
You are the second registrant of The Cardinals’ Jealousy achievement.
The third registrant of the achievement will be recorded in the Hall of Fame, and an additional 200% of the original effects will apply.
Effect: 50 stat points
Intimacy with cardinals of 『The Pope’s Faction』 +50%
Intimacy with cardinals of 『The Anti-Pope’s Faction』 -100%
“What is that? Pope’s Faction, Anti-Pope’s Faction?”
“Ah, in Ezwen, there are a lot of achievements like this. They use brackets to symbolize specific individuals or factions, likely because they can change. If I didn’t have high intimacy with the Pope, I’d be marked as part of 『The Anti-Pope’s Faction』 and hated by 『The Pope’s Faction』.”
“Don’t talk so leisurely! So? Who are the cardinals of the Pope’s and Anti-Pope’s Factions? What’s their number? In C9, it’s about 4:5, right?”
While speaking to Kijung, Leeha kept his eyes on Fernand.