Episode 70
Will I be able to earn the respect of both Islam and Judaism in this meeting?
It’s not just about lip service; the real question is whether we can genuinely command their respect. This has been a topic of much debate among the Christian representatives as well.
During the recess, just as Islam and Judaism regrouped to strategize, the Christian side also took the opportunity to review the current dynamics and set a course for the future.
“The momentum is on our side. Let’s push a bit harder.”
“Indeed. With Judaism stumbling over its own feet, the opportunity is ours.”
Cardinal Rotario and Dean Robert seemed quite enthusiastic, but I had a slightly different perspective.
“What is our goal here, everyone?”
“Excuse me? Isn’t it obvious? To win this meeting, of course.”
“And what does winning mean? Is it about silencing them so they can’t argue back, or is it about earning their acknowledgment?”
The two fell silent, lost in thought.
Instead, Patriarch Georgios II of the Orthodox Church, with a stern expression, asked, “Are you suggesting that no matter how well this meeting goes, Islam won’t acknowledge us?”
“Yes. As I mentioned before, Islam wouldn’t have accepted this meeting without some ulterior motive.”
From my previous conversation with Saladin, it was clear he had something else in mind.
“Then doesn’t that make our participation in this meeting meaningless? If we can’t gain their acknowledgment…”
“No, it’s not meaningless. It just means we need a clear strategy.”
I never expected that a single council meeting could break down the high walls of Islam and Judaism.
As the saying goes, you can’t expect to be full from the first spoonful.
“So, what you’re saying is…”
“If we come across as trying to completely overpower them from the start, it will only breed resentment. In fact, that might be exactly what they’re hoping for.”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t quite understand.”
“Simply put, if they want to, they can spin this as our manipulation and fabrication.”
If this were the modern era, where information spreads rapidly via the internet, it might be different.
But in the medieval era, with its poor information dissemination, our words would never reach every corner of the Islamic world.
A one-off event like this could easily be distorted by them if they so choose.
“Perhaps the reason they accepted this meeting is because they’re confident. Confident that they can spread the narrative in their favor, no matter what we say.”
“Then doesn’t that make this meeting even more pointless?”
“Not at all. For them to distort the truth, they need unity. Do you know what’s most essential for an organization to unite?”
Once again, neither Georgios II nor Cardinal Rotario could answer.
However, Dean Robert, with his battlefield experience, seemed to grasp my point.
“Is it the presence of a common enemy?”
“Exactly. For Islam to rally its scholars and consolidate its forces, we must become a clear enemy. If we continue with a head-to-head confrontation, it will be easier for them to establish that narrative.”
“But if we avoid the discussion out of fear, won’t that defeat the purpose?”
“We’re not avoiding the discussion. We’re just clarifying our approach.”
Trying to completely subdue the other side will naturally provoke hostility.
And it’s likely that the other side is expecting such a confrontation.
So perhaps it’s time to defy those expectations.
“Looking at the history of Christian doctrine, there are hardly any instances where everything was decided in a single council.”
Even the Council of Nicaea, which established the doctrine of the Trinity, was preceded by extensive debates, conflicts, and mediation to form a consensus.
“Prophet, but the next topic is one we can’t avoid fighting over.”
As Patriarch Georgios II pointed out, the next topic was one that required our full commitment.
And the other side would also have to defend with all their might.
This would inevitably intensify the debate and sow seeds of animosity, but there is a way.
“Let’s demonstrate our capabilities while deferring the situation. Fortunately, we have a contingency plan in place.”
“A contingency plan?”
The others, unaware of Nasr’s existence, didn’t understand, but there was no need to explain.
The situation is unfolding as we discussed.
When I rose at Cardinal Rotario’s call, a brief silence fell over the room.
The representatives from Islam, sensing the inevitable, gritted their teeth and fixed their gaze on us.
The rabbis from Judaism also tensed, biting their lips.
Perhaps sensing the tense atmosphere, Maimonides quickly raised his hand and stepped forward.
“Objection! I object! Count Edward Marshall of Auvergne is one of the three hosts of this meeting. If he directly intervenes, it risks compromising objectivity. We urge you to maintain neutrality!”
So that’s their angle.
At first glance, it might seem unreasonable, but upon closer inspection, it makes sense.
My position here is akin to that of Georgios II or Saladin, representing a religion.
With Saladin, the representative of Islam, maintaining strict neutrality, it’s not unreasonable to ask the same of me and Georgios II.
“The Jewish side has a point. However, I’m not here to assert anything myself. I’m merely presenting evidence requested by the Christian side. Wouldn’t the Sultan also willingly provide any requested materials from the Islamic side?”
I’m not here to make any claims, just to serve as a simple witness.
Saladin nodded in agreement with our logic.
“Indeed. I would also comply with any requests for materials or testimony from the Islamic side. However, you must not add anything extra. Please adhere strictly to your role as a witness.”
“Understood. Then let’s proceed with the discussion as permitted by the Sultan. What does the Christian side wish to request of me?”
Cardinal Rotario, who had been holding his hands with palms facing upward, slowly straightened and replied.
“Count of Auvergne, you have foretold many futures through divine revelations, all of which have come true without a single error.”
“That could simply be a coincidence! There have been many prophets who claimed to predict the future…”
“Is that so? Then please name a prophet from the Jewish side who has accurately predicted the end of a person’s divinely allotted lifespan, their successor, and the name they would be called, not just once, but multiple times. Excluding, of course, the prophets from the Tanakh.”
Maimonides gritted his teeth.
While their scriptures did contain prophets who accurately predicted the future, as Cardinal Rotario pointed out, they were all genuine prophets.
“So…”
“There might be someone who got lucky once or twice. But no one has repeatedly, and with precise timing, made accurate predictions. The answer is clear, isn’t it?”
“Of course, it’s an extraordinary feat. But to conclude based solely on that would undermine the gravity of this gathering.”
Revealing a few of the prophecies I’ve kept in reserve would have a tremendous impact.
But doing so would likely provoke a desperate backlash from the other side.
Now is not the time for drastic measures; it’s a time to gradually fill the moat outside the fortress.
“Alright, alright. It seems the atmosphere is getting too heated, so let’s end the debate here. Christian side, please clearly state what you wish to request of me.”
“Ah, yes. We originally intended to ask the Prophet for an undeniable prophecy. But given the current atmosphere, it seems unlikely to be acknowledged.”
Prophecies typically take a long time to come to fruition.
Especially if it’s a prophecy that must not come true, there could be attempts to sabotage it.
I never intended to make such a request, but the Jewish side’s reaction was quite fitting, allowing the conversation to flow smoothly.
“So, what would you have me do?”
“Could you present other evidence to prove the divine nature of Count of Auvergne, without resorting to prophecy?”
”…Hmm.”
I sat back down, pretending to ponder.
The truth is, my ability to pose as a prophet isn’t just because I know future events.
If that were all, my influence would eventually wane in this world where the future is gradually changing.
But I have one absolute advantage that remains unshaken over time.
“Then, I shall offer a prayer.”
As I closed my eyes and fell silent, the Christian side watched with reverence, while the Islamic and Jewish sides looked on with skepticism and disdain.
Counting 300 seconds in my mind, I opened my eyes and carefully observed the scholars from the Jewish and Islamic sides.
In most situations, this ability isn’t easy to exploit, but with so many people present, it’s a different story.
After all, they say that if five people gather, at least one of them is bound to be a scoundrel.
And in a gathering of over 500, it becomes easier to identify those hiding their true nature.
“Let’s see… even if they pretend to be pious, the stench of deceit is overwhelming.”
Focusing my mind, I scrutinized the scholars and theologians staring at me, their heads adorned with…
A flood of messages from Taechang appeared before me.
Most of them highlighted minor flaws that could easily be overlooked.
There were plenty of things that were perfectly normal for any human to have, but those weren’t what I was after.
I needed people who harbored secrets so scandalous that, if exposed, they would be socially ruined—secrets that couldn’t be uncovered through ordinary means.
With hundreds of profiles to sift through, it was a bit exhausting, but it didn’t take long to find some truly suitable candidates.
An Islamic scholar who claimed to be on a pilgrimage to Mecca but headed straight to a brothel.
A Sunni imam who indulged in female slaves even more voraciously during Ramadan.
And even a Jewish rabbi who had violated the Ten Commandments by committing murder and adultery.
“I would appreciate it if those I’ve named could meet with me privately now.”
The representatives I had singled out rose from their seats, looking bewildered.
They all shared one common trait.
On the surface, they exuded such an aura of piety that no one would ever suspect them of hiding such secrets.
Once again, my misanthropy was steadily building.
With a wry smile, I instructed that they be shown to a private room.