Episode 218
As previously discussed with Philip II, the prophecy concerning the Black Death was to be announced with utmost caution.
We decided not to dampen the spirits on the first day of the festival, so the original schedule proceeded as planned.
In truth, the significance of this event was not to be taken lightly.
It marked the official unification of Catholicism, Orthodoxy, and Islam.
Future historians might well focus more on this moment than on the Black Death itself.
“At this moment, we solemnly declare that the world has fully embraced the new order agreed upon at the Jerusalem Council!”
The Pope’s cardinals, the Orthodox archbishops, and the Islamic imams all joined in applause and cheers, welcoming Philip II’s announcement.
This wasn’t a unilateral decision by Philip II; he merely recited the agreed-upon terms, reflecting the collective will of everyone present.
Of course, not all opinions were in perfect harmony.
The most contentious issue was what to name this newly unified religion.
“Let’s just call it the Marshall Faith. It’s the simplest solution.”
“But we’re not worshipping the Prophet as a deity. Including his name seems inappropriate. Why not continue using the name Orthodox?”
“That would exclude Catholicism and Islam. Let’s call it New Islam instead.”
“Isn’t that excluding Christianity?”
While some might dismiss the importance of a name, it is a crucial element that defines identity.
According to Philip II, the integration of doctrines was completed long ago, but deciding on a name took the most time due to its sensitivity.
“Let’s set a principle: exclude the names Christianity and Islam. We can’t reuse existing religious names. This way, everyone can be satisfied!”
A slew of bizarre names emerged, and even I had to veto a few that were simply unacceptable.
After numerous failures and debates, a new name for the religion finally surfaced.
“This new order will serve as a guiding principle for the world, extending beyond Europe and Asia. It is a religion that everyone in the world can believe in. We concluded that calling it the Universal Orthodox Church is fitting!”
“Wow!”
“The Universal Orthodox Church will be rooted in the teachings of the great Apostle Edward Marshall, upholding the values of love and peace that God cherishes most. It will strictly prohibit the distortion of doctrine for domination and discourage harming people and nations in the name of religion. From now on, we will…”
Philip II’s speech, which would later be known as the Paris Religious Declaration, continued, and representatives from various countries expressed their agreement with applause at the end of each statement.
Thus, two days of a blissful festival, where many believed heaven had descended to earth, passed by.
On the final day, I took the stage to reveal the true reason for my presence.
“I want to express my gratitude to all of you who have traveled far for peace. The sight of religions that have long been at odds now uniting under a single value is nothing short of a miracle. You here today are true practitioners of the values God desires most.”
“Wow!”
“Long live the Prophet!”
“However, just as the sun sets and the moon rises, and spring gives way to winter, happiness and laughter cannot always prevail in this world. Unfortunately, happiness and hardship are two sides of the same coin. A world where only one exists forever is impossible.”
My sudden shift in tone wiped the smiles off the faces of nobles and clergy who hadn’t been forewarned.
“What, what is this? Was this part of the plan?”
“Does this mean hardships may come?”
“At the sacred launch of the Universal Orthodox Church, what is this…?”
“Quiet, please. The Prophet must have a reason for speaking here.”
While everyone was bewildered, only Richard and Heinrich VI, who had been briefed by Philip II, listened with folded arms.
Philip II, standing beside me, posed a prepared question.
“Prophet! Are you saying a disaster may befall us?”
“Exactly. I debated whether to share this prophecy in such a setting. But precisely because of this occasion, I decided it was imperative to convey it.”
“A prophecy of disaster… Is it due to our sins that this might happen again?”
“I assure you, it is not. In fact, receiving this prophecy is a testament to our efforts to move away from past sins and pursue peace and love.”
Philip II’s questions served to prevent any misinterpretation or misuse of my words.
This was not about inciting undue panic but rather about taking necessary precautions.
“Can you tell us what kind of disaster might occur?”
“Certainly. While I couldn’t see the exact timing, it could happen within our lifetimes or 100 to 200 years from now. The reason is that the seeds have already been sown in the distant East. The disaster will sprout there and flow towards us, so we must prepare.”
I explained the potential dangers of the Black Death and its deadly symptoms.
The description was so severe that even the nobles and clergy turned pale, more so than any disease they had ever heard of.
Nobles from the East reacted most immediately.
“People could die within six hours of contracting it? And it spreads faster than smallpox? This is…”
“A disaster. A true disaster…”
“Oh God, why do you test us so?”
Despair, fear, confusion.
A whirlwind of negative emotions swept through the crowd, plunging them into panic.
This was the scenario I had anticipated, but it also meant there was room for effective response.
At Philip II’s signal, the assembled knights struck the ground with their banners, creating a loud thud.
As the atmosphere calmed slightly, I resumed speaking in a composed tone.
“As I mentioned, this is not a consequence of our sins. If we had continued to fight among ourselves, we would have been defenseless against the Black Death from the East. In that case, it’s no exaggeration to say that nearly a third of this continent’s population could have perished.”
“I see. So, by following God’s word and finally choosing the right path, God has warned us of this disaster and shown us how to minimize its impact.”
“Exactly. I have also received knowledge on how to treat this disease. Unfortunately, with our current technology, we cannot produce a cure.”
The glimmer of hope in people’s eyes quickly faded into disappointment.
Philip II voiced the question everyone was likely pondering.
“Is it impossible for us to create this cure? Even if it’s not possible now, could it be developed 100 or 200 years from now when the disease strikes?”
“We might be able to create something to slightly suppress the symptoms. If we had walked the right path instead of engaging in futile conflicts, it might have been possible. But, unfortunately, we cannot change the past.”
This was my plausible excuse.
By attributing the inability to create a cure to the past sins of humanity, rather than current or future wrongdoings, I could strengthen my argument that the Universal Orthodox Church should focus on the advancement of science and knowledge.
If people had followed this path, the conclusion that a cure for the Black Death could have been developed would naturally follow.
Of course, creating antibiotics in this era was an impossible stretch, but since I was the only one who knew that, it didn’t matter.
“Do not be afraid. Even if it’s an incurable disease, I possess all the knowledge about its symptoms, transmission, and how to respond. I chose to prophesy this disaster here because I believe we have the ability to overcome it.”
”…”
“If we had remained divided and at odds, we would have been helpless against the disease. But now, we can unite to prevent the disaster and ensure it passes with minimal impact. For this, I need everyone’s help. Do not fear, but be bold! So that neither we nor our descendants lose their lives in vain to this disaster! I earnestly ask that everyone in the Universal Orthodox Church unite in purpose!”
The oppressive atmosphere of fear and confusion began to lift slightly.
Philip II, reading the room perfectly, immediately supported my words.
“Listening to you, it makes sense. Depending on how you look at it, this could be seen as a gift rather than a disaster. If we had been exposed to the Black Death without any knowledge, unimaginable catastrophe would have ensued, but now we can avoid that.”
“Just as I said, I’m committed to doing everything I can to help us avoid this catastrophe. Therefore, I urge each of you, as representatives of your respective nations, to take a copy of the book I’ve prepared.”
All eyes turned eagerly to the book I held in my hands.
“It bears my seal. Anything not written here should be considered mere fearmongering, an attempt to exploit our anxiety. I’ll be staying here for the time being, so feel free to ask me any questions you might have.”
“Please, may I have a copy too?”
“I’ll take one back with me as well!”
“Don’t worry, there will be enough for everyone. The important thing is that you all thoroughly understand the contents.”
The truth is, just because the plague is coming from the east doesn’t mean the western countries are safe.
Historically, the devastation in places like Italy and France was immense.
Conversely, some places like Poland managed to escape with relatively minor damage.
If we prepare in advance, as Philip II suggested, the plague could turn from a disaster into a blessing.
With the disappearance of epidemics and wars, the population is bound to explode, inevitably leading us into the Malthusian trap unless we achieve scientific advancements that surpass it.
Thus, we will use this crisis as a stepping stone to elevate human civilization to a higher level.