Episode 51

Today’s attire was more splendid than anything I’d worn before.

Apart from the Pope and the Emperor, I was undoubtedly the center of attention at the event.

“As expected of you, Apostle! Your clothes are… no, your wings are… well, whatever it is, you look absolutely magnificent!”

Perhaps it was thanks to the swarm of people who had fussed over me since early morning, but I certainly looked different from usual.

In a way, it was only natural, considering I was one of the key figures at this event.

“The Apostle’s presence is like that of Muhammad or Jesus reborn… No, since you’re on par with them, you are simply the Apostle! Anyway!”

I looked at Fatima, who was proving just how limited her vocabulary was, and asked her, “You know what’s going to happen next, right?”

“Yes, you explained it to me yesterday.”

“Even as a devout Muslim, you might find it hard to accept. Thank you for following along without complaint.”

She looked at me silently for a moment before shaking her head. “No, to me, you are on the same level as Muhammad. I believe every action you take has meaning. If Islam has deviated from its path, it needs a shock to recover. You also call for change in Christianity, don’t you? I think Islam is on the same trajectory.”

“Yes, both Christianity and Islam can’t continue as they are. They need to change.”

“I believe you, Apostle, can achieve the unification of truth that no one else has managed before!”

Even if I can’t achieve it completely, now that I’ve set the stage, I have to see it through. And if anyone can do it, it’s me. No, only I can do it. It’s not arrogance; it’s an objective fact.

“This coronation will be the first step toward that goal. If there’s anything I should know or be cautious about, let me know anytime.”

“Understood.”

“Then follow me.”

I stepped outside. It was a bright and clear day, perfect for the Emperor’s coronation.

Accompanied by priests waiting in front of the cathedral, I entered the building.

A multitude of people had gathered for today’s coronation.

Having experienced Richard’s coronation before, I knew this was on a different scale.

The Pope and the Emperor had gone all out to expand the event.

Nobles from not only the Empire but also England, France, and even the Iberian Peninsula’s Aragon had come.

I took my place near the altar of St. Maurice, where the Emperor would be anointed.

Nobles and priests who noticed my arrival seemed eager to approach, but it wasn’t the right moment.

Boom!

A short, resonant drumbeat announced the new Emperor’s coronation, and prayers for the Emperor began.

“O Almighty God! Watch over this glorious and faithful servant with Your merciful gaze…”

As everyone held their breath, the Pope placed the crown on the Emperor’s head, concluding the prayer.

“All glory and honor that Your servant performs belong to You forever and ever. Amen.”

“Amen.”

The Emperor solemnly bowed his head, took the sword, and recited the duties he must uphold as the Holy Roman Emperor.

“I, Heinrich VI, promise and guarantee before the blessed Apostle Peter, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, to be a leader and protector for this holy Rome and the Church. I will use all my knowledge and abilities to bring Christ’s glory to this land…”

What distinguishes the Holy Roman Emperor from other kings is this part.

Other kings also receive crowns from bishops and vow to protect the Church, but the Holy Roman Emperor is different.

The person crowning him is not just any bishop but the Pope, and the Emperor is recognized as the protector of all Christianity and the Pope.

Though it was more a symbolic ceremony of rights and honor than actual power, only the Holy Roman Emperor received such treatment in Europe.

At least outwardly, he was clearly distinguished from other kings, a king among kings.

Accompanied by a long line of choir singers, Heinrich VI confidently walked toward the Maurice altar where I stood.

The Pope, who came with the Emperor, explained the faith and duties the Emperor must uphold, and the Emperor pledged to protect them with his life.

When the Emperor reached me and knelt respectfully, I anointed him with holy oil and recited a prayer for him.

“Almighty and eternal God, source of all goodness and creator of the world, we hope that You will continue to work within us and bestow the grace of the Holy Spirit upon our leader who will protect us.”

With the sword to vanquish the Church’s enemies, the crown of wisdom and qualification, and the scepter of imperial authority to lead all, the Emperor stood as the foremost figure in Europe, beyond the Empire.

Normally, the ceremony would end with the Eucharist, and the Emperor would leave the cathedral after promising to uphold the privileges of the Romans.

But this time was different.

The representatives of various kings, the high-ranking nobles representing regions, and the leaders of the Knights Templar and the Hospitallers all had tense expressions.

As if what was about to happen was the real event.

Sensing the atmosphere, the Pope glanced at me, and I nodded slowly.

Heinrich VI, wearing the Emperor’s crown, maintained a solemn expression and did not leave his place.

Finally, when the atmosphere was sufficiently heightened, Pope Celestine III spoke heavily.

“As you all know, we have experienced many changes recently. Today, a new Emperor has ascended, and not long ago, I was also inaugurated as the new Pope. These changes have occurred in quick succession, not long after the Holy Land, which we had painstakingly recovered, fell back into Islamic hands. Why is that?”

The Pope turned to look at me, ensuring everyone could see, and when the attention of the entire assembly was on me, he continued.

“God sees that we have become complacent and lost our initial purity, and He urges us to repent. That is why He has sent a prophet, whose lineage was thought to have ended with the ancient Kingdom of Israel. We have listened to the prophet’s stern warnings and made various efforts to restore the purity of the early Church.

Just as new wine is put into new wineskins, a new Pope, I, Celestine III, have taken responsibility for the Papacy, and the Holy Roman Empire, the protector of the Western world, has welcomed a young new Emperor.”

At this point, Heinrich VI straightened his back and stepped forward so everyone could see him.

“A new Emperor stands on the rock to protect the Church and Rome. But it seems there are those who do not welcome our renewal. Yes! It is those who have reclaimed our Holy Land. As you all know, they attempted something so horrific that it is difficult to even speak of.

They dared to harm the prophet sent by God! A prophet who hears God’s voice and can see the future! But their laughable attempt ended in failure. Why? Because Edward Marshall is a true prophet watched over by the Father and the Son.”

In truth, it was thanks to Nasr and Fatima that we had set a trap and waited, but no one in the Church or Islam knew this.

Even the Pope believed I had avoided danger by hearing God’s warning.

Fatima considered her and Nasr’s attachment to me as divine guidance, so it didn’t matter much.

The Pope, who had been passionately delivering his speech, deliberately took a deep breath and paused.

The nobles, expecting another call for a crusade, held their breath, waiting for the Pope to speak again.

But the declaration that finally came from the Pope’s mouth was entirely unexpected.

“Not only the previous Pope but I, Heinrich VI here, and all the monarchs and nobles of Europe had no intention of letting Islam’s wickedness go unchallenged. We were ready to launch another crusade. But at the same time, we reflected once more. God handed Jerusalem to them to punish our sins, but have we truly repented enough to deserve it back?

Is the Church using the excuse of protecting the prophet Marshall to satisfy its own greed?

After much reflection, I concluded that launching another crusade would be meaningless.”

”…?”

”…No crusade…?”

“What nonsense…!”

Those who had raised their voices without realizing it quickly covered their mouths, and confused gazes were directed at the altar.

Reclaiming the Holy Land through a crusade had long been considered the Papacy’s sacred duty.

To abandon it now would be a self-destructive move that could undermine the Pope’s authority.

Surely the Pope was aware of this.

Despite the shocked stares from the audience, Celestine III continued to speak calmly.

“To prevent misunderstandings, let me clarify: this does not mean we will never launch a crusade. Once we have all repented and restored the purity of the early Church, the Lord will naturally lead us back to the Holy Land. Only then will a true crusade liberate the Holy Land, and we will once again be embraced by the Lord.

Of course, this does not mean we will simply overlook this incident. A holy war is not just about force alone…”

“It’s not something that can be ignored. Thankfully, both Emperor Heinrich VI of the Holy Roman Empire and the prophet Edward Marshall have agreed to my proposal.”

As I stood beside the Pope, nodding in unison with Heinrich VI, the audience’s curiosity deepened, their eyes filled with questions.

What on earth are they planning with such a long buildup? The tension was palpable, as if they wanted to shout out in frustration.

After a long pause, the Pope finally delivered a declaration that would shake the world.

“The reason Islam attempted to harm our prophet is because they lack confidence in their own faith. Do you know? The Quran, which they revere so much, contains a passage stating that no prophet will come after Muhammad, the last apostle. But we are witnessing the falsehood of that claim with our own eyes. Here, in this place, a living testament breathes among us.”

“Ah… so that’s why they attempted the assassination.”

“If the prophet lives, it exposes their lies.”

“Such despicable people.”

There weren’t many nobles in Europe who had read the Quran or were well-versed in Islamic doctrine. Reading it would likely lead to accusations of heresy and excommunication.

For them, the Pope’s words must have been shocking. At the same time, I could feel their eyes, filled with a strange excitement, focusing on me.

“So, in the end, their scripture is a fake?”

“Exactly. They insisted so much, but it turns out we were right.”

“If they were confident, they wouldn’t resort to such underhanded tactics.”

As the Pope raised his arms high, the nobles joined in, condemning Islam even louder.

“Such cowardly people deserve a firm hand!”

“Your Holiness! We must not let this pass!”

“Of course. As I mentioned, I will not let this incident slide. Therefore, as the Pope representing the Church, I formally declare:

Christianity and Islam both claim their doctrines are the truth, but just as there cannot be two suns in the sky, there can only be one truth! The time has come to officially determine whether the Bible or the Quran holds the truth.

I, Celestine III, hereby announce the formal convening of a council to contest the truths of both religions and urge the Caliph of Islam to respond promptly.”

A de facto declaration of war to officially determine which is the counterfeit.

This move is far more impactful and threatening than any war of swords and spears.

I look forward to seeing how they will respond. If they’re scared, they might as well give up.