Again but, the religion that appears in this story is a completely fictional religion that exists in a fantasy world. It is in no way connected to any real world religions.
Also, although there are expressions that deny homosexuality in this work, it is the ideology of the religion in the fantasy world, not a denial of homosexuality in the real world.
That time I was taken advantage of and threatened by the Pope but, I threatened him back
I am threatened by the Pope on whether it is fine even if the excommunication continues but, how very cliche. Indeed, those excommunicated by the church will become unable to associate with the believers. Also, as long as one is being excommunicated, their newborn child cannot receive「Baptism」when they are born, they will not be able to have a「Confession」which means they cannot confess their own sins to the priest and ask for forgiveness so a peaceful rest after death is also not guaranteed. However, my answer does not change.
"That is right. I am not at all affected by it! I am meanwhile four hundred years old. My lifespan has no bounds, therefore, I have no need for confession. I have no wife nor child. Therefore, I have nobody to newly receive baptism. And then, try to think about it. I do not collect any tax from the people directly. I do not impose any labour on the people. Even if I become unable to interact with the people due to the excommunication, I am totally unbothered"
Although I said it like this, I actually plan to have a wife and child hereafter. However, it is also the truth that I am not bothered even if I am excommunicated by the Orthodox Church. Why, it is because I have a substitute……in this current era. Hence, I continued to speak.
"Those who will be troubled, I suppose they are the nobles and the people who will become unable to receive my assistance. When it comes to that, I wonder will the nobles and the people be fixated on the Orthodox Church?"
The Pope who heard that distinctly changed his expression.
"Don't tell me, you and the 『Holy Scriptures Sect』……"
"Umu, I have already met face to face with『Holy Scriptures Church』branches' representatives. They support my politico‐religious separation policy. Anyhow, it is because the Saviour is saying it clearly. 『What belongs to God goes to God, what belongs to the Emperor goes to the Emperor 』"
What the Pope calls「Holy Scriptures Sect」, is a different descent from the Orthodox Church……or perhaps I should say, they are church branches that alienated themselves from the Orthodox Church and named themselves「Holy Scriptures Church」. They are the Northern Orthodoxy that criticizes and objected the Orthodox Church's depravity, that alienated themselves because they believe the teachings of the Orthodox Church that is lead by the Pope are not right and the teachings on the scriptures that have the Saviour's words written on it are correct. Although they are not a unified organization like the Orthodox Church and they are divided into several sects, their common points are that they respect the scriptures' teachings and they preach politico‐religious separation. To begin with, existing as a part of it is also a sect that is religious leaders brought together by the King though.
The Holy Scriptures Church branch expands their influence throughout the northern part region of the western side of the continent, the First Kingdom where I am born was in the range of the Orthodox Church's influence but, the Holy Scriptures Church is holding quite the power in the Second Kingdom and such. Further north, it can be said that it is mostly the Holy Scriptures Church's sphere of influence.
Alienated and independent sect like the Holy Scriptures Church did not exist three hundred and eighty years ago. Thus, I suppose the Pope and the Cardinals did not consider that I would make contact with the Holy Scriptures Church. However, in those days, within the monastery, there exist priests who criticize the Orthodox Church's depravity with the holy scriptures as their basis, I have received such criticizing sects' teachings. Therefore, I did not find it unusual when I found out about the Holy Scriptures Church's existence after I came down from the mountain, furthermore, I was also able to talk on friendly terms with the Holy Scripture Church branches' representatives. Hence, for example, even if the excommunication continued as it is, I am able to have a marriage ceremony and also have a baptism bestowed upon my child on the Holy Scriptures Church's side.
“Eeeeeeh, why that sort of a development all of a sudden!? Yukari said 『You ought to know of the classics』and recommended it to me so I read the paperback edition of『The Poem Of Wind and 〇』, if it’s the light stuff then I tasted a little of it but when it comes to BL, I don’t really lik……hah, is it a given to have 『衆道(Shudou)¹』 because it’s a monastery²!? Ah, no, in the first place, the word ‘衆道(Shudou)’ only refers to warriors and monks aren’t included in it, was it?”
It seems Suzuna is confused for some reason, I wonder if the topic of the acts between men is somewhat extreme for a young woman? However, Suzuna, although you using the language of this world unconsciously, only I who understand the language of your world gets the pun of 「修道(Shudou)」and 「衆道(Shudou)」. Because in the language of this world, the pronunciation is different. ……Well, I suppose she will calm down eventually so I shall leave Suzuna alone.
And then, I asked again while glaring at the Pope.
“Now then, will the church acknowledge me? Or, shall I provide the honourable poverty and abstinence befitting of the faith? Choose whichever you prefer”
The Pope yielded.
Thus, I one-sidedly made the Orthodox Church acknowledge my existence, talk on good terms with the Holy Scriptures Church, established the politico‐religious separation principle. I will not interfere in the faith of the people at all. And then, the various religious powers are also not hostile to me. I was pleased with that.
One day, I will have to have a discussion with the Sacred Church, Old Covenant Church and Prophet Church as well, the religious power further eastern side as well. As a rehearsal for that, it was very meaningful.
And then, my world domination was proceeding well.
FOOTNOTE
¹: 衆道, Shudou: Refers to homosexuality between warriors or samurai in Japan.
²: 修道(Shudou)院 (In): Monastery. 修道(Shudou) means Monasticism. 院 (In) means Temple. 修道院 means Monastery.
It is a pun. 衆道(Shudou) and 修道(Shudou).
By the way, those churches that believe in the Saviour’s teaching, even further north than the Orthodox Church is the sphere of influence of「Sacred Church」. Their other name is also called「East Emperor Church」, they were the state religion of the Eastern Empire, the empire that split from the Ancient Great Empire but, they are declining since the Eastern Empire’s collapse.
Also, as the religions that similarly believe in the only God, there are those called 「Old Covenant Church」or otherwise 「Chosen Ones Church」, and those called 「Prophet Church」.
The 「Old Covenant Church」is, as the name suggests, those who believe in the old testament with the God who represents the ten commandments, they do not acknowledge the Saviour. Leaving behind a strong feel of ancient ethnic religion, they obstinately believe that they themselves are the only ones chosen by God so they are also being called「Chosen Ones Church」. Although the number of believers is few, they are said to be scattered throughout the world.
The 「Prophet Church」, in contrast, is a new religion raised up by a leader called「Prophet」who is after the Saviour. In their doctrine, the Prophet is the mouthpiece of the only God, the scriptures left by the Prophet are seen as sacred, they stress the importance of upholding the commandments that are written in there. In the「Prophet Church」, the Saviour is the guide of the Prophet and is treated as a saint. Although it was believed primarily in the desert zone even further east from the Eastern Empire three hundred and eighty years ago, I hear they are extending their influence in the old Eastern Empire’s territory and the southern continent recently.
For just being a religion that similarly believes in the only God, there are this many. There is no way I will treat the Orthodox Church that is no more than just one sect amongst these sects specially or whatnot. Even further, beyond the eastern desert, I hear that there is also a Great Empire that believes in an entirely different religion. Like the Orthodox Church, they completely oppress heresy, to esteem a religion that is intolerant to heretics, it will be a hindrance to the world domination hereafter.
I, indeed, believe that the God that I myself believe in as the only God but, I do not think about forcing it upon others. Everybody can just believe in their own God. It will just be that the Gods that they believe is not a God to me. I believe, that faith in the only God is something like that. Oops, I digressed too much.
To the Pope who fell into silence, I repeated my previous proposal once again.
“I, do not have any particular intention to make the Orthodox Church into an enemy. If the Orthodox Church acknowledges my existence, I shall acknowledge the Orthodox Church’s vested interest. I shall also acknowledge the upkeep of the Pope’s territory that serves as authority over the common people and a ten per cent tax as well. However, if you are saying that you will not acknowledge me……”
“You will destroy the church, I wonder if that is what you are saying”
Tsk, the damn Pope, he thinks that I will not do something like that so he daringly came out swinging. Well, that is correct. Correct but, that is not all there is to it.
“No way. I also once trained under the Orthodox Church’s monastery. I will not commit such violent acts. However……”
“However?”
“What I was taught in the monastery, I shall teach it to all the Orthodox Church’s priests. In other words,「Honourable Poverty」. They have one humble clothing to wear, they rest at night on a hard bed with one blanket, their meals consist of one bowl of vegetable soup, one bread, and one cup of wine. To live by the faith and praise God’s glory, that is plenty. Also, the Saviour has said, 『It is harder for the rich to pass through the heaven’s gate than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle』. Therefore, all the gold coins the church has, the gold and silver candle stands and tableware, the extravagant robes, the luxurious foodstuff, I shall confiscate all of it and distribute it to the people who are unblessed. That, is the grace of God”