Chapter 85

85. The whole story (2)

The atmosphere is tense.

A young priest who had previously recommended Cardinal Orland at the cardinal meeting cautiously whispered.

“Those who want to make Cardinal Dorfman pope are moving fast.”

“How many are there?”

“There are three or four who are actively involved, but if you count the priests close to the Holy Pope, it’s probably more than double that.”

“…….”

“At this rate, we’re going to lose the initiative, and we need to do something about it as soon as possible.”

Cardinal Orland took a deep breath.

Samuel Dorfman’s supporters weren’t large in numbers, per se, but he had his followers. The key were the neutrals who hadn’t yet made up their minds.

In the event of a tie, the final decision would be made by the Pope. As long as it was known that the Pope was leaning toward Samuel Dorfman, they would likely vote for him.

If that happened, it would be the end for him.

It wasn’t just about whether he became Pope or not. The real issue was that Samuel Dorfman might become the next Pope.

Samuel Dorfman harbored deep resentment towards him. Though he didn’t show it openly, those who silently waited for their moment to exact revenge were often more dangerous than those who openly displayed their hostility.

From cutting off the grants to the Temple of Therminas to trying to sever ties with the pope, he knows that if he becomes pope, he will be thrown out of the central temple and into the countryside.

That wasn’t all. The funds he had embezzled while serving as the Pope’s deputy amounted to hundreds of thousands of cels, and the bribes he had accepted from nobles totaled tens of thousands of cels.

It’s only a matter of time before Samuel Dorfman is found out when the donation registers are checked. Furthermore.

“If Cardinal Matteo hadn’t died suddenly, you would never have been appointed cardinal.”

If it became known what he had done to become the youngest cardinal, it wasn’t just his position and honor that were at risk, but his very life.

“What do you propose to do?”

“When is Cardinal Dorfman expected to arrive?”

“Four or five days, they say.”

Why not get rid of Samuel Dorfman before things get out of hand?

It would be the easiest thing to do, but if he were to die suddenly during this time, the blame would quickly fall on him.

As he pondered, the priest spoke softly.

“Why don’t you petition His Majesty the Emperor?”

“Petition His Majesty?”

“Yes. If His Majesty were to say that he trusts you, many would likely change their stance.”

“But then there might be a backlash against His Majesty’s meddling in Temple affairs.”

“The temple and the imperial family are inseparable, after all, and how could they ignore His Majesty’s wishes and choose a pope when he makes such a large donation to the central temple every year?”

Cardinal Orland swallowed hard. The priest was unaware that the money flowing from the church to the Emperor exceeded the amount of the imperial donations.

But the priest’s argument had some merit: many would likely change sides with a word from Elkius.

In the past, Popes who were not on good terms with the Emperor had often been elected, leading to clashes with the royal family. In each instance, it was the church that suffered, with donations drying up as nobles, wary of the Emperor, withdrew their support.

Considering those historical precedents, it was worth a try.

The Emperor, too, would not be pleased with someone else becoming Pope, so he was unlikely to refuse the request.

Cardinal Orland nodded, having finished his calculations.

“I will consider it carefully.”

⚜ ⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Elkius’s lips curled up in a sneer as he flipped through the report. It was a report from the spy he had planted with Callion.

It said that Hayward Changeling and the Duke of Tiflis seemed to be on quite friendly terms.

“So he has a knack for cozying up to people.”

He threw the report away in annoyance.

First, Callion had tried to win over Duke Howard, and now he was attempting to bring the Hayward Changeling into his fold.

He had suspected it since he’d barely gotten out of bed when he asked for permission to go south.

In fact, he’d seen through Callion’s intentions from the moment he volunteered to support the south with food. It was clear he was trying to bring the south under his influence to expand his power.

“So be it.”

No matter how strong the forces were, allying with those struggling with famine wouldn’t be much help. At best, it would give him an extra vote in the Imperial Council.

Still, it’s a nuisance.

If it hadn’t been for the urgent need to harvest the Velido fields, he wouldn’t have allowed Callion to go south.

They were able to harvest Velido in return for turning a blind eye to Callion, but once the existence of the Velido field became known, it became difficult to maintain it. In addition, the harvest was very low because the Velido was cut down in a hurry when it was not even fully grown.n.

For Elkius, it was a transaction that resulted in significant losses in one way or another.

“Bastard.”

‘Always interfering with my work.’

When Callion was protecting the poor, He should have killed them along with the scum. It was only regrettable that he was released due to the principle that members of the royal family cannot be punished unless they commit treason.

The elderly members of the Imperial Council were subtly supporting Callion, and public opinion was favorable towards him, making it difficult to fabricate charges against him.

In the end, it came down to his legitimacy.

He had it, while Elkius did not.

“Your Majesty, Cardinal Orland requests your presence.”

“Cardinal Orland?”

He’d never come to him unannounced, so what was going on?

Elkius, who had been trying to guess the purpose, spoke up.

“Tell him to come in.”

Cardinal Orland entered the office. His complexion was grim. Elkius spoke up.

“Have you brought the Regalia?”

“…….”

Stupid little man. Elkius clicked his tongue in frustration.

‘If this man had secured the regalia on time, they wouldn’t be in this mess over legitimacy.’

“How long ago did I tell you to bring me the regalia, and you still haven’t heard of it?”

“I apologize, Your Majesty. Regalia will soon be…….”

“Enough, tell me what futile business you wish to occupy my time with.”

Cardinal Orland, having lost the initiative, smeared saliva on his dry lips. Perhaps he had picked the wrong time, he thought, and so he cautiously got to the point.

“His Holiness the Pope has called the cardinals together, announcing his intention to abdicate.”

“Abdication? That’s good to hear.”

Elkius laughed lightly, though he had never been a fan of the Pope. Then he noticed Cardinal Orland’s unhappy complexion and tilted his head sharply.

“And?”

“His Holiness says that the next pope will be decided by a vote.”

“A vote? You mean there are several candidates for pope?”

“Yes, there are two candidates, myself and cardinal Samuel Dorfman…….”

“Samuel Dorfman?”

Elkius frowned at the vaguely familiar name. Cardinal Orland explained carefully.

“He has been doing missionary work in Tiflis for a long time.”

“Ah, that man…”

The one Count Owens had been in contact with at the slave auction.

Elkius nodded, remembering Samuel Dorfman.

“So a man who’s been stuck in the countryside has become a candidate for Pope. Quite a rise. So what?”

“His Holiness is particularly fond of him…… and the cardinals are taking notice.”

“And so?”

“I beg your pardon, but if Your Majesty could show significant interest in this papal election, it would greatly aid me…”

“So you’re saying you can’t handle this on your own and want me to intervene?”

Cardinal Orland lowered his gaze, pierced by the accurate remark. Elkius burst into anger.

“If you had any brains, you’d know how the people would take an emperor interfering in the affairs of the temple!”

“…….”

“And how many years have you been in charge of church matters? There’s a limit to incompetence. You’re asking me to help because you might lose your position to an outsider?”

“…….”

“What do you want me to do, go to the Pope and tell him that you want to be Pope and ask him to give you a chance?”

“…….”

“That would make you a very authoritative pope.”

Cardinal Orland looked up at the mocking sarcasm. His face was flushed with insults. He turned to Elkius and said.

“If I don’t become Pope, it will be difficult for Your Majesty to secure the temple’s cooperation.”

“What?”

“Please remember the loyalty I’ve shown Your Majesty.”

“Wasn’t that for your own benefit as well? I don’t care who becomes Pope. There are plenty of people I can work with besides you.”

“Your Majesty.”

“Did you say Samuel Dorfman? I know that man. He is capable and intelligent. Unlike someone I know.”

Cardinal Orland, seething with anger, immediately responded.

“Samuel Dorfman is close to the Duke of Tiflis, so he won’t cooperate with Your Majesty easily.”

“Are you threatening me?”

Elkius glared at him with fierce eyes. Cardinal Orland returned the stare. Elkius opened his mouth again.

“Seeing you threaten me makes me trust your loyalty even less.”

“Your Majesty, I have given you everything I have from the beginning.”

“What have you given me? I haven’t received anything.”

“How can you say you have received nothing when the donations from the temple are hundreds of thousands of cels!”

“That was the price for me watching your back, not a gift from the heart, wasn’t it?”

“Your Majesty! Are you abandoning me?”

Cardinal Orland’s voice cracked violently. A cornered mouse will bite a cat. Elkius decided to give him a little breathing room.

“Prove your loyalty. Then I will help you become Pope.”