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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Vine
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Christian smirked at me.
“As a bishop of the Church of Deus and a Doctor of Theology, I have studied the word of Deus since you were a babe. I, who have sought His will for so long, am judging you according to the scriptures. Do you think it makes sense for you to stubbornly cling to your own limited understanding?”
If Christian and I were to debate theology, I would lose.
I didn’t major in theology in Korea, and I lack any comparable titles.
An Auxiliary Bishop, though it might sound less impressive, is still a full-fledged Bishop.
And a Bishop is a powerful clergyman with authority comparable to a Baron.
In this situation, how can I avoid losing face and hold on until the Archbishop arrives?
“Respected Bishop, I respect the rights and responsibilities bestowed upon you by the Lord.”
Christian’s face crumpled.
Confused murmurs rose from the audience.
They must be bewildered that someone claiming innocence seems to be acknowledging the judge’s bias.
“Furthermore, I respect all the trials and tribulations you endured to answer Deus’s call.”
“Knowing that, how can you be so arrogant! Repent and confess your sins now, and the Church will show you mercy.”
“But respected Auxiliary Bishop and members of the audience, I swear to Deus, the head of the Church, that I have committed no sin. Wouldn’t it be deceiving you all if I confessed to sins I haven’t committed?”
This is one of the most effective ways to drive someone mad in a debate.
Acknowledge the parts of their argument that don’t contradict your own, and firmly refute only the incorrect parts.
This creates the impression that I am engaging in a cultured debate while my opponent is being unreasonable.
“I stand before you due to a misunderstanding, so allow me to explain everything. Cafe Medici is by no means an obscene establishment.”
If this were Joseon, the land of Neo-Confucianism, I would be guilty.
Providing a place where a noble lady can converse with a man other than her betrothed?
That’s equivalent to facilitating prostitution in Korea.
However, in the Toscana Empire, providing a place for men and women to date… isn’t a crime.
“Those who have visited Cafe Medici will know. It’s a place where anyone, regardless of gender, can enjoy tea and cake and have a comfortable conversation with their companions without being bound by formalities.”
Some of those present nodded in agreement.
“And the matter of men and women meeting, which you, Bishop, are concerned about, occurs very naturally.”
“Are you confessing to creating a space where men and women can meet and fall in love naturally?”
I know you’re salivating at the thought of devouring me.
But please wipe your drool, it’s showing.
“The Bible says ‘be fruitful and multiply.’ It also says that man and woman shall become one flesh. So, how can it be a sin for a man and a woman, who came separately, to be attracted to each other and fall in love?”
There’s one big misconception about the Middle Ages.
That the Bible was only valid in Latin, and only masses conducted in Latin were considered proper.
However, the latter wasn’t strictly followed even by “priests without theological training” assigned to rural villages. And while the Latin Bible was prioritized, it didn’t mean other versions couldn’t exist.
However, many who translated the Bible into their native languages were considered heretics by the Catholic Church.
And this was often added to the list of charges when they were burned at the stake, making it seem like a bigger issue.
The Toscana Empire is similar.
“Unless I deliberately arranged mixed-gender seating, how can it be a sin for men and women to naturally become acquainted?”
Even in this medieval setting, the audience’s reaction is quite important.
Why? Because the bored audience members here are like reporters who will gossip about Christian and spread my fame after the trial.
“Isn’t it acceptable for men and women to fall in love after seeing each other at a beautifully adorned ball?”
Most nobles with titles marry their wives through political arrangements.
But as in any era, there are those who “cause trouble,” and love marriages after meeting at balls are not uncommon.
These marriages are often between second or third sons like me, who aren’t concerned about inheritance…
But even those in arranged marriages view this as a kind of romance, so that speaks volumes.
“I too hope to experience such love someday.”
It’s not an empty statement.
I find it quite romantic myself.
The image of two people sneaking away from a bustling ballroom to converse.
And then, a kiss… Honestly, just imagining it is wonderful.
With logically sound rebuttals and the audience on my side, the atmosphere shifted in my favor.
“Indeed, it’s possible to fall in love while dancing at a ball.”
“Cafe Medici seems innocent.”
Christian glared at me and spouted more nonsense.
“Even falling in love at a ball is technically against Church law. And seeing you answer so confidently, do you think you’re blessed by the Lord? How dare a mere second son of a Baron family insult my authority, the judge, in a Church trial?”
I don’t know who’s behind Baron Valiano, but…
One thing is clear.
There are powerful forces, even high-ranking individuals, who want to ruin me, even at the expense of the Auxiliary Bishop’s reputation.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t be taking such risks.
And that damned question is a trap to label me a heretic no matter how I answer.
“If the Lord has bestowed grace upon me, I pray that grace continues. If not, I pray that He will bestow His grace upon this poor soul from now on.”
If I said I was receiving grace, he’d accuse me of arrogance for claiming to receive grace while being charged with violating Church law and label me a heretic.
If I said I wasn’t receiving grace?
He would have declared me a heretic who doesn’t receive Deus’s grace and sentenced me to be burned at the stake.
But I gave a vague yet pious answer, leaving him speechless…
Christian clutched the back of his neck after hearing my words.
“You… you… you… blasphemous wretch.”
The audience members watched me with sparkling eyes.
Some were even gaping at the sight of a mere noble’s son outsmarting a Bishop in a Church trial.
Close your mouths before you catch flies.
“The Archbishop’s cross! The Archbishop himself has arrived!”
He should have arrived much earlier. Why is he so late?
Did something happen?
“It’s His Grace, the Archbishop of Firenze!”
Upon hearing those words, Bishop Christian and Baron Valiano turned pale, almost blue.
This Church trial was convened based on absurd accusations…
And the Archbishop, with the authority to overturn it, has arrived?
It means they’re doomed.
“Silence.”
If a Bishop has the authority of a Baron, an Archbishop has the authority of a Count.
Especially the “Archbishop of Firenze,” the highest-ranking Archbishop and a likely candidate for Cardinal.
His authority is incomparable to a Bishop.
“Fabio de’ Medici is innocent.”
Following that declaration came the scripted lines.
“I just visited Cafe Medici. The black tea and cake were delicious. I went with the other Bishops, and they all enjoyed it. Usually, men and women, regardless of gender, come and converse with their friends. And it seems some have fallen in love, which is not unnatural, theologically or scripturally.”
The Archbishop raised his crozier (a staff carried by high-ranking clergymen) and pointed at Baron Valiano.
“So, Baron Valiano must have been jealous of the cafe’s success and filed this false accusation.”
Valiano’s face paled at those words.
“And you, Christian, a Bishop, sold your conscience and faith for a few coins. There’s no other explanation for this absurd trial.”
Selling one’s conscience and faith.
In Korea, selling one’s conscience is a relatively mild insult.
But in the Toscana Empire, being accused of selling one’s faith is a thousand times worse than calling someone’s mother a whore in 21st-century Korea.
Especially if the target is a clergyman?
You could literally stab him in the neck and the judge would declare you innocent.
“While the final verdict will be determined by His Eminence, the Cardinal, and approved by the Holy See, as the Archbishop of Firenze, I sentence Baron Valiano to be burned at the stake for abusing the Church’s authority for personal gain.”
The Baron collapsed upon hearing those words.
“And you, Bishop Christian, I will request your excommunication to the Pope and have you burned at the stake as we would a pagan.”
Christian fainted.
In a world where everyone believes in heaven and hell, being declared a pagan and condemned to hell is a fate worse than death.
Moreover, if he’s excommunicated, his family is practically doomed…
Hundreds will be thrown into the streets because of one idiot.
“This concludes the ecclesiastical trial of Fabio de’ Medici.”
With those words, thunderous applause erupted.
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[Your Text Here]
I was concerned the Archbishop wouldn’t come through for him but that’s good.