182 – 36. Proof
The tower of proof is a kind of asceticism.
A circular tower extending from the highest point of the Vatican Cathedral.
Compared to other buildings, it is strangely thin and looks as if it will collapse at any moment.
Compared to the entire cathedral, it is natural that the Tower of Proof looks like a thread. Compared to the grand cathedral, the Tower of Proof is only a circular staircase that one person can barely climb up.
But now, the Tower of Proof was shining in various colors.
“Saint, can you see? The brothers and sisters are down there looking up at the tower.”
“……………….”
“I heard that when climbing the Tower of Proof, the tower receives God’s grace and is painted in rainbow colors, scattering all kinds of lights… It is indeed as written.”
“……….”
Yes, I know.
Beyond the door, just before entering the tower, I clearly saw the Tower of Proof starting to shine and went in.
Now, no one can deny that the saint has ascended to the Tower of Proof and that he will provide ‘proof’ there.
Trug. Trudging. Trudging.
Unlike the cathedral, which continued to be renovated over the years, it must have gone a long time without being touched by anyone.
Nevertheless, the Tower of Proof was intact, without any worn or broken parts.
Although it looks as if it would break if the saint throws a single punch, it doesn’t make even the slightest scratch even if you apply force to it.
That was the tower of proof.
It looks small and slender on the outside, but once inside, it is a solid and safe place.
Could humans really have built such a structure?
“…According to an old book, God created this tower to judge the good and evil of humans.”
“……….”
“This is the first time for this old man to climb this place… But the tower that God created himself is indeed different.”
The Pope’s meaningless self-talk.
But that was because it was an answer that clearly understood the question in the saint’s heart.
The saint stopped for a moment and then climbed the stairs again.
Unlike the Pope and Cardinals, the object of proof cannot speak within the tower.
The only way to defend yourself is in the proof room.
To get there, you must remain silent at the tower.
That is the meaning that God decided──
‘…… Oh God.’
──I know that you exist.
Because my very existence is proof of that. Because I know that the voice I heard as a child is yours.
That’s why I believe in you. Because you are far superior to me, who is only the dregs of a saint, and you are truly the Creator of this world.
‘But.’
But.
Are you really omnipotent and omnipotent like the doctrines of the church?
If so, why?
‘……… ….’
Fanatic because they believe that God exists.
Doubt (疑心) because one doubts the power of God.
All these anguish, agony, worries, and thoughts.
Could it be resolved up there?
‘…… Comrade sinner.’
Would it have been different if that fortune teller had been next to me?
Saints are sinners. He is a murderer who killed a boy named Raphael and killed hundreds of people in the name of heresy.
That is why the saint considered himself a sinner.
I hate fortune telling, but Namgoong Min was also a sinner paying for his sins.
But Namgoong Min is different from a saint.
He knows nothing, solves everything with a smile, and never loses his composure.
Yeah, like.
Like an omnipotent and omnipotent god──
“…Saint, we have arrived.”
“……………….”
… After giving up his thoughts for a moment, the saint raised his lowered head.
There is a door there.
A heavy iron gate that looks exactly like the entrance to the tower.
“You can open it.”
“……….”
The door opened easily.
Beyond the quietly opened door, without even making the usual hinge sound.
“………Ah.”
It was a closed space on all sides.
Unlike the Proof Tower, which had at least a window, the Proof Room located at the top was completely blocked.
Not even a single ounce of light can enter, so of course it has to be dark.
The inside of the proof room was very bright.
I don’t know the reason or the principle, but the room was as bright as day.
“Please take your seats.”
“……Yes.”
There was no flat surface in the proof room.
Because it is in the shape of a perfect sphere, even walking is not easy. If everyone here didn’t have a job, it wouldn’t be surprising if some people fell.
Beyond the door, located at the bottom of the sphere, is a small platform.
It was a place for saints and subjects of proof.
“…………Huh.”
As soon as I stand on the podium, I can’t help but naturally raise my head and look around.
The Pope and the three cardinals had already gone to his place.
Everyone came here for the first time, but they already knew the knowledge.
In the room of proof, there is a part that protrudes like a terrace near the center of the wall.
The Pope is not higher or higher. Everyone was equally at the same height.
And above that.
“That place…”
There is a throne.
Above the saints, above the three cardinals and the pope, there was a majestic throne in what was supposed to be the ceiling of the sphere.
If you think about it normally, even if you sit there, all you can see is the wall. However, if you stick your head out and look down, you can look around the entire proof room.
That is the seat of God.
A place where you can see with your own hands the proof of matters that cannot be judged by humans.
“You are looking at his seat.”
“…Yes.”
“This is the proof room and the closest place to heaven in the world. At this very moment, God is sitting there watching His Son.”
Thump.
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The Pope, who caught everyone’s attention by lightly stamping his feet, continued speaking with a benevolent smile.
“From now on, we will begin the proof of Saint Raphael Martina. Three cardinals, are you ready?”
“Cardinal Skoll, I am ready.”
“Falcon, Cardinal McLaren… I’m ready.”
“Cardinal Cassandra. I am ready.”
“Good. Saint Raphael Martina, you are here to prove your qualifications. How will you prove that you are a complete saint?”
“I will use .”
“Permission granted.”
Cardinal Cassandra flinched a little at the saint’s hesitation-free answer.
Even though there were many unsettling factors, her basic plan ultimately started from the proposition that ‘the saint has lost his power.’
But Cassandra held back her shaking eyes and looked down at her saint.
‘How?’
…… No, now is not the time to question that.
Anyway, once the proof is completed, everything will be resolved.
The saint took a moment to catch his breath and soon displayed his skill.
General skill .
“Oooh…!!”
McLaren shed tears as she clearly saw the halo shining behind the saint’s head and the majestic overflowing divinity with her own eyes.
There is no need to doubt. If you still have doubts after seeing this scene, you cannot be called a priest.
The saint could not hide his surprise as tears fell on his bloated body.
‘Was Cardinal McLaren such a faithful person?’
She is the one who will be taken down from the position of cardinal before she can reform the church.
The saint looked at Cardinal Skoll instead of McLaren, who was shedding tears of sincerity.
From the day the saint finished his pilgrimage, he was unwaveringly by his side.
“……….”
Squall was smiling as always.
Because that smile always gave strength, the saint also slightly raised the corners of his mouth as if responding.
And Cassandra looked strangely calm.
“……………….”
Just standing there quietly, not saying anything.
‘…… Why?’
Now that complete proof has been completed with , Cassandra’s downfall is virtually confirmed.
But how?
Before the saint could answer the question, the Pope’s benevolent voice rang throughout the proof room.
“Raphael Martina gave the attestation. Four witnesses will evaluate the attestation. Cardinal McLaren?”
“You have proved it beyond measure…!”
McLaren was still shedding tears.
“Cardinal Cassandra?”
“……It is difficult to fully prove Alone. I do not allow proof.”
‘Cardinal Cassandra.’
Are we bringing the political conflict to this point?
Even when they come to the proof room, do they pursue money and interests rather than faith?
‘Cardinal Cassandra’s leisure…… ‘I did it because I was planning to deny the proof anyway.’
But what would be the point if she opposed it alone?
Anyway, all that remains is Cardinal Skoll and the Pope──
“Cardinal Skoll?”
“Proof is not permitted.”
“…Squall?”
“Although he has fully used the , Raphael Martina lacks the qualifications to be a saint. Therefore, certification is not permitted.”
“Squall!”
The saint, unable to overcome the passion of the moment, shouted, but Cardinal Squall just looked down at him with a smile on his face.
“Rafael Martina, you are foolish.”
“What is that…!!”
“Do you know how much our church’s annual budget is? Do you know how much money we spend on orphanages, churches, poor people, and relief organizations around the world?”
“…What”
“That’s all the money needed to maintain a group called the church. Money corrupted the church? That’s correct. But it’s because of money that the church can run.”
“S…Call…!!”
“Raphael Martina, if you were the head of a small monastery somewhere, you could have made your ideals come true. But the place you are trying to stand is the pinnacle of hundreds of millions of believers. It is not a position that requires faithfulness and faith… “It is a position that requires economic concepts, political judgment, and interests.”
“……….”
“Today, I gave you one last chance. Are you planning to cut off all donations and money? I don’t know what the change is, but I answered that I would at least allow it… But that’s not enough.”
That’s why.
“You may be a good priest and an Inquisitor… But you cannot become a saint who stands above others.”
One for, two against.
The saint’s gaze quickly turned to the Pope.
“hehehehe, this old man always…Just follows the happiness of the majority.”
“……Ha.”
“I will not allow Rafael Martina’s proof.”
Certificate of Sainthood of Raphael Martina.
One permission for proof, three disallowance.
“Raphael Martina, once this proof is completed, you will no longer be considered a saint but an ordinary inquisitor. Do you have any last words?”
“…What to say?”
That’s right, it’s a lot.
Of course, there is a lot to say.
Why are you betraying me? Does the happiness of the majority make sense? Was McLaren not on the same side? Since when did Cassandra and Squall join hands? Are you so relaxed because you knew the outcome?
I have a lot of things to say and a lot of things I want to say.
But the saint swallowed it all.
I wanted to spit it out right away, but I kept pushing it back into my mouth.
And then he continues speaking.
“Cassandra…Skol…Pope.”
“……….”
“……………….”
“Please tell me.”
“God, God is watching… And are you still planning to deny the proof? From that lofty throne! The Creator of the world is watching from up in the sky! This place, the closest to heaven!!”
And yet, how?
“This is the room of proof! It was created by God, and it is a place where only faith is judged!! But how can you deny With secular logic!!”
“Because that is the position of a saint.”
“Cardinal Cassandra!! You didn’t look upon me favorably from the beginning of your pilgrimage. It would have been better! You should have appointed someone capable from the beginning! You are the ones who took a newborn baby who knew nothing and made him a saint!!”
“Because that was the happiness of the majority.”
“Pope! You are the worst hypocrite. If treating a newborn baby as a saint was the happiness of the majority, is it also the happiness of the majority to now throw that saint away? You are just acting with the bullsh*t of happiness for the majority. “It’s nothing more than a justification!”
“hehehehe, that’s something I hear often.”
“And…Squall.”
“……………….”
“Is this what you mean…? Since when…?”
“It’s from the beginning, Rafael Martina.”
From the moment I first saw
The saint returning from the pilgrimage.
Continued until now.
“It would have been perfect if you had realized reality and the relationship between religion and money. I approached you for that, and I have educated you and helped you until now… But in the end, it ended like this.”
“That money! Are you saying that money is more important than God?!”
“But God made gold coins.”
…… Ah.
It is true that when you get too angry, you actually end up laughing.
The Pope, looking down at the stumbling and laughing saint, nodded.
“Now then, here’s the proof about Rafael Martina──”
“──Isn’t it too early to end this?”
“……Huh.”
From somewhere, a voice is heard.
A voice that even the Pope, Squall, Cassandra, and McLaren have heard.
And.
A voice that the saint knows better than anyone else in this room.
“…Comrade a sinner?”
“Saint, I am a little late. Please forgive me.”
“Oh, no. How do we get here…?”
“Isn’t that obvious? I came to help the saint with his proof.”
Tap. Step by step.
Nam Goong Min walks in, wearing the same black suit, red shirt, and white gloves as always, with a confident smile on his face.
Next to the podium where the saint stood, the fortune teller, standing like a lawyer, smiled.
“His Holiness the Pope, the proof is not over yet.”
“Fortune teller. How can you accept that? Rafael Martina’s proof has been completed, and the evaluations of me and the three cardinals have also been completed.”
“Three cardinals?”
“……Hmm?”
“Isn’t there one cardinal left who hasn’t been evaluated yet?”
“What?……Huh, really?”
At that moment, everyone’s eyes are on someone.
McLaren hugged his bloated body and wiped away the tears he shed.
“Nam Goong Min. You came at the right time.”
“Thanks to you, McLaren.”
“Is there anything else I can do?”
“Please enjoy the tour comfortably.”
“I will obey your orders.”
Cardinal McLaren bows his head obediently and comes down from the terrace in the center of the wall.
The fortuneteller stood in front of them, so embarrassed by all this that they couldn’t even speak.
“Okay then, let’s meet the cardinal.”
“Additional… Lord?”
“Of course, isn’t it Cardinal Carlella?”
It seems as if he is stating an extremely obvious fact.
I extend my hand toward the other side of the door.
The person who held her hand and entered the proof room.
“I am Cardinal Carlella, who took over the position of former Cardinal McLaren. Everyone, please take care of me.”
“As you can see, Cardinal Carlella has not yet evaluated the proof.”
“……Comrade sinner.”
“Isn’t it too early to finish the proof yet?”