122 – Suppression of Corruption (4)
Michael has made up his mind.
First, he will eliminate the small evils. By small evils, he means the corruptions hidden within the Holy Empire. He will start by rooting them out, stabilize the passage between heaven and the human world, and start a holy war with the mighty power of the Holy Empire.
Because the will of the Creator, Deus, takes precedence over anything else, he has put aside his hesitation.
He has also temporarily put aside the regrets that have been tormenting his heart. Because there was something more important to him.
He descended to the human world. As always, it was the place where the Pope’s throne was.
Just like the previous descent, time around him stopped, and only the Pope could move and look at Michael.
The Pope was momentarily surprised by the sudden descent. He looked at Michael and prostrated himself.
“Lord Michael. What brings you here?”
“It’s been a long time.”
“What do you mean?”
“I heard Father’s words after a long time.”
The Pope’s eyes widened. Who is the father that Michael is talking about? The almighty Creator. Deus.
“Deus…?”
“That’s right. Father has given me a command, and since it has nothing to do with you, I have come to deliver it.”
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“Please tell me.”
Pope Angelus III bowed his head with a pious attitude.
“Throw everything that is corrupt in the human world into the holy fire.”
The Pope felt cold sweat running down his back. To throw corrupt things onto the holy fire. That means…
“A holy war?”
“That’s right. But there’s no need to rush. Since Father hasn’t set a deadline.”
“Then when should we start?”
“First, we need to clean up internally. Isn’t that right? The Holy Empire.”
**Mikael knew. There were those in the Holy Empire who were unjust. He had simply left them alone because he did not feel the need to personally condemn them.**
**But now, the situation was different. Purge all injustice and set it ablaze upon the holy flame. It was a direct command from their Creator.**
**So, it had to be done.**
**He had considered taking action himself, but Mikael shook his head. It was not yet time for him to step forward. The moment the word spread that Mikael had appeared in the Holy Empire, the demons of hell would rise to tear him apart.**
**Mikael knew well how much the demons despised him. It would not just be a few minor demons emerging. It could be high-ranking demons. Perhaps even his fallen brother Lucifer or Baal, the top-ranking demon in hell.**
**That was not what he desired.**
**”Condemn the unjust. Find evidence, pursue them until they have nowhere left to flee, and capture them all to be raised upon the holy flame. That is your duty. First stabilize the Holy Empire, then gradually raise the sanctuary.”**
**”Your Holiness, Mikael. The sanctuary is dangerous. The Holy Empire itself may be destroyed.”**
**In response to Angelo’s words, Mikael spoke harshly.**
**”I will not entertain objections.”**
**”…If that’s the case, does it mean you will personally step forward?”**
**”No. I will not step forward immediately.”**
**”May I… ask for the reason?”**
**”If I step forward, high-ranking demons will also step forward. Perhaps Ishtar or other high-ranking demons in the Holy Empire. They will gather the followers of scattered demons and unite their strength. Before that happens, stabilize the Holy Empire internally, then declare it on a large scale. It was the will of the Father. There was a command to condemn all injustice in the world.”**
**”Even if we do that, won’t they unite?”**
**”It’s a matter of timing. The longer they take to unite, the easier it will be for the sanctuary. There are undoubtedly unjust individuals within the Holy Empire, so by restraining their actions, we can control the timing of events.”**
**The Pope closed his eyes. He had a premonition that the sanctuary would have to be raised in the end.**
**”Understood.”**
**As soon as the Pope replied, Mikael’s figure disappeared. He had returned to heaven. The Pope let out a deep sigh.**
**”How much more blood will be shed…”**
**It was good to condemn the unjust, but he had not expected it to lead to the raising of the sanctuary… The Pope felt even deeper sorrow. The saddest part was that ultimately, the one raising the sanctuary would be himself.**
—
**After all the ceremonies were over, Adrian had some time alone with the Pope.**
**”You have truly worked hard, Your Holiness.”**
**”No, not really. I haven’t done much.”**
**”hahahaha. Excessive humility is not good either. Reports have been coming in that the Saint led everyone in the investigation team and engaged in battle. If the Saint had not led, the investigation team would surely have perished. Bishop Antonio even remarked that if the Saint had not led, the investigation team would surely have perished.”**
**”Bishop Antonio…”**
**”Now that the ceremonies are over, it’s time to govern the hearts of the Holy Empire’s believers for a while. How about scheduling an official mass soon?”**
**”Ah, that sounds good.”**
**Adrian smiled broadly. An official mass. It was time to meet the believers and talk to them directly after a long time. As someone who enjoyed seeing the believers live their lives and pray devoutly, it was a rather happy time for Adrian.**
**”We are also investigating the injustice within the Holy Empire. As the Saint mentioned, there seem to be individuals deeply involved in injustice.”**
**After the Saint had hinted at mistrust towards him, the Pope had separately investigated the deacons. Why the deacons? He could easily guess.**
**Right here in the Papal See, the next most powerful figure after the Pope was the Saint. Even when the Pope was young, the deacons had subtly questioned the Pope’s authority and restrained him.**
**People do not change easily. The Pope had hoped that the deacons would change, but they had not. The deacons’ ugly thirst for power had only grown with age, and it was also affecting those who could become deacons.**
**The Order of the Holy Knights was no different.**
**So, he could only shed tears. Moreover, the raising of the sanctuary had been foretold. In order to turn the demons and their followers into enemies, it was necessary to stabilize
And Adrian was well aware of that fact. She had received hostile glances from them many times. There was no way she wouldn’t know.
No, it seemed like she wanted them to notice. Staring at her so openly. No matter how young she was, they couldn’t help but notice.
“Yes, that’s right. But it’s just a suspicion. There’s no evidence.”
“Evidence, evidence… I’ll find it somehow.”
“You mean you’ll find it yourself?”
“Yes. Personally.”
“Or, have you already thought of something…?”
“Yes. I’ve been thinking about it all along, even while investigating the Land of Ghosts.”
“I understand. Then, trust only in the Saint.”
“I don’t know if we’ll succeed, but I’ll give it a try.”
“Don’t worry too much if you fail. I’m here, aren’t I?”
The Pope smiled kindly.
“Yes, Your Holiness.”
“But what exactly is your plan?”
“They’re using me as bait.”
“The Saint… you mean?”
“Yes. The wrongdoers will target me. Those who are afraid of my growing influence.”
“Then shouldn’t we avoid giving them any opportunity…?”
“No. If we do that, we won’t even be able to catch their tails.”
“Hmm… I see.”
“My goal is to catch their tails as they try to catch me. If they make any move, they will be exposed.”
“That’s right. So, what kind of opportunity are you planning to give them?”
“Well, there’s a simple way. An investigation.”
“Investigation…? What kind of investigation?”
“The Saint must be pure and noble. So if there are any nasty rumors about me, the inquisitors will easily believe them. They will think I have gone astray. Besides, they don’t know that we are watching them.”
“Isn’t that a bit risky…?”
“It’s not risky. It will only be limited to rumors. Of course, there may be people who criticize me for a while, but once we weed out the wrongdoers, such public opinion will disappear.”
“…So, who is the target?”
“I have someone in mind. Someone who can keep a secret and is likely to cooperate with my plan.”
“Who is it?”
Adrian smiled slightly.
“Count Frach.”
“Count Frach… you mean?”
The Pope’s expression became grim at Adrian’s words. He knew that Frach was a contractee of the demon. Not just any demon… but Ishtar, a high-ranking demon who even Michael warned not to be hasty in opposing.
He knew that Frach had a good heart. But in the end, he was a person belonging to the ‘corruption’ that was the target of the Holy War.
Can he be involved with the Saint? Surely, if the Holy War begins, it will be a problem in some way.
That can’t happen.
The Pope’s expression became resolute.
“He cannot be involved.”
“Do you have a reason?”
It’s not like dragging the Marquis into danger. This could develop into an international issue. Especially since he is Ransel’s successor, how seriously the Empire treats the name Ransel… Even the Saint must be aware of it.”
“Ah….”
The Saint’s expression noticeably darkened.
2 way-instigator, Frah and Michael