NOVEL NEXT Chapter 8
Christian grinned at me, hee hee.
“I have been studying the words of Deus since you were suckling at your mother’s breast, as a bishop of Deus Church and a doctor of theology. After many years of seeking His will, I condemn you according to the scriptures. Do you truly think it makes sense to stubbornly cling to your limited understanding?”
If I debated theology with Christian, I would lose.
It’s not like I majored in theology back in Korea, and I don’t have any impressive titles like he does.
Even though being an assistant bishop sounds a bit weak, it is still a formal bishop.
Bishops have the power level of a regional baron wherever they go.
In this situation, what could I do to hold my ground without losing face until the archbishop arrives?
“Esteemed Bishop, I respect the rights and responsibilities bestowed upon you by the Lord.”
Christian’s face crinkled.
There were murmurs of confusion from the audience.
When the one who should be expressing his grievances speaks as if he affirms the judge’s unreasonable assertions, what else can they think?
“Moreover, I respect all the trials and hardships you endured to answer Deus’s call.”
“How can you be so arrogant knowing this! Repent of your sins right now, and the church will show you mercy.”
“However, esteemed Assistant Bishop and the audience, I swear before Deus, the head of the church, that I have not sinned. If I confess to a sin I did not commit, wouldn’t that be deceiving you all?”
This is one effective way to drive someone insane in an argument.
Acknowledge anything that doesn’t contradict your stance while firmly denying the rest.
From an outside perspective, it looks like I’m having a cultured debate, while my opponent seems to be making unreasonable claims.
“Due to misunderstandings, I found myself here, so allow me to clarify everything. Cafe Medici is by no means a lewd establishment.”
If this were Joseon, a land of Confucianism, I would indeed be doomed.
Providing a place where noble ladies can converse with men not chosen by their fathers?
That would be like facilitating prostitution in Korea.
However, in the Toscan Empire, providing a location for men and women to date…? That is not a crime.
“Those who have used Cafe Medici know. It’s a place where anyone, regardless of gender, can come and enjoy tea and cake and have casual conversations with their companions.”
Some in the audience nodded in agreement.
“And the issue the bishop worries about, where men and women meet, happens very naturally.”
“Are you confessing that creating a space for men and women to gather leads to natural romances?”
I see that you’re salivating at the thought of devouring me.
I can see your drooling, so please, let’s tone it down a bit.
“The scriptures say, ‘Be fruitful and multiply.’ And it also says that man and woman shall become one flesh. So, how could it be a sin for a man and woman to come separately and then be drawn to each other and fall in love?”
There’s a common misconception about the Middle Ages.
People think that only Latin was considered proper and that Mass had to be conducted in Latin to be valid.
However, there were priests, even those assigned to some rural village, who openly disregarded that, and while there was a ‘Latin Bible Priority’, it doesn’t mean other translations don’t exist.
The issue arises because many who translated the Bible into their native languages were seen as heretics from the Catholic standpoint.
Such individuals would often end up burned for adding charges of heresy.
The Toscan Empire has its own version of this.
“If I had forcibly seated the good looking guys and gals at the same table, that would be a different story. But is it truly a sin for men and women to naturally grow closer?”
No matter how medieval this setting is, the audience’s reaction is pretty important.
Why? Because these bored audience members can gossip about Christian after the trial and spread my reputation.
“Is it wrong for men and women to see each other and fall in love at a beautifully dressed ball?”
Most titled nobles have legitimate wives arranged through political marriages.
Yet, like in any era, there are plenty of people who fall in love after locking eyes at a ball.
These sorts of marriages usually involve second or third sons like me, but…
Even those who entered into political marriages see it as some sort of romantic notion.
“I too wish to experience such love someday.”
That’s not empty talk.
I find it quite romantic.
Two people sneaking out during a dance party to share a conversation.
Then, perhaps a kiss… Just imagining it isn’t so bad.
With a logically sound counterargument, swaying the audience’s opinion, the atmosphere tilted overwhelmingly in my favor.
“Yeah, people can fall in love while dancing at a ball.”
“It seems like Cafe Medici is innocent after all.”
Christian glared at me and spouted more nonsense.
“Falling in love at a ball is, strictly speaking, a violation of church law. And to see you answer so confidently, do you think you’re receiving the Lord’s favor? How dare a mere second son of a baron insult my authority as the judge in church court!”
I don’t know who is behind Baron Valiano, but one thing is clear.
There’s an evil force trying to completely ruin me, even at the risk of destroying the assistant bishop’s credibility—some pretty high-level individuals.
If that weren’t the case, he wouldn’t be pulling such reckless stunts.
And that damned question is clearly an attempt to paint me as a heretic no matter what I say.
“If the Lord has blessed me, I pray that the blessing continues. If not, I can only hope that this poor soul receives Your grace starting now.”
If I say I’m receiving grace, they’ll accuse me of mocking church law for saying it with such pride.
If I say I’m not receiving grace?
I could be branded as a heretic who doesn’t receive the blessings of Deus and might have been sentenced to burning right then and there.
But with an ambiguous, yet thoroughly faithful answer, I’ve left him speechless…
Christian grabbed the back of his neck after hearing my words.
“Y-you… Blasphemous wretch.”
The court audience sparkled their eyes while looking at me.
Some were so astonished by this second son of a noble family verbally outplaying a bishop in court that they gaped.
Heads might start rolling if they keep their mouths open like that.
“The archbishop has arrived! The archbishop is here in person!”
He really should have arrived a long time ago, so why is he so late?
Is something going on?
“It is the Archbishop of Florence!”
At that, both Bishop Christian and Baron Valiano turned pale, practically blue with fright.
This court trial was convened based on ridiculous coercion…
And now the archbishop, someone of immense authority, has arrived to overturn that?
In other words, it signifies their doom.
“Be silent.”
If a bishop holds the power level of a baron, an archbishop wields power around that of an earl.
Especially, the ‘Archbishop of Florence’ is the highest ranking archbishop likely to be promoted to a cardinal!
He holds authority far beyond a simple bishop.
“Fabio de Medici is innocent.”
Following that proclamation, the scripted words flowed.
“I just came from Cafe Medici. The black tea was delicious, and the cake was delightful. I went with the bishops, and everyone enjoyed it. Normally, people would come, regardless of gender, to chat with their friends. And if some fall in love there, it is neither unnatural doctrine nor unnatural according to the scripture.”
The archbishop pointed his staff (a rod carried by high-ranking clergy) at Baron Valiano.
“Thus, Baron Valiano must have been envious of the cafe’s success and used unreasonable excuses to file charges against him.”
Valiano turned pale at that statement.
“Christian, you must be a bishop who sold his conscience and faith for a few coins. Without that, such nonsensical trial could not possibly take place.”
Sold his faith and conscience.
In Korea, someone who sells their conscience is considered lightly derogatory.
However, in the Toscan Empire, the phrase “sold their faith” is a curse a thousand times heavier than “your mom is a whore” in 21st-century Korea.
Especially when it targets a clergyman?
One could pull out a sword and stab his neck, and a true judge would still declare him innocent.
“The cardinal will judge directly, and after receiving permission from the Holy See, the verdict will be confirmed. As the Archbishop of Florence, I shall sentence Baron Valiano to burn at the stake for abusing the church’s authority for personal gain.”
Baron Valiano collapsed to the floor upon hearing this.
“Furthermore, you, Assistant Bishop Christian, I shall request the Pope to excommunicate you and to execute you as if you were a heretic.”
Christian fainted upon hearing that.
In a world where everyone believes in heaven and hell, becoming a heretic and falling into hell is more terrifying than death itself.
Moreover, if he gets branded with excommunication, his family would practically face certain ruin…
One idiot’s mistake could leave hundreds on the streets.
“This concludes the church trial for Fabio de Medici.”
With that final statement, the hall erupted in tremendous applause.