empress ch44

Council.

It refers to a gathering where clergy from all over the world convene to discuss doctrine.

A council is treated as one of the most important events in Catholicism, as the doctrine itself could potentially be altered.

And now. A council was being held in Vienna, the de facto capital of the Holy Roman Empire.

Of course, it was only a half-baked council. Clergy from France and Italy, who had been at the center of the Catholic Church until now, as well as clergy from the Iberian kingdoms, which had brought the largest territories into the Catholic Church, did not attend.

Only Catholic clergy from the Empire, Poland, Hungary, and Croatia were attending this council.

“To all civilized people who are loyal in the name of God, we are pleased to deliver the message of salvation, love, and peace that Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, brought into the world and entrusted to the Church.”

Yes. Not ‘all mankind’ but ‘civilized people who are loyal in the name of God.’ In other words, it was a story referring only to the Empire and its allies.

Some of you may have already noticed. Yes. This council is by the Empire, for the Empire, and of the Empire.

“To this end, by the summons of His Holiness Pope Benedict XV, we, the successors of the Apostles, form an apostolic body with the successor of Peter as its head, and gather here to pray with one heart with Mary, the mother of Jesus.”

Of course, this is also a lie. Most of the clergy gathered here were, literally, gathered ‘unwillingly.’

“First of all, before we begin. We will have a word from Yulia von Habsburg.”

I went up to the podium and cleared my throat once more. Ahem.

“To the Catholic clergy from all over the world. Greetings. I am Yulia von Habsburg, the ‘Emperor of the Secular World.'”

Emperor of the Secular World. After the medieval era, when the divine right was similar to the royal authority, came to an end, and the modern society that returned to reason and logic began, how many people dared to call themselves by this title?

But I will dare to call myself by this title. My destiny is only one of two things: to become the greatest monarch ruling the world, or the worst criminal.

“Sadly, the world is currently filled with chaos. The House of Savoy dared to commit the atrocity of taking the Eternal City from the bosom of God, but all Catholic nations except us have merely stood by and watched…”

The occupation of Rome. For the Catholic clergy, it was truly like a sore spot. How could a Catholic nation dare to steal the territory of the Pope, the father of Catholicism?

But even so, most of the Catholic churches remained silent. This was due to concerns that the Church, which should focus on serving God and practicing His will, might simply degenerate into a pro-Roman faction.

But already. At the time when the Avignon Papacy occurred. The Catholic Church made a decision.

I smiled at the Cardinal from Poland, who was sitting in one corner looking uncomfortable, and continued.

“Since Karl the Great wore the Roman crown, the church and the secular world have always been separated. They have respected each other, sometimes cooperated with each other, and recognized each other.”

Of course, this is also. Bullshit. How many popes have bitten secular monarchs under the pretext of excommunication until now? Conversely, how many secular monarchs have, in vulgar terms, ‘raped’ the Papal States until now?

But, if you can tear down the other person, you must be able to tell any ugly lie. That is the duty of the emperor, and the basics.

“But today. That discipline has been broken. The barbarians of Savoy have dared to occupy the Papal States without permission. The secular world has bitten the church.”

Hoo. I let out a sigh and spoke the last words in a voice that seemed genuinely saddened.

“Regarding this issue, regarding this unprecedented event! I would like you to think about what you think, how you think this can be corrected, and what each of you can do for the church.”

A moment of silence. Soon, starting with the Pope’s applause, clap clap clap clap. Awkward applause filled St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

The event that would later be called the Second Vienna Council began like that.

There were three main agenda items raised at the Second Vienna Council.

The first was the issue related to Protestants within the Holy Roman Empire.

“Even though they may have different intentions now, Protestants are also people who worship the same God. They are also fully qualified to be treated as separated brothers, like the Orthodox Church.”

It was a statement that overturned the Catholic Church’s position on Protestants in an instant.

And all the priests in this place knew which country would benefit the most if this agenda was passed.

“Heh heh…”

The girl who was looking at the cross with her lips raised as if she didn’t know anything. No. To be exact, something wearing the mask of that girl and her country. The Holy Roman Empire.

A country where Catholics and Protestants are mixed. For the Holy Roman Empire, the conflict between Catholics and Protestants was quite annoying. But an opportunity was given to solve it all at once.

So it’s strange that a smile didn’t burst out on her face.

But there was nothing they could do. Other than putting up minor resistance by bringing up stale doctrines to the Pope, who was proclaiming the most important messages of God, peace and love, there was nothing they could do.

But the outcome of this council was determined from the beginning. Their minor resistance was useless.

“From this moment on, the Catholic Church will recognize Protestants as separated brothers.”

Thunderous applause erupted from all over the place. The faces of some priests from Poland, who were ‘victims’ of this great war, darkened.

‘Phew. Why are you making a fuss about something like this… the real thing starts now.’

As Yulia von Habsburg thought, the real thing was about to begin.

“The next agenda item is. The excommunication of heretics who dared to steal the church’s territory, Rome, and actively cooperated with it.”

Everyone sitting in this place vaguely knew who that heretic meant.

“Are you out of your mind?! How can the church delve so deeply into secular affairs?!”

Some priests, angered by the sight, jumped up from their seats and pointed their fingers at the Pope.

That’s because recognizing Protestants as separated brothers and excommunicating the Allied forces are completely different cases, aren’t they?! But their pleasant resistance didn’t last long.

“Oh my, there are people causing a commotion in the holy council. Guards! Please escort these people out politely.”

Clang. Clang.

The guards in full plate armor approached them.

“W, what are you doing… Emperor Yulia!! Do you think you’ll be safe after doing this in a holy council?!”

At his words, Yulia von Habsburg chuckled.

‘God has never had me, so how can he punish me?’

“How can a holy council!! Be reduced to a political tool for the Empire?!”

Heh. Yulia answered with a smile.

“Because it is a holy council. That’s why I’m doing this. The emperor has a duty to protect the church’s territory. I am just doing my best to fulfill that duty.”

It’s just bullshit that’s been nicely packaged. But sometimes that bullshit becomes a good cause.

“In short, I currently have! The duty to actively help the church recover its stolen territory. And that ‘actively helping’ also includes preventing ‘those who interfere with the recovery of the church’s territory.'”

“… Lastly. I will say just one thing. Someday, the day of judgment will surely come.”

He left those words as his last and walked out on his own.

“I too! Will no longer participate in this kind of council!”

“Really! You should be ashamed of yourself as the successor of Peter!”

“I really can’t stand it! I’m leaving too!”

Numerous clergy members stormed out of St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

An awkward silence lingered inside the cathedral for a while.

Clap clap. Yulia I clapped twice. Clang! Clang! The guards’ halberds struck the floor of the cathedral twice.

“Now, let’s move on to the next agenda item.”

“Ah. Yes. The next agenda item is. The declaration of a Crusade against the heretics who dared to steal the church’s territory, Rome, and actively cooperated with it.”

The clergy who were dissatisfied were no longer here. It was passed unanimously.

“Heh…”

Yulia clenched her fist tightly.

The feeling of suddenly becoming the last Crusade monarch was sweeter than I thought.