Chapter 74

――The Central Grand Cathedral of the Principality of Rösenheim.

The holy maiden prayed to God and signed the documents. This scene had become a familiar sight to the clerks.

Granul, who was known alongside Baldez as "Joshua's right-hand man," was one of those who frequently visited the holy maiden.

As evening approached, the number of clerks seeking her signature had dwindled.

Granul exchanged greetings with a clerk he passed in front of the church and proceeded inside.

However, he couldn't help but think about the diligence or something else...

Granul recalled the carriage that traveled back and forth between the royal palace and the church, which was located on a small hill. He smiled slightly at the thought.

Although he had never ridden in it himself, he heard that some carriages would stop along the way, guiding people to restaurants during lunchtime or stopping by stalls selling light snacks.

Merchants would try to make money in any situation, which was quite reliable.

As Granul thought about this, his expression quickly turned serious.

An unexpected situation had arisen.

He was not in charge of military affairs, but as a minister responsible for the economy, he could involve himself in any matter that involved money.

Now, he intended to fully utilize this advantage.

"Better to hurry. As Lord Joshua often said, 'Time is money.'"

The holy maiden was always in the deepest part of the church.

Now that she traveled by carriage, many had once lamented the distance from the royal palace to the church.

At the end of the corridor leading to the "Altar Room" in the deepest part, there was no door.

One could enter the Altar Room directly from the corridor. Fortunately, there were no other visitors, and the holy maiden was kneeling alone, praying towards the altar.

Her posture was serene, like a painting.

Even if golden light streamed in from the windows, illuminating her, the scene felt natural and almost fantastical.

Does the holy maiden have any ambition?

After she expelled Joshua, Granul and Baldez had extensively debated this proposition.

But the answer was always the same.

She might not even have any personal desires, let alone ambition.

The Grand Master of the Knights shared their opinion.

The holy maiden was solely dedicated to the Holy Church and to God, and her life was entirely devoted to "God," as the Holy Church proclaimed.

She possessed the gift of "divine revelation," the ability to hear the voice of God, and lived solely to serve God.

This was the condition for being chosen as the holy maiden.

That is why the holy maiden is revered.

As the most revered person in the secular world, it is only natural that the holy maiden is listed as the highest authority of the Holy Church, according to the church's organizational structure.

The holy maiden is revered and respected by all—Granul agreed with this.

Indeed, she was a noble apostle of God, showing no desire for her own time.

Selflessly, she devoted everything to God and served Him.

Granul could not help but feel respect and reverence for this.

However.

The sacred should not be involved in the secular.

"Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's."

He recalled Joshua's words when he declared the separation of church and state.

Even Granul, who had complete trust in Joshua, had his reservations about the declaration of the separation of church and state.

Was it not presumptuous to completely separate the all-knowing and all-powerful God from politics?

From a practical standpoint, was it not inefficient to ignore the words of the most intelligent God and make judgments with mere humans who were inferior to God?

However, after Joshua declared the separation of church and state and separated politics from religion, there was no political turmoil, and the principality continued to develop under his leadership.

"Lord Joshua was indeed a great man..."

Whispering to himself so that no one could hear, Granul finally entered the "Altar Room" where the holy maiden was praying.

The holy maiden continued to pray, her back still turned to him.

Granul made a triangular sign with his right fingertips.

Reflecting on it, being able to pray together with the holy maiden was an honor for the Holy Church.

He calmed himself by shifting his anxious thoughts in this way.

He closed his eyes and prayed.

A quiet moment passed, and before he knew it, the holy maiden had finished her prayer, stood up, and turned to face Granul.

"Is it about the documents? If so, please place them on the altar."

"No, I have something to report. That's why I hurried here."

"Is that so? What is it?"

The holy maiden's voice was unwavering.

Granul had heard that she had never been shaken by anything the clerks had told her.

Indeed, she did not even flinch when he informed her of something urgent and significant.

However, it was not as if she had left her emotions behind with God.

The holy maiden possessed human emotions.

Compassion, a spirit of service, and love for all people...

"Count Zeifried has declared independence."

"I see."

Her gaze, which seemed to ask if that was all, was straight and clear.

Granul felt a chill run down his spine at the sight of her pure eyes.

He even felt a sense of fear at the holy maiden's innocent gaze.

He had informed her that a powerful noble of the country had rebelled, and the highest authority of the country did not seem to consider it a problem.

"Milady, how should we respond to Count Zeifried? Should we gather the Grand Master of the Knights and the military leaders for a discussion?"

"Is that necessary?"

"...There is a possibility that the count might attack. Of course, we will gather as much information as possible."

"Mr. Granul?"

"Yes."

The holy maiden, who called his name, suddenly clasped her hands in front of her chest and knelt on the floor.

Granul was startled by the sudden movement, but he was captivated by her natural prayer posture.

Her praying figure was "revered."

Anyone would think so, Granul realized, because of her detachment from the secular world... no, her indifference to it.

She was a devout apostle of God, devoted solely to praying to Him, and thus possessed a divine and revered aura that ordinary people did not have.

"God has not revealed anything. Therefore, there is no need to do anything."

"Divine revelation, you mean?"

"Yes, that's correct. However, God has revealed something else. Please prepare the medicine for the epidemic as soon as possible."

"Understood."

Granul thought, "Isn't this the wrong time to talk about medicine?" but the words of divine revelation were absolute. He reminded himself that the medicine would definitely be needed.