Chapter 54
Welcomed by Cardinal Alessandro, Sophia and her group followed the clergy through the streets of the Holy City. The Cardinal didn’t lead them around aimlessly but instead guided them straight to their lodgings.
“I’d love to chat more with you all, but I suppose you need time to unpack and rest, don’t you?”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
It was rare to see such a high-ranking figure personally welcome them and prioritize their comfort over his own agenda. Sophia’s group gratefully accepted the Cardinal’s kindness and happily engaged in light conversation with him as they made their way to their lodgings.
On the way, they discussed various topics—mostly official matters like the continent’s current situation and what Sophia’s group would be doing in Ravenna. Occasionally, the conversation shifted to personal experiences, such as training in Light Power or communicating with the gods of the Pantheon.
The conversation was lively and enjoyable, but unfortunately, it couldn’t continue. They had arrived at their lodgings.
“Ah, I’d love to talk more, but I can’t keep travelers from resting. I’ll take my leave now.”
“Thank you for accompanying us this far. It’s a bit disappointing to see you leave so abruptly.”
At Sophia’s words, Cardinal Alessandro smiled gracefully and replied, “Oh, we’ll surely cross paths often while you’re in Ravenna. We’ll continue our conversation then.”
As they watched his retreating figure, Esiocles suddenly remarked, “Indeed, the rumors about the Minister of Politics being a man of rare character weren’t exaggerated.”
Conra responded, “He was certainly very polite, but…”
“It’s not just that, young man. Think back. Did you notice the Cardinal mention anything about my attire during our conversation?”
“I don’t recall him saying anything about it.”
After racking his brain, Conra realized Esiocles was right and looked surprised. Honestly, to Conra, it seemed impossible. How could someone not even glance at Esiocles’s outfit, let alone comment on it?
While Conra pondered this, Esiocles, unaware of his thoughts, nodded and continued, “The Cardinal, with his experience, likely deduced my background and deliberately avoided mentioning my attire. It was a sign of respect for my unique training methods.”
“I see…”
Conra seemed to accept Esiocles’s explanation, but something else bothered him. His eyes darted to the clergy member standing nearby, and they began to twitch uncontrollably.
‘But why is he striking such a pose while saying all this?’
Esiocles Emmanuel, the clergy member from the Alps, was an overwhelming and bizarre sight to any third party. His outfit, which used minimal fabric to maximize exposure, was complemented only by a single cloak. His pose, oddly stylish yet emphasizing his muscles, was both static and dynamic, like a marble statue.
Conra was utterly speechless.
In any case, having arrived at the lodgings, it was time to stable the horses and unpack. Sophia’s horse, Jangbaljang, led the other horses into the stable by their reins, a sight the group casually ignored as they entered the lodgings.
It was then that something felt off.
“It’s a bit noisy outside, isn’t it?”
Hildegard, the last to enter, tilted her head curiously. The others listened carefully and agreed. It sounded like multiple groups of people arguing. Sophia stepped forward.
“Hmm, I think I should go check it out.”
The group followed her outside to investigate. There, they found Cardinal Alessandro and the clergy from the Ministry of Politics facing off against a group of men blocking their path.
“It seems the Cardinal is in a bit of a predicament.”
Esiocles spoke in a grave tone, and Sophia nodded. Upon closer listening, it appeared the men were sent by a noble family from the Royal City to escort the Cardinal. When he refused their request, they had come to pressure him.
“It seems the nobles of Ravenna are seriously mistaken about something.”
Hildegard bared her fangs as she spoke. She turned to Sophia for agreement, but Sophia was already gone.
“Do not dare disrespect His Eminence.”
Sophia had stepped between the Cardinal and the noble’s lackeys, exuding an intangible pressure. Though incomplete, her Reverse Muscle Technique and Reverse Brain Method had reached the fourth banding, and her Energy Manipulation and yoga had cultivated her primal spirit. Her swordsmanship had reached the level of the Heart Sword. The pressure she emitted was something no ordinary person could withstand.
The men, completely crushed by the pressure, collapsed on the spot. Those who tried to look at the source of the pressure immediately averted their eyes in terror.
‘Wh-what kind of eyes are those…?’
No one dared to meet Sophia’s blazing gaze. These men, who only knew how to flaunt their power over the weak, couldn’t handle the presence of a true apex predator.
Under the mental pressure that felt like the sky itself was descending, the men trembled on the ground. Eventually, Cardinal Alessandro stepped in, just as the smell of something unpleasant began to rise from where they lay.
“Lady Shazel, that’s enough. They’ve surely understood your message by now.”
Despite Sophia’s overwhelming presence, the Cardinal casually placed a hand on her shoulder and calmed her. Sophia’s eyes flickered briefly before she nodded and spoke.
“As Your Eminence says, I’m not sure how careful you’ll be in the future. But let me make one thing clear. Listen well and relay it to your master.”
Still exuding pressure, Sophia spoke each word with force, engraving them into the listeners’ minds.
“No matter who becomes your country’s successor or what policies are considered, it has nothing to do with the Church Order. The Church embraces the greater cause of humanity, not the power struggles of a single kingdom.”
Her words, denying any connection between the Church and the Rotaringian throne, were etched deeply into their minds.
“Whatever schemes you devise, the spiritual authority lies solely with us, and we have no intention of lending it to secular powers. Spiritual sanctity and secular power must never intertwine.”
She drew a clear line between spiritual authority and secular power, reaffirming the Church’s stance declared during the Ravenna Council but long forgotten or ignored.
“Let secular coronations be handled by secular hands. The Church has never placed a crown on a secular ruler.”
With that final statement, Sophia’s pressure subsided. The oppressive aura that had crushed their spirits moments ago vanished as if it had never existed.
“I’ve said all I needed to. Now, disappear.”
“Y-yes!”
Still trembling and drenched in cold sweat, the men scrambled to flee.
Sophia watched them go with a cold gaze before softening her expression and bowing to the Cardinal.
“I may have acted a bit excessively. I hope Your Eminence will forgive me.”
“You…”
The Cardinal looked at her with a strange expression before smiling warmly.
“That was more refreshing than I expected. Very satisfying indeed.”
It seemed the Cardinal was quite pleased with Sophia’s bold display.