A Dark Fantasy Spy

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The appearance of the morning star always captivates people’s attention.

The decaying state of the religious community, stagnant and rotting, drew the scorn of intellectuals, outsiders, and the general public. In such a situation, the birth of a new saint sparked widespread anticipation.

A cleric who is more religious than anyone else. A priest who has quietly honed his spirit in the lowest, darkest places.

Lucia, a second saint in history and a beacon of untainted purity, naturally drew everyone’s attention.

The celestial emissary handed the Pope the key to open the gates of heaven, and the angel, servant of the celestial being, bestowed a revelation upon the saint.

So, what exactly did the divine grant to Lucia?

An immeasurable amount of divinity that even bishops and cardinals cannot access?

The determination to relinquish the coveted status of the secular world that everyone envies, just to meet a single person?

Or perhaps, an unwavering heart that does not bend in the face of suffering and adversity?

What message is God trying to convey to the secularized religious figures through the new saint, distancing them from the mundane?

Debates arose in various fields—politics, society, culture, and religion.

What changes might Lucia bring about in the stagnation, what is the reason for her being favored by the divine, and does she even deserve to be a saint?

Yet, not a single intellectual could provide a clear answer.

That included Lucia herself.

“Saint.”

Upon hearing the voice of the priest calling her, Lucia slowly opened her closed eyes.

Reflected in her ocean-like blue irises were the fluttering flags of the Holy See, the lined-up guardsmen, and the tense expressions of priests and monks.

And then.

“I have read the letter.”

Before Lucia stood the seasoned Pope, John XVI.

He spoke to the saint just before the canonization ceremony.

“Shall we walk for a bit?”

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Episode 14 – One Religion, One Faith, Two Saints

It’s a little-known story, but Pope John XVI has a personal hobby unbeknownst to others.

Considering the immoral and sinister preferences of some clerics can be quite problematic. For an elderly man facing death, living through the given time is hard enough, let alone pouring energy into trivial hobbies like others.

Thus, the hobby granted to the Pope must have a simple nature, distinct from other leaders.

“Let’s keep walking. We mustn’t stop.”

The leader of the cult, Pope John XVI, said as he pointed the way with a hand clutching his handkerchief.

With his swift movements matching the hurried steps, his pure white robe swayed, and the red shoes he crafted himself brushed over the grass.

Similarly, dressed in a pristine white robe and red shoes, Lucia carefully lifted the hem of her garment and matched her steps to the elder’s pace.

The historic church of the Lateran, a holy site for the cult, found the Pope sighing as he wiped his mouth with his handkerchief while strolling through the gardens of the Cathedral of Tranquille.

“Haah…”

“Are you alright?”

“Oh, I’m fine.”

At Lucia’s worried question, John XVI offered a gentle smile.

“I just got a bit out of breath. It’s not easy moving this old body, but such exertion is necessary to maintain the health bestowed by the divine.”

“Indeed. Health is the greatest blessing.”

As Lucia, with a soft smile, nodded, the Pope adjusted his hold on the staff with the hand clutching the handkerchief and resumed walking.

The grand stature of the Cathedral of Tranquille boasted a majestic scale, characteristic of its renowned reputation. Thus, the garden was no exception, allowing the two to stroll for quite a long while.

Throughout their lengthy walk, John XVI and Lucia exchanged various conversations. The atmosphere of dialogue in the springtime garden was serene, and the content was infinitely light and devoid of gravitas.

As the one who proposed the stroll, John XVI was the first to speak.

“Now that I’m older, it’s quite difficult to keep my body in check. Though I prided myself on being relatively vigorous among the clerics in my youth, nowadays, even waking up in the morning feels like a challenge.”

Pope John XVI was a well-known priest in the cult. He started his religious life serving in large parishes renowned for their quality. Rising from a parish priest to the bishop’s personal secretary, then a civil servant in the central government, his fame only grew. It reached its peak when he was elected as the Pope.

The most significant aspect of his promising life as a cleric was none other than his extensive experience in the Inquisition.

A guardian of faith, a punisher of heresy.

Among the myriad talents gathered in the Inquisition, John XVI was a standout figure with numerous accomplishments. Appreciating these merits, he ascended to the positions of cardinal and bishop through recommendation from the National Affairs Council, eventually being elevated to the papacy—an aspiration of every bishop.

However, all of these achievements were mere echoes of the past. John XVI was a Pope nearing retirement.

As with all things in the world, there is a beginning and an end, an ascent and a descent. Once a powerful figure decides to relinquish their power, they can no longer be called a ruler.

It seemed he was aware of this fact. John XVI let out a hearty laugh, sharing a self-deprecating joke.

“The new Pope’s inauguration is just around the corner, and everyone seems to ignore me. Is it because I’m an old man about to step down from the Holy See? These days, even when I take a walk, only the guardsmen follow.”

“Even if it’s a joke, please refrain from saying such things. You are still the Pope.”

“While I appreciate the consideration, there’s no need for concern. I actually find this quite delightful.”

“And why is that?”

“Well, it’s simply because the weight of the papacy has lightened.”

John XVI added with a bright smile.

“Bishops envy me, but being the Pope is a rather dull job. The more eyes are upon you, the more there is to uphold, and even if you harbor intentions or欲望, putting them into action becomes quite challenging. So I’m happier these days. My successor has finally appeared.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, indeed.”

The garden was spacious, and the walkway long enough for a story to unfold.

As the cool breeze fluttered their garments, the Pope’s words flowed endlessly, seemingly tireless.

“Certainly, I feel like I have more to say as I age. Thoughts, too. Every night before sleeping, I offer prayers, but my mind seems to be perpetually tethered by distractions.”

“There isn’t a person in the world who lives without worries. I feel the same.”

“Oh, so even the saint has her share of troubles? Haha. I thought I was the only one suffering alone, but it’s somewhat relieving to hear that.”

With a joyous demeanor, John XVI laughed, tapping the ground with the specially made staff for the Pope as he slowed his pace.

Although his speed diminished, his stride remained dignified. His speech flowed similarly.

John XVI resumed his words, in a tone reminiscent of a grandfather talking to a grandchild.

“Now, where was I? Ah, yes. Aging. Lately, this old man has been thinking that as I grow older, it becomes increasingly difficult to move my body as I wish. Each passing day, my body deteriorates, and my mind grows hazy. It feels as if fog has filled my head. In my youth, I would work late into the night, drink, and smoke, but now, just catching a whiff of smoke makes me cough, and by evening, my eyes are heavy.”

Suddenly, a smile flitted across the elder’s face.

And then came a voice laced with humor.

“So nowadays, I continue the hobby of walking to uphold the dignity of the papacy.”

Health is the greatest blessing and gift from God. How could a Pope, of all people, go around in disrepair?

With that humor-laden question, Lucia smiled.

The Pope continued to tap the pebbles with his staff for quite some time. After about ten minutes of walking, perhaps exhausting his energy, he finally sat down on a bench prepared along the walkway.

“Ugh…”

“I’ll help you.”

“Thank you.”

Lucia assisted John XVI in sitting down. Once she stood in a modest manner, feeling she had fulfilled her duty, the Pope said in a gentle voice, inviting her to take a seat.

Just as Lucia settled into her chair, a flurry of sounds faded, giving way to sudden silence.

In that peculiar silence, Lucia pondered what to say to break the stillness for a moment.

However, it was not her but John XVI who broke the silence first. The Pope, covering his mouth with a handkerchief, coughed repeatedly before naturally folding the handkerchief and placing it in his pocket.

“Indeed. Growing old makes it challenging to tend to myself, and work becomes similarly difficult. Looking back, it seems nothing has gone my way lately.”

The Pope’s lament continued.

“The task of mediating disputes between the cardinals and bishops, competing with powerful leaders of significant nations, and even deciding on what to have for dinner, have all become challenging. And related to the newest saint, which has become the hottest topic in church history…”

“……”

“I’m not blaming you for any of this. It’s the clerics who placed you in the saint’s position, but it’s the divine will that guided you there. So, do not fret too much, saint. I hope you can regard this as an old man’s lament.”

Listening intently to the Pope, Lucia subtly nodded.

“I hear you.”

“Thank you.”

The Pope adjusted his grip on the staff and let out a gentle sigh—one that seemed typical of someone with many thoughts on their mind.

“I already know why you sent me the letter. I understand the feelings behind it as well. Considering your character, it’s not surprising.”

“……”

“You wish to convey your apologies to me today, correct?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I suspected as much.”

As though he anticipated it, the Pope began nodding easily. He smoothed his cheek and chin with his hand, then spoke.

“You don’t need to ponder how I know your character. I am already prepared to respond.”

“What method did you employ to read my thoughts, Your Holiness?”

“Through divine revelation, of course.”

“Excuse me?”

“I mean I read the report.”

The celestial gatekeeper, the owner of the Holy See, John XVI replied as if there was nothing to hide.

“People often think the Inquisition monitors only heresies, but it observes not just the external but also the internal of the cult. Thanks to my experience there, I know well. The Inquisition serves as the Pope’s eyes and ears, and those eyes and ears inform me about what the clerics eat and drink, where they sleep, and what they think.”

“……”

In other words, the Inquisition had been surveilling the clerics of the cult.

However, neither Lucia nor John XVI seemed particularly surprised by this. The surveillance by the Inquisition was already a well-known secret.

Like any intelligence agency, the Inquisition claimed the role of the Pope’s eyes and ears. Everything from a cleric’s character to their relationships and private matters would be relayed to the Pope through the Inquisition.

This information was often used in various fields—serving inspection roles to uncover corruption in clerical promotions, exposing plots by tracking rumors, and at times providing an advantage in clandestine negotiations between high-ranking clerics and the Pope.

Of course, such stories were just rumors floating in the mouths of clerics. The intelligence agency, the Inquisition, was shrouded in secrecy, and their actions always took place in places beyond the reach of ordinary people’s eyes.

Just like any intelligence agency, this was also mere hearsay until the Pope acknowledged it.

“I possess the reports on all the clerics.”

“…All of them?”

“Yes. Among them is also a report on you, the saint.”

The Pope recited the data collected by the Inquisition.

“Your grades from the seminary, evaluations from professors, your attitudes towards those around you, the abilities you possess, and the relationship between you and Cardinal Raul that others don’t know, as well as details about your parents’ status and the circumstances surrounding your arrival at the convent—everything is documented in detail.”

“……”

“There’s no need to be shocked. Until just before I became Pope, I too was under the scrutiny of the Inquisition. I heard this story from my predecessor.”

“…From the Pope?”

John XVI’s head bobbed solemnly.

“From the moment I entered the Inquisition, I’ve been monitored as an employee of the Inspection Office, so it was an expected occurrence. But when the story about my child came from the Pope’s lips, I was honestly surprised, just as you are now.”

Lucia, as if under a spell, stroked her face. Unconsciously, her lips had hardened into a stiff line.

The Pope, before a frozen Lucia, warned her in a low voice—a sort of advice.

“If you’re going to be a saint, it would be wise to become accustomed to this. Until now, it was just the Inquisition watching you, but now others are paying attention as well. Such is the nature of that position.”

The Pope tapped the floor with his staff to lighten the stiff atmosphere.

“Still, there’s no need to be too afraid. If you conduct yourself as you have been, there shouldn’t be any major issues. However, this old man imparted unnecessary words to signify that you should be mindful of the gaze of others, not just the Inquisition.”

It was a warning to be cautious around the bishops and cardinals of the cult.

While Lucia was not entirely sure, she expressed her gratitude for the advice.

Seeing Lucia before him, John XVI’s expression softened with relief, and he began to speak again with a gentler smile.

“I’m glad to hear you understand. Let’s set this topic aside for now. There’s much I wish to discuss, but this old man doesn’t have much time left. If you’re about to apologize to me, let me preemptively say that I have already accepted that apology.”

The Pope retrieved the handkerchief he had set aside and coughed repeatedly, to the point of concern.

However, he showed no sign of caring. Concealing the handkerchief in his pocket, he opened his mouth again.

With a voice slightly cracked, typical of an aged man mixed with a metallic timbre, Pope John XVI, having seated Lucia, began to speak up.

“Today, I wish to have a conversation that I have put off with you. It is about the future of our church.”

“Please go ahead.”

“Before that, let me ask you one thing.”

John XVI gazed intently at Lucia, his eyes glinting with depth.

“Saint, do you believe the church is heading in the right direction?”