I Was The Hero, But I Woke Up as a Phoenix Princess! – Chapter 967

Chapter 13 The Pope’s Holy Nation
After leaving the plague-ridden village, Verafia and others, along with the priest Clement whom they met on the road, headed towards Arnor Colon in the Duchy of Upper Rhine. This was also a path towards the City of Holy Light, so it did not delay their journey at all.
Along the way, Verafia’s carriage naturally encountered roving mountain bandits and even the rogue soldiers of warring lords.
However, for Verafia, these were merely insignificant embellishments in a boring journey. She merely revealed a bit of life divine arts with her fingertips and waved them all away.
Yesterday, after passing through the dense forest, the carriage had already entered the territory of the Duchy of Upper Rhine. Soft golden sunlight shone on the solid avenue, filled with an aura of light and warmth, with no sign whatsoever that this duchy was the origin of the plague.
Although she was traveling in a carriage, the castle that Verafia had brought with her in the carriage could rival the most luxurious royal courts. When she had nothing to do, she would invite the two young girls, Ophi and Misella, to have tea parties in the garden where the warm sunlight could reach, enjoying delicious afternoon tea together.
Today was no different, except that Ig was also present among the girls, and opposite them was the priest Clement.
“If that’s the case, Mr. Clement, you clearly know that Pope Moon’s actions completely blaspheme the purpose of the Church. He even killed His Majesty the Emperor, so why do you still want to go to the Holy City to ask for his help?”
Misella asked, raising her head slightly, her crystal-clear blue eyes filled with confusion.
She bore the title “Princess White Iris” and was considered the pearl of the kingdom, cherished by both Peka and Lichen.
Among them, of course, was the Cardinal Richelieu of the Peka Church, who doted on her, and in her childhood, Misella was often taken to the great cathedral to study, and was very familiar with the doctrines of the God of Light.
However, in her conversations with Clement over the past few days, she had discovered that this seemingly young priest had an incredibly profound understanding of church scriptures, far exceeding even what Cardinal had taught her.
Clement replied humbly, “You praise me too highly; my understanding of the Holy Lord is negligible. However, beautiful lady, what does light represent in your eyes?”
“Light?”
Misella couldn’t help but be startled. In her understanding, followers of the Church of Light rarely mentioned the word “light.” In their perception, it was the Incarnation of the Holy Lord of Light, and touching it without reason was a highly disrespectful act.
“Is it the blessings of the God of Light?” the silver-haired young girl inquired tentatively.
“The entire world is a gift from the great Lord. Countless people admire and believe in it. Light represents goodness and order. Because we believe in light, we possess virtue and are distinguished from the creations of darkness,” Clement said.
Misella’s slender willow brows furrowed slightly. She didn’t understand how Clement’s words related to her question.
“As you can see, the Tyrolatte Empire is an empire of light, and every emperor claims his authority is bestowed by the Holy Lord. However, for thousands of years, have the emperors or nobles ever truly followed the virtues of Sacred Light?”
Clement said, “I have only seen them repeatedly ignite wars out of ambition and wealth. Just as today, the empire’s feudal lords are gathering armies and even exploiting their domain people, but is what they pursue truly justice, or the injustice of the Pope killing the Emperor?”
“But even so, Pope Moon claims to have established a holy nation on earth…”
“Beautiful lady, perhaps you will not agree with my words.”
Clement said, “The Holy Lord says: ‘I grant earthly power and authority.’ Earthly monarchs should wear crowns of thorns… but they exchange them for gold and jade.”
“The Pope did kill the Emperor, but if the Sacred Light he claims can bring a world without oppression and exploitation, where everyone is a brother, where lies and wars do not exist, and where the fields flow with milk and honey, then what is wrong with letting it replace this empire?”
Ig, who had been listening to their conversation, couldn’t help but frown.
Although he was not a follower of the God of Light, he could clearly feel that what Clement was saying had completely deviated from the purpose of the Church, and could even be considered sophistry.
However, Verafia, sitting beside him, picked up her teacup with interest and took a small sip.
Hmm… Actually, today, as she thought of approaching Arnor Colon, she had deliberately called Clement over, and she was the one who first initiated the topic of Pope Moon. Unexpectedly, this priest was truly unreserved and had actually agreed.
She lightly curled her lips, took another sip of the sweet red tea, and when she saw Ig looking at her, she smiled faintly.
“Actually, this young lady agrees with much of what this priest says. Just as he said, the meaning of deities for faith is to give the same gifts. People believe in deities, perhaps for material gifts, hopes for life, or even for the salvation of sins…”
“Perhaps some also hope to find the true, good, and ideal heavenly kingdom within the teachings of light.”
Ig turned to see the girl’s fleeting golden eyes, and saw her slightly pursed lips as she put down the teacup in her hand, her slender feet swaying back and forth between the slightly higher chairs.
“Then what is Veer’s meaning?” Ig asked.
“To establish a heavenly kingdom in the human world is, of course, a vain illusion, twisted logic and sophistry. Even if material wealth is abundant, how can it compare to a true divine kingdom? Even if holy scriptures educate everyone, how can it compare to angels with flawless hearts?”
“Not to mention, in the earthly heavenly kingdom, every Pope is of flesh and blood, possessing human greed and sins. I don’t believe everyone will follow the teachings of Sacred Light.”
Hearing the girl’s light voice, Ig understood her meaning. But he still raised his head and asked, “Veer just mentioned the Pope?”
“It is the Pope’s Holy Seat, named Sacred Light, but in his holy nation, he possesses monarch-like authority, so of course, he should be called Pope.”
Verafia blinked her golden eyes and smiled, “Actually, just as this priest said. The so-called Pope’s Holy Seat is not much different from a king, so why not call him Pope?”
“Even the authority of the Church and the king is similar. One relies on bloodline inheritance, while the other relies on spiritual and religious inheritance. The power and benefits they possess are merely extracted from the vast majority of commoners at the bottom…”
“As for Moon’s so-called holy nation, pfft, it’s not like Fatter said, using the name of Sacred Light to put on a false crown for himself.”
Ig thought for a moment, nodded, and was about to speak when he suddenly saw Verafia clap her hands and jump down from the chair: “Ah, Arnor Colon has arrived.”
Hearing the girl’s voice, Ig turned his head, and outside the carriage window, the magnificent city surrounded by hard gray-white city walls had already come into view.
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I originally just wanted to transition, but I didn’t expect to write so much…
(To hurry the writing, the logic for Clement’s ideas is not very well written, please forgive me…)