Chapter 15: Tiana and The Parish Priest

Tiana and The Parish Priest

In a monarchy, the thing that is most important to the ruler is...

It is authority.

So how is that authority guaranteed?

Often, those in power at the time had the backing of religion.

"The royal authority is a precious gift from God"

In this way, those in power attempted to ensure the legitimacy of royal authority.

Like many others, the head of the Rose Kingdom has strengthened his authority through the trust of the church.

The relationship between those in power and the church was a honeymoon...

My daughter has changed dramatically since then.

I am a parish priest and have a daughter.

I forced my young daughter to undergo strict teachings in order to make her sacrifice her everything for God.

She is simple, strong-willed, and, for better or worse, stubborn and inflexible.

As I had hoped, my daughter became a devout priest-elect.

She was an exemplary child who stubbornly followed God's teachings.

Moreover, she grew up to be very beautiful.

She was a beauty that everyone would envy.

However, her beauty was hidden by her deep veil and her stubborn personality.　

One day, my daughter awakened to healing magic.

Despite the fact that the girl had no magical talent.

Simple recovery magic itself is not particularly rare.

Although it is monopolized by those connected to the church, there are a fair number of high-ranking healers.

However, until just recently, my daughter had never even received any instruction in magic from anyone.

She then demonstrated healing magic that would put even the high ranking healers of the church to shame.　

It was around that time that my daughter, due to her stubborn nature, became a popular clergyman, well-liked by the townspeople.

If anyone was in need, she would heal them without hesitation.

Before I knew it, the citizens began calling her the "Saint of Charity."

That was not good.　

The doctrine prohibits unlicensed healing by church personnel.

The act of healing confirms the authority of the church.

I gave her strict orders.

I asked her to stop providing healing to ordinary people indiscriminately.　

The daughter was beginning to attract the attention of the church headquarters.

Even the parish priest's daughter is no exception.

I scolded my daughter many times.

Still, she never stopped giving.　

My daughter was summoned to church headquarters.

It is the Inquisition.

For violating God's will.

If you are declared a heretic, you will be excommunicated.

In the worst case scenario, the punishment is death.

In fact, excommunication could be seen as more shameful than death.　

My wife and I lamented.

Was my education wrong?　

One day, my daughter returned from the inquisition as if nothing had happened.　

"Ti, Tiana... are you okay...?"　

"Yes, it's nothing."

My daughter was very nonchalant.

It's hard to believe she was ever subjected to the Inquisition.

A very calm appearance.　

"Father, I'm sorry for causing you worry this time."　

"What happened to the Inquisition? Once it's brought, it's not something you can just let go of."　

"The investigators are all very intelligent. They understand when you talk to them. They said I can continue to give charity in the future as well."　

I was stunned.

What exactly did my daughter do during the Inquisition?

How can it be permissible to go against the solemn doctrines established by the Church?　

From then on, my daughter began making frequent visits to church headquarters.

Of course, she also provide healing services free of charge.

I didn't know what my daughter was doing at headquarters.

Church headquarters is an abyss of intrigue.

That is a terrible group of people.

My career as a priest will probably end at parish priest.

Being an average person, I couldn't imagine what she was doing at headquarters.　

Some time later, the incumbent cardinal passed away due to old age.

The successor will be chosen by a closed meeting of the College of Cardinals.

However, this time the results were not made public.

It was unusual for the leader of the church not to be made public to the general public.

Naturally, as a cardinal he has many public roles, such as participating in religious ceremonies.

The Cardinal is a very busy man.

However, this role was to be carried out by a representative selected from among the Lords.

One day my daughter said to me:　

"I have become a Cardinal. I inform you, Father, as the head of the parish, as a special announcement. However, please do not tell anyone that I am the Cardinal."　

Her personality has changed, but she's not the type to make lame jokes.

It's probably true.

It is impossible to know how she became Cardinal.

Did she seduce him with that alluring body?

No, it's impossible to reach the top of the church with such worldly things.

I became frightened of her.　

After a while, rumors began to spread among the clergy in the city that my daughter would be "certified as a saint" by the church headquarters.

A few days after the rumor spread, a statement was made by church headquarters.

They wanted my daughter to be recognized as a saint and to join the hero and assist him.　

Speaking of hero, he is the talk of the town right now.

He is an important figure to the church, as he pulled out the holy sword.

He is fighting for the purpose of saving humanity.

It would be a perfect entity for the church to use to establish authority, but...　

No matter how you look at it, her own will as a cardinal is at work.

I don't understand her point of view.　

If we are to send a priest to the hero, there are other excellent ones available.

Although I think they are far inferior to my daughter.

But orders from above are absolute.

Feeling foolish, I commanded my daughter as a priest.　

"This is an order from the church headquarters. My daughter, Saint Tiana, will join the heroes and assist them."　

"I understand, Father..."　

My daughter has left me, her father.　

I was secretly relieved that she was moving away.

As a parent, I no longer know what to say to that child.

She is a being far above my imagination.

It's probably pointless to try to understand.　

The healer accompanying the hero is the highest ranking official in the church...

They wouldn't even dream of it.　

That young, beautiful woman beside you.

She was a powerful woman who could rival the king.

---At a bar in a certain town---

A grand banquet is being held by the heroes.

"Huh? Alto-shan's mug isn't empty yet... Yes! Alto-shan's! I want to see a good side of you! So, drink, drink, drink ♪ drink, drink, drink ♪ drink, drink, drink ♪ drink?"　

"If Tiana says so! Damn it... I'll do it! I'll do it! Whoa!!"　

They were partying at their favorite bar.　

Her father is unaware of the disgrace.