Raising the Princess to Overcome Death Chapter 94
94. Beggar Siblings – Cardinal Verke
“I apologize, Your Highness.”
Cardinal Verke rose from his seat and bowed, though it did not seem genuinely respectful. Leo, accustomed to such behavior, responded with the manners appropriate for a prince addressing a priest.
“Please, have a seat. We have much to discuss.”
The cardinal offered Leo a seat and began preparing tea. The spoon stirring the tea glinted with a white light as it spun.
This time, it was no illusion. The cardinal infused the tea with divine power.
“It’s cold outside, and this old man has little to offer you other than this. I could bring you some spices like Cannella... Would you like that?”
Leo took a moment to answer, sipping the tea that was offered. He scrutinized the cardinal sitting comfortably in front of him.
‘Am I being too sensitive?’
Priests typically used straightforward and easy-to-understand language. The phrase “I have nothing to offer you on a cold day” could be interpreted as a clear boundary, suggesting he had no intention to help.
Leo felt the need to be a bit more cunning.
“No, this is enough. I appreciate the cardinal personally making tea for me; it’s a gesture I’m thankful for.”
This seemingly simple response subtly asked, ‘Since you made tea for me personally, doesn’t that mean you have some intention of helping me?’
“Be careful, it’s hot. When did you return? Lutetia has changed a lot, hasn’t it?”
It was clear. The cardinal was continuing a noble’s conversation.
‘Baric Monarch... Could he really be the missing illegitimate child from the Monarch family?’
Feeling his suspicion deepen, Leo carefully chose his words.
“I left the city so young that I don’t remember muChapter It’s been hard finding a place to rest, and I’ve only just managed to visit. But I vividly remember this church, always longing for it.”
‘Though no one helped me before, that’s no longer the case. Was your earlier refusal sincere?’ Leo’s subtle query was met with a warm smile from the cardinal.
“Ho ho, you have a good memory. The church is a welcoming place for everyone. There are two others who said something similar to you. Count Geoff Willand and Marquis Dennis Arne also spoke fondly of this place.”
‘What is he up to?’
Leo fiddled with his teacup, trying to discern the cardinal’s intent. The cardinal emphasized again that he had no intention to help but seemed to introduce two nobles.
Count Geoff Willand and Marquis Dennis Arne were known to Leo. They had previously opposed Prince Eric de Yeriel’s legitimacy and had clashed with Duke Tertan.
Now, they had returned to their own territories and were people Leo had given up trying to recruit. They had no intention of engaging in power struggles with Prince Eric...
The issue was the cardinal’s motive.
He had mentioned giving spices like Cannella earlier, and now he openly suggested an introduction.
‘Does he want me to clash with Prince Eric? Is he introducing me to people who will support me in a major conflict?’
That seemed the only plausible explanation, but Leo avoided a direct answer. He saw no need for an introduction, nor did he intend to follow the cardinal’s mysterious suggestions.
“Haha, there seem to be many who think alike. During my travels, I met Baron Monarch, who also said he missed this place.”
“...”
Leo mentioned Baron Monarch to test the waters. As expected, there was a reaction.
Cardinal Verke’s previously amicable face stiffened.
“Baron Monarch... Do you know him well?”
“Not really. Gustav Peter, or rather, Baron Monarch, is quite a frugal man.”
When Leo dropped the name “Peter,” a crack appeared in Cardinal Verke’s composed mask.
The cardinal brushed back his white hair with his large hand and spoke with sharpened eyes.
“It’s surprising to hear that Gustav misses this place...”
Leo felt he had touched a nerve.
“That shouldn’t be the case.”
“......”
“Well, fine. Prince Leo de Yeriel, you seem to have a wide network and a lot of knowledge... So, what brings you to me?”
The cardinal set his teacup down with a clink. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table and clasping his hands over his mouth.
His posture suggested he was done with the provocative noble’s conversation.
Leo pretended to savor the aroma of the tea, buying time.
‘I had a hunch, and it’s confirmed. This won’t work.’
It was now clear that there was a close relationship between Count Gustav Peter and Cardinal Verke. However, the nature of that relationship was still unknown.
There was a high probability that they were father and son, but Leo had not expected such a reaction. It didn’t seem they were close, whether as father and son or otherwise.
‘I should just withdraw. Prodding further without knowing anything could be dangerous.’
Revealing that he knew about their relationship or that the cardinal’s real name was Baric Monarch seemed pointless. It wouldn’t help to threaten him; the cardinal showed no fear, rather a defiant attitude of “say whatever you like.”
Leo quickly abandoned any lingering hopes.
Further agitation might jeopardize everything he had worked for, and it was unclear why the cardinal was even necessary in the beggar siblings’ scenario.
Despite feeling he was missing something, he couldn’t risk ruining everything over mere suspicion.
“I came to ask about my father’s condition.”
“...I see.”
When Leo abruptly changed the subject and started to withdraw, Cardinal Verke’s expression darkened. He unclasped his hands and spoke in a gentler tone.
“But you are a little late. The king’s condition has worsened since last year, and it’s now difficult to extend his life even with divine power. I’m sorry.”
“…How much time does he have?”
The cardinal gave a wry smile, as if to say, ‘Just like his sons.’
“I told Prince Eric, so it’s only fair to tell you too. The king probably won’t survive the year. Actually, he might not even last another month. His condition is that bad.”
“…I see.”
Leo lowered his head as if in mourning, but internally, he was thinking about something else.
‘So, there’s a time limit here too.’
If the king passed away and Prince Eric de Yeriel ascended the throne, things would get complicated. Most of the people who had sworn loyalty to Leo were knights of the royal guard.
Although they were supposed to remain politically neutral, they were dissatisfied with Prince Eric’s disgraceful actions and questionable legitimacy, so Leo could bring them to his side.
But if Prince Eric became king, the justification for reinstating a legitimate prince would fade, and the knights’ loyalty might waver.
Despite having the achievement related to the master-servant relationship…
[ Achievement: Master-Servant Relationship - ‘144’, As long as loyalty remains unwavering, those who swear loyalty will trust and follow Leo. ]
This achievement wasn’t as powerful as it seemed. Although it appeared impressive, akin to a scenario reward, it had a clear limitation.
- As long as loyalty remains unwavering.
It didn’t fix the loyalty at the moment of the oath; it only counted the number of people who had sworn loyalty. Other than that, it had no other function.
‘One month…’
Leo thought it was fortunate that he came to see the cardinal. He tapped his fingers nervously.
He had to settle things within that time.
He was confident in his ability to win, but…
As Leo’s silence stretched, the cardinal spoke again.
“Do not worry too muChapter There have been nobles dissatisfied with Prince Eric who have come to me. With their help, it’s not impossible for you to have a chance.”
Blatant.
Leo looked up and stared at him intently. He wanted to ask what his true intentions were, but knew he wouldn’t get a straightforward answer. It was frustrating.
‘What am I supposed to do here? He seems like someone who could be important, but I can’t figure him out…’
Although the conversation was essentially over, Leo decided to ask one more question, hoping to glean something.
“Why have you kept my father alive all this time? Doesn’t Prince Eric disapprove?”
“It’s a priest’s duty to save a patient’s life. What other reason could there be?”
“With the divine power you’ve used on the king, you could have saved many more lives.”
“…Isn’t the life of a royal more important than that of hundreds of commoners?”
The cardinal, who had been looking directly at Leo, glanced at the teacup. He attempted to deflect the question with a rhetorical one, subtly changing his tone.
“You contradict your own theory, Cardinal.”
“…?”
The cardinal was momentarily speechless, caught off guard by Leo’s pointed remark.
According to Leo’s research, Cardinal Verke had once caused a stir in the Cross Church by proposing the ‘Theory of Universal Priesthood.’
He had challenged the church’s practice of only baptizing those proven to efficiently accept divine power through rituals. Although there had been long-standing controversies over this practice, Verke was the first to formally rebut it with a theory like the ‘Theory of Universal Priesthood.’
Verke argued that the deity did not discriminate between those who could and could not receive divine power. He highlighted that even those who received little divine power at baptism could grow it significantly.
The ‘Theory of Universal Priesthood’ had garnered much support from monks who had been unable to become priests due to failing the rituals. They had their own grievances.
However, their dissatisfaction and Verke’s ambitious theory were eventually suppressed by reality.
Divine power was a finite resource, insufficient to make everyone a priest. Furthermore, his theory also challenged the social hierarchy.
Priests, whether of noble or common birth, transcended their initial status. Thus, Verke’s claim that everyone could become a priest was inherently offensive to the privileged class.
Facing this harsh reality, the young Verke had to concede. The heated debate cooled down when he acknowledged reality and published a theory supporting the social hierarchy.
“…That was a long time ago. Fine, I’ll be honest. The treatment money was the goal. With that money, I could help many people. But next year, even that will end. More importantly…”
After hesitating for a while, the cardinal tried to change the subject, and Leo took the opportunity to unleash his pent-up questions.
“Isn’t divine power harder to replenish than money?”
“What exactly is my father’s illness? Why can’t it be cured?”
“Hasn’t Prince Eric pressured you?”
However, the cardinal gave vague or evasive answers, not providing any satisfactory information. Eventually, Leo realized there was nothing more to gain and stood up.
“Thank you for your time. It was very enlightening.”
“I hope I didn’t take up too much of your time. Are you sure you don’t need introductions to the nobles?”
“Yes, that’s fine. I would appreciate it if you kept my visit here a secret.”
“Of course. Take care. I won’t see you out.”
Leo left the church, feeling a deep sense of fatigue. The cardinal’s intentions remained elusive, and he ultimately did not offer any real assistance.
‘It will be fine. It’s nothing significant…’
Information about the cardinal was just one piece of the many pieces of information he had gathered.
Despite feeling uneasy about the connection with Count Peter, Leo tried to shake off his uneasiness.
Surely, nothing major would happen? He had over a hundred knights with him…
As he crossed the bustling marketplace, he felt a sense of loneliness. No one readily offered help.
Except for her.
‘Did Cassia arrive safely?’
Leo thought of Cassia, who had shown him kindness without expecting anything in return, and walked heavily.
He was wearing the shoes Cassia had left behind.