Don't Want to Be Ordinary Even Though I'm an Extra Character-Chapter 126: [125] Next Action (3)

Pastor Hongward spoke in a calm tone, yet beneath his voice lay an unwavering conviction. He held his teacup with both hands, allowing the warmth of the porcelain to seep into his skin. "The Church of Krisihan is not merely a place of worship but also a pillar that has upheld the Empire since its very foundation," he said, his gaze fixed on Arkan, filled with deep reverence for the church’s long-standing history.

Arkan leaned back against his chair, his eyes never leaving the man before him. "Krisihan... What kind of figure was he?" he asked, wanting to dig deeper.

Hongward took a slow breath, sipping his tea before continuing. "Krisihan was a divine emissary sent to guide humanity through its darkest era. He was born into humble circumstances, in a world that had lost its morality. From childhood, he displayed wisdom far beyond his years, and miracles surrounded him, earning the devotion of those who believed."

Arkan interlaced his fingers atop the table, his expression composed even as his thoughts churned, connecting fragments of a story that felt eerily familiar. "So, he was a teacher who spread teachings of virtue?"

Hongward gave a slow nod, his eyes drifting toward the past. "More than that. He gathered twelve devoted disciples and traveled across lands, spreading divine revelations and teaching mankind about love, justice, and sacrifice. But, like all harbingers of change, he had many enemies who sought his downfall."

Arkan exhaled quietly, his fingers tapping against the wooden surface of the table. This story... It felt far too similar to something he had read in his past life. "Enemies among the ruling class?"

"Correct," Hongward answered heavily. "The leaders of that time saw him as a threat to the system they had built. They sought to silence him, persecuted his disciples, and even attempted to kill him. Yet, despite facing betrayal and suffering, Krisihan never wavered."

A moment of silence settled over the room. Arkan gazed into his teacup, the tale resonating with figures he had once known in his former world. Krisihan was not merely a prophet—he was a leader who guided his followers through exile and tribulation, laying the foundation for a nation that would one day become a dominant force in this world’s history.

Setting his cup down on a small plate, Hongward resumed speaking in a more serious tone. "The church’s structure is highly complex. From priests serving in small villages to bishops overseeing major cities, all the way up to the Cardinal Council, who act as the primary advisors to the Pope."

Arkan crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing slightly. "And ultimately, all authority rests in the hands of the Pope, doesn’t it?"

Hongward nodded. "Yes. Though the Cardinal Council holds considerable influence, they can only offer counsel. The final decision belongs solely to the Pope, who is regarded as the successor to Krisihan’s teachings and the spiritual leader of all believers." His voice lowered slightly, as if burdened by his own words. "But the problem is... the church is now fractured, divided into factions with differing beliefs."

Arkan straightened his posture, leaning forward. "So, what’s your opinion on the current Pope?"

Pastor Hongward hesitated briefly before releasing a long sigh. "I do not wish to speak ill of him, but to be honest... the man is far too rigid in his views," he admitted, his tone laced with quiet dissatisfaction. "I understand the importance of preserving the teachings of our forebears and the sacred scriptures, but the world continues to change. Unfortunately, the Pope and several cardinals refuse to accept that change."

Arkan raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the direction of the conversation. "Hoo... Do you mean they reject the scientific advancements of today?"

Hongward took another sip of tea before answering. "Yes. Many still believe that science will only corrupt the faithful with ideologies that contradict the church’s doctrines." He placed his cup down gently before continuing, "For example, to this day, people are still executed as heretics simply for denying the belief that this world is the center of the universe."

Arkan let out a small chuckle—not out of amusement, but because of the sheer irony. "So there are still people who believe the sun and stars revolve around this world?"

Hongward sighed, the fatigue evident in his expression. "No matter how much evidence is presented, the church refuses to acknowledge that our world actually orbits the sun. They fear that accepting such a truth would shake the very foundation of their faith, built over centuries."

Arkan leaned back, crossing his legs. "Surely, not everyone in the church still clings to such outdated ideas?"

A faint smile appeared on Hongward’s lips. "You’re right. The younger generation within the church has started embracing science, and because of this, countless debates have emerged. The church is now split into two factions—those who wish to preserve the old teachings without alteration, and those who seek to reinterpret the sacred texts in a way that aligns with the modern era."

Arkan drummed his fingers lightly against the table, his eyes narrowing slightly. This world wasn’t so different from the history he had studied. The conflict between faith and science, the struggle for power within religious institutions, and how all of it could influence politics.

He leaned back into his chair, his mind rapidly processing the weight of the information he had just received. The division within the church was not merely a theological dispute—it was a conflict that could reshape the Empire’s future, possibly even igniting a much larger war.

Letting out a long sigh, he allowed the warmth of his tea to seep into his palms. "I see... Haah, this is more complicated than I expected." Arkan turned his gaze back to Pastor Hongward. "By the way, if the Pope leads the conservative faction, then who leads the other side? There must be someone, right?"

Hongward stared at him in silence, his lips hesitating to part. The flickering fire behind him cast shifting shadows on the grand wooden walls. Then, with a voice both calm and resolute, he finally answered.

"That would be me..."

Arkan’s heartbeat quickened. His eyes narrowed slightly as he studied the expression on the man before him. "Hah?"

Hongward slowly set his teacup down, his voice heavier than before. "I am the one leading the reformist faction within the church. I, along with several other cardinals, believe that we must reinterpret the old teachings, adapting them to the changes of the world." He let out a brief sigh, interlacing his fingers atop his knee. "But as you can imagine, not everyone welcomes such change with open arms."

Arkan remained silent, letting the words hang in the air. Now, he understood—Hongward was not just some ordinary pastor serving in a remote region. This man was not merely a preacher but a revolutionary, striving to dismantle a system that had stood unchallenged for centuries.

The room fell into a hushed stillness once more, the only sound being the occasional crackling of firewood in the hearth. But to Arkan, this silence carried far more weight than a thousand spoken words.

Finally, he broke the silence, his tone laced with curiosity and doubt. "Wait... If you’re the leader of the reformists, then why haven’t you been more active in this political struggle?"

Hongward met Arkan’s gaze, as if expecting that very question. He took a slow breath before answering, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable tension. "Because we are waiting for the right moment."

Arkan raised an eyebrow, silently demanding a clearer explanation.

Hongward continued, his tone growing more serious. "The conservative faction is too powerful. They hold absolute control over the church, including its main military forces—the Paladins and the Crusaders. If we make a move recklessly, we’ll be crushed before we ever have a chance to bring about change." His hands clenched into fists atop his knees, fingers pressing tightly against his palms. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Arkan leaned back into his chair, his fingers drumming a steady rhythm against the wooden armrest. "So, you’re choosing to hide?"

Hongward let out a small, bitter smile. "You could say that. My exile to this village was a subtle form of punishment for my ’deviant’ views. But in reality, I’ve been using this time to gather strength—little by little." His gaze locked onto Arkan’s, his eyes brimming with unwavering conviction. "We are waiting for the right moment. And that moment will come soon because the current Pope is old. I believe the best time to act will be during the next papal election."

Arkan fell silent, processing Hongward’s words. The papal election... That meant there was a potential opening in the conservatives’ grip on power.

(But I have no intention of waiting that long...)

Leaning back in his chair, he rested one hand against his chin, his fingers slowly brushing against his temple. His gaze drifted toward the large window, where the sky stretched out in an unbroken expanse of blue. If he could remove the Pope sooner, he wouldn’t have to wait years for the next election. However, toppling a Pope was merely the beginning—the real challenge was controlling the church afterward. Without the right successor in place, what would follow wouldn’t be reform but chaos.

Taking a slow breath, he shifted his focus back to Hongward. "The papal election... Are there any specific criteria for it?"

Hongward let out a quiet sigh before answering. "Officially, there are no fixed rules. However, over the years, an unwritten tradition has emerged. Many believe that the new Pope should come from the bloodline of the previous one."

Arkan crossed his arms, his expression turning cold. "That’s not tradition—that’s nepotism."

Hongward gave a faint smile, as if in agreement. "Of course. The ones who push for this rule are merely those seeking to secure their own interests. By ensuring the next Pope comes from the same family, they can maintain their influence within the church."

Arkan let out a deep sigh, his shoulders rising and falling before he leaned forward, resting an elbow on the table. "I see... Then, who are the current Pope’s descendants?"

Hongward paused for a moment, considering his words before responding. "The Pope has three children. One chose not to involve himself with religious affairs and instead joined the Imperial military. Another..."

He hesitated, as if searching for the best way to phrase what came next.

"The second one has been groomed as his successor," he finally admitted.

Arkan tapped the tip of his boot against the floor, his eyes narrowing slightly as he processed the information. "And the last one?"

Hongward’s expression became unreadable. For a moment, he seemed hesitant, but in the end, he spoke. "The last one..." He took a deep breath before continuing, his voice calm yet heavy with meaning. "That would be me."

Arkan straightened his back, slightly taken aback.

For a brief moment, the air in the room felt heavier, as if even the fire in the hearth had dimmed.

"You’re serious?"

Hongward met his gaze head-on, his eyes holding nothing but truth. "Yes, I am the Pope’s son."

Arkan raised a hand to his forehead, letting out a quiet chuckle. This wasn’t just a surprising twist—it was a trump card that could change everything.