I'm thinking, ...... is it really that hard for rich people to get to heaven?
　"...... the Bible says so!

　Cecilia said this after she had finished putting together the outline of her presentation for the next Nova Lemuria Council.
　Hercule looked puzzled, wondering what this plump little slut was going to say all of a sudden.

　No, I mean, isn't ...... work a virtue? But if you work, you get money, right?　I think that earning money is a good thing. I think it is a good thing to earn money, because you have earned it through your own talent and effort. It's not right that he can't go to heaven.

　What are you saying all of a sudden?

　When Hercule said this, Cecilia leaned forward and began to explain.

　Cecilia leaned forward and began to explain: "Whether you can go to heaven or not depends on how much faith you have. But I don't think we can show our faith only by praying to God. The Lord has given us a test of destiny. I believe that facing it sincerely is the way to heaven.

　"Well, that's a fair point. What does that have to do with what you just said?

　Cecilia said with genuine, heartfelt pleasure.

　So, isn't occupation also part of our destiny? For example, farming, making useful tools, selling goods to people, monarchs like Hercule, bureaucrats who collect taxes, soldiers who fight against pagans, are all noble professions. The professions given to us by our Lord, let's see, .......

　"How about a vocation?

　When Hercule suggested a paraphrase, Cecilia smiled broadly.

　"Vocation!　That's good, let's do that. I believe that those who accept their vocation and work hard will be able to go to heaven. And if you work, you will naturally accumulate money.

　Hearing Cecilia's words, Hercule couldn't help but chuckle.
　It's cute that you think that if you work hard every day, you can accumulate money.
　She is still a bit naive in that way.
　Cecilia, however, has no chance to know or imagine the life of a low-class person who cannot accumulate money no matter how hard she works.

　"So you're saying that the richer you are, the more likely you are to go to heaven?
　"No, it doesn't. The accumulation of money is a side effect. What matters is how hard you work, how diligently you toil.
　So you're saying that the lowlifes who tried hard but couldn't make it will go to heaven?
　Only if the Lord approves of their efforts.

　He seems to be thinking about that.
　Well, some people are born rich, so it's not surprising.

　What about people who don't have jobs?　What about those who have some kind of physical disability that makes it difficult for them to work?
　The important thing is to make a direct effort. If your effort is right, the Lord will surely lead you to heaven.

　Effort, effort, effort.
　It sounds so hot and bitter.
　As Hercule, I would like to live a more relaxed life.

　"So Cecilia, you think the Bible is wrong?

　"No, I don't think so. Everything in the Bible is true. But whether or not ...... people get it right is another story.

　"So it's up to interpretation.

　The Bible is a book containing the word of God.
　But the Bible was not written by God, but by human beings. ...... Naturally, there will be excesses and deficiencies in its contents.
　In the first place, human beings are not so good as to be able to correctly describe all of God's great words in the Bible.

　Therefore, the important thing is to understand God's intentions from the Bible.

　This is the principle idea of Messianism.
　The reason why multiple sects have arisen is because of the different ways of interpretation.

　Therefore, Cecilia's argument can be interpreted in any way.
　Or at least Cecilia's interpretation is that "even rich people can go to heaven.

　Doesn't that contradict the fact that Messianism is supposed to honor poverty?

　Messianism is about poverty.
　But Cecilia's idea seems to deny it outright.

　Hercule points this out: ......

　I think there is no contradiction between being rich and being poor. Don't you think it's possible to be rich and poor without being overly extravagant and living in moderation?

　I'm sure that's true, but ...... wouldn't that just cause money to accumulate?

　Money has meaning only when it is used.
　There is no meaning in just saving.

　I think it's not good to hold on to your gains all by yourself. For example, if the salary of ...... is raised from ten silver coins to twelve, the lives of the people working for the rich man will be enriched.

　"Yes, indeed.

　"Of course, indirectly giving back to those who don't have money like that, but I think that direct giving back like running an orphanage or giving charity is also important. Only rich people can do such things, you know.

　In other words, if you donate to the church, you can atone for your sins?

　I don't think it matters whether you give through the church or not.

　Cecilia added, however, that the Church must and will operate in the most correct way.

　Cecilia added that the church must be able to operate in the most correct way, and that it would do so. "You know how the rich Lemurians of old used to actively spend money on public works? I think we need that kind of attitude.
　"I see.

　It seems that the book that Hercule had sent to Cecilia had a great influence on her thoughts.
　Well, it doesn't seem to be a bad influence, so there is no particular problem.



　"And by the way, what do you think about ......?　Would Mr. Hercule approve?
　I think it's a good idea. Why don't you include it in the public meeting?　If you, I, you, Lucanos, and Kronos vote in favor of it, no one will have any objections.

　It's not a bad idea to include such a doctrine that would attract the support of commerce and industry in order to fundamentally review the doctrine itself, eradicate corruption, and regain the faith of believers.

　Above all, it is in line with Hercule's policy of protecting commerce and industry.

　"Is there anything else?
　"Anything else?
　No, I was just wondering if there was anything else you'd like to change.

　When Hercule asked, Cecilia pondered a bit and then said, ......

　I don't know if you'll accept this. ......
　"Mmm-hmm.
　I'm thinking of banning torture in the Inquisition. I think it's a breeding ground for false accusations.
　"Well, that's certainly a challenge.

　Torture is not limited to the Inquisition, but in this world, it is common practice to use torture to force confessions.
　This may sound prehistoric, but from the perspective of modern Japanese values, it is ...... a very advanced method of obtaining confessions through torture in this world.

　In this world, the method of obtaining confessions by torture is very advanced, because the method of obtaining confessions is much more evidentiary than the methods of trial by combat or trial by divine decree, where there is no evidence whatsoever.

　However, torture is not a very effective method.
　After all, it is impossible to know whether what is said under torture is true or not.
　Considering the fact that there are cases in which people tell lies in order to escape suffering, it is not wise to force confessions.

　Are you speaking from personal experience?
　Yes, well, ...... even if Mr. Hercule hadn't helped me, I don't have the confidence to say that I wouldn't have confessed. If not for the help of Hercule, what would you have done ......?

　Cecilia hugged her body with both hands.
　She was still traumatized.

　You can tell me what you really went through. It's the actual experience of a medium.
　"......, will you accept that?
　I support it.

　Hercule himself does not believe in the effects of torture.
　If you want to get information from a prisoner of war and keep it for reference only,......, but if you want to use a confession obtained by torture as a material for a trial, it may lead to false accusations.

　It is true that torture is a quick and easy way to get rid of the problem.

　In the first place, since the Edict of Alexandria recognized paganism and heretical beliefs, only a few clergy would be subject to the Inquisition.
　Hercule's idea is to be polite about it.

　Also, although this has little to do with the Council, ...... I would like to establish a place where people can study theology. I think that the reason why there are so many clergy of poor quality is because there is a gap in the quality of education.
　So you're talking about establishing a theological college? ...... I can provide the land and funds.
　"You're going to finance it?

　Cecilia asked, and Hercule nodded.
　It is not only Cecilia and the church that needs good human resources.
　Hercule is also looking for high quality human resources to strengthen the bureaucracy.

　In addition to theology, we will also offer law and medicine. You will find theology professors, and we will provide law and medicine.

　For law, we can get a good bureaucrat, and for medicine, we can get one of Hypatia's disciples who knows medicine and is a messianist.

　After thinking that far, Hercule wondered whether it was Messianic to admit Hupatia and her merry men to a university whose main pillar was theology.
　When Hercule asks Cecilia about it, she says: ......

　I think that the best way is to invite a Messianic person who is familiar with the classical philosophy of Chiris, because there would be a lot of protests if we invite Hupatia directly. Hmm.

　"Hmm, well, if we look around the Holy Monastery, we can find them. ......

　Hercule muttered.

　The ancient Lemurian Empire was considered one of the most learned nations in the world, and its civil engineering and construction techniques have been passed down to the present day.
　However, the high technology of the ancient Lemurian Empire was not created by the ancient Lemurians.

　In the first place, it would be foolish to expect the elves, a barbaric, brainless race with no skills other than war and s*x, to develop academics.
　The culture, science, and technology of the ancient Lemurian Empire were all mimics of the ancient Chiris.

　Militarily, the elves conquered the human race, especially the Chiris, but in terms of culture, they were conquered by the Chiris.

　Many books on classical culture, natural philosophy, medicine, mathematics, and other sciences of the ancient Chiris are still preserved in the Lemurian Empire.
　The Library of Alexandria is a compilation of such books.

　However, the fact that they are preserved and the fact that they are utilized are two slightly different things.

　The literacy rate of the Lemurian Empire was not high to say the least.
　It is even more difficult to read classical Cyrillic, which has a different meaning and grammar from the modern language.

　In the Lemurian Empire, the word "cyris" was used to refer to a mysterious book of demons written in an obscure script by pagans long ago.
　This was the perception of the illiterate and uneducated general public in the Lemurian Empire.

　In fact, the people who tried to make a big campfire in the Library of Alexandria were a crazy patriarch and his fanatical and illiterate followers.

　However, this is only the reaction of the illiterate "general public" who cannot read them.
　The reaction of the educated people is different.

　The educated people in the Lemurian Empire are the aristocrats who drive politics and the clergy who drive religion.

　Of these aristocrats and clergy, only the most drunken and idle would consider learning classical Cyrillic.
　Of these, only a very limited number of nutters study the natural philosophy of the classical Chirisians.

　And these people of leisure are usually shut up in monasteries.

　Monasteries and convents are havens of bored people who want to leave the secular world behind and follow the path of faith, or to put it badly, bored people who want to read books in classical Cyrillic.

　And of the monasteries and convents, the brotherhoods are busy begging for alms, and the cultivating convents are busy farming. ......

　It is obvious, then, that among the monasteries, those who are not busy and have only their wealth would be attracted to the Holy Monastery, which Hercule hates.

　While the Brothers and the Reclamation Order are strict about their faith, the Sacred Congregation is, to put it in a bad way, corrupt and secularized, and therefore a bit lenient (only about their own behavior), and is inclined to turn a blind eye to the behavior of their colleagues who read pagan books.

　It is very ironic that the monks, who are supposed to have a strong faith in Messianism, are helping to preserve pagan books.

　But I don't have much to do with the Holy Monastery. ......
　Oh, I've already looked into that, don't worry.
　"Oh, yeah? ......

　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one.
　This is a great way to get the most out of your business.



　Also, I'd like to establish an organization for the preservation, translation, and study of classical chyristic books separate from the theological college.
　What do you mean?
　We will translate them into modern Cyrillic and modern Lemurian!　Wouldn't it be more efficient to centralize the projects that each of us has been doing individually and privately?

　I see. ...... Hercule nodded.
　Hercule had ordered and supported Hupatia and others to reproduce the ancient books, including classical Cyrillic, stored in the Library of Alexandria.

　The ancient books were written on either stone tablets or papyrus, the former being difficult to carry around and the latter being vulnerable to insects.
　The purpose of Hercule was to transmit knowledge to future generations by making manuscripts, and to read them in his spare time.

　However, while preserving the manuscripts, he did not translate them or study them.
　As for translation, he thought that he could learn classical Cyrillic if he wanted to read it, and as for research, he thought that it would be fine since Hupatia was doing it.

　It's a pagan book, yes, but a book about demons is a prejudice, indeed. In order to dispel this prejudice, the book should be made available to a wider audience. Besides, the natural philosophy of the classical Christians has some applications in theology. We need to study it from a messianic perspective!
　"Oh, yeah, ......, right. Well, that's good, isn't it?　I don't mind if you lend me the name and space.

　It sounds like a research organization, but in reality it's more like a classical chyris science club led by Cecilia,......, and Hercule readily gives his permission.
　Later, this organization would become much larger than Hercule expected, but that's another story.

　If possible, we should also collaborate with the University of Aletheia to conduct research in the natural sciences. ...... What's wrong?　
　No, I thought you were very keen on scientific research. ......

　It was Hercule who introduced Cecilia to natural philosophy and classical chiriscience.
　It was Hercule who introduced Cecilia to natural philosophy and classical Cyrillic science, but he did not expect her to be so enthusiastic.

　It is the Lord who has made the world. To decipher the structure of the world as He made it is to decipher His will. Don't you think that is the mission of us, the servants of God?
　"No, I don't think so. ...... Yeah, good luck. I'm rooting for you.

　You'll be able to see the fanatical gleam in Cecilia's eyes, and Hercule gives her a shout of encouragement with some dismay.
　Scientists are said to have intellectual inquisitiveness to a greater or lesser extent, but Cecilia's is more of a compulsive inquisitiveness than an intellectual inquisitiveness.

　It seems that Cecilia has disappeared from the days when she was a cute little girl who was honestly delighted by Hercule's knowledge.

　(However, it is unlikely to develop to that level in my lifetime or Cecilia's, but at some point, science will deny the contents of the Bible. ...... Or can you get through it by interpreting it?

　In the beginning, the Bible was a governing document, and even the current orthodoxy of the "Trinity Theory" is a theory that is based on interpretation after interpretation.

　A new contradiction in the Bible, which is a mass of contradictions, is nothing to worry about. At first there will be a backlash, but eventually they will claim that the Bible is consistent with their interpretation and theories.

　As for the theory of evolution, the Bible's creation is consistent with science because God created and guided the world to evolve in such a way. The Bible is right after all, the Bible is great, long live the Bible! The Bible is right.

　"By the way, Mr. Hercule, while we're on the subject, ......, not that it's completely unrelated, but is it true that you're going to abolish the wheat law?
　"Yes?　Yes, it's true. It's a bad law.

　The Wheat Act.
　It's a policy that provides a certain amount of free wheat to the lower class citizens of Nova Lemuria, and it's a law with a long history that has existed since Hercule's ancestors started the Empire.

　Hercule has decided to abolish it, and preparations are already underway.

　Is it a bad law ......?　I think it's a good law.
　"Hmm, you don't know what it is. Let me tell you something: ...... Cecilia, what are the bare necessities of human life?
　Well, food, clothes, and a place to get out of the wind and rain, right?　　
　Yes, you know what I mean. I mean, you can't live on wheat alone.

　The wheat provided by the wheat law is raw.
　It must be processed into bread before it can be eaten, and the bakery takes a portion of the wheat as a fee.
　How much of the wheat will remain in the hands of the lower classes?

　Most of the lower class people convert all the wheat they receive into cash and use it for living expenses. Collect taxes in gold and silver, convert it into wheat, distribute it, and then convert the wheat back into gold and silver. ...... If that's the case, why not just hand out gold and silver from the start? Moreover, wheat is an easy target for speculation, and its price fluctuates wildly. The wheat law is not enough to help the weak and is a bad law that puts pressure on public finances.

　Are soup kitchens a bad idea at ......?

　"I think soup kitchens are good.　At least it's better than the wheat law.

　The food served at a soup kitchen can be eaten as is.
　The food served at the soup kitchen can be eaten as is.

　"Instead of abolishing the wheat law, I'm going to build a job training facility. Instead of repealing the wheat law, we're going to build a vocational training facility, which will be a wonderful, homey facility that will provide food, clothing, and shelter.

　After reviewing the bill from the bureaucrats, Hercule thought to himself, "I definitely don't want to go in there," but then, in the spirit of "I'm not going in there, so why not?

　The program is designed so that by the time he graduates, he will have acquired a certain level of skill.
　Nova Lemuria is generally short of manpower, so if you have a good skill, you can make a good living.

　"So you'd rather teach them how to fish than give them fish!
　Yes, well, ...... that's what it comes down to, isn't it?

　It's more like a horrible institution where all the precriminals who hang out in the slums are thrown together and rehabilitated.

　I'm not sure what to make of this. ...... Can you take care of the coinage?
　Yes, I will. I'll try to convince her.

　I'm sure Cecilia will thoroughly and logically harass the clergy who are not cooperating with the coinage.
　Hercule had high hopes and some sympathy.