Surviving as a Cult Leader in Another World (On Pause)

[To my beloved Psyche,

Psyche, It has already been fifteen days since I left the Agarphe territory.The journey by carriage was extremely arduous due to the hard saddle and bumpy roads, so I'm only writing to you now.I am currently crossing a forest. I hear that once I cross this forest, I will see the Rem River that flows through Florence.

It would have been wonderful to see that beautiful scenery with you, but I regret that I cannot.
For your information, Lady Milione is sitting next to me.
Although she is a rude person, she is behaving relatively well now.
I will send you another letter as soon as I arrive in Florence.
From your husband, Hyde.]
Writing a letter to my wife who was waiting for me was quite enjoyable.
As I wrote, my heart swelled with affection for Psyche.
It has been fifteen days since I left Agarphe.
I was about half a day away from arriving in Florence, and I was filled with anticipation.
"The city of literature, art, and theology."
Wouldn't Florence, overflowing with educated people, be the most suitable city for me, Hyde, who dreams of becoming a clergyman, to thrive in?
However, Milione scoffed.
"Literature and art, my ass. Florence is a city full of hypocrites and braggarts. If you live there for just a week, you'll be nauseated by the stench of their greasy faces."
Milione has been relatively well-behaved lately.
She didn't curse recklessly or make things difficult for people without reason.
Perhaps it was because my words, spoken while wearing Lust's mask, about Hyde's weakness being a well-behaved lady, had worked well.
However, as the procession got closer to Florence, Milione's demeanor became increasingly restless, like someone with anxiety.
Even though it was her hometown and home, a place she must have missed.
"We've arrived! Miss Mili! Florence is visible in the distance!"
Old Man, the old knight, shouted as we emerged from the forest.
Perhaps because the carriage was on a high hill, the scenery below was visible at a glance. A city with a river running through it could be seen across a vast golden field.
The city walls were sophisticated, and the spires in each district rose high, making it a truly magnificent sight.
"Indeed, it is worthy of being a large city with a population of 200,000."
Even from afar, it felt like a vibrant city.
The carriage descended the hill and headed towards the city entrance.
We met the guards at the city gate, and thanks to Old Man's calm handling of the situation, we were able to enter the city without any issues.
"Miss Mili, shall we go straight to the mansion? We must deliver Young Master Oscar's body to the Archbishop, so we cannot delay any longer."
Although Oscar's body had been embalmed, it was the hot summer, and the embalming techniques of the Dark Ages were not very good.
A foul smell was emanating from the carriage carrying the coffin, and everyone seemed tired and eager to finish their work and rest.
"Then let's go to the mansion."
Milione said in a calm voice.
And she looked at me as if asking, "What are you going to do?"
"I'd like to see the Grand Cathedral of Durgien. I hear that Michelangelo's masterpiece, 'The Creation of Adam,' is painted on the ceiling. And the building itself was built by the greatest architects of the time over 200 years."
An unprecedented construction project.
The greatest cathedral in human history, built by all sorts of famous architects and artists over 200 years, passing the baton from successor to successor.
I was so eager to see that building that my back itched unbearably.
How wonderful it would be to pray in such a magnificent building.
It would truly feel like God is with me.
"I have an appointment with my father in the evening, so come to the Archibald mansion."
Whoosh-
Milione turned away as if she had lost interest in me.
Finally, I have escaped from that starving lioness and have some free time to myself.
Freedom-.
What a sweet and wonderful word!
The greatest gift God gave to humans was free will.
"Freedom is a wonderful thing."
Now, I fully utilized my free will and headed towards the Grand Cathedral of Durgien. Although I was tired from the journey so far, I felt energized as I walked through the city.
"Bread, buy some bread-."
"Newspaper for sale-."
As befitting the central city of the Durgien region, Florence was commercially very developed, and its roads and waterways were beautifully maintained.
Thanks to the tiles on the ground, there was no muddy mess, and people's attire was very neat and elegant.
"Sir Royman, have you read the latest academic journal? It says that with a newly invented device called a telescope, we can observe celestial bodies in the sky even better!"
"I want to talk about the murals painted in the cathedral. Have you seen 'The Last Judgment'? That painting is truly amazing…!"
Oh my-.
There's a place where people discuss science and art as they walk down the street.
Wouldn't such a place be rare even in the modern society of the 21st century?

"This is so moving!"
I never imagined that such an intellectually brilliant place could exist in this barbaric world.
All the people I've met so far were heathens and swindlers who only got angry, raged, and roared like beasts.
So, seeing this street, I was so moved that I knelt down and prayed on the spot.
"Lord, thank you for guiding my steps and bringing me here…!"
Tears of joy welled up in my eyes.
Or maybe I was already crying!
Someone giggled at the sight of me.
"What's with that guy?"
"Look at his clothes. He looks like a country bumpkin from somewhere."
"There are always a few guys who come to Florence and act pathetic like that every day."
My actions seem like those of a country bumpkin?
Perhaps it did look that way.
I got up from my spot and hurried towards the Grand Cathedral of Durgien.
And the moment I arrived, my body froze.
"Oh my, can humans create such a beautiful building?"
Its magnificent exterior made of marble and its golden decorations pounded on my heart. And what about the angels decorating the outer walls?
The impact of the giant bell tower?
I felt like a pilgrim gazing at the grand cathedrals of Europe, with their long history and value, overwhelmed by immense emotion.
I'm experiencing a world tour that I couldn't even do in the 21st century, here in this place.
I wonder what the interior is like-.
Deeply moved, I tried to enter, but a knight in silver armor frowned and blocked my way.
"Halt. You must pay to enter."
What-.
I have to pay to enter a cathedral?
I couldn't understand this.
"The church is my home, where my Father resides. Why should I pay to enter the place where my Father is? Do you pay to enter your own home?"
The knight in silver armor burst into laughter at my words.
Soon, the knight pointed at something with his finger, and it read:

Anyone entering the Grand Cathedral of Durgien must pay 1 silver coin as an entrance fee.「Authorized by Archbishop Medici Archibald.」

What, I have to pay to enter a church?
I couldn't understand it, but if that was the rule, I had to follow it. I was so eager to see the inside of the cathedral that I didn't care about the money.
So I paid one silver coin and tried to enter the cathedral, but the knights blocked my way again with their swords.
"Look here, stranger. You cannot enter the sacred and holy cathedral dressed like that. Please enter with more proper attire."
Seriously?
I have to worry about my outfit to go to church?
Of course, it's good to be mindful of one's attire.
But my clothes were the best and neatest I had. And yet, I'm being rejected.
What, it's not like I'm entering a famous restaurant, do I have to follow a dress code to go to church?
I was annoyed in many ways.
"Knights, what do you think a church is? Is it a cultural heritage? An idol to be worshipped? Humans don't exist for the church, the church exists for humans."
"Oh-. I'd like to hear more about that. Humans don't exist for the church, the church exists for humans-. That's a very interesting statement."
At that moment, someone spoke to me from behind.
Seeing the knights, who had been frowning at me, suddenly straighten their posture with a clank, it seemed like a person of high rank.
I turned my head and saw a priest's robe dyed with purple dye. He was wearing a silver Roman collar, and now that I looked closely, it was made of real silver.
Although he was slender, he didn't look weak at all. His back and the crown of his head were straight, like a sword someone had driven vertically into the ground.
Clink-
And on the chest of that sword-like man hung a golden cross.
A gold plaque priest.
That meant he was an incredibly high-ranking priest.
His ash-gray hair was neatly combed back, and his face was slightly pale, but his amber eyes were very sharp, and his expression was confident and hawk-like.
If Doban was a roaring lion, this man felt like an eagle soaring through the sky.
"Your Eminence Archibald, on duty. No unusual activity."
"Thank you for your hard work today."
From the knights' salute, I figured out the man's identity.
Your Eminence Archibald-.
In this kingdom, only one person was addressed like that.
"Are you Medici Archibald?"
I asked.

The knights, who had been tense, rattled their armor and trembled.
"You insolent fool! How dare you speak to His Eminence like that!"
"A lowly wooden plaque monk! Your Eminence, we will expel this rude fellow immediately!"
The knights grabbed both of my arms.
Perhaps because they were the protectors of the holy cathedral, their skills were genuine, and I was dragged away like a helpless prisoner.
"Wait-. I haven't heard his introduction yet."
At that moment, Archbishop Archibald raised his hand.
When the knights stopped, I dusted off my clothes and bowed my head.
"I am Hyde, a wooden plaque monk from Agarphe. Archbishop Archibald, I have heard much about your name and reputation. It is an honor to meet you."
Archbishop Archibald.
Although he was a man who was at odds with the Agarphe family for political reasons, as I said before, I really wanted to meet this man at least once.
And the Archbishop I met in person was, in many ways, exactly as I had imagined, or perhaps even more impressive.
Soon, the Archbishop said,
"Monk Hyde. Ah, so you are that Hyde. I've wanted to meet you once. But before that, I'd like to hear more about what you were saying earlier. That the church is for the people?"
Archbishop Archibald, whom I met for the first time, was a man overflowing with composure and dignity.
There was a reason why he was respected by so many people.
I felt joy at the fact that I could share my theological beliefs with him.
What is sex?
What is a dick, and what is a cock?
What is the length of a dick that drives women crazy?
For the past five years, I've only had to talk about these things, so it was truly moving to hear the question, "Is the church for the people?"
Wanting to hold onto that emotion, I quickly said,
"The church is not just a building, but a community and a representation of individuals. And even if we're talking about the church as a building, shouldn't it open its doors to the poor and the sick?"
"So, Hyde, you mean we should open the doors of this Grand Cathedral 24/7 for the vagrants and beggars and share everything inside without hesitation?"
"Strictly speaking, biblically, yes. The Lord also said that the healthy don't need a doctor. The Gospel is for the unrighteous. The church is for the poor and the sick."
"Indeed. Strictly speaking, biblically-. Monk Hyde, then why are you wearing clothes?"
Why am I wearing clothes?
Should I take them off then? Walk around naked?
Of course, I couldn't say that.
And I realized that no matter what I said, I was already caught in Archbishop Archibald's logical trap and couldn't escape.
Archibald said,
"Didn't the Lord say to take off your clothes for the naked? But Hyde, you're wearing a robe, and underneath, you have a shirt and pants, and you're even wearing shoes."
Indeed.
This is what Archbishop Medici Archibald was like.
Tap-
Soon, Archibald placed his hand on my shoulder.
"It's a mistake young priests often make. To view everything in the world optimistically according to the Bible. That's not a bad thing. But life is reality, and tomorrow continues endlessly."
"...."
"Follow me inside the Grand Cathedral. There's something I want to show you."
Archibald walked ahead, and I followed behind him.
Soon, we entered the grand cathedral with its gleaming marble floor. A hunchbacked man, who had been mopping the floor, stopped and bowed his head to Archibald.
"Your Eminence, thank you! Perhaps because of your prayers last time, my mother's condition has improved greatly!"
"I see. But give thanks not to me, but to our Father in heaven."
Soon, a red-skinned woman with a disabled arm, who had been dusting, also smiled brightly at Archibald.
"Your Eminence, the weather is lovely, isn't it?"
"Indeed. Undine, your face looks as lovely as the weather."
The grand cathedral was enormous.
As such, it required a lot of maintenance staff, and most of them seemed to be people who were disabled or discriminated against because of their race or skin color. Looking at them, Archibald said,
"As you said, many mouths are attached to this simple building, making a living. If we don't charge an entrance fee, they would be out on the streets. So, what is the right thing to do?"
"I still think it's wrong to charge an entrance fee. Why should the church, which should have the lowest threshold, raise its own threshold?"
We can't compromise, not even a little.
I knew better than anyone the man who lost everything by compromising.
Soon, Archibald chuckled.
"Well, you're right. Hyde, you are a very righteous and devout priest. You're absolutely right. But the finances of this Grand Cathedral are not good enough to operate without collecting entrance fees. Please have pity on us."
Archbishop Archibald pulled something out of his pocket.
It was a scroll with many numbers written on it.
"The nobles and wealthy of Florence haven't paid the tithes they promised. Hyde, as a righteous man, you know that embezzling tithes is a sin."
Indeed-.
Does he want to test whether I'm worthy of being his daughter's husband?
"Baron Voltaire lives nearby. If you succeed in collecting the tithes from him, I'll reconsider collecting entrance fees. We have about 5 hours until our dinner appointment, so it will be tight."
"One hour is enough."
Whoosh-
I took the scroll and exited the Grand Cathedral.