Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks-Chapter 429 - 113: Urding
Gerard’s expression was somewhat awkward. He made the sign of the cross in front of the red cross on his chest: "Praise the Heavenly Father, Your words are as precious as gold and gems. I am looking forward to and am honored to have the opportunity to fight alongside you."
The efficacy of the Lazarus Potion had long spread in Jerusalem, although it’s only effective for external injuries, but isn’t external injury the most common occurrence on the battlefield?
A bottle of Lazarus Potion can absolutely be lifesaving on the battlefield.
This precious potion being offered by Urding, along with his claim of participating in the war, makes the hermits in those monasteries and their supporters seem even more despicable by comparison.
Gerard actually could not stand such behavior either.
Yet, as the Templar Order is a martial arts cultivation association directly under the Pope, although it has become very influential, ultimately, it still has to be controlled by the Pope.
A decree of excommunication cannot take the life of a Feudal Lord.
Future generations only remember Emperor Henry IV, the journey to Canossa where Pope Gregory locked him outside, humiliatedly repenting barefoot for three days.
But only three years later, after quelling the rebellion, Emperor Henry IV imprisoned Gregory, deposed him, and reinstated the Pope’s scheme.
However, a decree of excommunication can definitely take the life of the Templar Order.
Behind several monasteries stands Cardinal Sebastian, the spokesperson of His Holiness the Pope, he is the spokesperson of the new Pope.
Pope Celestine III just succeeded the late Pope Clement III. He is a Pope with capability, skill, and ambition; the recent request for help from Baldwin IV was addressed to him.
A straightforward noble half-sighing, half-mocking said: "Bishop Urding is the truly virtuous clergy. By comparison, those idiots who can only collect Indulgence Certificates, yet can’t even explain the doctrines, are as disgusting as flies."
"Ha, Ascalon Monastery’s ’brilliant deeds’ are numerous."
A noble coldly spoke: "In that little monastery, who knows what sin is gestating? Those ugly behaviors, if they weren’t impossible to declare publicly in this grand hall, I would certainly tell everyone about them."
Gerard was anxious, sweat dripping down his brow.
A monastery is inhabited by a group of monks, not allowed to leave the monastery; a group of men living in a closed environment, the kind of vices that might breed is imaginable.
"Gentlemen, you misunderstand; the Divine Tree is indeed a Miracle created by the Heavenly Father’s power. Certainly, it’s something that none of you can deny. It’s only natural for some clergy to want to follow tradition and bring the Divine Tree under Church control, it’s only right not to reproach them."
Gerard gently coughed: "However, I also feel this matter isn’t appropriate, better discuss it when Marquis Losa returns. I will persuade them to donate as much as possible to serve as military funds."
The nobles disdained this.
They don’t know the power behind these monasteries but can generally guess that the Pope, at such a crucial moment, not only doesn’t immediately call on the Crusaders for support but tries to seize personal gain, which greatly displeases them.
Gerard watched the reactions of the crowd and gently sighed.
The Pope has no choice either.
The previous Pope called on the Crusaders, the Kings shouted grand slogans but didn’t budge; Emperor Henry was particularly disrespectful, going against the Pope’s pressure, still dealing with those tax-resistant Lombardy City-States.
So much so that the reputation of the previous Pope Clement III suffered, nearly dying from anger.
If the Holy Land had been conquered, it would have been fine.
He could seize this opportunity to properly scold the Kings, thus obtaining enough benefits and in the ensuing war to reclaim the Holy Land, earn great prestige for himself.
But the Holy Land was defended.
The sluggishness of the Kings turned Saladin into no worry; they had foresight.
This was the last straw that broke the camel’s back. Not long after the news arrived—even very likely the rumor was the Holy Land was defended but the Pope had died of anger—that a few days passed, Clement III directly died.
Urding solemnly said: "The New Habsburg, where the Divine Tree is located, belongs to the jurisdiction of the Alandler Bishopric. Others need not worry, I will properly assist Marquis Losa to govern the people there, persuading more heretics to convert to the true faith."
"Gentlemen, forgive my bluntness. If the Holy Land falls, what remains of your wealth, status, and fame?"
"At that time, what’s the point in considering these so-called gains and losses? The fertile lands brought by the Divine Wood will all become grazing lands for heretics’ camels and livestock, possibly even burnt to ashes, offered to their Pagan Gods. It’s not impossible."
Urding’s eyes swept over everyone.
It’s really not that these nobles and clergy are foolish, but the Saracens have lost to the Crusaders too many times, in Europe; many nobles and clergy never considered that the Holy Land would one day fall.
They firmly believe the "Heavenly Father’s" radiance illuminates them. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢
This self-belief that, no matter how strong the enemy appears, they will ultimately be defeated by themselves is both naive and somewhat expected—just like during the First Crusade, this process naturally carries an epic sense like a legendary novel.
"Greed is the original sin."
Urding’s gaze made Gerard a bit unable to meet it directly.
Though he is upright and devout, even if wealth piles up like a mountain in the Templar Order’s treasury, his personal life remains extremely frugal.
Yet when in a high position, it’s often unavoidable to do some things out of necessity; for example, he has good personal relations with Roger, the Grand Master of the Hospital Knight Order. Yet when he succeeded as Grand Master, he still had to cease all communication with Roger.
He made the sign of the cross in front of him and silently retreated into the crowd, not saying a word.
Raymond stood up and in everyone’s view, approached Urding, bowed, and kissed the Bishop’s Ring on his finger: "Praise the Heavenly Father, praise your devotion and generosity, praise your righteous deed and benevolence, your virtue shines like the stars in the sky."
"You flatter me, Lord Tiberias."
Urding calmly looked at Raymond: "Lord, the safety of the Holy Land is of utmost importance. Those who lose the Holy Land will be forever nailed to the pillar of shame; it’s a disaster sufficient to erase all past reputations clean."
"Rest assured, Bishop Urding, I promise you as a Christian, Jerusalem will eventually defeat all external enemies."
"May the Heavenly Father bless you."
Urding made the sign of the cross facing everyone, then turned and left.
He is a person who hates evil, despising petty behaviors, but not lacking understanding of the complexities within, or else he wouldn’t have reached the high position of Archbishop in the world of Yesterday’s Giant Ship.
But human patience always has its limits.
When Urding became a Diocesan Bishop, discovering he still couldn’t deal with the rampant Wolf Race alone, and the high-standing Holy Church of France was unwilling to take the risk of comprehensive war to punish the wicked, his mentality broke directly.
This is also why Urding greatly admires Jeanne.
Dark creatures, relying on extraordinary strength, can easily establish influence in the secular world; even though many later found out the issue with his identity, constrained by interests shared, many high officials not only didn’t clean up the darkness but very likely became its shield.
In the process of purging these dark creatures, Jeanne offended quite a few individuals.
If it weren’t for her strong capability, she probably would’ve disappeared without a trace like those Demon Hunters who just emerged without insight.
The crowd watched him leave.
Raymond’s expression regained seriousness: "Bishop Urding is a model worth every Christian learning from. Who else is willing to donate extra money to protect the Holy Land? Please note, we are in the place closest to the Heavenly Father, He is watching you and me."
As soon as he finished speaking, people quickly stepped forward.
