Chapter XVII: Nothing is the Same as Before

Finally, I've arrived back in my homeland. My native country in this world is called Wallachia and is ruled by a voivode who is quite occupied with wars against the Ottomans. However, the Church is in a period of peace where no one seems to care about anything. Especially the bishop of Târgoviște...

Well, to be honest, I don't think everything should be so calm in this period. Especially after something mysterious was discovered a few years ago...

I think it's better to explain from the memories I have in this world...

In the year 1476, about 16 years ago, the ruler of this country was killed and buried at the age of only 45. Honestly, more people found out that this person didn't actually die but turned into a strigoi, or as we would say in the 21st century, into a blood-thirsty vampire.

Several strange events have occurred in the past months, and I always believed it was divine punishment for the Church's negative deeds like stealing from the poor... Yes, for that, I was the target of the Church's mockery and I left for Rome, but it doesn't matter.

The name of that voivode was Vlad the Impaler... Yes, the renowned Dracula from our time... However, it seems that the legend is not far from the truth. Honestly, I hope everything is just an invention of the elders and that nothing significant is happening.

As soon as I came from Rome, I went to my bishop to tell him about my adventures in Rome... However, even if I'll lie to him from the heart, I still need to give some explanations, right?

"Your Excellency!"

"Oh, Antonio... I've really missed you... Come!" the bishop greeted me warmly.

"Your Excellency, I'm not worthy of such a reception. You know, before I left, I hurt your person and I came to apologize for that..."

"What? It doesn't matter... Anyway, I heard you went to see the Pope... Did you meet the Pope?"

"Yes... And I was extremely delighted to speak with the Holy Father about Your Excellency..."

"Really? What did you tell him?"

"I told him about the wonderful plans you have for the Church in Wallachia and that you are extremely lenient with the common people, especially with priests with various problems..."

"Really? And what did the Pope say?"

"The Pope was very pleased with this fact and said that you are a bishop worthy of veneration by all..."

Ha, the old man really bought it... Well, I hope to leave my parish in the countryside and get somewhere in the city. Who knows... Maybe I'll even become the old man's right hand, and when he can't do anything against me anymore, I'll deliver the final blow by participating in the nominations for the future bishop.

It seems that Rome has changed me, hasn't it? Honestly, it really has changed me. And I still think... Why should I spend a lifetime in anonymity when I can become a canon, a monsignor, or even a bishop? I think it's worth a try...

"I-I'm really sorry for hitting you in front of the councilors, but you know I don't like to be judged for my deeds, right?" the bishop said calmly.

"I know, Your Excellency, and that's exactly why I'm sorry... I wanted to correct my mistakes and make you known to the Holy Father... Maybe you'll be proposed for promotion as Cardinal..."

"I don't think I'd stand any chance of becoming a Cardinal... Especially since I'm almost 70 years old... But you, you're still young, and maybe..."

"Your Excellency, you flatter me... You know, I'm not worthy of such words from Your Excellency..."

"Antonio, you know... You've just obtained your doctorate in Law, haven't you? Would you like to become a ecclesiastical judge within our diocese?"

Wait, what? Is the old man really that vulnerable? It seems like I did well to return to the country... Anyway, I'm not interested in Cesare or Rome anymore... They're all fools. And me, trying to act humble... Ha, it seems that keeping up the act pays off... Let's see where I can get with this theater.

"Your Excellency... I'm just a poor priest from a parish in the countryside and I'm not good enough to become Your Excellency's trusted man..."

"It seems like the visit to Rome made you calmer, right? Well, what I said, I said... From tomorrow, you'll come to the capital and become an ecclesiastical judge."

"I submit with filial love to Your Excellency's commands..."

"Alright then... I'll speak with the servants to prepare a room for you in the episcopal palace and you'll start tomorrow, okay?"

"Of course!"

Ha, it seems that I still need to go back to my former parish to get my books and other things and bid farewell to my people.

As soon as I arrived, the entire community came out to greet me like a hero returning from the battlefield. To my surprise, everyone already knew that I was leaving for the capital, so they welcomed me tearfully.

We celebrated one last Mass in the local church, then I bid farewell to the people with these words:

"My beloved sons and daughters, the Lord has called me to a high dignity and I must leave you. The love I have shown you so many times when you were persecuted by the wealthy. And to you, the nobles, although I scolded you for your stinginess, I considered you as brothers in need of correction. Now, at parting, I offer you the blessing of the Lord."

They started crying at the end. How touching... I almost got too deep into the role... Before, I would have been willing to give up any dignity to be with these people, but now that I've seen the true face of the Church, I can't stay among these so ignorant people. I need ranks! I need favorable connections through which I can win them over!

The nobles in that town welcomed me sadly. Some of them offered me expensive gifts... Someone gave me a watch, another one a silver ring for when I'll receive some important rank in the Church, others various cash gifts. One of them even gave me a cassock... Not Cesare's... No, it's just... It doesn't matter...

The next day, before sunrise, I left for the capital where I was awaited by the bishop who told his secretary to lead me to my room. How beautiful it is here.

Oak desks, a mahogany wood bed, and of course, various cupboards made of the same wood adorned my room. Nearby, a tastefully decorated bathroom. However... Something was missing... Or someone.

It almost looked identical to Cesare's room. Could I ever forget him? If I can't? I must and I will... I must!

As soon as I arranged my things in the cupboards, I received a visit. It was the bishop wishing me a pleasant stay and informing me that tomorrow I would have my first case as an ecclesiastical judge.

"Antonio, forgive me for bothering you with work as soon as you arrived, but it needs to be done... You know, we haven't had a church judge for about 16 years..."

"What a pity... Anyway, I'll strive to faithfully fulfill the tasks you'll assign to me."

"What a faithful priest you are... Who knows, maybe one day you'll become a bishop in my place."

Sure... That's what I'm aiming for... Maybe a cardinal position... Maybe even become Pope...

"Excellency, I'm not worthy!"

"Yes, you are... Now, make yourself comfortable and when you're done, come down for lunch with me..."

"Sure, thank you!"

Ha, just a few words to stroke his ego and I'm already sitting at the table with him, becoming his right-hand man... Seems like the old man is even dumber than he looks... Hahaha!

Hm, to be honest, the stigmata is starting to bother me... I don't think I can work with these things on my hands, but it's worth a try. Anyway, hopefully they'll fade away on their own at some point...

After finishing unpacking all the things I brought from home, I went downstairs to have lunch with the bishop...

Milk, lamb meat, fine cheeses from abroad, and the best quality wine were served for lunch... I remember that in my parish back in the countryside, I hardly ate anything besides a few boiled vegetables like any peasant from Wallachia. But now...

"Excellency, what's with all this food?"

"Just for the two of us and for two retired priests who were my teachers and whom I take care of."

As soon as I noticed the presence of the two retirees, I shook their hands with respect, introducing myself and trying to be as convincing as possible.

I found out that one of them was a law professor, so we discussed various topics related to Church law to showcase my knowledge in legal matters and other theological subjects.

The bishop was downright fascinated, looking at me with joy. Finally, I can say I've fooled them all... I'm glad I was around actors like those in Rome... Now it's time to start my new life.

While sitting at the table, one of the priests noticed the marks on my hands, which made me feel embarrassed, but it seems I did it in vain.

"Father, those are stigmata, the signs of the Lord... How did you get them?"

"Well, one night I dreamed of my own crucifixion, and the next day I already had these signs... Honestly, they're authentic because they were able to exorcise a bishop and a cardinal in Rome."

"Seriously," said the bishop. "There seem to be various cases of demonic possession emerging... Would you like to become the diocese's exorcist?"

"You know, Excellency... I won't refuse work for the Church's benefit and for your Excellency's sake..."

"Fantastic... I'll inform you when such cases arise again..."

After lunch, we continued to talk about different subjects, and after a few glasses of wine, the discussions started to get a bit heated.

"Father, there in Rome, did you meet someone you liked...?" one of the retired priests asked.

"Father, you know... You studied in Rome as a priest, right? In the good old times, did you find someone you liked?" I asked him.

"Oh, Father... I think it would be best to ask the bishop... He had, I believe, 7 lovers... 4 men and 3 women... All of them were priests or nuns..."Top of Form

"Wait, what?"

"Antonio, I think you already know this, but there's no need to remain celibate your whole life... To be honest, I was exactly your age when I first made love with someone, and that person was a priest just like me... It was love at first sight, and now we're both bishops. Me in Wallachia, him in Milan," said the bishop, to my surprise.

"Well, you know... The truth is..."

"Go on, Antonio... Come on. No one in this room has been a virgin for at least 40 years."

"Well... I broke the vow of chastity with someone..."

"With whom? Was it a man? Or was it a woman?" one of the retired priests asked me.

"Well... It's a long story... At first, I thought he was just a priest, but then I found out he was actually a cardinal..."

"Cardinal?! Antonio, do you have a thing for older people?" the bishop asked me.

"Well, he was the same age as me... The truth is that... My first love was Cesare Borgia... I know, it sounds hard to believe, but I didn't even know he was a cardinal... I thought he was just a regular priest. That's why I had the chance to talk to the Pope."

"What do you mean? Wasn't Cesare at the office?"

"No... He said he was on vacation and referred to himself in the third person, so I thought he was someone else. Even the Pope lied to me, that's why I left."

"You did well to leave... From what you're saying, I think you're Cesare's first real love. The cardinal you exorcised was him, right?" the bishop asked me.

"Yes... But he doesn't even know I left, and now..."

"Oh, God... What a love story," exclaimed the bishop, "I'm still glad you came back to help here, in your homeland."

"Yeah, and I'm glad I finally got rid of Cesare and his lies and the Pope's lies. He really destroyed me, while he was possessed, the gift he had given me..."

"Listen, who was the top, you or him?" one of the retirees said.

"Him... He was a bit more endowed than me, and it was normal..."

"Well, I guess that's alright then... If you were the top, you would have to be a bit more protective in daily life, so..." said the bishop.

After we finished the discussions, I went back to my room where I stayed until noon when I co-celebrated a Mass with the bishop. After dinner, I decided to go to bed early considering that tomorrow would be my first day as a judge, and I would have the right to decide the fate of the condemned.