Chereads / The Young Pope / Chapter 17 - Evidence

Chapter 17 - Evidence

After the Hour of Terce, Pope Benedict IX has a meeting with the cardinals.

"Brethren, now, we have an urgent matter at hand. A despicable rapist tried to rape Holy Father before his coronation. But thanks to divine intervention, Holy Father was saved." Cardinal Rossi raises his voice.

There is shocking shouts and murmurs in the room.

"Our beloved brethren, to find out the truth, We want you to separately ask the rapist questions."

("What is this brat trying to do?") the cardinal who was behind the incident of course is puzzled and worried, but he keeps a calm face outside.

Then everyone is led to a separate hall, sit down and wait. Each cardinal, one after another, goes inside the room and ask questions to the rapist, who is being chained up in the middle of small room.

When it's turn for the cardinal mastermind to go in, he is taken back and surprised to see the room is bright. He thought it would be dark so that someone can hide in the corner, eavesdropping. But with this, he is now confident that no one is listening to their conversation.

The cardinal goes to the muscular man and slaps him.

"You fool, you piece of trash. How could you fail in such a simple task?"

"But Master, it is really a force I can't fight. When I tried to rape the boy, a light appeared next to the bed and struck me. The Pope boy called it his Guardian Angel."

"Rubbish, rarely does the Heaven intervene with earthly matters. Do you think I would believe it? I have been a cardinal for nearly 20 years, yet I have not witnessed any miracles. And that brat ascended to the Papal Chair thanks to his father, do you think such scheme will receive help from Heaven?"

The cardinal then takes out a tiny wrap containing white powder in it.

"Remember your little brother and parents are in my hand." said the Cardinal before he takes the hand of the rapist and puts the wrap in. Then he goes out. The question continues until the Hour of Sext.

After praying the Hour of Sext, the cardinals leave the Lateran Palace and return to their respective estates because Benedict says he was tired.

***

Benedict steps inside the room where the rapist is being chained up. He uses the key to unlock the chains. The rapist stands up, and takes off his disguise.

"We have to compliment you for the perfect disguise and acting, Hayabusa!" Benedict says and claps his hands.

"Thank you, Your Holiness!"

"So who was it?"

"It's Cardinal Regio."

***

At Cardinal Regio's estate

Cardinal Regio steps into the bath. He is relaxing, he was so stressed before, but it turned out he can get out of this mess easier than expected.

"Your Eminence!" a servant shouts, calling Cardinal Regio when he is bathing.

"What is it? Why are disturbing me?"

"Cardinals Rossi and Ferrari are in the lounge. Their soldiers are checking everywhere in the estate."

"What?" Cardinal Regio puts on his bath robe and then runs out.

***

"Your Eminences! We found a secret chamber, in which there are many people, including elders and children!"

"Very well!" Cardinal Rossi smiles and replies.

"What are you doing here?" Cardinal Regio runs out and says "Who gave you the permission to search my estate."

Cardinal Ferrari immediately shows the warrant order, on which there are the signature "Benedict IX Pp" and the seal of the Papal ring.

Cardinal Rossi turns to his soldiers and says "We already have the evidence, arrest Cardinal Regio."

"No, release me, I must appeal..."

***

Cardinal Regio is tied up and forced to kneel down before the young Pope.

"I must appeal, Holy Father!"

"Appeal what? We already have all the evidences. The hostages and the repented servants of yours will be witnesses."

"Evidence, what evidence?"

Cardinal Ferrari takes out the wrap of powder

"I'm sure that this is poison." Cardinal Ferrari says.

"There are not many places that were authorized to sell poison. You must have one servants bought the poison at one of those places." Cardinal Rossi says.

"We know that servants obey you out of fear and terror deeds you do. So they all confess when they were asked." Another cardinal standing in the room says.

"No, I did nothing. This must be a frame."

Benedict shakes his head and takes out the skin mask that Hayabusa used to disguise as the rapist.

"You thought that only in a dark room that We can place people to eavesdrop you, right?" Benedict says.

"Argh, I must appeal to the Emperor!" Cardinal Regio screams out.

"So your loyalty is with the Emperor and not with Us. Cardinals, tell Us who did Jesus give the keys of Heaven, is it the first Emperor?"

Cardinal Rossi steps forward and says "Of course not, Holy Father. It was St. Peter who was given the keys of Heaven. St. Peter was the first Pope and your holy predecessor."

"That's why on Earth, We have the highest authority. Our verdict is the FINAL verdict."

Benedict then gives his final verdict

"Regio, from now on, We expel you from the Sacred College of Cardinals, from the episcopacy, from the priesthood, and all classes of clergy. You will be lose all ecclesiastical dignity and privileges.

You will have to do penance in St. Benedict Monastery, one of the most austere monasteries. And after three days, you will be executed!"

"What! No, Holy Father, please lighten my sentence." Regio screams when the guards take him away.

"Alright, Cardinal Rossi, gather all Cardinals and tell them Our verdict for Regio. Also we must pray for the eternal salvation of this man."

"Yes, Holy Father!"