Chapter Fifty-Five: Is "Yes, Prime Minister" Taking Aim at Laterano Now? / Chapter Fifty-Six: The Sankta's Fury at Victoria's Diocese

For now... let's finish watching "Yes, Prime Minister" first. They still had a lot to learn!

"Everyone, rest where you are. We'll continue onward tomorrow."

Over at Deep Pool, Ablana, as their leader, gave the order to rest in place. Soon, under her arrangements, tents began to go up one after another. Naturally, a portable miniature television was set up as well.

After connecting to Londinium's signal, Ablana, her younger sister, and several Deep Pool officers sat together, eagerly anticipating what new knowledge they could learn from the final two episodes of "Yes, Prime Minister."

Meanwhile, the Self-Rescue Army within Londinium was doing the same. Under the command of their leader, Alda, they had also chosen the day Chen Qi left the city to make their move—it would be crowded and chaotic, the ideal time to act.

Moreover, they had all coincidentally turned their attention to Londinium's television station. They did not intend to blow up the station, but they planned to delete the files for "Yes, Prime Minister." That way, even after Chen Qi left Londinium, "Yes, Prime Minister" would not be rebroadcast.

Multiple forces approached Londinium in unspoken agreement, then simultaneously halted their operations and began watching the "Yes, Prime Minister" they either loved or hated. Yet none of them realized that, without noticing, they had long since become addicted to this unusual television drama.

This time, the penultimate episode of "Yes, Prime Minister" began with the case of a Victoria nurse who had been filmed after hiding prohibited medicine due to her ignorance of Iberian law, and was sentenced to ten years in prison and forty lashes.

"It's very worrying, Humphrey. Public sympathy is running high." Theresia, playing Prime Minister Hacker, asked uneasily. But the Bloodborne Archon, playing Humphrey, answered as though it were nothing unusual:

"I'm sure the Foreign Secretary will advise you."

"He advised me to do nothing." Theresia replied with a slight frown. Upon hearing that, the Bloodborne Archon gave a light chuckle.

"I think that's good advice."

As the familiar canned laughter rang out, Vina's expression darkened slightly once again.

They were mocking the Ministry of Foreign Affairs again! Damn it! If she ever got the chance in the future, she would clean out the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from top to bottom! Then she would see how they found anything else to mock!

Meanwhile, Deep Pool was already laughing themselves into a heap. Excellent—mocking Victoria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs right from the start. Highly rated!

"Are They Starting to Mock Laterano in 'Yes, Prime Minister'?"

"We are already very close to Director Chen Qi, the one who filmed 'Yes, Prime Minister.'"

On the other side of Londinium, five Emperor's Blades who had traveled all the way from the Ursus Empire stood together. Each wore a black coat, their faces hidden behind gas-mask-like visors. Several tubes connected to the apparatus carried on their backs, and not a single inch of skin was exposed.

Of course, they had long ceased to be human, nor did they belong to any species of Terra. They were not even demons. They were merely twisted yet powerful creations designed to combat demons. Now, the five Emperor's Blades had come to Londinium to carry out the task assigned by the Imperial Palace—assassinate Chen Qi.

Naturally, the five Emperor's Blades were not expendable agents in the hands of nobles. Their loyalty belonged to Ursus, and to everything beneficial to Ursus.

Now, Chen Qi, whose existence had shaken Ursus's rule, was naturally a target they needed to eliminate. But they were not mindless lunatics either. They knew very well that five of them would find it difficult to breach Londinium's layers of defense. They needed another approach.

As it happened, they had also received word that Chen Qi would fulfill his contract with Theresia tomorrow and then leave Londinium. That would be the best time for them to strike.

"Whether Theresia lets Chen Qi leave or not, that will be our closest chance at success."

"I detected several lifeforms approaching Londinium from the surrounding area. Clearly, either their objective aligns with ours, or they are here to rescue someone. And the timing they chose is definitely the same as ours."

"...Then we might as well learn from Victoria's diplomatic methods." One Imperial Guard analyzed the situation. "Let them fight amongst themselves. When the time comes, we only need to intervene slightly to resolve the current situation."

"Good idea. It saves us the trouble of making a plan."

Thus, after a brief discussion, the five Imperial Guards immediately decided to use the "Victoria diplomatic method" from "Yes, Prime Minister"—respond to all changes by remaining unchanged. Although commoners in Ursus were forbidden from spreading or watching "Yes, Yes, Prime Minister," it was easy enough for people of their rank to watch it.

Besides, discussions about this drama had already continued in the Ursus Imperial Palace for several days. The nobles of the Ursus Imperial Palace had clearly discovered the drama's potential, as well as its analysis of Victoria's politics. All of that had considerable value.

Most of the time, the Imperial Guards did not merely serve as high-end combat forces; they also had to serve as commanders. When necessary, they needed to formulate tactics based on the thought processes of politicians from other nations. "Yes, Prime Minister" provided them with an excellent template.

It could be said that several nations across the land were now using this drama to conduct concrete analyses of how Victoria's Civil Service System operated and of its internal problems. Naturally, the Imperial Guards needed to study it as well.

"Then, now that the plan is settled, what do we do next?"

"Wait—and finish watching the final two episodes of 'Yes, Prime Minister.'"

Very quickly, the Imperial Guards took out phones they should not have possessed, but had prepared in order to upload the final two episodes of "Yes, Prime Minister" to the Imperial Palace in time. They immediately began watching and studying through Londinium's network.

"If we do nothing, we'll look both heartless and incompetent." Theresia clearly disagreed with Humphrey's way of handling the nurse, and immediately said:

"The government cannot look both heartless and incompetent at the same time. Don't you agree, Bernard?"

Faced with the Prime Minister's question, Manfred, playing the private secretary Bernard, did not know how to answer for a moment. He could only offer a suggestion. "Why not find a way to make you look either heartless or incompetent?"

"HAHAHAHAHA!"

Once again, Manfred's answer made everyone both on and off the screen burst into laughter. With the popularity of "Yes, Prime Minister," the audience had become familiar with the personalities of the three lead actors. Chen Qi often saw comments evaluating the character "Bernard."

"A daily tip for getting fired."

"I really love Bernard. He always says what I don't dare to say."

"Every day, I think it's a miracle Bernard can keep being a private secretary while talking like that. He must be incredibly capable at his job, right?"

However, after everyone on Rhodes Island finished laughing, they remembered that Vina was also aboard the landship. But when they looked toward her, they found the royal heir holding back a laugh as well. She looked at them and said:

"...It's fine. You don't need to worry about me. I'm only a royal heir without a title, after all. I laugh at this too."

Vina forcibly composed herself. After adjusting her mindset over this period of time, she felt that she could accept the episode so far. Aside from taking a shot at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the beginning, it had not said much else.

After all... the overall tone of this drama was satirical comedy. If it did not mock Victoria every few lines, that would be the abnormal thing.

Vina calmed down and continued watching. At that moment, the Bloodborne Archon began explaining to Theresia why they had to stand by and do nothing. Clearly, they did not intend to offend Iberia over this matter. They had many shared interests with Iberia, and in the future, they would need the help of Iberia, a major land power, to guard against Gaul and Ursus.

Therefore, the Bloodborne Archon only planned to have the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issue its customary "stern protest" to calm public sentiment. Then the government would have done all it could.

"How heartless." Theresia could not help shaking his head.

"Heartless is better than brainless." The Bloodborne Archon felt no shame whatsoever. Slowly rising to his feet, he said something to Theresia that made everyone watching sharpen their attention.

"History is the story of heartless men defeating brainless ones."

The moment the Bloodborne Archon finished speaking, high-ranking officials, leaders, and faction heads from every nation all felt their eyes light up. They nodded and wrote the line down.

"History is the story of heartless men defeating brainless ones..." At Deep Pool, Ablana's eyes lit up almost immediately upon hearing those words. She quickly wrote them down, murmuring repeatedly:

"Good. That's well said."

Why did she think those words were so good? Because that was exactly how she had made her way forward.

Ablana's Originium Arts allowed her to control the bodies of the dead. Her Originium Arts had greatly increased Deep Pool's combat strength and dealt a tremendous blow to their enemies' morale. Though Ablana had used it frequently in the past, she had always felt some degree of inner conflict over it.

Yet she had continued down that path all the same. And the Bloodborne Archon's words seemed to make that final trace of conflict Ablana felt toward her Originium Arts completely vanish.

Those words alone made Ablana believe that she and Deep Pool would certainly succeed, because she herself was a "heartless" person—heartless toward her enemies. Those words perfectly described her and were also an affirmation of her.

And Chen Qi had written this entire script. Her goal was to win Chen Qi over. As everyone knew, a work naturally conveyed some of its creator's subjective thoughts.

Did that mean... Chen Qi, the person she wanted to pursue, was actually the same kind of person as her?

Did that mean her chances of success had greatly increased?

At that thought, a sickly yet confident smile appeared on Ablana's face. Her disguised younger sister Lavshini and the Deep Pool officers beside her all found it extraordinarily unsettling.

Yet the television drama continued. With Humphrey's departure, it seemed there was no saving the nurse being punished in Iberia. However, Manfred took the opportunity to bring up a vacant bishop position in a diocese of the Laterano Church stationed in Victoria.

And now, Theresia needed to choose one of the Church's two candidates.

"Huh? There's something about Laterano too?"

At that moment, Exusiai, who was also following "Yes, Prime Minister" in Lungmen, immediately reacted when she heard Laterano mentioned for the first time in the drama, along with its Church. She instantly sensed trouble.

"Oh no, Director Chen Qi isn't going to mock Laterano and our doctrine, is he?! You can't do that! You'll get hunted down!"

Exusiai could believe that Londinium was now broadcasting "Yes, Prime Minister," and countless people in Laterano were definitely watching as well. Information was free in Laterano, and everyone could watch anything they wanted, but they absolutely could not question Laterano's doctrine!

If that happened, even though Laterano's Sankta were inherited destruction-loving maniacs with good tempers, as long as someone dared insult the doctrine and the Church, the Sankta would absolutely become judges and punish every enemy!

In Laterano, just as Exusiai expected, the current Pope of Laterano, Evangelista XI—a plump man with a dense beard, eating cactus fruit tarts—also had a different reaction upon seeing "Yes, Prime Minister" mention Laterano for the first time.

"There's actually something about Laterano? I wonder how this sharp-tongued young man will evaluate us." The Pope was not particularly nervous. He had faith in his doctrine.

He simply did not have much faith in the Church stationed in Victoria... but that place had long ceased to be run by Laterano people from top to bottom, so there was no need for him to worry much.

"How am I supposed to know which one to choose?" Theresia knew nothing about either candidate, so naturally he did not know how to decide.

Fortunately, Manfred explained, "Like choosing any other civil servant, Prime Minister. It's a card trick."

Yet Manfred's words made the Pope, who had mentally prepared himself, freeze in awkwardness. Manfred in the drama continued explaining:

"No matter which card you draw, you'll always draw the one the magician wants you to draw."

"What if I don't draw?" Theresia asked, still somewhat unwilling to accept it.

"You will." Manfred, called a "Sankta" in the drama, gave a subtly amused smile.

Clearly, there was something shady behind it. Theresia did not know what the inside story was, so he could only ask, "What cards am I being given?"

"The Church in Victoria's cards are nothing but J for jerk or Q for queer."

"Cough, cough, cough, cough!"

Manfred's line in the drama made the Pope spray his fruit tart out in one breath. Some even went down his windpipe, causing him to cough violently. He nearly choked to death in the room.

"Your Holiness?! What's wrong?! Did the explosions outside frighten you? I don't think they were that loud, though. They only blew up a row of railings!"

"I-I'm fine. I just regret turning on this television."

After a bout of violent coughing, the Pope felt a rare surge of annoyance. Laterano sought to spread its doctrine to every corner of this suffering land as much as possible, and even where it was impossible, it still had to try. Yet because of that one line, he undoubtedly began regretting establishing a branch Church in Victoria back then.

Although everyone knew that the Laterano Church stationed in Victoria had, strictly speaking, already become Victoria's own enterprise, just thinking about Victoria people desecrating Laterano's doctrine like this made his anger rise.

Victoria! Our sacred doctrine reached your land, and you sullied the very word sacred!

"The Sankta's Fury Toward the Victoria Diocese"

For the moment, the Pope's situation could be set aside. In the drama, the Bloodborne Archon appeared at a very formal dinner. There were only three people present, besides the Bloodborne Archon. The other noteworthy figure was the headmaster of Humphrey's alma mater.

During their conversation, the headmaster revealed that he would retire in four or five years and hoped the Bloodborne Archon could take over. The Bloodborne Archon quickly realized it would be an excellent job after retirement, so naturally he did not want to miss the opportunity.

But the three had apparently encountered a problem. The college's dean was dissatisfied with the Bloodborne Archon and refused to agree to him becoming headmaster. Thus, the three discussed at the dinner how to reasonably drive the dean out of the college.

"Not easy. He's a lazy bastard!" Another dean, who had a close relationship with the Bloodborne Archon, said:

"He only works four hours a week, teaches one class, gives a few tutorials, and enjoys tenure for life. He only has two hobbies: cricket and steam engines."

"He never reads a new book, and he's never had a new idea."

"Which makes him perfectly suited to teach at our Royal Private University of Victoria." The Bloodborne Archon immediately added, once again making the audience outside the screen roar with laughter. His disparagement of his alma mater—and of Victoria's finest university, a place most of them could never even approach—made them feel that the gap between them had suddenly disappeared.

The three clearly had an idea about how to transfer the dean away. They would have him take the vacant bishop position in the Laterano diocese stationed in Victoria. The bishop had a seat in the House of Lords, and the vain dean, who yearned for aristocratic life, would definitely not refuse.

Yet the Bloodborne Archon and the others casually choosing such an incapable person as a bishop candidate infuriated the Pope of Laterano.

"How can someone like that become a bishop? I even doubt whether he understands Laterano's doctrine at all." The Pope, who had not been angry in many years, shook his head in dissatisfaction. At that moment, beside him, a fully armored Pontiff Knight holding an enormous rotary gun comforted him.

"Your Holiness, rest assured on that point. Victoria would not dare deceive us to such an extent."

"The Laterano diocese stationed in Victoria exists to spread our doctrine and save more people. As long as that is guaranteed, Laterano's doctrine has not been defiled."

"If even that cannot be guaranteed, I believe our brothers and sisters will blow that diocese to pieces at the first opportunity."

"I hope so..." Yet the Pope remained unconvinced. Especially knowing the level of satire in the earlier episodes of "Yes, Prime Minister," he was even more worried that the drama would expose something he did not want to know.

Back in the drama, the Bloodborne Archon thought the decision sounded good, though he said somewhat reluctantly:

"Of course, but it isn't up to me. The Church wants to maintain a balance."

"Balance what?" The other two hurriedly asked. At that moment, the Pope's expression eased considerably, and he nodded approvingly.

What did the Church want to balance? Naturally, the influence of the Church's doctrine upon people. It was something sacred that money could not taint. Although the Pope believed doctrine could not save everyone, spreading it and preserving its lofty nature remained important.

That was certainly not something a Victoria civil servant could decide. The Pope's expression softened somewhat, but the Bloodborne Archon in the drama immediately answered:

"Members who believe in God, and members who don't."

"HAHAHAHAHA!"

As another burst of laughter played in the drama, the Pope's face darkened again. The headmaster in the drama asked in surprise, "The Church has members who don't believe in God?"

"Yes. Most bishops."

The Bloodborne Archon nodded as though it were only natural. The Pope's face immediately turned pitch-black, and his hand gripped the arm of his rocking chair so tightly that he nearly crushed the wood.

The Bloodborne Archon in the drama also explained why he had no choice. The bishop position had already been reserved for Reverend Stanford, while the other candidate, who appeared to give the Prime Minister a choice, was someone who could never possibly be selected.

That also explained why Manfred had previously called the whole matter a "card trick." Give someone one option, then give them another option they would absolutely never choose, and the bishop position was effectively decided in advance.

"Are there any other vacant dioceses?"

"That doesn't happen often." The Bloodborne Archon shook his head and answered absentmindedly:

"The older ones don't have to retire at this age—bishops generally live a long time. Clearly, the Lord isn't in a hurry to summon them to join him."

That was yet another line that could practically be said to ignite the Pope's fury before the television. His plump face first darkened, then flushed red. He was clearly furious.