Directing on Ark, Success is Not Being Banned

The Pope's anger stemmed from another reason: the Bloodborne Archon had, in a way, mocked him. He was of a considerable age yet still held the position of Pope. It wasn't just him; most bishops in Laterano were also very long-lived.

But the Bloodborne Archon's previous statement clearly wasn't praising the longevity of Laterano's bishops. Instead, it implied that their long lives allowed them to claim numerous stipends and benefits, making them unwilling to retire! They were 'voluntarily' extending their lifespans for power!

However, the Pope couldn't deny that the Church also needed to be profitable. Otherwise, where would Laterano's savings and ample reserves come from after so many years? Thus, the position of bishop was indeed filled with benefits, and some people turned to faith for these benefits... This was not uncommon among races other than Sarkaz.

But this kind of veiled insult truly infuriated the Pope, yet he didn't know how to respond. He could only endure it with a flushed face.

At this moment, the Bloodborne Archon in the play thought of another brilliant idea, a perfect way to get the Chief Administrator to leave.

"Why not have the Bishop send him to Iberia to plead for that nurse?"

"He believes in the state religion of Iberia, Iberians like him, and he likes Iberians. He won't lose either way."

Upon hearing this, the three of them felt it was an even better plan. Before the Pope could even react, a Laterano church, whose bishop believed in the 'Iberian state religion,' all spoke up:

"If he fails, he tried his best."

"If he succeeds, he'll be a hero."

"—If he doesn't come back, no one will miss him." The Bloodborne Archon's nonchalant, lighthearted remark once again elicited explosive laughter both inside and outside the screen. The unique Victorian black humor had once again showcased its charm.

At this point, whether it was the Pope, Laterano's Exusiai, or everyone at Rhodes Island, they were all stunned by this maneuver. This was because, in the eyes of most people today, "religion" defaulted to the Laterano faith. The Laterano doctrine had always propagated "all beings are equal" and "saving the world," portraying an image of an extremely virtuous religious sect.

However, they had never imagined that there would be such political manipulation behind this religion. They even learned that bishops could be indirectly appointed within Victoria, and that religion was intertwined with politics.

"...I thought he was only filming the last two episodes and there wouldn't be any major issues. That was a complete mistake."

Inside the landship, Chen Huijie patted her forehead, feeling a sudden headache. That was Laterano! Was it really okay to insinuate their church like this?

"Is this true? Is the Laterano Church actually involved with politics?" As a Sarkaz Banshee, Logos was also somewhat curious. He didn't care about the Laterano doctrine; he was just very curious about how Laterano and Victoria benefited each other.

"...This is called theocracy. Both Laterano and Iberia are like this." As the Crown Prince, Vina, despite having wandered the streets since childhood, was very clear about these matters. She explained calmly:

"And strictly speaking, it's not the Laterano Church's problem, but the problem of the Laterano Church stationed in Victoria. Those people are no longer Lateranans. Victoria is not a theocratic country. We uphold the Laterano doctrine just to establish diplomatic relations with Laterano. This is a semi-public fact."

But, no matter how you looked at it, this kind of veiled insult would make people feel that Laterano wasn't clean either... Vina's expression was also a mess of black lines. Her feelings at this moment were similar to Chen Huijie's.

She was likely the type of person who least wanted to see "Yes, Prime Minister" continue to be broadcast. It wasn't that she didn't want to resolve conflicts, but she felt that Chen Qi revealing these conflicts at this time would only accelerate Victoria's division and even trigger a war. She didn't want to see the people of Victoria kill each other—even if their diplomacy was conducted that way.

If the situation were stable, she would admire someone like Chen Qi immensely. But the timing was bad, the timing was wrong!

Now he was even starting to satirize the church. Although Victoria and Laterano had maintained a diplomatic relationship of mutual non-interference for many years, this revelation this time—what would Laterano's reaction be?

They might directly sever diplomatic ties! Laterano also had to maintain its reputation!

"...Forget it, on second thought, it can't get any more chaotic than this."

However, Vina, unable to stop any of this, felt she had no choice but to watch. She had no ability to change anything, nor the authority to stop Chen Qi from doing this—especially since he was currently a guest of Theris, but in reality, he was in danger of being imprisoned at any moment.

Moreover, he wasn't even a Victorian, which made Vina, after much thought, completely unable to find a reason to blame Chen Qi.

At this moment, the camera panned to the Victorian Church, which had already recommended two candidates to Theris. One of them was the pre-selected clergyman Stanford.

"Stanford has high prestige and is a Modernist," the Victorian Church representative explained to Theris.

"He seems to believe that certain things in the doctrine cannot be understood literally. He believes they are metaphors, myths, or legends, and he only focuses on their spiritual and philosophical meanings."

"Sounds good," Theris said. Not just Theris, but many viewers watching on television, including some Lateranans and the Pope himself, nodded frequently, thinking that although this bishop was pre-selected, he sounded good.

"He also attended the Royal New College of Wessex and Victoria—and his wife is also extremely suitable."

"You mean she's pious? Charitable?" Theris asked upon hearing this. The representative shook his head and chuckled lightly:

"No, it's because she's the daughter of an Earl."

"Cough, cough, cough!" The sudden twist once again angered the Pope, whose emotions had just calmed down. But this time, the Pope, having been mentally prepared, was much better. Yet, in his heart, he immediately rejected this candidate.

With the latter point, the previous points were just excuses! This person absolutely cannot become a bishop! the Pope thought to himself.

Soon, the television introduced another candidate, Dr. Paul Harvey. However, the representative said he had a tendency towards "separation of church and state," believing that the residents of Victoria should only treat the Laterano doctrine as a belief, rather than letting the Laterano doctrine be a club for the ruling class.

Hearing this, and with the previous example, the Pope immediately accepted this bishop proposal. He felt that if he had to choose between the two, he would definitely choose the latter.

And Theris on television seemed to feel the same way. However, a subsequent statement from the representative made them both abandon this idea.

"Of course, the decision is entirely yours, Prime Minister. But I suspect His Majesty the Emperor might be a little surprised if you were to appoint a bishop that the theocratic Laterano finds peculiar, considering our close alliance with Laterano."

"—So I have to choose Stanford or Stanford."

At this moment, Theris and all the viewers finally witnessed the feeling of "absolutely making you draw the card he wants you to draw." The means of internal manipulation were completely exposed, and the faces of many devout Lateranans turned dark.

"Prime Minister, we have nominated these two candidates for you," the representative stated clearly. Theris clearly didn't want to choose either, so he asked, "Through free election?"

"Of course not, bishops follow apostolic succession."

"What does that mean?"

"The will of the Lord. Whenever a powerful Sarkaz falls, someone else must take their place. They let the Lord decide." The representative smiled slightly, but this clearly could no longer fool Theris.

This time, even the devout Lateranans did not let their guard down just because the other party quoted a doctrine. Theris was also the same, and he immediately asked:

"How does the Lord convey his will?"

"—By drawing lots."

"...Can't the Lord decide this time as well?" Theris asked, feeling a mix of amusement and exasperation, as if he empathized with the Lateranans outside the screen.

Fortunately, at this moment, Manfred stepped forward to break the ice, but his opening statement was enough to enrage a large number of Lateranans:

"No one believes the Lord knows what qualifications are needed to be elected Bishop of the Diocese of Victoria."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone could understand that the Bishop of the Diocese of Victoria was actually a position of complete exchange of interests. As long as Victoria needed a certain type of bishop, anyone could be appointed, and the election conditions were completely flexible.

And at that moment, in Laterano and other places inhabited by Lateran people on this land, countless rooms suddenly exploded. Furious and devout Sarkaz people could not hide their indignation at Victoria's blasphemy against their faith...

On that day, many explosions occurred in Laterano, so much so that some of them didn't even have a chance to see the final episode of "Yes, Prime Minister"...

Chapter 57: The Pontiff's Reflections and Actions Regarding "Yes, Prime Minister"

I must say, the content of "Yes, Prime Minister" today had a bit too much of a shock for the Pontiff of Laterano, because he had never imagined that one day this fire would spread to himself and Laterano. This was a satirical comedy about Victoria!

The Pontiff had only obtained the resources for this TV series from some Lateran international messengers last week. This political satire comedy, titled "Yes, Prime Minister," along with the return of various international messengers, made the Pontiff understand the effect this show brought. He then watched it with the intention of understanding it better.

However, I must say, the Pontiff laughed very happily that day. Although it was not good to joke about the politics and operations of other countries while the Lord was above, it was indeed very interesting.

Those were the happiest days the Pontiff had ever laughed. He quickly put down "The Godfather," which he had been unable to put down and wished he could watch every day, and instead turned to "Yes, Prime Minister," which gave him easy joy.

However, what the Pontiff didn't expect was that after watching the clowns for a day, he didn't expect that he and Laterano would also become clowns in this show one day.

Now, the Pontiff's smile had disappeared, or rather, it had shifted to the faces of other viewers. Moreover, this episode still contained many lines that would make the Pontiff and the Lateran people's blood pressure soar.

For example, Theresis asked what the "Modernist" mentioned by the Bloodborne Archon's church meant. The Pontiff now knew that the "Modernist" mentioned by the representative before was obviously embellished, and it was from the Bloodborne Archon that the Pontiff finally heard the unembellished meaning of this term.

"That, the [Modernist] refers to those who do not believe in the doctrine."

"—You mean those without religious beliefs?" Theresis couldn't help but ask when he heard this. This was not surprising. On the current continent of Terra, there were many people who did not believe in the doctrines of Laterano. He just didn't expect that there were people in the church who didn't believe.

However, the next sentence, the Bloodborne Archon's correction, was the reason the Pontiff was furious. He heard the Bloodborne Archon correct him: "No, no, no, Prime Minister, those without religious beliefs do not receive church subsidies."

"So when they no longer believe in the Lord, they call themselves [Modernists]."

The Bloodborne Archon's brazen exploitation of legal loopholes directly caused the Pontiff, who was already old, to have his blood pressure soar. However, within the play, as if afraid of not angering the Pontiff and the Lateran people to death, the Bloodborne Archon continued to explain the current relationship between the Victorian church, politics, and the royal family, which could be said to be the integration of Victorian social operations.

"The church wants to strengthen ties as much as possible."

"With the Lord?" Theresis still asked, not quite understanding.

"Of course not, Prime Minister, I mean sociological ties," the Bloodborne Archon replied with a subtle smile.

"—So in the eyes of the church, the most ideal would be a Sarkaz socialite? Someone who can't believe in religion but can strengthen ties?"

This was simply the most ironic statement about the church. Everyone knew that Sarkaz and Sarkaz were almost naturally opposing races, yet now in the play, Theresis actually said that a Sarkaz socialite was the most suitable person to be the Bishop of the Victorian Church, which was a slap in the face to the church.

Although this was not directed at the church of Laterano, who could blame Laterano for being so famous that when the church was mentioned, almost everyone would think of Laterano first?

The Pontiff really wanted to say that this had nothing to do with them! This was Victoria's own national affair, and it had nothing to do with the devout faith of their Laterano!

The Pontiff did not want future generations to remember Laterano and the Sarkaz race not for their devout faith and heavenly bliss, but as a place filled with utilitarianism and political interference!

In the plot, the monk Stanford, who was strongly recommended by the church, soon revealed his true colors. He had held many positions, but never served as an ordinary parish priest in a pastoral area. Obviously, he had great political ambitions, and such a person serving as bishop would easily over-interfere with the government.

"Interesting, isn't it?" The Bloodborne Archon heard this but was not surprised at all. Instead, he said with a teasing tone:

"Now politicians are busy talking about morality, while bishops are busy talking about politics."

"We can refuse both at the same time, but this would set a precedent, so we don't recommend it." The Bloodborne Archon also presented his final solution, a solution that was not a solution. Theresis asked helplessly upon seeing this:

"Even if one candidate wants to drive the Lord out of the church, and the other wants to drive out the Emperor?"

"In Victoria, His Majesty the Emperor and the church are inseparable." The Bloodborne Archon became unusually serious when mentioning the Victorian Emperor, and Theresis immediately retorted:

"—What about the Lord?"

"...I think 'the Lord' is probably the so-called [optional item]."

The various feedback from "Yes, Prime Minister" not only made other non-Lateran people outside the screen burst into laughter but also made a large number of Sarkaz people's faces darken. Some of the more hot-tempered ones had already picked up their firearms and were preparing to rush to Victoria to inquire about the truth of the matter.

Fortunately, the subsequent plot development was still acceptable. The Prime Minister, through his wife's suggestion, rejected the two candidates for religious reasons. Afterward, it not only promoted the Provost to rescue the nurses trapped in Iberia but also elected the Provost as the bishop.

Although the Provost had a strange personality, extremely low work efficiency, and was vain, compared to someone who wanted to drive out the 'Lord' and someone who wanted to drive out the Emperor, this was actually not a bad choice.

Even if the other party said in a TV show, "The doctrines of Laterano are the records of the Iberian state religion's version of Laterano," at least the Iberian state religion originated from the doctrines of Laterano, so it was not entirely unacceptable.

"Although he is lazy and arrogant, and has no interest in the doctrines of Laterano, he does not oppose them either."

"A strange personality can also be a strength, as long as you call it 'individuality'."

The Pontiff repeatedly recited the lines from this episode of "Yes, Prime Minister," feeling a headache. For a candidate like the Provost, whom he had initially looked down upon, the comparison in the play actually made him feel that this might be the only suitable candidate.

However, the more the Pontiff thought about it, the more he felt something was wrong. He suddenly realized—how had he been assimilated by those Victorians?!

"This cannot continue. We must respond in a timely manner." The Pontiff shook his head and immediately said to the Pontiff Knight beside him:

"Notify the Papal Hall, all 'Cardinal' level officeholders will have a meeting tomorrow morning at ten o'clock. Also, notify the Notary Office, we need to gather international messengers to tour the current situation of our churches in various countries."

"—Also, send someone to our diocese in Victoria. If it is really as the TV series says, we will immediately declare that we will withdraw the church from Victoria."

The Pontiff saw very clearly that Laterano must re-establish its benchmark for devout faith to offset the potential negative impact of "Yes, Prime Minister" and to draw a clear line with the corrupt government of Victoria in a timely manner.

This could also be considered some form of remedy—and the Pontiff could take this opportunity to thoroughly clean up the hidden dangers and pests that existed in Laterano.

Now he finally had an excuse! Although the Pontiff was angry while watching the TV series, he felt that this was actually a good opportunity. Laterano and its doctrines must continue to exist, and they must make a more positive statement.

"In this case... should we thank you? Director Chen Qi."

After issuing the order, the Pontiff's tone became somewhat subtle. He didn't know how to evaluate Chen Qi now... or this TV series.

Although it also satirized the issue of religion, it gave the Pontiff an opportunity to rectify the internal situation. While it brought some negative impacts, timely remedies could lead to better development.

"Perhaps this is the true meaning of political satire comedy?" The Pontiff suddenly had an epiphany, instantly discovering the real way to reference "Yes, Minister."

"What a... marvelous TV series."

The Pontiff couldn't help but sigh, his mind immediately turning to Chen Qi's current predicament—he was still in Londinium, a city surrounded by Sarkaz.

The Pontiff was also contemplating Laterano's current stance, and whether Chen Qi... was worth their involvement in this complex situation.

After all, Chen Qi could be considered a thorn in the side of many nations now. However, if Laterano chose to stand by Chen Qi's side... Laterano's reputation might offer Chen Qi protection. After all, Laterano's deterrence, whether from a moral high ground or military might, was still quite formidable.

Finally, the Pontiff seemed to have made a decision. He immediately summoned a new Pontiff Knight and said:

"Quickly determine the locations of our people at the Notary Office and see which ones are closest to Londinium."

"Should I say I'm relieved by this episode? Although it was a bit dangerous, thankfully the impact doesn't seem to be too significant. It only satirized the internal issues of Victoria's church a little."

At Rhodes Island, Kal'tsit and Amiya had also finished watching this episode of "Yes, Minister." After a three-minute interval, Kal'tsit spoke calmly:

"With Laterano's open-mindedness and progressiveness, I don't think they'll misunderstand anything. At least, the situation shouldn't become any more complicated. How fortunate."

Similar sentiments were felt by Vina and her group around Londinium. Even Chen Huijie breathed a sigh of relief after watching, muttering to herself:

"That Chen Qi fellow... finally learned to restrain himself a bit."

"—But there's still one episode left." However, Vina, who had just relaxed, didn't let her guard down at all. Last week's events made her realize that Chen Qi always liked to "save the big reveal for last," and "Yes, Minister" was no different.

Now, with only the final episode of "Yes, Minister" remaining, Vina had a nagging feeling that its substance and impact might be on par with, or even surpass, the episodes on diplomacy and Originium tools!

It wasn't time to let her guard down yet, but Vina couldn't imagine what else the Victorian government could possibly be mocked for... It was ironic, really, that she, a former Crown Princess, seemed to know less about Victoria's inner workings than Chen Qi, who had lived in Londinium for less than a month.

But with no standing to accuse Chen Qi, and no right to do so, Vina could only pray that Chen Qi would quickly rein in his abilities and leave some dignity for them Victorians in the final episode...

Chapter Fifty-Eight: The Final Episode of "Yes, Minister," A Plot Even the Writers Wouldn't Dare to Fabricate!