Chapter 183
Cyrus had actually guessed what His Holiness the Pope had been busy with during this time, and this guess was soon confirmed.
--The Holy See has issued new dogmatic regulations.
One of the provisions is to abolish the criminalization of same-sex love, abolishing the punishment of hanging for anyone found to be gay, whether they are satisfying their needs or in a romantic relationship.
This regulation was introduced by the Pope despite strong opposition.
Once announced, it sparked a huge discussion within Visas, with most people opposing it.
After all, long-established mindsets have led them to believe that "same-sex love" is sinful.
Even if new regulations were introduced that clearly state no guilt, they would still find it unacceptable, and some would believe that the Holy See had made a mistake.
"No, this disgusting rule must be abolished! Why is sodomy not a crime? Men should be with women, get married, and have children—that's the right thing to do!"
"People who fall in love with the same sex are mentally ill! Tell them to go get their medication and see a doctor, and stop them from harming others; they'll infect me!"
"If someone in my family were to be gay, I'd break their legs—no, I'd kick them out! Disgusting freaks, so shameful!"
There are countless examples like this.
A very small percentage of people expressed agreement or even delight at this.
Some people don't agree with or care about the argument that same-sex love is sinful, while others are simply naturally attracted to the same sex.
It was as if they had finally seen the dawn breaking through the lingering darkness.
They desperately tried to grasp this ray of light, climbing with all their might to let the sunlight fall on their faces and illuminate their entire bodies.
They want to exist openly and honestly in this world, instead of hiding like rats in a gutter, only to be killed the moment they show themselves...
Now, this opportunity has finally arrived.
Although the future remains difficult, they now have hope.
This hope was subsequently amplified artificially.
--The Thorn Merchant Guild of Commerce's newspaper then published the story.
Due to the recent surge in discussion about "same-sex love," the newspaper dedicated an entire page to it.
The page first published the harsh words spoken by the interviewee, followed by a few comments of agreement below.
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The final section is the most important.
That was a summary based on profound understanding.
Love should be the attitude of one soul toward another, not the reaction of one organ to another.
There should be no sin in same-sex love; their existence is not wrong.
There's no difference between love between people of the same sex and love between people of the opposite sex; it's like the left and right hands, just reversed.
These final words of wisdom flowed like a refreshing spring into the restless hearts of a few, calming their anxious minds.
--Look, there are still people who acknowledge their existence; not everyone rejects or loathes this kind of feeling.
There is nothing wrong with this feeling itself, and it should not be used as a bargaining chip for malicious attacks.
Everything in the world is unique and varied. Some people vehemently condemn and loathe something, while others are indifferent and unconcerned, and still others are overjoyed and ecstatic about it.
It's easy for a nobleman to fall in love with a commoner, but it's undoubtedly difficult for them to be together.
If two people in love change from being a man and a woman to being a man and a man, or a woman and a woman... the difficulties will undoubtedly be even more despairing.
They dared not show themselves in public, but could only hide themselves, fearing that being discovered would bring trouble upon themselves.
Sometimes, external recognition can give people the courage and confidence to continue.
Strength can support people to move forward.
Lenn was a nobleman, but his family had long since fallen on hard times, leaving behind only an ancestral estate and a plot of arable land. To make ends meet and cover daily expenses, they had even reduced the number of servants in the household.
Currently, only the old butler and his family remain, along with two maids responsible for cooking and cleaning.
Lenn's father had always hoped that he would marry a wealthy woman.
Whether the woman is an unmarried young lady or a widow who has lost her husband, as long as there is money, everything is easy to handle.
However, Lunn thought differently.
Because he doesn't like women; his sexual orientation is innate, and he likes men.
Moreover, Len already has a lover.
If a household needs to hire commoners or slaves to farm, that person is the son of the hired commoner.
He was irresistibly drawn to the other person, initially thinking it was just a one-sided crush that would end without a trace, but unexpectedly, the other person also liked him.
However, after their sweet period, the relationship was on the verge of collapse.
It's not that we don't love each other, it's that we love each other too much.
His lover didn't want to one day watch him marry a wealthy woman.
That was so despairing and painful.
Just as Lenn was about to escape with his lover, news of the Holy See's new dogma arrived unexpectedly.
Their love is no longer a sin!
Lenn was overjoyed.
Unfortunately, his lover's words dampened his spirits. "Your father won't agree to us being together just because the Holy See has changed its doctrines and regulations."
He would still hope that Lenn would marry a wealthy woman.
Although same-sex love has become legal and lawless, obstacles still exist.
However, this is no longer a crime. If Lenn's father finds out later, he cannot use this incident as a reason to punish them.
This conclusion brought some peace of mind to Len's lover and gave her boundless courage.
"Let's leave here, Len, and live somewhere else. I don't know if I'll regret it later, but at this moment, at least I'm willing."
That's right, he initially disagreed when Len offered to take him away from here, because he felt there was no hope anywhere.
But now, he has changed his mind.
Lenn was overjoyed. "I'll make sure you never regret it!"
He would rather be an ordinary citizen than be with his lover.
Not long after, Lenn left with his lover, leaving a letter for his father explaining the reason.
Knowing his father as he did, he knew he could never be forgiven in this lifetime.
He took his lover to a remote town, where there were fields, rivers, and endless grasslands...
Lenn kept his promise, and they lived happily ever after. They even adopted an orphan and stayed together until old age.
Of course, that's a story for later. Right now, they are looking for a place to live, filled with hope for the future.
The Saint Church in Visas is probably the most magnificent and spectacular Holy See headquarters ever built. Its sheer size is astonishing, not to mention its interior layout and scenery.
Clergy from churches everywhere consider it an honor to enter this place, but at this moment, Malediz and Dempus have no time to appreciate the beautiful scenery inside the new Saint Church.
They couldn't understand why the Pope would change a rule that no one agreed with.
As expected, the church received a lot of opposition after the regulation was announced.
They refused to accept the conclusion that same-sex love is not a crime.
These dissenting voices were initially very strong, and although they were somewhat suppressed after newspapers published discussions on the issue, the resentment persisted.
Dempus said, "His Majesty always has his reasons for doing everything, and this time... he must also have a purpose in changing the dogmas and regulations."
Otherwise, given His Holiness the Pope's personality, he wouldn't care about anything at all.
Malediz rarely agreed with Dempus's opinion, nodding and asking, "Then what do you think the Pope's purpose is?"
Dempus: "... That's hard to say."
Malediz frowned. "What's so hard to say?"
Dempus sighed, "Thinking in reverse, the Pope's purpose in changing the dogma must be to reduce obstacles, but why would His Majesty want to reduce obstacles?"
"Thinking about it this way, haven't you realized anything yet?"
Malediz's eyes widened, his facial muscles seemingly frozen. After a long pause, he finally said, "Dempus... you can't just say things like that..."
Dempus looked around and, seeing no one was around, leaned closer to Malediz and whispered, "How about... we go and ask His Holiness the Pope directly?"
"By speculating here, we still don't know what His Majesty is really thinking. What if..."
Malediz nodded seriously. "You're right."
Coincidentally, His Holiness the Pope and the Lord of Desinia arrived at the Saint Church today, at their residence in the back.
So Dempus and Malediz walked to the back together.
As they walked through the courtyard and corridors, wondering why there wasn't a single guard or servant behind them, the two cardinals suddenly stopped in their tracks, stunned.
His Holiness the Pope, who was usually aloof, dignified, and seemingly unfathomable, now wore an extremely gentle smile.
He held the Lord of Desinia in his arms, leaning against the window, whispering softly to him, his expression incredibly tender...
The Lord of Desinia, seemingly listening to something the Pope said, smiled, his eyes crinkling, and under the gentle caress of the sunlight, he seemed to radiate a dazzling light.
He tilted his head back, pouted, and kissed the Pope's chin.
Segalot returned the kiss, and the next moment he looked up and saw two people standing not far away, dumbfounded, who shouldn't be there at all.
"Hmm? What's wrong?"
Cyrus tilted her head in confusion, then turned to look in the direction Segalot was looking.
Oh dear.
What are Dempus and Malediz here?
Cyrus shrank slightly behind His Holiness the Pope, and smiled at the two cardinals with extremely complicated looks in their eyes.