Christian looked at me and gave a sly grin.

“As a bishop of the Church of Deus and a doctor of theology, I have been studying the word of Deus since you were sucking on your mother’s breast. Do you really think it makes sense for someone like you, with your limited knowledge, to stubbornly defy my judgment, based on decades of devotion to His teachings?”

If Christian and I debated theology, I’d surely lose.

I never studied theology in Korea, nor do I have any credentials to speak of. He may be a vice-bishop, but he’s still a full bishop.

And bishops hold power comparable to that of a baron in any given region.

What could I do to maintain my composure until the archbishop arrives, without disgracing myself?

“Respected Bishop, I honor the rights and responsibilities that Deus has bestowed upon you.”

Christian’s face twisted with displeasure.

Murmurs of confusion came from the audience.

It made sense—they would find it odd for someone in my position to be agreeing with the judge who was trying to condemn me.

“I also respect the trials and hardships you endured to be called to Deus’s service.”

“You know that, yet you remain so arrogant! Repent your sins now, and the Church will show you mercy.”

“But, respected Vice-Bishop and esteemed audience, I swear before Deus, the head of the Church. If I confess to sins I did not commit, would that not be deceiving all of you?”

This is one effective way to drive an opponent crazy in a debate.

Acknowledge the parts of their argument that don’t contradict your stance, while firmly rejecting only the parts that are incorrect.

It creates the appearance that I’m having a polite discussion while making my opponent seem irrational.

“I am here because of a misunderstanding, and I intend to explain everything. Café Medici is by no means an obscene place.”

If this were Joseon, the land of Confucianism, I’d be a dead man.

A place where a noble lady can meet and speak with a man who isn’t her betrothed, as chosen by her father? In Korea, that would be no different from running a brothel.

But in the Tosca Empire, providing a space for men and women to date…? That’s not a crime.

“Those who have visited Café Medici know that it’s a place where anyone, male or female, can come and enjoy tea and cake, and chat with their companions in a relaxed setting.”

A few people in the audience nodded in agreement.

“And as for the concern about men and women meeting, it’s a very natural occurrence.”

“Are you admitting to facilitating relationships by creating a space where men and women can meet freely?”

I could see his mouth watering at the chance to condemn me.

“Scripture tells us to be fruitful and multiply. It also says that men and women shall become one. So, how can it be sinful if a man and a woman, drawn to each other, fall in love?”

There’s a big misconception about the medieval period.

Many think only Latin was valid for scripture, and that only Latin Mass was recognized as legitimate.

But in reality, some country priests without theological training didn’t strictly adhere to this, and while Latin was preferred, other languages weren’t forbidden.

In the Tosca Empire, it’s similar.

“If I had intentionally forced attractive men and women to sit together, that would be one thing. But allowing men and women to naturally grow closer—is that truly a sin?”

Even in the Middle Ages, public opinion matters.

Why? Because this audience, who came here for entertainment, will spread rumors about Christian and help bolster my reputation.

“Is it wrong when men and women, dressed beautifully at a ball, see each other and fall in love?”

Most titled nobles marry for political alliances.

But just as every era has its troublemakers, many fall in love at balls and end up marrying.

While these types of marriages are common among second or third sons like me, who aren’t constrained by inheritance…

Even those who had arranged marriages often dream of such romances.

“I too wish to experience such love someday.”

I wasn’t lying.

I find the idea quite romantic.

Sneaking out of a grand hall where everyone’s dancing to have a private conversation. Maybe even sharing a kiss… Just imagining it makes me smile.

With flawless logic and control over the audience’s opinions, the atmosphere shifted in my favor.

“Right, falling in love at a ball isn’t wrong.”

“It seems Café Medici is innocent.”

Christian glared at me and spouted more nonsense.

“Strictly speaking, men and women falling in love at balls is also a violation of church law. Do you fancy yourself under the Lord’s grace, boldly speaking as you are? How dare the second son of a mere baron insult my authority in a church trial?”

Whoever’s backing Baronet Valiano, they must be high up.

One thing is clear.

There are powerful forces trying to ruin me, regardless of the vice-bishop’s reputation.

And no matter how I respond to that loaded question, he’s trying to frame me as a heretic.

“If the Lord has granted me His grace, I pray it may continue, and if not, I hope He may extend it to this unworthy soul.”

If I had claimed to be under Deus’s grace, he would’ve branded me as a heretic, guilty of blasphemy.

Had I denied it, he could have sentenced me to burn as a godless heretic.

But with an ambiguous yet pious response, I left him speechless…

Christian clutched the back of his neck, visibly rattled.

“You… you… blasphemous fool.”

The audience watched me with wide eyes.

Some even gaped at the sight of a young noble besting a bishop in verbal sparring.

You might want to close your mouth before a fly gets in.

“Archbishop’s cross! The Archbishop himself is here!”

He should have arrived long ago, so what took him so long?

Did something happen?

“It’s His Grace, the Archbishop of Florence!”

Christian and Baronet Valiano turned ghostly pale.

This entire trial was built on absurd charges.

Now, with the archbishop’s authority, their schemes are about to be overturned.

In other words, they’re doomed.

“Silence.”

If bishops hold the power of barons, then archbishops wield authority on par with counts.

The “Archbishop of Florence,” in particular, is likely to be promoted to cardinal, making him the highest-ranking archbishop.

He holds authority that far surpasses a mere bishop.

“Fabio de Medici is innocent.”

According to the script, his next line followed.

“I visited Café Medici just now. The tea was delightful, and the cake was delicious. I went with some bishops, and they all enjoyed it. It’s a place where friends, men, and women alike, can come and talk. Some might fall in love there, but that’s not at odds with scripture or doctrine.”

The archbishop pointed his crozier at Baronet Valiano.

“It seems that Baronet Valiano, jealous of Café Medici’s success, fabricated these accusations.”

Valiano turned white at those words.

“And you, Christian, as a bishop, it appears you sold your conscience and faith for a few coins. Otherwise, this nonsensical trial could never have happened.”

Selling out one’s faith is a serious insult in the Tosca Empire, equivalent to the worst curses in 21st-century Korea.

Especially when directed at clergy.

In fact, even killing a clergyman caught doing such a thing could result in a not guilty verdict.

“The final judgment will come after the cardinal approves it, but as the Archbishop of Florence, I hereby sentence Baronet Valiano to be burned at the stake for abusing the Church’s authority.”

Valiano collapsed to the ground.

“As for you, Bishop Christian, I will appeal to the Pope to excommunicate you and have you burned at the stake, as one would with a heretic.”

Christian fainted.

In a world where everyone believes in heaven and hell, becoming a heretic and going to hell is a fate worse than death.

Not to mention that excommunication would ruin his entire family…

One fool’s greed is going to ruin hundreds of lives.

“This concludes the church trial of Fabio de Medici.”

With that, the crowd erupted into thunderous applause.

_______________________________________

TL notes:

Hello, dear readers!

I hope you’re enjoying the journey of I Became a Black Merchant in Another World as much as I am! I aim to bring Fabio’s cunning and boldness to life while staying as true to the original text as possible. By preserving the nuances and unfiltered aspects of the story, I hope to give you an authentic experience of the world Fabio navigates.

As the story unfolds, I encourage you to reflect on the layers of social dynamics and power struggles that drive our protagonist. Feel free to share your thoughts on how you perceive Fabio’s tactics and his clashes with the church and nobility. It’s a fascinating world, and there’s so much to explore together!

Thank you for reading, and I look forward to continuing this adventure with you.

Happy reading!

— [SataBog]