Chapter 1: Simply Burning a Person

October 14th, 1066 AD.

In the ruins of Rome, a man stood atop a barrel, clutching a battered scripture in his hands.

“By Hermes above! These priests are all frauds!”

“I tell you, our world is round! A sphere! You’ve all been deceived!”

“I beg you, open your eyes and see these impostors for who they are!”

The citizens of Rome watched this raving man with murmurs and doubtful glances. None of them believed the world was spherical, yet the man persisted in his stubborn conviction.

As the crowd buzzed with speculation, the man abruptly ceased his preaching. He lifted his gaze toward the edge of the gathering.

Soon enough, he saw them clearly—a priest flanked by several knights and guards, pushing their way through the throng toward him.

Yet, rather than fear, the man spread his arms with composure.

“Citizens, bear witness! Today, I shall defeat these devils in priestly robes with the power of debate! I will reveal the truth to the world!”

But before he could finish, he recognized the priest’s face.

The priest, too, recognized him. Without hesitation, he pointed at the man and barked orders to the knights at his side.

“Seize him at once!”

When Leo shouted these words, there was not the faintest trace of mercy in his tone. He was no gentle-hearted cleric.

Even as the knights restrained the madman, the latter could not comprehend that the priest truly intended to arrest him.

“I am here to preach! What do you intend to do?”

The man lashed out with fists and feet, fighting desperately. But the knights soon subdued him, and the priest gestured toward a distant wooden scaffold.

The knights hesitated briefly, but the lead knight stepped beside the priest.

“Leo, burning is too cruel... Perhaps we should reconsider.”

Leo, the priest, snorted with disdain, his face full of contempt.

“Reconsider? The weapon of criticism cannot replace the criticism of weapons. Take him away!”

And with a grand sweep of his arm, Leo uttered a phrase destined to echo through the ages.

Indeed, he was a traveler from another world.

Before he crossed over, Leo’s name was Li Ao, a history enthusiast. Two and a half years ago, he found himself reincarnated as a priest in Rome.

Unfortunately, he inherited none of the theological wisdom his role required. At the monthly inquisitions, he made a fool of himself, but in doing so, he was etched into the memory of the bishops.

Perhaps through this strange twist of fate, the high-ranking clergy remembered there was a clueless simpleton among their ranks.

Thus, he was entrusted with tasks such as dealing with heretics.

“Madman! You lunatic!”

The man, now bound to the scaffold, continued to curse and struggle violently.

Beneath him, firewood, dry grass, and fat were piled high, awaiting the torch.

The townsfolk watched, whispering among themselves. In an age starved for amusement, executions counted among the few entertainments. But the thrill of live flesh meeting flame was a rare spectacle.

“Burning is forbidden! You defy the will of the Lord! You are the heretic! You madman!”

After the man had screamed a few curses, Leo stepped forward and, without hesitation, tossed a torch onto the pyre.

The wood caught instantly, flames devouring the man.

“Damn you! You’ll burn in hell! Aaaagh!”

With a final curse hurled at Leo, the man’s voice dissolved into shrieks.

He writhed and twisted, desperate to escape the flames, but there was no hope. The fire crept up from his feet. Smoke filled his nostrils and throat, turning his screams into something inhuman.

Thick black smoke and searing heat mingled with the scent of charred flesh. The citizens pinched their noses, unused to such pungent odors.

Leo closed his eyes, showing no remorse. He was too busy checking his system.

—

[Welcome to the Crusader King System]

[Mission “Deal with Heretics II” complete]

[Reward received: 20 Piety, 20 Prestige]

[Active Missions: “Seize Cardinal Power,” “Path to Saint Peter’s Throne,” “Restore Papal Authority”]

[Personal Information]

[Name: Leo]

[Position: Third-Rank Exorcist]

[Money: 0]

[Prestige: 40]

[Piety: 40]

—

This system was Mother Earth’s gift to Leo upon his arrival.

Just like in the game Crusader Kings of later centuries, his stats were divided into three types: money, prestige, and piety.

Through the system’s shop, these could be used for decisions or directly exchanged for resources. Unfortunately, Leo’s assets were still meager.

Two missions completed, and not a coin to show for it.

Having checked all his system menus, Leo opened his eyes—startled, not by satisfaction, but by a tap on his shoulder.

He turned to see a cardinal in a red mantle, regarding him with stern gravity.

“Are you Leo?” The cardinal’s question received a nod.

“I am Cardinal Hildebrand. You are to come with me and account for your crimes before His Holiness.”

“Crimes? What crimes have I committed?” Leo pointed at himself incredulously.

He had only followed the Pope’s orders to apprehend and execute a heretic—how could this be a crime?

“To employ burning without sanction is a grave sin. Enough excuses. Come.”

Hildebrand’s unyielding manner, and the guards at his side, left Leo with no choice but surrender.

“Very well. I’ll go.”

To avoid further trouble, Leo followed Hildebrand.

They crossed the city from west to east, making their way to the Lateran Palace, the Pope’s residence.

On the journey, Leo felt no fear, only doubt.

He had done nothing wrong—why should he be accused?

And even if he had sinned, would the Pope himself bother with a minor priest like him?

Puzzled, Leo entered the Lateran Palace. The guards, seeing Hildebrand, opened the gates and admitted them without hesitation.

They wasted no time admiring the ancient halls, heading straight to the Pope’s office.

At the threshold, a servant greeted them: “Your Eminence, His Holiness awaits within.”

Hildebrand nodded coolly.

The servants exchanged glances, then bowed and opened the doors.

Sunlight spilled through the windows, so bright that Leo squinted.

Seated at a long table, quill in hand, was Pope Alexander. Beside him, a young bishop stood, almost like a servant.

Hildebrand advanced, reporting promptly, “Your Holiness, I have brought the sinner, Leo, as you requested…”

He had barely finished when Leo, indignant, interjected, “I was merely following orders. I am no sinner.”

Such defiance naturally displeased Hildebrand.

But the Pope did not allow their quarrel to escalate.

“Enough.”

He looked to Hildebrand. “You have many duties. See to them. I will handle this matter myself.”

Hildebrand was clearly dissatisfied, but after a moment’s hesitation, he obeyed.

“Yes, Your Holiness.”

He bowed and departed, shooting Leo a glare as he left.

When the door closed, Pope Alexander set down his quill and rose, the bishop at his side following like a page.

“Leo… do you understand the trouble you have caused?”

“Your Holiness, I was only fulfilling my duty.” Leo raised his chin, unrepentant—a man unaware of his error.

The Pope did not take offense, but the young bishop bristled.

“How can you be so obstinate?” he said, pointing at Leo. “You used burning without sanction. Do you know how much trouble you’ve brought us? Is it merely your displeasure that leads you to burn men?”

Thus accused, Leo grew annoyed. No one had taught him the rules, yet now blame was so swiftly cast.

“Your Excellency, it’s not that I burn people because I’m displeased. Rather, if I don’t burn people, I’m not pleased!” Leo retorted in anger.

At this time, the Church had no strict hierarchy. Leo saw no reason to defer to this bishop.

The bishop, affronted by Leo’s insolence, was about to argue further.

But the Pope raised his hand, halting him.

He fixed Leo with a penetrating gaze that made him uneasy.

“This is my nephew, Anselmo. He is a bit blunt. But he is right—you have erred. I know, however, that youth is often to blame, and so I will give you a chance to make amends.”

In the presence of the Pope, Leo suppressed his defiant streak, bowing his head and awaiting judgment.

“This spring, we will campaign against the Count of Capua in the south. The Duchess of Tuscany has promised her support, but whether she will keep her word remains uncertain.”

The Pope clasped his hands behind his back and stepped closer.

“I want you to serve as Papal Legate, to go to the Duchess of Tuscany’s court, oversee her, and ensure she sends her troops in spring as promised. Tell me, can you fulfill this duty?”

Leo looked up in astonishment. Papal Legate was no minor office.

Historically, only those of high birth or profound theological knowledge held such posts.

Clearly, the Pope had an ulterior motive; Leo had neither family nor theological expertise. The only reason to send him was to see if he would fail—or perhaps fall into some trap.

Nevertheless, Leo accepted immediately.

“I will discharge this duty faithfully, Your Holiness.”

He placed his right hand on his chest and bowed deeply, eager to accept.

The reason was simple.

The Duchess of Tuscany was Matilda of Canossa—one of the most renowned and wealthy women of the Middle Ages.

At this time, Matilda was in her prime, barely twenty and unmarried, with much of northern Italy under her rule—the dream of many men.

Leo, now transplanted to the Middle Ages, had no desire to remain a lowly cleric. He would strive to make his mark, even if it meant seeking the patronage of a powerful woman.

Seeing Leo’s enthusiasm, Alexander was pleased and nodded in approval.

“Very good. If you complete your task, I will overlook your previous transgressions in Rome. Go now.”

With these words of dismissal, Leo departed from the Lateran Palace.

As the office doors closed, the bishop at Alexander’s side could contain himself no longer.

“Uncle, why give this post to him and not to me?”

“Ah, my nephew, there are things you must yet learn. Let him make all the mistakes—then you will have experience to draw from. Next year, I will find cause to replace him, and you shall be Legate.”

“…Very well.”

These words Leo could not hear, but he could guess their meaning. The Pope’s appointment was either to make him a scapegoat or to see how deep the pit might be.

Still, the greater the storm, the greater the reward. Leo understood as much.

He clenched his fists, and the system chimed in his mind:

[New Mission Triggered]

[Papal Legate to Tuscany]

[Objective: Go to the court of Duchess Matilda of Canossa and win her allegiance to the Papal cause.]

[Reward: 150 Piety, 150 Prestige, and the title “Papal Legate”]