Chapter 29: Going, But Not Entirely Going

When Leo and Matilda emerged from the woods, Alberto, stationed at the crossroads, cast a meaningful glance at Leo.

In the past, Leo would have immediately recognized this as a deliberate arrangement by Matilda. But now, he had no leisure to dwell on such matters. Matilda’s gesture compelled Leo to ponder the path he ought to take.

To return to Rome—what would be the price? There, the power of the Holy See was deeply entrenched. Reformist clergy, led by Pope Alexander, monopolized ecclesiastical authority. Though they claimed to be paragons of virtue, they were, in truth, adept manipulators of power. Their pursuit of authority was merely cloaked in a veneer of nobility.

For someone like Leo, an outsider to their circle, what could he expect upon his return? At most, a hollow ecclesiastical post to placate him, perhaps some salary, or else Leo would simply vanish into the annals of history. The Holy See was as dark as the sewers; it was hardly unusual for anyone to disappear within its depths.

But what of remaining in Tuscany? Here, Leo had a cohort of loyal soldiers. Knights such as Enrico, Corrado, and Alberto, representatives of the Tuscan military aristocracy, regarded Leo highly, if not as one of their own. Carlo, Helena, and other church-laity groups also stood by Leo’s side. Even Matilda herself could be counted among Leo’s supporters. In Matilda’s eyes, Leo’s position in the Duchy of Tuscany was second only to hers.

Why should he return, merely because the pope had peculiar preferences?

Then there was the system. Leo had finally come to understand that the system was not to be trusted blindly. If he were foolish enough to chase after every benefit, he would inevitably fall into a trap. The system was meant to assist, not control him. Even if he failed a task and faced punishment, Leo would never allow his fate to be dictated by the system.

The moment he made his decision, the fog that had shrouded his path lifted, and the way ahead became clear.

“I will not leave Tuscany, Your Grace,” Leo said in a low voice. “Nor will I return to Rome, you have my word. Perhaps someday I will go back, but never as an ordinary envoy.”

Alberto looked at Leo, then at Matilda. He noticed that his mistress’s lips curled into a faint smile, her expression tinged with both satisfaction and pride. After all, she had managed to keep her most favored minister.

Seeing Alberto’s gaze upon her, Matilda raised her hand and waved.

“Turn around, Alberto.”

Confused by such an odd command, Alberto hesitated. But when the duchess frowned at him, he promptly turned, presenting his back to the two.

Leo was about to raise his head when Matilda suddenly caught him by the neck.

Her cool, delicate hand hooked around Leo’s neck, causing him to bow his head. Matilda seized the moment, rising onto her tiptoes, her soft lips brushing lightly against Leo’s cheek—a fleeting touch, delicate as a dragonfly skimming the surface.

She settled back onto her heels, leaving Leo stunned and speechless. What had just happened?

“This is the Leo I know,” Matilda said, patting Leo’s cheek. “In my memory, you are not the kind of man to obey orders blindly. You are truly brave—a man of integrity and strength.”

Her hand, though cold, warmed Leo’s heart with every gentle pat.

Indeed, he was not one to be ordered about.

From the very beginning, he had dared to defy the Holy See’s decrees, secretly using fire to punish heretics in pursuit of the system’s devotion points.

Hesitating now would be against his nature.

Yet, Leo had plans.

“But I must depart for a while, Your Grace,” Leo said suddenly.

Matilda, originally filled with delight, was caught off guard. She had not anticipated this twist.

While anxiety darkened her countenance, Leo explained his plan.

“I need the Holy See to believe this envoy never arrived… So, it’s best if the envoy disappears. Do you understand?”

Matilda, suddenly enlightened, relaxed and smiled, her hand naturally resting on Leo’s shoulder.

“Can you handle it alone?”

At that moment, Matilda seemed like a concerned wife, caring for Leo. Perhaps she herself could not explain why she felt compelled to do so.

“Of course I won’t go alone. I’ll bring Enrico and Corrado. The three of us can manage it.”

“When do you plan to send that envoy on his way? I truly despise him.”

“As soon as I finish making paper, it will be done.”

Leo’s promise brought a radiant smile to Matilda’s face. She trusted him implicitly.

When Alberto turned back, Leo gently removed Matilda’s hand from his shoulder, restoring their usual distance. Other than Matilda’s satisfied expression and the lingering blush on her cheeks, there was no evidence left.

Alberto understood perfectly.

He also knew why he was the chief knight under the duchess.

“Sir Leo, once this matter is settled, what will you do next?”

Matilda, unembarrassed by Alberto’s presence, raised the question openly. She trusted Alberto deeply, confident he would never betray her secrets.

Coincidentally, Leo was pondering the same issue.

His actions would leave no evidence for the Holy See, but there would surely be objections. Objections meant evidence would eventually surface. Thus, Leo had to become strong enough before the Holy See could gather proof.

In that way, even if evidence existed, the Holy See would declare there was none.

But how could he achieve such strength?

Fortunately, an esteemed mentor had already pointed out the way.

“Bishop Honorius once suggested I try to become the Bishop of Pisa,” Leo said. “If I establish my roots locally, the Holy See can’t touch me at will.”

“That makes sense… But the Bishop of Pisa is already appointed.”

Matilda, ever devout, had not thought of a solution. But Leo had a clever plan.

The most powerful faction in the Holy See was the reformist clergy.

They entered Rome with three objectives: poverty, poverty, and poverty.

The Holy See’s authority had waned due to excessive luxury. To remedy this, a group of German and French clergy devised a plan: by embracing poverty, they could restore their prestige.

Thus, the reformists proposed three measures to combat ecclesiastical corruption:

First, prohibit the sale of indulgences.

Second, forbid clerical marriage.

Third, ban the sale of ecclesiastical offices.

The first two are debatable; the third—the prohibition of selling church positions—was particularly relevant to Leo.

When laws are needed to prohibit something, it means it’s widespread and difficult to eradicate.

Despite decades of reformist dominance, they had not eliminated this practice. For example, a certain archbishop in Reims openly admitted he bought his office merely to make money and would prefer not to preach or celebrate mass at all.

In such a corrupt church, finding an unconventional route was entirely possible.

The Bishop of Pisa’s position was neither low nor particularly high. At this time, Pisa had not yet grown into a commercial metropolis, nor had Corsica been included in its diocese, making it a rather awkward post.

The first Bishop of Pisa to achieve lasting fame did so only after the First Crusade, leaving his mark in Jerusalem.

Thus, for such a middling position, if someone offered money, there would surely be takers.

“I have my own way.”

Leo’s lips curled into a confident smile.

Seeing his assurance, Matilda was reassured. She nodded approvingly, then walked away to warm herself in her cabin.

Once Matilda had returned indoors, Leo raised his hand and touched his cheek.

That kiss—so fragrant and soft.