"Failure is failure because you let it end as failure. If you turn that failure into a success, it is not a failure, but a success.
My grandfather, Jouvancel Sein, used to say these words to me on every occasion. Because of these words, many of his men were forced to do unreasonable things and many of them lost their lives.
Vieille had a vivid image of her grandfather saying those words with a smile on his face. She opens her eyes and sighs heavily.
Her grandfather certainly has a point. But his way of thinking is half right and half wrong. What may look like a failure now may turn out to be a success in the future. Even if the present situation is not as he wants it to be, he should not rule it as a failure.
As she thought about this, an idea popped into her mind.
"Ufffff......Ufffffff......"
Vieille bites back a laugh with a mischievous smile. The idea he had just come up with was exactly that of his grandfather.
I guess I am my grandfather's grandson after all. .......
With this thought, she put the report in her hand on the desk and clapped her hands. Soon a woman acting as a secretary appeared.
"You wanted to see me, sir?
"Please send for Cardinal Ron Esrotel."
"Yes, sir."
The woman bowed reverently and walked away. Vieille closed her eyes again and leaned back in her chair.
Vieille closed her eyes again and rested her body on the chair.
"By your leave, I have recused myself."
After a while, a man with white hair appeared in front of Vieille. Behind him was a female cardinal. The man stood in awe in front of Vieille and looked into her eyes. This was quite unusual among the many Crimianists.
Most of the congregation turned their eyes away from Vieille when they were in her presence. In some cases, they would remain face down and not make eye contact with her at all. To them, Vieille is like a living god, and they feel disrespected just by making eye contact with her. For this reason, only a few of the cardinals were able to look Vieille squarely in the eye and talk to him.
Ron Esrotel's sparkling eyes, which showed no evil intentions, looked straight at her. Vieille looks into those eyes and slowly opens his mouth.
"I have received this letter from Cardinal Mataca, who has been dispatched to the Grand Duchy of Foal, and from Cardinal Freeman, the head of the South Gredaful branch.
"Yes. I have read it myself and I am speechless.
The man looks as if he is sorry. Vieille continues to speak to him.
You are the one who has been entrusted with the management of the South Gredahl area. I would like to hear your opinion."
"......"
The man does not answer Vieille's question. There was silence for a while, and then he straightened his posture and looked at Vieille again.
"From the letter, I can clearly see that Freeman, the branch manager, feels that he has done his utmost. As for Mataka, I can see that he is afraid ...... to be held accountable."
At Ron Esrotel's words, Vieille continues to look at him without changing his expression.
"I, for my part, would like to give Mataka, in particular, a chance to redeem himself.
"A chance to make up for it?"
Yes. If things continue as they are, Mataka and the others we have dispatched to the Grand Duchy of Foal will soon be forced to leave the country. Nevertheless, that country is the keystone of the West for our Faith. ....... It will not be good for our country if they continue to harden their attitude. Therefore, I will send Mataka and his men to the Grand Duchy of Foal again when the time is right, to give them a chance to make up for this.
Vieille tilted his head slightly as he looked at Ron Esrotel, not quite understanding what he was saying.
His Holiness is right to be concerned. However, Cardinal Mataca has the blessing of the Lord God. He will not fail twice.
"...... If you insist that much, good. So what exactly are you going to do about it?"
"First of all, I think that the most important thing is to get Mataka and the others out of the country before they are ordered to leave by the Grand Duchy of Foal. If they are ordered to leave, or if they are attacked by the forces of the Grand Duchy of Foal, it will be difficult to give them a chance to regain their footing. However, if they are defeated in that country, we can use that as an excuse to turn our forces against them. We would be grateful for that.
Ron Esrotel nodded slowly with a straight face. Vieille continued to watch him with a blank expression on his face.
"First of all, I would like to ask His Holiness the Pope to send a letter to the Grand Duchy of Foal, requesting them to withdraw the cardinals they have sent there."
"I am willing to do so, but what exactly do you intend to do with Cardinal Mataca?"
"I think it would be better to let him explain himself. I am not concerned about that. I am sure that he will see to it that His Holiness the Pope is satisfied with what he sees.
"Cardinal Ron Esrotel."
"Ha."
Please answer my questions.
Ron Esrotel was silent for a while, and then, as if he had no choice, he opened his mouth in a small voice.
"I beg your pardon, sir," he said.
"Is it just you and me in this room?"
"No. There is one behind the door."
Vieille's eyes open a little. She lets out a small sigh and calls out to the other side of the door.
"Mr. Aurélie. You are free to leave. I will call you if I need you.
Aurelie, the secretary, was a loyal woman. She was a devout member of the Crimiana faith, worshipping Vieille as a god and taking great pleasure in supporting her. For this reason, she was always in a position to hear Vieille's voice. This time, too, he was behind the door so that he would be ready to respond to her when she rang his hand. I was honestly glad for her concern.
However, Vieille did not show such feelings and remained as expressionless as ever. To her, Ron Esrotel muttered in a small voice.
"The prototype of that thing has been completed.
Vieille's eyes widen.
"You have finally completed it?"
Yes. However, even though it is completed, we have not actually used it. When you use it in our country ......, among other things, in Aphrodite, there is a possibility that something unexpected may happen.
"So, why don't you go somewhere safe ....... No way?"
At Vieille's words, Ron Esrotel nodded broadly.
"That country is a perfect place for you.
"I see. I see.
They looked at each other and nodded slowly. Already, Vieille's mind was filled with a series of strategies to be taken in the future.
If ...... succeeded, we might be able to win a victory over Agartha.
If it worked, without sending an army, without playing tricks, Agartha would not be able to maintain itself as a nation without Klimiana. In other words, this would be the same as having Agartha under one's control. And, the Church of Klimiana will naturally reign at the top of this world.
Vieille let Ron Esrotel back down, closed his eyes again, and leaned back in his chair. For the first time in a long time, a feeling of hope welled up in her. ....... She wished very much that she could stay in this pleasant feeling for a while. Naturally, her face relaxes and she involuntarily smiles. .......