Konrad looked at the cardinal with all the incredulity he could muster.
“A giant.”
“Yes.”
“On a boat.”
“Yes.”
“With a diary in Hebrew.”
“Not quite Hebrew. While the language uses the same characters and a few of the same words, it has evolved quite a bit from the written texts of the Old Testament.”
“May I see this giant’s diary?”
“Once you agree to the mission.”
“What mission?”
“The mission you will undertake unless you’d like to be burned at the stake.”
“I see.”
Konrad mulled it over in his mind. On one hand, he’d be the first human to learn a language written by another form of sentient life, and the added bonus of not being sent to the pyre was definitely attractive. On the other hand, he would have to work for the Antichrist. Konrad could see the impatience growing on the cardinal’s face with each second he took to weigh his options.
“I did mention you would avoid the stake, correct?”
“To live is Christ, to die is gain. Working for the servants of Satan is a far greater punishment than joining my Father in heaven.”
“This is a giant, probably not even human, most likely lacking a soul. He is our shared enemy, Konrad.”
“Did you speak of shared camaraderie when you put my brothers and sisters to the flame? When you mocked and humiliated them for actually following the word given to us by God? I’m sure you spoke of a common enemy at great length as you gleefully sent them to eternal rest, something I am beyond certain you will never taste.” The last sentence launched out of Konrad’s mouth, spittle flying along with it, which he was not embarrassed by in the least.
The cardinal looked bored. Konrad assumed he had dealt with a number of unrepentant Protestants before. “I will cut you a deal. If you refuse this offer, then you are simply beyond reason.”
Konrad raised an eyebrow. He found it hard to believe that the man could suggest anything that would get him to work with the Vatican, but he kept silent and listened to the bargain.
“I am willing to decriminalize the possession of the word of God in the vernacular. Clement himself suggested it, but I would only like to use it as a last resort, something you have forced me to quite quickly. We will not produce copies of it, we will not import it, in fact, we will not even tell anyone of this change. However, none of your brothers will be given to the fire over this crime. For other crimes, most likely, but not this one.”
Konrad’s mouth fell agape. The number of people that could be reached if they only were able to read the Bible for themselves. His translating work would not only be fruitful for Christians who had already left Rome’s ways, but also for those who were unsure. He and his countrymen could smuggle in the Word of God without fear of persecution. This would change Christendom as they knew it.
“It seems Satan is still capable of foolishness. I accept your deal gladly. Show me the diary.”