Old Rovere walked down the long corridor, dressed in a robe, wearing a crown of holiness representing the authority of the cardinal, a scarf embroidered with a gold cross hanging over his shoulders, and a slightly heavy staff of the cross in his hand, but it made his steps look more steady and powerful.

From the age of 14 when he followed his uncle to Rome, Giuliano della Rovere was fascinated by the city.

At that time, he wandered the streets of Rome all day and night, fascinated by the beautiful scenery of the seven hills, and at the same time attracted by the strange things that happened in Rome.

Here he had his first mistress, who was 15 years old, and the woman was a prostitute who was almost 30 years old.

Then she, like all the nobles who came to Rome to pursue drunken dreams and death, was completely immersed in the pleasures of poverty and luxury.

It wasn't until he was completely tired of all this that he began to seriously think about the future that his uncle had arranged for him.

He became a young bishop, and soon after that, Giuliano della Roverre, who had tried his taste for power, began to spurn the depravity of his past and had a new purpose.

He wanted to one day succeed his uncle and become the leader of the Vatican, an ideal he fought for nearly 40 years.

In these 40 years, he has tasted the sweetness of power and tried the bitter fruit of failure.

At one point, he became a prominent figure in the Vatican in the shadow of his uncle, but a failed power struggle forced him to flee to France, where he almost lost faith and thought he would live in exile for the rest of his life.

Then he seized the opportunity to return to Rome, and the moment he stepped on the steps of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican again, he vowed to become pope!

Now his wish is about to come true, and although it is somewhat different from what he imagined, this crucial step has been taken.

And most importantly, what happens next.

When Massimo approached him and asked him to retain the title of Pope Alexander VI, the elder Rovere thought it was ridiculous to the extreme.

He was reminded of the absurd times when three popes coexisted, and that there was a very different time than now.

So he immediately rejected this ridiculous proposal without hesitation, and warned Massimo not to reveal this controversial nonsense to the outside world.

At the same time, he hinted to Massimo to convey his stern refusal to Alexander, and reminded him that although he cared deeply about the future of his children, this was not a guarantee that he had made absurd conditions.

At that time, Massimo listened to his reprimand very politely, and it was not until he finished speaking that he said a word very respectfully.

It was this sentence that made old Rovere fall into shock, doubt and then a long blank, and then, after some careful consideration, completely changed his previous attitude.

Now he was going to explain this decision to the whole College of Cardinals, and he knew that it would cause an uproar, but both the temptation of the papal throne and the astonishing news that Massimo had revealed to him made old Rovere both excited and full of anticipation.

Seeing Massimo, who was waiting on the side of the road not far away, and then nodding in greeting, Old Rovere nodded without a trace, and at the same time he also noticed the cardinals who knew him well.

All of them looked calm, but the slightly subtle atmosphere still seemed to indicate that something strange was going to happen at today's meeting of the cardinals.

Old Rovere and the cardinals who greeted him whispered pleasantries, and they just casually gossiped about it, but everyone gathered around old Rovere, consciously or unconsciously.

This made the other cardinals realize that today's meeting might not be easy, and that something unexpected might happen, and the addition of Massimo and Giulio de Medici really shocked the cardinals.

"Did something happen?"

This is a question shared by almost all cardinals who do not yet know what is happening, and there are those who vaguely guess what might happen, but find it somewhat unexpected.

Under the huge vaulted dome, the cardinals sit around an oval-shaped altar, and since the exile of Alexander VI, the Vatican has reverted to the way it was conducted in ancient Rome.

It's just that the quarrels are still there, and the intrigues are continuous, but during this time, the Vatican does feel tired and tired.

Maybe it's time to put an end to this situation once and for all, many people already have this idea in their hearts, but Alexander VI is like a stumbling block in front of him, and there is no way to move him.

When the elder Rovere walked into the council chamber, many people stood up to greet him, and at this time, people could clearly feel his growing authority and influence.

It's just that as long as Alexander VI lives for a long time, he will not want to become pope in the name of it.

So it is believed that this should be Giuliano de la Roverre's biggest annoyance now.

Old Rovere looked good today, and he rarely smiled and talked to people, and then he walked to the place where he was accustomed to sitting.

As he sat down, it was noticed that he nodded slightly to the two men.

It was Massimo and Giulio de Medici, who had just come in with him.

The Medici family did not completely lose power because they were driven out of Florence, Giulio and his brother Giovanni de Medici are still hot figures in the Vatican, and his brother is now in France, so Giulio has become the representative of the Medici family in the Vatican.

Although Old Roverley's movements were not big, it was enough to make many people speculate in their eyes, and they secretly asked each other but did not know the point, just looking at the words and deeds of Old Roverley and his people, the cardinals couldn't help but be secretly careful.

One issue after another was raised by reports from all over the world, but by this time the cardinals were no longer in the mood to quarrel as before, and all eyes were focused on the old Rovere.

At last, they saw a cardinal rise from old Rovere, and in an instant all eyes were on him.

"We've had enough," the cardinal said in a disgusting tone, "the Pope has been away from the Vatican for too long, and the Vatican without the Pope is as confusing as a kingdom without a king, and it's time to settle this issue once and for all." ”

Here it comes!

This thought quickly flashed through the hearts of many people, they knew that this would come sooner or later, just looking at old Rovere, many people were pondering the intricate relationship between him and Alexander VI.

The two are old enemies, rivals, but because of a very special person, they have become inexplicable relatives, their daughter is the wife and lover of the same man, and in the future their grandson will be both half-brothers and enemies of life and death.

It's just that such a relationship has made things extremely complicated between the two of them, not to mention that Alexander is involved.

"Dear Bishop, allow me to remind you that there is a condition for the re-election of the Pope," a cardinal stood up, and although the man spoke to the bishop who had spoken before, his eyes involuntarily fell on the old Rovere, "We must first solve the problem that the Pope is still alive, how do you think we can solve this problem?" ”

"We cannot force the Pope to abdicate, and although there are precedents such as Benedict IX in the history of the Holy See, the Pope today is not Benedict IX and therefore should not be treated unfairly."

Such an answer surprised the bishop who had raised the question, and the others, who whispered in their voices, wondering why the bishop, who had first provoked this sensitive topic, was so inconsistent and self-defeating.

can't get rid of the predecessor, so how can the latecomer get into power, is it......

One of the people who was talking whispered softly, and then more and more people realized what the person who made the suggestion might really think.

The old pope cannot be deposed, but it does not mean that the new pope cannot be elected, and there have been more than once in history when there have been two or even three popes standing side by side, but this is also a shame for Christendom.

Could it be that old Rovere has been so mad in order to become the pope?

Many people looked at old Rovere in surprise.

They could understand why he was so anxious, it is said that Alexander VI, who is now in Iberia, is so strong that he has even looked visibly old, and if he continues, no one knows how long he will live.

In addition, rumors about the prediction that the Pope was almost assassinated not long ago also made the Vatican into a dispute, and many people speculated about who wanted Alexander VI's life, but thinking that the failure of this assassination would make that Alexander much more vigilant, so it would be much more difficult to make the Pope die suddenly.

So it's understandable that old Rovie is anxious at this time, after all, who can know if he can live better than others in these days?

It's just that there are two popes, which is difficult for the cardinals to accept even when they think about it.

And then, as one might have guessed, the cardinal, who had apparently been put forward by the elder Rovere, made this astonishing proposal: "Retain the title of Pope Alexander VI and give him all due respect, but make him promise never to return to the Vatican, and that title will continue with him, and then we will elect a true Pope to continue to lead the whole of Christendom." ”

Although he had expected this to be the case, there was an uproar in the council chamber after hearing this suggestion.

Many people stood up to express strong opposition, first of all, they declared that they did not object to the old Rovere being called pope and very much looked forward to this result, but if old Rovere must become pope as soon as possible, then they would rather discuss the method of deposing Alexander VI, which was destined not to pass.

It's just that then things will turn into endless arguments, so it seems that waiting is still the only way to go.

Constant pressure was exerted to force Alexander VI to announce his abdication himself, or simply wait until he died.

As for the proposal to retain the papal title, those people said they would not agree to it.

In the midst of the constant quarrels, some people also secretly wondered how old Rovere could have made such a proposal that was obviously not going to succeed, or whether there was another Alexander influencing something.

It was noted that Massimo and Giulio de Medici, as well as their men, simply stood by and did not join the controversy.

This was obviously something unusual, and gradually they found that old Rovere also seemed to disagree with this strong opposition.

Is there any other way to do the unexpected? One can't help but speculate.

Then they saw old Rovere, who had been silent, slowly standing up.

The chamber fell silent for a moment, and all eyes were on the most powerful cardinal in the Vatican today.

Old Rovere looked at the bishops who were waiting for him to speak, and then said slowly in a not loud voice: "I know that many of you are puzzled by this proposal, even very ridiculous, and I admit that it does sound ridiculous, but I want to tell you that this proposal may be related to the future of the Vatican. ”

No one spoke, everyone waited for old Rovere to explain.

Massimo also looked at old Rovere, but there was a slight smile on his lips.

Old Rovere's gaze swept over Mahimo and Little Medici, who were not far away.

Previously, when Massimo revealed the news that made him difficult to refuse, the shock in old Rowwere's heart was indescribable.

It was then that he suddenly realized that although he had always felt that he had valued Alexander, it was only then that he really realized that he still did not know his son-in-law before.

"If I had known that I would become what I am now, would I still choose that Alexander as Barondi's husband?"

Old Rovie had thought so more than once, but now he felt that his choice was probably one of the wisest decisions of his life.

"It is well known that since Avignon there has not been a co-existence of popes in the Church," said the elder Rovere, with a calm expression, "and that was a disgrace to the whole of Christendom, when the Holy See suffered unprecedented humiliation and contempt. ”

Rovere's words drew a wave of approval, and the shame of the French appointing the pope in Avignon led to the coexistence of three popes, even after centuries, is still one of the greatest shames in the history of the Holy See.

But isn't it out of place for old Rovie to mention this at this time?

The people watched him in silence, waiting for him to continue.

"But," said the elder Rovere suddenly in a powerful voice, "it is worth it if it can be rewarded sufficiently, and even if the Vatican can regain the precious wealth it once lost, and the bishops of Rome in the future, will once again enjoy the supreme glory." ”

People looked at old Rovere in amazement and didn't know what he was talking about, but many people had vaguely guessed that he would suddenly change his mind and even support Alexander VI to retain the papal title, perhaps because Alexander VI had a bargaining chip in his hand that would make him make concessions.

"My lord, what makes you think that this will be more beneficial to the Holy See and even to future generations, rather than lead to a split in the Holy See?"

Someone finally came forward and asked questions.

Looking at the bishop, old Rovere did not speak immediately, he looked at the others again before he said slowly: "The Pope assures me that if his papal title is secured, then he will return the triple crown to the Vatican after being called." ”

"My God?!"

"What did I hear!"

"Is this true, the lost triple crown? The papal crown?! ”

The crater in the chamber exploded in an instant, as if it had been concentrated by a heavy shell, and the cardinals could no longer care about decency and majesty.

"My lordship, I am compelled to ask you once again in the name of the College of Cardinals to explain the true meaning of your words," and after a period of deliberation, a very old cardinal was put out, "may I understand that the Pope not only knows, but also may possess a triple crown that has been stolen from the time of Clement V and has never been accounted for again?" ”

Old Rovere did not speak, but nodded silently, which caused an uproar in the council hall for a moment.

No one knows better than these cardinals the enormous significance of the triple crown.

Countless kingdoms have risen and fallen in history, countless monarchs have risen and fallen, and under the crowns are human heads and rivers of blood, which also makes those crowns extremely heavy.

But even the crowns of honor, which amassed countless honors and ambitions, could not be compared with the triple crown of the bishops of Rome.

It is a symbol of the supremacy of the agent of Jesus Christ walking on earth, the most unique and the most sublime of the countless crowns of the entire Christian world.

When the triple crown was lost, Pope Clement V at the time was even thought to have suffered such punishment because of his immorality.

This was the main reason why Clement V died of depression soon after, and after that, although the Holy See remade the papal crown and issued an edict to designate it as the legitimate papal crown, everyone knew that the magnificent tiara studded with precious stones and gold could never be compared to the triple crown.

It was a symbol of the status of the bishop of Rome, and was seen as the link between Jesus Christ and the human world.

After the loss of the triple crown, a rumor began to circulate on the continent: whoever could recover the triple crown would mean that the person was approved by God and Jesus Christ.

Now, suddenly hearing the whereabouts of the triple crown, those bishops who used to be scheming and calculating finally couldn't hold their breath.

The low voices of discussion came and went in the conference hall, and many people had not calmed down from the shock for a while because of this unexpected scene.

The old cardinal turned and raised his hand back to signal silence, after which he turned to look at old Rovere: "So, when did you know about this?" And has the triple crown been taken out of Rome by the Pope? ”

The old cardinal's words immediately caught the attention of the bishops, who stared at old Rovere, hoping that he would say something more soon.

"I don't know much about it, and as for the whereabouts of the Triple Crown, I don't think anyone knows where it is except the Pope." Speaking of this, old Rovier paused, "Maybe even the Pope himself may not know, I think we all know very well that there will be people who will use all means for the sake of the triple crown, so I believe that the Pope should hide it somewhere where no one else will ever find." ”

Old Roviere's words calmed down some people who were already on fire all at once.

Only then did they remember that if the Triple Crown was really in the hands of Alexander VI, then he would dare to use it as a bargaining chip to reveal it to the world, and would never dare to take such a huge risk to tell the secret unless he was absolutely sure

So what emboldens him?

Everyone thought of one person in an instant!

Alexandre Juliant Cambrai, this man is undoubtedly the reason why Alexander VI dared to use the triple crown to blackmail the Vatican.

His grandchildren were enough to guarantee that the new prince of Castile would stand firmly on his side, and the preservation of the papal title was of great significance to Gombray, who now placed Alexander VI in Madrid.

But wait a minute, isn't that Gombray's wife the daughter of old Rovere in front of her, so what role does old Rovere play in this drama that has already jawed everyone's mind?

Thinking of this, the bishops looked at old Rovere with strange eyes.

It's a conspiracy, and the thought flashes through many people's minds.

Or rather a shameful bargain with the papal throne and crown, they thought indignantly.

Looking at the stares cast by the bishops, old Rovere coughed lightly in disapproval, and then he looked at some of the people who had been watching coldly from the beginning.

Then he couldn't help but secretly sigh in his heart, I don't know when, Alexander already had that kind of influence in the Vatican.

Old Rovere knew it was going to be a long fight, but he was prepared.

When Mahimo revealed the news about the triple crown to him, he brought him a gift that surprised him.

It was a letter that Barendi had written to him, and with it came a list of possessions that would make anyone's mouth water.

"Use this money to close or pry open the mouths of the bishops, I am sure you are no stranger to these methods."

Even though he provided his father with a large amount of money for bribes, Barendi's letter still had this cold tone.

This made old Luo Weire finally realize that it was impossible to repair the relationship with his daughter, and they would be more allies and collaborators in the future, the only thing that was not father and daughter.

From whispering at the beginning to arguing loudly, everyone in the chamber tried to make their voices heard, and everyone wanted to have their say on the matter.

"Alright, it's our turn." Massimo, who had always watched the show, smiled and said to Giulio de Medici next to him.

"Of course, but before I do that, Bishop, I would like to remind you that please don't forget about the marriage contract between Mademoiselle Duchess d'Esterles and my nephew Giovanni Jr......"

"Don't worry, Bishop, it's on me." Mahimo answered, and then joined the warband with an indomitable momentum.

The day was October 12, 1502.

Also on the same day, in Aragon, the Battle of Roman Town began!