Cluni Bishop Gerald, who was close to William, was elected as the new pope and succeeded to the throne as Pope Nicholas II, but the matter was not completely over, the former Pope Sdwang IX disobeyed the decision of the Cardinal and sent his German mercenaries to occupy the Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome, unwilling to surrender the Papal Palace and give up his throne.

On the other hand, the Roman aristocratic family, led by the Roman magnate Totusculum family, elected John Mincio, who was born in the Tusculum family, as a rival pope, called Benedict X.

Benedict X was called a hostile pope because his election violated the papal election law and was a pope elected without the approval of the College of Cardinals.

Benedict X assumed the papacy, which Hildebrand and Cluni could not tolerate, and they could not tolerate the resurgence of the Roman giants.

The immediate priority is to resolve the issue between the former Pope Sdwan IX and the rival Pope Benedict X, and if this matter is not handled well, it may be a repeat of the "three popes rivalry".

If things do go so far, it will undoubtedly give other careerists an opportunity, like the ambitious King Caesar of Sicily. Morality. Ottwell will not let go of this good opportunity to enter Rome, in addition to Anno II, who is in charge of the Holy Roman Empire, and the Norman King William, who is the most powerful in Europe, will not let go of this opportunity.

"Your Excellency Hildebrand, what should be done about Sdwan IX and the rival Pope Benedict X?

This is an extremely difficult matter, and I would like to hear your opinion. Nicholas II also found the matter extremely difficult, the former pope who refused to give up his authority and seized the Castel Sant'Angelo and the Papal Palace by force, and Benedict X, who was supported by the Roman aristocracy, neither of these two could be easily resolved.

"Your Majesty, relatively speaking, the former Pope Sdwan IX can solve the problem by persuasion, and at this time it is enough to leave it to me, and I will do my best to persuade the other party to abandon Castel Sant'Angelo.

The former Pope Sdwang IX could be solved by persuasion, but the rival Pope Benedict X could not.

I once heard His Majesty Wilhelm say in the Norman kingdom that 'there is no other lord since ancient times,' and to compromise with him would undermine the authority of the Holy See and bring back the power of the Roman magnates.

The only way to do this was to capture the rival Pope Benedict X by force and then remove him from captivity.

Only then will your authority be truly secured. Hildebrand suggested.

Originally, Nicholas II was a little hesitant to deal with these two men by force, but when he thought that the existence of the two of them would affect his authority as pope, he immediately said to Hildebrand:

"Your Excellency, do as you say, and I'll leave everything to you."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

That night, Nicholas II sent papal guards to surreptitiously surround the Castel Sant'Angelo, and sent a knight of the Church to escort Hildebrand to the Castel Sant'Angelo to negotiate with Sdwan IX.

Time passed little by little, and a full hour had passed since Hildebrand had entered the Castel Sant'Angelo, but there was still no news.

Nicholas II feared that Hildebrand was in danger of being kidnapped by Sdwan IX, but he did not dare to act rashly, Hildebrand and the Cluny faction he led were his loyal supporters and the mainstay of his authority, he could not afford to lose Hildebrand, he knew very well that any rash action at this time would cost Hildebrand's life.

"Look! Your Majesty, Your Vice-Chancellor has come out! A church knight hurried over and shouted.

"Is it true? That's great, Hildebrand is safe! Hearing this, Nicholas II could finally breathe a sigh of relief, and Hildebrand was able to return safely, indicating that he had succeeded in convincing the former Pope Sdwang IX.

"Your Holy See, I have persuaded the former Pope to renounce the Castel Sant'Angelo and the Papal Palace and to recognize you as the only orthodox pope." Hildebrand bowed slightly and spoke.

"Thanks to you, my Grand Sect Vice-Chancellor, if it weren't for you by my side to help me, I wouldn't know what to do in such a situation." Nicholas II thanked Hildebrand gratefully and told him: "I appreciate your help to me, but I ask you to take care of your own safety, I don't want you to miss anything." ”

"His Majesty's concern, I have really received it, please rest assured, this is the last time, not an example." Hildebrand nodded solemnly in response.

"That's decided, not an example." Nicholas II nodded with satisfaction and said, "By the way, my Grand Rectant, how did you persuade the former Pope to give up his authority?" I'm curious about that. ”

"It's a shame to say that former Pope Sdwang IX is not in good health, because his health has begun to deteriorate dramatically because of the stress of these days.

I promised him to support his brother, Godfrey III, Duke of Lower Lorraine, as Duke of Haute Burgundy, in order to guarantee the glory and power of the House of Vigeris, and he agreed to my request to renounce his rights and Castel Sant'Angelo. Hildebrand shook his head slightly and said.

"You are doing the right thing, my Grand Rector General, I will fulfill my promise to support him as the new Duke of Upper Burgundy, and I still have a great say in this regard." Nicholas II smiled and nodded: "It's not early, we should go back to rest early, and the affairs of the hostile pope can be discussed in the long run." ”

Hearing this, Hildebrand immediately shook his head and said: "Your Majesty, now that the threat of the former Pope has disappeared, and only the hostile Pope Benedict X, who is supported by the great Roman families, we should quickly cut through the chaos and lead the Papal Guard directly to the city of Sculum, the territory of the Tusculum family, to capture the rival Pope and judge him."

In addition to your Papal Guard, the German mercenaries in front of you can also be used by us, and I have negotiated with the former Pope that he agreed to our hiring of his German mercenaries.

Together with the Papal Guard, we have more than 6,000 troops at our disposal, enough to capture the city of Tusculum, the stronghold of the Roman nobility. ”

"Just do as you say, my Grand Sect Vice-Chancellor." Now that Hildebrand has made arrangements, Nicholas II naturally can't object, he nodded and agreed: "But there is no hurry at this time, if you send troops at this time, it will be unjustifiable, and I will immediately hold a meeting in Sutri to depose the rival Pope Benedict X."

In addition, I think the Normans are also a force that can be exploited, and I think they will be happy to help us as long as we re-establish relations with the Normans in Sicily. ”

"Your Majesty, you are still thoughtful, but I am too impatient." Hildebrand lowered his head slightly and said respectfully.

Originally, I thought that Nicholas II was just a weak puppet in his hands, but I didn't expect him to have some abilities, but it was a little exciting.