First, put on the clothes; through them, I should be able to learn more about my current identity.
Caesar got up from the bed, put on his shoes, and after a few steps, quickly adapted.
Men's footwear in early 17th-century Italy differed from the pointed Gothic shoes and the square-toed shoes popular in Germany, favoring shoes of moderate length and width.
Compared to the periods before and after, as well as other regions, these were arguably the easiest for modern people to adapt to.
Opening the wardrobe, a blood-red robe quickly caught Caesar's attention, with a glittering golden cross necklace hanging from its collar.
Beside the robe was a tall, four-cornered hat, also red, square-shaped, brimless, and with ridges on three sides.
This attire… could I be a Cardinal? Considering the book I saw on the table earlier, the identity of a Cardinal is almost certain.
Caesar felt a mix of joy and worry about this identity.
The joy was that, although the position of Cardinal was far less influential than before the Renaissance, it still commanded immense power.
The worry was, for me, a staunch materialist atheist, to be a Cardinal in Rome, spending my days with ancient lamps and Buddha statues… no, with an ethereal Western God and a group of Catholic believers, I would go insane!
Moreover, even up to modern times, Catholic clergy are not allowed to marry, but of course, that's not the main point.
"Ah-choo," a cold gust of wind blew by, and Caesar couldn't help but sneeze, only then remembering he hadn't put on his clothes.
First, put on the clothes…
After some effort, he was finally fully dressed.
Walking to the full-length mirror and looking at his familiar face in the reflection, Caesar smiled contentedly.
Thankfully, the crossing didn't make me lose this beautiful face.
His attire in the mirror was something Caesar had never dreamed of wearing.
He looked so prim and proper, almost like a sanctimonious hypocrite.
Thinking this, Caesar's smile grew wider.
"Bang, bang, bang," just as Caesar was enjoying his self-admiration, a knock sounded at the door.
"Cardinal, I am Faol."
Reluctantly, looking back three times as he left the mirror, Caesar very unwillingly went to open the door.
"Cardinal Claude, the time for the Papal Election is almost here, are we ready to depart?" A middle-aged priest in plain clothes stood at the door, speaking with respectful deference.
Claude? Is that my name?
It doesn't matter, a name is just a symbol, whatever… Wait, this name, why does it sound a bit familiar?
Notre Dame de Paris?
Oh my god, this name is too unlucky!
No, I need to change my name, I'll be called…
Caesar cleared his throat and said seriously, "From now on, my name is… Augustus."
"But, Cardinal, your name for the election is Claude," the originally respectful voice was filled with doubt.
"Uh… then let it be Claude for now, we'll talk about changing the name after the election."
Electing a Pope? What a joke, with over a hundred Cardinals, it would be a miracle if I were chosen.
Besides, among hundreds of Popes in history, the youngest at the time of election was 37.
Cardinal Claude, who knows what means he used to get here, doesn't even meet the age requirement, yet he dares to run for Pope—he really dreams big.
Right, this priest in front of me is clearly much lower in status than Claude, so of course, I should try to get some useful information from him.
"Tell me, what is today's date?"
"Today is March 30, 1605, the day for the Papal Election, how could you…?"
"Do you think I wouldn't know? I hope you remember it, this is a great day!" Caesar interrupted him in time, raising his voice several degrees on the last few words.
No… this old guy isn't stupid, if I keep asking, I'll give myself away.
I'll ask someone else the other questions.
1605… Who was the Pope elected this time? Oh, Leo XI, he was from the Medici Family.
I even saved his ancestor in Assassin's Creed 2.
Before becoming a priest, he was the Grand Duke of Tuscany.
He finally managed to become Pope in his seventies, only to die of old age 27 days later.
"By the way, Cardinal, there's something I haven't told you yet.
Last night, Cardinal Alessandro (Leo XI's original name; Leo XI was his name after coronation) was found to have passed away this morning.
I just heard about it on my way here.
You and he are both important Cardinals of Italian descent, and you are now the only candidate from the Medici Family.
The Cardinals who originally supported him are very likely to turn their support to you."
Upon hearing the last part, Caesar's pupils had already dilated twofold.
He died?
Claude is also from the Medici Family?
What a coincidence?
Could it be that I really might be elected Pope?
Being an Italian Cardinal is undoubtedly a very advantageous identity, as most elected Popes are Italian.
And if the Cardinals who originally supported Leo XI now support me, then there's a significant chance.
He was overjoyed, but he couldn't show it too obviously on the surface.
This priest in front of him was still of unknown reliability, and more importantly, he wasn't stupid.
"May there be no suffering in heaven." Caesar made a few meaningless gestures in the air with his hands, then clasped them together, closing his eyes in sorrow and bowing his head.
"Cardinal, you are truly a kind person, the Lord will bless you." Caesar clearly felt Faol's gaze towards him become much warmer.
Hmm, good effect.
"Let's go, Cardinal Alessandro's unfinished work still needs someone to complete."
For this Papal Election, Caesar actually couldn't do anything now.
He was just going through the motions, waiting for a result.
During the Papal Election, doors are locked and sealed layer by layer, and no one is allowed in or out; those inside are completely cut off from the outside world.
Even the final election is by secret ballot.
And even if he could contact the outside world, who would Caesar contact?
He's unfamiliar with this place and its people.
Such arrangements seem meticulous, but they don't at all guarantee the fairness of the election; on the contrary, backroom dealings are common, sometimes even leading to antipopes.
As for which country's College of Cardinals forms an alliance with another country to secure votes, or a certain country drawing large sums of money from its treasury to "persuade" some Cardinals to vote for their desired candidate, these are even more widely known secrets.
Leo XI, who was supposed to be elected this time, was a beneficiary of such unwritten rules.
Along the way, Caesar kept looking around, observing this exotic place.
Although he had seen such peculiar scenery countless times in games, he had never truly been there, and experiencing it firsthand felt entirely different.
Buildings of varying heights were arrayed in neat rows, with beautiful doors and windows of diverse styles and designs.
The streets were bustling with traffic, the sounds of hawkers were incessant, and people in various costumes came and went in an endless stream.
The period of the Papal Election could be considered Rome's busiest time.
In this Catholic holy city, resplendent churches of all sizes were ubiquitous.