Chapter 97: Consistory
When Rafael stepped into the Hall of Our Holy Lady, where the Consistory was being held, the Cardinals who had been waiting for some time ceased their whispering in unison.
Once Rafael had taken his seat at the head of the table, the Cardinals—clad in scarlet robes with golden stoles draped over their shoulders—stood and bowed deeply to the Pope: “Holy Father.”
Rafael inclined his head. “Please be seated, my venerable Lords.”
There were twelve Cardinals in attendance. The eldest was old enough to be Rafael’s grandfather; his hair was so sparse he required a hat to cover his gleaming scalp, yet he possessed a snow-white beard so thick and neat it was braided into three strands weighted with jewels. Rafael could tell at a glance that the beard was supplemented with fakes—this Cardinal clearly was quite particular of his own appearance.
This was Cardinal Materazzi. He had purchased his scarlet vestments from Rafael using his immense wealth. When Rafael first ascended the throne, he had put two red hats up for sale at a fixed price to strengthen his faction and replenish the treasury, which had been left hollow by the disastrous reign of Leo VI. Materazzi was the fortunate buyer of one, securing his place in the consistory, becoming a member of the highest echelon beneath the Pope for the sum of 160,000 gold florins.
Because of this, Materazzi was consistently more deferential to the Pope than the others, which sparked resentment among his peers. Such resentment was never voiced openly, but they frequently excluded Materazzi and the other “Golden Robe” Cardinal from their circles. Materazzi, however, found these petty snubs inconsequential and paid them no mind.
Rafael rested his staff across his lap. A monk standing to the side asked as a matter of routine, “What matters do you bring before the Holy Father for his counsel or judgment today?”
The Cardinals exchanged glances. One cleared his throat and spoke: “Regarding the recent conscription, the populace within the Papal States has been fully mobilized by the various churches. It is estimated that adult males between the ages of fourteen and thirty-five can form two legions. The fundraising campaign is also proceeding smoothly; the faithful are willing to open their purses generously to support the construction of the Earthly Kingdom of God…”
Information like this reached Rafael’s ears through Julius’s secretariat far faster and more comprehensively than the reports held by the Cardinals. Thus, he simply listened in silence, offering no opinion. When the Cardinal finished, Rafael merely nodded. “The Lord will bless His devout children.”