After a brief consideration, Augustus quickly decided that he must attend this family banquet.
He had long wanted to meet his uncle, and if his predictions were correct, both parties should be able to have many mutually beneficial collaborations.
Logically, after he became Pope, Ferdinand I should have found a reason to meet him much earlier.
However, after he became Pope, Ferdinand I only increased their correspondence.
The content of the letters was so trivial that Augustus suspected Ferdinand I had a servant who bought vegetables and cooked meals write them, as not a single important matter was discussed.
Ferdinand I's attitude made Augustus feel uncertain, so he did not express any intention of needing to meet him.
In this era, the relationship between aristocratic families like the Medici and Ferdinand could never be purely familial; it was more about interests.
Under such a relationship, whoever first revealed a need for the other's help would be at a disadvantage in negotiations.
In fact, he truly did not want to get too entangled with the family too early.
The more help he accepted from the family in the early stages, the harder it would be to break free from the family's control later, and it would also give others leverage.
This was not what Augustus wanted, so even when he needed help the most, Augustus had never sought any assistance from Ferdinand I.
Now, Ferdinand I finally couldn't hold back, and the time was right.
Of course, he didn't need to refuse him several times, as it would be bad to hurt their relationship.
Moreover, Augustus was very much looking forward to what Ferdinand I wanted to discuss with him, and he also had some ideas that would best involve Florence.
If Ferdinand I still hadn't expressed a desire to meet him in a few more days, he would have to find a reason to meet him himself.
Speaking of which, Augustus hadn't yet decided what identity he should assume during the meeting: the Pope of the Catholic Church? The ruler of the Papal States? Or Ferdinand I's nephew?
When he recalled that Ferdinand I's excuse for meeting him was a family banquet, Augustus instantly understood his intention: it was to emphasize seniority over status.
The family banquet couldn't be fake, and he wouldn't be the only guest.
At that time, perhaps all the outstanding talents of the Medici Family scattered across various countries would come.
Some of them even held positions in mutually hostile countries; if they were to meet based on their official status, wouldn't they start fighting?
Everyone would address each other as relatives, and if he alone acted special, it would be both alienating and awkward.
It seemed he had no choice but to attend the banquet as a younger generation.
Rome and Florence appear adjacent on the map, and the distance is not far, only 280 kilometers.
If there were trains, it would only be a one or two-hour journey.
However, there were clearly no trains now, so a round trip might take several days, and he might even stay in Florence for a few more days.
A country cannot be without a ruler for a single day; during his absence, various matters still needed to be handled by someone.
Augustus naturally thought of Faol.
In the past year, he had met all kinds of people, and currently, some seemed loyal to him, but the one he trusted most was Faol.
Thus, Augustus called Faol and kindly instructed him: "Faol, next month I will be away for a few days on a long journey to Florence for a banquet.
During my absence, the Papal States will be entrusted to your full responsibility."
"Don't worry, I'll take care of everything," Faol promised, patting his chest.
Augustus nodded with satisfaction and continued, "Also, have someone arrange the carriage for my banquet.
Keep everything simple and don't make a fuss."
However, Faol did not readily agree to this small matter; instead, he looked as if he had something to say but hesitated.
Noticing Faol's unease, Augustus raised his hand and gestured, "What's wrong? Is there a problem? Just speak your mind."
"Please allow me to ask a question.
Attending a family event is a perfectly normal thing, so why do you want to hide it from everyone?
You should know that if you have any other purpose, doing so would only attract more attention.
By then, when you are away for a few days, those who need to know will certainly know," Faol asked with a puzzled expression.
Clearly, Faol had misunderstood his meaning.
Augustus had no way to deal with Faol's habit of overcomplicating simple matters.
Thankfully, he spoke up, otherwise, the consequences of a misunderstanding would have been comical.
"Who told you to hide it from everyone?
Do I need to ask for leave from ministers and the public to spend a few days attending a family banquet?
There's no need, right?
I'm telling you to find someone to arrange this matter, to keep it as low-key as possible, and not to make a big fuss that causes a city-wide stir, that's all."
"Ah, is that all?" Faol looked as if he had just woken up from a dream.
After a brief moment of relief, he then emphasized, "That is still a very important matter."
Augustus rubbed his temples helplessly, beginning to think that entrusting this matter to Faol was a mistake: "Then tell me how it's important."
"The journey from Rome to Florence is long," Faol said, pointing to the map on the wall.
Augustus looked incredulously at the map he had personally put on the wall, gaining a new understanding of what Faol considered a long journey.
Seeing that Augustus had no objections, Faol continued, "Your safety cannot tolerate any mistakes.
However, the current public security situation is very grim, especially in the countryside, where anything can happen.
To ensure your safety, it is best to have a large contingent of people follow you, but you wish for everything to be simple, which makes it a bit difficult."
"Just a small team from the Swiss Guard will suffice; they are enough to handle common bandits and robbers," Augustus said nonchalantly.
"But what if you encounter not just simple bandits, but a planned assassination?" Faol asked cautiously.
Augustus paused slightly.
Augustus believed that after becoming Pope, although he had offended some people and stepped on their toes, it shouldn't have reached the point where they wanted to kill him.
After all, even if they did kill him, they would just elect another Pope.
If those who wanted to kill him had the ability to manipulate the Papal Election, then it wouldn't have been his turn to be Pope in the first place.
Therefore, it was unknown whether a new Pope would be beneficial or even more detrimental to them.
If the situation worsened, they couldn't just elect a Pope and then kill him.
Killing a Pope carried a risk no less than killing the monarch of any great nation; even if it succeeded by chance, it would most likely be a mutual destruction.
"Could it be that someone truly wants to kill me at all costs? Am I really that unpopular?" Augustus muttered softly, a hint of sadness in his tone, asking both Faol and himself.
"It's just a precaution against accidents.
And no one can satisfy everyone, that's not the problem at all.
Why don't we call Dracula and hear his suggestions? Perhaps he will have a good idea," Faol suggested.
"Good."
As soon as Dracula entered, he said decisively, "Augustus, I know everything.
I believe you should have the entire Swiss Guard accompany you."
Augustus's mouth dropped open in surprise.
Over a hundred Swiss Guard, fully armed.
Those who knew would know he was going to a banquet, but those who didn't would think he was going to war.
"I'm not going to war, why would I bring so many people?"
"Do you know if Ferdinand I has any other intentions?
If he has ill intentions, war may not be out of the question," Dracula said bluntly, without any reservations.
Augustus shook his head helplessly.
He had wanted to keep a low profile, but bringing over a hundred armed-to-the-teeth Swiss Guard, what low profile would that be?
Dracula quickly guessed Augustus's thoughts and proposed a feasible idea: "You can have only a small team escort you within the city, and the main force can wait at a designated location outside the city.
This way, you can avoid attracting too much attention.
However, the journey from Rome to Florence must be escorted by the Swiss Guard.
If you don't allow it, I will still have the Swiss Guard follow and protect you secretly."
Seeing Dracula's resolute attitude, Augustus even suspected if he knew something he didn't, and looked at Dracula meaningfully.
"Don't look at me like that, I don't know anything.
It's just that your safety cannot have any mishaps; it's better to be safe than sorry," Dracula explained, spreading his hands.