Assassin's Creed: Renaissance

Chapter 17

They rode away, and the gates closed behind them.Ezio was contemplating whether to kill Vieri, but the place was heavily guarded, and he preferred to capture and interrogate Vieri alive.However, he still secretly wrote down the names of those people just now, and planned to add them to the list of enemies listed by his father, because they were obviously planning a conspiracy.

Just then, another detachment of Pazzi's soldiers entered the square, and the one at the head ran up to Vieri.

"What is it?" Vieri snapped.

"Commander, I have bad news. Mario Auditore's troops have broken through our last line of defense."

Vieri sneered. "It's just that he thinks so. You see," he waved to the surrounding army, "there are reinforcements here from Florence. Before the day is over, we'll drive them out of San Gimignano, just like a Vermin!" He raised his voice to the assembled soldiers. "Go and fight!" he yelled, "Crush that bunch of trash!"

The Pazzi family's army let out a hoarse battle cry, stood in line under the command of the non-commissioned officers, and then marched towards the south of the city, preparing to fight Mario's troops.Ezio prayed that his uncle would be well-prepared, because there was a huge disparity between the enemy and us, and Vieri was still in the rear, with only his personal bodyguard, walking towards the safety of the palace.No doubt he had business to attend to in connection with the meeting.Or maybe he wanted to go back and put on his armor, just in case.If you lose this opportunity, I am afraid there will be no next time.Ezio stepped out of the shadows and lifted the hood over his head.

"Good morning, Monsieur de' Pazzi," he said. "Have you been busy all night?"

Vieri turned sharply—a mixture of shock and horror crossed his face.Then he regained his composure and yelled, "I should have known you would show up again. To God, Ezio - I have more important things to do. You're just a pawn on the chessboard." .”

Vieri's guards rushed over, but Ezio was prepared.He finished off Soldier No. 1 with the last throwing knife—the knife pierced the air and made a terrifying sound.Then he drew his long sword and dagger, and met the rest of the guards hand to hand.In the splash of blood, he slashed like a berserker, his movements were simple and deadly, until the last guard staggered away with his seriously injured body.At this moment, Vieri reached into the saddlebag of the only horse not tied up, pulled out a sharp-looking tomahawk, and charged at him.Ezio twisted his body away from the sharp edge, and the ax only grazed his armor, but it still made him dizzy.He fell to the ground, the long sword dropped from his hand.Vieri immediately stood in front of him, kicked his sword away, and raised the ax above his head.Ezio mustered up what was left of his strength and kicked his opponent in the groin, but Vieri was on his guard and jumped backwards.When Ezio took the opportunity to get back to his feet, Vieri threw the ax at Ezio's left hand, knocking off his dagger and leaving a deep gash on the back of his left hand.Vieri drew his sword and dagger.

"If you want to do something well, do it yourself," Vieri said. "Sometimes, I don't know what I pay for these so-called bodyguards. Farewell, Ezio!" approaching Ezio.

As the ax sliced ​​through the back of Ezio's hand, the pain left him dizzy and his vision blurred.Now, recalling the techniques he had learned, he let instinct take over.Ezio braced himself and waited until Vieri posed for the fatal blow to what he saw as an unarmed opponent. Ezio twisted his right wrist and spread his fingers.The mechanism was triggered immediately, and the wrist blade popped out. Its dull appearance concealed its deadly sharpness.Vieri raised his arms.His flanks were undefended.Ezio thrust the wrist blade into Vieri's side - almost unhindered as the blade penetrated.

Vieri stood still for a moment, then dropped his weapon and fell to his knees.Blood cascaded from between his ribs.Ezio caught Vieri as he fell to the ground.

"You don't have much time, Vieri," he said eagerly. "You're the one who's going to God now. Tell me, what did you talk about? What's your plan?"

Vieri smiled wryly. "You'll never beat us," he said, "you'll never beat the Pazzi's, and you'll never beat Rodrigo Borgia."

Ezio knew that he would soon only be able to talk to a corpse.His tone became more anxious. "Tell me, Vieri! Did my father find out about your plan? That's why you killed him, didn't you?"

Vieri was already pale.He gripped Ezio's arm tightly.Blood flowed from the corner of his mouth, and his eyes gradually became dull.But he still managed a sarcastic smile. "Ezio, do you want me to make a complete confession to you? I'm sorry, but I don't have... time..." He struggled to breathe, and more blood flowed from his mouth. "What a pity. In another world, we might still be...friends."

Ezio felt Vieri's hand loosen.

But then, the pain of the wound resurfaced, along with the vivid memory of his loved one's death, and the cold rage nearly tore his body apart. "Friend?" he said to the corpse, "Friend! You piece of shit! Your body deserves to be left on the side of the road, rotting like a dead cow! No one will miss you! I just wish you more pain! I……"

"Ezio," said a soft and kind voice behind him, "that's enough! Show him some respect."

Ezio stood up and turned to face his uncle. "Respect? You want me to respect him after that happened? Don't you think, if he wins, he'll just hang us from the nearest tree?"

Mario was covered in dust and blood, bruised, but still standing upright.

"But he didn't win, Ezio. And you're not like him. Don't become like him." Kneeling beside the corpse, he closed Vieri's eyes with his gloved hands. "May death bring the peace your sad and angry soul craves," he said. "Rest in peace."

Ezio watched the scene in silence.After his uncle got up, he said, "Is it over?"

"No," Mario replied, "The battle is still fierce. But the situation has turned in our favor. Roberto brought some of his men to assist us. It is only a matter of time before we win." He paused and said : "I have sad news for you: Orazio has died."

"Orazio!"

"Before he died, he said to me, you are a very brave man. Do not disappoint his praise, Ezio."

"I'll try." Ezio bit his lip.Without knowing it, he learned another lesson.

"I'm going back to the peloton. But I have something for you--it will give you a better understanding of the enemy. Here's a letter we intercepted from a priest in town. Letter It's for Vieri's father, Francesco, but he's obviously out of town." He handed out a piece of torn-sealed paper, "The priest will be in charge of the funeral. The non-commissioned officer will make specific arrangements."

"I have something to tell you—"

Mario raised his hand. "Let's wait until the work here is completed. After this setback, our enemies will not be able to act as expected, and Lorenzo in Florence will be careful. We have the upper hand for the time being," he paused, " But I must go back. Read that letter, Ezio, and think about what it says. Then think about what you should do."

(End of this chapter)