Assassin's Creed: Renaissance

Chapter 54

In Ezio's opinion, too much time had been wasted, and so far nothing had been gained.Finding Savonarola was like chasing a will-o'-the-wisp, or an imaginary monster, or your own tail.But he must keep looking, because the nine-fingered monk has the Apple of Eden - the key to a world of unimaginable horrors, and the monk is a dangerous religious madman, an out-of-control cannon, The Apple of Eden falling into his hands is probably more dangerous than falling into the hands of Grand Master Rodrigo Borgia.

When he left the sailing ship from Ravenna and stepped onto the docks of Venice, it was Theodora who came to meet him.

Venice in 1492 was still under the relatively just rule of Doge Agostino Babaig.The talk of the town lately is that of a Genoese sailor named Christopher Columbus, who had insane voyage plans to sail west and across the ocean.Venice rejected his offer, but he had funding from the King of Spain and was about to set off.Was the Venetian government insane for refusing to fund such an expedition?Had Columbus been successful, safe sea routes to the East and West Indies would have been established, bypassing the overland routes now occupied by the Ottoman Empire.But Ezio had too many things to think about to pay attention to these political and trade topics.

"We have heard from you," said Theodora, "but are you sure?"

"That's the only lead I have, and it looks quite believable. I'm sure the Apple of Eden is back here, in the hands of that monk named Savonarola. I hear he's preaching to the masses, Say hell and fire are coming."

"I've heard of that man."

"Do you know where to find him, Theodora?"

"No. But I see a preacher preaching all that hellfire nonsense you mentioned in an industrial area. Maybe he's a follower of that monk you mentioned. Come with me. While in Venice , you stay with me—and when you're settled, we'll go straight to the man who preaches for him."

Ezio and Theodora - and all intelligent and reasonable people - knew why such lurid nonsense gradually attracted attention. The year 1500 is approaching, and many are convinced that it will be the day of the second coming of Christ, who will "come with the clouds, bathed in the glory of himself and his Father, attended by tens of thousands of saints and countless angels, and will Sit on his glorious throne. All the kingdoms will be assembled before him; and he will divide them from one another, and put the lamb and the saved on the right, and the goats and the damned on the left."

This description of the "Last Judgment" in San Mateo will also be repeated in many people's minds.

"The Preacher and his boss really took advantage of the end-of-the-century mania," Theodora said, "but they really believed it themselves, as far as I know."

"I also think they believe," Ezio said, "that the problem is that, with the Apple of Eden in their hands, they might indeed bring danger to the world, a danger that has nothing to do with God but everything to do with the Devil. "He paused, and then said: "But at the moment, they haven't released the power of the Apple of Eden, thank God, because I suspect they don't know how to control it at all. At least for now, they seem to be content with prophecy Doomsday—and the rhetoric—" he smiled wryly, "—is always easy to convince the public."

"But it's getting worse," said Theodora, "almost making you believe that the end is near. Have you heard the bad news?"

"I haven't heard anything since I left Foley."

"Lorenzo de' Medici died at the villa in Calecki."

Ezio's expression darkened. "This is indeed unfortunate news. Lorenzo was a true friend of my family, and without his protection I fear I shall never be able to get back the Auditore House. But it is a trifle, for his death may mean The peace he maintained between the free cities will be in vain. Even in his lifetime, the peaceful relations between the city-states are quite fragile."

"This is not the only bad news," Theodora said, "and it's probably worse than Lorenzo's death." She hesitated for a moment, then said again: "You have to be prepared, Ezio. The 'Spanish', aka Rodrigo Borgia, has been elected Pope. He will rule the Vatican and Rome as Alexander VI!"

"What! What kind of means did he use...?"

"The Papal Conclave just ended - just this month. Rumor has it that Rodrigo bought the vast majority of the votes with money. Even his closest rival, Ascanio Sforza, voted for him. Tickets! It is said that his bribe was four full mules of silver coins."

"What good can he gain by being Pope? What purpose does he have?"

"Isn't massive influence enough?" Theodora looked at him. "Now we're at the mercy of a wolf, Ezio. He's probably the most greedy wolf that ever lived."

"You're right, Theodora. But he's seeking power that even the pope can't satisfy. If he takes control of the Vatican, he's one step closer to finding the tomb; and he's still looking for the Apple of Eden, Because that 'Piece of Eden' will give him godlike powers!"

"Let's just hope you get the Apple back into the hands of the Assassins—Rodrigo is dangerous enough as Pope and Grand Master of the Knights Templar. If he gets the Apple of Eden too..." she Did not go on. "Like you said, he'll be indestructible."

"How strange," Ezio said.

"What's weird?"

"There are two men after him, but our friend Savonarola knows nothing of it."

Theodora delivered Ezio to the sprawling piazza in the industrial area of ​​Venice, and left.The preacher will preach in this square.Ezio put on his hood, bowed his head warily, and blended into the crowd that had gathered around him.It didn't take long before the square was packed. People crowded around a small wooden stage, and an ascetic-like man walked up. He had a pair of cold blue eyes, sunken cheeks, iron-gray hair and rough hands. , wearing a pale gray woolen robe.He spoke, pausing only briefly when the wild cheers of the crowd drowned out his words.Ezio understood that someone skilled in this art could drive hundreds of people into a state of mindless hysteria.

"Come around, children, and hear me cry! For the end is coming. Are you ready? Are you ready to face the light that my monk brother Savonarola has given us?" He raised his hands, and Ezi Ao knew what the preacher meant by light, and his face became serious. "Dark times have come," said the preacher, "but my brother has shown me a clear way: this way leads to salvation, to the light of heaven that awaits us. But we must be ready, we must thoroughly Accept him. Let Savonarola be our guide, for he alone knows what the future holds. He will not lead us astray." The evangelist then bent down towards the dais before him. "Are you ready for the Last Judgment, brothers and sisters? Who will you follow when that day comes?" He paused for effect. "There are many people in the Church who claim to offer salvation... but children, this is nonsense! They are all slaves of that Pope Borgia, the sixth and most corrupt 'Pope' of Alexander !"

People screamed.Ezio was taken aback inwardly.He remembered the prophetic vision projected by the apple in his memory.In the far future, hell will literally descend on the land—unless he can stop it.

(End of this chapter)