Assassin's Creed: Renaissance

Chapter 56

In 1494, the 42-year-old Friar Girolamo Savonarola had become the de facto ruler of Florence.His soul has been tortured, he is a twisted genius, and the worst kind of fanatic; but the most terrible thing about him is that people are not only willing to follow him, but will also do the most absurd and most ridiculous things under his instigation. Destructive folly.All this out of fear of the fires of hell, and a conviction of his dogma that all enjoyment, all worldly wealth, and the works of man are worth renunciation, and that the true light of faith can be found only through radical self-denial.

No wonder Leonardo remained in Milan, Ezio thought, on the way back to his hometown.Other things aside, Ezio had also heard from his friends that homosexuality, which was condoned or punished with a small fine, was now punishable by death in Florence.No wonder the materialist and humanist thinkers and poets who gathered here under the care and encouragement of Lorenzo have now chosen to leave, because Florence is rapidly transforming into a cultural desert.

As he approached the city, Ezio noticed a group of monks in black robes and solemnly dressed laymen also heading in the same direction.They appear dignified and upright.Everyone lowered their heads.

"Where are you going?" he asked one of the passers-by.

"To Florence. To prostrate at the feet of the leader," replied a pale merchant before moving on.

The road was wide, and Ezio saw that another group of people was coming towards it, apparently leaving the city.They also walked with their heads down, serious and dejected.As they passed, Ezio heard snippets of their conversation and realized that these people were in self-imposed exile.They were either pushing overstuffed carts or carrying bags and parcels.They were people who had been expelled under the monk's decree, or who had left their homes voluntarily-they could no longer bear such a rule.

"If Piero had a tenth of his father's talent, we wouldn't be homeless..." said one of them.

"We shouldn't have allowed that lunatic to gain a foothold in our city," muttered another, "look at all these disasters he's wrought..."

"What I don't understand is why so many people are willing to accept his oppression," said a woman.

"Oh, there's no better place than Florence now," said another woman, "and they kicked us out just because we didn't want to give everything we had to his precious St. Mark's."

"Witchcraft, that's the only explanation I can think of. Even Maestro Botticelli was under Savonarola's spell... Don't forget, the guy is old, maybe almost 50 years old, Maybe he's trying to gamble on something like heaven."

"Burning books, arresting dissidents, and endless stupid sermons! Think of Florence two years ago...that was a beacon of knowledge! Now we are back in the dark ages."

Then a woman's words made Ezio prick up his ears. "Sometimes I wish the Assassin would come back to Florence so we could get rid of his tyranny."

"Dream!" replied her friend. "The 'Assassin' is a fiction! It's like a ghost that parents use to frighten children!"

"You're wrong—my father saw him in San Gimignano," sighed the previous woman, "but that was years ago."

"Yeah, yeah—you say yes."

Ezio rode past them with a heavy heart.But when he saw the familiar figure who came to greet him, his spirit was lifted.

"Hello, Ezio," said Machiavelli.His stern yet humorous face is older, but the years have added to his charm.

"Hello, Nicolo."

"It's the right time for you to come back this time."

"You know me very well. Where there is pain, I will rush to heal it."

"We really need your help now," Machiavelli sighed, "There is no doubt that Savonarola would not be able to get to where he is today without the power of the Apple of Eden." He raised his hand. "I know what you've been through since we last met. Caterina sent a messenger two years ago, and Piero's messenger from Venice recently found me."

"I have come for the Apple of Eden. It has been out of our grasp for too long."

"I think, in a sense, we should thank that terrible Girolamo," Machiavelli said, "at least he didn't give the apple to the new pope."

"Has the new Pope done anything?"

"He has been trying to find a way. It is said that Alexander VI intends to excommunicate Savonarola. But this will not change anything."

"We should get it back as soon as possible," Ezio said.

"You mean the Apple of Eden? Of course—it's just that the situation is probably more complicated than you imagined."

"Ha! When was it easy?" Ezio looked at him, "Why don't you explain the situation to me?"

"Come on, let's go back to the city. I'll tell you everything I know. There's not much to tell you. In short, Charles VIII of France has finally managed to make Florence bow down to him. Pi Hierro fled. Charles, always eager to expand his territory - it eludes me that they should call him 'The Gentleman' - marched on Naples, and Savonarola, the ugly duckling, suddenly took his chance , filling the power vacuum in Florence. Like all dictators, he was humorless, self-assured, and determined to think he mattered. The most effective and worst leader you could imagine." He paused After a while, he added: "One day, I'm going to write a book about these."

"His method is the Apple of Eden?"

Machiavelli spread his hands. "Only in part. I hate to say it, but a considerable part of his success is due to his charisma. What he confuses is not the city itself, but its ruling class, those who have power and influence. People. Of course, there were nobles who resisted him at first, but now—” Machiavelli showed a worried look, “now they are in his hands. The person who everyone cursed suddenly became everyone A man who worshiped. If anyone opposed him, he was expelled from the city. This is still happening today, and you should have seen it. Now the Florentine council began to oppress the people to ensure that the mad monk's wishes were granted. accomplish."

"But what about decent ordinary folk? Are they really going to pretend they don't have a problem?"

Machiavelli smiled sadly. "You know the answer to this question as well as I do, Ezio. People tend to prefer the status quo. Because of this, the burden falls on us to help them see the truth."

At this time, the two assassins had arrived at the gate of the city.And the city's armed guards, like the police officers of other cities, do not care about its morals when they serve the interests of the city-state.The guards checked their papers and waved them through, but after taking only a few steps, Ezio noticed another group of guards busy piling up other uniformed corpses wearing Borgia's coat of arms.He pointed it out to Nicolo.

"Oh, yes," said Machiavelli, "as I said, our friend Rodrigo—I'm still not used to calling that bastard 'Alexander'—has been trying to figure it out. He sent his soldiers Come to Florence, and Florence will give him back the soldiers that were cut to pieces."

"So he knows the Apple of Eden is here?"

"Of course he does! I must admit, that complicates matters."

"Where is Savonarola?"

"He ruled the city from the Convent of San Marco. He hardly left it. Thank God, Brother Angelico didn't live long enough to move in with Brother Girolamo!"

They dismounted and deposited their mounts in the stables, while Machiavelli arranged accommodation for Ezio.Paula's former "House of Pleasure" was closed, along with all the other brothels.Machiavelli explained that sex and gambling, dancing and pageantry, were at the top of Savonarola's forbidden list.But on the other hand, righteous killing and oppression are allowed.

Once Ezio had settled in, Machiavelli accompanied him towards the sprawling Convent of San Marco.Ezio scanned the buildings appraisingly. "It would be dangerous to attack Savonarola directly," he asserted, "especially considering that the Apple is still in his hands."

"Indeed," agreed Machiavelli, "but do we have another choice?"

"Apart from the ruling classes of the cities - who undoubtedly have vested interests - do you believe that the ideas of ordinary people are self-generated?"

"Only an optimist would bet on such a factor," Machiavelli said.

"What I want to say is that they followed that monk not by choice, but by violence and fear."

"Nobody but a Dominican or a politician would deny that."

"Then I propose that we take advantage of this. If we can silence his accomplices and stir up popular discontent, Savonarola will be distracted, and we will have an opportunity. "

Machiavelli laughed. "That's brilliant. There should be an adjective for someone like you. I'll talk to Fox and Paula - yes, they're still here, but they've gone underground. They'll help us Organize an uprising and set the people free."

"Then it's settled." But Ezio was distraught, and Machiavelli could see it.He led him into the quiet cloister of a nearby chapel and sat him down.

"What's the matter, my friend?" he asked.

"I'm worried about two things, but they're both personal."

"tell me."

"My family's old house—what has it become? I dare not even go to see it."

A shadow passed over Machiavelli's face. "My dear Ezio, be strong. Your family mansion is still there, but Lorenzo cannot protect it after death. Piero wanted to follow his father's example, but after the French ousted him, The Auditore House was requisitioned as a temporary residence for Charles VI's Swiss mercenary troops. After they went south, Savonarola's men took everything that was left inside and sealed the place Yes. Be brave. One day, it will come back to you."

"What about Anita?"

"Thank God she escaped and is now in Monteriggioni with your mother."

"At least that's good news."

After a silence, Machiavelli asked: "What about the second thing?"

Ezio whispered, "Cristina..."

"Your questions are more difficult to answer than the other, my friend," Machiavelli frowned, "but you must know the truth." He took a moment to say: "My friend, she is dead. Facing France man and Savonarola, Manfred was unwilling to leave like their friends. He believed that Piero would organize a counterattack and retake the city. But shortly after the monk took power, a A dreadful night ensues: the homes of those who would not throw their property into the 'fire of vanity' which the monk kindled to burn and destroy all luxury and worldly things, would have their homes looted and set ablaze. "

Ezio listened in silence, trying to keep his composure, but his heart was beating wildly.

"The zealots of Savonarola," continued Machiavelli, "broke into the family mansion of di Azetta. Manfred wanted to defend himself, but the mob was too numerous... Cristina accompanied him. By his side." Machiavelli paused for a long time, fighting back tears himself. "Those religious lunatics killed her in their madness."

Ezio stared at the whitewashed wall in front of him for a long time, staring at every detail, every crack, even the ants crawling on it.

(End of this chapter)