Assassin's Creed: Renaissance

Chapter 57

Cristina's death only strengthened Ezio's resolve.His homeland had been tormented by Savonarola for so long, and so many of his countrymen, whatever their profession, had fallen into his clutches that those who resisted were ostracized and never seen again. , is forced into exile.It's time to act.

"Many who might have helped us were exiled," Machiavelli explained, "but even Savonarola's main enemies outside the city—I mean the Duke of Milan—and our old friend Rodriguez Ge, or Alexander VI—couldn't bring him down either."

"What are those bonfires?"

"Those were the craziest things. Savonarola and his close associates organized a following and went door-to-door demanding that people hand over everything that was morally questionable, even beauty supplies and mirrors, not to mention 'immoral' things like paintings, books. They also confiscated all kinds of games, including chess, for goodness sake, and musical instruments - you name it; as long as the monk and his Anything that followers think will affect their religious zeal, they will bring it to the Piazza della Signoria, throw it into the huge bonfire, and burn it up." Machiavelli shook his head and said, "In this way, Florence lost A lot of value and beauty."

"But surely the city has had enough of this behavior, right?"

Machiavelli's face brightened. "It's true, and that feeling is our best support. I think Savonarola genuinely believes that Judgment Day is coming - the only problem is, we don't see the slightest sign of it, even if some initially fanatical People who believed in him, are now beginning to waver. Unfortunately, many powerful people will still support him without thinking. If they can be solved..."

So Ezio set out to find and wipe out Savonarola's supporters, who indeed came from all walks of life - among them a famous painter, a veteran, a businessman, several priests, a doctor, a farmer, and There were one or two nobles who were fanatical supporters of the monk.Some die knowing their folly, others remain unshakable in their faith.Apart from the fact that the mission itself was unpleasant for Ezio, he was also constantly threatened with death.But soon, rumors began to circulate in the city - in the dead of night, in illegal pubs and back streets.The assassin is back.The assassin will save Florence...

Ezio's heart ached as he watched the city of his birth suffer from religious fanatic hatred and madness.He hardened his heart to bring death to those people - like a cold wind, blowing away the scum that made the city unsightly.As always, he killed with compassion, knowing in his heart that this was the only end for those who had long since strayed from the right path.Even in such dark times, he never strayed from his Assassin's Creed.

In the city, the public stance had shifted, and Savonarola knew his position was being shaken.And Machiavelli, the Fox, Paola and Ezio joined forces and began to organize an uprising, an uprising guided by the slow but unstoppable realization of the people.

Ezio's last "target" was a priest, who was preaching to a crowd in front of the Church of the Holy Spirit when Ezio found him.

He spoke generously, but the already sparse crowd gradually lost interest, and soon the last few turned around and left.Ezio stepped forward and said to the priest: "What you said just now, I think it was your own thoughts."

The pastor laughed. "We don't all need persuasion or coercion to be convinced. I already believe it. Everything I say is the truth!"

"Nothing is true," Ezio replied.He ejected the wrist blade and pierced the priest's body. "Rest in peace," he said.He turned his back on the dead man and put on his hood.

It was a long and arduous journey, but in the end, Savonarola himself unknowingly helped the Assassins, as Florence's financial resources were in serious decline.Not surprisingly, the monk hated all business, which was what made Florence great.And the final judgment is yet to come.Instead, a Franciscan friar challenged Savonarola to a trial by fire.But Savonarola rejected the challenge, and his authority was once again dealt a blow.By early March 1497, many young people in the city had begun to march in protest, which turned into a riot.After that, taverns reopened, and people resumed their old habits of singing and dancing, gambling and whoring—and enjoying life.Shops and banks also opened, though at first in small numbers, and exiles returned to parts of the city no longer under Savonarola's control.These weren't overnight changes, but in the end, a year or so after the riot, Savonarola's downfall looked imminent, though he was still struggling.

"You are doing well, Ezio," Paola said to Ezio.Together with the fox and Machiavelli, they are waiting at the gate of the San Marco Monastery, behind them is a large group of people from various free areas, full of expectations but difficult to control.

"Thank you. But what to do now?"

"Just watch," said Machiavelli.

With a loud crash, a door above their heads opened, and a thin figure dressed in black appeared on the balcony.Savonarola glared at the crowd gathered below. "Quiet!" he commanded, "I want you to be quiet!"

In awe, people fell silent involuntarily.

"Why are you here?" Savonarola demanded. "Why are you bothering me? You are supposed to clean your place!"

People yelled against it. "Clean what?" a man yelled, "You took everything!"

"I have shown mercy!" cried Savonarola in reply, "and now you will do as I tell you! You must obey!"

He took out the Apple of Eden from his robe and held it up high.Ezio saw that the hand was missing a finger.The apple immediately began to glow, and people backed away in exclamation.But Ezio remained composed, he stood his ground, and without hesitation threw a throwing knife through the monk's forearm.With a cry of anger and pain, Savonarola let go of the apple, which fell from the balcony into the crowd below.

"No…" he screamed.But suddenly he seemed to shrink, and his manner became clumsy and pathetic.That's enough for the mob.They assembled and stormed the Convent of San Marco.

"Hurry up, Ezio," said the fox, "find the apple. It should be not far away."

Ezio saw it rolling around people's feet, but no one looked down at it.He rushed into the crowd, was pushed hard several times, but finally picked up the apple.He quickly put the Apple of Eden into the safety of his fanny pocket.The doors of the Abbey of St. Mark's have been opened—perhaps some of the monks in the abbey believe in the saying "prudent is valiant," hoping to save their church and monastery, and of course their own, by surrendering to the inevitable. life.And many of them had had enough of Savonarola's tyranny.People poured through the gate, and again a few minutes later, carrying a struggling and screaming Savonarola.

"Take him to the Piazza della Signoria," Machiavelli ordered, "and let him stand trial there!"

"Idiots! Blasphemers!" cried Savonarola, "God will witness your blasphemy! How dare you do this to his prophets!" A part of his words were drowned out by the angry shouts of the crowd, but he His fear was as strong as his anger, so he didn't stop cursing—for Savonarola knew (though surely he probably didn't think of those words) that he had no choice but to throw everything at him. "Heretics! You will all be burned in hell for this! Do you hear that? Burn!"

Ezio and his fellow Assassins trailed far behind the mob, while Savonarola continued to utter his half-pleading, half-threatening words. "The sword of God will come swiftly and suddenly upon the earth. Let go of me, for I alone can save you from his wrath! Listen to me, my children, before it is too late !There is only one true salvation, and you are throwing it away for material comforts! If you stop listening to me, all Florence will taste the wrath of God—and the city will be like Sodom and Gomor Rah will fall like that, because he will know about your treachery. God help me! I will be killed by 1 Judas!"

Ezio was close enough to hear one of the townspeople carrying Savonarola say, "Oh, save your lies. You've been spreading pain and hatred ever since you came to us! "

"Maybe you have God in your head, Monk," said another, "but he is far from your heart."

By this time, they had reached the Piazza della Signoria, and the crowd cheered triumphantly.

"We've had enough of suffering! We're going to be free people again!"

"The light of life will be back in our city soon!"

"We must punish this traitor! He is the true heretic! He has twisted the word of God and used it for his own gain!" a woman yelled.

"The shackles of your religious tyranny are broken at last," declared another, "and Savonarola will be punished."

"The light of truth shines upon us, and the fear is far away!" cried a third, "Stop giving orders, monk!"

"You claim to be a prophet of God, but your words are dark and cruel. You claim that we are puppets of the devil - but I think the real puppets are probably you!"

Ezio and his friends needed no further meddling - the machine they had activated would do the work for them.The rulers of the city, eager to preserve life without losing power, came to show their support.The dais was erected, fuelwood and logs were piled up around the three stakes, and Savonarola and his two most fanatical lieutenants were dragged into the square for a brief but brutal trial.Since he never showed mercy, people would not show mercy to him.Soon they were in chains, led to a stake, and bound to it.

"Oh God, have mercy on me," Savonarola pleaded loudly, "take me away from the embrace of evil! Sinners surround me, and I ask you to redeem me!"

"You tried to burn me," sneered a man, "and now it's the other way around!"

The executioner threw the torch into the firewood surrounding the stake.Ezio watched the scene, thinking of his family members who lost their lives in the same place many years ago.

"Poor me," prayed Savonarola in a voice resounding and distressed as the wood went up to flames, "I am alone and helpless... I have violated the laws of heaven and earth. Where shall I go? Whom shall I turn to for help?" ? Who will have mercy on me? I dare not look up to heaven, just because my sins are not tolerated by heaven. I can't settle down in the world, just because I have already lost my reputation in the world..."

Ezio stepped forward, getting as close to him as possible.No one, not even him, deserved to die in such pain, he thought, despite the deep sorrow he had caused me.He took out the loaded firearm and put it on the wrist guard of his right arm.That's when Savonarola noticed him, eyes half terrified, half expectant.

"It's you," he said, raising his voice over the burning noise, but their conversation was closer to the exchange of thoughts in their heads. "I knew this day would come. My brother, give me mercy, though I have not given you. I left you to wolves and dogs."

Ezio raised his arms. "Farewell, monk," he said, and fired.Amid the commotion around the fire, neither his movement nor the sound of the gunfire was noticed.Savonarola's head hangs on his chest. "Go in peace, and may your God judge you," Ezio whispered, "Rest in peace." He looked at the other two monks—Domenico and Sillvesto—but they Already dead, ruptured intestines strewn across the hissing fire.The stench of burning flesh filled everyone's nostrils.The crowd began to calm down.Soon, only the sound of crackling flames remained.

Ezio turned away from the stake.Standing not far away, he saw Machiavelli, Paola and the fox looking at him.Machiavelli met his gaze and made an inconspicuous gesture of encouragement.Ezio knew what to do.He climbed up to the dais at the other end of the stake, and all turned to him.

"Citizens of Florence!" he said in a loud voice, "22 years ago I stood here too, watching my loved ones die, betrayed by what I thought were friends. Vengeance clouded my heart. It It would have devoured me, but a few strangers showed me how to transcend my instincts. They never gave me answers, but taught me to learn on my own." Ezio looked at his fellow Assassins , At this time his uncle Mario was also standing there, he raised his hand and greeted him with a smile. "My friends," he continued, "we don't need anyone else to tell us what to do. We don't listen to Savonarola, or the Pazzi, or even the Medici. We have to follow our own path. freedom." He paused, then continued: "There are those who want to take that freedom away from us, and sadly, too many of you—among us—give it up to them. But we have the power to choose—the power to choose what we believe to be true—and it is by exercising that power that we become human. No book or teacher will give us the answers, will give us Shows the way. So—choose your own way! Follow me, and follow no one!"

Seeing the uneasy expressions on the faces of some nobles, he couldn't help laughing in his heart.Maybe humans will never change, but a little push won't hurt them.He jumped off the platform, put on his hood, walked out of the square, followed the road by the north wall of the Lord's Palace-he had walked this road twice in the past, and left a rather deep memory-and disappeared in the in people's field of vision.

This was the beginning of the last long and difficult mission of Ezio's life, and he knew that he would eventually face the inevitable showdown.In addition to Machiavelli who accompanied him, he arranged for other members of the Assassin Organization in Venice and Florence to go to various parts of the Italian peninsula. The lost pages below.They searched Piedmont, Trent, Liguria, Umbria, Veneto, Friuli, Lombardy; also Emilia Romagna, Marche, Tuscany, Lazio, Abu Ruzzo; as well as Molise, Apulia, Campania and Basilicata; and even the dangerous region of Calabria.They wasted a lot of time in Capri, and then crossed the Tyrrhenian Sea to Sardinia, the home of kidnappers, and Sicily, where bandits were ravaged.They visited kings and dukes and fought the Templars on the same mission, but in the end they won.

They assembled at Monteriggioni.The search took five long years, and Rodrigo Borgia—Alexander VI—despite his advanced age was in good health and still sat on the papal throne.The Knights Templar, although weakened, remained a serious threat.

They still have a lot to do.

(End of this chapter)