When the first ray of morning light broke through the dim sky in the east and spread the brightness to the top of the city's obelisk, the people who had been staying at home nervously finally began to open the door and walked out of their home carefully.

First, some brave people, and then more and more people walked onto the street.

However, the streets always seem extremely quiet. People often wink each other after meeting each other. People who know each other will gather together and whisper. However, when they see strangers approaching, they will immediately disperse and then look at the strangers coming and going with a vigilant look.

A child ran out of the house quietly. He was curiously looking for it on the street, but he didn't see other friends he often saw, so he walked along the street, but stopped before he walked far away.

At one corner, a drunken drunk fell crookedly in the corner. His body curled up like a shrimp, one hand hidden under his stomach and the other hand spread beside him.

The child looked at that person from afar. He often saw such drunkards, so he should not be afraid.

But for some reason, he felt indescribable discomfort when he looked at this person today.

Then he suddenly turned around and ran towards his own home with a life of dying.

Soon someone followed the child and after leaving him far away, several people walked over to take a closer look.

The child soon saw someone covering the man's head and face with a piece of rag that had been prepared in advance, until he was taken away by his family. The child could not get closer to take a look.

But the outline of the skewed leaning in the corner, covered with rags, was reflected in his young mind. However, the child did not know that the scene he saw was also happening elsewhere in Rome. Moreover, this fearful and unforgettable memory would not only accompany him for a long time, but also in many years afterwards, such things would continue to appear.

Henry de Charleon rode silently on the horse. The armor on his body made a gentle friction sound as the mount bumped. The cold sunlight in early winter morning shone on the armor, and the reflected light also seemed extremely cold.

De Charleon's eyes behind the black armor on his face stared at the passing streets. When he saw the stiff corpse that was found from some alleys, corners or hidden doorways from time to time, he would stop and look for a while, and then continue to move forward.

"Does of people have been found," a knight whispered beside him, "There are the most here, and other parts of the city have also been found to be killed, all of which happened last night."

With a "click", the whip tightly held in De Charleon's hand was broken with force. The protective plates inlaid on his clenched gloves stood up like hedgehog, making a creaking and rubbing sound.

"Send a request to the Vatican, I want to meet the Pope." De Charleon said in a low voice. Because he did not hear a response, he turned his head slightly to look at the people following him. "Is there any problem?"

"Sir, the Pope may not agree to see us at this time," the knight next to him whispered. "Our people have seen that the guards of the Bogia family searched everywhere in the city last night, and these people were all killed by them."

"I know this," de Charleon interrupted his subordinates' words with a rough voice. "Rome is still under the rule of the French king, and I will never stand this happening in front of me."

Although he knew that this might be useless, the knight behind him still bowed helplessly and turned his horse's head to leave.

"People from the Borgia family."

Looking at the west direction of the city of Rome, a deep whisper came from De Charleon's mask.

Alexander did not sleep that night. When it was just dawn that day, he walked along the stairs that circled up the corner building to the tall window. Looking at the quiet and empty streets below, he knew that the night should not be peaceful.

Even in the Caroling Islands, you can vaguely hear some noises from outside in the middle of the night, and when it was almost dawn, a team of soldiers hurriedly passed by the window.

Alexander didn't need to know what the assassin was from yesterday, but he could have guessed that because of the assassin's actions, there must have been a bloody storm in the city of Rome last night.

The assassination of the pope's favorite daughter, both for the crime and the reason, was enough for Alexander VI to mobilize his army to retaliate against all the enemies in the city of Rome. Even because this reason was too strong, even if the French army still occupied Rome, they could not express dissatisfaction with him.

Maybe this is the real purpose of "they", Alexander thought secretly.

As for who this "they" are, Alexander believes that it is the Borgia family himself.

But this is just a speculation after all, and Alexander is also very clear that if he is overestimating his ability to get involved in this vortex of right and wrong, he may soon be eaten up by all forces without even leaving any scum, so he thinks it is best to watch silently at this time.

It's just obvious that some people don't want him to watch quietly at this time.

Because he was almost under house arrest, Alexander and his men had to stay in the corner building in the side hall of the Carolingan Palace. Although there was no inconvenience, the waiting was uneasy.

Carlo wanted to go out more than once, but Alexander stopped him. However, he did not stop Nashan from climbing from the stairs to the top of the corner tower.

After all, if something happens, with Nashan's ability, he should be able to find a way to protect Sophia.

When it was almost 9 o'clock, a messenger suddenly came to the Corner Tower to visit Alexander.

To Alexander's surprise, this man brought neither Joanna nor Caesar Porgia's news, but a letter from Giovanni Porgia, another important figure in the Borgia family.

In the letter, Giovanni Borgia expressed high respect for Alexander's courage, and repeatedly stated that although the assassin he prevented was not his sister Lucrezia, the assassin was undoubtedly very dangerous. If it were not for his recklessness that he had recognized the wrong person, perhaps this terrible murderer would have really threatened Lucrezia's safety.

So from this point of view, the actions of Alexander and his unknown friend can be said to have eradicated a potential threat to the Bogia family, which is enough to make him a "good friend" of the family.

At the end of the letter, Giovanni Pogia expressed his desire to meet Alexander, and in the letter, it was clear that if he wanted, he could meet now at the Palace of Gilpitz where he lived.

Alexander was somewhat surprised about such a letter.

He knows who Giovanni Pogia is.

As one of Alexander VI's many illegitimate children, Giovanni and his brother Caesar were the ones that Alexander VI had most hope.

Many people know that when Alexander VI patiently built his Borgian dynasty, in addition to relying on conspiracies to eradicate his opponents and facing bankruptcy bribes and finally ascended the throne of the Pope, he also hoped that his children would become his most loyal assistants.

So he let Caesar into the church and used his power to make his son an archbishop with a prominent status at a young age. While cultivating Caesar, he also had high hopes for another son, Giovanni, whom he valued, and he hoped that Giovanni could become a commander-in-chief for him to rule the army.

Such a wish made Giovanni and Caesar the two most powerful people in the Borgian family besides Alexander VI himself.

Now Giovanni suddenly sent someone to see him, and Alexander had to agree despite his surprise.

The person who came drove a carriage. Looking at the badge of the Bogia family on the thick carriage, Alexander couldn't help but think secretly, wondering how many people in the city of Rome were trying to kill the people who were sitting in such a carriage at this time.

Unlike the others in the Bogia family who live not far from the Vatican, the Gilpitz Palace is not on the west bank of the Tiber River, but on a river-facing street near the Augustus Mausoleum, which is across the river from the Castle of St. Angels.

And unlike many other palaces of this era, the Gilpitz Palace has a typical style of the Roman era. The triangular porch and huge Roman columns are the most prominent features of this palace. Moreover, the square dome, which is different from most palace buildings at present, can attract people's attention from this palace from a long distance.

When the carriage arrived at the gate of Gilpitz Palace, Alexander noticed the soldiers patrolling outside the palace. It was obvious that although the palace was on the verge of the street, it was very tightly protected. The soldiers who never patrolled back and forth and the guards standing under the palace porch and watching the crowd closely watched.

Just seeing so many guards, Alexander couldn't help but think of Giovanni's future fate.

Giovanni Borgia was assassinated and died, and the murderer was always an unsolved mystery.

When Alexander saw the huge patio porch for the first time, he couldn't help but sigh slightly.

A marble sculpture that had just been carved and had not been completely polished stood on the black marble floor in the middle of the porch. The corners of this brand new sculpture still looked faintly sharp with the unique sharpness of the gravel that had been knocked on. The statue of St. Peter, who stood on the pedestal, was wise and devout in his expression. Even a new work was like a new one, which had been standing there for unknown centuries before being reawakened.

"Is this Michelangelo's 'St. Peter'?" Alexander blurted out, but was slightly surprised and puzzled. He recognized the statue. If he remembered correctly, it should be Michelangelo's first successful work after coming to Rome. It was precisely because of the artistic soul given by this work and the superb skills engraved by each knife that Michelangelo made his mark in Rome and embarked on the road to becoming a master.

However, this statue of St. Peter seems slightly different from what you remember, and Alexander remembers it very clearly that Michelangelo's "St. Peter" was placed outside the doorpost of the future rebuilt St. Peter's Basilica.

"It seems that you are indeed Bonarotti's good friend."

A pleasant voice came from behind the statue, and Alexander tilted his head slightly when he heard the sound, and then saw a young man with a curly brown beard and a wool hat on his head walked over quickly.

This man looks a bit imaginative with Caesar Porgia. In this way, Alexander already knows that he is Giovanni Porgia.

Giovanni looked very cheerful, and unlike Caesar's, he seemed to have some unique charm. Giovanni seemed casual and relaxed. He seemed to be very happy that Alexander recognized Michelangelo's works, so after coming over, he stood shoulder to shoulder with the guest and admired the work seriously.

"I have to say that Bonarotti's departure really makes me feel a pity," Giovanni said with some regret at the statue. But he seemed to think that Caesar would allow him to realize his artistic ambitions. I couldn't bear to let him down for such a promising young man, so I could only give him to my brother, but I did not find anything. I carved this 'St. Peter' for me before he left me."

"It turns out that Michelangelo had received your sponsorship before, Lord Duke." Alexander was a little surprised again.

Giovanni Pogia is the Duke of Gandia.

"That's right, but I didn't do anything for him. It's because my brother Jeffrey's wife, Xia Sang, has always been interested in his artistic talents, and has also introduced him to several famous masters in Rome."

After hearing Giovanni's words, Alexander had a strange feeling flashed in his heart. Looking at the Duke of Gandia, who seemed obsessed with the masterpiece of art in front of him, Alexander wanted to know what kind of thought he thought when he mentioned his brother's wife.

Caesar, Giovanni, Lucrezia and Jeffrey, together with Alexander VI, their father, formed the Borgia family with power in Rome.

The various rumors about this family are the most talked about in Rome, including some unusual intimacy between Jeffrey's wife Xiasan and his brother Giovanni.

Now, listening to Giovanni mentioning his brother's wife without hesitation, Alexander felt a little strange.

"Xiasan is passionate about art, and she is more pleasing than Jeffrey," Giovanni said indifferently, as if she had just remembered something and turned around and said casually. "I heard that you have protected Joanna from Naples all the way to Rome, and I think Xiasan would definitely be willing to see you."

Looking at Giovanni's seemingly careless look, the strange feeling in Alexander's heart became stronger and stronger.

It is obvious that the one who really wants to see him is not this Duke Gandia, but the younger brother and sister who have a special relationship with him.

The woman was named Shasan Aragon, the daughter of Alfonso II, the sister of Ferdinand, and Joanna's sister-in-law.
Chapter completed!