La Borgia - 02 - The Power and The Incest.pdf

Book II

The Power and The Incest

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Book II : The Power and The Incest

ETERNAL GLORY TO YOUR HOLINESS!

X PEACE BE ON X W YOU, FAITHFUL DUARTE. \ / I SENT YOU TO MAKE SOME \ INQUIRIES IN THE STREETS. WHAT NEWS DO YOU BRING ME? \ HOW DO THE PEOPLE REACT? , \ ARE THEY HAPPY TO HAVE / \ A NEW POPE? ~

I MUST TELL YOU SOME­ THING YOU DO NOT KNOW, RODRIGO. TO THEM, THE DEATH OF INNOCENT VII, SIGNIFIED THE END OF THE POWER OF THE CHURCH... A

CERTAIN THAT NO SIN WILL BE PUNISHED, SINCE GOD HAS FORGOTTEN ROME, THEY PERMIT EVERYTHING...

VUL6US PECUS! THE FLOCK OF FOOLS!

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THE PRIES TS NO LONGER HA VE ANY AUTHORITY...

TAKE THAT, YOU FAT PIG!

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GIVE US YOUR PURSE!

THIEF/

H A ! YES, TOAD, SOME THIEVES ARE BETTER AT STEALING THAN YOU ARE!

r MERCY?!

OW! MERCY... I

HAVE SHOWN ANY MERCY, YOU DAMNED PRIEST!

BEUAAARKKi f

THE HONES T PEOPLE CAN N O T EVEN LIVE IN PEACE...

SHE SWALLOWED HER PEARL > NECKLACE!

OPEN YOUR MOUTH, YOU OLD MISER!

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OPEN YOUR MOUTH,OR / OPEN YOUR v THROAT/

W HAT A N DISGUSTING BITCH!

RODRIGO, ALEXANDER VI... YOU CANT SAIL PAST THIS CONFRONT THE PROBLEM... COME TO THE WINDOW...

THE HOi Y VA T/CAN PLAZA IS OVERRUN W ITH PROCURERS AND THEIR WHORES. THEY DRINK AND FORNICA TE THERE EVERY HOUR OF THE DAY AND THE NIGHT.

HOW DISGUSTING! THEY ARE HERD OF ANIMALS! I UNDERSTAND... MY FIRST TASK IS TO RESTORE ORDER TO THE STREETS OF ROME. I AM GOING TO SHOW THEM THE EXTREME SEVERITY OF MY JUSTICE!

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TELL ME, IS THERE A CITIZEN THAT THIS IMMODEST RABBLE STILL RESPECTS?

( AH, WELL... GUISEPPE \ BERTOLI, THE j PLASTERER. HE IS /CONSIDERED A SAINT, / BECAUSE HE AND HIS FAMILY MAKE STATUES k OF CHRIST AND THE - V HOLY VIRGIN...

ME AND MY DAGGER ARE HERE TO SERVE YOU, MASTER.

PIERO, THE SKIN OF OUR LORD IS MORE CLEAR, ADD SOME WHITE TO YOUR COLOR! LUIGI, ADD SOME VARNISH TO THE BLOOD SO IT SHINES, THE FAITHFUL LIKE IT WHEN THE WOUNDS ARE HORRIBLE! ANNA, MY DEAR, ADD SOME DETAIL TO MARY’S BUST, MEN LIKE TO BE EXCITED BY OUR HOLY MOTHER!

ALRIGHT PAPA.

YES, PAPA!

you ARE RIGHT GUISEPPE.

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MIDNIGHT, ALREADY?! AND WE HAVEN’T FINISHED! THE MONKS WILL BE HERE A T DAWN LOOKING FOR THIS URGENT ORDER...

A A A O O O U llF F ! MY EYES ARE STINGING MY EYELIDS FEEL LIKE THEY'RE MADE OF LEAD!

MAMA, PAPA GO TO BED. MY BROTHER AND I WILL FINISH PAINTING THE CHRISTS.

YES, YOU GO TO BED. I WILL CLOSE THE DOOR TO THE WORK­ SHOP.

W H A T TOOK YOU SO LONG DID YOU SEE A GIRL?

QUIET!

ARRGH.f

A THIEF!

LUIGI? WHY DID YOU YELL? DON'T TELL ME YOU DAMAGED ANOTHER STATUE

HELP!

AAAH ! DONT KILL US!

MY

SACRILEGE!

GOD! HORROR /

IT 'S A SA TAN/C CRIMEf AND FOR PURE CRUELTY.. NOTHING WAS STOLEN!

THE CHURCH MUST DO SOMETHING v ABOUT THIS! ,

GET UP MAURO, HIS HOLINESS WANTS TO SEE YOU...

HUH?

WHAT?

I'M AFRAID, NOBLE LORD! WHY WOULD THE ALL POWERFUL POPE W AN T TO SEE A MISERABLE DOSKEEPER LIKE ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NI6HT?

COME ALONG QUICKLY NOW! WE CAN NOT MAKE ALEXANDER VI W AIT!

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/ I HAVE TAKEN GOOD CARE OF THE DOGS. I SLEEP WITH THEM, I WASH THEM, I GROOM THEM, I CLEAN UP THEIR SHIT... WHAT HAVE I DONE WRONG, SUPREME FATHER?

ALSO, YOU WILL RECEIVE THIS PURSE, IF YOU DO ME ONE LAST SERVICE...

I DID NOT CALL YOU HERE TO \ BE PUNISHED, ON THE CONTRARY, YOU DESERVE THIS INDULGENCE WHICH I'M OFFERING TO YOU. IT GUARANTEES, NO MATTER WHAT LY O U DO IN THE FUTURE, YOUR / ip ENTRANCE INTO PARADISE!

DECLARE YOURSELF GUILTY OF THE MURDERS OF GUISEPPI BERTOLI AND HIS FAMILY! I HAVE PROMISED THE PEOPLE TO THROW YOU IN JAIL, FROM WHICH YOU WILL ESCAPE. W ITH THIS GOLD, YOU CAN MOVE TO ANOTHER CITY AND NEVER HAVE TO WORK FOR THE

NOT REALLY. IN ANY CASE, I SWEAR TO YOU ON THE WOUNDS OF OUR LORD... YOU WILL REPEAT EXACTLY WHAT I’M GOING TO TELL

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THANK YOU! THANK YOU! ASK W HAT YOU W AN T OF ME, HOLY FATHER!

JUSTICE!

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JU S TICE! HOL Y FA THER, DELIVER THE DEVIL TO U S ! THE CHURCH HAS THE POW ER TO PUNISH THIS SACRILEGE! ^

WE REPRESENT ALL OF THE CITIZENS OF ROME. WE HAVE COME TO IMPLORE THE POPE TO SMITE THE GODLESS WHO HAVE MASSACRED THE BERTOLI FAMILY... THE DEMON IS LOOSE IN OUR

I'VE ALREADY ADVISED HIS HOLINESS OF YOUR VISIT... IN HIS EXTREME CHARITY, AND DESPITE BEING OFFENDED BY THE INDIFFERENCE OF ROME, v HE HAS AGREED TO A HELP YOU....

I REJOICE, FAITHFUL SUBJETS, TO SEE THAT YOU FINALLY REALIZE THE EXISTS, AND THAT NEED THE POWER OF

V

WE ARE AT YOUR FEET MOST HOLY FATHER. OUR VENERATED CHURCH MUST PROTECT US FROM EVIL...

GUIDED BY THE HAND OF GOD, WE HAVE ALREADY DISCOVERED AND CAPTURED THE SINISTER MURDERER! GUARDS, BRING IN THE ASSASSIN! I

OHH! I/i MIRACLE!

HOW HORRIBLE!

INNOCENT BLOOD FALLS ON YOUR HEAD

MISERABLE ASSASSIN! ^

IT ’S TRUE! I AM NOTHING BUT A MISERABLE A S S A S S IN I .

GOD IS 5 TRONGER THAN SA TAN!

REPUGNANT/ VADE A M M A U J SARf ™ °s i

BY THE POWER CONFERRED IN US BY THE HOLY CHURCH, REPEAT YOUR CONFESSION, YOU " W fc ' MONSTEROUS / Z m d L l S CREATURE! A V

YES!DAMNED CHRISTIANS! / KILLED THE BER TOL/Sf MY MASTER SA TAN COMMANDED ME TO DO IT ! / REGRET r 'w , NOTHING! >

BEWARE!

TOMORROW, IN THE COLOSSEUM, BEFORE THE PEOPLE OF ROME, THIS DEVIL WORSHIPPER WILL RECEIVE THE PUNISHMENT WHICH HE DESERVES.

HIS SALIVA IS POISONOUS! GUARDS TAKE HIM A W A Y !

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KNOW WELL, HOLY FATHER... THE FAITH... AND PEACE HAVE RETURNED!

WHY HAVE YOU CHAINED ME? WHY ARE YOU BEATING ME? IT'S A MISTAKE! I DEMAND TO SEE THE HOLY FATHER!

SILENCE; YOU SACRELEGIOUS MONS TER!

CUT THE L Y/N6 TONGUE OUT OF THIS ASSASSIN!

I AM HERE, POOR WAYWARD CREATURE. DO YOU W ANT ME TO GIVE YOU THE LAST RIGHTS?

WHAT DID YOU TELL ME, YOUR HOLINESS? YOU KNOW VERY WELL THAT I'M INNOCENT! IT WAS YOU WHO ASKED ME TO ADMIT TO THIS CRIME WHICH I DID NOT DO! YOU \ SWORE BEFORE GOD TO LET ME ^ E S C A P E ! DO YOU HAVE I V MY GOLD? ^ . os

I, ALEXANDER VI, SUPREME HEAD OF THE CHURCH, I AM YOUR BEST FRIEND, BUT I CAN ALSO BE AN IMPLACABLE ENEMY... QUt BENE AMA T, BENE CAS TIGA T... Ad

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YOU ARE NOW GOING TO v ASSIST WITH THE CHASTISEMENT OF THE WORST OF THE GUILTY! A CRIMINAL WHO HAS SOLD , U SOUL TO THE DEVIL. BRING A V THE WRETCH IN! N

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.FASTEN p/SM EMBER HIM WELL! / uiaai

„ HHHH!

INFECTED DEMON!

GGGGGGHHHH!

BRA VO!

BRA VO!

RELEASE THE D06S!

6 R R R 0 W W ... 6R R R R 0W W !

GRRR! G R R R R

GRRR

GNIAARFF

DON'T YOU F A IN T , YOU B A BY !

DURA LEX, SED LEX! GOD IS THE ONLY ONE WHO K N O W S HOW TO PUNISH!

BRRRRHH6 6 !

THIS ENORMOUS BULL IS THE REPUGNANT EVIL! MY BELOVED SON CESAR, REPRESENTS OUR CHURCH, THE ABSOLUTE GOOD! WITH THE HELP OF GOD, HE WILL K VANQUISH IT! 1

BORG/AU

CESAR!

CESAR!

CESAR! X

CESAR!

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f CESAR! CESAR! CESAR! BORGIA!

^BO R G IA! BORGIA!

BORGIA! j ~%/2 //

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BORGIA! BORGIA! BORGIA! AD 7 MAJOREM DEI 6 LOR/AM! WE HAVE VANQUISHED EVIL! WE CHASTISE MERCILESSLY THIEVES AND ASSASSINS! ORDER REIGNS IN THE . STREETS AND HOMES A OF ROME! Y&

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LONG LIFE TO OUR HOLY FATHER, THE ^ POPE! ^

I HOPE THE CRUEL BEING, WHOM WE CALL GOD, GIVES YOU LONG LIVES!

CONVENT OF SA/NT-S/XTE

MY FATHER HAS ASKED FOR ME! I AM FINISHED WITH THIS PRISON! YOU CAN ENJOY FREEDOM

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FINISHED v WITH JAIL, LIMITS AND THE REPUGNANT GOOD SISTERS! TO ROME EACH DAY WILL BE A PARTY!

BEFORE SPEAKING OF MY INTELLIGENCE, LET US PREOCCUPY OURSELVES WITH YOUR BEAUTY. TO HONOR YOU, I HAVE BROUGHT FOUR

THE FIRST GIFT: PENTASILEA, BLACK AS NIGHT AND AS CALM AS A DEEP RIVER THAT FLOWS NOISELESSLY. THIS SLAVE WILL APPLY YOUR MAKE-UP, YOUR PERFUME, COMB YOUR HAIR AND DRESS YOU LIKE A

HMMM... I HOPE THAT YOU KNOW HOW TO USE YOUR TONGUE BETTER THAN A DOG DOES!

THE SECOND GIFT: CATARINELLA, SMALL, BUT CONCENTRATED LIKE A PERFUME. SHE IS A LITTLE LACKING IN SIZE, BUT IS GIGANTIC IN HER TALENT. v WITH HER MUSIC, SHE WILL SWEETEN \ EVERY MOMENT OF / \ YOUR LIFE... i

THE THIRD GIFT: A RESPLENDANT DRESS FOR A LUMINOUS \ YOUNG WOMAN... y

AAAHL. I AM GOING TO DIE IF I DON’T TRY IT ON RIGHT NOW!

ADORN ME IN THIS MARVEL, PENTASILEA! YOU, CATARINELA, PLAY ME THE GAYEST TUNE THAT YOU KNOW!

THE PLEASURE OF BEING DRESSED BY A WOMAN DOES NOT SURPASS THE PLEASURE OF BEING UNDRESSED V BY A MAN... -

AND NOW, MISS, THE FOURTH GIFT

A UNIVERSE, A DOOR FOR THE GODDESS WHO GREW UP, CLOISTERED IN A CONVENT!** 1

INCREDIBLE! A MIRROR! THEY ARE FORBIDDEN HERE!

YOUR REFLECTION BECOMES IMPATIENT, LOOK AT YOURSELF

THAT I'LL LOOK DIFFERENT THAN HOW I IMAGINED MYSELF...

ADMIRE YOURSELF WITHOUT FEAR, MISTRESS s YOUR FACE IS MORE \ BEAUTIFUL THAN THE 8 k BEAUTY OF YOUR

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OHHL.. I’M REALLY AS I DREAMED I WOULD BE!

I NOW KNOW WHY GIOVANNI SFORZA WANTS TO MARRY ME; IT'S FOR MY BEAUTYU^

M AD AM , IF YOU WERE LAME, ONE-EYED AND GROSSLY F A T HE WOULD MARRY YOU! YOUR POLITICAL IMPORTANCE IS PRICELESS! THE FA TE OF ROME IS IN YOUR HANDS! .

FATE OF ROME LIES BETWEEN MY THIGHS!

FOLLOW ME MADAM. WE HAVE TO 6 0 THROUGH SEVERAL SALONS BEFORE WE GET TO YOUR FATHER'S PRIVATE APARTMENTS. THERE ALWAYS \ IS A CROWD OF PEOPLE HERE... /

BY THE POWER OF THIS DOCUMENT, THE CHURCH PARDONS YOU FOR ALL YOUR SINS THIS YEAR, THAT WILL BE v A THOUSAND ECUS.

INFINITE THANKS, MY LORD BISHOP. HERE IS THE PAYMENT.

POUAH! WHAT A STENCH! THE SWEAT OF BEASTS V SMELLS BETTER! >

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CHRISTIANS FROM THE FOUR CORNERS OF EUROPE COME HERE ON PILGRIMA6ES HANDS FULL OF MONEY, TO BUY THE SALVATION OF THEIR SOULS... .

ALEXANDER VI, IN HIS PRIVATE APARTMENTS DOES NOT RECEIVE THOSE CHILDREN...

THAT IS SO, LUCRECIA; HERE, THE PRIESTS, THE ALTARS, THE SACRED RITES, THE PRAYERS, EVEN HEAVEN AND GOD, THEY ALL ARE FOR SALE!

ENTER, MADAM. THEY AW AIT YOU IMPATIENTLY. I WILL RETURN TO MY SOLITUDE.

MACHIAVELLI, YOUR SUBLIME SPIRIT INHABITS THE BODY OF A MAN. TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICES, YOU MAY s PENTASILEA FOR / THE NIGHT... (<

MASTER, AM I MISTAKEN TO CONSIDER THE CHURCH A BIG v WHORE? .

MY DAUGHTER!

FA THER! M Y BRO THERS! I REALLY MISSED YOU!

OH, LUCRECIA, YOU HAVE BECOME A WOMAN! YOU'RE EVEN MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN YOUR MOTHER! ¿ S S

IT WAS ME WHO CHOSE THE RED DRESS FOR YOU LITTLE SISTER!

LET ME BY, YOU PRETENTIOUS MORON! DON'T BE SO MEAN CESAR!

ENOUGH.! CHILDREN, STOP THIS!

LET 6 0 OF HIM CESAR!

v LITTLE FAG! YOU THINK / yoU'RE MORE IMPORTANT / THAN I AM! YOU DIDN'T DESERVE GETTING \ THE DUCHY OF V 1 V 6ANDIA! ,,

JEALOUS! YOUR CLOTHES STINK! YOU W ANT TO BE IN MY PLACE!

STOP / 77 y o u r

r i v a l r y is FOOLISH! MY HEART IS BIG ENOUGH TO LOVE ALL OF YOU THE SAME \ WAY! WE ARE A FAMILY! A ! HOLY FAMILY! /

LET GO, GIOVANNI!

SIT DOWN!

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OR WILL EXCOMMUNtCA TE ALL OF YOU!

YES, VERY EASY, FATHER. WHAT IS YOUR POINT?

CESAR, YOU'RE THE STRONGEST BREAK THIS BARNCH!

NOW, BREAK THIS BUNDLE OF FIVE BRANCHES!

OOF! IT'S IMPOSSIBLE!

THE STRENGTH OF A FAMILY IS LIKE THAT OF AN ARMY, IT RESTS IN COHESION AND UNITY...

YOU'VE TOLD US THIS SINCE WE WERE LITTLE CHILDREN, PAPA...

DO YOU UNDERSTAND, MY CHILDREN? ANYONE CAN VANQUISH ONE BORGIA. NO ONE CAN VANQUISH FIVE!

THE CLOSENESS OF BLOOD IS THE MOST SACRED LINK WHICH BINDS HUMANS TO­ GETHER. MY BLOOD RUNS IN YOUR VEINS... LISTEN WHEN I

IT'S TRUE; THOSE WORDS ARE CARVED INTO MY MEMORY...

SOMEDAY, I WILL WANT ALL OF YOU TO HELP

...TO EXTEND THE POWER OF THE CHURCH OF MY CHURCH...

INTO MINE AS WELL...

...TO THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE WORLD!

I AM PROUD THAT YOUR MEMORIES ARE FAITHFUL TO MY TEACHINGS, BECAUSE WE FACE A GREAT DANGER. OUR FUTURE DEPENDS ON WHAT WE DECIDE HERE TODAY...

ALL THE RULERS IN THE WORLD HAVE RECOGNIZED THAT I REPRESENT CHRIST AND ARE COMING TO V CONSULT WITH ME... ^

ALL, EXCEPT FERRANTI OF NAPLES, WHO PLOTS WITH CHARLES VIII TO HEAD A NEW CONCLAVE BENT ON DETHRONING ME AND ACCUSING ME OF HERESY, AND PUTTING IN MY PLACE CARDINAL DELA ROVERE!

JOFFRE, YOU MAY BE STILL A CHILD, BUT YOU WILL MARRY SANCHA, THE DAUGHTER OF ALPHONSE

YEARS! I EVEN HAVE SOME PUBIC HAIR. I REALLY WANT TO MOUNT A WOMAN!

LUCRECIA 5 PROBLEM CAN WAIT! j

MINE SEEMS MORE IMPORTANT; YOU ARE MARRYING EVERYONE EXCEPT ME! ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY THAT I AM NOT NECESSARY FOR WHAT

BUT, IT'S NOT JUST FRANCE AND NAPLES THAT MENACE US. THERE IS ALSO SPAIN, SEDUCED BY THE LUST FOR POWER OF FERNAND OF ARAGON... FOR US TO SURVIVE THEIR DEMAND FOR AN COUNCIL, WE HAVE TO MAKE

GIOVANNI, YOU ARE GOING TO RETURN TO SPAIN, THE LAND OF OUR ANCESTORS, TO MARRY THE PRINCESS MARIA ENRIQUEZ, THE COUSIN OF FERNAND OF ARAGON...

TO DO ALL OF THIS, MY CHILDREN, I NEED YOUR UNCONDITIONAL ASSISTANCE... REMEMBER, WE ARE THREATENED WITH EXILE AND RUIN...

AND YOU, LUCRECIA, LIGHT OF MY LIFE, YOU WILL MARRY GIOVANNI SFORZA, THE DUKE OF PESARO, AND NEPHEW TO LUDOVIC, THE MOST POWERFUL MAN IN MILAN... j k

I’M VERY READY TO OBEY YOU FATHER, BUT I HAVE A PROBLEM...

WELL, EVEN IF SEX WITH WOMEN DISGUSTS ME, I WILL DO AS YOU ORDER ME TO, FATHER!

CESAR, MY SON, YOU ARE MY PRINCIPAL ASSET! I AM GOING TO PROCLAIM YOU THE CARDINAL-ARCHBISHOP. UPON MY DEATH, YOU WILL BECOME THE POPE. IT DEPENDS ON YOU TO SEE THAT THE HOLY CHURCH REMAINS IN BORGIA

FATHER, RELIGION BARELY INTERESTS ME. I W ANT TO DO BATTLE WAGE WAR, LEAD AN ARMY... AUT CESAR, V AUT NIHIL!

IF THAT’S SO, IT SUITS ME!

AND... YOU SATISFIED THEM?

NOW, MY BEAUTY WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM?

THE POPE IS THE SUPREME HEAD OF ALL THE ARMIES. YOU CAN HELP ME ELIMINATE THE i COMMON MERCENARIES, THOSE SWISS BANDITS//" ARE READY TO BETRAY US FOR A HANDFUL / ] / / OF GOLD. WE WILL CREATE AN ARMY OF FAITHFUL ROMANS...

I AM AFRAID THAT MY MARRIAGE MIGHT BE A FAILURE. I'M NOT AS EXPERIENCED AS MY FRIEND JULIA... I DON'T KNOW \ WHAT TO DO TO MAKE A '¡¡h ^ MAN HAPPY IN BED...

ALL OF THEM HAVE ASKED ME TO DO THEM THE HONOR

I HAVE, FATHER.

AND YOU CESAR, YOU HAVE ALREADY KNOWN SOME WOMEN?

TELL ME... WOULD YOU NOT DO THE SAME WITH YOUR SISTER?

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HOW COULD YOU ASK THAT OF ME?! DOES IT NOT DISTURB YOU TO CONDEMN MY SOUL TO THE ETERNAL FLAMES OF HELL?

THE PHARAOHS OF EGYPT SLEPT WITH THEIR SISTERS TO PRESERVE THE PURITY OF THE ROYAL BLOOD...

MY GIRL, THE FIRST MAN WHO SLEEPS WITH A WOMAN IS THE MASTER OF HER HEART AND HER ACTIONS. I DON'T W ANT TO GIVE THE KEYS TO ROME TO A STRANGER. IT IS FORTHIS REASON I ASK YOU TO

IS THAT A GOOD ENOUGH REASON FOR YOU TO PROPOSE THIS TO US?

THE LOYALTY OF FAMILY COMES BEFORE ALL THINGS. WE HAVE TO PROTECT EACH OTHER AND NEVER RENOUNCE THE BONDS WHICH UNITE US. SHOULD WE NOT DO THIS, WE WILL BE DESTROYED. IF YOU ARE TRULY BORGIAS,

IS IT TRUE? I AM MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN ALL OF THE V OTHERS? ,

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YOU ARE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN THAT I HAVE EVER v SEEN!

AND YOU, WITH YOUR VIRILE BODY, MUSCLED LIKE AN OLYMPIAN, . EMBRACE ME!

I BLESS you, f IN THE NAME OF \ THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT. FORGET THE REST OF THE WORLD, UNITE YOUR BODIES V AND UNITE YOUR > SOULS...

YOU ARE MINE FOREVER... PROMISE ME THAT YOU l WILL LET NO ONE GIVE [ YOU MORE PLEASURE I THAN I AM GOING TO / (K GIVE YOU... ¿Z / \

I SWEAR; I WILL NEVER LOVE ANYONE MORE THAN I LOVE YOU A T THIS \ MOMENT.

FL ORENCE

COME! COME QUICKL Y! SAVONAROLE IS HAVING SOME NEW ^ VISIONS!

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/ HAVE SEEN AN IMMENSE ARM Y OF KNIGHTS CROSS THE HEA VENS AMID f A TERRIBLE CLAMOR OF DRUMS AND V TRUMPETS!

/ HA VE SEEN THE

IMAGE OF SA IN T ANNE CRYING TEARS OF BLOOD!

WE ARE MENACED BY THE BLACK PLAGUE! INVASION BY FRANCE! .DEVASTATION, PILLAGE \ FIRES AND DEATH! „ /v ,

OHHHH!

AND ALL THESE ODIOUS V OMENS WILL COME TO cuampPASS BECAUSE,,, ,, *

ALEXANDER V I B O UG HT VOTES TO G A IN THE ' PAPAL THRONE! CUT

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IT IS DIVINE PUNISHMENT!

SAVE US SAVONAROLE! / DEMAND THA T

FLORENCE INVADES RO M E A N D DESTRO YS THIS DIABOLICAL POPE!

WHAT GREED!

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OFF HIS TONSURE,

AND HIS HEAD!

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THIS DISEASED POPE FOR N IC A TES W IT H ALL THE W OMEN IN R O M E! A T N IG H T, DISGUISED A S A DEVIL B R EA STS A N D VAG INAS SLIDE IN T O H IS BED!

THEY SAY TOO THIS DEGENERATE SLEEPS WITH CHILDREN, GOATS, CHICKENS AND A MARE HE BATHES IN MILK AND PERFUMES WITH INCENSE!

HOLY MARY, MOTHER OF SOD THEY WILL RAPE ME!

DOW N W IT H THE M ED IC IS!

L E T THE HOL Y FRIAR GOVERN k* US!____ W AR W ITH THE BORGIAS!

YOUR HOLINESS, WE ARE THREATENED BY FLORENCE.

LAURENT THE MAGNIFICENT KNEW HOW TO DISTANCE HIMSELF FROM SAVONAROLE, BUT HIS SUCCESSOR, THE YOUNG PETER MEDICI, IS WEAK. THIS DOMINICAN HAS BECOME A .DANGEROUS LIAR WHO _ CA AIMS TO SPEAK ' ^ FOR GOD. ____

BUT, MOST HOLY FATHER, WHY ORGANIZE THIS CEREMONY WHEN GIOVANNI SFORZA IS MARRIED TO MADELIENE DE GONZAGUE? SHE IS EIGHT MONTHS PREGNANT! >

DON'T WORRY, ^ MACHIAVELI. LUCRECIA'S MARRIAGE TO SFORZA IS GOING TO GIVE US THE POWER WE NEED TO BURN THE LIAR...

A THING MY FUTURE SON-IN-LAW WILL ACCEPT WITH PLEASURE, THOUGH NOT FOR HIS LOVE OF LUCRECIA. HE, LIKE MY SON GIOVANNI, HAS NO TASTE FOR WOMEN, BUT HE DOES HAVE A TASTE \ FOR HER DOWRY OF 3 0 ,0 0 0 GOLD. ,

THAT SINNER IS PREGNANT WITH THE CHILD OF SFORZA'S SQUIRE. DON'T WORRY DUARTE I HAVE SENT A REMARKABLE AMBASSADOR TO ANNUL THEIR MARRIAGE!

PESARO

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c HERE IS THE / LANCE YOU ASKED FOR, MICHELETTO! AS USUAL, MADELEINE IS DOWN THERE, IN THE STABLE, BEING DIVERTED BY v. HER SERVANT... /

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GO ON! GO ON, GUIDO! I'M YOUR

BITCH!

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THERE! TAKE THA T WHORE!

THA T'S IT I'M CUMMINS/ BARK! BITCH!

WOOF! WOOF!

AAAGH!

THIS WAS YOUR LAST RUT!

DAMN YOU!

TAKE IT, LORD SFORZA! YOU CAN NOW ANNOUNCE THAT YOUR WIFE AND HER CHILD DIED WHILE SHE WAS GIVING BIRTH.

PALACE O F S A N TA M A R IA IN PO RT/CU

THE DUKE OF PESARO'S WELCOMING PROCESSION IS ALWAYS ON TIME. MY DAUGHTER HAS TO GET TO KNOW HIM. WHY IS SHE LATE NOW? THE MOB IS IMPATIENT! THEY W ANT TO SEE IT V ALL AS MUCH AS THEY WANT TO SEE THE DUKE!

HOPEFULLY SFORZA IS NOT A TRUE MAN... I'LL KILL HIM IF HE TOUCHES MY SISTER!

HMMM... IF WE BELIEVE THE GOSSIP, THEY’LL FORCE HIM TO MAKE A SPEECH!

ARRIVED IN TIME, DIDN'T I? (Cy£

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LUCRECIA! LONG LIVE THE MARRIAGE!

YOU MISTAKE ME, I COULD NEVER BE HAPPY, IF I KNEW THAT MY DAUGHTER WAS UNHAPPY!

HYPOCRYTEL. EVEN IF I WAS DYING OF THE PLAGUE, YOU WOULD FORCE ME TO DO THIS...

THERE! FLUTES AND TRUMPETS FOR THE FAGGOTS!

YOU HEAR, MY GIRL? YOUR BEAUTY HAS MADE YOU MISTRESS OF v THE ROMANS! >

DON'T TRY TO PLAY TO MY VANITY! WHY DO YOU W A N T ME TO TAKE THIS PATH? WHETHER IT PLEASES ME OR NOT, I'M PROMISED TO HIM. THE FACT THAT I HATE HIM CHANGES NOTHING.

LOOK! THERE ARE THE EMISSARIES FROM MILAN, FLORENCE, VENICE, NAPLES, FROM FRANCE, SPAIN... AND ALL THE NOTABLES W OF ROME!

W HAT ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT, MY ^ SISTER?

OH, THAT HE'S FOURTY YEARS OLD, SHORT, FAT AND ILLMANNERED! HE DISGUSTS • \ ME! HIS SOLDIERS STINK / O v O F ROTTEN CHEESE! /

YOU’RE GETTING MARRIED FOR THE GOOD OF THE FAMILY AND THE CHURCH; YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE FAITHFUL TO HIM...

EVEN IF HE IS YOUR ' HUSBAND, REFUSE TO HMMM... \ MAKE LOVE TO HIM. KEEP NOW, N YOURSELF FOR ME. I'LL / THAT I \ V ALWAYS BE NEAR. 1 FIND VERY

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EXCITING!

VATICAN CITY, THE STABLE COURTYARD.

GET UP!

WHAT HAS HAPPENED, FATHER?

LOVE HAS MADE YOU DEAF? THE DUKE’S SOLDIERS HAVE LOST THEIR HEADS! THEY W ANT THE WEDDING CALLED OFF! IF THEY AREN'T STOPPED SOON, THE CITY WILL BE IN RUINS! DO SOMETHING CESAR!

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GIOVANNI, ^ GO CALM YOUR MEN! THE BRAWLING YOUR GORILLAS ARE DOING IS WELL BEYOND CELEBRATING! PROVE TO ME THAT YOU CAN v CONTROL THEM! /

FAITHFUL SOLDIERS, CEASE THIS FOOLISHNESS! IT’S TIME FOR YOU TO BE IN BED! y

SO, COWARD, you DARE TO GIVE US ORDERS? YOU FORGET HOW MANY TIMES I HAVE RAMMED MY \ COCK IN YOUR / THROAT? . <

f REALLY, YOUR

SILENCE; INSOLENT ) MORON/ I AM CESAR / BORGIA!

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LORDSHIP... DO YOU W ANT ME TO \ KISS YOUR \ ASS?

LET'S NOT \ UPSET THEM... THEY ARE TOTALLY DRUNK... LET THEM DRINK UNTIL THEY PASS OUT... THAT WONT TAKE LONG... X A LORD DOES NOT LET HIMSELF BE HUMILIATED! LET ME HANDLE THIS.

IF AN ASS HAS TO BE KISSED IT WILL BE MINE!

IT'S YOU WHO WILL BE PUTTING YOUR LIPS ON MY STINKING HOLE!

YOU THINK THAT YOU ARE STRONGER THAN I AM?

THAT IS OBVIOUS, MY LORD DWARF!

AAARRGH!

you HAVE VANQUISHED ME, MY LORD! I CAN DO NO MORE THAN GO TO MY KNEES AND KISS

you... ARE... THE... LORD.. BORGIA

FO R G IVE US, OH; CESARf

OUFU REALLY THOUGHT THAT HERCULE WAS GOING TO KILL US, OR WHO KNOWS MAYBE EVEN VIOLATE US...

HMMM...

GOOD NIGHT, LUCRECIA! GOOD NIGHT, YOUR HOLINESS!

GIOVANNI SFORZA IS A COWARD! GESAR, HE, IS A TRUE HERO!

HE IS A BORGIA!

SAINT PETER'S PAPAL PALACE.

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BEFORE OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND ALEXANDER VI, HIS VICCAR, W HAT DO YOU DESIRE?

MY DESIRE... I DESIRE TO HAVE THIS WOMAN AS v MY WIFE, v

LUCRECIA, THIS SWORD IS TO REMIND YOU OF THE DANGER AN UNFAITHFUL WIFE WILL FACE!

HE, HE!... MY DEAR JULIEN

BAH! SHE COMES FROM A LINE

DELA ROVERE, HOW FAITHFUL DO YOU THINK THIS CHILD WILL

OF SPANISH BANDITS, AND IS THE OF A WHORE... SHE CAN BE NOTHING OTHER THAN VICIOUS! TODAY, SHE'S DRESSED LIKE A PRINCESS, TOMORROW SHE'LL

I HAVE KNOWN, AND WILL KNOW, NO OTHER MAN THAN MY HUSBAND!

HE, HE, HE!

GIOVANNI SFORZA, IT FALLS TO A MAN TO SATISFY HIS

DO YOU THINK HE WILL BE ABLE TO PUT HIS SABER INTO HER SCABBARD?

I SWEAR TO DO MY CONJUGAL DUTY REGULARLY!

WHEN WE SEE PIGS FLY! SFORZA IS A STARVING FAGGOT! HIS ASS HAS SEEN THE PASSAGE OF MORE COCKS THAN WATER HAS FLOWED IN THE TIBER!

THIS WEDDING RING IS THE SYMBOL OF THIS IMPERISHABLE UNION...

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LONG LIVE THE MARRIAGE!

LONG LIVE LUCRECIA BORGIA!

LONG LIVE GIOVANNI SFORZA! / "<

HE 5 ALMOST A DWARF...

W HAT WILD EYES...

I SHE HAS NO BUST!

LIKE ALL THE SPANISH, HER ASS HAS GOT TO BE COVERED W ITH HAIR!

HOW SAD, OUR SISTER IS GOING TO BE PENNED UP IN PESARO. THAT WILL BE HARD TO ACCEPT! ^ I

NOT A T ALL, LORD... HIS HOLINESS HAS DECIDED THAT THE YOUNG LUCRECIA WILL REMAIN HERE FOR YEARS, TO MATURE.. YES, AND I'M THE ONE WHO WILL HELP HER DO THAT, NO DOUBT!

VAIN PIG! YOU THINK THAT YOUR COCK IS THE CENTER OF THE WORLD?...

TO JOY! ^ f TO ENERGY! EAT f AND DRINK, DON'T HOLD BACK! LET THIS Y BANQUET NEVER BE/ FORGOTTEN! A I

THAT'S IT LITTLE WHORES! DIVEST ME OF THIS DAMNED CASSOCK! / SHIT ON GOD! / W ANT TO BE A SOLDIER, NOT A

^ ^ A R D IN A L !

YOU EMIT ODORS OF HORSE, FISH AND CHEAP WINE... COULD YOU BE ANY LESS ROMANTIC, MY HUSBAND...

HMMM. A fA fM .

THE TOAD TRIED TO INFLATE HIMSELF AS BIG AS A COW... AND THEN HE EXPLODED... YOU WILL BE A GREAT CONQUEROR, ^ W ITH NO ARMY... A

SOON, EUROPE W ILL NOT BE ENOUGH! IT IS PROPER FOR ROME TO RULE THE ENTIRE ^ WORLDI ^

' s ' WHAT ARE YOU I AM SURE I HAVE ^ THE POWER NECESSARY TO ACCOMPLISH SUCH A GIGANTIC TASK! I WAS NOT NAMED CESAR FOR NOTHING! WHAT JULIUS CESAR DID ONCE, I CAN DO AGAIN!

/ INSINUATING, SNAKE? N THAT LUCRECIA'S HUSBAND W ONT CONVINCE HIS UNCLE LUDIVIC LE MARRE TO GIVE X ME SOLIDIERS OR ARMY?

ENOUGH! ITALY IS DIVIDED

TO THE ALLIANCE OF ROME AND MILAN!

TOO MUCH FOR ME TO PUT UP W ITH INTERNAL FI6HTIN6! TOAST LIKE GOOD BROTHERS, THE ALLIANCE OF ROME ^ AND MILAN! ^ -<

A MOMENT! MY NAME IS LUCRECIA BORGIA IT IS NOT ROME! I DRINK TO \ THE ALLIANCE OF GIOVANNI --V SFORZA AND LUCRECIA x HISTORY BORGIA! -■ -

MOCKS THE UNION OF A COCK AND A N A S S ! WE) DO N O T CELEBRATE THE UNION OF A M AN AND A WOMAN; BUT THAT OF TWO CITIES! ^

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BROTHER V IS JEALOUS! j r

DON'T BE SO S TUP/D, GIOVANNI! ENGLAND AND FRANCE EXIST, THEY ARE ALLIES! AN ITAL Y DOESN'T EXIST YET; THERE'S ROME, AND FARTHER NAPLES, STILL FARTHER MILAN AND VENICE AND THE RES T! EACH S TA TE HAS IT 'S OWN LITTLE INTERESTS! WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED

IT WILL BE NECESSARY, MY LORD, FOR ROME AND MILAN TO BE UNIFIED, SO THEY MAY INVADE THE OTHER STATES. A NATIONAL UNITY WILL BE THE RESULT AND THAT WILL JUSTIFY THE M E T H O D S ^ EMPLOYED.

you SEE? DRINK TO ROME AND MILAN!

HAVE I MISSED SOMETHING?

THIS NIGHT IS YOURS, LUCRECIA! LET'S GET TO YOUR DEFLOW ERATION CEREMONY

HUH? WHA 77 D... DE... DEFLOWER?/?

THE NUPTIAL COITUS HAS TO BE PUBLIC. IT'S AN ANCIENT CUSTOM IN ROME WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE VISIGOTHS. THE GUESTS HAVE TO WITNESS THE PENETRATION AND APPLAUD

HOW HORRID!

TO BED! TO BED! COMPLETELY NUDE!

BLOOD... BUT...

THE GREAT MOMENT HAS COME! EVERYONE, TO THE NUPTIAL CHAMBER!

HEAR ME, ALL WHO LIVE IN FEAR OF GOD; THE HYMEN OF THIS WOMAN, PUBLICLY TAKEN, WILL BE THE IRREFUTABLE PROOF OF THE LEGITIMACY . OF THIS MARRIAGE... ,

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PENTASILEA, J CATARINELA, COME M UNDRESS ME!

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YOU MUST BE TOTALLY NUDE, MISTRESS.

I'M GOING TO WEAR THE NECKLACE AND THE EAR RINGS, I W ILL FEEL LESS HUMILIATED WHEN THEY FIND OUT I'M V NOT A VIRGIN. — — >

GIOVANNI,YOU CAN HAVE THE PLEASURE OF HELPING ME! y S M P B f i

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WITH JOY DUKE!

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NO ONE WILL MOCK MY MISTRESS! YOU HAVE A HYMEN... AND, YOU WILL BLEED! TAKE THIS...

IT’S A PIGEON’S EGG, FULL OF BLOOD. HIDE IT BETWEEN YOU THIGHS, AND WITH A SCREAM OF PAIN, BREAK IT!

COURAGE, MY FRIEND... IT’S ENOUGH FOR YOU TO MOUNT MY SISTER... .IT 'S NOT A QUESTION \ OF PENETRATION... v k l ’M GOING TO PUT V ^ Y O U IN SHAPE...

BEUH... BHUU... BHEEUU... I'LL

NEVER GET HARD! A WOMAN’S GROTTO DISGUSTS ME!

NONE MAY SAY THAT MY DAUGHTER'S BEAUTY IS NOT A GIFT FROM GOD!

AMAZING! HE'S AS HARD AS A ROCK!

I NEVER THOUGHT THA T IT WOULD BE SO BIG! A

HE'S GOING TO TEAR HER! y

YOU’RE RIGHT, HE WILL GO IN TO T H A T SLU T LIKE A KNIFE ^ IN TO BUTTER! ^

O O O F!

I FEEL LIKE VOMITTING!

YOU WEIGH A TON! YOU'RE ALL FAT!

MOUNT THE I MARE! i y

BREAK H I I D O W N THE W !A . DIKE!

O W W W !

YOU HUR T ME!

I DECLARE CONSUMATED THIS HOLY MARRIAGE!

DESTROY THE WALL!

Jm-

PUT YOUR BIRD IN THE WET CAGE!

THIS M ARK SHOW S ALL T H A T ULYSSES HAS TRULY PLUNGED HIS SW ORD INTO PENELOPE'S BREAST!

HAL T THERE, M Y LORD!

DAMN YOU! LET ME PASS, IDIOT! THIS IS URGENT! IF YOU DON'T SHOULDER YOUR LANCE, I WILL HAVE YOU ^ . GUTTED! ^4

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AH, DUARTE... YOU ABUSE OUR OLD FRIENDSHIP... TONIGHT I AM TOO DRUNK... MY HEAD ACHES... I GAVE ORDERS NOT TO BE DISTURBED...

RODRIGO, LISTEN TO ME PLEASE...

THE KING OF FRANCE HAS RAISED A COLOSSAL ARMY. HE PLANS ON INVADING ITALY, AND USING NAPLES AS A FORWARD BASE FOR A FUTURE CRUSADE. HE IS COUNTING ON HELP FROM THE ENGLISH, SPANISH AND

ALSO, JULIEN DELA ROVERE HAS' S H IT ! IF MILAN FALLS, SENT AN ASTROLOGIST TO THEN LUCRECIA’S MARRIAGE CHARLES VIII, TO CONVINCE HIM / j q SFORZA IS USELESS! IT THAT HE, AND NOT YOU, ) WILL HAVE TO BE ANNULLED, SHOULD BE THE POPE. / AND HER REMARRIED TO V /M in /»nun/»., .e . SOMEONE MORE

I'M GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE AN ALLIANCE WITH NAPLES AND ARAGON! THAT WILL CLEAR OUT THE SWISS MERCENARIES AND CREATE A MORE LOYAL ARMY! THEN FIND A STRATEGY TO STOP THIS BASTARD JULIEN DELA ROVERE FROM DEPOSING ^ ME FROM MY PAPAL THRONE!

B Y THE M ILK O F THE VIRG IN M ARY, CAN I N O T HA VE ONE DAY ; FOR A L IT T L E R E S T? !! .

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COMING NEXT, BOOK 3: THE PYRE OF FLAMES.

ISBN 2-226- 16678-5 61 0923 5 13,90 € T T C

9 782226 166784