CHAPTER 30 #2
"What?!" Both Leonardo and Niccolo repeated in unison. "Reviving the old faith?!"
In fact, due to many of its advantages, Protestantism had already begun to spread rapidly.
It had many benefits—respecting people’s faith while also valuing the individual’s worth and existence.
There were no tithes, no indulgences, and none of the harsh rules that caused so much trouble.
Now, Italy was moving toward freedom and openness, where people could openly enjoy their desires and self-expression.
Wearing makeup and jewelry was considered normal behavior, and there was no condemnation for acts not related to procreation. Parents were expected to love their children and be careful with pregnancies, treating life with equal compassion.
This trend, fueled by the artistic creativity of Florence and Milan, had begun to spread to many neighboring countries.
The rulers of those neighboring countries, however, seemed to have ambiguous attitudes.
The Papal States had indeed fallen, their primary religious foundation destroyed completely by gunpowder.
Though the clergy were reluctant to reduce taxes, hoping instead to funnel the tithe gold directly into their own pockets, the rise of Protestantism could at least help solidify their royal power, quietly erasing many of their sins.
"But in Spain... Queen Isabella has been heavily constructing the Inquisition."
"Not only those who break the doctrinal laws are to be burned at the stake, but those who embrace Protestantism... must also die."
Niccolo's first reaction was that this queen was certainly a ruthless character.
He looked at his silent teacher, who wore a rather serious expression.
"Continue," Leonardo said.
"About Queen Isabella, what she’s been doing is actually quite well-known locally," the official mumbled. "She was raised under strict religious education, and not only was she the heir to the Castilian throne, but she was also once the wealthiest woman in Europe..."
"Then she defied the arranged marriage and ran off to marry Ferdinand of Aragon, right?" Niccolo suddenly recalled this part of history and sped up his speech. "Later, the throne passed to Joanna, but Isabella publicly declared that the throne should belong to her, sparking a civil war?"
The official nodded with a complicated expression.
—She was never a devout believer!
If she truly held religious doctrine in the highest regard, she would never have escaped her marriage, nor would she have eloped.
Moreover, this queen forcibly took the throne from the rightful heir and used civil war to annex two kingdoms...
In terms of strategy and decisiveness, she was certainly not an ordinary person.
Leonardo crossed his hands and placed them on his forehead, remaining silent for a long time.
He realized just how serious this matter was.
Her husband, Ferdinand, was a cousin of the king of Naples, who had tragically died in prison.
"The Spanish Inquisition is even more brutal than the old Papal Inquisition..." The official shook his head and sighed. "Though it doesn’t directly concern us, it’s truly horrifying. Its power is boundless, and it has already killed so many people..."
Pagans, even ordinary peasants whose names were unknown, would die painfully once they were targeted.
No formal procedures were followed, and no evidence was needed—
If those arrested resisted or denied the accusations, the Inquisition would torture them until they confessed.
In recent years, this situation had only worsened, with methods becoming increasingly extreme.
Not only were the political enemies of the queen and king eradicated, but many Jews and Muslims were forcibly converted, leaving no room to breathe in that land.
"They are erasing the existence of Protestantism?" Niccolo's expression turned serious. "No mercy?"
"No mercy." The official's face showed fear. "The Inquisition is controlled by that fanatic monk, Thomas Torquemada, and the entire country's judges have gone mad."
"This concerns Italy..." Niccolo’s expression grew stern. "We must intensify our intelligence gathering in this area, and absolutely avoid exposing our movements."
He glanced at his teacher, signaling for him to step away. "Write a comprehensive report. The sooner it’s delivered, the better."
The official hurriedly nodded and, as if escaping, rushed out of the room.
Once the man was gone, Leonardo finally exhaled deeply.
“We previously reached an agreement with the Upper House to halt any expansion plans over the next few years, focusing instead on improving the prosperity and advancement of multiple territories,” Leonardo said, breaking the silence.
Niccolo looked confused. “Teacher, this doesn't seem to contradict our plans, does it? We’re just aware of a madman to the west.”
Leonardo countered, “Do you think they’re buying up so much timber for no reason? Just to build enough inquisitions and burn all the rebels?”
Niccolo froze for a moment, his lips turning pale. “Do you mean…”
Leonardo gazed intently into his eyes, his voice filled with resistance and disdain. “What this woman is doing is very similar to what Hedy is doing.”
If Hedy symbolized the freedom and light of a white queen, then Isabella was the embodiment of the darkest, most extreme fall.
She had been raised in a closed, conservative doctrine but openly defied her arranged marriage and incited rebellion, ultimately using religion to solidify her control over the country.
Many of her actions were both similar and opposite to what Hedy had done.
While both were working to unify their nations, one was guiding enlightenment and prosperity, while the other imposed a bloody rule, plunging all of Spain into a grim and orderly silence.
Both were influencing religion, but one was eradicating decay and backwardness, while the other amplified extremist forces, allowing her confessors to magnify the darkness of the Inquisition.
“Think about it—now the Medici Queen is building a fleet, and Spain also started acquiring large amounts of timber by the end of the same year. What does that mean?”
Niccolo inhaled sharply and stepped back. “This is definitely not a good thing.”
They had finally unified Milan, Rome, and Venice and were focusing on post-war recovery, but now this kind of force was emerging on the western islands... and it was continuously expanding its weapons and power.
“Once all the dissenters are wiped out, what will be left?” Leonardo's voice grew more intense. “What remains will be highly loyal, brainwashed followers.”
“With extreme forces and extreme followers... you know what that means.”
This situation was no longer about religion—religion was merely a symbol in Isabella's hands.
What made matters even worse was that Spain and France were neighboring countries, and their relationship was becoming increasingly close.
After Hedy revealed her true origins, he had questioned the original course of history in which he found himself.
At least in the timeline where Hedy came from, from 1478 onward, there had been too much bloodshed and tragedy on Italian soil.
In 1492, Lorenzo de' Medici died from gout, and shortly thereafter, Charles VIII of France led his army over the Alps, not only conquering Naples but also attacking Florence until they were forced to cede Pisa.
Due to the weakness and ineptitude of the ruling lord, the Medici family was ousted, and a mad monk, Savonarola, took power.
He, like Spain's fanatic monk, promoted a twisted doctrine that distorted human nature.
He publicly ignited the 'Bonfire of the Vanities,' burning countless masterpieces and smashing sculptures deemed 'immoral. '
Many of Botticelli's paintings were destroyed, and he himself wandered between Milan and France during the war, eventually dying in France in despair.
Charles VIII was an ambitious young king.
Had Hedy not arrived in this time, he would have attacked Italy at the age of 24 and left Florence in ruins.
But now, he was in cahoots with the Spanish royal couple, supplying them with enough strategic resources, and in the event of a war, he would undoubtedly offer them ports and passage rights, making things convenient for Spain.
Italy now faced the threat of such enemies on its borders, and the number of things to prepare for was likely endless.
"We need to tell the Queen about this immediately," Niccolo said, shaking his head. "Even if it means slowing down the construction of the canals and roads, we must nip certain things in the bud."
"I've been thinking about another issue," Leonardo said softly. "Do you think Isabella has started deliberately mimicking our Queen?"
"You mean?"
"Religion, shipbuilding, and control over ports and trade... She's been stockpiling so much timber; she’s probably planning to build a fleet of the same scale and then start global trade."
"If we consider it from that angle..." Leonardo took a deep breath. "Florence's spies will likely be everywhere."
"Florence Academy!" Niccolo said instinctively. "She might directly steal our technology; it’s the fastest way!"
At that moment, Leonardo couldn't even begin to imagine what they would do if someone from inside the Lorenzo estate infiltrated their ranks.
Thanks to Hedy, who had thought of setting up a secretive agency and isolating all personnel from other cities, they had a protective layer of security.
If such an extreme fanatic were to gain access to gunpowder and explosives, all the calamities faced by the distant Eastern empires might also befall them.
"We need to immediately control trade with Spain and France, and also monitor immigration and emigration," Leonardo said as he stood up. "The Queen is still resting, but we’ll prepare the plan first and then discuss it with her."
The West was spiraling out of control.
Niccolo immediately stood up, following him out the door to gather more high-ranking officials.
As the door opened, Dechio appeared in front of them, nearly colliding with Niccolo.