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Leonardo gazed intently into his eyes, his voice filled with resistance and disdain. “What this woman is doing is verysimilar 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 becomingincreasingly 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.
