Vol 2 Chapter 17: Banquet

The residence of Count Modillo of Naples is called the Duran Palace.
This palace has been a topic of talk for the Neapolitan people since its completion. In addition to the quite unique style of water and land construction, Duilan is most famous for the two bronze doors that are absolutely artistic treasures.
The two bronze gates are 3 meters high. People standing underneath must fully raise their heads to see the picture of the resurrection of Christ carved in marble on the lintel, while the bronze doors are carved in full width with relief and erosion. Then occupy the entire position of the two doors.
Someone once wanted to study how many personalities were depicted on these two doors, but the result was surprising, because almost ten people have ten answers, and more people have more answers, This made the bronze gate of the Duran Palace a constant topic in Naples.
Perhaps it is because of heavy weight, or simply that such an artistic masterpiece needs more respect, so these two doors will not easily open.
In addition to the days of prayer every month, there are some major festivals. The main gate of the Duran Palace is always tightly closed. The last time it opened, it was the day when the king returned to Naples.
And the previous opening was the day when King Charles VI of France entered Naples.
Modillo is a man who can control every source, which makes him seem to be welcomed everywhere, but because of this, he has also become a very controversial figure.
During the French occupation of Naples, the relationship with the French king was the reason why Modillo was criticized by many people. Some nobles who had fled have already expressed their reluctance to deal with Modillo, but more people remained silent.
Even among the people of Naples, views on Modillo are different.
Some people think that Modillo is a criminal who betrayed and betrayed Naples, while others think that it is precisely because of Modillo's mediation and efforts that the safety of Naples and the people when the French were occupied was guaranteed.
This made the Earl of Naples a controversial person who seemed complicated.
However, no matter how they were viewed, when the two bronze doors of the Duyran Palace were open and Modillo announced that they would hold a grand banquet, both the nobles and the civilians, the Naples were excited.
When Alexander, wearing a "Volkswagen" costume, walked out of the lookout, he saw a bustling scene on the street.
Many people walked out of their homes. Whether they were husband and wife, father and son, brothers or lovers, people happily walked in one direction, and the closer they were to the Dujran Palace, the more people gathered.
Then Alexander learned that these people actually attended Modillo's banquet tonight.
"Nobles have the fun of nobles, but we also have our own fun," a man who came with them from the pub shouted, "When the old men eat the fresh beef just slaughtered, we have eaten outside for a long time. Cured meat, they drink wine, we drink ouzo, and then we all dance together in the square, which is the favorite of the Neapolitan people. "
Looking at the excitement of the people around him, Alexander understood a little bit at this time. Naples, or these city-states on the mainland, was different from Sicily.
Was originally different from other places on the mainland, although the enthusiasm was more conservative, and the family concept was so strong that it almost excluded all outsiders.
These Alexanders feel deeply about themselves, at least he was kicked out, and if he was a Sicilian, it would be a little different how he met.
For many years, it was first ruled by France and then by the Aragonese royal family, making Sicily pay more attention to the concept of hierarchy than anywhere else.
The other city-states on the mainland are different, because they are close to each other, and because they have received more ideological impact from this era than anywhere else. Even a country like Naples, which is also ruled by the Aragonese royal family, is equal. The consciousness is stronger than Sicily.
What about Milan, Venice, and what is the most dynamic Florence in this era?
Alexander's heart throbbed slightly. He felt like he was really approaching this era. Looking at the ordinary people passing by, he suddenly had the urge to touch and understand this era eagerly.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but speed up his steps, and then saw from afar that the bronze gate of the Duyran Palace was completely open.
Nobles and civilians, rich and poor, there is always an insurmountable gap between them. Even if they are enlightened nobles or benevolent rich people, they can show their generosity generously, but they After all, it will not really be on par with ordinary people.
So the vast majority of people can only stay outside the two isolated bronze gates in praise, and only a few people can pass through the arched porch made of marble and enter the ingenious place. Palace.
In fact, if it is in Venice, the Duran Palace will not look very special. It is the most common thing for people in that city to approach the water outside the window and go out by boat, but for the Neapolitans, this kind of house The way it is built on the water is still somewhat interesting.
However, the larger part of the Duylan Palace is still built on the ground, especially the long and winding promenade built along the river on the left side of the palace. It is the most proud building of this palace.
Alexander is now walking on this promenade.
Although the sky is still early, but because of the surrounding lush gardens on both sides, the entire promenade has a winding mood, and walking inside will make people quickly forget the heat and irritability of the summer, listening to the bursts Knowing the buzzing from time to time, Alexander felt a rare refreshment.
Alexander had n’t thought about what the banquet looked like at this time, but when he saw the large tables filled with meat, and almost every dish was filled with thick juice, Roshan, he felt that he had already No appetite anymore.
Then see the colorful wild boars, wild deer and peacocks filled in with their hollowed-out stomachs. When God knew what they were, Alexander knew the current situation and chose to retreat.
However, I must admit that Modillo at the banquet was the king of this banqueting kingdom. The Earl wearing a red robe even today wore a crown that he rarely wore. He held a scepter in one hand and grabbed in the other. The meat on the plate in front of him took a pleasant bite, and in a generous tribute to the owner, the count even improvised a swordsmanship.
Modillo brought a gorgeous body armor that looked quite gorgeous. The armor was supported by a human-shaped wooden frame. Looking at the armor that appeared to be a little higher than him before wearing it, Modillo Pull out the sword calmly, and then pierce the sword into the slit of the very fine eye on the mask!
Then there is the gap between the breastplate and the armor, the gap between the upper and lower shinplates, and finally with the sword tip shaking, in the exclamation of people, Modillo directly picked up the lower end of the helmet with his long sword, and then Directly thrust the sword into the throat where the gap was exposed.
Alexander has been seriously watching Modillo's movements. Even if he doesn't understand this kind of western swordsmanship, he can't help but admit that the count's technique surprised him and even surprised him.
All the rumors that have been heard from many people have made Alexander think that Modillo should be a man who likes to play conspiracy and has long sleeves and good dancing, but he is not easy to be impulsive, but now he can see his skilled sword skills, Alexander I have to seriously consider what kind of person this is.
If you do n’t have a heart ready to go to the battlefield, even if you are interested in swordsmanship, it will not be like his performance, and Alexander has a feeling that the earl ’s hands are not just bells and whistles. It's really used to kill people.
Thinking about the rumors about him, Alexander felt that Modillo was really unpredictable.
And Alexander soon discovered that many of the guests who came to the banquet were obviously not purely greedy for appetite. Although the food on the table made many people salivate, it is obviously the Earl who is more concerned about it.
Someone stood up and shouted toast to the count, and each time he received a fierce response. This made Alexander gradually realize that these people should be nobles with close relations with the Modillo family.
Modillo suddenly announced that the banquet was being held, and it seemed that he was also showing someone his huge influence on Naples.
So who is he going to demonstrate to?
Alexander walked in the corridor and wondered.
The three most powerful people in Naples, except for Uncle Frederick, he has seen two.
Alexander feels nothing to say about King Ferdinand. At the time, he decided to accept the olive branch from Josulnan because he thought that the young king would hang up soon ~ EbookFREE.me ~ but in him Before his death, the king was still somewhat useful to him.
At least according to various rumors, the king is facing great pressure from the uncle. At this time, accepting the king's goodwill will allow him to approach the rulers of Naples faster.
But Ferdinand's performance made Alexander understand that he chose the worst person.
Judging from the king's incredible behaviors, the crazy inheritance that has been hidden in the blood of this family will soon destroy him completely.
Think of Modillo, Alexander couldn't help shaking his head, he felt that he could not see through his "uncle".
Because of this, he did not dare to use the name Joel Modillo.
A cool breeze came from the trees, smelling the fragrance of grass, and Alexander walked slowly along the promenade.
Alexander knew that there should be a large courtyard at the end of the promenade. This was not known in his memory, but was heard from some Neapolitan gossip.
The Neapolitan people talked about this courtyard because the courtyard belonged to one person.
George Anne Modillo, sister of Earl of Salon Modillo.
Standing on the promenade, Alexander looked at the palace that was faintly visible in the distance, wondering whether he should find an opportunity to investigate, and saw a figure flying like a rabbit from the nearby trees.
Because the man was running too fast, when he saw Alexander, he could not hold his momentum. With a cry of exclamation, the man had hit his head hard.
With this sudden bang, Alexander's head hit the post behind him.
Before fainting, he saw a dazzling blond hair like gold in the sun.