pencil: Milo Manara

story: Alejandro Jodorowsky

Pope Alexander VI has some problems governing Rome, a victim of decadence.
To gain the people's trust, Alexander VI had the sculptor Bertoli and his entire family killed, then blaming a poor man.
The gruesome execution of the alleged perpetrator earns him the desired respect.
Now the Pope can reunite his family and organize their future.
Lucrezia Borgia is joined by Machiavelli, who gives her a black slave girl and a dwarf lute player, before taking her back to Rome.
Alexander VI informs his children that Lucrezia will marry Giovanni Sforza, Duke of Pesaro; Goffredo (the youngest) will marry Sancia, the daughter of Alfonso II King of Naples; Giovanni will marry Princess Maria Enriquez, cousin of Ferdinand of Aragon.
Cesare Sforza will be named Cardinal and will be his successor.
The Pope convinces Lucrezia to lie with Cesare, as a seal of the union of their family.
A few days later Giovanni Sforza arrives in Rome and the marriage is celebrated, with a mock public consummation and proof of Lucrezia's virginity.
After the wedding, the Pope is informed that Giuliano della Rovere has convinced the King of France, supported by England, Spain and Austria, to conquer Milan.