Nero the Assassin (2025) s01e05 Episode Script

1
- [wind blowing]
- [insects chirping]
[door closes]
[Rochemort] Your Majesty.
We have received
a message from your daughter.
I'm glad to hear it.
I said that you shouldn't worry.
Where is she?
She has found refuge
in the fortress of Havreval.
I will send an expedition to rescue her.
- [sombre music plays]
- You should take me.
No.
[Rochemort] What do you mean, "no"?
Under whose authority?
In her message, she accuses you explicitly
of making a covenant with a witch.
[archbishop] You will be tried
for that, Consul.
[music continues]
[Rochemort scoffs]
[vomits]
[retches]
[tense music playing]
[spits]
[grunts]
[groaning]
[crunch]
[otherworldly whispering]
You alright?
[Néro exhales]
I'm fine, yeah.
[lisping] It's just a tooth.
[spits]
How will you remove your necklace
if we don't go to Ségur?
There's an exorcist
in Port-Richet who can remove it.
[music fades]
I'm not a complete fool.
And that's where we take the boat?
For the New World, yes.
[Hortense tuts]
That's not a good idea.
The Church believes
she'll bring the Devil to Earth.
They'll be in hot pursuit.
I'll keep her safe.
That is very kind of you,
but it won't help her.
I'll feel better when an ocean lies
between us and those fanatics.
They don't care
about the Devil's descendants there?
Not at all. Apparently,
they're all devils over there.
You can live there incognito.
[ominous music playing]
[Néro] Okay, take your knife.
Show me what that arse-licker taught you.
- What, now?
- [Néro] Yes, now.
[music fades]
[spits]
- [groans]
- [Perla yelps]
You're dead.
You cheated. You're bigger.
In combat, there's no cheats,
just winners and losers.
Lothar says there's no point
in living without honour.
[mockingly] Blah, blah.
Look, I'll show you a move.
One better than his one.
You're a kid.
So you're weaker,
but you have an advantage.
No one will expect it.
If you're attacked, look
You're unarmed.
Clasp your hands.
[feigning sobbing]
"Please, my lord, have mercy. Have mercy."
[whining] "Mercy, my lord."
- "Mer--"
- [blade swishes]
"cy."
And then you stab him here. Under his arm.
And the bloke's done for.
Is that how you killed Tancrède?
It's so she can fight back
if I'm not there.
[tense music playing]
[Néro coughing]
[Hortense] Do you believe in all that?
In the Devil and the Apocalypse?
Do you?
No.
I've never listened to the cloth.
I don't plan to either.
[coughing]
[groans]
You'll be okay?
[music becomes intriguing]
In case I don't survive this,
I want you to put her on that boat for me.
I'm counting on you.
But I don't know the way to Port-Richet.
Straight on.
No. No, it's impossible.
I order you not to die.
That child needs you.
And me as well.
So no one dies without my permission.
As you wish, Princess.
[music stops]
You won't catch up with them.
Forget Néro, Rochemort and their crimes.
Come with me to Ségur.
We must try to warn
the archbishop about Perla.
God himself could ask me to kill a kid,
and I'd never do it.
She could destroy the world.
You believe that?
[sighs]
Imbecile.
[intriguing music playing]
[breathes deeply]
[Néro coughing]
[retches]
[spits]
[groans]
[music intensifies]
[music fades]
[both breathing heavily]
So whereabouts are we?
[Néro] We're headed the right way.
It's completely deserted.
[man 1] You don't say.
[tense music playing]
[Hortense] Oh, no.
Gentlemen, we have nothing to give away.
Don't go putting yourself down,
my good woman.
Sorry, uh
But, uh
we're not what you're looking for.
- [Hortense gasps]
- [Néro groaning]
When do you think I was born, yesterday?
Just grab the necklace.
- It can't be removed.
- [man 1] I'll just take his head off.
- No!
- [man 2] Wait!
[music fades]
Néro?
- Artaud?
- [Artaud laughs] You bastard!
You are one fucking lucky man, aren't you?
My friend.
[both laughing]
He was my best mate.
We went from the orphanage to Rochemort's.
We were inseparable.
It was about 15 years, huh?
- Or more.
- [chuckles]
[chuckling] You haven't changed at all.
- I know, but you look like shit.
- Yeah, thanks.
So are you still working for that bastard?
No, I stood down.
He let you leave just like that?
Yeah.
The man's changed.
Yeah.
- Do you know he tried to kill me?
- Yeah, I thought you were dead.
No, his killer missed.
Close though.
Crossbow bolt in the back.
For a long time,
I thought it was you who did it.
- You'd be dead if it were.
- [chuckling]
Néro!
[laughs]
Who's this?
That's my wife and my daughter.
Néro, you have a family?
[chuckles softly] Yes.
- [tense music playing]
- I recognise her.
Her face is familiar.
I feel like I've seen her before.
- [Hortense] Mm-mm.
- No, no.
Yeah, I think we've met.
- [Hortense] Mmm
- Where have I seen you?
She was a whore.
- [Artaud] No.
- Maybe there?
She's too young for us
to have known each other back then.
I'm sure I've seen you before.
Maybe you slept with my mother?
[music stops]
[laughing nervously]
Your woman's a comedian.
So where are you going?
To Port-Richet.
We'll try our luck in the New World.
- Port-Richet?
- [Néro] Mmm.
You won't get there in this state. No.
You're gonna spend the night in our camp.
We'll give you water and food.
We can have a nice chat
about the good old days, huh?
Yeah. Come on then.
What is it, Néro?
Are you worried?
No, no.
It's just that, uh
I was worried you'd try and steal my wife.
No way, man. That's over with.
I'm married now too.
- Oh yeah?
- Yeah. Come on now.
Come on.
[sombre music playing]
[Néro] You coming, babe?
Yes, sweet pea.
Don't tell me it was you.
- What?
- You fired the arrow?
No.
It'd just be better
if he didn't recognise you, okay?
[sombre music continues]
It's all going well.
Looks like business is booming.
[chuckles] I wish.
Nothing works with this fucking drought.
These, we'll sell
to brothels for a pittance.
[music fades]
Although the other day
we came across this little baron.
His family only wants to give me
500 ducats. Can you imagine?
It's like they want to get rid of him.
No, I mean To be honest,
I'd rather get paid in food.
Salomé!
We have guests!
That's Baron d'Horville.
He's a friend of my father's.
Did he see you?
I don't think so.
[Néro] Let's get outta here
as soon as we can. It's too risky.
And here's Salomé, my little witch.
Love of my life.
So this is Néro and his wife, uh
- Callista.
- [Hortense splutters]
And our daughter, Perla.
[Artaud] They'll spend the night,
and tomorrow they'll get back
on the road to Port-Richet.
- We'll load them up with provisions
- No, that'd be a waste.
[tense music playing]
He'll be dead four days from now.
[Néro scoffs]
She's not even his real wife.
That one's got the evil eye.
- [otherworldly whispering]
- [mysterious music playing]
[chuckles] Just ignore her.
Don't listen
to everything she says, I mean.
She knows stuff,
but she talks a lot of bullshit too.
[Artaud and Hortense laugh]
Take that tent there,
and we'll meet for dinner, alright?
[continues chuckling]
[music fades]
You heard what the witch woman said?
Don't listen to her.
Artaud said she talks nonsense.
She knew about Hortense though.
That's Hortense's fault.
[Hortense] Uh
I won't die, and you're not cursed.
You're a normal kid and I'll live.
Do you promise?
[spits]
This is just hell.
If we carry on like this,
we'll get caught.
- Then what?
- You're too princessy!
[sighs] What?
Alright then.
What do you want me to change?
I dunno, I dunno. You
Eat with your hands? You know how to spit?
Do you spit at home? Curse?
[inhales deeply]
[spits]
- There.
- [sighs]
You know what I say is the problem?
We're not believable.
I'd say we are.
But wouldn't you like me to look
at you with a little more admiration?
Well, that would be a start.
So
should I be more submissive?
A bit more familiar, would you say? Huh?
[meekly] Yeah.
Oh, well
do you like my posterior?
- Yes. Uh
- Mmm, hang on there.
Do you like my arse?
Remember, this is life and death.
[soft music playing]
Uh, reassure me.
That's not all you've got?
[breathing heavily]
[music continues]
[birds squawking]
[cracking]
[tense music playing]
What do you want?
To bring down Rochemort.
And also, perhaps, save your lives.
Your boss is finished.
He's been denounced
to the Prince of Ségur for sorcery.
You're bluffing.
He's going down.
[music fades]
But you can change your courses.
If you testify against him,
you'll get exonerated.
There are many in the city
who'd love to see him ousted.
That are rich.
Very rich.
Who do you take us for?
We're not traitors.
And where are the others? Your pals.
The One-Eyed Woman killed them.
We're not heartbroken though.
And very soon, she'll kill you.
That's all part of the risk.
The boss is the boss.
[groaning]
[spluttering]
I'm all for being loyal, me,
but I'm not stupid.
Shall we?
[low suspenseful music playing]
[coughing]
- [Hortense groans]
- [spits]
[retching] Sorry.
[sinister music playing]
[continues coughing]
[music fades]
[groaning]
Can you remove it?
No.
[coughing]
[laboured breathing]
You know someone who can do it?
In Port-Richet or anywhere?
[Salomé] No.
[Néro groaning]
A healer?
An exorcist?
No. There's no exorcist in Port-Richet.
[continues groaning]
[ominous music playing]
[breathing heavily]
[music fades]
[sighs]
[Artaud] Sun blazing down on my face.
Dried blood everywhere.
I could barely breathe.
Half-dead when she found me,
with a crossbow bolt in my back.
And she healed me.
Yeah. I wish I hadn't.
[men laughing]
[Artaud chuckling] Don't laugh.
She actually means it.
But I love her.
I'm indebted to her.
And you?
How did you two meet?
Where did you work?
[Hortense clicks tongue] Uh
- At Diamantina's.
- Mmm.
Oh.
- Yeah
- Diamantina.
[Néro] As soon as Callista arrived,
I became her best customer.
We'd spend whole nights together.
Just us.
[nostalgic music playing]
The whole night.
It cost me a fortune, but I didn't care.
After a while, I knew
that I was only going to go and see her.
And I almost didn't care
about fucking her.
And then Callista told me
that she was pregnant.
Can you imagine? Me, a father?
[Artaud] Hmm.
[melancholy music playing]
[smacks lips]
She had the baby.
And that was that.
I just left Rochemort.
[Artaud] Mmm.
He let you go just like that?
Yeah.
I was useless to him then.
[chuckling] I was so in love.
What good is an assassin
who's a family man?
[Artaud] Mmm.
[music intensifies]
[exhales]
[Artaud] I tell you what,
you can be happy.
He still loves you.
[sniffles]
[clears throat]
[music fades]
[man whispers] Hey.
Hey!
I know who she is.
I recognised your wife.
[eerie music playing]
She's Hortense de Rochemort.
Help me or I'll denounce her.
[eerie music intensifies]
[choking]
[neck cracks]
[intriguing music playing]
[all whimpering]
[softly] Fuck.
[all continue whimpering]
[suspenseful music playing]
[Néro] Shh, shh
Run away, now. Quick!
Go, go, go, go.
Go on. Go, go, go, go.
Go on.
[music fades]
[Artaud] Poor guy.
[laughing]
We liked him. We liked him.
A good thing I was there.
Ah, the good old days.
You know, his poor little pecker,
all wet on one side, all wet on the other
[Néro] We have to get out of here.
The baron saw you. I killed him.
Hey! You know,
I was telling her about the
The prisoners have escaped.
[suspenseful music playing]
[Artaud] Where are those bitches?
They can't be far.
Find them!
Find them now!
[man 1] Search everywhere.
Search everywhere.
[man 2] The baron is dead!
[horse whinnies]
[Néro] We'll leave on the horses.
[suspenseful music continues]
[coughing]
[continues coughing]
[neighs]
[Perla gasps]
- [Hortense groans]
- [Perla struggles]
[Néro coughing]
[music fades]
I fucking take you in,
give you food to eat,
and you kill my cash cow?
And you steal my horses?
I save you and you screw me over!
Fucking look at me.
- You're dead, you arsehole!
- Wait!
Fifty thousand ducats. There's
There's 50,000 ducats for you.
[tense music playing]
I swear, if you lie to me now
your death'll be worse
than anything you ever imagined. Get that?
[music fades]
[Néro sighs and coughs]
Go on then.
My wife isn't my wife.
She's Hortense de Rochemort.
Rochemort's daughter?
Bastard.
[coughs]
I knew I'd seen her face. Fuck.
I knew I'd seen her face somewhere before.
[sombre music playing]
So why shouldn't I kill you right now?
Twenty years of friendship.
Look.
See that?
[coughs] I'm gonna die.
Your wife was right.
[music fades]
Just give me one of your horses.
So that I can take my daughter
to Port-Richet. To safety.
And put her on a boat.
I didn't lie about that.
She is my daughter.
[coughs]
I'm doing this for her.
[melancholy guitar playing]
[Artaud whistles]
- And her?
- [Artaud] Young Miss Rochemort stays here.
Don't worry.
We'll treat her royally.
[men laugh sadistically]
Move. Get on.
Néro!
At least look at me, you piece of shit!
Look at me, Néro!
You sold me, Néro?
You bastard fucking piece-of-shit traitor!
You sold me for a bastard fucking horse!
I hope you die then!
And don't say you're doing this
for your daughter!
You're doing this to save your arse
with your stupid exorcism, you bastard!
Do try to treat her well, please.
Don't you worry.
We'll take her to her father.
I won't sit on 50,000 ducats.
We both know that things can happen.
She might arrive a bit worn out.
Hmm. Don't do that.
It's not her fault what Rochemort did.
You could've spoken to him
instead of jumping on the first boat.
Might've solved a problem.
[tense music playing]
Maybe.
[music becomes sinister]
You bastard, Néro!
[breathing heavily]
- Tell me we'll rescue her.
- We're not going back.
- But you can't abandon her.
- She'll be alright.
They'll sell her to her father.
She'll be home in two months.
Yeah, right.
You know what they'll do to her.
It was her or us two.
Why worry about her?
She's not your mate, sister or mother.
It's bad, but that's how it is.
- You're the worst.
- Yeah, well.
Good. You'll miss me less when I'm gone.
I really hope
your exorcist won't be able to heal you.
Yeah, well, you might get your wish.
[bolt whistles]
[Néro groans]
[Western guitar music playing]
[Néro groaning]
[music fades]
What a fool. I actually started
to believe it wasn't you who did it.
[groans]
The boat, Néro.
The only person who'd know I left by boat
was the one who shot me in the back.
[straining] Okay, Artaud.
I deserve this from you.
But take my daughter to Port-Richet.
And send her to the New World for me.
[coughs]
That ship has sailed.
[tense music playing]
Let him fry slowly.
[men chuckle]
[Néro exhales]
[music intensifies]
[spits]
[laboured breathing]
[music fades]
Come on. It's two lines on some paper.
We can't be sure my daughter wrote them.
They might've forced her.
Have you had contact
with a witch and did you help her
in her quest to find
the last descendant of the Devil?
[Rochemort] No, of course not.
This is your very last chance.
[all gasping]
[archbishop] Admit it, Consul.
God wants to hear the truth.
[music fades]
- [noble 1] What's he doing here?
- [noble 2] What's happening?
[thud]
And what is this?
A message from Brother Penance.
Neufontaine has fallen into his hands.
[action music playing]
His brave soldiers fought valiantly.
But Brother Penance slaughtered them all.
[mob] Penance!
Penance!
[nobles gasp]
- [general] Nothing will stop him now.
- [music fades]
And they're on their way here.
[indistinct chatter]
[Joséphine] L Lamartine
W we must a ask for L Lamartine's help.
[noble 1] Yes, Lamartine.
We we need their army.
[nobles] Yes, Lamartine!
Consul, let me say this to you now.
We have never,
ever doubted your innocence.
- [scoffs]
- [indistinct chatter]
[noble 1] No, not at all!
Silence!
Think, will you?
Lamartine is not the solution.
His army won't arrive in time.
- He's right too.
- [archbishop] You see?
We don't need Lamartine.
Our ramparts will protect us.
The penitents will never be
great enough a number to topple them.
They will soon.
[noble gasps]
When all the slum dwellers
rally to their call.
You have but one solution.
Surrender to them.
[noble 3] But no!
No, we will never surrender.
We will offer them victory
with no opposition.
And we'll send the prince
to meet with Brother Penance
and give him the keys to the city.
Of course, it won't be the prince,
just a lookalike.
He will be invited
to enter the city to claim it as his own.
And he'll accept
because he has the prince as hostage.
And you,
my noble gentlemen,
and you, Lord Archbishop,
you will welcome him
with a big and opulent ceremony.
And then he'll die.
[nobles gasp]
It might do the trick.
But Your Excellence,
you will be exposed
And so?
What worth is my life
compared to all those
we could save through this action.
[chancellor] But who
would go and negotiate
with this Brother P Penance?
- [chuckles]
- [noble 2] He's right. Who?
Me.
Have you fully understood
all the risks, Consul?
There is no guarantee that Brother Penance
will let you return alive to Ségur.
Or intact.
I'll have to trust in God.
On my return,
I'll yield to the prince's judgement.
Ah, so it's okay with you if I send
an armed escort to accompany you there?
I wouldn't want you to get
mislaid along the way.
[sombre music playing]
I'm honoured by your concern.
I do not doubt that.
[birds squawking]
[horses approaching]
- [action music playing]
- [horse whinnies]
[man] Run! Run!
[villagers clamouring]
[man groans]
[music continues]
[soldier] Get them!
[breathing heavily]
[tense music playing]
[music fades]
[prince] My lady.
[hesitates] N no, I'm just Perla.
The Duchess of Vances, my lady-in-waiting.
Oh. Forgive me, my lady.
We have followed your trail from Havreval.
I am delighted that you're alive.
Us too.
[Néro] Oi, there!
Are you going to let me die here?
[prince] Who is that?
Is he a friend of yours?
[Néro] What the fuck are you doing?
[Hortense] I'll be a princess.
I won't denounce my father.
I'll make him my lackey.
And once I'm on the throne,
no one will sell me for a horse.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Hortense.
I was forced to do it.
Yes.
Like with Tancrède.
And with Perla.
You do it for yourself, Néro.
You only ever look out for number one.
[straining] Number one!
There's no exorcist in Port-Richet.
[chuckles] Yeah, sure, Néro.
Put her on a boat for me.
No, Néro.
I won't abandon her. I'm not like you are.
She'll come with me to Ségur
and be under my protection.
And no one will harm her again.
[Néro] No!
You can't help her!
It's too dangerous!
[breathing heavily]
[melancholy music playing]
Perla!
Perla! Perla!
Perla!
Hortense!
Come back!
[music intensifies]
[music fades]
[woman] Is someone there?
Can you help me?
I beg you.
Oh, Father.
If you please.
I'm thirsty. Help me.
They took everything.
Please.
Please. Thank you.
How long have you been under there?
I don't know anymore.
But God heard my call,
and now he's sent you.
Oh, I beg you, please.
Don't leave me alone in this place.
Take me with you.
Please.
[soft intriguing music playing]
Oh, thank you.
[grunting]
[music fades]
My lady, I have with me a message
in which you make
serious accusations against your father.
Did you write that letter?
Yes, it was I.
But it's all false.
My father had my lover murdered
to enable our marriage.
I wanted revenge.
But I've reconsidered.
I realised the importance of our union.
For the world.
For me.
Then I am reassured.
Your father is someone
I hold in high esteem.
As do I.
[low sombre music playing]
I am the Consul of Lamartine,
special envoy of the Prince of Ségur.
- [bolts whistle]
- [guards yelp]
[tense music playing]
[Rochemort] Brother Penance,
is that right?
I'm here to negotiate
the surrender of Ségur.
The prince will come here
in person to surrender to you.
His army will lay down its weapons.
The city will open its doors to you.
You will be celebrated as victor.
You will enter,
and be welcomed
by the archbishop and the nobility
who will prostrate themselves
at your feet.
[tense music continues]
And then they'll kill you.
[breathes deeply]
[music fades]
The prince is prepared
to sacrifice himself to save his city?
Oh, it would be a lookalike.
With you dead,
your army will die also, and
mine will arrive
shortly after to finish the job.
But I could also ask
my army to stay in Lamartine
and allow you to take Ségur.
[Penance] So, you noblemen
of Lamartine really have no morals at all?
[Rochemort] I only ask
one thing in exchange.
The sole rights to exploit
the tin mines of the region.
I'd say that's reasonable.
[tense music playing]
But now, what do you give God
to prove your devotion?
[chuckling softly] I have already given
gold, much gold, to Ségur for its army.
[knucklebones rattle]
I have also given orders
for my army to march on yours
should I suffer any kind of mishap.
If you ask God,
he will advise you not to get caught
in the middle of all that I have given.
If you do want Ségur,
you must get used to the idea
that your new ally
isn't much of a Christian.
[Penance] Mmm.
[tense music continues]
I want the archbishop dead.
It's a deal.
And the prince.
Understood.
And also, the future princess.
She
She's my daughter.
All the family of the prince must die.
Those are my conditions
if you want your mines.
[intriguing music playing]
[music intensifies]
[Néro groaning]
[music fades]
[otherworldly whispering]
Oh.
[breathes heavily]
Where is she?
Fuck you, yeah?
[chuckles]
[gasps]
[groaning]
[grunts] Go to hell. I won't talk.
Good 'cause I want you to listen.
Don't believe
what the Church of Ségur tells you.
Only your daughter can save the world.
Save the world?
[splutters]
You can't even lie well.
It's pathetic.
[groaning]
Get a new face. This one's had it.
- I only lied to you once, Néro.
- [Néro] Mmm.
When I said
I couldn't remove your necklace.
[groaning]
[otherworldly whispering]
[sighs]
[panting]
[screaming]
[suspenseful music playing]
And now you will help me
find your daughter.
[jaunty medieval music playing]
[moody orchestral music playing]
[medieval theme music returns]
[otherworldly whispering]
[medieval theme music playing]
[sombre music playing]
[medieval theme music returns]
[wistful music-box music playing]
[music ends]