Episode 4 of "Néro the Assassin" opens with Néro and his band of companions embarking on a treacherous journey to Havreval. As they trudge through the uncertain terrain, Néro's anxiety mounts, his brow furrowed with concern that they might have strayed off course. But fortune smiles upon them, and they eventually stumble upon the familiar sights that mark their destination.
Upon their arrival in Havreval, a grim tableau greets them. Corpses lie strewn haphazardly across the village square, a macabre testament to some recent, violent upheaval. Their first assumption is that the Penitents—a notorious and ruthless sect—are to blame. Cautiously, they make their way toward the fortress looming in the distance. Hortense, ever resourceful, flashes her ring, a symbol of her authority, and the soldiers, recognizing its significance, hastily open the gates and usher them inside to meet the count.
As they step through the gates, the group is jolted by the sight of bodies hanging ominously from the fortress walls, a silent but powerful reminder of the carnage that has taken place. Count Tristan, the cousin of the Prince of Segur, greets them with a mixture of formality and weariness. He recounts the harrowing battle they've just endured against the Penitents, his voice tinged with the exhaustion of one who has witnessed too much violence. In a gesture of goodwill, he promises to provide them with horses for their continued journey to Segur.
However, the atmosphere sours when Hortense requests permission to stay and await the arrival of the prince's army, which she hopes will escort her to safety. Count Tristan's displeasure is palpable, though he masks it with a thin veneer of politeness. Later, Néro confronts Hortense, his frustration boiling over at the delay that jeopardizes their urgent quest to reach the archbishop in Segur, who holds the key to his salvation. Perla, her heart heavy with worry, fears for her father's life, while Hortense remains preoccupied with the looming threat of encountering more Penitent soldiers.
Determined not to be caught unprepared, Hortense dispatches a message to the prince, beseeching him to send his cavalry. In the interim, they all attempt to settle in, seeking solace amidst the chaos. Yet, even in this moment of respite, suspicion lingers. Lothar and Néro, ever observant, note the unnatural stillness of the soldiers, their demeanor betraying a tension that belies Count Tristan's tales of a great and glorious combat. The truth, they sense, is far more complicated—and far more sinister.
They suspect that Tristan orchestrated the deaths of the men who dared to oppose him. Meanwhile, Ophelie, a maid assisting Hortense, echoes the same sentiment to her. After freshening up with a bath, Néro lends a hand to Hortense, helping her arrange her hair. She urges him to be honest with Perla about their impending fate once they arrive in Segur.
Hortense harbors concerns that Perla is growing overly attached to Néro, fearing he might desert her once more. Néro confesses that he has contemplated staying by Perla's side, but Hortense remains skeptical. During dinner, Hortense brings up the rumor Ophelie shared about the great combat. Tristan vehemently denies it as a baseless lie.
The atmosphere at the dinner table grows tense, prompting Tristan to demand that they cease mingling with the servants. Just then, a soldier bursts in, informing Tristan of an intruder. Néro and Lothar volunteer to investigate if the intruder is the one-eyed woman. Fortunately, it's not her; it's the enigmatic man who has been tailing Néro and his companions from a distance.
Later, Néro shatters Perla's heart by divulging his intention to depart once he secures his money. Perla is devastated by the prospect of being abandoned again and storms off in a fit of anger. Meanwhile, Horace pays a visit to the mysterious prisoner to offer his prayers. The man reveals that he was dispatched by the Holy See to eliminate the last descendant of the devil. Without hesitation, Horace betrays Perla's secret.
The following morning, Toussaint's decaying corpse is paraded before the archbishop in Segur. The Archbishop convenes everyone after the prince and Rochemort finalize the mining contract. He unveils Toussaint's body, explaining that he was slain by the devil. Employing a spell, the Archbishop resurrects Toussaint's body, seeking more time to unravel the mystery. He hopes Toussaint will regain enough strength to speak and divulge the truth about Rochemort.
Rochemort manipulates Josephine into aiding him in mutilating Toussaint's tongue and severing his head. He deceives her into believing she's safeguarding Segur and that he harbors feelings for her. Their passion culminates in a fervent kiss once the deed is done.
In the meantime, within the fortress of Harveral, Néro questions Horace about Perla's destiny once they reach Segur. Horace falsely claims that the Archbishop will make all the decisions. He reminds Néro of his past abandonment of Perla and asserts that he has no claim over her.
On the flip side, Tristan cruelly orders Ophelie's tongue to be cut out. Frustrated by Tristan's unchecked impunity, Hortense attempts to devise a strategy to confront him. Yet, Lothar and Néro caution her to maintain her composure until the prince's arrival.
At dinner, Hortense struggles to keep her cool, but Perla raises the issue, demanding further explanations. One of the soldiers, pushed to his limit, finally confesses the truth about the recent events. A brawl erupts, and Lothar and Néro swiftly dispatch the soldiers who are allied with Tristan. Amidst the chaos, Tristan seizes Hortense, using her as a hostage, while Horace and Perla seize the opportunity to flee.
Their escape is abruptly halted when they encounter the enigmatic man dispatched to assassinate Perla. Instead of offering aid, Horace restrains Perla, providing the assassin with a clear shot. Just as the situation seems dire, the one-eyed woman materializes and rescues Perla from certain doom.
Meanwhile, Tristan drags Hortense towards the cells, hoping to rally more soldiers to his cause. Ophelie, seizing the moment, attacks him from behind and ends his tyranny, though she, too, falls victim to the violence.
The group hastens to reunite with Perla and Horace, eventually finding refuge in a small room. There, Perla exposes Horace's treachery, revealing his attempt on her life. Enraged, Néro lunges at Horace, but Lothar intervenes, preventing a bloodbath.
Horace, cornered, finally divulges the true motive behind the plot to kill Perla: they believe her to be the last descendant of the devil. Néro, realizing the gravity of their situation, insists they can't remain safe in Segur. However, Lothar is adamant that they must report Rochemort's actions.
During the heated debate, Hortense, in a fit of rage, strikes Lothar, rendering him unconscious. They abandon him there, along with Horace.
Back in Segur, the discovery of Toussaint's mutilated body sends shockwaves through the community. The Archbishop, alarmed, departs to inform the Holy See of the impending danger. He fears the witch will seize this opportunity to perform her malevolent ritual.
The episode concludes with Néro, Perla, and Hortense making the decision to flee Segur, seeking safety as far away as possible.
