The fifth chapter seamlessly intertwines with the cliffhanger of the fourth, where our beleaguered group of guests finds themselves unceremoniously evicted from the serene confines of Villa Santa by Ruggiero and his rabble of rowdy henchmen. Amidst the chaos, as they grapple with the dire reality of finding shelter, Panfilo's concern for Neifile's safety amidst the sea of malevolent men and wanton women propels him to scale the walls in a daring attempt to save her.
To his utter disbelief, he learns of the astounding role reversal between Filomena and Licisca, who have themselves been banished from the villa's sanctity. Meanwhile, the weary travelers seek refuge in the stables, their slumber interrupted by the heated debate between Filomena and Licisca, their voices echoing through the darkness as they desperately roam, seeking a haven from the night. Filomena's terror is palpable, her ordeal in reaching the villa after being abandoned by Licisca a haunting memory, as the two ultimately find solace in the embrace of a secluded cave.
Dawn breaks, revealing a serene scene within Ruggiero's chambers where Neifile awakens, her heart brimming with joy at the memories of the previous night spent in his arms. However, her elation swiftly fades into despair upon emerging from their sanctuary and encountering a ghastly spectacle—every soul within the villa, from Ruggiero's fierce followers to the wanton women, has fallen victim to the relentless plague. The horrified guests, roused by Neifile's screams, stumble into the house, their minds reeling from the macabre sight that greets them.
The gang meticulously binds Ruggiero, still slumbering peacefully in his bedroom, for he is the heir to the villa, and they must keep him under their watchful eye if they wish to maintain their hold on the house. As they tighten the ropes around his wrists, their attention is suddenly drawn to the corner, where they discover Dioneo, lifeless and still. Tindaro, secretly grieving over the loss of his physician and once-friend (despite Dioneo's attempt on his life), retreats to the kitchen with a heavy heart, demanding that Stratilia attend to the "cleanup" in his chamber immediately. She understands his request all too well, yet firmly declines, reminding him that it was a one-time occurrence, never to be repeated.
Neifile, observing the tense exchange from the kitchen, is momentarily captivated until Panfilo's arrival disrupts her thoughts. He informs her that if they wish to claim Villa Santa as their own, they must gain Ruggiero's favor. Meanwhile, Sirisco labors in the garden, burying the deceased in a communal grave, when Tindaro appears, requesting a separate resting place for Dioneo. Sirisco, with a touch of sarcasm, offers to let Tindaro dig the grave himself, leaving him defeated and disheveled, clearly unaccustomed to manual labor.
Later, Stratilia finds Tindaro in his room, shattered by the day's events, and they find solace in each other's arms once more. Word spreads swiftly through the villa that Ruggiero has awakened, prompting Neifile and Panfilo to embark on a mission to persuade him to relinquish the house. But Pampinea beats them to the punch, proposing marriage to Ruggiero, outlining a plan where they would share the villa in silence, her substantial dowry serving as an enticement. However, Ruggiero remains uninterested, delivering a blunt assessment of Pampinea's conduct before dismissing her.
As Pampinea departs, wounded more by the personal insult than the failure of her scheme, Neifile and Panfilo step forward to make their appeal. During their conversation, Ruggiero casually inquires if Panfilo is bothered by his liaison with Neifile the previous night. Panfilo confesses that it does trouble him deeply, yet he finds joy in seeing Neifile genuinely happy. They both reveal their true feelings, with Panfilo ultimately acknowledging his homosexuality and the profound friendship he cherishes with Neifile, above all else.
Ruggiero, inexplicably captivated by their unwavering honesty, joyfully relinquished the villa's keys, readily embracing their devious scheme. The duo, amazed at the seamlessness of their deceit, embraced warmly within the confines of their bedroom, their happiness palpable. Yet, amidst their embrace, a sinister revelation emerged: Neifile bore marks upon her neck, a testament to the plague's insidious hold upon her from the previous night's stay in the villa.
Meanwhile, Pampinea's solitary lamentations echoed through her chamber, her voice heavy with despair as she questioned Misia's affection. Amidst her tears, she confessed her regret for neglecting to properly mourn Misia's beloved, also fallen victim to the plague, and together, they honored her memory with a solemn farewell. But beneath the surface, Pampinea's intentions were far from pure; she pressed Misia into service, tasking her with a sinister deed.
Elsewhere, Filomena and Licisca, their hunger pangs relentless, stumbled aimlessly through the forest's eerie embrace until they stumbled upon a humble hut. The woman within, her hospitality a beacon in their desolate journey, invited them in for sustenance, a promise that ignited hope within their weary souls. Yet, as they crossed the threshold, their joy turned to horror; the woman's family, seated around the table, were but lifeless husks, their eyes frozen in eternal stillness. The pair fled in terror, their screams echoing through the woods as they stumbled on, their search for sustenance and shelter proving futile. Their conversation, fraught with despair, drifted to happier times, when their bond was unbroken, and Filomena confessed her inadequacies, acknowledging Licisca's kindness as a reflection of her late father's noble nature.
As the episode drew to a close, the true nature of Pampinea's request was revealed: she demanded that Misia take Ruggiero's life. Misia's reluctance was palpable, yet bound by duty to her mistress, she found herself compelled to obey. Steeling herself, she entered his chamber and dealt the fatal blow. Yet, in his dying breath, Ruggiero shattered their assumption, revealing that he was not the rightful heir to the villa; another held that title.
Concurrently, Tindaro's pursuit of Stratilia led him to a secluded hut, where a fleeting glimpse of a boy, a striking resemblance to the late Leonardo and rightful owner of the villa, sent his mind racing with suspicion. But before he could piece together the puzzle, Stratilia struck from behind, leaving him unconscious on the ground.
