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The Infiltration of Cappadociawas an event in March of 1512, in which Assassin Ezio Auditore, infiltrated the underground city of Derinkuyu in Cappadocia, the headquarters of the Byzantine Templars in order to assassinate the supposed leader of the Templars, Manuel Palaiologos and to destroy their large supplies of weaponry.

Infiltration

Arrival in Cappadocia

"No evidence of an army here. And no sign of Tarik's men."

―Ezio Auditore, as he arrived in Cappadocia.

After Ezio Auditore assassinated Janissary captain, Tarik Barleti, appearing to be loyal to the Byzantine Templars and supplying them with a shipment of weapons, rifles and gunpowder, Tarik revealed in his dying moments he was preparing an ambush on the Templars all along. Before dying, he told Ezio the headquarters of the Byzantine Templars: Cappadocia, where the weapons were held and the Templars were preparing their attack on the Ottomans.

Arriving in Cappadocia in March of 1512, Ezio found no evidence of the Byzantines, nor Tarik's spies. Exploring the caves in Cappadocia, Ezio discovered the location of the Byzantine army, the underground city of Derinkuyu, hidden in the caves of Cappadocia.

Tarik's spies

"Captured by Byzantines over a week ago. I was dressed to look like a slave, and managed to escape. But the others..."

―Dilara informs Ezio of her situation.

Deciding he needed aid, Ezio searched for the spies Tarik had infiltrate the Byzantine's ranks. Searching the market place in Cappadocia, Ezio discovered one female spy, who fled upon seeing him. Pursuing her, Ezio, confronted the spy. Attempting to fend him off with a dagger, Ezio calmed her and assured her he was send by Tarik. The spy, Dilara, informed Ezio that the other spies were captured by Byzantines over a week ago, though she escaped, disguised as a slave. Asking whether Ezio was a capable fighter, Dilara instructed Ezio to find her when he needed her assistance.

Saving the prisoners

Saving Dilara

Manuel: "The Janissaries will know I have betrayed them by now. But do they have the resources for retribution?"

Shahkulu: "Doubtful. The Sultan's battle with Selim commands most of their attention."

—Shahkulu and Manuel regarding the Janissaries.

Manuel and Shahkulu discuss their plans.

Scouting the city, Ezio overheard to Byzantine guards conversing about a female Ottoman spy disguised a harlot who was recently captured and taken to the prisons. One guard remarked the remaining prisoners would not live long with Shahkulu in charge. Knowing that Dilara was in danger, Ezio proceeded to infiltrate the prisoners. While looking for Dilara, Ezio came across a meeting between Shahkulu and Manuel. Manuel asked how long before the soldiers were trained to use the rifles. Shahkulu answered a few weeks at most. Knowing that the Janissaries would now be aware of his betrayal, Manuel asked if they had the resources for retribution.

Shahkulu doubted this, claiming the Sultan's conflict with Selim I controlled most of their attention. Manuel agreed, however, after noticing a strange smell, Shahkulu explained it was the dead bodies of the Ottoman prisoners, which he tortured and murdered, claiming they were "fragile." Requesting that Shahkulu moderate his anger despite his hatred for the Ottomans, Manuel left, before Shahkulu demanded that the guards bring Dilara to the chapel to be killed.

Ezio spies on Shahkulu and Byzantine guards.

The guard explained he did not have the key, before Shahkulu screamed at him to find it. After overhearing one of the guards mentioning it was with a soldier in the market, Ezio left and was able to retrieve the key from the guard in the market. Returning to the prisoner, Ezio found Dilara's cell and set her free. Noticing the dead bodies of her fellow spies, Dilara, knowing Shahkulu was responsible, immediately ran off to find Shahkulu, with the intention of killing him. Pursuing Dilara, Ezio found her at a chapel, where the remaining Ottoman spies were to be publicly murdered by Shahkulu.

Assassinating Shahkulu

As Shahkulu arrived, Ezio concluded the armor he was wearing was to thick for bullets to have any effect, and he would have to get close. As Shahkulu began beating one of the spies, Janos, Ezio climbed along the scaffolding around the chapel, dispatching several gunmen and attempted to assassinate Shahkulu from above. Assuming he was dead, Ezio claimed Shahkulu deserved no pity for his sadism and torture. However, Shahkulu's armor had protected him from the blow and began strangling Ezio.

Ezio stands over Shahkulu's corpse.

Throwing Ezio aside, Shahkulu armed himself and fought Ezio. However, Ezio was able to best Shahkulu and finally kill him. Declaring the rifles the Byzantines possessed needed to be destroyed, Dilara told Ezio most of them did not work, though the gunpowder was real, as Tarik could not fake that. Ezio then instructed Dilara and her men to escape the city once they heard an explosion. Dilara warned Ezio creating an explosion with the gunpowder would panic the entire city. However, Ezio explained this was his intention, and then he would find and kill Manuel.

Derinkuyu's destruction

Last of the Palaiologi

Manuel: "These people would drown without a firm hand to lift them up and keep them in line!"

Ezio: "There he is. The monster I came to kill."

—Ezio and Manuel before their brief fight.

Finding a small guard post where the gunpowder was stored, Ezio proceeded to throw one of his bombs into the storage room, which caused all the gunpowder to ignite and explode. Causing panic among the civilians and soldiers, Manuel revealed himself. Remaining calm, Manuel encouraged his soldiers to remain composed and have courage. However, upon seeing Ezio, Manuel immediately fled in fear. Pursuing Manuel across Derinkuyu, Ezio was soon able reach Manuel in the city's docks. Manuel exclaimed that he fought for dignity and to restore peace to Constantinople.

Ezio replied that the Templars were fast to talk of peace, but slow to concede their power. Manuel continued to argue that without power, the people would live in chaos. Ezio and Manuel then engaged in a brief fight, however, Manuel was quickly defeated. Explaining to Ezio he had so many plans for his lost Empire, Manuel gaved the fifth Masyaf key to Ezio, before passing away.

Ahmet's betrayal

Ezio: "You disappoint me, Ahmet. Why the Templars?"

Ahmet: "Because I am tired of all these pointless blood feuds that pit father against son, brother against brother. To achieve full peace, mankind must think and move as one body, with one mastermind."

—Ahmet reveals his motivation to Ezio.

However, Prince Ahmet arrived in a ship, claiming he should of never left Manuel in charge of the Masyaf expedition. Realising that is was Ahmet leading the Templars all along, Ezio asked what was his motivation. Ahmet claimed he was tried of pointless feuds, turning families against each other, and the secrets in Altaïr's library would lead them to the "Grand Temple". Ahmet continued, and demanded Ezio give him the Masyaf keys. Refusing, Ahmet then threatened Ezio, with hurting Sofia Sartor.

Warning Ahmet to leave Sofia alone, Ahmet sneered, before leaving in his ship. Killing several guards, Ezio concluded he needed to escape Cappadocia and return to Constantinople. However, the fumes from the fire caused by the explosion left Derinkuyu in chao and destruction, killing many civilians. Despite this, Ezio was able to safely escape the city and return to his ship, as it left for Constantinople.

Aftermath

After discovering Ahmet's betrayal, Ezio's return to Masyaf was delayed, as he intended to reach Constantinople in order to save Sofia and kill Ahmet.