The fall of Athens became a turning point that bolstered Prince Constantine’s advance.
The numerous city-states, serving as buffer zones between the Ottomans and the Empire, lacked the military strength to halt the prince. Yet, Prince Constantine did not solely rely on brute force. Utilizing a thousand mercenaries supplied by Venice and two thousand regular soldiers, he applied a calculated level of pressure on the city-states.
The message of the threats was largely consistent:
“The Empire will recognize your current ruling authority. Additionally, the Empire’s endorsement of your governance will grant you legitimacy, and the establishment of an assembly will minimize any losses to your rights and interests.”
Many cities found this offer appealing and rejoined the Empire’s sphere of influence, though not all were persuaded. Thebes, another central city in Central Greece, condemned the Empire’s unrestrained expansion and warned that it would formally appeal to the Sultan.
Upon receiving this warning, Prince Constantine immediately marched and subdued Thebes.
The ruler of Thebes was executed for betraying the Empire despite his claims of allegiance. Thebes, like Athens, was incorporated as a direct territory under the prince’s control, prompting the remaining neutral city-states to align with the Empire.
While imperial order had not fully taken root, it was evident that Central Greece would be reorganized around Athens and Thebes.
With Central Greece pacified, the prince turned his forces toward western Balkans.
The territory of Epirus, a confederation of city-states protected by the natural fortress of mountains, had enjoyed freedom from Ottoman dominance. They underestimated the difference in the imperial army led by the prince and opposed him with three thousand soldiers, only to be defeated. The decisive victory, resulting from the superior training of his troops, gave the prince an opportunity to shape Epirus’s fate.
However, the prince possessed a clear-eyed view of reality. The declining strength of the Empire was insufficient to fully absorb Epirus. Moreover, for Epirus to remain somewhat safe from an Ottoman onslaught, it needed to stay as an allied state rather than be annexed. This alliance had to be more than a simple partnership; it needed to be a blood alliance. The solution was to appoint a prince to govern Epirus, similar to Morea.
The prince soon dispatched envoys to the capital, not to the young co-emperor John, but to Manuel. If there had to be a prince governing Epirus, it was far better to have someone cooperative. Despite his advanced age, Manuel remained emperor, and he was perceptive enough to quickly grasp his son’s intentions.
Manuel, overwhelmed with a sense of regret, lamented the decisions he had to make. Had Constantine matured a bit earlier, he would have named him heir without hesitation. Simultaneously, Manuel steeled his resolve.
If anyone were to lead the Empire in the future, it would be Constantine. However, garnering support for Constantine in the capital was exceedingly difficult, as most nobles had turned their backs on him after the recent scandals and aligned with John. Ultimately, Manuel chose to favor a ruler sympathetic to Constantine over one with more experience.
“…Therefore, I intend to appoint you as the Prince of Epirus.”
The boy kneeling before Manuel could not conceal his agitation at these words. He knew well who he was—just a young boy, not yet outgrown his childish features, and now being sent to the front lines of the anti-Ottoman frontier. With a trembling voice, he asked his father, his emperor, a question.
“Why, Father? There is my brother Demetrios, who has not yet been granted a title. Why do you insist on appointing me as the Prince of Epirus? I cannot fathom the reason.”
“The reason is that you are one of the few who remains favourable to Constantine.”
Only when Constantine’s name was mentioned did the trembling in his hands cease. To the boy, Prince Constantine was an object of admiration and the last hope for the fallen Empire. Though the people of the capital claimed he had tarnished the Empire’s dignity, the boy knew he had chosen something far more significant. His efforts to follow even a fraction of his exceptional brother’s reputation had finally borne fruit.
The boy soon recalled the rumors that had circulated in whispers. Most had been dismissed as nonsense and forgotten, but now he realized their truth.
“So, you intend to use me as my brother’s supporter. And the reason you are so determined to empower him is because…”
“You know it too, don’t you? Among your brothers, who truly deserves the crown?”
It was a truth known to all in the Empire. Although it was rarely spoken aloud due to the near-paranoid vigilance of the current co-emperor John, everyone knew it in their hearts. John, obsessed with retaining power, and Constantine, striving to counter the Empire’s decline from Morea.
Could there truly be anyone more proven in capability than Constantine, who had already reclaimed Central Greece and was on the verge of incorporating Epirus into the Empire’s sphere?
Yet, even Constantine had a critical weakness.
“But in choosing alliance over the throne, he has become isolated within the Empire. Though he holds Morea, to become emperor, one must have the capital’s support. Without it, if Constantine ascends the throne, a civil war is inevitable.”
“I understand now what you mean.”
The boy discerned what Manuel was planning. The old emperor’s heart had long since turned away from John. Rather, it had returned to the one he had originally intended. And Manuel was preparing everything for a seamless transfer of power to Constantine.
“Thomas, you are the only one who can stand by Constantine’s side and support him. As both your father and emperor, I command you. Become the Prince of Epirus. As the Prince of Epirus, lend Constantine your full support—always, everywhere. Even if…”
Manuel paused, unable to continue. The excruciating pain, as if his heart might stop at any moment, surged through him. Yet, the dignity he had upheld as emperor for decades compelled him to speak. As a father, there could be no crueler punishment. After a brief struggle, Manuel finally spoke.
“…even if Constantine turns his blade towards John.”
Thomas felt nothing in response to this terrifying statement. All he could manage was a few words to Manuel, his gaze filled with sorrow as he looked into his father’s wavering eyes.
“Power is cruel. It twists even my ever-smiling brother John and drives you to order the death of your own child.”
“Do you hesitate?”
“This is the decision you have made, Father. It is also the resolve you have shown. As a royal, it is now my turn to fulfill the duty passed down through blood.”
With those words, Thomas quietly bowed his head.
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