1413: The Empire Overcomes Another Crisis
Was it due to the relentless efforts of Manuel II? The advancing Ottoman forces, led by their warriors, were repelled at Constantinople by an allied army of 15,000 soldiers, carefully assembled through Manuel II’s diplomatic acumen. While the Empire earned another brief reprieve, the reunification of the Ottomans following their defeat was a cause for concern. Exploiting Ottoman disunity for more time would have been ideal, but ensuring Constantinople’s safety necessitated immediate action.
The alliance was forged with significant sacrifices, and even though Mehmed I swore filial loyalty to Manuel, such personal bonds rarely endure in the realm of politics. Both the aging emperor and the newly crowned Ottoman leader surely anticipated that this precarious peace would crumble the moment either party faltered. It was an uneasy and fragile accord.
“Perhaps it’s time to consider a successor,” sighed Manuel II, his body and spirit weathered after two decades of tirelessly sustaining the crumbling Empire. At over 60 years old, the Emperor could no longer delay the question of succession.
Thinking about his successor, Manuel II reflected on his children. Two of his sons had already passed away, free from earthly burdens. Among the remaining heirs, one name lingered in his thoughts: Constantine, a child with extraordinary promise but one glaring flaw.
As his chief secretary, Sphrantzes, had observed:
“Your Majesty, with all due respect, aside from a single issue, I cannot think of anyone more fitting than Prince Constantine.”
Manuel II agreed. During the Ottoman siege of Constantinople, the young prince had managed resource distribution and assumed responsibilities far exceeding those of a mere assistant. His fairness and administrative acumen were vital in maintaining order. His strategic foresight, exemplified by predicting enemy movements and organizing preemptive countermeasures, further underscored his capabilities. Yet, despite such promise, one critical issue prevented Manuel from declaring him heir without hesitation.
Constantine’s flaw?
He was too young.
At only nine years old, Constantine’s age was an insurmountable barrier. The Empire, in its desperate final hour, needed a unifying figure to rally behind, but a child-emperor would incite division and rebellion. Furthermore, Constantine’s detached demeanor left him with few supporters who could consolidate his claim to the throne. Naming him as the next emperor would inevitably kindle a civil war—an unthinkable scenario for a nation on the brink of collapse.
Reluctantly, in 1414, Manuel II appointed his son John as co-emperor, entrusting him with the governance of the territory of Morea. Other sons received various roles to secure the Empire’s fragile control over its territories. Among these appointments, the one most debated was the assignment of Selymbria to Constantine. By doing so, Manuel signaled Constantine’s potential claim to the throne should anything happen to John. However, this decision faced fierce opposition, not only from the third son, Theodore, but surprisingly from Constantine himself.
“Father, I do not wish for Selymbria. Assign me Mistra instead,” Constantine boldly requested. He had even written to Theodore about this preference before discussing it with Manuel. In the end, Theodore took over Selymbria, and Constantine boarded a ship bound for Mistra, pursuing a vision far removed from his father’s.
Manuel II sought to prepare Constantine for an imminent ascension to the throne, anticipating the necessity of his rule. Yet, the boy envisioned a different path: building strength in Morea, the last bastion of hope for the declining Empire. Despite its challenges, Morea represented a beacon for those determined to rebuild. While this decision brought Manuel both pride and despair, it solidified his belief that his son was destined for greatness.
1414: The Campaign Begins
Encouraged by Sphrantzes, Manuel II launched a campaign in Morea with 700 troops—nearly all the forces the Empire could muster after leaving a skeleton crew to defend Constantinople. The modest scale of the campaign reflected the Empire’s desperation and its diminishing capacity to project power.
As the fleet approached Mistra, the contrast to Constantinople was striking. Unlike the despairing capital, Mistra exuded hope and vitality. The streets bustled with activity, and migration here was a sign of people clinging to the Empire’s last embers of prosperity.
From the moment Constantine set foot in Mistra, the dormant interface of his strange system revealed a flurry of new data. Tax efficiency, trade revenues, and resource allocations appeared before his eyes, providing insights into the city’s administration. Though its finances paled compared to Constantinople’s, the people’s resilience and optimism set Mistra apart.
Determined, Constantine immersed himself in governance. The initial purpose of his transmigration—to seek romance in a dating sim-like world—faded into obscurity. Female interactions, even with stunning beauties, now elicited no reaction. Once captivated by fantasies of romantic entanglements, Constantine found himself consumed by administrative duties. The mere memory of accidentally glimpsing a woman’s bare chest only resurfaced a week later, eclipsed by the weight of paperwork.
He didn’t regret it. How could he?
The crumbling Empire’s survival rested on his shoulders. There was no time for indulgence in fleeting pleasures. Each passing day reminded him of his duty—not just to the citizens of Mistra but to the countless others awaiting salvation.
And so, he pressed forward, sacrificing personal desires for a far greater purpose:
Responsibility.
With that singular word echoing in his mind, Constantine cast aside all distractions, resolute in his mission to restore hope to an Empire on the verge of collapse.
Even if it cost him his youth, his dreams, and the life he once imagined.
Despair.
T/L : Most of the places mentioned in the text are part of the south-eastern Europe during the old age.
Constantinople – Istanbul (Turkey)
Morea – Peloponnese (Greece)
Selymbria – Silivri (Turkey)
Mistra – Mystra (Greece)
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