"Welcome, Grand Duke Ivan." Although the other party was a very young boy, Mikhail did not mean to look down upon him at all.

Facing the heavily armed Epirus army, Ivan Asen also looked calm, "Thank you for your hospitality, Your Majesty the Despot. On behalf of His Majesty the Tsar, I am here to seek friendship with the Romans and jointly fight against the Latin invaders in the west.

"

Ivan Asen immediately said straight to the point, he knew that since Mikhail had created such a big battle, the other party would never let him enter the city without a satisfactory answer.

However, Mikhail did not respond immediately to Ivan Asen. Instead, he took out a blank golden edict and said lightly: "These matters are not urgent for the time being. I just want to ask Your Excellency, this golden edict that only the emperor of the empire can sign.

Why did the imperial edict appear in the hands of one of you?"

"Golden Edict?" Ivan Asen was slightly startled. Of course he had heard of such a thing, which could only be signed by the Roman emperor. Faced with Mikhail's question, he was confused for a moment.

But at this moment, Justinian in the crowd helped a blind old man slowly get out of the carriage.

"Long time no see, Mikhail Dukas." Muzfius said. Although the two had not seen each other for many years, Despot Mikhail recognized the voice immediately.

"Alexei Muzfius, I didn't expect you to still be alive." Mikhail looked at the blind man in front of him in disbelief. Of course he recognized each other. Both of them were descendants of the Dukas family. They were friends in the early years.

The two sides also fought side by side at that time, but with the usurpation of Emperor Alexius III to the throne, Michael became the despot, while Muzphius stayed in Constantinople.

Even though they hadn't seen each other for many years, they both recognized each other.

Seeing this scene, Ivan Asen was also shocked. Of course he knew who Muzfius was. He was the last emperor who captured Constantinople by the Crusaders. His whereabouts have always been unknown. He definitely didn't get there first.

It has been hidden here all this time.

And seeing Justinian next to Muziphius, Ivan Asen finally noticed something.

It turned out that Justinian had been disguising so that he never noticed the blind man next to him.

Damn it, you were careless! Ivan Asen realized that he had made a huge mistake. Although Muzfius's status as emperor was not recognized by everyone, he had the Golden Seal and it would definitely fall into Mikhail's hands.

It will be a huge boost to his quest for the throne, and it is also important to Bulgaria, which has always coveted Constantinople.

But it was too late now, and with the few people in his hand, there was no way to stop him. Ivan Asen looked at Justinian who was smiling at him at the moment, although he remained calm but clenched his fists tightly.

"Yes, I haven't seen you for a long time. I didn't expect things to change. Your eyes..."

"Angeles' work, he is indeed too dangerous. What you said was absolutely right." Muzfius smiled bitterly. When the two of them separated after the war against the Cumans, Miha

Ir once persuaded him not to follow the Angeles family, but he still didn't listen. Now it seems that he really brought it upon himself.

"The only person I can turn to now is you."

Muzphius could only listen to what Justinian said about placing his hope in Mikhail's ambition, and Mikhail was indeed moved.

"Welcome, Your Majesty, your eagle flag in Epirus will never fall." Mikhail retreated from the army behind him, and the door behind him immediately opened.

Justinian finally breathed a sigh of relief. He made the right bet. This man's ambition finally decided to take in the blind and titular emperor.

…

…

…

"Arrange accommodation for these Bulgars." Mikhail entered the city and said to the general behind him.

But the generals behind him were worried, "But His Majesty the Despot, if you take in that man, it will be like setting yourself on fire." Not long ago, Epirus had received orders from Nicaea and Constantinople respectively.

Asking them to surrender, what Mikhail is doing now is tantamount to a blatant challenge, and they have to be wary.

However, Mikhail sneered and said: "What are you afraid of? The people in Nicaea can't protect themselves now, and the Latins can't protect themselves either. One day I will make them pay the price. And Muzfius was protected.

The support of the Gar people and the golden edict are enough."

At this time, Mikhail was also deceived by Justinian's cover-up. In his opinion, Muzfius showed among the Bulgars that he had the support of Bulgaria, which was exactly what Mikhail needed most.

To the north of Pyrus was Dalmatia controlled by the Venetians, and to the south were Macedonia and the Peloponnese controlled by Boniface, plus the Latin Empire entrenched in Constantinople in the east. Michael

What you need most is strong allies.

Under the order of Despot Mikhail, the generals looked at each other but could only carry out his orders.

On the other side, Muzphius and Justinian were immediately protected by the troops of Epirus. Ivan Asen also entered the city with his guards. He stared at Justinian leaving.

After going back, I finally understood why I always felt that I was being used by the other party.

Justinian used them to escort the emperor to Epirus, and Bulgaria became a bargaining chip in his hands, but now he had no choice but to acquiesce to this situation.

…

At this time, in distant Constantinople, the Latin army rushed back from the east, and under the leadership of Prince Henry, they severely damaged the army of nobles who did not obey the command of Tsar Kaloyan.

"Long live long live!" There was a cry from the mountains, and Prince Henry walked up to the high platform and overlooked the army after the bloody battle. Although Boniface's army did not arrive, this man successfully defeated the Bulgarian threat with a surprise attack. Thousands of corpses

Left on the battlefield, the Thracian region was finally retaken by the Latins.

And this also won this man a huge reputation, and Henry had become a de facto emperor in the eyes of everyone.

"Your Excellency Henry, what Romania needs now is an emperor. We cannot continue without a leader." Gallias walked to Prince Henry and said. "I have convinced the archbishop to crown you, and I believe no one will object."

"But the life and death of the emperor's brother is still unknown..." Henry hesitated. He was not keen on power. He really joined the Crusaders for pure faith, but now he had to shoulder a heavy burden.

"However, Marquis Boniface sent troops to attack Bulgaria and massacred several towns. Even if His Majesty is in the hands of the Bulgars, he will be in danger!" Gallias sighed. Everyone knew that Boniface did this.

With his own intentions, if Henry did not ascend the throne at this time, it would undoubtedly give that man an opportunity to take advantage of him.

Everyone pinned their only hope on this man, and Prince Henry finally no longer hesitated at this time.
Chapter completed!