Eagle Flag of Epirus

　　 Rusnina in Epirus is prosperous, and the arrival of a large number of refugees has quickly become the most prosperous place on the west coast.

　　 However, Epirus was able to build because of the long mountain barrier east of Eplis. Historically, neither the Latin Empire nor the Nicaea Empire had enough military power to manage the Epirus region "on the other side of the mountain". Even if Nicaea defeated Epirus, he could only become Epirus' suzerain in name, and could not actually control the area. In fact, it is easier to invade Epirus from Italy by crossing the sea than from the Eastern Balkans.

　　 It’s just that at this time Venice hasn’t even gotten involved here, so the dictatorship of Epirus established by Mikhail survived and gradually became stronger.

　　 However, at this time, the autocratic male Mikhail Dukas received a blank letter, which was given to him by his general Simeon.

　　 "Golden Seal Edict?" Rusnina's Mikhail dictator soon received Simeon's Pegasus report. But he was caught in doubt. Since the fall of Constantinople, who can still sign the edict of the Golden Seal?

　　 "Despotism..." The generals of Epirus were called back urgently, and they didn't know what happened for a while.

　　 And Mikhail then showed them the blank golden edict sent by Simeon.

When these confidant generals of Mikhail saw the seal that belonged to the emperor, they immediately took a breath, "This is the emperor's golden edict?" They all recognized this thing. This is the emperor's exclusive power, which is better than the emperor. The decree is more powerful. It's just that even the emperor couldn't easily sign this kind of thing, and how could there be this kind of thing in the hands of Mikhail's autocratic public?

"How is this going?"

"Bulgar sent a mission, and some of them gave Simeon this, what do you think?" Mikhail asked his generals, and after repeated inspections he confirmed that it was indeed not a fake , But this thing is incredible.

"Could it be Emperor Alexei III..." someone stood up and said, when the Crusaders were besieging Constantinople, Alex III fled and took away the wealth of the treasury, including the emperor's seal, then It shows that Alex III is very likely to be in the Bolgar's mission.

However, Mikhail shook his head and said: "This is impossible, Alexe Angeles cannot be there. Not long ago he landed in Boniface in Thessaly and demanded a ransom from me. Absolutely. It can't be him." Mikhail uttered an amazing secret that stunned all Epirus generals.

"what?!"

"Three days ago, the messenger from Boniface came and gave me the purple robe of our emperor who fled in disarray. It shouldn't seem like a mystery. It's just why that person among the Bolgars actually had the Golden Seal edict. "Originally, Mikhail had already prepared to redeem Alexei III, but now he hesitated.

　　 "Then your Highness, what are you going to do?"

"Let’s receive these Bolgars first, and now we can’t offend these barbarians." Although Mikhail, like the traditional Romans, was not in the eyes of foreigners, especially Bulgaria, who had surrendered in the past, the biggest enemy was the foreign Latins. People, he still doesn't want to make more enemies.

　　 "But—" Some generals still hesitate, and they are still a little afraid of the Bolgars.

　　 However, Mikhail waved his hand to veto their objection, "Get ready to welcome our guests!"

　　……

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　　 On the other side, Grand Duke Ivan Asen led his army to finally reach Rusnina, which is the capital of the Epirus dictatorship. Along the way, Epirus' army followed and watched every move of the Bolgars, which made the Bolgars very angry. If it weren't for Ivan Asen's temperance, Baron Loveviy would have looted the villages along the way.

"Be restrained, now this is not your presumptuous place." Ivan Asen rarely showed a stern look. Although he was very young, Loveviy did not dare to violate it in the slightest, not just a kingdom of his. The most important thing is that the leader of the kingdom’s independence is Ivan Assen’s father, whose prestige can be imagined.

　　 "Yes, Your Highness." Lovevii said hastily, but he still couldn't help but glance at Justinian, who was standing behind Ivan Asen at this time. If it weren't for this kid, why would he have spent so much time running here, trekking through mountains and rivers all the way, the Bolgar people had already complained.

　　 But Justinian still pretended that he didn't know, looked at Ivan Assen and said, "Thank you for sending me here."

"The premise is that you have to complete what you promised to the Tsar. Otherwise, the anger of the Bolgarians is not something you Greeks can bear~www.readwn.com~ Ivan Assen instinctively thinks Justinian seems to be cheating. Looking at him, but unable to grasp the other's handle, like a cunning fox, even if he is a shrewd hunter, let him show his tail.

　　 But in the face of such a threat, Justinian was still calm and composed. The two of them almost instinctively felt each other's enemies at the same time, so he was not surprised at all. "Don't worry, I will not let you down, Grand Duke Ivan." He unconsciously looked at the towering city wall, which can be said to be the western center of the Byzantine Empire, guarding the exit from the Adriatic Sea to the Mediterranean. The unique geographical environment also means being coveted by many parties. Historically, Italians, Normans, * or Catholics have invaded here, and Justinian’s next journey will also begin here.

　　 And just at this moment, the gate of Rusnina, which was originally closed, suddenly opened.

　　 The armored knights in heavy armor, holding the battle flag, took the lead out of the gate and arrayed on both sides. The first-ever Epiruss obviously surprised the Bolgars. Although the Eastern Roman cavalry declined after the fiasco of Manchekot, although the Manuel Emperor had recovered, it became difficult for them to survive afterwards. , But watching the elite cavalry of Epirus can still feel the majesty of the past.

　　 I saw a middle-aged nobleman dressed in purple walking slowly out on his horse, and the heavily armed noble guard behind him followed him out of the city.

"Next is the lord of this city, Mikhail Dukas, welcome you, Grand Duke Ivan, the most respected guest of Epirus." The middle-aged man stepped down from the horse and said, although Mikhail was right The Bolgars have no good feelings, but they still maintain their politeness. But he summoned the elite of the whole city and it was also obvious that he would definitely not be afraid of the Bolgar if they came to bring war.