Eagle Flag of Epirus

　　 Rusnina’s autocratic palace.

　　 Hundreds of heavily armed soldiers blocked all entrances and exits. Although the Bolgarians were very dissatisfied with the way Epirus received them, Ivan Assen had to obey the arrangements. Muzfius and Justinian were taken to Mikhail.

　　 Although Muzfius’s emperor status is recognized, the soldiers watching him still feel like a prisoner. This is not surprising to Justinian and Muzfius. After all, Muzfius’ emperor status is not very orthodox. If it were not for the Golden Seal and the Bolgar, Mikhail would not have taken them in at all. Provoked the hatred of the Latins.

　　 This is why Justinian took the risk of taking advantage of Bulgaria, but everything seems to be going well at the moment. From the reaction of Mikhail, he is indeed tempted.

　　 The gate of the palace opened rumblingly, and the candlelight in it gushed out like a sea tide. Justinian was moved by the magnificent decorations. The authoritarian was so luxurious. Every artifact was modeled after the court. It was obvious that Mikhail had already had the ambition to become an emperor. Now what he needs is just right. .

　　 That's why this man would meet Muzfius——

　　 "I'm glad you are still alive." Mikhail had been waiting in the palace for a long time, sitting on the throne and watching Muzfius walk in without the respectful appearance of being outside the city. And he saw Justinian next to Muzifius at a glance, "This is--?"

　　 "My guard Justinian, I depended on him to protect me all the way to get here safely." Muzfius said flatly, sitting on the chair Mikhail had prepared for him.

"It's been a long time, Muzfius, we have been together for almost fifteen years. But I didn't expect things to be different." Mikhail sighed, saying that the two were both mature men. , And now the temples have white spots.

But then the man changed his words, "On the contrary, I have become the last hope of this country. You have to ask me for help. I think dear Muzifius, you are here not just to get my asylum!" "He doesn't want to waste any more words. He has already guessed the purpose of Muzifius' coming here, but the final bargaining is still necessary. He is not willing to share Epirus, who has been in business for more than ten years, with a monarch who does not deserve the truth .

"Of course not, Mikhail. To be precise, it should be to give you and me a chance to regain the glory of this country to the Dukas family." Muzfius said calmly, and offered his own terms. "The empire is now divided, and I am the only legal emperor. With my call, I would like to be a great help to you. At the price, I can give you the title of co-ruling emperor."

However, Mikhail didn’t seem to be tempted immediately, but sneered slightly, “Is it only you—I’m afraid not. Not long ago, Boniface, the Marquis of Memphis, caught our old Alexei emperor. , He asked me for a ransom, if I wanted to, I could bring him back. In a sense, your legitimacy is not much stronger than that of the old guy."

　　 That old fellow Alexey really didn't listen to me, and fell into the hands of the Latins, and it finally made him suffer. Hearing all this, he was startled slightly, and Justinian couldn't help snickering. He understood what Mikhail was saying, the other party was waiting for the price, and he must pay a sufficient price if he wanted to convince him.

　　 And when Muzfeus heard that Alexei III had fallen into the hands of the Latins, even though he didn't show it, he was very surprised, just at this moment Justinian stood up beside him.

"But with all due respect, your dictator, it is most advantageous for you to recognize the identity of His Majesty Muzfius. Because he is the legal emperor who was adopted after Alexei III fled. Not to mention you really. Do you think Alexe Angeles is willing to share power with you? Accepting the emperor who abandoned his people and fled without a fight may not only be of no benefit to you, but will lead to siege from all sides, but Muzfius Your Majesty can win you such a powerful ally as the Bolgars. Similarly, the Genoese will stand by your side against the Venetians."

　　 Shockingly speaking, Justinian took out the Doria gold coin that Andrea had given him earlier, and he did not expect that this gold coin would actually work at this time.

Sure enough, Mikhail's face changed suddenly when he saw the Doria gold coin in Justinian's hand. In fact, the most dangerous place in Epirus on the west coast was the sea. He was always afraid of Venetian invasion. But when the Doria gold coin in Justinian's hand appeared, he was finally tempted. We must know that Genoa controlled by the Doria family has always been Venice's mortal enemy, which means that he will have a strong maritime ally.

In fact, Mikhail, who looked at Muzifius’ blinded eyes, knew this too. Alex III was famous for his cruelty. He could usurp the throne and then destroy the military region system and indulge the nobles but couldn’t. Tolerating someone challenged his emperor's authority, whether it was Muzfius or the power struggle between him and his son-in-law Theodore after going to Nicaea, proved this point.

　　 But instead, he noticed Justinian. Although he was less than twenty years old, he was surprisingly calm when he spoke to himself. What’s more important is that he actually has something like Doria gold coins at a young age. After confirming that the gold coins are real, Mikhail couldn’t help but look at this young man in a different light~www.ltnovel.com~ I didn’t expect it, you guys. There is such a thing, I can support you, but you must also promise me a condition! "Mikhail squinted, and there was a murderous chill in his voice, while the guards in the palace watched this scene blankly.

　　 Facing Mikhail's aggressiveness, Justinian was also nervous. This man was more greedy than he thought, and the name of a co-ruling emperor could not satisfy him.

　　 "What is it?" Muzfius knew this former friend no more, and he asked calmly.

"I can accept your title of co-ruling emperor, but you must enter the monastery, and of course you still retain the identity of the emperor." Mikhail's mouth evoked a sneer, and Justinian did not expect this man to be so big. Speaking, this is no different from house arrest Muzfius, but the menacing guards beside him make him afraid to act rashly. Looking at Muzfius, who was silent beside him, Justinian knew that this might not be acceptable to any emperor. But it is clear that Mikhail is probably going to put them under house arrest regardless of whether Muzfius agrees or not.

　　 However, to everyone's surprise, Muzfius agreed to such a demanding request, "Yes, but I also have one condition."

　　 Unexpectedly, the other party agreed so happily, Mikhail nodded in doubt: "No problem." What he was afraid of was only Muzifeusquius occupying the magpie's nest. Since the other party was willing to enter the monastery, he had no worries.

And I saw Muzfius slowly groping and grabbing Justinian’s arm, and told Mikhail, who was condescending to look at him, his conditions, “I promised this child before as compensation. I hope you can give him a fief. This is my only condition."