EMPIRE REWRITTEN [Isekai ? Alt-History ? Strategy]

Chapter 63: The Dawn of Rebellion

Constantine's expression grew intent. "Who else fights?"

"In the south, the noble Depë Zenebishi has returned from exile," the agent continued. "After instigating a revolt in nearby areas, including Këlcyrë, Zagorie, and Pogon, his forces have besieged the southern city of Gjirokastër, which serves as the capital of the Sanjak of Albania. At Këlcyrë, his men successfully captured the castle, but the siege of Gjirokastër is prolonged and still ongoing. In the Shkumbin Valley, Gjergj Arianiti—once an Ottoman hostage—escaped from Edirne. He's since built a following of fighters. He strikes at the Turks whenever he can."

He paused, allowing the import of his words to settle. Constantine leaned over the map, tracing a finger along the southern passes. "And the Ottomans themselves?" he asked quietly.

"They are losing their grip on Albania by the day," the agent answered. "Murad's forces were forced to abandon Vlorë, leaving it in the hands of local rebels. Garrisoned strongholds in the highlands have been surrounded and cut off from supply lines. Hoping to stamp out the uprising swiftly, they dispatched an army of ten thousand under Ali Bey to retake control—but Gjergj Arianiti lured them into an ambush near Buzurshekut. The Ottoman force was shattered, with few survivors."

Andreas, who had been listening intently, let out a low whistle. "That's no skirmish," he muttered, voice gravel-thick. "They bled the bastards in those passes. The Turks will feel that loss in their bones—and they'll want blood for it."

Theophilus folded his arms, his thoughtful gaze lingering on the spread of rebel territory marked on the map. "A wound, yes—but not a mortal one," he said quietly. "Murad is not a man to let insults fester. He'll return—harder, faster, and with fire enough to cleanse every village that dared defy him."

"They will indeed return," the elder agent affirmed, his voice grim. "We've heard talk that Murad may lead the next offensive himself to crush the rebellion once and for all."

A chill swept through the room, despite the salt-scented breeze drifting from the narrow window. The Emperor knew well the gravity of facing Murad on the battlefield.

"How many rebels can the Albanian lords muster?" Andreas asked, shifting his weight anxiously.

"They are scattered, but growing in number," the agent replied, hesitating only a moment. "Depë Zenebishi has between two and three thousand in the south. Gjergj Arianiti musters nearly four thousand in the central regions. Others like the Thopias and Muzakas are rallying more every day. Altogether, perhaps ten thousand. But they fight with meager arms: hunting bows, rough pikes, and whatever Ottoman gear they can capture. Organized training is scarce. Their supply lines are fragile."

Constantine exhaled slowly, turning to Theophilus and Andreas. "They have courage and a swelling tide of recruits," he said, "but little in the way of proper weaponry, no strong supply network, and no broader alliance to sustain a true war. If we do nothing, they'll be overrun once the Ottomans bring their main armies."

Theophilus inclined his head, voice low and deliberate. "Just so. A revolt cannot live on courage alone—it needs steel, discipline, and ground to stand on. And if Murad rides out himself, God help us, we must answer not with noise, but with speed and purpose."

Constantine's thoughts raced. If he acted now, he could fan this rebellion into a great conflagration—one that would bleed the Ottomans from the west. The timing was critical.

He looked at the agents again. "And the Venetians? How do they respond to this turmoil in their backyard?"

A flicker of irritation passed over the younger agent's features. "They stand idle," he said in a clipped tone. "They hold Durazzo and Scutari but do not commit troops. They fear provoking the Ottomans. But some of their captains whisper that if the rebellion shows true promise—if it looks like the Turks can be beaten—they might join in. Venice is ever cautious but rarely misses a chance to profit from a changing balance of power."