EMPIRE REWRITTEN [Isekai ? Alt-History ? Strategy]

Glarentza, May 1433

Glarentza awoke with the dawn, unfurling into a hive of activity beneath a pink and gold sky. The port city bustled like a marketplace at festival time. Long caravans of carts creaked through the gates, heavily loaded with various supplies. At the harbor, sailors shouted in a babel of tongues: Greek, Venetian, Genoese, Iberian, Burgundian, as they loaded wooden crates stamped with Morea's publishing seal onto ships riding low in the water. The salty air was tinged with the sharp scent of fresh ink and paper, the new perfume of prosperity that had come to define Glarentza's transformation. The main thoroughfare was alive, with traders hawking goods and locals rushing to fill orders.

Intermingled with the commercial fervor were the unmistakable preparations for war. Down by the docks, a line of ox-drawn wagons stood ready, packed with barrels of grain, salted meat, and amphorae of wine to fuel the coming campaign. Blacksmiths' forges glowed hot as armorers hammered out the final dents in breastplates and sharpened swords for the soldiers who would carry them. A squad of pikemen marched past in step, their boots drumming against the cobbles; their spear tips caught the morning light. Townswomen paused in their errands to watch the warriors go by, offering silent prayers or small cheers, while children ran alongside the formation with wooden swords, pretending to be heroes bound for glory. Glarentza thrummed with purpose, a city preparing its mind for trade and its heart for battle, united under Constantine's guiding hand.

Constantine rode slowly through the streets on his way to the castle, absorbing the sights and sounds with quiet pride.

At the castle's council chamber, Constantine found Theophilus Dragas already awaiting him beside a long oak table strewn with reports, ledgers, and a single Bible bound in leather. Theophilus's lined face broke into a relieved smile as his liege entered.

"Good morning, my Emperor," he greeted, inclining his head. Despite the formal words, there was a warmth between the two men born of hard-won successes and shared vision. Constantine returned the smile and clasped Theophilus's forearm in friendship before taking his seat at the head of the table.

"We live in extraordinary times," Constantine said as he ran his hand reverently over the cover of the Bible. The volume was one of the special Papal Edition copies, its pages still smelling of fresh ink. He opened it to a page where the black print of the movable type stood uniform and precise. "Ten thousand Bibles for Pope Eugene," he murmured, as if to himself. The reality of it still amazed him, just a couple of years ago, such a thing would have been unimaginable.

Theophilus's eyes shone with pride. "And the first four thousand are bound and ready for shipment, as you see." He tapped a parchment inventory. "The rest are in production around the clock. Our printing-press workshops have not been silent for a moment these past months. We even had to hire two dozen more apprentices to keep the presses fed with paper and ink." He chuckled softly, the sound echoing in the vast hall. "The coffers of Glarentza are heavier every day. Gold flows in as steadily as the Eurotas River in spring."

His tone turned more earnest as he continued. "In the past month alone, twelve Venetian and seven Genoese ships have docked here specifically to buy books. Burgundian traders have also started to arrive, the Duke is clearly pleased with our arrangement for scholarly works for his libraries. He's expressed his satisfaction in our recent correspondence."

Constantine allowed himself a tight smile of satisfaction. The Duke of Burgundy was one of the most powerful men in Europe; the ongoing trade and exchange of letters further cemented their relationship. "We will continue to accommodate them," Constantine said. "Since our initial agreement is proving fruitful, and given our established correspondence, if Burgundy desires more books, then by Christ, more books he shall have. Perhaps we can formalize a dedicated bookstore north. We've established a strong presence in Italy already; a more robust partnership with Burgundy is the next natural step."