Chapter XXXV: One Empire.

I am Marcus, Lazarus's personal scribe and close friend, and I am tasked with chronicling the events that led to the fall of the Eastern Roman Empire.

It all began with the death of Lazarus's father, who was falsely accused of treason and was hunted by Emperor Nikephoros IV. Lazarus was determined to clear his father's name and restore his family's honor. He organized an expedition force consisting of professional troops and knights hailing from his territories of the Western Roman Empire, and we set out on a journey to the East.

Initially, our goal was to present evidence of Lazarus's father's innocence to the Eastern Roman Emperor and demand justice. But as we travelled deeper into the Empire, Lazarus's anger began to consume him. He saw the corruption and tyranny of the Eastern Roman Empire, and he knew that something had to be done to bring about change.

Lazarus's original mission slowly morphed into a quest for revenge. He became determined to conquer the Eastern Roman Empire and topple the corrupt regime that had taken his father's life. With each battle we won, his anger grew stronger, and he became more determined to see the Eastern Roman Empire fall.

I witnessed a battle between Lazarus and Alexios Nikephoros, the son of the former Eastern Roman Emperor Nikephoros IV.

Alexios was a fierce warrior, skilled with the sword and a master of tactics. He had gathered a powerful army and was determined to defend the Eastern Roman Empire from the invading forces of the Western Roman Empire.

Lazarus knew that Alexios would be a formidable opponent, but he was undaunted. He rode out to meet Alexios on the battlefield, clad in his armor and wielding his sword.

Their armies clashed, and the sound of swords clanging against each other filled the air. But it was the duel between Lazarus and Alexios that drew everyone's attention.

They circled each other, swords at the ready. Alexios was quick and nimble, but Lazarus was strong and steady. They exchanged blows, each strike ringing out like thunder. For a time, it seemed like the battle could go either way.

But in the end, it was Lazarus who emerged victorious. With one swift stroke of his sword, he struck down Alexios, ending his life and putting an end to his rebellion.

It was a bittersweet victory. Lazarus had avenged his father's death and secured his family's honor, but he had also taken a life. As I watched him ride back to our camp, I could see the weight of his actions heavy on his shoulders.

In the days that followed, Lazarus was quiet and reflective. He knew that the battle was far from over, and that there would be more challenges to come. But he also knew that he had proven himself as a skilled warrior and a formidable leader.

As I write this now, I can still hear the echoes of their swords ringing out across the battlefield. The duel between Lazarus and Alexios was a moment that will be forever remembered in the annals of history, a testament to the bravery and skill of two great warriors.

Despite my attempts to reason with him, Lazarus could not be swayed from his path. He was a man consumed by his anger and his thirst for vengeance. As we pushed deeper into the Eastern Roman Empire, we faced greater and greater resistance. But Lazarus was a skilled strategist, and he was able to outmaneuver our enemies at every turn.

It was not an easy journey. Many of our men fell in battle, and we faced numerous setbacks along the way. But Lazarus's unwavering determination and his fierce anger drove us forward. We slowly conquered city after city, and our grip on the Eastern Roman Empire grew tighter.

As I sit down to record these events, I am filled with mixed emotions. On the one hand, I am proud of Lazarus's skill and determination in leading us to victory. But on the other hand, I cannot help but feel that we have lost sight of our original mission. What started as a quest for justice has turned into a brutal conquest, fueled by Lazarus's anger and thirst for revenge.

Only time will tell what the future holds for the Western Roman Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire. But for now, we stand victorious, and Lazarus's name will forever be remembered as the one who brought down the Eastern Roman Empire.