Dispelling the Shadow

In the court of Vienna, Laszlo had just seen off the envoy from Saluzzo.

After the fall of the Duchy of Savoy, the only Italian lord who had not yet sworn allegiance to the Emperor was the Marquis of Saluzzo.

This small marquisate, surrounded by the territories of Provence and Savoy and located on the fringes of the Empire, was often overlooked.

After the fall of Savoy, Montferrat bordered Saluzzo, and the two families actually had kinship ties. William Palaiologos, who had returned to Vienna with Laszlo to serve on the Privy Council's Foreign Affairs Committee, was in fact the father-in-law of the Marquis of Saluzzo.

Through his mediation, the Emperor accepted Saluzzo's allegiance and added the Marquis of Saluzzo as a new signatory to the Treaty of Milan.

Only then did the long-awaited panel finally appear before Laszlo.

This was the first time he had a rare premonition of when the panel would appear.

Event: Dispelling the Shadow

Although the Italian King was formally part of the Holy Roman Empire, the independent actions of the Italian states made it, in many respects, a "shadow kingdom."

Previous emperors' attempts to restore imperial authority in the region had failed, leading to large swathes of land falling into the hands of lords who openly defied imperial authority.

Before this Italian War, the question for many Italian states was why they should allow a German Emperor to lord over their lands.

The shadow kingdom was a thorn in the Emperor's side; it not only affected his claims to Italy but also reduced him to a mere usurper claiming to be the successor of Rome.

Now the Empire has once again brought the Italian states under its control and secured their place within the Holy Roman Empire.

The Emperor successfully made the Italian lords realize what allowed the Habsburg to ascend to the imperial throne.

Through this diplomatic and military stroke of genius, everyone in the Christian world has understood that resistance to imperial rule is futile.

Option One: Light Dispels the Shadow

Now, the Emperor can proudly declare that he has become the sun, dispelling the shadow that covered the Empire's Italian territories.

Gains Modifier (Italian King): All lords in the Italian region gain increased favorability: Rebellion in the Italian royal domain is greatly reduced:

Trigger Event (Pope and Emperor)

This event had only one option, and to Laszlo's surprise, it was a chain event.

The next event panel followed immediately.

Event: Pope and Emperor

Through the Emperor's unremitting efforts, Italy has returned to the embrace of the Holy Roman Empire, no longer a "shadow kingdom."

The Papal States must now make a choice.

Either accept the Emperor's hegemony or stand exposed and vulnerable at the Empire's doorstep.

Once the Pope accepts the Emperor's authority, it will have an earth-shattering impact on the Catholic world.

Catholics within the Empire might strengthen their faith through the legitimacy bestowed by the fact that the Papal States is a member of the Holy Roman Empire.

However, Catholics outside the Empire are unlikely to be friendly to such a decision; they might strongly oppose it.

Option One: A "Holy" Roman Empire?

Now that Northern Italy has just been pacified, and the Pope and the Emperor have a very close personal relationship, the situation is unprecedentedly favorable for the Emperor.

If this opportune moment can be seized to invite the Pope, perhaps a truly "Holy" Empire can be realized!

Effect: The Pope will have a certain chance to agree to join the Empire.

Option Two: An "Unholy" Roman Empire?

The Pope's inclusion could lead the Empire into extreme diplomatic passivity.

France might re-establish an antipope in Avignon, and the Spanish would also be displeased.

Moreover, what status should be granted to the Pope so that he does not influence the Emperor, while also satisfying most people, is a world-class problem.

Perhaps letting the Pope linger outside the Empire's gates is a better choice.

No modifier

This event posed a dilemma for Laszlo; logically, choosing Option One would certainly be good.

If the Pope joined the Empire, the Empire would immediately possess both the "Holy" and "Roman" attributes.

But the problem arose: centuries ago, the Emperor and the Pope fought tooth and nail in the Italian region for power.

The still-existing Ghibelline and Guelph factions are proof of those tumultuous years.

Now, he had exerted immense effort to pacify Northern Italy, seizing large territories from Milan and Venice.

Bringing the Pope in at this point would make things rather tricky.

The first unavoidable topic would be the Pope's imperial rank.

Upon the Pope's entry into the Empire, the Archbishop of Mainz's position as the head of the Empire's religious lords would undoubtedly be superseded.

So, would the Pope replace the Archbishop of Mainz's Elector seat?

This would mean the Pope would have the opportunity to directly interfere in imperial elections.

Moreover, any rash increase or replacement of the seven Electors stipulated by the golden bull could likely stir up trouble within the Empire.

However, if the Pope were classified as an ordinary religious lord, this would undoubtedly be a debasement and humiliation of the Pope.

Even if Nicholas, that is, Pope Pius II himself, didn't mind, the forces within the Papal States would certainly not let it go, and future Popes would never accept such a fact.

Whatever power and status are granted to the Pope, it will inevitably lead to the next conflict between the Emperor and the Pope.

Furthermore, on the Italian question, the Pope would likely have to hold opposing views to the Emperor, which would inevitably escalate conflict.

Of course, during the time of Pope Pius II, such a conflict might not be too obvious, but subsequent Popes are unpredictable, unless... unless Austria can continuously monopolize the papacy and control the Holy See!

Laszlo's eyes lit up, but he immediately abandoned this bold idea.

Other countries were not fools; if the Holy See became a tool of him, the Emperor, then the "filial sons" of God would surely create another, or even several, Holy Sees.

But giving up just like that, Laszlo always felt unwilling; there would be no better opportunity to bring the Pope under the Emperor's dominion, making imperial power superior to ecclesiastical power.

"Why worry so much? I've already done so many earth-shattering things, one more won't hurt!"

Laszlo muttered under his breath, hardened his heart, and directly chose Option One.

"William!"

"Your Majesty, I am here."

"I have a letter here that I need you to personally deliver to Rome for me," Laszlo pulled out a letter that had appeared at some unknown time from his pocket and handed it to William. "I want you to remember the Pope's reply by heart and tell me every word when you return."

"As you command, Your Majesty!"

William took the letter, quite curious himself. The Emperor had already met the Pope in Rome previously, so why was he sending him to Rome again now?

However, since he was to return with the reply, it meant he would know what was written in the letter then.

He suppressed his curiosity and, as the Emperor's special envoy, set off from Vienna without delay, heading for Rome. The Italian matters finally seemed to be drawing to a close, but for Laszlo, everything was just beginning.

This was merely his first step within the Empire.

After this, his gaze began to turn towards his family's long-standing enemies, and he ambitiously prepared to reclaim all that the Habsburg Family had lost.