Chapter 318: East-West Schism (2/2)

The Vatican will denounce your majesty and me as Heretics and condemn us to Hell for eternity; we will be forced to do the same in response. There will be no mending this bridge. You must choose a path as Emperor of the Romans! Do we stand with the Vatican as we have for centuries, or do we embrace the German Reformation as a legitimate branch of Christianity?”

In response to this, Vetranis tapped his armrest repeatedly as he thought about how best to handle this situation that had presented itself. Ultimately, he could not afford to denounce Berengar; the man held too much debt against him.

With his licensing of privateers, Austria could easily cripple the trade of the Empire if they reneged on that deal. Just like they had done to the Holy Roman Empire, the might of the Austrian Navy was not to be underestimated.

Though the combined might of the catholic world might be enough to bring down Berengar's Grand Army, it would be years before they could fully mobilize their forces, and by then, Berengar's army may have grown triple in size, it would be capable of holding its own.

After careful consideration, Vetranis stood up from his golden throne before responding with a firm tone.

”Inform Pope Lucius that the Empire stands with King Berengar and the Kingdom of Austria. Tell that fool that under the declaration of the Emperor of Byzantium and the Patriarch of Constantinople, the German Reformation is at this moment considered a legitimate branch of Christianity!”

When Petrus heard this, he sighed heavily as he rubbed his temples in an attempt to cure his growing headache. While he knew that Austria's wealth and power were multiplying at a rapid rate, openly supporting them, and their so-called German Reformation would undoubtedly mean war with the western world. Such a thing could prove disastrous. Nevertheless, he was willing to follow Emperor Vetranis's decision on the matter and, as such, bowed before the Emperor respectfully.

”Yes, your majesty, I will relay your words to the Vatican. Hopefully, they won't react too harshly to our decision, but I fear this will create a rift between us that will never be mended.”

In response to this, Vetranis simply sat down upon his throne once more and rested his face in his hands; as he did so, he made one more comment about how he perceived the future.

”With the rise of the German Reformation and others like it throughout Europe, the days of Papal dominance have come to an end. They are too foolish to realize that their crusade will be the end of Catholic authority as we know it. I do not care for Berengar or his religious beliefs; I am merely choosing the winning side...”

With that said, the Patriarch of Constantinople was dismissed, and Vetranis was left by his lonesome once more as he began to sulk in depression over the loss of his comrade.

”Oh, Arethas... Surely if you were still alive, you would council me on such a course of action, would you not?”

With Arethas gone, the Emperor's confidence in ruling his Empire effectively had crumbled; without the support of the mighty Strategos and his charisma, Vetranis would begin to second guess his every decision.

With the choices made by the Byzantine Emperor, and his subservient Patriarch on this day, the East-West schism had finally occurred. The year 1421 AD in this world, would forever mark the divide between the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Churches.

The reasons surrounding this schism were entirely the result of Berengar's effects on the timeline; had he never risen to power, and challenged Papal authority, the likelihood of such a divide occurring would be slim. Thus proving once more that Berengar's existence in this world had forever changed its course of destiny.

What effect this schism would have on Byzantine growth and prosperity had yet to be seen. However, one thing was sure. Such actions were bound to breed conflict between the Rus and their neighbors in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Even Berengar could not predict the rapid changes that would occur in Eastern Europe because of his actions.

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