John Gavras, the current head of the main branch of the Gavras Family, was the great-grandson of the scholar Michael Gavras. Although Manuel, in his previous life, did not know the exact position of John Gavras due to the loss and lack of historical records, now, living in this era, he knew: John Gavras's current position was that of an Imperial Calculator (Myrtaites), a lower-ranking but officially appointed position.
After informing the servant in front of the mansion of his purpose and waiting outside the door for a while, Manuel was invited into the mansion as he wished. Before the owner of the house arrived, he took the opportunity to observe the layout and structure of the interior.
Inside the house, the surrounding walls were generally clean, white limestone, decorated exquisitely and simply. However, upon closer inspection, one would notice that they had not been well-maintained recently. In the living room, which connected the interior and exterior, the necessary furniture and items were orderly arranged, adhering to the etiquette of Roman nobles, without a single flaw. Aside from the representative emblem of this branch, there was little else hanging on the walls. However, the exquisite mosaic portraits of Constantine Gavras, the first head of the Gavras Family, and the heroic ancestor Theodoro Gavras, prominently displayed on the north wall, still caught Manuel's eye.
From this living room alone, compared to other ordinary city dwellers, the decor of this mansion could be considered quite superior. Yet, Manuel couldn't help but shake his head inwardly: for no other reason than that it was simply too humble compared to the palace, the residence of the Caesar who ruled both sides of the Black Sea.
However, he quickly dismissed this thought and mocked himself for it: when casually commenting on others, one should consider whether the other party possesses the advantages one has.
Evidently, the main branch did not seem to have many. After the two Andronikos civil wars and the two John civil wars, the main line of the Gavras Family also declined along with the city, so much so that there were no detailed records of the descendants of Michael Gavras and his brother John Gavras in official history. Thinking of this, Manuel felt an even more subtle feeling towards them in his heart.
While making these associations, John Gavras emerged from the house, dressed in a neat, greenish-grey dalmatica. Although his appearance was very fitting for his age, both portraying a middle-aged man; as he was a civil noble, his skin appeared somewhat fairer than Manuel's, who had been tempered by the battlefield. His black beard and dark short hair, coupled with the Gavras Family's unique dark brown pupils, and his demeanor, perfectly suited his status as the head of the main branch. But what was difficult for an astute observer to ignore was the excessive calmness in John's eyes, giving one a feeling as if he had calmly accepted the coming of the apocalypse.
Upon the other party's arrival, Manuel set aside his pretense as an overseas monarch and performed an orthodox bow, customary for a junior. John returned the bow and then inquired of the visiting Manuel:
"Holy Father above, I apologize for not greeting you sooner. But please allow me to ask, what matter does Caesar seek me for?"
"We are both members of the Gavras Family, so there's no need for titles in our conversation." Manuel, dressed in clean casual clothes, spread his hands, frankly suggesting that his distant relative need not employ such elaborate formalities. "Didn't I have someone hint at it beforehand? I came here to meet other Gavras Family members, especially the distant relatives of the main branch."
Before setting off, Manuel had already used some members of his secret department as communicators. Although the two major factions of the Gavras Family had split due to political differences back then, with the passage of time, in the 15th century, no one cared about family feuds from centuries ago.
Although still harboring doubts, since this young monarch, a member of the branch family, had said so, John found it difficult to say much more. In their subsequent conversation, as the other party was only discussing their circumstances over the years, he relaxed his guard.
When discussing why the main branch had fallen to this state, John couldn't help but smile faintly, saying with great helplessness, "You've seen our sorry state, distant relative. Unlike other great nobles in the city who still hold some power in politics, or even have gained the right to reside in Genoa or Venice, our so-called main branch has become so dilapidated that we can only sustain ourselves with a few insignificant official positions."
As he spoke, John's tone was so calm, as if it had nothing to do with him, yet one could faintly discern the hidden sigh within.
"Though it might be presumptuous, didn't the main branch have some properties in the Latin Empire, Nicaea, and Epirus back then?" Manuel found it hard to believe that the main branch had fallen to such a state, especially since, in official history, this distant relative of his had successfully escaped the city with his family when it fell in 1453.
"You… sigh, never mind. It's normal for the Phra branch not to know. Let me just say one thing: most of our main branch's properties were along the coast of Asia Minor, that's all."
Manuel nodded silently. Since the dissolution of Rum and the rise of various Turk tribes, the Empire's Asia Minor had been constantly encroached upon by them. It was perfectly normal for the main branch of the Gavras, who relied on these Asia Minor farmlands, to decline as a result.
After talking for about half an hour, Manuel introduced his bodyguard, Badars, a member of the branch family, to John, and then rose to take his leave, preparing to return home. As he was leaving, Manuel habitually asked, "Distant relative, what are your plans for the future?"
This question left John stunned for a good while. After a moment, he looked directly at his distant relative, "None. Just as the scriptures say—"
"'Vanitas vanitatum et omnia vanitas (Vanity of vanities; all is vanity).'"
He recited this widely circulated scripture with a calm gaze, showing no ripple of emotion or any hope. Then he immediately asked, "Distant relative, there are rumors in the fallen territories that the conquest of Rome by the Turk was also the will of the Holy Father, and therefore no resistance should exist. This is a baseless falsehood. But as the head of the family, I still have a question: is there truly any meaning in your choice to go south to Asia Minor and stir up this muddy water?"
Manuel had not expected such a reply. He was momentarily stunned. After a moment, he also recited a passage from scripture as his answer—
"'A quibus quidam aberrantes, conversi sunt in vaniloquium (Some have gone astray, turning instead to emptiness).'"
Having said that, Manuel turned and, with a touch of irritation and without looking back, returned to his residence with his personal bodyguard.
This left Badars somewhat confused. "Caesar, I thought you were both talking quite well, how did it turn out like this…?"
"Badars," Manuel interrupted him with a troubled expression, "do you also think that everything we are doing is in vain?"