Even with the ship's speed maximized and port stops lasting less than half a day, it still took Manuel and his entourage nearly a month to travel from Mangup on the Black Sea coast to Florence on the eastern shore of the Eastern Mediterranean.
They finally arrived at the port of Pisa, then under the rule of the Republic of Florence, in late early September of that year.
This commercial city-state, once a rival to Venice and Genoa in the Eastern Mediterranean, eventually declined after its conflict with Florence, and was annexed by the Republic of Florence in 1406, contributing to the Republic's development and expansion on the Apennine Peninsula.
For the Romans, the fall of the Republic of Pisa had little impact; if anything, it was more of a good thing.
Because the decline of one old commercial Republic meant the loosening of the rope around the Empire's neck.
However, considering that these commercial interests were eventually taken over by Genoa and Venice, Pisa's decline seemed less important for the Eastern Roman Empire.
As the Council of Florence was to be held in Florence, Manuel and his party did not linger long in the bustling city of Pisa.
Instead, accompanied by their retinue, they directly transferred to carriages and headed for the main city of Florence.
After less than a day of bumpy travel, they finally arrived at this prosperous city, built in the center of a basin surrounded by several small hills.
Although it was still the early to mid-15th century, and the later renowned Renaissance movement was only just beginning to show its first signs, Florence did not yet possess many of the famous artistic wonders of later times.
Even so, this ancient city, dating back to the Etruscan city-state era, already boasted many ancient buildings and marvels that left him in awe.
In contrast, he couldn't help but feel a sense of regret and helplessness for his hometown, Mangup.
Although its predecessor, Chersonesus, was also a city built since classical times, its location on the front lines and its destruction by several waves of nomadic peoples throughout history meant that, apart from the old city walls and foundations, there are virtually no ancient relics above ground today.
If not for the diligent efforts of the Gavras lords, including Manuel, in local construction, the city's scale and prosperity would likely not compare to Florence's.
In addition to the many local scenic spots, the local Latins were also quite novel to Manuel.
The attire of these Tuscan Northern Italian citizens differed significantly from that of the Black Sea Romans, who were heavily influenced by Tatars and Turks, and also from the Italian merchants who had long frequented the Black Sea coast:
The local upper-class individuals, both men and women, walking on the main avenues mostly favored luxurious robes made of fine fabrics like velvet and brocade.
Men's outer garments were often pourpoints, while women's outer garments were long robes.
Their clothing was opulent yet elegant, showing much better taste than the brightly colored Frankish nobles of Western and Central Europe.
As for the lower and middle classes, they simply wore linen chemises as outer garments and tied on chausses (trousers), which was simple and convenient.
Although in Caesar's eyes, their fashion sense was inferior to his own and that of his proper Roman subjects, it still piqued his interest, having lived on the Black Sea coast for so long.
However, the local urban street hygiene truly made him frown slightly.
Although Manuel and his group were walking on the clean main avenues frequented by officials and nobles, the foul odor from the filth in the city's small alleys constantly wafted into his nostrils.
Evidently, even in Florence, citizens, like in other Western European medieval cities, had the habit of directly dumping waste and garbage into the streets and alleys.
While the Latins of the Italian peninsula were generally more cultured than those in other parts of Central and Western Europe, and would not directly dump excrement onto main roads, their practice of dumping it in alleys was still extremely discomforting to Manuel, a Roman.
It was fortunate that he had promoted such practices in his own country; otherwise, if the major cities like Trabzon and Mangup were equally foul-smelling, he would have had to establish his permanent palace residence in the suburbs, just like the Western Europeans.
So thought Caesar.
After passing by Palazzo Davizzi, the Medici Family palace, and the Piazza della Signoria, they finally arrived at the residence arranged for them by the Roman Curia and the Republic.
However, Manuel, being well-traveled, did not meticulously observe the structure and style of the place.
Instead, he called his accompanying officials to his side to discuss how to proceed in the upcoming Council of Florence.
The next morning, the Bosporus delegation, at the Pope's invitation, gladly arrived at the Florence City Hall.
This was one of the administrative centers of the Republic of Florence, and in official history, it was later converted into a personal palace by the usurper Cosimo de' Medici, known to later generations as the Palazzo Vecchio.
However, this time, it appeared before Manuel as the venue for the Council of Florence.
Since Emperor John VIII had already completed almost all of the negotiations, he and his Ecumenical Patriarch had returned home last month.
Now, the one left to finalize matters was his most outstanding brother, Constantine Dragases Palaiologos, the Moria Despotate.
At this time, Constantine was wearing a dalmatica woven from blue-purple silk, and beneath it was a light dalmatica.
However, the sharp-eyed Manuel noticed that his Brother-in-law's formal attire did not look new; it was likely not from recent years.
Upon seeing his familiar Brother-in-law, Manuel immediately greeted him and exchanged pleasantries.
When asked why he had only now set off with the patriarchs, his Brother-in-law merely smiled helplessly, "Ah, haha, dealing with the Eastern European Great Plains took some time, Holy Father above, I truly apologize..."
"Cut it out," Constantine almost blurted out.
Even if you were busy dealing with the Golden Horde, sending a few bishops under your jurisdiction wouldn't have been a problem, right?
Unless, his Brother-in-law was planning something...
Thinking of this, the Despotate's gaze became much sharper and more complex, and his speaking pace with Manuel also slowed down.
But what answered him was still only the other's peaceful and composed smile, and his unhurried demeanor.
Just as Constantine was about to subtly admonish Manuel on the spot, an old and seemingly calm voice came from behind them, "Greetings, Manuel, Amen."
Upon hearing this, Manuel immediately turned around and saw an old man with an aged face and a solemn expression.
He was wearing heavy white ecclesiastical robes, a Catholic cross necklace around his neck, and his sparse white hair was well concealed by the papal tiara on his head.
He maintained a ceremonial smile throughout, almost completely still.
Evidently, this person was none other than the Pope of the Roman Curia, Pope Eugene IV.
To the Pope's greeting, Manuel, neither humble nor arrogant, turned around and, in accordance with etiquette, replied, "Greetings, Your Holiness, may the Holy Father bless you, Amen."
Regarding the young Caesar's response, the Pope, who had just finished greeting Constantine, keenly noticed something unusual: although the other party respectfully addressed him as "Your Holiness," he deliberately or inadvertently avoided the word "Pope."
At the same time, he responded with an orthodox rite, rather than a Catholic rite or any other compromise ritual.
This made Pope Eugene IV perceive a slight abnormality, but the other party's gentle face prevented him from finding any fault.
Therefore, after a brief exchange of pleasantries, the Pope finally only tentatively inquired about the other party's view of the Council of Florence, "...Caesar, this council will guide us, won't it?"
"Regardless of the outcome, the results of this Council of Florence should be respected, as witnessed by the Holy Father."
To the other's probing, Manuel ultimately gave only an ambiguous reply, accompanied by that same gentle smile.