As Manuel concluded the Council of Florence and embarked on his journey home, a political earthquake unexpectedly struck Eastern Europe.
Earlier this year, after subduing Serbia, Ottoman Sultan Murad II decided to brazenly invade the Kingdom of Hungary to punish Hungary for its repeated support of Serbia during that period, and to further penetrate Eastern Europe to rule south of the Carpathian Mountains.
Therefore, Albrecht II von Habsburg, King of Germany and "King of the Romans" of the Holy Roman Empire, who had already inherited the Hungarian throne from his father-in-law Sigismund, resolutely stepped forward and led the combined forces of Austria and Hungary to resist the Ottoman invasion.
Unfortunately, during the war against the invasion, he was severely wounded and could no longer continue, coming within a step of complete demise.
In September of that year, as the Council of Florence on the neighboring Italian peninsula was in its final stages, Albrecht II, suffering from severe wounds and epileptic seizures, seemed to be just one step away from the grave, lying unconscious on a sickbed in the Neszmély military camp.
Just when the nobles thought their king was about to meet his Creator, Albert suddenly awoke in his bed before dusk in the middle of this month, his eyes unusually clear and sharp, as if showing signs of improvement.
But both he and everyone else knew that this was merely a temporary rally before death.
Briefly regaining lucidity, Albrecht II looked around and sighed.
After seemingly understanding the situation, he remained silent for a moment, then called his most trusted subordinates in the Kingdom of Hungary and Szekcsi Dénes, the Hungarian Primate present, to his side, and in front of everyone, declared his will:
"I know that this time I will be called by the Lord and go to Heaven, so I will not say anything more than necessary."
The King's words were labored and urgent, clearly indicating he could not hold on much longer, "Your Eminence Szekcsi Dénes?"
"I am here."
The Cardinal, who had long been with the army and thus missed the final stages of the Council of Florence, stepped forward gravely and bowed in response to the king, who was gravely ill.
"After my death, I ask Your Eminence to protect my wife and unborn child.
If the child is a boy, he shall be named Ladislaus; if a girl, she shall bear her mother's name.
In any case, I ask you to personally baptize and even crown this child..."
"As the Lord is my witness, I will not fail your Majesty's words."
The Archbishop bowed respectfully to the King, signifying his unwavering commitment.
The King then nodded slightly with difficulty, acknowledging his oath.
"Újlaki Miklós?"
Then, Albert turned his head with difficulty and called this powerful Hungarian magnate.
"Your servant is here."
Újlaki Miklós, the Ban of Macsó (historically Mačva in present-day Serbia), also stepped forward upon hearing this.
As an influential magnate in the Croatian region of the Kingdom of Hungary, he was also known by his contemporaries as "Nicholas of Ilok" after his birthplace, and three generations of his family had been loyal to successive kings.
"Please assist my child, so that he may become a talent capable of protecting the Kingdom."
"I swear to the Lord, I will not fail your Majesty's trust."
Újlaki, with his heroic face and battle-hardened demeanor, firmly saluted the King, showing his determination.
Albert also nodded slightly at his performance, indicating his satisfaction.
"Hunyadi János."
Finally, Albrecht II called this general, whom he and his father-in-law Sigismund had personally promoted, and extended his hand to him, entrusting him with these words: "Please teach my child so that he can lead everyone to stand alone for the Kingdom, to protect that which is threatened by the devils of the infidels... *cough!* *cough*..."
"Your Majesty, your servant will never betray his oath to you."
Hunyadi, already over fifty, knelt on one knee, his expression solemn.
As a minor noble from Transylvania personally elevated by this father-in-law and son-in-law pair, he was deeply grateful for their recognition and patronage.
Finally, feeling that his affairs were settled, King Albert seemed to relax a great deal, and his face became serene, "Very good, then I can leave with peace of mind.
Lord, please forgive me.
And Elizabeth, I'm sorry, I..."
Unfortunately, Albrecht II ultimately passed away before he could finish his last words, leaving his loyal subjects to call out "Your Majesty, Your Majesty" repeatedly, then look at each other, unsure what to do.
"So, what do we do now?"
The first to ask was Cardinal Szekcsi, who had received the King's dying entrustment.
Thus, on October 27, 1439, Albrecht II, King of Germany of the Holy Roman Empire, who did not even have time to be crowned Emperor, died in Neszmély, Hungary, at the age of 35.
According to his will, his titles of Duke of Austria, King of Bohemia, and King of Hungary were to be inherited by the unborn child in the womb of his wife, Elizabeth of Luxembourg.
During this period, his relative, Frederick III von Habsburg, Duke of Styria, aged only 24, would act as guardian for his wife and child, caring for the orphaned mother and child until the posthumous son came of age.
With the death of Albrecht II, the Kingdom of Hungary and the Holy Roman Empire consequently plunged into chaos due to the interregnum.
As for the Kingdom of Bohemia? After the Hussite Wars, the highly independent and autonomous Hussite Utraquist nobles of Bohemia did not even recognize Albrecht II's claim to the throne, but instead elected the Hussite local noble Jiří of Poděbrady as regent.
The only fortunate thing was that because the initial Ottoman offensive was thwarted by Hungary, they were forced to temporarily retreat to their controlled territories instead of launching further attacks, which gave the Kingdom a chance to breathe.
Seizing this opportunity, the three ministers entrusted by Albrecht II immediately set off, taking their trusted retainers to Vienna to welcome Albrecht II's widow, Elizabeth of Luxembourg, who was already nearly five months pregnant.
But as soon as they left Pest with their troops, the nobles of the Hungarian Parliament immediately declared that they did not recognize the inheritance rights of the former king's posthumous child.
The reason was simple: "In this time of crisis, the Kingdom cannot be without a monarch for a single day, nor can it be ruled by a young lord whose capabilities are unknown.
What's more, 'he' hasn't even been born yet; we don't even know if it's a boy or a girl!"
A Magyar noble's speech in Parliament fully articulated what Hungary truly needed at that moment.
This news quickly spread throughout Eastern Europe.
And as he passed along the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, Manuel, upon hearing this, exclaimed with a look of surprise, in a voice completely inaudible to others,
"It's finally here, Ulaslo I of Hungary."