In Rome, Pope Callixtus III received Aeneas, the Chancellor of the Austrian court, a man of great renown in the Church, who came as Laszlo's envoy to pay his respects to the Pope.
"I heard you once participated in the Council of Basel schism?"
The old Pope curiously scrutinized Aeneas; it was his first time meeting this famous poet and scholar. Previously, little was known about him, but when he took up an important position in the Emperor's court, many stories from his youth were unearthed from obscure corners.
There were stories about his studies at the University of Siena in his youth, including how, as a theology student, he had more than a dozen girlfriends.
There was the legendary account of his mission to Scotland, where he nearly lost his life in the Atlantic.
Most captivating were his past experiences as a cardinal's secretary at the Council of Basel and the interesting anecdotes from his subsequent travels across Europe. As soon as his works were published, they were immediately sought after by many; some enjoyed his poetry, others his prose, and even more were irresistibly drawn to his vulgar, lengthy romance novels.
He lived the first half of his life as a free bird, untamed and unrestrained. In the latter half, he was locked in a cage by the Emperor, and that cage was the Imperial court.
After maturing, Aeneas accepted Albrecht's invitation to become Laszlo's tutor, and he naturally became an important figure beside the Emperor.
He personally witnessed and documented every major event since Laszlo's ascension to the throne, preserving them as material for future biographers of the Emperor.
Now, he once again heard someone mention that name that existed only in memory—the Council of Basel schism.
Everyone concerned with the matter would ask him his stance on it, and even the Pope before him was no exception.
This was actually a very simple matter: a major, irreconcilable divergence arose within the Papacy. A portion of the bishops agreed to the Compacts of Prague (also known as the Basel Compacts), and the Cup faction of Bohemia also agreed to this compact.
However, the then-Pope Eugene IV did not wish to compromise with the Hussites, and the Tábor faction in Bohemia also hoped to completely eradicate the Catholic presence in Bohemia.
Thus, in 1438, a portion of the bishops followed the Pope's instructions and left to convene a religious council elsewhere.
Meanwhile, the dissenting bishops remained in Basel, elected their opposing Pope, and initiated a twelve-year-long Papal schism.
The Council of Basel lasted from 1431 until 1449, only dissolving itself when Nicholas V took office.
Who could have imagined that the issue of dealing with the Hussites would lead to a schism within the Papacy?
If asked for his opinion on it?
He was young then and found the idea of a Papal schism quite interesting. Moreover, the Council of Basel's stance was precisely what he supported—he had even written poetry subtly expressing sympathy for Huss.
At that time, someone told him that participating in such an illegal organization would become a stain on his life, leading to constant suppression by the Church and no chance of recovery.
He merely smiled it off; truly talented people are very difficult to suppress.
He hadn't expected that now, even with the Hussites having become dust in history, people still cared about the Council of Basel.
Upon recalling the task Laszlo had given him, Aeneas could only feign a contrite expression and melancholically replied, "At that time, I was young and ignorant, and rashly made the wrong choice. From the current situation, it is clear that heresy cannot be forgiven. I regret my foolish actions, and the esteemed Emperor has already cleared Bohemia of heresy for you."
Pope Callixtus III nodded with satisfaction and said, "I forgive your sins on behalf of the Lord, Aeneas. You came here not merely to boast to me of the Emperor's glorious military achievements, did you?"
"Yes, Your Holiness. The Emperor sent me primarily for two matters. The first is about you breaking the agreement and making a separate truce with the invaders. As Pope, you should be even more aware that if the French gain Naples, Italy will lose its freedom. Defending Ferdinando is defending Italy itself! I am also an Italian, and I believe no one wishes to see the French run rampant on this land."
Pope Callixtus III looked helpless; he tried to defend himself: "When Rome was besieged by the French, the Emperor's promised reinforcements still hadn't arrived… It was not my intention to break the agreement; it was truly forced by circumstances."
"At that time, the Emperor was busy eradicating heresy in Bohemia and truly could not spare additional troops to aid the Italian war effort," Aeneas's tone shifted, "However, now, His Majesty has freed his hands and intends to rescue Italy from its critical situation. It's just that His Majesty still has concerns and hopes to receive your assistance."
"Are you talking about Poland?"
Pope Callixtus III almost immediately realized Aeneas's unspoken meaning.
Aeneas nodded in affirmation: "I trust you are also indignant about Poland's wicked act of waging war against the Teutonic Order, disregarding the Church."
"Indeed."
Pope Callixtus III was also furious about the King of Poland's actions, though his punishment of the King of Poland had little effect.
"When the previous Pope Nicholas V was in office, he had warned the Prussian League and the Kingdom of Poland that if they did not cease their war with the Teutonic Order, he would excommunicate the King of Poland and his allies. Unfortunately, Nicholas V considered the greater good, in order to unite more forces against the Ottomans, and ultimately did not excommunicate the King of Poland. You see, times have changed. Not only have the Ottomans been repelled, but the Hussites in Bohemia have also been cleared. The enemies of the Papacy are the enemies of the Emperor. If you can excommunicate the King of Poland and emphasize the trade embargo against Poland and the Prussian League, the Emperor would be very pleased to end this dispute for you."
Pope Callixtus III almost immediately agreed to these suggestions; he also felt it necessary to punish the King of Poland for defying the Papacy.
"In addition, the Emperor hopes to receive some extra support as compensation for clearing the Hussites and defending Italy."
Aeneas continued to try to secure more benefits for the Emperor.
Pope Callixtus III frowned slightly, feeling that the Emperor was sending someone to fleece him, and once wasn't enough.
However, he still patiently asked, "What else does the Emperor request?"
"His Majesty hopes to gain the allegiance of the Teutonic Order and, through a formal decree, establish the Teutonic Order as a legitimate state of the Empire."
"I think it is clearly more appropriate for the Teutonic Order to maintain its political independence; they are God's warriors."
"Then how about moving the Teutonic Order's chapters in the German region to Vienna, and having the Teutonic Order's chapters within the Empire swear allegiance to His Majesty and participate in the Imperial Diet as representatives of the Teutonic Order?"
Pope Callixtus III pondered for a moment. This compromise could satisfy all parties, and he had no reason to refuse.
"The Emperor doesn't have any other unfulfilled demands, does he?"
"Regarding the vacancy of the Warmia bishopric, His Majesty the Emperor recommends Wilfried, a bishop from Vienna, to take over. What are your thoughts?"
Warmia? Pope Callixtus III certainly knew that it was the most important bishopric in the Prussia region, maintaining a semi-independent existence as a protectorate of the Teutonic Order. This bishopric also held a seat and voting rights in the Imperial Diet, nominally under the Emperor's jurisdiction.
A pro-Teutonic Order bishop would clearly be more favorable to the situation, and it would also be an easy way to gain the Emperor's favor. After weighing the pros and cons, Pope Callixtus III agreed to this final request.
Aeneas, having successfully completed his mission, set off back to Vienna.
Soon after, the Pope issued an important decree. The decree included the excommunication of the King of Poland and his allies, along with a commercial embargo; it ordered the German branch of the Teutonic Order to relocate to Vienna and swear allegiance to the Emperor; and it appointed Wilfried of Austria as the next Bishop of Warmia.
Władysław III, upon learning the contents of the decree, was uncontrollably furious. Already caught up in the war, he had no thought of repenting or submitting to the Pope.
He dispatched envoys to France and Venice, hoping they could help deal with the Emperor. As for his other two important allies, Sweden and Lithuania, the King of Poland held no hope.
Lithuania was currently busy dealing with raids from the Crimean Tatars and incursions from the Grand Duchy of Moscow, leaving them preoccupied.
King Karl VIII of Sweden was even worse off; although supported by Poland, he was still being steadily defeated by the King of Denmark. He had now lost all his territory and led a fleet permanently stationed in Danzig, becoming a pirate king rampant in the Baltic Sea.