Despite his success, Tarchaneiotes is resented by the local magnates, who had mostly profited from the previous situation and have been most affected from his reforms and his honest administration, as well as by the anti-Arsenite establishment of the Church.
In the end, some of the pronoia holders, who have been deprived of land through John's reforms, approach the anti-Arsenite bishop of Philadelphia, Theoleptos, and accuse Tarchaneiotes of plotting a revolt.
Facing the hostility of the local aristocracy, Tarchaneiotes is forced to flee—probably in mid-1300—to Thessalonica, where the emperor resides.
Apparently Tarchaneiotes is imprisoned again, for he is last recorded as being released again from prison in 1304.
Following his flight, the situation in Asia Minor deteriorates rapidly as his reforms are abandoned and reversed, and the army's pay is diverted into the pockets of the local elites.
Consequently, within a short time the imperial army will disintegrate, especially as the numerous mercenaries desert it for want of pay, opening the path for the complete collapse of imperial authority in Asia Minor over the next decade.
