Three days later, Trullinczentyr, the Imperial Central Parliament Hall.
This hall, which had witnessed centuries of change and upheaval in Leithanien, was once again filled to capacity.
The throne sat empty. Beside the conference table sat the wielders of the empire's power—the nine Great Electors.
Lacey sat at the head of the table. To his left were his staunchest allies: Meklen Neum, Wolner von Hochberg, and Professor Rudolf.
To his right were Ziegler, Gabriel, and Alfred, the three pragmatists of the neutral faction.
They appeared somewhat uneasy, exchanging glances from time to time as if to confirm each other's stance.
And at the far end of the long table, the two Electors, Abraham of Heidenshweir and Hoffmann of Oschdenheim, sat isolated with ashen faces, their entire beings radiating unwillingness.
Lizelotte and Herlinmarte sat in the gallery. Their former imperial robes had been replaced with plain dresses; they were no longer the judges, but the ones awaiting judgment.
Herlinmarte's expression was calm, while Lizelotte kept her head bowed, her face unreadable.
The meeting was presided over by Wolner von Hochberg.
He began by distributing documents to everyone present.
Then, in a steady voice, he began: "Esteemed colleagues, before you is a portion of the evidence detailing the abuse of power, corruption, and malfeasance committed by the Twin Empresses, Lizelotte Iwegnade and Herlinmarte Hildegard, during their reign."
"And... this is the original secret decree, personally signed by Lizelotte Iwegnade, authorizing Lord Abraham Rossetti to assassinate another legitimate Elector."
When the parchment scroll was displayed, the air in the chamber grew heavy.
Abraham Rossetti lowered his head even further.
"According to the Imperial Charter, when a monarch commits irrefutable, grave crimes such as treason, violation of the law, or attempting to incite civil war, the Imperial Central Parliament has the right to initiate impeachment."
Wolner paused, his gaze sweeping across the room. "Now, I, Wolner von Hochberg, Elector of the Schtong Grand Region, in unity with Caplania, Ruperkan, Enwald, Niedenher, Fordgang, and Wasser Fief—a total of seven Grand Electorates—do formally propose the impeachment of Empresses Lizelotte Iwegnade and Herlinmarte Hildegard!"
"The grounds for impeachment are as follows: First, the abuse of imperial power by issuing a secret decree to assassinate a sitting Elector, a severe act of treason in violation of the empire's fundamental laws."
"Second, the disregard for the will of the people and the instigation of internal conflict in an attempt to provoke a full-scale civil war in Leithanien, placing the nation and its people in peril."
"Third, a character unworthy of the station. Their rule has lost its foundation of legitimacy and is no longer supported by the people of Leithanien."
"The reading is concluded." Wolner set down the documents. "Now, in accordance with imperial tradition, the nine Great Electors shall cast their votes."
"For impeachment, or against impeachment."
Wolner was the first to declare: "The Schtong Grand Region votes aye."
Meklen followed immediately after, his voice crisp and clear: "The Caplania Grand Region votes aye."
Professor Rudolf, representing the reborn Ruperkan, declared in a resonant voice: "The Ruperkan Grand Region votes aye."
Next were Ziegler, Gabriel, and Alfred.
The three exchanged a look, each seeing the resolve in the others' eyes.
They had already cast their lot with Lacey; there was no turning back.
"The Enwald Grand Region votes aye."
"The Niedenher Grand Region votes aye."
"The Fordgang Grand Region votes aye."
With six votes in favor, the impeachment's passage was a foregone conclusion.
When it was Lacey's turn, he spoke calmly: "The Wasser Fief Grand Region votes aye."
Finally, all eyes fell upon Abraham and Hoffmann.
Abraham rose to his feet. The face of this old general, loyal to the crown, was now a mask of struggle and pain.
He glanced at the two Empresses in the gallery, then finally grit his teeth and announced his decision.
"The Heidenshweir Grand Region votes nay."
Hoffmann also managed to force out two words: "The Oschdenheim Grand Region votes nay."
This was their final act of loyalty, and the final lament of an old era.
"The vote is closed," Wolner announced the result.
"Seven votes in favor, two against. The motion to impeach is officially passed."
"Effective immediately, Lizelotte Iwegnade and Herlinmarte Hildegard are no longer the Empresses of Leithanien. All of their royal powers and titles are hereby revoked."
The gavel fell.
Lizelotte's body trembled violently. She finally lifted her head, her eyes utterly vacant.
In that moment, their era was brought to a close in the most irrefutable way possible.
After a brief silence, Meklen stood up.
This shrewd merchant was now playing the role of the new era's midwife.
"My lords, a nation cannot be without a sovereign for a single day!"
"Since the throne is vacant, we must immediately elect a new leader to stabilize the situation and usher in the future!"
"I, Meklen Neum, hereby formally nominate His Lordship Lacey—Elector of the Wasser Fief Grand Region, Leader of the Workers' Party, and Chairman of the Supreme Reform Council—as the candidate for the next Emperor of Leithanien!"
He paused, looking around the room, and declared in an exaggerated, operatic tone: "Gentlemen, let us be realistic."
"Who was it that truly revitalized a land after the fall of the Witch King? It was His Lordship Lacey."
"Who was it that found a way forward for the people under the exploitation of the old nobility? It was His Lordship Lacey."
"And who was it that, under the incompetent rule and economic sanctions of the Twin Empresses, led us to carve out a bloody path, even creating an unprecedented alliance? It was still His Lordship Lacey!"
He spread his hands in a grand gesture for his closing statement.
"The facts have proven that His Lordship Lacey possesses the most outstanding leadership ability, the most successful governing experience, and the most promising vision for development."
"To invest in him is to invest in the future of Leithanien. I can think of no one more suitable."
The nomination came as no surprise.
All eyes turned to Lacey.
Abraham and Hoffmann's lips moved, but they could not utter a single word of opposition.
They could not propose a second candidate, nor could any candidate compete with Lacey's current prestige and power.
"I second the motion," Wolner immediately responded.
"Seconded!" the other four Electors declared in unison.
"Since there is only one candidate, let us proceed immediately to the vote."
This vote was quicker and even more predictable.
"The Schtong Grand Region votes aye."
"The Caplania Grand Region votes aye."
"The Ruperkan Grand Region votes aye."
"The Enwald Grand Region votes aye."
"The Niedenher Grand Region votes aye."
"The Fordgang Grand Region votes aye."
"The Wasser Fief Grand Region votes aye."
"The Heidenshweir Grand Region votes nay."
"The Oschdenheim Grand Region votes nay."
Seven to two.
Wolner stood up and faced everyone, his voice trembling slightly with emotion.
"I declare that His Lordship Lacey, by an absolute majority vote, has been legally elected as the new Emperor of Leithanien!"
Lacey—once a boy from the frontier, a destitute art student, a decorated soldier, the leader of the Workers' Party—on this day, through the most traditional procedures of Leithanien, was elected as the new Emperor of Leithanien by an absolute majority!
Thundering applause erupted in the hall.
Meklen and the others rose to their feet, paying their respects to the new emperor they themselves had chosen.
His face solemn, Lacey slowly stood and walked to the center of the chamber.
His gaze swept over everyone, allies and final opponents alike, before finally settling on Lizelotte and Herlinmarte in the gallery.
"Everyone!"
"Today, we have brought an end to an era with our own hands!"
"But we gather here not to celebrate a victory, but to shoulder a responsibility."
His voice, amplified by an Art, carried throughout the chamber, across the plaza outside the Twin Towers, through Trullinczentyr, and across all of Leithanien.
"The Witch King Herzog established the First Leithanien Empire. He brought unity, but also tyranny."
"The Twin Empresses established the Second Leithanien Empire. They ended the Witch King's reign, only to sink into a mire of corruption."
"The wheels of history grind ever forward, and they wait for no one!"
"Standing here today is myself, a former son of a commoner, an ordinary soldier."
"Behind me are the millions of workers, farmers, soldiers, scholars..."
"...all the people of Leithanien who yearn for change, for a nation of fairness, justice, and dignity!"
"I shall accept your choice. But this crown, to me, is not a symbol of power, but a shackle."
"It will forever remind me from where my power comes, and whom I am meant to serve!"
[The Art of Language]
His voice was powerful and resonant, filled with an unquestionable conviction that stirred everyone present.
"Leithanien will begin a new chapter!"
"We will inherit all the glory and lessons of the past, and upon this foundation, we will build an entirely new nation!"
"I hereby declare!"
"The Third Holy Leithanien Empire is, as of this day, officially established!"
At that moment, in every Grand Region of Leithanien, the people who heard Lacey's final words erupted into unprecedented cheers.
There was joy, there was excitement, and above all, an infinite hope for the future.
A massive red flag, emblazoned with a sickles and hammers, slowly rose to the highest point of the Twin Towers under the watchful eyes of countless people.
Heralding the dawn of a new era belonging to the people.
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