The applause in the Imperial Central Parliament Hall was thunderous and unending. The Electors rose one by one to pay their respects to the new emperor they had personally created.
Meklen Neum's face was beaming with the pride of a successful investment.
Wolner von Hochberg's eyes showed the relief of a matter finally settled, and he couldn't help but feel a touch of joy—for himself, for his family, and for his daughter.
Ziegler and the others, meanwhile, forced smiles onto their faces, their eyes betraying complex emotions—uncertainty about their own futures, and a sense of awe at the transition of imperial power.
Lacey slowly descended the steps and stopped in the center of the chamber.
"Everyone!"
"The celebrations can wait. Right now, we have more important matters to attend to."
His gaze fell first on Abraham and Hoffmann at the far end of the long table.
These two old imperial generals had just cast their votes against him. Now, their necks were stiff as they glared at Lacey with resentment.
"Lord Abraham Rossetti, Lord Hoffmann Herbert," Lacey said, addressing them by name.
Abraham stood up, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "Lacey... Your Majesty," he said in a low voice.
"I acknowledge your victory and accept the results of the parliament's vote."
"But the armies of Heidenshweir answer only to the command of the Rossetti family."
It was a final gambit, and the last shred of an old soldier's dignity.
"I understand your loyalty, General," Lacey's tone was perfectly level.
"But now, Leithanien has no need for family armies. It needs only a national army."
He gave Abraham no chance to retort, turning directly to Taylor, who stood behind him.
"Taylor."
"Sir!"
"In the name of the Supreme Reform Council, temporarily relieve both lords of their military authority."
"And ask them to remain in Trullinczentyr as my military advisors to assist with the transition of military affairs."
"You will be personally responsible for their 'safety'."
The color drained from Abraham's face, and he finally slumped back into his seat, defeated.
The combined armies of the seven Grand Regions were just outside. He knew that resistance now was futile; it was better to retain what little dignity he had left.
Meklen watched with great interest. He leaned over and whispered to Wolner, "Look at that. The new emperor's first cut was swift and precise."
"I'm starting to like him."
As a merchant Elector, he didn't place much importance on military power.
In fact, the military strength of his Caplania Grand Region was so negligible it made no difference whether he had it or not.
Wolner ignored him, his eyes fixed on Lacey's back, his resolve hardening.
He was certain he had not chosen the wrong man.
Having dealt with the two biggest sources of instability, Lacey continued to issue his commands.
[In the first hour of your ascension, you do not indulge in the joy of victory.]
[You know full well that this is the most dangerous moment of the power transition.]
[You order Gertrude to lead the intelligence department in rounding up all old nobles, military officers, and major merchants who had financial ties to the royalist diehards and conspired together after the "Decree of Deprivation" was issued.]
[Resistance is to be met with lethal force.]
[You have Taylor seize control of all broadcast stations, newspaper offices, telegraph bureaus, and the main transportation routes leading out of the city.]
[You say to Serafina: "In my name, contact the acting heads in each Grand Region immediately and inform them that the empire has changed hands."]
["Order them to cooperate with the local Workers' Party branches to monitor the old powers and ensure the absolute security of the railways, mines, and factories."]
[You do not even allow yourself time for a celebratory drink, immediately beginning to reshape the nation's power structure.]
[You announce the dissolution of the hopelessly corrupt Imperial Court, which had been controlled by the old nobility. All court ministers, advisors, and attendants are dismissed on the spot, pending political review.]
[In its place, you establish the new "Imperial Central Cabinet" as the empire's highest administrative body, with all ministers reporting directly to you.]
[You appoint Meklen Neum as Minister of Economy, overseeing all imperial commerce, trade, and finance.]
[You appoint Leinia von Salem as Minister of Taxation, in charge of the empire's taxes and fiscal budget.]
[You appoint Wolner von Hochberg as Minister of Culture, with Arturia Giallo as Deputy Minister of Culture.]
[You appoint Taylor as Minister of Military Affairs.]
[You appoint Gertrude Strollo as Minister of Intelligence and Propaganda.]
[You appoint Serafina Ivanovna Petrova as Minister of Foreign Liaison.]
[As for Ziegler and his two companions, you generously grant them the titles of "Imperial Advisor for Agriculture and Forestry," "Imperial Inspector for Water Conservancy," and "Imperial Supervisor for Mining"—positions with titles but no real power, purely for consultation.]
[The remaining key departments—Industry, Education, Justice, and others—are all filled by technocrats who proved their capabilities in Wasser Fief and the Economic Community.]
[These appointments silence the Electors present.]
[They suddenly realize that this election, from beginning to end, was merely a procedure. The real distribution of power had already been decided in Lacey's mind.]
[Next, you drop a second bombshell.]
[You announce that, given the nation is in an "extraordinary period" of reconstruction and in order to maximize administrative efficiency, the former Imperial Central Parliament will be suspended indefinitely, effective immediately.]
[All routine functions of national governance will be temporarily handled by the newly formed Imperial Central Cabinet.]
[This declaration stuns the entire room. Even Meklen's smile freezes for a moment.]
[The faces of Ziegler, Gabriel, and Alfred turn deathly pale. They exchange horrified glances, each seeing the same thought reflected in the others' eyes: Have we... have we just been cast aside now that we've served our purpose?]
[They had personally placed Lacey on the throne, expecting to leverage their role in his ascension for greater benefits. Instead, the very first thing Lacey did after his coronation was to take back the vote they held in their hands.]
[Finally, you issue your first military decree as emperor: All legions within the empire's borders, including the Voice of the Empress, the symbol of royal glory, must disband their current formations within twenty-four hours and await reorganization at the battalion level by special commissioners from the Central Cabinet.]
[All officers of colonel rank and above must arrive at Heroes' Square, below the Twin Towers, within a prescribed time to re-swear their oath of allegiance to you, the Emperor of the Third Leithanien Empire, in person.]
[Those who refuse, or fail to arrive by the deadline, will be considered traitors, stripped of all military rank on the spot, and handed over to a special tribunal for judgment.]
This decree was tantamount to completely reshuffling Leithanien's entire military might overnight, seizing all the guns and holding them firmly in his own hands.
When Lacey finished speaking, you could hear a pin drop in the chamber.
He looked at the Electors before him, their expressions a mix of emotions. These former pillars of the empire were now like meat on his chopping block.
"Gentlemen." A faint smile finally touched Lacey's lips.
"Today's meeting is hereby concluded."
"The Cabinet will host a banquet for you all in the Twin Towers to celebrate the arrival of the new era."
As if granted a pardon, the Electors rose and quickly took their leave.
They walked fast, as if pursued by some invisible beast.
As Meklen reached the door, he glanced back at Lacey, who stood alone in the center of the great hall. The young man who once needed his investment and protection now cast an immense shadow.
He clicked his tongue. For the first time, he felt that the return on this investment might be even more... thrilling than he had imagined.
Wolner was the last to leave.
He approached Lacey and said softly, "Your Majesty, you are moving too quickly. Your foundation is not yet firm; you risk losing your balance."
"Wolner," Lacey said, turning to him. "Once the wheels of an era begin to turn, they cannot be stopped."
Wolner looked into Lacey's determined eyes and bowed deeply.
"The Hochberg family will always stand with you."
The great doors slowly closed, leaving only Lacey and his core team in the chamber with the two former Empresses.
Lacey regarded the two of them for a moment before speaking. "Lizelotte, Herlinmarte."
Lizelotte's head snapped up, her eyes locking onto the man's.
"From this day forward, the two of you will serve as my special envoys. Or, my personal guards, if you prefer."
"You will remain by my side at all times, to witness how I govern this nation, how I lead it to prosperity."
"You want to humiliate us!" Lizelotte shrieked.
Lacey looked at her. "This is the only value you have left. Professor Flemont handed you over to me, and I never waste anything that can be of use."
Herlinmarte was silent for a long moment, then slowly rose to her feet. "I accept."
"Herlinmarte! Are you mad!"
"We have no choice, Lizelotte."
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