Alderan's council hall had three magnificent spires. The largest stood atop the entire building, symbolizing the imperial authority that sheltered and guided the whole Empire. The second symbolized the nobles beneath imperial authority, also known as "the pillars of the Empire." The lowest spire had the broadest base and directly covered the council chamber. In name, it symbolized the Empire's glorious citizens—the "foundation of the Empire."
This bold, groundbreaking symbolism was in some ways a microcosm of Rosetta's decades of reforms. Yet in practice, the number of "citizen councilors" beneath those three spires was not even half that of the noble councilors, and even fewer truly possessed any voice. Whenever people spoke of Alderan's council, they almost automatically meant the old "nobles' council" on the upper level, subconsciously overlooking the other part of the assembly.
Rosetta Augustus had always worked to change this, and over the past two years, the situation had indeed changed greatly.
Those roaring machines and giant companies that sprang up overnight had swiftly given the citizen councilors more leverage in the assembly—or, strictly speaking, the merchant representatives more leverage.
It was also the first time Matilda realized that some forces could be more effective than imperial decrees and guidance.
She sat in the golden high-backed chair that symbolized the imperial family, looking down impassively upon the rectangular hall below. Magic Crystal Lamps shone from the ceiling, making every face beneath it clear and vivid. These people, who held the greatest power in Typhon's social structure beneath imperial authority, were voicing their opinions and fiercely debating a plan that might change the entire age. Those qualified to speak in the front rows were all doing their utmost to demonstrate their persuasiveness and charisma, hoping to win the support of more ordinary councilors and, more importantly, a statement