Cabinet Meeting

Frankfurt, Würzburg Palace.

A closed-door meeting limited to the Emperor and Cabinet members quietly convened following Crown Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria's return from the New World.

Seated upon the imperial throne, the aged Emperor slowly began, "Gentlemen, this is the agreement Crown Prince Rupprecht reached with the Texans during his journey to the New World. What are your thoughts?"

The others exchanged glances in silence before the Prime Minister spoke first. "Your Majesty, Texas is merely a remote little country, while the Empire is Rome's legitimate successor and the hegemon of Central Europe. Their statuses are fundamentally unequal, so there is no basis for cooperation. Moreover, Your Majesty is the protector of Catholicism. Cooperating with a wolfkin nation may damage Your Majesty's reputation."

The Foreign Minister also frowned. "Texas's mineral resources are indeed in short supply within the Empire, but is it truly worthwhile to alienate our allies for the sake of cooperating with Texas?"

"Cough!"

The Navy Minister could not help interrupting. "Gentlemen, according to our intelligence agents' observations, British and French warships have already adopted the latest magic crystal power systems. Meanwhile, we are still researching how to use inferior magic crystal ore powder that the British and French discarded long ago as warship fuel. Do you intend for our navy to protect the Empire's coasts and overseas colonies with such vessels?"

The Army Minister nodded slightly. "I agree with Gustav. Not only should we cooperate with the Texans, we should also make every effort to turn them into an imperial protectorate and relocate some settlers there. Before many years pass, a new Germany will arise in the Americas."

The Army and Navy Ministers stood united against a common enemy, drawing surprised looks from the others. After all, the former was a principal supporter of the "place in