The Rise of a Powerful Neighbor and the Gemstone River

Half a year later, November, Sea Origin Calendar 191.

After the Ancient God's Retinue interfered, Cabral, the Chaotic Region that should have been Garratt Duchy's backyard, underwent a great upheaval in which countless small factions quietly vanished.

Together with the former Sirius Laplata Viceroyalty that had been incorporated into it, it had formed a federal nation made up of twenty-seven member states: the "Golden Palm Federation."

Its name came from the Atelian natives' old name for Cabral: the "Land of Palm Trees."

The "Federal Convention," jointly established by representatives of the twenty-seven member states, served as its fundamental law.

The convention stipulated that, on the premise that each nation or state retained its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, the federal central government would have only a congress, attended each year by two to seven representatives dispatched by every nation or state, with each state holding only one vote.

Congress was also authorized to handle certain foreign affairs, declare war, regulate the minting of precious-metal currency, establish standards for weights and measures, borrow money, create a postal system, build roads, and recruit armies and navies.

However, these powers were not exclusive to Congress, but shared by all member states.

Most importantly, Congress itself had no right to levy taxes or raise funds from federal citizens; it could only solicit contributions from the states.

Even such a loose federal system had unified the once endlessly chaotic Cabral, turning it into a colossal entity with a total population approaching forty million—one that no one could afford to underestimate!

The Golden Palm Federation's congress was located in Kamsid City, the city nearest the Mist Sea. During congressional recesses, a standing committee appointed by Congress handled daily affairs.

Tap, tap, tap.

Standing Committee Member Lady Yeher stepped out of the congressional building in exquisite high heels