At last, Rhein, the Fourth Imperial Prince, gently closed the dossier.
That was the signal. It was his turn to make a move.
Mace, director of the Inspectorate, rose almost immediately. "Your disputes stem from one thing: the emperor is missing, and imperial authority stands vacant."
Then he delivered a proposal capable of setting the entire hall ablaze. "I propose restoring the Elector System, with the Eight Great Families jointly selecting a guardian of imperial authority."
Mace's voice remained steady, yet it seemed to freeze the air in the Imperial Hall.
His gaze swept across every noble representative and Imperial Prince in the hall, his tone unchanged. "This system once maintained the balance of power through the Empire's darkest years.
"Today, with the emperor still absent and the Regent King in poor health, we could likewise appoint a guardian jointly selected by the eight families to exercise imperial authority temporarily, stabilize the constituent states, coordinate the regions, and ensure the Empire does not break apart."
He spoke slowly, but each word struck like an iron hammer against the hearts of everyone present.
Taken literally, his remarks were exceedingly mild, as though he were merely suggesting a rational compromise.
But everyone in the Imperial Hall understood.
This was not a temporary exercise of imperial authority. It was the advance establishment of a legitimate replacement should the emperor never return.
This was not mediation between factions. It was a move to bring the Eight Great Families back into the heart of imperial power.
This was not an expedient measure. It was the revival of an entire system.
It was a proposal certain to offend many, but Mace dared to stand now not because of his office, but because he already held enough bargaining chips.
Before the conference, Rhein had offered him benefits