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Chapter CXVII – Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.
🕑 Added 2024-12-13 19:53:58 +0000 UTC
15th of Autumn 5859
The Gray Palace, Imperial Capital of Hauptstadt
The hallow grey brick of the palace rang hollow as a pair of men were making their way down a hall. Both were dressed in fine silk, with an attitude silkier than their clothes. Their steps rang loud as did the steps of all high-up men who didn’t have to concern themselves with walking modestly. Unlike their steps though, they spoke with more hushed tones.
“I travelled all the way from Schwarzpoppiburg just to represent the Marquis” complained a retainer, a tall fellow with a few scars on his face to his name.
The other, a priest, nodded “I’m from Ancoire, and His Holiness was just as surprised that the Imperial Diet was called. Our archives show that the last one was called a century ago to resolve some disputes about taxation.”
“I’d say that a slave uprising does warrant a state of alarm, but I’d also say that the count of Casamonu should have been able to deal with it himself, or at least get some Imperial support to deal with such an issue. I was sent to Casamonu a few times to help coordinate military action against the nomad threat on the border, and we had an Imperial garrison stationed in a nearby fort assist us greatly during that time.” The retainer shrugged with a hint of annoyance “Is anybody doing their jobs properly over there?”
“I assume not if this is how things are.” The priest stopped right in front of an exceptionally large door. The door had a depiction of the Divine watching over a meeting of nobleman around a round table inlaid in gold, which was quite suitable for the room that hid behind it. The two representatives entered the room and mixed into the crowd of other representatives, to become nameless amongst the countless others in the room.
One individual of note was Sir Albert Spear, who conspicuously cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention. He stood at the head of a long round table, with his seat right next to the emperor’s. “Welcome, gentlemen.” In front of him stood a plaque that laid out his title clearly: Chancellor Albert Spear. He had added a fancy feather on his hat to denote his fancy role. In front of him were the most important men of the realm who had the right to sit on the Imperial Diet: three counts (of Prusia and Altstadt), one duke (of Cutohia), one baron (of Agrilon), a high mayor (of Esmira), two representatives from the otherworld occupation zones (Palaocasa and Chanakburg), and two representatives of those who couldn’t make it (Ancoire and Schwarzpoppiburg). The representatives for Zon’guldac and Casamonu were missing, and their seats were conspicuously empty. “I apologize for having called upon all of you personally, but we are in a situation where we all require your presence and cooperation. We had already called the Diet a while back, and by the time that all representatives have arrived here, Casamonu fell to a rebellion of slaves.”
The representative from Schwarzpoppiburg stood up to have his word “Isn’t there an Imperial garrison there for border defense? I have only heard about Casamonu itself falling. Elite Imperial troops should have been able to wipe out any slave rebellion.”
“Unfortunately, the fort there was deconstructed months ago due to budgetary constraints.” Spear knew very well about the fort’s deconstruction: he had been the one to give the deconstruction order as Imperial Architect. He had expected the county to fall to nomads, but a slave rebellion would do just as fine. “The Imperial demesne can barely maintain itself when the loyal vassals of the emperor do not pay their dues properly” he added with a clearly bitter tone. The lords were clearly displeased at the ungrateful, uppity attitude of the Chancellor. They whispered their discontent at each other.
“What does he think he is?”
“Such ambitious chancellors come and go. We’ll ask the emperor to fire him from his post once this Diet is done.”
“The Imperials can’t do much anyways, don’t be fooled by his big words.”
Spear continued “It’s clear the Empire has degenerated into a shadow of its former self. If we had a strong, united realm, then this whole slave business would have been done with long ago. Look at what Chieftainess Leafblower is doing with the help of Imperial authority: she has united all elves under her banner and soon she’ll be bringing the dwarves, who have long acted independently of the Empire, back under His Imperial Majesty’s fold. Centuries of elven and dwarven bickering were ended with just one Imperial decree. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could do the same with human bickering?”
The lords of the Diet shifted uneasily in their seats. What was this fool yapping about himself? The Diet was silent. They’d surely express their discontent once they were out of the hallow halls of the Gray Palace.
“Therefore, the time has come to solve human bickering: one Imperial decree to end human bickering in the Empire. I needed you all here for its unveiling.” Spear took the decree which he had already put on the table. “Ahem! ‘Decree Relating to Ending Unnecessary Division Within the Empire and Finding a Satisfactory Solution as to the Darkskin Question. In the name of His Imperial Majesty: The Empire has long become degenerate, with lords conspiring at every turn to resist any sort of unity or centralization. to keep their position as absolute rulers within their demesne.” The lords had enough. Their whispering turned to loud protest. Spear simply raised his voice to overpower them “Therefore, to bring peace and prosperity to the Empire, all hereditary positions are henceforth abolished.” A representative took out his shoe and began banging it on the table. Other lords joined him in doing the same. Spear read even louder “All lords in Gemeinplatz will be replaced with governors appointed by the Chancellor with approval from His Imperial Majesty. To solve the problem of slave uprisings, slavery will be abolished in the Empire, effective immediately at the publishing of this decree. All darkskins, to not let their inferior minds be let astray, will be given employment in Imperial labor facilities and concentrated in camps far away from human settlement where they will be Imperial property. To ensure swift action and unity during such great change, the authority of the Diet will be transferred over to the Chancellor.”
One lord stood up to have his say “This is outrageous, this is unfair! The Diet will not accept this!”
Spear put the decree down on the table “This decree has already been signed by the emperor, and His Imperial Majesty doesn’t require your permission to enact Imperial decrees. I am the Diet. I have been the Diet since yesterday, when His Imperial Majesty signed this decree.”
“You-”
“This also means that, with His Imperial Majesty’s permission, I may reassign you from your positions. I already did so yesterday.” Spear clapped his hands, which summoned a group of men in black uniform who had steel helmets and spears shaped like rifles from Spear’s world. “Gentlemen, meet the Protection Squadron who are tasked with protecting the Chancellor. Protection Squadron, please arrest these intruders who have no authority being here.” Amongst shouts and insults, the men of the Protection Squad easily apprehended the unarmed members of the Imperial Diet. Weapons were forbidden in the hallows halls of the Grey Palace after all, save for those with Imperial authority. Spear smiled at his captive audience. He had been waiting for this moment for a long while.
“In order to ensure our security and continuing stability, the Empire will be reorganized into the New Empire, for a safe and secure society. You incompetent, inbred fools have no place with the new order.”
The Empire was dead, “long live the Empire!” decreed Spear.
