The roars of celebration gradually subsided, and the reconstruction of Wasser Fief proceeded in an orderly manner under the efficient organization of the Workers' Party.
Lacey was not intoxicated by his new title of Elector; he knew better than anyone what the Twin Empresses truly wanted.
By granting him a legitimate identity, they had also pushed him into opposition with the old noble class and placed him under the surveillance of the imperial throne.
A few days later, another carriage from the capital arrived at the Tower.
Unlike the flamboyance of the last envoy, this carriage was understated.
A stern-faced, middle-aged official disembarked. He introduced himself as the adjutant to the Lord Chamberlain and, wasting no time on pleasantries, directly requested an audience with Lacey.
In the Tower's council hall, the adjutant presented Lacey with an invitation tied with a black silk ribbon and sealed with the wax sigil of the Twin Empresses.
"Your Excellency, Lacey," the adjutant said respectfully.
"Her Majesty the Empresses will convene the Imperial Central Conference in Trullinczentyr one month from now to discuss important issues such as imperial tax reform and responses to the international situation."
"Her Majesty hopes you will be in attendance on time."
After seeing the adjutant off, Lacey returned to the meeting room where his core members were gathered, holding the weighty invitation.
Serafina, Taylor, Gertrude, and the Sarkaz mercenary leaders Hoederer and Ines were all present.
W leaned against the window with her arms crossed, seemingly uninterested in the proceedings.
"A banquet of blades."
Before Lacey could even speak, Taylor was the first to slam his hand on the table, glaring at the exquisite invitation.
"Boss, this is definitely a trap! The capital, Trullinczentyr, is their turf, crawling with their armies and spies!"
"The moment you go, you'll be walking into the lion's den! They can do whatever they want with you!"
His words were crude, but his reasoning was sound, representing the concerns of most.
Though the members of the Workers' Picket Team were in high spirits, none were arrogant enough to believe they could currently challenge the imperial throne in the capital.
Gertrude took the invitation, carefully examining the wax seal and crest.
As a member of the old nobility, she understood the meaning behind this letter better than anyone.
"Taylor's worries are justified, but I'm afraid attendance at this conference is mandatory," she said, looking up.
"Why?" Taylor asked, confused.
"Because Mister Lacey is now an Elector," Gertrude explained.
"The Imperial Central Conference is the highest-level political meeting in Leithanien. All Electors are required to attend."
"This is a tradition and an obligation passed down since the time of the old regime."
"If you refuse to attend, it would be tantamount to publicly declaring to the imperial throne and all other Electors: 'I do not recognize your system, and I will start my own.'"
"That would give all your current enemies the perfect excuse to unite and launch a crusade against you."
She paused, then added, "They are counting on this. It's dangerous if you go, but political suicide if you don't. This is an overt gambit."
Hoederer, who had been silently wiping his greatsword, finally spoke up. "If you decide to go, we can extend our contract to provide you with the highest level of security."
"Of course, with your strength, you might not even need it," he added with a self-deprecating smile.
"Besides, our usefulness in Trullinczentyr is severely limited."
All eyes focused on Lacey, awaiting his decision.
Serafina remained silent, just watching him quietly.
She believed that no matter how complex the situation, he could handle it.
Lacey's fingers tapped gently on the tabletop.
The meeting room was silent, save for the echo of his tapping.
"Taylor," he said suddenly. "If I asked you to lead the Workers' Picket Team and all the troops we can currently mobilize in Wasser Fief into a direct confrontation with another Elector, what are our chances of victory?"
Taylor was taken aback, then answered honestly, "Almost zero. Our brothers are brave, but their training and equipment are far too lacking."
"Gertrude," Lacey turned to another. "If someone imposed an economic blockade on us, cutting off all our trade routes, how long could we last?"
Gertrude's expression turned grim. "In less than three months, Wasser Fief's economy would collapse. Everything we have now is built upon a fragile flow of goods."
Lacey nodded, his gaze sweeping over everyone.
"You see, this is our current situation."
"It looks like we've won a glorious victory, but in reality, any large wave could cause us to fall apart."
"Why? Because our foundation is extremely weak. The Workers' Party has been established for less than a year."
"We need time to develop."
"Right now, we haven't truly integrated into this country's power structure. We are a thorn in the side of all the old powers."
"They can find an excuse at any time to use military or economic force that we cannot resist to strangle us in the cradle."
He picked up the invitation and waved it before them.
"And this… this is our opportunity."
"An opportunity to step onto the imperial political stage."
"But it's too dangerous!" Taylor couldn't help but protest.
Lacey smiled. "Since the very first day, which step have we taken that wasn't dangerous?"
"When I was arrested for treason in Salem, when we schemed against Cole Strollo in Wischeim, when we faced Otto's arts below the Tower—when were we not dancing on the edge of a blade?"
"The Twin Empresses want to use the Imperial Conference to discipline me, to test me, perhaps even to humiliate me. All of that is possible."
"They want the other Electors to see a joke made of this upstart Elector from the mud, to divide the Elector class from within and create two factions."
"And they also want to pull me into their system, to put a leash on me."
"But they are mistaken."
Lacey stood up and walked to the map of Leithanien hanging on the wall.
"They have opened a door—a door that leads to the heart of power."
"They want to lock me inside it. But I… I intend to walk through that door and make the entire house mine."
He turned around.
"Not only will I go, I will let every noble in Leithanien see what an Elector chosen by the people looks like!"
"I will make our voice heard in their conference! I will show them what kind of power it is that they despise and fear!"
His words were magnetic. The breathing of everyone in the room grew heavy.
The worry in Taylor's eyes was replaced by fanaticism, Gertrude's eyes shone with a brilliant light, and even W, who had remained aloof, raised an eyebrow with keen interest.
"I agree," Serafina finally said.
"But we must be fully prepared. Intelligence, security, and contingency plans for all kinds of emergencies."
"Exactly," Lacey nodded. "So, from this moment on, we move separately."
He looked at Gertrude. "Gertrude, you come from nobility. You know the ins and outs of Trullinczentyr best."
"I need you to prepare a detailed guide for my attendance, including profiles on all the Electors—their personalities, their factions—as well as the procedures and unwritten rules of the Imperial Conference."
"At the same time, extend goodwill in your name to the other, more neutral nobles."
"Leave it to me," Gertrude replied crisply.
"Taylor, Hoederer." Lacey's gaze shifted to them. "Select the most elite personnel from the Workers' Picket Team and the mercenary group to form a thirty-man guard detail. They will accompany me to Trullinczentyr."
"Yes, sir!"
"Understood."
Taylor and Hoederer answered in unison.
"Serafina." Lacey finally looked at her, his tone softening slightly.
"You will hold the fort here. The development of Wasser Fief and Wischeim cannot stop."
"Also, get our propagandists moving. I want the people of all Leithanien to know that their Elector is going to the capital to fight for their rights."
"The will of the people is our strongest shield."
"Understood," Serafina nodded firmly.
________________________________________
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