Chapter 236
Chapter 236
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 236
Chapter Title: The Emperor Election and Changes (3)
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The main assembly hall of the Reich Empire Parliament.
As a soldier of the Empire, I rarely had any reason to come here, but that didn't mean the parliament's role was insignificant in my absence.
The parliament generally had the authority to review and approve recommendations for promotions to General or higher, as well as ministers from the executive branch selected by the Emperor.
Like the National Assembly in Korea, it also held the power to propose, review, and pass laws. Nobles who were members of parliament—not soldiers—could freely introduce bills.
Maybe that's why my first impression upon entering was that whether it was Korea's National Assembly or the Reich Empire's parliament, places where politicians gathered felt similar no matter the system.
"As I recall, there are definitely two agenda items today: the promotion review for General Peter Jaeger and, most importantly, the Emperor election."
"No, honestly, isn't His Majesty going too far? Which faction would oppose promoting Lieutenant General Jaeger to General? But to acknowledge our authority, shouldn't he at least give us time for a formal review? Holding it right before the Emperor election means the other members will just gloss over it anyway..."
"Give it up, Viscount Jallier. The other Generals review each other since they're on equal footing, but Lieutenant General Jaeger has the Twin Dragon Medal and the Diamond Knight's Sword Medal. After the Emperor election, I'll buy you a drink at a place with girls as ministers."
No, you could never openly suggest going to a place with women like that in Korea's National Assembly.
Here, unless it involved outright bribery or lobbying, pretty much anything went, so compared to Korea's National Assembly, this place had a much more "manly" vibe.
Lost in such random thoughts, I sat blankly in the "Lieutenant General" seat—still nominally my rank—when...
An elderly noble wearing a white-powdered wig ascended to the highest podium and struck the wooden gavel twice.
"Silence, everyone! We shall now convene the Reich Empire Parliament on October 18th of the Imperial Year 234. This session will be presided over by myself, Duke Wenzel von Hindenburg, Chairman of the Parliament, in strict accordance with Imperial law!"
At those words, the nobles who had been freely chattering until moments ago fell completely silent in an instant.
"Today, we have two items on the agenda. The first is the promotion review for Lieutenant General Peter Jaeger to General. The second is the selection of a new Emperor for the great, noble, and sacred Reich Empire! We will begin with the qualification review for Lieutenant General Peter Jaeger's promotion to General. The promotion candidate, General Jaeger, step forward!"
According to my father-in-law yesterday, promotion reviews to General were originally no joke—brutal and terrifying affairs.
Because if there was any corruption within four degrees of kinship or any personal misdeeds, the parliament's "politicians" would latch onto even the smallest flaw and drag it out relentlessly as an annual ritual.
Even seasoned administrators and noble parliamentarians who had done politics for decades found it daunting, let alone soldiers with no experience in the political arena—it was hell for them.
Honestly, I had nothing to feel guilty about, and with overwhelming proof of military merit like the Twin Dragon Medal, there was zero chance my promotion would slip through.
So I wasn't particularly tense.
"In accordance with Imperial law, I swear to answer the members' questions honestly and diligently."
Saying that, I stood at the podium, awaiting the other members' political attacks.
One baron, seemingly pushed forward by someone, approached with obvious reluctance and questioned me.
"Your military achievements, abilities, and loyalty to the Empire—all seem impeccable. However, as a member of the Empire's parliament, your youth concerns me... What are your thoughts on this, candidate?"
"My ability to rise to General candidate at such a young age, breaking conventions, is because I've proven my worth on the battlefield, and His Imperial Majesty and the General Staff have highly evaluated it. Though lacking, I will do my utmost to meet those expectations."
"Thank you for your answer..."
Normally, dozens or hundreds of questions beyond this would pour in, but no other members asked me anything after that.
Thus, just 15 minutes after the hearing began, I received unanimous approval from the parliament members for promotion to General.
"As Chairman of the Reich Empire Parliament, I hereby officially declare that, from this moment, Lieutenant General Peter Jaeger is promoted to General. Now, we shall begin the long-awaited Emperor election. For those needing discussion, I grant one hour's recess. Members, please discuss as much as you wish."
For other agenda items, members affiliated with various factions would spend the allotted hour desperately convincing rival factions, wearing out their feet.
But preparations for the Emperor election had effectively begun about ten years ago, so no fool existed who would change their mind after a mere hour of persuasion.
And so, instead of convincing anyone during that hour, the members...
"This election will be won by His Highness the Crown Prince by an overwhelming margin anyway. So isn't the more important agenda sending the Imperial Princes as 'adopted sons' to noble houses whose lines have ended, after His Highness ascends the throne?"
"Having the Imperial Princes inherit powerful noble houses in prestige and wealth is best. That way, they'll join our faction and rack up contributions. But as you know, the houses they inherit will depend on the support rates from this election, right?"
"Our Second Imperial Prince faction will follow His Highness to the end, even if he doesn't become Emperor. Rest assured, Marquis."
...were steeling their resolve and determination to faithfully play the opposition role after the election, once they inherited other noble houses.
In other words, even before the election properly started, victory had already perfectly tilted toward His Highness the Crown Prince, whom I served.
I, who supported him from the beginning, could be called the greatest beneficiary among those present.
After the hour passed, the Chairman struck the gavel twice from the podium.
"At this time, we begin voting. We will proceed in order of rank: Dukes, Marquises, Counts, Viscounts, Barons. Immediately after voting ends, we will count the ballots and announce the next Emperor. If no objections, the heads of the Duke houses will begin voting."
Unlike Korean elections, there was no principle of secret voting—no screens—and the heads of noble houses began voting openly.
Since their statues would be publicly known, they nominated the candidates promised the day before the election, regardless of the outcome.
This was because, even though the Empire resembled medieval Europe and had no qualms about changing lords,...
...breaking a promise with a fellow noble was considered the worst behavior for a noble—worse than a crime, though not one that shook the entire house's prestige; it was treated as gravely heinous.
Watching this, my Korean sensibilities made me think, if they're going to do it this way, they might as well set up polling stations for secret ballots...
Anyway, I also cast my vote hoping His Highness the Crown Prince would become Emperor, and soon after, hundreds of Viscounts and Barons finished voting.
"We begin counting."
At those words, Duke Wenzel, Chairman of the Reich Empire Parliament, the Vice Chairman, and other presumed high officials took the ballot box.
With each ballot opened, they announced things like "House XX supports Imperial Prince XX!" while counting one by one.
Naturally, His Highness the Crown Prince's name was called more frequently and in greater numbers than the other princes'.
When the count finished, Duke Wenzel, Chairman of this parliament, let out a sigh and announced.
"Reich Empire Parliament Chairman, Duke Wenzel von Hindenburg, solemnly announces the results of the Emperor election. Taking first place and becoming the next Emperor is the eldest son of the current Emperor, His Imperial Majesty Ferdinand von Reich—His Highness Crown Prince Michael von Reich. He has achieved 70% of the vote, the highest support rate in 100 years since the parliament opened. Thank you all for your hard work."
With those words, thunderous applause echoed through the Reich Empire Parliament, followed by three cheers celebrating the new Emperor's ascension.
And a few days after the parliament ended, I was summoned again by His Highness the Crown Prince—no, His Imperial Majesty the next Emperor.
The summons didn't specify the purpose, but it seemed he wanted me to torment the Warsaw Grand Duchy a bit more.