Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 029
Chapter Title: Imperial Diet (2)
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As the red sunset vanished into the twilight shadows,
Karl Albrecht, Elector of Bavaria, was led by a servant into a grand mansion.
It was a palatial estate boasting Regensburg's most magnificent and ornate interior.
Though it belonged to the city's wealthiest magnate, he had graciously vacated it for tonight's banquet.
Creeeak.
As Albrecht approached, the door swung open as if on cue.
He strode inside with the light steps of a man returning to his own home.
The vast banquet hall.
Spacious enough for thirty people, yet only three occupied it—including Albrecht himself.
And right in front of them, one empty seat.
"Franz Stefan hasn't arrived yet?"
"We deliberately gave him a later time."
"Ah, I see."
Had they told him the exact hour, he surely would have arrived early and waited. Their intent was clear.
They planned to pressure him from the start by having the three electors already seated when Franz entered.
That explained the four chairs alone in this enormous hall—and why no servants were allowed inside.
Sly foxes, good at petty tricks.
With three electors present, the mansion's perimeter crawled with an army of guards.
Any ordinary person would quake just passing by.
Albrecht settled leisurely into his seat, glancing alternately at the other two electors.
Elector of Saxony, Augustus II, and Elector Palatine, Charles III Philip.
Both well over fifty, they made Franz—and even Albrecht, who had just become elector last year—look like green boys.
The Palatine was from the same Wittelsbach line, so there was some innate camaraderie, but that was the extent of it.
No harm in getting friendly, but Albrecht had no desire to appear overly deferential.
"I didn't expect both of you to come all this way in person. Was the journey too taxing?"
"Hoho, even at our age, this is a breeze."
"Indeed. If we can't handle this much, are we even alive? Might as well scout a grave."
The three eased into light conversation on trivial topics.
...Until, at one point,
"Oh, right—neither of you has met Franz Stefan before, have you?"
A brief silence descended over the vast hall as Albrecht uttered his name.
"...You've met him several times, Your Highness. What was he like?"
The Palatine's question drew the Saxon Elector to straighten up, awaiting Albrecht's words.
"What he was like... It's such a vague question, hard to pin down. But if I share my impression: he's kind. Gentle, too. He has a real talent for making money, but he doesn't quite fit this cutthroat political arena."
"Rare to see someone greedy for gold who's still decent."
"After multiple meetings and a few tests, I can say he's harmless up close. Of course, you two might see differently—judge for yourselves. But he's young; go easy on him. Poor kid."
"Hoho... Understood. I wouldn't dream of hounding a mere grandson's age harshly."
Their tones and expressions brimmed with benevolence, but Albrecht knew these old foxes had no such intentions.
If they meant to play nice, they'd have sent proxies—not come themselves.
Albrecht, Elector of Bavaria, was here for the same reason: to mediate if things got too rough.
So much more to squeeze out of him—can't let him break here.
Just look at the profits from selling seed and timber to those English bastards.
Franz had to keep delivering for him.
"Well then, shall we...?"
Just as he moved to change the subject again,
Creeeak.
The door's groan echoed unusually loud. Heads turned naturally—including Albrecht's at the round table, and the other two electors'.
The ornate doors parted wide, and a servant's voice drifted in, ushering someone forward.
"Ah, there he is."
More famed now as the archduchess's fiancé than heir to the Duke of Lorraine,
his neat, handsome features and faint smile masking evident tension caught the eye first.
Spotting the three already seated, he quickly checked his attire once more.
"...I didn't realize you'd arrived early. Had I known, I'd have come thirty minutes sooner..."
His flustered tone slipped through despite his efforts, prompting the Palatine to smile kindly and wave it off.
"No need. You just reached Regensburg today—we gave a later time on purpose so you'd have leeway."
"My thanks for the consideration. Thanks to it, I could see Lady Theresia to bed."
"Fortunate indeed. Take a seat here."
Franz approached with noble grace and claimed the lone empty chair.
Up close, Albrecht could tell at a glance.
Ah, he's frozen solid. Trying not to show it only makes it obvious.
If even he could see it, how would those two old monsters perceive him? Albrecht nearly smirked.
Best to watch and intervene at the right moment—for future profits.
"Well then. Shall we dine and get acquainted?"
Thus began the probing disguised as a friendly banquet, amid warm smiles.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I'd never met the Electors of Saxony or the Palatinate in person before.
No particular grudge or bond with the Saxon, but my feelings toward the Palatine weren't favorable.
He was one who'd backed Karl Albrecht for the Austrian throne in the succession war.
Likely due to shared Wittelsbach roots.
That made cozying up to Albrecht early the smart play.
"By the way, I didn't expect Archduchess Theresia to come all this way. I sensed it in Vienna last time, but you two are truly close."
"Yes. I'm grateful she follows my lead so well. Naturally, I must do the same for her."
"You're doing plenty already. Gifting platinum jewelry at her birthday ball is still the talk of the town."
The banquet's opener was predictably light: my engagement to Theresia.
Albrecht led mostly; the other two listened quietly.
"All I can offer is this sort, so I strive to aid the empire however possible. Did that last gift help at all?"
"Oh, absolutely. We loved it. May I impose again?"
"Of course. If it's profitable, we must share."
I said that with an awkward chuckle.
Discreetly gauging the other two yielded no reaction.
Instead, the Palatine Philip dropped a pointed barb behind his affable smile.
"The Platinum Prince lives up to the name. Platinum profits for Albrecht here, Bohemia glass next—who'd call Your Highness a mere young noble?"
"...No, just lucky breaks in business—and impossible without the court's aid."
"Humble too. Quite impressive, wouldn't you say, Your Highness Augustus?"
"Agreed."
The Saxon Augustus II nodded without hesitation at the solicitous query.
...Tricky.
From the moment I entered, I'd shown tension and pliancy, yet they wouldn't fully relax.
Even their polite speech to someone forty years their junior spoke volumes.
Not mere courtesy—it signaled they saw me as an equal.
Experience couldn't be dismissed; Albrecht was far easier to handle, green as he was.
I'd hoped for more complacency. But my feats were too glaring now.
Still, I held no disadvantage.
The information gap between us three—no, four—and them was vast, beyond mere elector status.
Above all, I had no intent to confront them here.
"...Haha... Hearing electors praise me so boosts my confidence. Truth be told, I trembled coming here—my first Imperial Diet, after all."
"Understandable. That's partly why we arranged this. As you know, Your Highness, if we three agree, the agenda's essentially settled."
The other two gave wry smiles at Albrecht's bluntness but didn't correct him.
Normally, the Imperial Diet decided by consensus of electors, princes, and free cities.
But exceptionally, three electors attended in person.
If we aligned, other delegates wouldn't oppose unless their interests suffered—why bruise elector egos for nothing?
I nodded broadly, feigning sudden realization with a smile.
"Ah, I see. Nothing I'd want more than smooth accord with you gentlemen. My thanks for the consideration."
"If that's Your Highness's wish, it simplifies things. Public debates just invite petty noise."
The Palatine sipped low-alcohol wine leisurely before continuing.
"One issue concerns me: Bohemian glass exports rising, meaning more ships through our lands. Fine before, but crowds breed toll disputes and unrest."
"Yes, I'm aware of Your Highness's troubles. Using Palatinate facilities demands fair payment. Shall we approve toll hikes tomorrow?"
"...So swiftly?"
"Indeed. I've long regretted inconveniencing you. His Majesty granted me full negotiating authority—no issue."
His poker face cracked slightly at the instant assent—and pre-cleared powers.
"Grateful for the promptness, but..."
"Perhaps Your Highness Augustus worries over Meissen porcelain rivaling Bohemian glass?"
"Mm, yes. Overheating could spark artisan poaching."
"Both industries represent the empire's future crafts. If schedules or clients overlap, we'll adjust flexibly. We're routing Bohemian glass to the Dutch anyway."
"...Far more decisive than expected."
Tolls and competition avoidance seemed losses micro-wise, but not really.
Tolls were inevitable with rising volume—settle fast to cap costs.
Bohemian demand would explode, unknown to the Palatine.
Lock in long-term tolls now; they'd rue it later.
Saxony needed no worry—they'd desperately seek Austrian aid in the Polish succession war ahead, starring Augustus III, this Augustus II's son.
Concessions now repaid manifold soon.
Unaware, they puzzled at my lightning decisions, then smirked, reading intent into my deference.
"Our Franz Highness truly cherishes the archduchess."
"As I said, I wish Lady Theresia to grow unscathed."
"Even blood kin struggle that much. Impressive. We grasp your intent."
"Thank you for indulging my poor words."
Palatinate approved the Pragmatic Sanction—but treaties flip anytime.
Saxony held positive reserve.
To secure Theresia's rights, I needed their goodwill ongoing.
They seemed convinced, but strictly, it fell short.
End here, and I'd be remembered as a savvy patsy who bent early.
One step further: make ongoing ties—as with Albrecht—profitable for them.
Feel loss without sustained relations.
Timing it perfectly, I played my ace.
"On that note, a proposal for you gentlemen. A way to seize the large mirror glass monopoly from France and Venice..."
Among this era's priciest luxuries: mirror glass.
Palaces paneled in French or Venetian imports? Their eyes lit instantly—honest as ever.
Albrecht must've teased, "Hop on, money's coming."
Time to prove it.
"Care to hear?"
"Mirror glass? Large-scale?"
"......"
"Hoo... A single large mirror costs a fortune..."
First, dispel those condescending gazes.
Just like now.