The Imperial Council convened as scheduled within the Brunswick Imperial Palace, beneath its magnificent dome. Here, the Prince-Electors, the most powerful figures in the Empire, gathered together.

The attendees were as follows.

Some of them were quite familiar to Laine, so there is no need for a lengthy introduction here (otherwise someone might think it's just filler).

These individuals were:

Emperor of the Empire, Prince Rick, and Duke of Brunswick, Carl Franz Friedrich. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Wolrich Prince-Elector, Grand Duke of Midland (also known as Midland Territory), and Baron Middenheim, Boris Todbringer.

Toscan Prince-Elector, Duke of Avey Territory, and Baron of Aiveheim, Umberto Corleone.

Brescia Prince-Elector, Duke of Weisen Territory, and Duke of Weisenburg, Gian Bernardino.

Wolfen Prince-Elector, Duke of Oster Territory, Vamil von Rukov.

Beikafen Prince-Elector, Speaker of the Ostmark Alliance, Wolfram Hetwig.

The representative with Nord Kingdom's Electoral rights, Grand Duke of Nord, Harald Frank's legitimate son, and Great Baron Theodoric Gaesel.

Archbishop of the Justice Church (also known as Grand Priest), Vicma Bekman.

Archbishop of the Life Church, Overseen Laine.

Archbishop of the Magic Church, Aglima.

Aside from these, four Electoral rights holders captured Laine's attention.

Hesige Prince-Elector and Baron of Hawk Territory is Edbrand Ruedenhoff.

This Prince-Elector was the only one not holding a dukedom because Hawk Territory's land is too small, perhaps only a fifth the size of Midland Territory, and the area under human control is even smaller. Hence, Hawk Territory's title has always been Great Baron rather than Duke, with the Great Baron only overseeing seven or eight barons.

Edbrand Ruedenhoff was a tall, thin middle-aged man with a horse-like face. Despite his thin frame, he was surprisingly strong. This Prince-Elector was said to have a fondness for hunting, spending most of his year at his villa in the southern forests of Hawk Territory, hunting, and only returning to the capital, Hesige, during winter.

Talabeheim Prince-Elector and Duke Talabeck, Helmut Feuerbach, also arrived. This Prince-Elector has already been introduced earlier, so no repetition is needed here.

The remaining two Electoral rights holders were somewhat unique.

The first holder was a half-elf, the "Elder Mut" Esme Stewart, a half-elf standing only 1.2 meters tall. This aged half-elf entered the event with support from others, greeting everyone as he did.

Mut Territory is the Empire's most peculiar province, a place that resembles yet differs from a true province, called "Mut Autonomous Territory." Historically, the Empire conquered the Half-Elves' homeland, Mut, attempting to integrate it into the Stier Territory and Avey Territory. However, the Half-Elves' resistance and uprisings persisted for a millennium until Savior Ludwig, facing food shortages with the Order Army's approach, accepted a massive donation and received the Half-Elves' promise of timely taxation. Consequently, the New Empire returned the land to the Half-Elves, granting them one vote in the Electorate. The Half-Elves could vote for the Empire's Emperor but were not allowed to participate in governance, merely voting during elections and serving as mascots.

Mut Territory is acclaimed as a "fairy-tale world," one of the most picturesque areas in the Old World. Half-Elves thrive there, living peaceably among their secluded lands, protected by surrounding imperial powers, with warfare rarely reaching them.

Esme Stewart was an odd figure, once wavering between voting for Carl Franz and Boris Todbringer. Emperor Carl Franz heeded his courtiers' advice, hosting a lavish banquet and offering ten sacks of oat cakes and twenty barrels of fine malt stout to bribe the Elder Mut. Thus, the Electoral rights holder, having eaten and drunk to his heart's content, decisively cast his vote for Emperor Carl.

The last Electoral rights holder was Utebad Prince-Elector and Duke of Stier Territory, Albert Hapte Anderson.

This Prince-Elector was particularly notable for being the only one among the Empire's most powerful individuals not dressed in silk as the great nobles typically did, but wearing simple woolen shirts, trousers, and a fur coat.

Because Stier Territory was simply too poor.

This province is the poorest among the Empire, without exception. The Nord country bumpkins hold plentiful minerals and seafood, Hawk Territory exports high-quality hardwood and various fine cedar and oak, while Oster Territory's thriving livestock and leather trade ensure its citizens a decent life. Furthermore, the gold mines near Wolfenburg continue to yield astonishing amounts even after centuries, sparing Vamil Prince-Elector concern over money.

What does Stier Territory have?

Absolutely nothing.

The province is mountainous, with dense forests, infertile land, and scarce production. Most Stier people perpetually struggle on the brink of subsistence, experiencing famine yearly. The region is known for the prevalence of rock bread (a mix of coarse wheat flour, bran, wood chips, and abundant rock dust). This bread provides a significant feeling of fullness but lacks substantial nourishment...

At least Laine does not intend to try it.

Grape wine is Stier Territory's sole exportable product. Unfortunately, the territory cannot produce top-quality red wine. Due to the barren land, planting grape vines often leads to more people going hungry, preventing the establishment of proprietary vineyards. Thus, the wines produced are primarily low to mid-range in quality. The commendable aspect of Stier wine is the locals' steadfastness in never diluting their wines, a commendable rarity in the Empire.