Chapter 27
After Carolus left with his bombshell announcement, the Royal Palace Audience Chamber instantly descended into chaos.
Nobles and Royalty alike shouted at the top of their lungs, attempting to analyze the meaning of his words.
"An Assembly? Like the Imperial Assembly of the United Empire?"
"The structure and function are almost identical to The Three Estates, with only a few details differing."
"Perhaps it means he will no longer handle state affairs unilaterally..."
The documents Carolus handed over before leaving contained a detailed plan, making it easy to understand.
100 members from the First Estate, the Clergy.
100 members from the Second Estate, the Nobility.
100 members from the Third Estate, the Commoners.
Representatives from the three estates that comprise The Kingdom would be chosen to discuss state affairs and debate important issues in the Capital, Lahator.
Representatives would be chosen from recommended personnel from all over The Kingdom, with a four-year term. There would be no limit on re-elections.
In the voting process, each representative would have one vote, with the majority opinion prevailing.
Decisions passed would have practical effect after receiving approval from the Monarch or the Supreme Council for National Reconstruction.
However, limited to the first term, due to insufficient time to gather public opinion from across the country,
The Supreme Council for National Reconstruction would recommend members for the Third Estate, and the Nobility would select members for the Second Estate themselves.
There were many other minor details, but the gist of it was this.
"Read this. He has allowed us some discretionary power."
They quickly realized this was a revised version of The Three Estates.
The existing Three Estates, which had over 1,000 members, was reduced to one-third of its size, and the final approval authority was expanded to two entities: the Supreme Council and the Monarch.
The decision-making process was changed from estate-based voting to a majority rule, ensuring that the opinions of all representatives were reflected.
There were three major changes, but otherwise it was almost a carbon copy.
To put it simply, it had been improved to be slightly more democratic and efficient.
In the existing system, nothing could be done if the King found fault with it.
"But...doesn't this mean Your Majesty's power is systematically blocked?"
"The power of veto is a fundamental right of the Monarch. This is openly saying that Your Majesty will be unable to do anything."
Of course, there were complaints.
It was the King's freedom and right to decide whether to accept the suggestions of his subjects.
But if the Supreme Council for National Reconstruction had equal power, that right would be lost. Even if one side refused, the other could approve it and pass it.
Was there any reason for the Monarch to reign then? If the value of their existence as the supreme decision-maker of the nation was taken away, wasn't this officially making them a figurehead?
However, the objections were short-lived because Charles VII himself pointed this out in a firm voice.
"Carolus von Roytel. That man is already ruling the country like a King in my place. He must have thought that even with the creation of this Assembly, the power would still be his."
"Your Majesty! Then are you saying we should just stand by and watch?"
"Count von Heim! How dare you raise your voice--"
"No, this is rather an opportunity for us to turn the tables."
The Monarch held up the documents Carolus left and said,
"According to his plan, we can send 100 members to the Assembly. This alone secures 33% of the votes. If we bring in the Clergy, wouldn't we easily surpass the majority?"
Those who understood his meaning immediately brightened.
"Are you saying the majority rule principle will actually benefit us Blue Bloods?!"
"Indeed, with overwhelming votes, we will gain a firm advantage in the Assembly!"
Blue Blood. An expression originating from the prominent appearance of veins due to the fair skin of those of noble birth.
It usually refers to the privileged class, such as Royalty and Nobility.
Here, it referred to the group opposing Carolus and his forces, including Charles VII.
"Exactly. Although communication with the Cardinals has been difficult lately... there will be plenty of opportunities to meet them once the Assembly convenes. We can use this opportunity to contact and persuade them."
"What will the conditions be? Since the authority to ordain Bishops has become the exclusive right of the Assembly, we must prepare other compensation."
"We will discuss that once we meet. Persuading them as quickly as possible is our top priority."
The Clergy, while sometimes engaging in power struggles, always cooperated actively when it came to protecting their vested interests.
It was bound to happen again. They would have to make some concessions, now that their position had become somewhat precarious.
Well, it didn't matter. Securing control of the Assembly was the key, regardless of the cost. Once they could steer state affairs through votes, the power they had lost would gradually return.
They would reclaim the authority the Supreme Council for National Reconstruction had usurped and weaken the influence of the rebels.
'I don't know what those traitors were thinking when they created this institution... but if it's useful, I'll use it. It's a golden opportunity to purify the tainted Kingdom.'
As Charles VII scoffed internally, wondering if they had blundered due to their own stupidity, a shrewd Duke inquired,
"But Your Majesty, won't those rebels lash out if they think they're losing power? For example, by closing down the Assembly."
"Then it would be to our advantage. Wouldn't it prove that they are vile creatures lusting for power?"
Once they were given this opportunity, there were numerous ways to utilize it.
From political battles to public opinion warfare and propaganda.
They could debunk the Revolutionary Army's justification for seizing power and reduce them back to a mere band of rebels.
The very mechanism they had created for the convenience of governance would become a fatal misstep, eroding their foundation.
"Begin selecting individuals to be sent as Members of Parliament immediately. I leave the method to your discretion."
With that command, Charles VII closed his eyes.
Imagining himself once again seated on the throne, his royal authority restored.
* * * * *
"...That's probably how they're deluding themselves."
Back in my office, I leaned back in the plush chair.
Scoffing at the noble lords who were likely busy fueling their wishful thinking at this very moment.
"If it were an organization that could be so easily manipulated, why would I create the Assembly in the first place? I've been working so hard behind the scenes."
They would certainly judge the situation and devise their strategies based on the information they possessed.
Information acquired before they were confined within Lahator, before I launched the Coup d'état and seized the Capital.
Thanks to my efforts in keeping them detained and controlling the incoming information, the Nobility remained unaware of the current situation.
Even their communication with the Clergy required meticulous planning and trusted confidants, and barely succeeded.
Even then, I caught wind of it on their way back.
Therefore, they likely believed they could collude with the Clergy and benefit, just like in the old days of The Three Estates... but what a shame. I initiated the Cultural Revolution.
"The Church of the Goddess is in complete chaos, lacking the capacity to gather opinions, let alone select representatives..."
The Religious Community was currently in shambles, thanks to my meddling.
There were a total of 98 dioceses, including archdioceses, nationwide, and roughly the same number of Bishops or higher-ranking personnel, right?
Currently, they're all corpses.
I instructed the Priests to apprehend them if possible or escort them to the Capital, you know? Those orders were completely ignored.
The Red Guards, fueled by rage, resorted to bonfires, impalements, and all sorts of atrocities, leaving few intact bodies.
It's a small mercy that the casualties were concentrated among the high-ranking Clergy, with minimal civilian casualties.
In any case, the Church of the Goddess was in no state to participate in politics. They'd have to elect new Bishops and Cardinals from scratch.
"In other words, the first Assembly will have to be held with the Second Estate and the Third Estate, without the First Estate."
A two-power structure of 100 vs 100 had been established.
If things continued as they were, any agenda item would likely result in a 50/50 split, leading to rejection.
However, a variable emerges here. The unity among the representatives of the Second Estate isn't solid.
'No matter who comes, there will always be two or three defectors.'
Not all Nobles are obsessed with exploiting those below them.
Some believe in reforming the nation, going beyond protecting their vested interests and privileges.
Their numbers aren't large enough to become the mainstream... but that's alright.
Even if it's just a few, as long as such individuals are elected as Members of Parliament and come over to our side, the balance of voting power will be broken.
On the other hand, the Third Estate forces we'll elect are carefully selected individuals.
From high-spec debaters handpicked by the Young Lady of Arshakh to anti-Royal Family figures invited through connections, republicans, and active-duty Officers.
'We're the Suicide Squad, you bastards.'
It's a fantastic combination of individuals, each fundamentally opposed to the current establishment.
There might be internal disagreements, but they would never defect to the opposing side.
Approximately 51-52%. If we secure roughly that percentage of seats and appoint all the Bishops from our side?
Well, from then on, the Royal Family will have to legally cede power to us.