Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 547 New Elector of the Council of Princes - Su Li - Bauhinia!

Just then, a cold, seemingly emotionless voice swept through the hall like a chilling wave, instantly drawing everyone's attention.

“Weissen territory,” Cemetery Rose Elsbeth von Drakens slowly raised her head. Her black armor gleamed coldly in the light, and her beautiful face was expressionless, only displaying an aloof indifference. “Abstain.”

She didn't even give a reason, simply sweeping her gaze across the room with eyes that seemed capable of freezing souls, especially over the grim-faced Graf and the struggling Herman, her gaze carrying an undisguised contempt for this "boring political squabble." To her, guarding the borders of the Wiesen Territory and clearing the undead from the cemetery was far more important than getting involved in this bickering between the northern and southern powers. She couldn't be bothered to take sides.

After saying that, she transformed back into a cold obsidian statue, completely isolating herself from the noise and disputes of the outside world.

Abstain!

Another vote, and a crucial one at that, has vanished!
Now, only fifteen valid votes remain! According to the rules of the Electoral Council, a motion needs more than half of the total valid votes to pass. This means that with the current fifteen votes, the opposition only needs eight more to secure victory! And they already have seven votes!

The situation took an instant and deteriorated rapidly, reaching an extremely dangerous critical point!
After a brief moment of surprise, Graf von Kazabaghel's face once again broke into a smug, triumphant grin. He no longer looked at the struggling Hermann, but instead turned his gaze to the still-unvoiced Stiyl and Mut halflings. If either of these two sides voted against it, or even if just one side abstained, lowering the threshold for passage, the opposition would win!

"It seems the outcome was already decided!" Graf's voice was filled with undisguised smugness. "The wishful thinking of some people has ultimately come to nothing!"

Phyllis's heart sank, and Archbishop Conrad's brow furrowed deeply. Hope seemed to be slipping through their fingers.

At this critical moment, Archbishop Conrad Radiance of the Church of the Blazing Sun suddenly stood up! He knew that he could not wait any longer and had to throw out his last and most practical bargaining chip!
His voice was loud and clear, carrying an undeniable decisiveness throughout the hall:

"Fellow electors! Please allow me to remind you of a crucial fact!"

He glanced around, his gaze lingering on the still-unspoken Stiyl and Mut halflings, and the painfully silent Elector of West:
"The promise made by Earl Suli of the Black Forest Territory—to give each current secular elector a complete pod of the Blessed Wisteria Tree free of charge every year for a hundred years—has clearly defined prerequisites for fulfilling this generous gift and the scope of recipients!"

He paused deliberately, allowing everyone to process the meaning of his words, and then spoke, word by word, with resounding emphasis:

"This gift, which carries the blessing of life, is valid only for those who cast their vote in favor of this sacred motion!"

These words were like a bomb dropped on a calm lake!
Only valid for those who voted in favor!
What does this mean? It means that if you vote against it or abstain, then for the next hundred years, you and your family will be completely deprived of that one longevity pod per year—a pod that would drive the elderly and powerful crazy!
Practical interests are far more impactful than empty political slogans and distant traditional alliances!

This blatant statement, which directly links political choices to personal interests, instantly shattered the last vestiges of hesitation and pretense for many!
Almost the instant Conrad finished speaking, a cheerful and eager voice rang out:

"Mute Territory! 'Yes!' We vote 'Yes!'" The halfling elder Jero Happy Feet almost jumped to his feet, waving his pipe and beaming with a genuine smile. "A lord who can promote trade prosperity, bring new business opportunities and new delicacies should certainly be supported! We, the Mute Territory, have always loved peace and... uh, all good things!"

He made no secret of his desire for tangible benefits, for the future interests of the halfling caravan, and for the wondrous fruit containing the light of life that they might taste!

The 5th vote in favor!

This crucial vote was like placing another vital weight on a scale that was about to tip over!

The situation has taken another dramatic turn!

Now, in favor: 5 votes! Against: 7 votes! Abstain: 1 vote (Wisen territory)! No votes cast: Wester territory, Steel territory, and Avalan territory.

The total number of valid votes is currently 5 + 7 + 1 = 13! A majority vote, or at least 8 votes, is needed to pass!
They need 3 more votes in favor! They already have 7 votes against, which is the threshold for a majority of valid votes, but they need one more vote to form an absolute majority (more than half)!
The pressure, as real as a physical force, crashed down on the last two seats that had not yet made a decision—Westland and Steelland!

Hermann von West jerked his head up, his face contorted with struggle. Conrad's words had struck him like a thunderbolt. Those century-old longevity pods were an irresistible temptation for any ruler, but that wasn't the key point. The key point was… the Ghost Vine of Blacksem Territory, their hope for reclaiming their homeland! If they lost Su Li's friendship and support by voting against it…

Meanwhile, Lady Anna of the Steel Territory, the shrewd regent, suddenly had a sharp glint in her eyes. She realized that the value of this final vote in the Steel Territory's hands had been elevated to an unprecedented level! Both the Northern Alliance and Su Li's camp desperately needed their vote to secure victory!

She gently tugged at her son Alberius's sleeve and whispered a few words quickly in his ear. The young elector looked slightly bewildered, but still nodded obediently.

Mrs. Anna slowly rose to her feet, facing the focused gaze of the entire room. She remained composed, her voice clear and calm:
“The Stiyl territory has not yet made a final decision.” She paused, her gaze sweeping over the ashen-faced Graf and the anxious Conrad. “We need to see which side can provide the most direct, powerful, and timely commitment to aid our undead-ravaged borders. The Stiyl territory’s vote will only go toward the direction that can truly resolve our existential crisis.”

She made her wait-and-see attitude public.

Now, all eyes are finally focused on the man who has been struggling in pain from beginning to end—Hermann von West.

His decision could directly determine the outcome of this power struggle at the highest level of the empire!

Should they follow the millennia-old tradition and stand with their northern allies? Or should they side with the emerging forces in the south for the sake of their territory's core interests and future hopes?

Hermann's throat bobbed violently; he felt a suffocating pain. Finally, after a long, suffocating silence, as if drawing all his strength, he abruptly raised his head, his gaze no longer lost, but filled with a resolute determination, meeting Graf's incredulous gaze. Then, turning to Imperial Chancellor Otto, he spoke in a hoarse but firm voice, each word distinct and deliberate:

"Westland...proposes this motion..."

He took a deep breath, as if inhaling the weight of a thousand years into his lungs, and then exhaled heavily:
"……'yes'!"

The 6th vote in favor!

Hermann von West's resolute "Yes" shattered the frozen air in the council chamber like a thunderbolt. A brief silence followed, then erupted into a deafening roar and incredulous growls!
The number of votes in favor reached six! Only one vote was needed to overcome the seven votes against!
At this moment, only two territories remain undecided: the Stiyl territory, which is waiting for a bidder, and the Avalan territory, which should theoretically follow the Imperial State Religion but has remained silent so far (the Emperor or his representatives usually exercise voting rights).

All eyes, as if drawn by an invisible magnet, instantly focused on the mother and son in the territory of Steel. Under the countless scorching, scrutinizing, and even oppressive gazes, the young Elector Alberich appeared somewhat uneasy, instinctively moving closer to his mother. Meanwhile, Lady Anna, the Keeper of the Seals, remained calm like a reef weathered by a thousand years of wind and frost, her expression serene, only the glint of light in her eyes betraying the intense calculations she was making.

She knew that this vote for the Stiyl Territory was priceless at this moment! It could not only determine the rise of a new power, but also bring vital survival resources to the Stiyl Territory, which was suffering from the torment of the undead.

“Lady Anna!” Graf von Kazabagh could no longer remain seated. He abruptly stood up, his voice like the roar of a wounded bear, attempting to overwhelm the other party with his imposing presence. “We, Middenland and Nord, will never stand idly by in the face of Tyre’s plight! The iron hooves of the White Wolf Knights and the battle axes of the Nord Navy are ready to march south at any time to help you sweep away the undead!”

He offered a promise of military aid, though to Mrs. Anna it seemed like a distant solution that couldn't address her immediate needs and was fraught with uncertainty.

"Purging the undead?" Princess Phyllis's cool voice rang out, carrying a perfectly measured hint of skepticism. She didn't rise, but every word was clearly audible to everyone. "Elector Graf, your valiant White Wolf Knights and the fierce warriors of the Nordlands are indeed sharp blades against the Beastmen and Chaos. But against the surging, all-pervasive undead army of Stiyl, how effective are their usual charges and slashes? Moreover..."

She tilted her head slightly, her gaze sweeping over the electors in the north, her tone calm yet sharp: "The northern provinces have been at war for years, their resources are scarce, and they themselves need the Empire's support. How much real gold and grain can they offer to help the Stiyl Territory rebuild the towns and fortresses destroyed by the undead? Are they going to let the people of Stiyl Territory fight against the endless waves of death with empty promises while starving?"

These words starkly exposed the deep-seated tensions between the North and South of the empire—the latent conflict between the relatively wealthy South and the resource-scarce, militarily-dependent North. The South often viewed the North as uncouth hicks, while the North despised the South as spineless sissies.

Mrs. Anna listened quietly to the attempts to win her over and the attacks from both sides, her face expressionless, but her mind was racing as she weighed the options.

The promises of the Northern Alliance sound inspiring, but how much can they actually deliver? They themselves frequently rely on food and financial support from the South. And the South… Earl Su Li not only controls the Purple Spirit Fields, which accelerate plant growth and might even have miraculous effects on purifying the land, but he also possesses the divine object, the [Blessed Wisteria Tree Pods]! Even if the Stiyl Territory itself doesn't need them, trading them with other wealthy southern provinces or churches could yield astronomical sums of wealth and much-needed supplies! This is far more tangible than the North's vague military aid. The pressure of survival, coupled with the desire for enormous profits, is threatening to ultimately overwhelm any remaining reservations about Northern military aid.

At this moment, Graf sneered and offered a more practical temptation: "Although it is difficult for our northern provinces to provide material support to the territory of Steel, Lord Joachim of Maleburg has assured me that as long as the situation stabilizes, he will provide the territory of Steel with a continuous supply of food and gold!"

"You must know that the territory of Steel, as a southwestern province, has a closer connection with Maleburg than anyone else here! The strength of the north combined with the wealth of Maleburg is the true guarantee to resolve your predicament."

The support from Maleiburg! Lady Anna's eyes lit up instantly, her breathing quickening slightly. A steady supply of food and gold coins—this was exactly what the reconstruction of the Steel Territory desperately needed! The military aid from the north might be crude, but combined with the resources from Maleiburg, a trading hub, it sounded incredibly appealing. She almost immediately nodded in agreement to this "generous" aid.

At this critical moment, Archbishop Conrad Radiant, the high-pitched voice of the Church of the Blazing Sun, rang out again, striking Mrs. Anna's heart like an alarm bell: "Mrs. Anna, please wake up!"

Conrad's gaze sharpened: "If this motion fails to pass, it means that all the understandings and conditions previously reached between the Electoral Council and the Hessian Territory will be overturned! The Southern Territory will immediately lose stability, and renewed warfare is inevitable! At that time, the first city to be besieged will be Maleburg! How can Maleburg, which is struggling to survive and may even change hands, fulfill its promise of 'uninterrupted' support to you? It's nothing but a mirage, a castle in the air!"

These words were like ice water poured over her head, instantly cooling Lady Anna's feverish mind. Indeed, if Su Li were provoked, Maleburg would be the first to suffer, and Joachim's promise would be nothing but an empty check!
"He dares!" Graf roared, his hair and beard bristling, his ferocious aura sweeping across the surroundings. "If that border upstart dares to besiege Maleburg, my Middenland army will immediately march south and crush him and his Hessian territory! Let's see who dares to stop us!"

"You may try, Elector Graf." Princess Phyllis's cold voice rang out. She finally rose slowly, her silver hair cascading down, her icy blue eyes containing an undeniable resolve. "If your White Wolf Knights dare to set foot on the battlefield of Maleburg, all the soldiers of my Suland Province will follow closely behind and march to the front lines! I want to see whether your northern battle axes are sharper or my southern swords are more resilient! We'll clash right here beneath the walls of Maleburg, a true test of strength, and see who stands last!"

The threat of civil war in the Empire was brought to the forefront by Phyllis in the most direct and forceful way! The terrifying prospect of the Southern Alliance confronting the Northern Alliance caused the temperature in the entire hall to drop several degrees.

Lady Anna's heart pounded as she listened to this verbal exchange, which felt like an ultimatum. She weighed her options again: the North's promise rested on the uncertain support of Maleburg and the risk of a full-blown civil war; while in the South, Earl Suli not only controlled resources potentially useful for purifying the undead, but also held the [Blessed Wisteria Tree Pods], a hard currency that could be exchanged for anything. Moreover…

Her gaze involuntarily drifted towards Archbishop Conrad of the Church of the Blazing Sun. The main faith of the Stiel Territory was that of the goddess of healing and mercy, Sharya. At the critical moment of the undead invasion, it was Sharya's knights who stepped forward, suffering heavy losses to delay the undead invasion, saving a large number of civilians, and reducing the losses of the Stiel Territory.

The goddess Sharya is the younger sister of Violet, the goddess of the sun, and the two goddesses and their church have a close relationship. Logically and emotionally, both Stiyl and Violet should belong to the southern camp.

The harsh realities of survival, a clear understanding of the empty promises of the North, a yearning for the hard currency of the South, and a natural affinity on a religious level ultimately led Mrs. Anna to make her decision.

Under the tense gaze of everyone, Lady Anna gently squeezed her son Alberich's hand, then slowly stood up. She didn't look at the ashen-faced Graf, nor at the anxious eyes of Conrad and Phyllis, but instead faced the Imperial Chancellor Otto, and announced in a clear and calm voice:

"After careful consideration, the Stiyl Territory believes that a stable, powerful southern border that is closely connected to the core of the Empire is in the best interests of the Empire as a whole and will also help alleviate the pressure from the undead that our territory faces."

She paused for a moment, then finally cast her decisive vote:
“Therefore, Lord Steel, vote on this… ‘Yes’.”

The 7th vote in favor!

It's a tie! The votes for and against are tied at 7 to 7!
The uproar nearly lifted the dome of the council chamber! No one had expected that this vote, which seemed to be a sure thing for the Northern Alliance, would end in such a fierce and brutal draw!

Now, all the pressure, all the expectations, all the decisive gazes instantly shifted away from the territory of Steel and, like a spotlight, slammed onto the throne that had been vacant all along, the throne that symbolized the highest power of the empire, and beside the throne, the Imperial Chancellor who remained as silent as an abyss—Otto von Hefberg!
The votes received by Avalan, the Emperor's decision, have not yet been made!
By convention, the Emperor exercises voting rights in Avalan, and when the Emperor is unable to attend, the Chancellor usually represents him. Furthermore, Avalan's stance is generally aligned with the Imperial State Religion. The State Religion, however, has already cast its vote against it.

If the prime minister follows this "custom" and casts a dissenting vote, the motion will be rejected with 8 votes against and 7 votes in favor!
A deathly silence fell over the hall; even breathing could be heard. Every gaze was fixed on Chancellor Otto, trying to discern even the slightest inclination from his impassive face.

Graf von Kazabaghel's chest heaved as he stared intently at Otto, his eyes filled with warning and expectation, as if to say: "Follow tradition! Stand with the state church!"

Princess Phyllis and Archbishop Conrad's hearts were in their throats; they knew the final judgment had arrived. Conrad even subconsciously reiterated that undeniable bargaining chip, speaking in a low voice, but making sure those around him could hear: "...only the one who approves will receive a hundred years of grace."

Otto von Hefberger slowly rose to his feet. The seventy-year-old minister's face remained expressionless, as if sculpted, but his deep, ancient eyes slowly swept over the electors below, each with their own distinct expressions, as if weighing the empire's past, present, and future.

He remained silent for a long time, so long that it seemed as if time had stood still.

Finally, he cleared his throat slightly, and his steady, aged voice, like the tolling of a fateful bell, resonated in everyone's heart:

"Your Majesty, although you were unable to attend in person due to unforeseen circumstances," his voice was not loud, but carried an undeniable weight, "yet Your Majesty has always been concerned about the stability and long-term future of the empire."

He paused briefly, his gaze seemingly lingering for a moment in the direction of Phyllis and Conrad, or perhaps not.

"The voting rights of the Avalan Territory are intended to safeguard the fundamental interests of the Empire and... its stability and prosperity." He chose his words carefully. "After careful consideration, it is believed that recognizing and absorbing emerging and powerful forces, bringing them into the imperial legal system, is more conducive to the long-term stability of the Empire than excluding them, and can also... bring new vitality and security to the Empire."

Having said that, he no longer hesitated and declared clearly and firmly:

"Therefore, the territory of Avalan, on behalf of His Majesty the Emperor, hereby proposes this motion..."

"……'yes'."

The 8th vote in favor!

Motion passed!

boom! ! ! !

A tremendous roar instantly shattered the silence, with cheers, shouts, incredulous exclamations, and angry slamming of the table all mingling together, and the entire council hall was in complete uproar!

Princess Phyllis's tense body instantly relaxed, a flush of barely suppressed excitement rising on her beautiful cheeks. Archbishop Conrad let out a long sigh of relief, his eyes filled with excitement and pride. The Church of the Blazing Sun had finally stepped into the very core of the Empire's power circle!

Graf von Kazabagh, the "tyrant" of the North, turned deathly pale. He slammed his fist on the table and roared in frustration, but his anger was ultimately drowned out by the chorus of his supporters.

Imperial Chancellor Otto von Hefberg calmly observed all this, then slowly sat down. No one knew what lay hidden in the depths of his eyes. Was it a consideration for the stability of the Empire? Was it the Emperor's increasingly frail body's irresistible allure of the longevity pod? Or did he see the undeniable potential and threat posed by the Hessian Territory, believing it wiser to incorporate them than to leave them unchecked?

Perhaps, it's a combination of both.

But regardless, one undeniable fact has been established—

Originating from the border of the Black Forest Territory, the seemingly unremarkable [Blessed Wisteria Tree] produces magical pods that, with their irresistible allure of life and power, combined with Su Li's skillful political maneuvering and already formidable strength, have successfully shaken the millennia-old imperial power structure!

Su Li Bauhinia, the former frontier pioneer knight and now the Earl of Black Forest Territory, has been officially recognized by the Elector Council and has become the first holder of the secular electorate of the Lieyang Church!
Under the empire's sky, a new political superstar has risen! From this moment on, the power map of the old world has been rewritten forever.

(End of this chapter)