Fangzhou Xier, starting with failing the art exam

The Black Queen Helena stood to one side, looking forlorn.

Before them stood an elderly Sarkaz man dressed in a scholar's robe.

It was Fremont.

Hearing the door open, Fremont slowly turned around.

Taylor instinctively gripped the weapon at his waist, and Gertrude instantly assumed a fighting stance.

The atmosphere in the entire team suddenly became tense.

However, Fremont ignored them.

His gaze swept past everyone and landed directly on Lacey, who was at the head of the group.

“You’ve arrived,” Fremont said calmly.

"I am coming."

“You win, Lacey,” Fremont continued.

"You won this empire in your own way."

“Those electors, those people, they chose you.”

Lacey met his gaze without the slightest fear.

“I just did what I was supposed to do,” Lacey replied calmly.

"The things that need to be done?" Fremont let out a cryptic chuckle.

“Many people think they are doing what they are supposed to do.”

"Helhunzoren thought he was searching for the truth, while the two of them thought they were maintaining the stability of the empire."

"But in the end, they all made a mess of things."

He took two steps forward.

“You must remember that it is easy to tear down an old palace, but it is ten thousand times more difficult to build a new one on the ruins.”

His gaze swept over everyone present, finally returning to Lacey.

With great power comes great responsibility.

"What Helhunzoren couldn't do, what the Twins couldn't do, I hope you can do."

Fremont gave Lacey a long look.

"Don't let the people of this land down again."

After saying this, Fremont turned to the side, revealing the two former rulers behind him.

“The two of them.” He pointed to Liselotte and Helena, his tone as flat as if he were introducing two objects.

"It is my most outstanding work, and also my most failed work."

“Their power remains formidable, and their understanding of Letania is unparalleled. Now, I entrust them to you.”

"Leave it to me?" Lacey frowned slightly.

“I have placed a shackle on their souls, and from now on they will obey your commands.”

"You can treat them as two swords. Whether you use them to cut down the remnants of the old world or to open up new territories depends on you, the new swordsman."

Fremont then added, "Of course, you can break them off whenever you want if you find them in the way."

"Weapons have no right to choose their own destiny."

These words sent a chill down the spines of everyone present.

Liselotte trembled with humiliation upon hearing this, but could not utter a single syllable in rebuttal.

Helene Marte closed her eyes and accepted her fate.

Fremont seemed to think he had done his job.

His figure began to blur, as if merging into the surrounding shadows, and eventually disappeared.

Silence returned to the throne room.

Taylor and the others looked at each other, clearly still reeling from the shock they had just experienced.

A legendary ruler of the Lich King's court appeared, said a few inexplicable words, and then disappeared.

Lacey's gaze shifted from where Fremont had disappeared to the two former empresses.

Herlinmat met his gaze, her eyes filled with complex emotions—resentment, relief—which ultimately culminated in a barely audible sigh.

She helped up Liselot, who was still trembling. Liselot looked up and stared at Lacey with eyes full of resentment and madness.

"Cough cough."

Mecklen Neham coughed, breaking the awkward silence.

He glanced at the two former empresses, then at Lacey, and said with a smile, "So... Lady Lacey, should we pack these two 'goods' up and take them away, or store them here?"

His untimely joke eased the tense atmosphere considerably.

Gertrude walked over to Liselotte and gently nudged her shoulder with her toe to confirm that she was merely restrained.

Then he said to Lacey, "It's easier to handle, at least we don't have to worry about them talking nonsense in court."

Lacey ignored their teasing.

He walked to the throne and reached out to touch the cold armrest.

He could almost feel the lingering warmth and obsession left on this place by rulers from the Witch King to the Twin Queens.

“Serafina,” he said softly.

“I’m here.” Serafina walked to his side.

"Notify everyone that the Imperial Central Conference will be held in Trilintelme in three days."

There is only one issue.

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over his allies, over the two deposed empresses, and finally looking out the window at the new sky.

"Impeach the Empress and elect a new monarch."

……

Holy Leitanian Empire: Chapter 83: The Third Holy Leitanian Empire (Part 1) Zero (Eight) Division (Part 7) 4 Wu Liu!

Three days later, Triinttelme, Imperial Central Conference Hall.

This hall, which has witnessed centuries of change in Letania, is once again packed to capacity.

The throne hung empty, and around the conference table sat the holders of imperial power—the nine electors.

Lacey sat in the main seat, with Mecklenne Nehm, Werner von Hochberg, Professor Rudolf, and other staunch allies to his left.

To his right were Ziegler, Gabriel, and Alfred, three pragmatic neutrals.

They seemed somewhat uneasy, exchanging glances from time to time, as if confirming each other's positions.

At the very end of the long table, the two Electors, Abraham of Haydenschwell and Hoffman of Oschdenheim, stood alone, their faces ashen, exuding reluctance.

Liselotte and Helena sat in the audience, their former royal robes replaced by plain long dresses. They were no longer the judges, but those awaiting judgment.

Herlinmat's face was calm, while Liselotte kept her head down, making it impossible to see her expression.

The meeting was chaired by Werner von Hochberg.

He first distributed the documents to everyone present.

Then, in a calm voice, she said, "Ladies and gentlemen, here is some evidence of the abuse of power, corruption, and dereliction of duty by the Twin Queens Liselotte Ivignad and Helemat Hildegard during their reigns."

"And... the original of this secret edict, personally signed by Liselotte Ivignad, authorizing His Excellency Abraham Rossetti to assassinate another legitimate Elector."

When the parchment was displayed, the atmosphere in the council chamber became noticeably heavier.

Abraham Rossetti lowered his head even further.

"According to the Imperial Charter, when a monarch commits an irrefutable serious crime such as betraying the country, violating the law, or attempting to incite a civil war, the Imperial Central Council has the right to impeach him."

Werner paused, his gaze sweeping across the entire room: "Now, I, Werner von Hochberg, Elector of the Stern Territory, together with the seven Electoral Districts of Keprainia, Ruperkan, Enwald, Erdenher, Fordgang, and Wasser, formally propose an impeachment against Empress Lieselot Ivignad and Helemat Hildergard!"

"The grounds for impeachment are as follows: First, abuse of imperial power, issuance of secret edicts with the intent to assassinate the elected emperor, which constitutes a serious betrayal of the country and a violation of the basic laws of the empire."

"Secondly, disregarding public opinion, they stirred up internal strife, attempting to trigger a full-scale civil war in Letania, thus plunging the country and its people into peril."

"Thirdly, his position was undeserved, his rule had lost its legitimacy, and he was no longer supported by the people of Letania."

“The reading is complete.” Walner put down the document. “Now, in accordance with imperial tradition, the nine electors will vote.”

"For impeachment, or against impeachment."

He was the first to express his opinion: "I support Shi Tong taking charge of the region."

Mecklen followed closely, his voice crisp and clear: "Keprania Region approves."

Professor Rudolf, representing the newly revitalized Rupercan, declared in a resounding voice: "Rupercan Region, in favor!"

Next came Ziegler, Gabriel, and Alfred.

The three of them exchanged glances, and each saw a resolute determination in the other's eyes.

They've already boarded Lacey's ship, there's no turning back.

"Enwade District, approved."

“Odenhel Region, approved.”

"Fordgang Region, approved."

With six votes in favor, the impeachment motion is a foregone conclusion.

When it was Lacey's turn, he calmly said, "Waseer Territory, approved."

Finally, all eyes were on Abraham and Hoffman.

Abraham stood up, his face now filled with struggle and pain, a testament to his loyalty to the royal family.

He glanced at the two empresses in the audience, and finally gritted his teeth and announced his decision.

"Haydenschwell District, opposed."

Hoffmann managed to utter two words with difficulty: "Oschdenheim region, against."

This was their final act of loyalty, and also the final lament of the old era.

"The voting is over," Warner announced the results.

"Seven votes in favor, two votes against, the impeachment motion is formally passed."

"From this moment forward, Liselotte Ivignad and Helemat Hildegard are no longer Queens of Letania, and all their royal powers and titles are stripped away."

A hammer is fixed.

Liselotte's body trembled violently, and she finally raised her head, her eyes completely empty.

Their era came to an end in the most irrefutable way.

After a brief silence, Mecklen stood up.

This shrewd businessman is now playing the role of a catalyst for a new era.

"Gentlemen, a country cannot be without a ruler for even a day!"

"Now that the throne is vacant, we must immediately elect a new leader to stabilize the situation and usher in the future!"

"I, Mecklen Neham, hereby formally nominate His Excellency Lacey, Elector of the Vasseur Territory, Leader of the Workers' Party, and Chairman of the Supreme Reform Council, as the candidate for the new Emperor of Letania!"

He paused, looked around, and said in an exaggerated, aria-like tone, "Gentlemen, let's be realistic."

"Who truly revitalized this land after the Witch King arrived? It was Lord Lacey."

"Who found a way out for the people from the exploitation of the old aristocracy? It was His Excellency Lacey."

"Who led us through the incompetent rule and economic sanctions of the Twin Queens, and even created an unprecedented alliance? It was Lady Lacey!"

He spread his hands, making his final remarks.

"It has been proven that His Excellency Lacey possesses the most outstanding leadership, the most successful governing experience, and the brightest prospects for development."

“Investing in him is investing in Letania’s future. I can’t think of anyone more suitable than him.”