Starting from the Planetary Governor

The representative of the Interstellar Warriors is usually a Battle Group Leader elected by the major Battle Groups when they have a seat. The current representative is Jerry Earl Ganglong, the Battle Group Leader of the Death Angel Battle Group. His Battle Group was reorganized from the first legion of the past legion era and belongs to one of the initial Battle Groups.

In this affair, it's unclear how much political benefit the Interstellar Warriors can glean, but certainly, their political will is to eliminate nuisances like Iron Armor, which severely tarnish the reputation of the Interstellar Warriors and blatantly violate the regulations of the Star Warrior Codex.

The Interstellar Warriors have always been a rather delicate presence at the heart of the Human Empire, being both admired and feared. Created with the Emperor's genes as a template, they were led by the Emperor's adopted sons to establish this vast empire in the form of legions, but they also nearly tore apart and destroyed the Empire due to a great rebellion and mutual opposition that arose after the Emperor Ascension.

Since then, the Interstellar Warriors have had to abide by various restrictions of the "Star Warrior Codex" and largely withdrew from the central power sphere of the Empire.

Confronting a situation-breaker like Iron Armor, all major Battle Groups would naturally abhor it.

The Minister of Taxation and the State Religion hold similar views. The Star Domains taken by Iron Armor report taxes capriciously, paying as they wish—wouldn't we need to take action? Not allowing us to preach, causing serious conflicts with our churches, and even expelling clergy. Up to now, the situation with the churches in the Princess Star Domain is still incorrect, and the dismantling continues; their attitude towards the State Religion is much worse than that of the Alliance.

As for the other votes of agreement, they are generally those who want to profit from this situation, such as the Imperial Prime Minister Qi Bo, Minister of Justice Ou Juren, and the Imperial Navy, among others.

Those who cast abstention votes are generally unrelated to this matter, like the Provence Sector President, for example.

Outside the Supreme Council, there is another parliament within the Empire with a strong presence—the Presidium Council. Composed entirely of over fifty Cosmic Domain Chairs of the Empire, they represent the collective of the most significant local powers. They elect some among themselves to become one of the High Lords. The specific number of seats depends on the situation at the time; this term has two.

Of course, just like the Interstellar Warriors, these Cosmic Domain Chairs or Battle Group Leaders cannot personally fulfill their duties as High Lords on Holy Terra. They will appoint representatives to act on their behalf.

The Provence Sector is part of the Western Empire Border, unrelated to the Empire's Eastern Frontier, so it directly abstained.

The Mars Representative and the Administration Bureau are almost the same.

The Tribunal must be mentioned. The Silver Tribunal stands with Tie Nu Shi without a doubt, but the Tribunal as an organization is fragmented. For instance, the Heretic Tribunal is highly dissatisfied with the actions of the Iron Armor Battle Group; the Internal Court of Judgment, a faction that specifically oversees Judges, is also investigating numerous overreaches of the Silver Tribunal and is covertly looking to make a big scoop.

The chaotic and loose internal structure prevents the Grand Judge from being able to clearly articulate a position.

Among the three opposing parties, Norberto certainly needs no further explanation as he is the big fish that's about to be consumed, and he naturally resists.

The Supreme Marshal of the Star Realm Army, however, does not necessarily stand with Tie Nu Shi. He simply needs this dissenting vote to show a stance to the countless Marshals and Generals under his command. Otherwise, if Gu Hang, a man who has never mixed in the Star Realm Army System, became a Marshal and he did not voice any objection, it certainly wouldn't be good.

However, Galaraldo has also conveyed to Gu Hang that this is just a stance, and in reality, there have been private communications. The Supreme Marshal will not actually impede the process.

The attitude of the Devouring Stars Sector President is rather intriguing. Their proximity to the Spiderweb Domain and their relationship with Tie Nu Shi is certain, but is it so strong as to support Tie Nu Shi?

Gu Hang analyzed that it is likely they do not want a large-scale war.

In a conflict, the Star Devouring Cosmos might very well become part of the front line, and a significant amount of resources would need to be levied from their lands. If the Iron Armor Battle Group strikes preemptively, the Empire's main forces may not have completed their assembly yet, and the Star Devouring Cosmos might suffer.

But their attitude is also irrelevant now.

The three opposing votes cannot halt the overall situation.

The formal procedure for Gu Hang to become an Empire Marshal has also been completed, and with considerable force: approved by the vote of the thirteen-member High Lord Council!

How many things in the vast Empire could be taken to this council for a vote?

Very few! And each one is a major matter!

An ordinary Marshal would not receive this treatment. Approval by the Military Affairs Department and the Navy or the Star Realm Army would suffice.

Yet, Gu Hang's Marshal position also comes with a complication.

The two departments that should logically be the most concerned, the Military Affairs Department and the Supreme Marshal of the Star Realm Army, both oppose his promotion.

Nevertheless, Galaraldo has also relayed that the Supreme Marshal of the Star Realm Army will attend the conferral ceremony and personally award the title.

After making his position clear, he will have explained to those below: this is a decision by the highest authority of the Empire, and I can do nothing about it.

Then he can happily interact with Gu Hang, the newcomer.

Gu Hang expresses full understanding of this.

Norberto, who was supposed to attend as well, will certainly not come. One of the deputy prime ministers, the former Chair of the Eastern Cosmos Domain and Deputy Minister of the Military Affairs Department, Wang Suan, has already stepped down due to serious illness, and his life may only last another year or two; another deputy prime minister, a close ally of Norberto, will also not attend. But Galaraldo will come, the presence of the Executive Minister is barely adequate.