Tyranny of Steel

Weeks had passed since Itami first found the dossier that Linde had compiled about her during the early days of the diplomatic relations between Japan and Germany. And during this time, Itami had spent nearly every minute of her free time reflecting on just how big of a fuckup she was as the Empress of Japan. 

While the prosperous and peaceful state of the Reich had a major impact on Itami's perception regarding those she once considered to be her enemies. A part of her had continued to fight and struggle to be seen as Berengar's equal.

Yet, now, all the previous confidence she once had in her own ability had seemingly dissipated overnight. Despite this sudden shift in personality, Itami continued to do her best to redeem herself in the eyes of gods and men. 

At the moment, the Albino beauty was gathered at the temporary Japanese Embassy located in Kufstein, where she and her appointed cabinet members were currently discussing the creation of a new Japanese Constitution. 

Itami furrowed her brows as she looked at the proposals given to her by the various members of her cabinet, which she had chosen from among the highly educated populace of Little Kyoto. No matter how she looked at the various suggestions, they were primarily modelled after Germany's constitution. What immediately stuck out to her were the governmental protections reserved for the Japanese nobility, which Itami was quick to argue against. 

"There shall be no house of lords within our government. While I know that the nobility is a critical part of Germany's traditions, and society as a whole, there will be no place for it in Japan. Specifically, because I intend to fully abolish the Samurai Class when I reclaim my throne. Instead, we should make the bicameral legislature something more unique to our own circumstances.

I propose, we establish a house of representatives which is directly elected by the people. Whereas we have a Senate which is elected by the representatives within each prefectural legislature. Furthermore, I believe we should limit the number of senators to two per prefecture. Whereas the number of federal representatives per each prefecture should be based entirely on each prefecture's population. What do you all think of this proposal?" 

The Cabinet members spoke among themselves for several moments, before a young woman, not much older than Itami herself, posed a question. 

"With this system, who shall be the electorate? Here in Germany such a privilege is reserved for full-blooded german males who can pass both a political literacy test, and score quite high on an IQ test. These men also must be active taxpayers and have served the state in some capacity, whether as a soldier or first responder. Are we also going to limit our electorate to such individuals, or do you have other plans?" 

Naturally, Itami was already aware of these provisions within the German constitution. As an American woman from the twenty-first century, there were many complaints she had about these stringent requirements to vote. 

Though Itami knew very little about the Berengar's past life, it sounded like he came from a similar time as herself, and from a similarly western civilization. Such overbearing requirements regarding the right to vote were definitely not something most people in the United States would have agreed with. 

However, after thinking carefully about this subject for several moments, Itami realized the many benefits of having such an elite electorate. Many of the problems which the American society in her past life faced were as a result of giving the average person the right to vote.

The sad fact was that most Americans were simply too ignorant about the political process, and were far too susceptible to whatever they heard from other people, to really be trusted with such a monumental responsibility.

The last thing Itami needed was for Japan to suffer a near total collapse in the next three hundred years, because the masses voted for representatives who created policies that did not benefit the people or the state, but themselves and their corporate overlords. 

However, at the same time, Itami believed Berengar's voting restrictions were still too intense, and thus decided to be more lenient than him with who was permitted to vote in her society. 

"I believe that so long as a citizen of Japan pays his or her taxes and can pass a basic political literacy test, while having an IQ above one hundred, they should be permitted to vote for their representatives. 

As for the executive branch, we shall follow the example that Germany has set forth with a monarch, whose successor is chosen based upon their merit and character, and is selected by the monarch themselves. If, however, the monarch passes away before selecting their heir, the successor shall be chosen from the monarch's dynasty based upon a simple majority vote from the Royal Council (cabinet). Does anyone disagree with this sentiment?"

The same woman who had previously spoken before raised her hand once more before asking the next question on her mind. 

"So I am assuming that all prefectural governors will be chosen and dismissed by the monarch, just like how it is done within Germany?"

Itami simply nodded her head in agreement with this remark, causing the cabinet members to write this sentiment down on the piece of paper which was acting as their official constitutional document.  After noticing this, Itami remembered something important which she was bound by a treaty to add to her constitution and thus mentioned it briefly. 

"Also, make sure to add an amendment to the constitution that clarifies that The Empire of Japan is to limit itself to a Self-Defense Force that consists of the minimum amount of soldiers required to defend the Nation from foreign and domestic threats. As part of my treaty with the Kaiser, this is a non-negotiable condition. So I do not want to hear any complaints." 

Itami spent several more hours undergoing lengthy discussions about minute details regarding the Japanese Constitution. In the end, it turned out to be something very similar to the current German Constitution, but less restrictive to the electorate, while also including women into positions of political power. 

As night fell upon the city of Kufstein, Itami returned to the palace, where she saw that Berengar was waiting for her arrival. The man had a stoic expression on his face as he expressed his desire to speak with the Japanese Empress.

"Empress Itami Riyo, if you have the time, I would like to speak with you in my office..." 

Though Itami was exhausted from the previous deliberations, she did not deny Berengar's request. After all, this was the first real opportunity she had to speak with the man in weeks. Thus, the albino beauty followed the Kaiser to his office. 

Once inside, Berengar shut the door behind him before pouring two glasses of wine. He handed one off to Itami as he sat down in his chair. Once fully relaxed and having a sip of the alcoholic beverage, Berengar began to speak. 

"I heard that you just had what could be considered Japan's first constitutional convention. I also understand that you have decided to model your government in large part after my own. May I ask why?" 

Itami was surprised that Berengar had already learned about these details, even though it had not even been thirty minutes since she finished the deliberations. Then again, with how robust the man's intelligence network was, Itami realized that maybe it was not that surprising. Thus, she took a sip from her wine, while staring Berengar deep into his mismatched eyes before responding to his question with an equally stoic tone in her voice. 

"I will be honest, the government you have established in this world appears to be rather robust, and designed for long-term stability at all costs. You single-handedly went out of your way to provide the people with some form of representation, while still holding a significant amount of authority in your own hands. 

You have also eliminated the most troubling concern that monarchies traditionally have, and that is the selection of an appropriate heir. The one complaint I truly have with the society you have built is how limited women are in it.

Oh sure, women can serve in the military but only in support roles, and they can work for both corporations and government agencies if they so choose, but they have no right to vote or hold office. I decided that needed to be rectified in my own society."

Berengar scoffed when he heard this complaint before making a remark that Itami was not expecting.

"Women have their own role to play in German society. One that is equally as important as the role that men must fulfill. But politics? That is the realm of men and should remain as such..." 

Itami did not know how to respond to this statement. She wanted to argue against Berengar's words, but somehow she knew deep inside this was not the best idea. Thus, she could only remain silent and drink from her beverage before shifting the conversation to something else entirely.

"So... How is the war going?"

Berengar raised his brow slightly before reaching into his desk drawer and pulling out a folder, which he then handed to the woman. Itami took one look at the photo, which was on top of a pile of documents and nearly had a heart attack.

"This... this can't be?"

Berengar took one sip from his wine before responding to the woman's shock with a grim expression on his face.

"I'm afraid things have progressed in a way which neither of us has anticipated. I now have no choice but to order a full-scale invasion of the Japanese mainland. I would suggest that you do your best to coordinate with your loyalists in the field. Because things have just become a lot more complicated..." 

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