Siegfried has been following the struggles within the Diet with a calm face and made no notion to refute the points brought up against him up to the point where Dieter had entered the Diet to confirm his claims. Now he stands up again to address the assembled Electors.
Dear Electors,
I hold no grudge against any of you feeling surprised at my sudden ascensions. But as you have now heard, it was truly the last wish of Emperor Jobst that I be his Heir. There has never been another named. I can understand that many people may wonder why this decision was made, but this isn't for us to contemplate. Emperor Jobst acted as he did, and I will fulfill his wish to the extent of my abilities and I expect every Noble of the Reich to do the same.
With my blood line not continued so far, I will none the less name my heir now, here for everyone to hear and bear witness ,to avoid confusion in the future. It is my understanding that the House of Swabia has brought forth many a successful Emperor in the past. I therefore choose to name Count Elberhard as my successor and heir should any grave tidings befall me during my reign. He is already serving as a Co-Chancellor and he is a direct descendant of Emperor Henry. This will ensure that the Imperial Line will fall back to Swabia should I fail to produce an heir of my own.
With that settled, as Emperor it is my duty to oversee the Diet.
I demand that the Duke of Austria and Count von Hamburg stop their bickering. Their points on the subject of how to treat prisoners of war has been made clear to all of us. Should they desire further investigation in this issue, I propose them to pass according Edicts or Charter Ammendments during the next Diet session.
I hereby expell Wolfgang Hummel from this Diet until he apologizes for his insubordination and refutes his allegiance to Count Hans!
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