Gyousou's safety was uncertain. If Gyousou had passed away, the kingdom needed a new emperor. Who should be the next emperor then? -- This was the biggest problem of all. When the throne turned empty, Tyousai would be filling the gap until the next emperor was enthroned. However Eityuu was seriously injured and could not fulfill his duties. The Imperial Affairs Minister was also missing. As for all others, even on a temporary basis, they had no backup support that entitled them to fill the gap. Those who had neither custom or the Heavenly way to back themselves up would be nearly impossible to control the whole government. They just could not convincingly win over such support.

"For now, should we not focus on finding the subtitute for Tyousai?"
Tyouun (張運) the Religious Affairs Minister (春官長, Shunkantyou) asked.
"Find the person that can win all others' support, appoint him as the Tyousai, and start the substitute government (仮朝, katyou)..."

"That is putting the cart in front of the horse!"
Gantyou (巖趙) raised his voice in anger.
"We are just unable to find Gyousou right now. Sougen was only saying Gyousou had disappeared, not that he was dead! We should first ensure Gyousou's condition."

"Please hold on, everyone!"
Kaei (花影) raised her voice. Her pale face turned even paler due to anxiety and unsettlement.
"...Under such situation, what are we to do? Does anyone know the custom of dealing with this?"

"Under such situation," Kaei nodded as her voice turned faint, "pardon me for suggesting this, but in the unfortunate case that His Majesty is deceased, what would happen?"
"Then Taiho would be choosing..."
Kaei interrupted Senkaku's answer.
"However, Saiho is no nowhere to be found."

"If Taiho had passed away, the situation is referred to as 'kuui (空位, lit. empty seat)'. The custom practice is that Tyousai would start a substitute government as the subtitute emperor (仮王, kaou). If Eityuu was not in the condition to carry out such a duty, a new Tyousai should be appointed."
"By who?"
Senkaku could not find the answer.

"--The emperor and Taiho hold the power to appoint Tyousai, right? When His Majesty is absent, Taiho would assume this duty. However, now we have no emperor and no Taiho, and our Tyousai was unable to carry out his duty... Was there such a case before?"

"I do not think so."
Haboku answered sorrowfully.

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