Adding the "Right to Protect" for overseas colonies, along with the vast colonies the church bestowed upon them, it could barely count as a colonial Great Empire.
The emperor's esteemed position comes from the vast territory and population, from the sedimentation of history and the Royal Iron Law, and also from the coronation by the pope.
With the pope's endorsement, nothing is an issue anymore.
Anyway, selling offices and titles was common at the end of a dynasty.
As the Spiral Annals draw nearer, unused power becomes obsolete.
Thus, at any cost, they elevated this maritime hegemon to the "Pyrenees Empire," and incidentally crowned the Immaculate Saint Isabella as the first Empress of the Empire.
In the solemn hymn, the pope held up a pre-crafted crown with both hands and placed it on Saint Isabella's head.
"Power bestowed by god, child, from today onwards you are the Emperor of the Pyrenees Empire, the Immaculate Saint Isabella I.
God is with you."
