Chapter 145 - 144: Holy Empire, the House of Plantagenet

Chapter 145: Chapter 144: Holy Empire, the House of Plantagenet

"Right!" Instructor Mosen’s expression inexplicably grew fanatic. He sighed with a hint of yearning, "This area, which occupies nearly more than half of the Nolan Continent, is the territory of a single nation—the Holy Empire!

"The Holy Empire is the only empire on this continent, and even in this world.

"It possesses the vastest territory and the most formidable power on the Nolan Continent. Even if one’s gaze is not limited to the Nolan Continent but encompasses the entire world, the same holds true.

"Because this massive region you see isn’t even the entirety of the Holy Empire’s territory.

"On the Terra Continent and the Central Continent, the Holy Empire also has its own territories.

"This is the only nation whose borders span across three continents," Instructor Mosen said, becoming exceptionally exhilarated at the mention of the Holy Empire, his words pouring out. "Before it, no nation could achieve this. After it... as it stands now, the Holy Empire is still expanding; it’s practically impossible for it to decline and fall."

"History tells us that there has never been an empire that didn’t decline and fall. The Sun Never Sets Empire collapsed all the same," Gaode thought to himself.

"The Holy Empire initially originated as a coalition of Barbarian Tribes," Instructor Mosen continued in a rhythmic cadence. "Several Barbarian Tribes walked out of the Barbaric Land and came to the civilized zone, joining forces to conquer an ancient city.

"From the very beginning, as barbarians, they had to face threats from civilized people on all sides. To the ’civilized people,’ they were foreign invaders."

Based on Gaode’s understanding, it was perhaps equivalent to the Mongolian Race leaving the steppes and entering the Central Plains.

"However, they were warlike and skilled in battle, clashing with all their enemies and seeking revenge for the slightest grievances. Ultimately, they won all their wars and secured a foothold in the civilized zone.

"After securing their foothold, what followed was continuous expansion.

"This period of history fills the people of the Holy Empire with pride down to their bones, and it is enough to offer immense reference value to the people of other nations.

"Because of this history, the Holy Empire values talent and power above all else internally.

"At the same time, because the Barbarian Tribes were initially inept at Magic, they suffered many losses and sacrificed too many lives in their early battles. As a result, they highly revere and respect the power of Magic.

"Furthermore, their minds are both savage and open-minded. They are never conservative and allow for the constant innovation of Magic.

"In the eyes of many from other nations, the Holy Empire is a bloody, cruel, and insatiably greedy nation—a warmonger wielding tremendous power. Since stepping out of the Barbaric Land, they have never halted their pace of expansion."

Instructor Mosen’s spit flew as he spoke. He seemed filled with approval, or perhaps even yearning, for the Holy Empire.

"As you can see, they have transformed from a single ancient city at the start into a mighty empire whose borders span three continents.

"But to the people of the Holy Empire, the Empire is the most tolerant and harmonious nation.

"Even many people from other nations agree with this, because the social atmosphere of the Holy Empire is extraordinarily inclusive—something no other nation can achieve.

"It respects everyone’s innate talents and power, rather than valuing their origins, social standings, family backgrounds, or even their motherlands.

"Those who disdain or harbor hatred toward the Holy Empire believe that this is merely because the Holy Empire itself originated from the lowest of Barbarian Tribes, so naturally, they wouldn’t value such things..." At this point, Instructor Mosen looked slightly disdainful. "If you can’t do it yourself, then you slander those who can. That is the deep-rooted flaw of human nature."

After expressing his disdain, he continued the lecture. "The Holy Empire’s people respect power above all else, but the power they respect is not solely martial prowess.

"The manifestation of power is not limited to mere force of arms.

"Those who display outstanding talents in politics, Magic, invention, or even trade also earn the respect of the Holy Empire’s people, because these are also forms of power that can make the Holy Empire stronger.

"Of course, this is also closely related to the fact that the Holy Empire has always been expanding. A nation continuously conquering new territories will always be short of people.

"Since its establishment, the Holy Empire has constantly been expanding and has always been at war.

"However, their conquests do not rely entirely on martial power. As the Holy Empire grows stronger, many nations or regions have chosen to voluntarily submit to the Holy Empire.

"This is because they see that joining the Holy Empire makes them more stable, safer, and even stronger—and that this nation respects capable people.

"In fact, the Holy Empire has always offered the nations they intend to conquer such a choice: either swear allegiance to the Holy Empire and have your status determined solely by your worth, or...

"...be destroyed.

"Countless examples and a long history have shown that this is neither an excuse nor some sort of trick.

"The people of the Holy Empire keep their word, and many who submitted to the Holy Empire have indeed seen their futures vastly improve.

"Of course, all who defied the Holy Empire were mercilessly crushed."

Instructor Mosen had reached a high state of excitement as he spoke, waving his hands like drumsticks beating against war drums.

"Anyone—take note, anyone—as long as they possess talent, will inevitably be heavily relied upon in the Holy Empire! They will attain power, status, respect, and wealth!

"The Empire is the cradle of talent!

"In the Empire, no matter your background, as long as you have exceptional talent, you can rise to greatness. One of the current three titans of the Holy Empire, the Imperial Commander-in-Chief, Du Adolf, is the best example of this.

"He was once merely an orphan from the slums of a port city, scraping by through scams and deceit. When he was twelve, the Empire occupied and conquered his port city.

"Then, the miracle began.

"His innate Mage talent was discovered by the commander of the victorious Imperial Legion, who brought him into the military for training.

"Just like that, over the ensuing years, he followed the Imperial Legions into countless expansion campaigns, his footprints spanning three continents. In the process, he continuously grew and climbed the military ranks step by step.

"Under the Empire’s meritocratic system, he eventually went from being an absolute nobody to becoming the Imperial Commander-in-Chief of the Holy Expeditionary Army.

"His surname, Adolf, also became one of the most dazzling surnames in the Empire.

"Without a doubt, Du Adolf’s current achievements are closely tied to his own talent, but they are even more inseparable from the Empire’s system.

"The miracle of Du Adolf could not have occurred in any nation or region other than the Holy Empire!

"The Empire values talent so highly that, in order to gather even more of it, they actively search for Mages with outstanding gifts. Their search extends beyond the Empire’s borders to the outside world.

"They reach out to excellent Mages in other nations, recruit them, train them, help them realize their potential, and put them to use for the Empire in the most efficient way possible."

Instructor Mosen’s gaze swept over the faces of the students below. "In other words, if any of you display exceptional talent, you might receive an invitation from the Holy Empire...

"Of course, their definition of exceptional is different from ours." Instructor Mosen spread his hands, his intense emotions settling down a bit. "After all, Sean is just a Little Duchy."

He paused for a moment and took a sip of water, seemingly parched from all his impassioned speaking.

Then, his tone returning to normal, Instructor Mosen spoke slowly, "However, there is nothing new under the Sun. Although the Holy Empire has always upheld the political ideals of meritocracy and appointing only the capable, the older Nobility families... which are actually the earliest Barbarian Tribes, though they must be called Nobility now...

"In short, the older generation of Nobility still holds considerable power at the heart of the Empire.

"Many believe that the greatest obstacle to the Holy Empire’s continued powerful expansion comes not from external enemies, but from this conflict between old blood and new blood."

This was an unavoidable contradiction for any organization under any system in any world.

After summarizing the Holy Empire’s issues in a conclusive manner, Instructor Mosen snapped his fingers again. The light representing the Holy Empire’s territory dimmed.

Meanwhile, at the southernmost end of the three-dimensional map, a coastal valley-plain region with a small portion of its border adjacent to the Ewenlaya Mountain Range abruptly lit up.

Compared to the territory of the Holy Empire, this region was not considered large, being less than a quarter of its size. But Gaode understood that for Mosen to place it as the third region to be detailed in this class, it couldn’t possibly be simple. And that was indeed the case.

"This region is the territory of the House of Plantagenet.

"The House of Plantagenet is the last dynasty on the Nolan Continent.

"This is a dynasty of immense strength that believes in classical traditions. It has a glorious heritage and history of outstanding achievements, and to this day, it still abides by the Ancient Teachings of justice, honor, and duty.

"They have a long history. Although their territory is not particularly large, their resources are the most abundant in the entire Nolan Continent.

"Within the borders of the House of Plantagenet, there are fertile plains and river valleys, almost everywhere suitable for arable land.

"Moreover, over ninety percent of their region has been fully developed, unlike Sean, where more than half of the territory consists of unpopulated danger zones.

"The House of Plantagenet also possesses the most ideal and standard bays on the entire continent, upon which they have built the second-largest port on the Nolan Continent.

"In addition, their borders are adjacent to the Northern Territory. Whether crossing the Ewenlaya Mountain Range to enter the Northern Territory or taking maritime routes to get there, it is exceedingly convenient.

"For the House of Plantagenet, the undeveloped yet resource-rich Northern Territory could become their new frontier at any moment, provided they are prepared...

"However, for this dynasty, all of this is secondary. What is truly important is that the House of Plantagenet holds the most unique specialty in the entire Material Plane—Demon-Banning Stones.

"A miraculous ore capable of isolating Magic Power.

"Weapons and armor forged from Demon-Banning Stones are the bane of Magic.

"By relying on Demon-Banning Stones, no matter what happens, the House of Plantagenet can always stand tall on the Nolan Continent. They are also the only nation on this continent capable of standing as an equal against the Holy Empire." At this point, one could clearly sense Instructor Mosen’s envy.

"As a self-sufficient, ancient dynasty, both their rulers and subjects view the classical teachings of justice, honor, and duty as paramount principles."

"This is their strength, but it is also their flaw." Gaode noticed that when mentioning this, Instructor Mosen faintly revealed a degree of respect.

Could it be that the House of Plantagenet’s belief in classical traditions wasn’t merely a brainwashing slogan paid lip service by its rulers, but a conviction they genuinely observed and fulfilled? Gaode couldn’t help but wonder.

"Because of their adherence to classical traditions, they are conservative and xenophobic. The Mages of the House of Plantagenet take pride in their own traditions and foundations, but at the same time, they isolate themselves from the world. They haven’t integrated into the continuously developing trends of Magic, instead constantly inheriting Ancient Magic.

"Many people believe that the golden age of the House of Plantagenet has passed.

"Including me.

"Unless they can adapt to the changing times."

Instructor Mosen gave his final assessment of the House of Plantagenet:

"But clearly, for this ancient dynasty, that is an impossible feat."