Chapter 164: A Lesson to Learn

The ninth Imperial Campaign Records was the Southern Maritime Defense Campaign.

It was a prolonged series of naval and coastal operations protecting Imperial ports and trade routes from hostile maritime threats.

The maritime threats? The monsters.

The threats of the monsters from the past centuries soared. Although they were far more scattered and more divided, their numerous numbers were comparable to the demons.

The northern struggled against monsters, and the southern faced the maritime monsters’ constant incursion.

Max was a bit confused during his study on this campaign.

Based on his knowledge in his past life, the Northern Province’s primary role was Naval Defense and the Southern Province’s primary role was Agriculture and Capital Support.

He then learned that the Northern Province’s glaciers were melting, causing the sea to appear most of the areas.

Of course, it was only within the Northern Province as past that was the territory of the Mythical Ice Dragon.

Furthermore, the Southern Province had actually built a wall to protect itself from the maritime monsters’ wave.

As a result, the Naval Defense focus was switch from the Southern Province to the Northern Province.

After all, the Northern Province, as Max originated in his past life, suffered from the monster with water and ice-attributes.

The Northern Province was the first to fall from the monster before the demon successfully invaded the other provinces, until the Aurelion Prime Capital fell.

The tenth Imperial Campaign Records intrigued Max the most.

It was called the Black Covenant Purge.

It was an Empire-wide operation against an organized network of cults engaged in demonic worship, illegal summoning rituals, and corruption of public officials.

Conducted jointly by the Imperial Army, the Holy Church, and Imperial Demon Vanguards, the campaign resulted in extensive reforms to corruption detection and internal security procedures.

The campaign further strengthened the cooperation between the Empire and the Holy Church.

The insignia of the Imperial Demon Vanguard today was also created after the Black Covenant Purge.

The eleventh was the Western Frontier Stabilization Campaign.

It was a long-term military operation restoring order across frontier territories affected by recurring monster migrations and border instability.

It caused the establishments of additional frontier villages, construction of Imperial roads, and improved coordination between adventurers and provincial armies.

The Adventurers Guild was then established as a result.

Most of the monsters who does not pose a threat but could benefit instead for the long-term was also established.

For instance, a pack of wolves dwelling in a forest, which became a training grounds for adventurers and military cadets.

At most, only Alpha Creatures, equivalent to D-rank was allowed to remain in the Empire’s territory.

The twelfth and last on-going Imperial Campaign, with its record constantly being updated every century were called Century of Border Defense.

It was a collective record documenting one hundred years of continuous defensive operations along multiple Imperial frontiers.

Rather than a single war, this volume examines the evolution of military doctrine, logistics, fortification engineering, and provincial command structures over successive generations.

It propagates the modern provincial command organization, standardized military logistics, evolution of fortress architecture, permanent Imperial road network, and unified frontier defense doctrine.

As Max reminiscent his past gained knowledge from the library, he fell into deep thought.

These campaigns reflect different facets of the Empire’s history—its nation-building, territorial security, internal stability, religious cooperation, and defense against existential threats.

Including both rebellions, such as the Highland Secession Rebellion, Crimson Banner Rebellion, and Ashfall Provincial Revolt, and external wars showed how Empire has faced challenges from within as well as from demons and monsters over its long history.

Max smiled bitterly. Despite that, eventually, the Empire fell.

I guess, unless you strikes out and eliminate the major threats, those minor threats would eventually build up and exhaust you until it becomes overwhelming.

Max learned a lot of lesson from the Empire’s millennium history.

Max arrived to the library and summoned Jeremiah.

Jeremiah had also improved a lot.

As his levels was proportionate to his, his HP and Mana Points increased, as well.

His Mana Regeneration and Stamina increased, after Max decided to have the support and mages joined the training session once his Summon Radiant Knight active skill elevated to Advance rank, allowing him to summon eight Radiant Knights at maximum.

Every skills’ proficiency had also elevated another rank, making Max feel elated after knowing that he has accompany when it came to progression.

Jeremiah bowed deeply towards Max and greeted him.

Max said, "We will be studying the Ecclesiastical Collection now. Should I summon Amelia?"

Amelia was the first Radiant Knight who developed her own conviction and went as far as against Max’s order.

Although Max was enraged at first, it allowed him to have a breakthrough and discovered how Authority worked, thereby humbling himself and eventually seeking out to the Holy Church, receiving benefits in the process.

He was willing to overlook it and, at the same time, he couldn’t help but admire Amelia’s convictions.

As long as it was for his Master’s welfare, she wouldn’t mind sacrificing herself on the process.

Now that the topic was about the Church, it would definitely involve with dealings with demons.

Amelia, despite being a Healer, could learn a lot of how the Church operated.

Jeremiah replied in a respectful tone, "That will do, Master. Also, It will be best to include Solomon."

Solomon was the Radiant Luminary, who was specialized against undead and dark entities, like demons.

Max already considered him at first, but recalling his impression towards him—detached and quiet similar to Fiora, he changed his mind.

Now that Jeremiah suggested, he didn’t mind and summoned the two of them.

When Amelia and Solomon were summoned and scrutinized their surroundings after bowing to greet their Master, they were surprised.

At the same time, they were equally thrilled.

Master is bringing us to study in the library that only Jeremiah could luxuriously afford?

Max noticed their reactions and smiled. He did not expect that they were enthusiastic in studying.

He explained his plan to them, only causing them to be exhilarated, knowing the topic they were about to delve in...

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