"Without aristocracy

a nation is a rudderless sailing ship."

(Napoleon Bonaparte)



Like a bolt from the blue.

A storm impossible to stop.

Even before the news could leave the borders of Eirinn through scouts or foreign spies, an army of messengers on horseback crossed every road, every path like a swarm of locusts. One morning, with an almost shocking coordination, an announcement appeared on the official announcement boards of all the major cities of the Empire and other nearby nations.



To anyone reading this message,

Inhabitants of Erthea.

I speak to you in the name of the people of the old province of Eirinn, of the Empire of Saedonia.

With Gaia's favor and the support of the local rulers, we defeated the imperial forces stationed in the Castle and took full control of the province.

All those who shared our ideals and supported our venture are at our side, and each of them is ready to play their part in the birth and development of our new nation.

For this reason, I officially announce the birth of the Free State of Ende, which from this day will act as an independent and sovereign nation in accordance with the will of its people.

All distinctions of race and social class have been abolished, and those who have committed crimes against our people and have fallen into our hands, or have surrendered themselves spontaneously, will soon be subjected to the judgment of the law before a regular trial.

With this proclamation, we intend to affirm the lack of any aggressive will towards our neighbors.

As a sign of goodwill, all contracts and commercial agreements previously in force between local industries and foreign entities, whether they refer to private citizens or national entities, will be immediately restored, except for those who will have to be renegotiated with the new government, and whose holders will be promptly informed within the next lunar month.

In the same way that we reiterate our will to refrain from taking part in any aggressive conflict, we also affirm our firm determination to do everything possible to face any threat that may arise against us.

We took up the sword to assert our right to be masters of our homeland, our homes and our destiny, without any interference from foreign nations and without any desire to hand over these lands into the hands of the enemies of the Empire.

With the auspices of Gaia and the blessing of the whole Trinity, may this day be remembered as the birth of a peaceful and serene cooperation between our homeland and the rest of Erthea.

The Prime Minister and governor of the Free State,

Daemon Haselworth



From the square of the great city of Maligrad the news passed from mouth to mouth, from house to house, until it reached the heart of the imperial palace which dominated the city.

His Imperial Highness Arnold Ademar XVI, one hundred and twenty-fifth ruler of Saedonia, was nicknamed by his people and all his neighbors Judge of Erthea, because one of his decisions was capable of changing the destiny of the world, such was the power and influence of the empire he ruled.

Five centuries later, the myth of Saedonia as a nation that, in addition to having dominated half the continent, had led humans to victory over the Dark Lord still echoed like thunder, carved in marble and painted in gold on the walls of the palace.

The gigantic golden statue of a rampant lion that towered behind the royal seat dominated the throne room where His Majesty sat, most of the time in solitude and meditation.

Because it was said that just as there was only one king of the forest, there was only one king among men.

Although he was well over fifty years of age, King Ademar still appeared as a man in his prime, as strong and resolute as the day of his coronation.

As he himself liked to repeat, age had made him wiser, but never in his life had he been impulsive or naive, and it was not for nothing that the people had nicknamed him the Strategist Emperor.

"Your Majesty." said Baron Flavius Marcellus, head of the Senate and his esteemed advisor, entering the room with a copy of the announcement in hand.

"I already know everything, my friend."

"This is an unprecedented serious matter. Never before has rebels claimed dominion over a part of our empire in such a brazen way. Such an affront absolutely cannot go unpunished."

"Hold your fury, Marcellus. Longinus was incompetent, but the Fifteenth was one of our best legions, and General Ron a veteran of many battles. If the proclamation and the rumors are true, the rebels wiped them out in less than a month. This fact alone, I would say, suggests adopting a cautious attitude."

"I understand your concern Your Majesty, but I feel compelled to reaffirm the seriousness of this situation. Eirinn has always been one of our most important provinces. Over the years we have fought tirelessly, first with the Principality and then with the Union, to keep it under our dominion. Its mines and deposits are what keep our military and economy alive. Without its iron for weapons and its silver for mints, what will we use to support the conflict with the eastern rebellion and maintain the truce with the Principality?"

"Maybe it's not as bad as you make it out to be, my friend. Doesn't the proclamation say that all commercial contracts will be honored? It might cost us a little more, but isn't this better than sacrificing who knows how many soldiers to subdue a people who have always shown themselves intolerant of our domination?"

"These are not easy times, Divine Emperor. The winds of rebellion blow everywhere in Saedonia. Coming to terms with those rebels would be like admitting our weakness. Not to mention the fact that recognizing the existence of a nation born from a slave revolt could give rise to new insurrections, just now when the Empire needs slave labor more than ever."

Ademar turned his gaze towards the large mosaic on the wall to his right, which represented the endless dominions of the Ancient Empire, before government crises, incapable emperors, and military defeats forced his predecessors to break it up into many smaller states, a slow drip that now seemed to have started again.

"When I held my father's hand as he died, I promised him that I would restore the Empire to its former glory. Instead, I have done nothing but drag myself from one crisis to another since I sat on this throne. Look at the situation we are. Connelly eats up my borders, the barons of the East growl at me, and now a handful of rebels take away one of our most important provinces in a few days. Moreover, in all of this I cannot even hope for whoever comes after me, since my only son is a complete idiot. So, is it my destiny to be remembered as the last emperor to have led Saedonia?"

"You must not speak like that, Your Majesty. I have served two emperors before you, and please believe me when I tell you that you stand like a giant compared to your uncle and your father. They were great, but you have everything to be even greater, and you have demonstrated it on several occasions."

"Your words flatter me Marcellus, but we both know well that your opinion does not have many supporters in the Senate. Wasn't it my reforms that provoked the revolt of the Barons, or my desire to put an end to the war with Connelly who handed over the city of Tagrea to the principality?"

"But the people love you, Your Majesty. They know that it is thanks to you that for the first time in fifty years the Empire is at peace with all its neighbors."

"Maybe, but at what cost? Saedonia is a wounded lion right now, roaring and wriggling to pretend that it's still as strong as it once was."

"And if we want that lion to rule the world again, it is necessary that it proves its strength once and for all. This is why I feel obliged to advise you to resolve this crisis as soon as possible. Even because we cannot know how the Union will react. Medici is not one to act impulsively, but almost all the members of his council belong to the interventionist faction, and they certainly will not miss the opportunity to get their hands on Eirinn and its resources."

At that moment a servant opened the door of the room announcing the arrival of Captain Montgomery, who insistently asked to be received.

"She wasted no time." the emperor smiled amusedly. "Let her pass."

The attendant didn't even have time to step aside, and with the sure step of a noble and the proud bearing of a soldier the young Aria presented herself before the Emperor, kneeling respectfully once she reached the foot of the throne.

As always, her trusted attendant stood at her side, a tall, thin bird-man of about the same age as her, whose earth-colored wings, though ruffled and plucked, still shone with a peculiar light.

There weren't many people who would dare bring a monster into the Emperor's presence, but Aria was too proud of Eilon and too fond of him to give up his company.

"It's been a while, my dear."

"Your Highness, I suppose there is no need for me to tell you why I am here."

"Naturally. The Baron and I were talking about it just now."

"Give me the order, and I give you my word that I will defeat the rebels. By moving now we will be able to reach the borders of the province just in time for when the mountain passes are free of snow."

"What's all this arrogance?" Marcellus irritably said. "No one has appointed you commander of any expedition. And what is this animal doing here anyway? Just because you belong to the royal family of Eirinn doesn't mean you can do whatever you want."

"Those lands once belonged to my family." the girl replied, glancing at the old senator. "I know them better than anyone. As for Eilon, he's been at my service since before I started attending the academy. There is no more skilled and devoted warrior in the world than him. He has saved my life on countless occasions, and like me, he has shed blood for the glory and prosperity of the Empire. With due respect I believe he has as much right to be in His Majesty's presence as you."

"Now both of you calm down." the sovereign said good-naturedly, raising his arm "I admire your determination Aria, and I'm sure you will be worried about your father and your brother."

"That's right, Your Majesty. As you know, my father is not in good health at the moment, and my brother Victor, despite his efforts, may not be able to manage this crisis alone."

"Perhaps there is no need to be so pessimistic. As I was also telling my grumpy friend, the rebels don't seem willing to take their fight outside the province's borders."

"As you surely know, reunionism is strong in all the domains of the old Grand Duchy. Given the situation, I cannot rule out the possibility that one of my brother's advisors will be able to convince him to declare war on the rebels in an attempt to restore control of the western part of our ancient territory to the Montgomery as well."

"It would be a full-blown betrayal!" Marcellus thundered. "Those territories were regularly handed over to the Empire by your ancestors as a form of compensation for the debts that the Grand Duchy had accumulated with the royal family. Western Eirinn belongs to us!"

"I am aware of it, and so is my father. If he were at his full strength, I wouldn't worry. But Victor is impulsive and ill-advised, especially by our uncle Philippe."

"Hasn't he been exiled?" asked the Emperor

"Victor has revoked the sentence our grandfather had given him. It was one of his first acts since he took over the duties of housekeeper after our father's illness worsened. Actually he commands the grand ducal army together with General Lefde."

The Emperor remained silent for a few moments, passing his hand over his face and rubbing the tip of his beard, gray with age.

"In light of what you tell me, I understand your concern, but unfortunately I can't do anything for you at the moment. At this moment a good part of our army is engaged in fighting against the rebel Barons, and the few legions that remain are forced by circumstances to stay where they actually are.»

"In this case, please at least allow me to go to the East to make my contribution. If the rebels were to be defeated, then the legions involved in the war could be redeployed to the south to reconquer the lost province."

"We've been fighting with Severus and the other barons for more than ten years without getting results, and this little girl thinks she can win the war in a few months? Such arrogance!"

"Enough, Marcellus. You seem very confident, young Montgomery. In this case, consider yourself tested. I appoint you third-in-command of the Eastern Army."

"But, Your Majesty...!?"

"If with your contribution we can finally defeat the rebels, I promise not only to redeploy part of those troops to take back Western Eirinn, but I will also consider the idea of appointing you commander of the expedition."

"Thank you very much Your Majesty. I swear that I will not betray your trust. I will bring you Baron Severus in an iron cage myself."

Then, after she had made a final bow, the young woman left the room together with her servant. Marcellus was on edge, but when his anger had calmed down a bit, he couldn't help but appreciate the cunning with which the Emperor had apparently handled the matter.

"Very wise, Your Majesty. By sending that madman to the East you have ensured that she does not commit any of her proverbial stupidities, not to mention that if she fails in her task the little respect she enjoys in the army will crumble once and for all."

"They say age makes you wiser, my friend, but as far as I can see, that doesn't apply to you."

"Your Majesty?"

"You underestimate her, Marcellus. You all underestimate her. She graduated from the Military Academy a year early, and at the officers' school she surpassed her own professors. Not even Adrian, the son of Longinus, had gone this far. I still remember when her father literally begged me to bend the law so that she could inherit control of the Grand Duchy in her brother's place."

"You clearly hold her in the highest regard. So why did you refuse the request?"

"Because there's only one thing worse than an idiot on a throne. A genius on a throne." the sovereign replied with a strange light in his eyes, and gripping the imperial scepter a little tighter. "Have a stage prepared in the main square."

"What for?"

"For when that girl brings me Severus in an iron cage."