[Vol. 5] Chapter 195: The Corners of War
As a powerful nation with one of the strongest comprehensive national powers, the Holy Empire is situated at the center of the world, with a geographically advantageous environnt.
To the west lies the Human United Kingdom, which is extrely hostile to foreign races. This nation primarily focuses on defense and engaging only in relevant trade.
To the north, after crossing the extre cold zone, one enters the northern territories, where countries rarely interact with the outside world, existing within the frozen, snowy lands. Due to the significant geographical differences, the northern countries also have virtually no possibility of invading southward.
In contrast, the elongated, inaccessible region in the southern part of the Holy Empire is perpetually in chaos, with small countries and various factions engaged in constant warfare. While it can be seen as an unstable factor, its lack of unity ans it poses no real threat to the vast Holy Empire.
As for the extre southern country, the Azure Sky Kingdom, it goes without saying that the Winged People are kind and simple-hearted, never prone to reckless aggression.
Although they possess strong national power and are extrely resistant to the spread of the Goddess Church’s faith. They are, overall, the most stable factor among the larger nations. Like the Human United Kingdom, they also engage in trade with the Holy Empire.
Finally, there is the vast Austre Empire, which occupies almost the entire eastern world. They indeed possess the best army in terms of scale and quality globally, and they are ambitious, frequently using various excuses to wage wars directly or indirectly against other nations…
However, such actions have ceased since the countries on both their southern and northern flanks were incorporated into their territory over a hundred years ago. They have not engaged in large-scale invasions for a long ti.
The eastern part of the Austre Empire is coastal, while the northern border is firmly locked by the extre cold zone. The south is dominated by the Fog Mountains and the Land of the Undead, which hold no value for conquest. If they wish to continue expanding their territory, they can only look to the west towards the Holy Empire.
However, between the Holy Empire and the Austre Empire lies a vast buffer zone resembling a no-man’s land, filled with nurous small nations.
The neighboring territories are either characterized by harsh environnts that make military movent difficult or are ho to powerful magical beasts in primitive forests, making the possibility of a direct military conflict almost non-existent.
In fact, these two colossal entities, the Holy Empire and the Austre Empire, which are almost evenly matched in various aspects, have historically engaged in subtle counterbalances through the manipulation and assistance of peripheral nations and small-scale wars, rarely confronting each other directly.
In summary, while the Holy Empire boasts vast territory, it is essentially a stable nation with almost no external threats. This stability has allowed it to form a situation centered around the Goddess’s faith, gathering various races from all over the world, resembling a great fusion.
Thus, throughout history, the most troubleso issue and enemy faced by the high-ranking officials of the Holy Empire has been the demons summoned from other worlds.
The invasion of demons typically originates from so remote areas, arising from various evil summons. The more prosperous the city, such as the Holy Capital, the stronger the power of the church and the temples becos.
Although evil forces may manage to hide within such cities, once they show any signs, they will almost imdiately face ruthless strikes and annihilation.
Over ninety percent of demonic rituals are halted before they can begin by the Knight Templars, and the few successful cases are recorded as historical demonic upheavals.
In more serious scenarios, if the demonic forces secretly develop to the point where they can eliminate the local church and even begin to expand outward…
That is what is referred to as the “Demon Wars.”
It is said that in past Demon Wars, no matter how dire the situation beca for the Holy Empire, it could rely on the strategically located Angel City to hold firm.
Regardless of where the demons attacked from, due to the terrain and various external factors, their main forces would ultimately be blocked at the gates of the Angel City, making it difficult for them to advance, thus securing the final victory.
Because of this, the Fulan province, sheltered by the Angel City and rarely facing disasters, has developed particularly strong overall strength over the centuries, making it one of the largest provinces in the Holy Empire in terms of area and population, ranking among the top three.
At the sa ti, this place is also a crucial transportation hub in the vast fertile land of the Holy Empire’s eastern region, connecting nearly half of the surrounding provinces and guarding the gateway to the Eastern Capital.
According to the population survey conducted in the year 1370 of the new calendar, the population of the Fulan province has reached 13.7 million, which is almost 2 to 3 tis that of so remote areas, second only to the provinces where the two major cities, the Eastern Capital and the Western Capital, are located.
…And the fall of the Angel City, with evil winds blowing into the vast interior of the Fulan province, marks the first occurrence of its kind in history, representing an unprecedented crisis.
“Oh dear, this is really a bit troubleso…”
The creaking sound of the cart wheels echoed in the air as a young girl nad Sasha, with a neat and refreshing short brown ponytail, comnted softly while her black and gray windbreaker revealed the thin inner leather armor beneath. She carried a longbow and a quiver on her back.
Xavier, the president of the Xavier rchant Guild, wore a calm expression, but there was also a hint of concern on his face. Their rchant caravan had been within the borders of the Holy Empire for several months now.
After a brief encounter with an old friend and quickly leaving Sacred Star City, Xavier had led the caravan deeper into the Holy Empire toward their designated location.
Although they had to take a detour north near the New Aster City due to the unusual damage to the main road, crossing the tributaries extending from the Star River had delayed them for a full week before they returned to their planned route. But there was nothing that could be done about it.
Although there was another more convenient route available, it would take them through a forest called the ?Holy Spirit Trail?, which the guide said harbored terrifying mysteries. After much consideration, Xavier ultimately decided against this option.
Since the fantastical events that occurred in the Bavo Town, he had developed a profound respect and caution for those mysteries that exceeded human understanding.
He firmly believed that it was better to avoid danger whenever possible, even if it ant incurring greater losses, and resolutely rejected any thoughts of luck.
Because of this, the detour, although it took a lot of ti and made the subsequent schedule sowhat urgent, fortunately resulted in no losses of personnel or goods.
Smoothly, the Xavier rchant caravan arrived at the foot of the slender mountain range known as the ?Wall of Heaven?, which divides the Holy Empire into east and west. Originally, he planned to hasten their pace and imdiately cross the mountain canyon located in the St. Bergen Plains region.
However, at this mont, Xavier happened to hear the locals ntion that recently, villagers going into the mountains to hunt often went missing, and even local priests who set out to search for them had not yet returned, prompting plans to seek help from the temples in the larger nearby cities… and other unbelievable situations.
After so consideration, Xavier imdiately decided to halt their advance and temporarily stay in the town of the St. Bergen Plains until the regular Knight Templars resolved the mysterious incidents here before continuing their journey.
Although this decision was t with opposition from many caravan mbers, who believed that it was rely the work of so newly arrived bandits or ferocious beasts, and that with the ard forces they had, traveling through the route frequently used by others should pose no danger. Even the captain of the guard, Sasha, privately mocked him for being frightened by so past events.
Yet Xavier suppressed all dissent within the team and insisted on waiting for a while before passing through the St. Bergen Mountains, even if that ant incurring penalties for delay.
Not only was he being cautious, but more importantly, he had heard along the way about the widely publicized news. The Redemption Saintess and Bright Light Saintess, would soon lead an expeditionary army to the east to fight against the demons and heretics.
In just a few days, the Saintess’ army would also pass through the most suitable canyon for large troop movents within the St. Bergen Mountains. At that ti, regardless of what mysterious force was causing the locals to disappear, it would be nothing to fear.
Thus, shortly after, Xavier was fortunate enough to witness a scene that could only be described as both a “disaster” and a “miracle,” even comparable to the blinding white light that once destroyed the ?Forgotten Land?.
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