Empire

The Empire (帝国 Teikoku), sometimes called the Empire of Sadera or the Saderan Empire, is a pre-industrial hegemonic country that, by some extraordinary coincidence, bears structural and aesthetic similarities to the ancient Roman civilization and that is entirely located in another dimension known as the "Special Region", which can be reductively described as a "medieval fantasy world". Characterized by its chauvinist and militaristic culture, totalitarian rule and brutally imperialistic foreign policy, the Empire invaded and subjugated all its neighboring nations with the clear intent of achieving universal conquest. Each newly assimilated territory was converted into an imperial province, its rulers replaced by officials chosen by the emperor, its wealth plundered and the population enslaved, reserving particularly harsh treatment towards demihumans, who were considered by the imperial ruling class, composed almost exclusively by humans, as second-class citizens.

At its height, the Empire spanned more than half of the continent of Falmart, ranging from the northern mountain ranges, south along the coast of the Blue Sea, and from the western desert regions to a mountain and forest regions far to the northeast, a total distance of about 8000 km. This impressive size means that the Empire is comparable in size to the ancient Mongol Empire, the largest contiguous land empire in Earth's history. The Imperial Capital, Sadera, is located south of the Rho River, east of the Dumas Mountains and north of the coast of the Blue Sea.

After the Imperial Civil War with near-total devastation of the Imperial Army, the Empire officially lost its status as Major Power. It enters a period of great decline in which it no longer holds great influence on the vassal states, and becomes vulnerable to foreign invasion within the Special Region for at least a century.

Due to their weakened state, they now depend on Japan for protection against foreign aggression as well as economic recovery, making them a Japanese satellite state and ending their role as a conqueror after centuries of dominance in Falmart. Furthermore, the Empire also changed from a monarchy to a republic to prevent tyrants like Zorzal from rising to power ever again.

Politics[]

The Imperial government is nearly identical to the Roman Dominate Period (the ruling System of the Roman Empire in the late Antiquity from 284-630AD) in which the Emperor is nearly an absolute monarch. He has the responsibility for the overall policy of the state and its diplomacy and has the final authority on most matters of state. However, substantial power also lies in the hands of the Imperial Senate. Like in the Dominate, there exist the title of princess, which, in reality, never happened in the Roman Principate Period (the ruling System of the Roman Empire in the classic Antiquity from 27BC-284AD).

"What an outdated institution. There were times when our Empire was a republic, but every time the office-holders changed, our diplomatic stance changed as well. This might be a big problem. This is why we’re pursuing the maintenance of the status quo." — Cicero mentioned the past democratic system of the Empire, depicted in light novel volume 7 chapter 1.

Like in the Late Antiquity Roman Empire, domestic affairs are still managed locally, by governors selected by the Emperor to administer domains on his behalf. In addition, the Empire has permitted certain cities with long and distinguished histories, such as Rondel and Bellnahgo, to rule themselves; this was typical for the Eastern Roman Empire since the 2nd half of the 5th Century. Certain places which are not suitable for a limited-term regional governor, but which require long periods of acclimation, such as House Formal’s domain, which counts many races and tribes among its denizens, have been ceded to individuals who possess the requisite adaptability. Many lesser kings and nobles swear loyalty to the Empire and provide troops during times of war whilst controlling most of the local affairs in their territories. Imperial vassal states included the Kingdom of Elbe, the League Principality, Kingdom of Mudwan, Kingdom of Alguna, and the city of Italica. In term of religion, the Emperor counted as the highest religious official in the Empire so he could speak with Apostles during national religious events.

Imperial senate — A session of the imperial senate after the outbreak of the Japanese-Empire War.

Like in the Late Antiquity Roman Empire, senators, military commanders, and other high-ranking officials carry substantial power; more than enough to depose an emperor if they oppose him. Molt Sol Augustus has many such enemies, as seen in Episode 2 when the Emperor orders his rivals to attack the Japan Self-Defense Forces encampment at Alnus, knowing full well they would be slaughtered by the superior firepower of the JSDF. He later orders the surrounding regions to be burnt down by applying scorched earth tactics, officially to deny the JSDF from obtaining local resources but it is totally useless due to the high mobility of modern vehicle and effective logistic line of the JSDF as well as the fact that Empire's conventional resources means little to none to the JSDF.

The behavior of the Senate and the Empire in general before their massive defeat by the JSDF are highly arrogant and chauvinistic since they often think the Empire is always unbeatable against any foes due to having rule their continent unopposed for 600 years. The overall government followed a 'military-first' attitude, where the Imperial Army was given priority over domestic issues and conquest was the main goal of the Empire. They also have the tendency to call others nations beside the Empire as barbarian much like the Ancient Greeks from the Earth. This kinds of attitude also extends to Japan, despite Japan's vast superior technology and military. As the result, this attitude makes them unprepared to fight the technological superior of the JSDF causing them to suffer massive defeat and casualties.

After their extensive loss from fighting the JSDF, the politics of the Empire becomes more humble since the Empire acknowledges that there are enemies that are too powerful to fight continuously or defeat and sometimes peace through negotiation is the best way to ensure the existence of the Empire as well as the fact that there are civilizations that are far superior to them in every ways and the Empire is not the center of the world. However, some of the people like Zorzal and pro-war senators and generals don't think like the others sensible pro-peace senators in which they try their best to defeat Japan, defense their blind chauvinism and preserve the glory of the Empire for thousands of years by continuing to battle the JSDF, despite no matter how futile and idiotic is it.

After the Imperial Civil War and the closure of the Gate, with Zorzal's death and the collapse of the pro-war faction, the political system changed from monarchy to democracy to ensure a tyrant like Zorzal will never damage the Empire in the future. As the hopeless war costs the Empire almost all of it military power and influence, Pina has to do what is considered to unthinkable for the Empire in their long history, which is personally going to several far away countries to pledge for peace agreement as the Empire is now too weak to even defend themselves from potential invasions. The situation is so dire that Pina has to rely on stranded JSDF personnel and Rory Mercury for protection against threats from within the Special Region for the sake of the Empire.

Taking advantage of the severely weakened Empire, King Duran and others leaders of the former vassal states force Pina Co Lada to pay them tons of golds and surrender a lot of lands and mining areas for them as reimbursements for the great damages in their national military after the massacre of the Second Battle of Alnus Hill, which Molt tricked them into fighting the JSDF. Cope with the fact that Molt already surrendered a good amount of lands and mines to the JSDF to get rid of Zorzal and his pro-war faction, the Empire experiences massive economic downturn because of this.

History[]

Empire map annotated — An annotated map of the Empire

Based on the Imperial Calendar, which likely marks the founding of the Empire as "Year 0", the Empire was presumably founded 687 years before the invasion of the JSDF, or in the early 1300s based on Earth's calendar. Initially the country was a democracy, however, the government grew ineffective as the territory increased, which resulted in the current imperial government. While few events in the history are known, it is known that, about 250 years prior to the JSDF arrival, or around 487 Imperial Calendar (mid-1700s), a major war called the Arctic War took place, which is generally considered to be one of the most turbulent and difficult times in Imperial history. In 680, a major rebellion occurred in the Empire. While little is known about the precise details of the rebellion, it can be surmised that it was crushed with brutal force. The crushing defeat in the Japanese-Empire War, which started in 687, or the early 21st century on Earth, led to the decline of Imperial power in the Special Region. By the end of the Imperial Civil War, the Empire loses 90 percent of its military and becomes the shadow of its former self. Pina Co Lada states that it will take at least a century for the Empire to recover. As the result, all vassal states and neighboring countries now don't have to fear the Empire anymore and most of the vassal states have successfully declare independence from the Empire.

Military[]

Main Article: Imperial Army

Empire's flag 6 — Imperial Army at the beginning of the battle of Ginza

The Imperial Army is similar in appearance and structure of the real-world Roman Army during its Imperial period, being made up primarily of formations of infantry armed with spears, swords, and large rectangular shields. Also present in the military are cavalries, archers, siege engines such as battering rams, ballistae, and trebuchets, and dragon riders. Auxiliary forces are provided by both human and goblin vassals of the Empire.

While the Empire is very Roman-like, their technology level is actually more late-medieval. For instance, the Imperial cavalry are typically similar in appearance to medieval knights, clad in plate armor and armed with swords and lances. Other medieval weaponry used by the Empire include halberds and trebuchets. The Empire had not yet invented gunpowder and therefore had never seen firearms or powerful explosives prior to first contact with the JSDF.

Magic exists in the Special Region, primarily in the form of manipulating other objects and forces, such as creating explosions, fire, or electrical discharges. However, it is not very powerful, mainly due to the lack of understanding of the forces they are attempting to manipulate. For instance, the Empire has no understanding of the chemistry behind combustion, and after Lelei La Lalena learns of this information from the Japanese, her fire magic becomes exponentially more powerful, finally becoming a viable weapon. Lacking such knowledge, the Imperial army does not typically employ sorcerers in battle, though they will employ magical creatures, primarily dragons to be used as mounts. On the rare occasion where magic is used on the battlefield, it is generally used for support purposes, as seen by Myuute Luna Sires use of wind magic to blow arrows off course.

Much like the Roman army, the largest division of troops is referred to as a legion. Other divisions of the army are not known and it is not clear how the size of an Imperial legion is comparable to that of a Roman legion from the Early Principate Period (2.000-5.000 man per Legion and 1.000-2.000 man auxillaries). It is also not clear whether auxiliaries and orders of knights are integrated into the legions or they exist separately. Auxilliariy forces are structured and fashioned in their own native ways like the foederati (regional recruited barbarian forces, lead by their own rulers) in Roman Armies of the late Antiquity.

Everything that has happened thus far has taken place on land, so there has been no contact with anything that resembles an Imperial Navy. Still, a map of the Special Region depicts a Greco-Roman-style warship or trireme like in the classic ancient period, a mixed oar and sail powered vessel armed with a forward naval ram. This suggests the Empire or their vassal states possess some form of naval forces.

Due to their primitive and inferior weaponry, they often rely on human wave attacks against modern firearms of the JSDF, which constantly prove to be unreliable, since the Empire will likely run out of soldiers, centaur, and orcs as well as goblins to throw at the firearms of the JSDF. The only achievement for this ineffective tactic is they can only overwhelm a small squad of JSDF soldiers ranging from 10 to 20 members whilst suffering the loss of hundreds to thousands of Imperial soldiers. Overall, the staggering cost to achieve such a small and Pyrrhic victory is not worth it.

After the Imperial Civil War, the Imperial Army loses 90 percent of their fighting power from excessive human wave attacks against JSDF firearms and armored vehicles, to which they only have limited to no influence on the vassal states, as well as the fact they no longer have the military power to threaten neighboring countries or vassal states.

Economy[]

The Empire is the dominant power on the continent of Falmart, and possessing the largest economy with the capability to field a full-time professional army, as well as complete massive construction projects such as many of the grand buildings and statues in Sadera. In spite of this, the Empire's economy is limited by its pre-industrial technology level and mainly based on tribute from vassal states and conquest, which places severe limits on the amount of resources which can be exploited by the Empire, as well as the annual gross domestic product of the Empire. For this reason, the Empire's annual gross domestic product pales in comparison to that of a modern industrialized country such as Japan. While the annual GDP and government budget of the Empire is not known, it is known that the initial Japanese reparation demand of 500 million Suwani, which is about the same amount as the Japanese government's annual budget, was considered to be an outrageous sum where one member of the Senate's pro-peace faction mentioned that "all the money in the world would fall short of that amount."

As their non-industrialization suggests, the Empire's citizens create hand-made goods, which interest the people in Japan who are used to mechanized products. The lands of the Empire also have gold and silver, which are valuable both in the Empire and in Japan. One of the more unique materials in the Empire are winged dragon scales, which are sold for a large amount of money.

One particular element that should also be noted of the Empire's economy is one of its characteristics shared with ancient Rome: Slavery. It is not known whether the mechanics of slavery in the Empire are similar or not to those of ancient Rome but is known that in the Empire exists a market completely dedicated to the trade of slaves and that the slaves are used for forced labor and sexual exploitation in inhumane and life-threatening conditions. The enslavement of the war prisoners seems to be a widely accepted and deeply rooted custom of the imperial culture. The enslavement of war prisoners is considered by the imperial citizens, or at least by the imperial royalty, to be a part of the natural order of things: the victor decides the fate of the loser (a concept considered to be utterly abominable by a modern culture like that of Japan).

In addition to forcing its vassal states to paying tribute and using their natural resources, the Empire thrives on conquest of other nations in order to obtain slaves for all manner of labor and exploitation. In fact, slavery is one of the major sources of income for the Empire and one of the main reasons why they invaded Japan through the Gate. This goal however, played a key role to the near total-destruction of the Empire once Japan learned of the kidnapping and enslavement of its citizens.

As the Empire depends solely on leeching off vassal states and conquering lands to maintain their economy, they almost have no others means to maintain and grow their economy. Consequently, after the Imperial Civil War, with many of their vassal states now declaring themselves independent and their army becomes unfit to wage war, the overall economy of the Empire is severely weakened and on the verge of total collapse. The loss of vassal states leads to a loss of income and resources that the Empire is no longer entitled to. For example, after the Kingdom of Elbe declared its independence, the Empire lost all access to Elbe's mines of gold and diamonds. The vassal states also demanded war repatriations from the Empire for the disastrous Second Battle of Alnus Hill. The emancipation of the Warrior Bunnies and the return of the lands are also seen as a huge hit to the Empire's economy. Finally, as the Imperial Army becomes nothing more than shambles, they unable to conquer or pillage any lands within the continent to restore their crumbling economy.

In order to maintain the nation intact, Pina and the senate have no choice but submitting the Empire as Japan's puppet state.

Education[]

The education in the Empire, at least compared to First World countries, is apparently very poor as commoners lack access to basic education where it is noted that Imperial Soldiers are incapable of doing mental calculations, thus they would be easily cheated by unscrupulous merchants during the Currency exchange; the JSDF soldiers would often surprise merchants, who usually require a tool to calculate even basic math.

While literacy rates are unknown, it is likely that they are very low, with literacy restricted mostly to members of the upper classes, who would have access to education, as well as to some professions which would require literacy. It's shown that some common people in the Empire seem to be literate, even servants such as Delilah. This suggests that literacy rate may be similar to those in the real-world Roman Empire- relatively high in comparison to other ancient cultures and the subsequent Middle Ages, but still considerable lower than the standards of modern developed countries.

Technology[]

The technology of the Empire and the whole Special Region is pre-industrial level in which the concept of science and technology is generally alien concepts to the average citizen as well as others races live in the Special Region. As the result, the Empire and Special Region's people and others races often regards high tech equipment and weaponry used by the JSDF as magic like the anti-tank rocket launcher is regard as Rod of Steel, firearms is regard as magic wand, camera is called magic box or vehicles are called steel beast. Furthermore, they also often misunderstand some certain utilization of technology by the JSDF as conducting magical rituals as the Dark Elves thinks the JSDF is performing magical rituals while they are firing artillery at the Flame Dragons or mispronounce the name of technological equipment or weaponry like the Dark Elves misspells C4 explosive as ''SeeFour'' or Zorzal and his general misspells the word Aeroplane as ''El Ro Plains''.

Furthermore, very few of the people of the Special Region interested in studying and reverse-engineering advanced technology of the JSDF due to their lack of awareness of the usefulness of science and technology or because of their own arrogance to state that technology is insignificant to take into consideration, especially Zorzal and his pro-war generals and senators who foolishly believes throwing soldiers with sword and shield against firearms can guarantee victories.

The city of Rondel is considered to the place in the Special Region where some scholars conduct conventional science research, despite they are unfamiliar with the concept of science and technology. However, it is shown that the mindset of the Empire's citizen still stuck in the Dark Age in which they rejects some discoveries of some of the scholar as heresy like the fact that the Earth rotates around the Sun or the Earth is actually sphere not flat much like Galieo being prosecuted for his theory by the Inquisition in the world beyond the age thousands years ago. Even Lelei admits that the citizen of the Empire is still too primitive to comprehend science and technology unlike the modern civilizations beyond the gate. As the result, Lelei feels hesitate to reveal the mechanism of gun power and explosion to the citizen since she thinks the Special Region's people is not ready to accept science and technology. Furthermore, the enforcement of the gods in limiting technological advancement also the Empire and the entire Special Region in general in the state of perpetual stagnation.

According to Akira Yaginada, the gap of technology between the Empire and the Earth civilization is far too great in which The Empire is seen as a bug while the Earth civilization is seen as a titan.

Notable Citizens[]

Molt Sol Augustus – Current Emperor of Sadera and instigator of the Japanese-Empire War. Initially in favor of continuing the conflict against Japan to the bitter end, he changed his mind after the Japan Self-Defense Forces slayed the calamitous Flame Dragon and presented its severed head to Sadera as an act of goodwill. In the Imperial Civil War he leads the legitimate Imperial government together with his daughter Piña.
Piña Co Lada – Emperor Molt's youngest daughter, Grandmaster of the Rose-Order of Knights and a major supporter of the peace talks with Japan. In the Imperial Civil War she leads the legitimate Imperial government together with her father.
Zorzal El Caesar – Emperor Molt's oldest son, commander of the military expedition against the Warrior Bunnies and major supporter of the prosecution of the war against Japan. In the Imperial Civil War he leads a coup with the help of his fellow pro-war nobles in order to disrupt peace talks with Japan, but is thwarted by the legitimate Imperial government.
Diabo El Caesar – Emperor Molt's second oldest son and a notorious schemer and manipulator. In the Imperial Civil War he does not side with either of the two main warring faction, preferring to ally with the nations of Earth eager to take over the Gate of Alnus Hill, such as China, Russia, USA, France, England and both South and North Korea.
Casel El Tiberius – Marquis of the Empire, Leader of the Imperial Senate, chief critic of Emperor Molt and supporter of peace talks with Japan. In the Imperial Civil War he sides with the legitimate Imperial government.
Herm Fule Maio – Viscount of the Empire, former member of the Rose Order of Knights, former prisoner of war of Japan and chief strategist to Prince Zorzal. In the Imperial Civil War he sides with Zorzal's regime.
Godasen – Senator and battlemage of the Empire. He leads the Imperial army during the first battle of Alnus Hill and later during the ambush prepared to thwart the Japanese rescue attempt of the POW Matsui Fuyuki. In the Imperial Civil War he sides with Zorzal's regime.
Podawan – Senator and general of the Imperial Army in the Wyvern Corps. In the Imperial Civil War he sides with Zorzal's regime.
Colt Formal – Count of the Empire, Lord of Italica and advocate for the rights of demihumans. He died in the battle of Ginza and his titles were inherited by his youngest daughter, Myui Formal.
Beefeater E Caty – Captain of the Rose-Order of Knights and close friend of Princess Piña Co Lada. In the Imperial Civil War she sides with the legitimate Imperial government.
Bozes Co Palesti – Second daughter of the Marquis Palesti, Captain of the Rose-Order of Knights and close friend of Princess Piña Co Lada. In the Imperial Civil War she sides with the legitimate Imperial government.
Grey Co Aldo – Retired veteran legionnaire, chief instructor of the Rose-Order of Knights and bodyguard of Princess Piña Co Lada. In the Imperial Civil War he sides with the legitimate Imperial government.
Hamilton Uno Ror – Page to Princess Piña Co Lada. In the Imperial Civil War he sides with the legitimate Imperial government.
Norma Co Igloo – Chamberlain to Princess Piña Co Lada and member of the Rose-Order of Knights. In the Imperial Civil War he sides with the legitimate Imperial government.
Panache Fure Kalgi – Captain of the Rose-Order of Knights and close friend of Princess Piña Co Lada. In the Imperial Civil War she sides with the legitimate Imperial government.
Calasta – Marquis of the Empire, former prisoner of war of Japan and supporter of Prince Zorzal. In the Imperial Civil War he sides with Zorzal's regime.
Shandy Gaff Marea – Member of the Rose-Order of Knights and close friend of Princess Piña Co Lada. In the Imperial Civil War she sides with the legitimate Imperial government.

Trivia[]

Based on Mimoza's theory of the Gate, it is possible that the Empire was created by the Ninth Legion of the Roman Empire, which mysteriously disappeared roughly around 120 AD. In this case, it is likely the legion accidentally migrated to the Special Region through the Gate and eventually created the Empire. Due to the stagnated nature of the Special Region and isolation from Earth, the Empire is ''left behind'' and ultimately ''frozen in time'' in the development pace of civilization.
Despite being called as an Empire, the Empire actually never succeed in conquering any others continents outside Falmart within their realm with the prime example is the Avion Sea, which is untouched by the Empire for centuries. Moreover, the Empire never actually managed to kill the Flame Dragon or defeat an Apostle. Therefore, it is extremely ridiculous for the Empire to call themselves as invincible, showing that even the before the arrival of JSDF, they already behave like a frog in the well within their world and they are actually weaker than they think they are.
Most Imperial citizens and nobles are ignorant about others continents outside Falmart as an Imperial noble doesn't know about the Armored Whale.
Molt stated that the reason for the Empire to invade Japan is to get more lands, slaves, and wealth because there are no more places to invade in Falmart. This statement is totally untrue as there are so many continents within the Special Region's world that are still independent from the Empire outside Falmart. One of the possible reason for Molt to say that is because the way to Japan through the Gate is much nearer to the Imperial Army to invade rather than far away lands or continents. Unfortunately for the Empire, their decision to attack Japan backfired horribly later on with loss of 60% of their army.
- The Empire's navy lacks the power to invade the Avion Sea.
- Another reason for invading Japan is that it is shallowly and foolishly seen as an easier target than continents outside Falmart by Molt and some senators due to their arrogance and recklessness. In the end, Molt paid a hefty price for biting far more than he could chew as Japan's military power is far beyond all forces the Empire had faced in the past.