In Holy Calendar 100040, Franz succeeded as Grand Duke of Snow Moon. The situation on the continent was already vastly different from thirty years ago.
After a prolonged civil war, the Three Central Continent Kingdoms, which had struggled to survive in the cracks, finally saw their various feudal lords reach a ceasefire agreement at the negotiating table under the mediation of the Human Alliance.
Peace had arrived, but the severely weakened Three Central Continent Kingdoms had already been struck from the ranks of the continent's great powers.
Though they still maintained the framework of kingdoms, their international standing had plummeted again and again. Their influence was now inferior even to that of some duchies.
The continent's former ten great kingdoms had become relics of the past. The era when a hundred human nations contended had become history.
If humanity thirty years ago had been akin to the Spring and Autumn period, then the present had entered the Warring States period.
Over the past thirty years, not only had the Alpha Empire annexed the Seven Grassland Nations, but several powerful nations on the Southern Continent had also achieved their respective strategic goals.
Following the founding of the Frankish Empire and the Alpha Empire, the increasingly powerful Iberians established the Iberian Empire in Holy Calendar 100028.
Pressed by hostile neighbors, the divided Papal States established the Holy Federation in Holy Calendar 100030.
Since no one's ascension could win universal approval, they ultimately adopted a parliamentary system.
From then on, the Southern Continent formed a structure of two empires, three kingdoms, and one federation.
Basking in the bright sunlight, Hudson lay lazily in a grand chair. The passage of time had left no trace on him.
"Father, the Moxi people have sent an invitation. His Majesty George hopes you can attend their