In the early days of the Empire, nobles were the most important ruling force, and the nobles of every rank formed a solid upper class.
However, by the middle period of the Empire, the imperial family had died out, and the highest authority had been replaced by the Kemetis Supreme Council. Apart from the Soul Saint Wizards who had proclaimed themselves dukes, all other traditional nobles had gradually lost their influence over the long years.
This was especially true after the Mechanics Guild emerged more than four hundred years ago. As productivity rapidly developed, it completely shattered the feudal system that traditional nobles had built through their monopoly on land, and many noble factions disappeared into the river of history.
Of course, because supernatural power existed, some traditional nobles had survived to this day and still controlled certain regions. There were simply fewer of them, and they were usually called old nobles.
The new nobles stood in opposition to the old nobles.
The new nobles no longer relied on land and taxation. Instead, through trade and commerce, they established factories and operated companies, accumulating vast wealth through capital. In doing so, they gained power and were granted noble titles.
The titles held by these new nobles were generally nominal. They were symbols of status, mostly Baron and Viscount titles, along with even lower-ranking knightly and gentleman's honors.
Moreover, nominal titles only made one a noble for life and could not be inherited.
From Count upward, titles were granted with actual fiefs. Most of their holders possessed territories and were either old nobles or members of ducal families.
Count Winterthunder's fief was one of the few noble titles that came with an actual territory. Winterthunder City alone had a population of more than three hundred thousand, while the entire territory had