The Silver Moon Highlands.
The Empire had a Highland Province, but the Highlands were not confined to a single province. Their vast lands spanned as many as three provinces, making them the Empire's largest horse-breeding region.
Monsoon winds blew in from the west throughout the year. The towering coniferous forests stood straight through every season. Trees had grown here since ancient times, and even now, Highland Province was full of straight trunks dozens of meters tall.
The climate, and the lack of shelter in any direction, also meant that this land was less densely populated than the Empire's other provinces.
Of course, some said it was because terrifying vampires lived in this province. Every night, they darted through the shadows between the trees, snatching innocent maidens at tremendous speed and devouring their blood.
Vampires were terrifying, and gradually, few humans remained.
In the end, this place slowly became a tranquil retreat favored by transcendent beings.
With so few people scattered across such vast lands, even the air was fresh. Across the expansive terrain, there was not a sign of human habitation. Elves were not the only ones who enjoyed a natural environment.
Most importantly, this land was exceptionally suited to cultivating extraordinary crops.
William, an ancient, glorious, and noble bloodline, was one of the province's two greatest noble houses. The other was the Silver Moon Marquis.
Of these two great nobles, one commanded vast numbers of vampires, while the other controlled the Highland Mage Corps, the Empire's first mage corps, and oversaw the production of most of the Knight Life Potions for neighboring Neichiu Province.
It was said that transcendent beings outnumbered ordinary mortals here.
"Ah, back again."
Removing his deerskin hood, Grand Mage Macken gazed at the moss-covered, stony ground with world-weary eyes.
Grand Mage Macken had no doubt