Cruzian

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Cruzian
Alias(es)	Cruzian people; people of the Cruz Empire; Eagle Empire
Species/Race	Cruzian
Affiliation	Cruz Empire; Temple of Flames; Imperial legions
Occupation/Role	Imperial nobles, knights, soldiers, officials, clergy, mages, and artisans
Status	Surviving factions continue to resist the Crystal Cluster Army after the fall of much of the Empire 1186 1303
First Appearance	361

Background / History

The Cruzian founded their empire around Gilt, the King of Flames, one of the Four Sages. Gilt established the Temple of Flames and its doctrine; after his death, political and religious authority gradually separated, creating the long-term divide between imperial and clerical power. 790

Their identity is closely tied to the descendants of the Eagle Knights and the legacy of the King of Flames. Cruzian tradition celebrates the Path of Golden Flames: resistance against oppression, fate, and life itself. Cruzian forces draw pride from their ancestors’ refusal to submit, including their role in raising rebellion against a former empire. 350 1272

Cruz has a long record of expansion and warfare. Roughly thirty years before Brando’s encounter with the Cruzian envoy, the Empire conquered and absorbed the Duchy of Sutherland; its campaign later drew the Grey Sword Saint Mephisto, who devastated several Cruzian elite units during an attempted assassination of the Empire’s ruler. 386

Relations with Eluin are marked by historical enmity, mutual suspicion, and Cruzian diplomatic arrogance. Cruzian envoys threaten Eluin with war over Brando, while later Imperial personnel openly disregard protocol during the Eluin delegation’s arrival at Black Sword Bastion. 361 846

During the later crisis, internal division and the fall of the Banker region cripple the Empire. The Cruzian lose contact with Cloak Bay and the Azure Legion, while the White Legion loses more than half its strength; surviving armies fight the advancing Crystal Cluster Army with support from dragons and the Buga people. 1186

Appearance

Cruzian and Eluin people are generally difficult to distinguish, as both originated from the same ethnic group centuries earlier. Descendants of the pure-blooded Eagle Knights are associated with notably fair coloring. 388

• Golden hair and blue or emerald-green eyes are described as traits of Eagle Knight descendants and prestigious Cruzian lineages. 350 770
• Cruzian nobles often favor elaborate and carefully maintained dress, armor, and hairstyles. 350 361
• Typical Cruzian armor is dark red, with fur and horn elements; its coloration comes from Cruzian steel with a higher proportion of fire elements. 645
• Cruzian knights of the Broken Sword Knight Order wear platinum gauntlets designed to leave room for enchanted rings. 819

Society and Politics

Noble Culture

Cruzian nobles are repeatedly characterized by strong pride, conservatism, and a sense of superiority toward foreigners and lower-status people. Nobles of standing generally consider impersonating Eluin people beneath them, while the culture expects officers to face defeat rather than flee with their backs turned. 387 962

This pride can become a liability. Cruzian noble observers in the Temple of the Hibernator provoke Qian and attempt to overwhelm her, only to suffer heavy losses; their deaths also create political danger because several belong to influential families. 770 775 785

Major Factions

Faction	Position and influence
Imperial faction	Supports the descendants of Gilt and the Empire’s royal authority. 790
Temple of Flames	Holds major religious power; more than half of its seven High Priests are from Cruz. 352
Military nobles	Predominantly northern aristocrats from families such as Ashric, Nigel, and Nona; they supply much of the Imperial army’s leadership and generally favor the imperial faction. 790
Imperial Navy	Drawn largely from wealthy southern regions; its officers are commonly educated in church schools and strongly support the Temple of Flames. 790
Astrologers and Court Mages	Separate political and magical systems operating alongside the knightly legions and Sanctuary faction. 379

Culture and Heritage

Cruzian identity is tied not only to imperial power but also to history, art, culture, and the ancient Azure Poem, whose original text is written in Ancient Galongji. 621 1283

When negotiating an alliance with the Hazel people, Father Demon argues that Cruzian and Hazel civilizations have influenced each other through Cruzian art and culture and Hazel Magitech, and that both peoples’ histories should survive beyond the Empire itself. 1283

Military

Cruzian forces are highly professional and possess a reputation for discipline, determination, and strong equipment. Even opponents acknowledge that their foreign knights can equal or surpass ordinary Eluin formations in combat proficiency. 579 962

• Imperial Guard — Better equipped and more dangerous than Cruzian border cavalry; their coordinated attacks include planned assault, defense, and flanking maneuvers. 353
• White Legion — Includes the Gray Wing Knights, White Dragon Knights, and Silver Pegasus Knights; the White Dragon Knights ride Earth Dragons. 943
• Guard Infantry — The White Legion’s main infantry force, equipped with three-to-four-meter spears and full armor; their average strength is in the lower-to-middle Silver ranks. 969
• Broken Sword Knight Order — A Golden Legion numbering several hundred young Cruzian knights. Its members combine knightly combat with magic rings and spellcasting. 801 819
• Azure Legion — Commanded by Veronica and active in the Empire’s later struggle against the Crystal Cluster Army. 1268
• War Alchemists — A special unit of the Cruz Royal Alchemy Association, identified by a bloody eagle emblem; its members are both experienced alchemists and combatants. 351
• Magitech Corps — Supports the army through enchanted arrow arrays and strategic spells, though its effectiveness declines after the Temple of Flames’ split and the loss of priests in Banker. 1186

Technology and Magic

Cruz is wealthy enough to field expensive Magitech Devices that rapidly construct alchemical arrays, although such equipment requires high-quality Amber Raw Stones and is unavailable to most individuals. 351

Its military combines conventional formations with enchanted equipment:

• Magic rings set with rubies, fire agates, emeralds, and blue crystals can be used by knights as compact spellcasting tools. 819
• Magitech-enhanced arrows receive effects including Sharpness, Enemy-Slaying, Flame Burst, Acceleration, and Stability through magical arrays. 1186
• The Konoria Fleet operates Peran-class battleships, though these older vessels are less maneuverable than Eluin’s Ptolemy-class ships. 579
• Cruzian battleships prioritize firepower and armor, while newer Cruzian frigate designs were derived from Hazel technology. 583

Swordsmanship

Flash Sword

Flash Sword is a secret Cruzian court swordsmanship attributed to Gilt, the King of Flames. Its legacy emphasizes extreme speed and destructive force. 388 1159

• Court knights and members of the royal family may know individual moves, but the complete technique is exceptionally difficult to obtain. 405
• The Cruzian royal family has not produced a Sword Saint for generations, and only one or two Flash Sword techniques remain within the Flame Dependent Knight Order. 1159
• Brando’s use of Flash Sword causes observers to suspect that he is Cruzian royalty because of the technique’s association with Gilt’s direct line. 388

Military and Noble Swordsmanship

Cruzian military swordsmanship has historical ties to Eluin swordsmanship. Its practitioners include disciplined Imperial guards, border forces, and noble knights trained in elaborate formation fighting. 353 449

• Cruzian nobles can employ knightly and noble swordsmanship alongside regional secret techniques, such as Rovac’s Rhogelian sword art. 847
• Their combat methods are familiar enough for Brando to teach counters to Cruzian sword styles. 775
• Cruzian soldiers are renowned for rapid reactions and strong swordsmanship even when facing superior opponents. 775

Relationships

• Gilt, King of Flames — Founder and central ancestral figure; established the Temple of Flames and left the legacy of Flash Sword. 790 1159
• Temple of Flames — Cruzian state religion and a major internal political force, led in substantial part by Cruzian High Priests. 352 790
• Eluin — Historical rival and smaller neighboring kingdom; relations range from threats and humiliation to temporary cooperation against demonic incursions. 361 582
• Hazel people — Traditional mortal enemies of Cruz; surviving Cruzian factions later negotiate and form an alliance with them for mutual survival. 840 1283
• Buga people — Provide strategic and military support to Cruzian forces against the Crystal Cluster Army. 1186 1267
• Fanzan people — Share refugees and a common struggle during the Empire’s collapse; Tumen challenges both peoples to endure the coming crisis. 1303
• Veronica — Azure Legion commander who repeatedly leads Cruzian forces and rallies them during their retreat and resistance. 1268 1272
• Lainaret Aurelius — First Prince of Cruz; maintains supporters among the Nona Family, Duke Ludwig of the Octaviel Family, and Old Chancellor Nidwen. 730 841

Major Arcs

Green Tower Envoy Incident

A Cruzian delegation enters the Green Tower seeking the Stone Key. Faina’s attempt to seize it leads to conflict with Brando, followed by Rono’s alchemical duel and the intervention of Cruzian Imperial guards and Veronica. 350 351 352

Ring of Trade Winds Conflict

Cruzian agents are suspected of encouraging the Toquenin Lionmen against Brando’s group. Their envoy delegation later becomes entangled with Dreadlord Andessa, while Brando’s use of Flash Sword creates confusion over his ancestry and possible Cruzian royal identity. 365 379 388

Ambersell and the Konoria Fleet

Cruzian naval forces intervene at Ambersell, but the Konoria Fleet is forced to scatter under attack from Eluin warships and Brando’s Wind Pseudo-Dragon. Facing the threat of a demon army, the Temple of Flames negotiates a temporary peace with Brando. 579 582 583

Broken Sword Knight Order and the Azure Spear

Cruzian knights accompany Brando’s allies through the Temple of the Hibernator. Cruzian nobles later attack Qian over the Azure Spear, but she kills several officers after forming a sacred contract with Ouvina. 749 775 785

Imperial Crisis and the Jorgendigon Invasion

The Empire faces internal succession disputes, suspicion surrounding the Silver Queen, and the invasion of Jorgendigon. Brando and Lainaret cooperate because both benefit from preventing a unified hostile Empire. 791 841 896

War Against the Crystal Cluster Army

After Banker falls, surviving Cruzian armies resist the Crystal Cluster Army in the Mez Region. Buga intervention, the Silver Horse Knight Order, and Mephisto’s appearance allow Cruzian forces chances to retreat and regroup, though the Empire suffers catastrophic territorial and military losses. 1186 1267 1272

Cloak Bay Alliance and Refugees

Cruzian survivors at Cloak Bay negotiate with the Hazel people despite centuries of hostility. Later, Veronica and other refugees meet Tumen, who condemns their despair and challenges them to uphold Gilt’s legacy against the Twilight Dragon. 1283 1302 1303

Notable Quotes

“The Cruzian people still have courage. The Cruzian people have never lacked courage.” 1272

“The Cruzian people are here—” 1425

Trivia

• Cruzian nobles’ pride is so culturally entrenched that Mephisto recalls young Cruzian officers refusing to fall with their backs turned even when they knew they were outmatched. 387
• The complete Flash Sword technique has requirements connected not only to Cruzian identity and the “Shining Eagle” quest line, but also to avoiding Min’er-friendly quests and mastering the highest-tier Fire Element Essence. 405
• Despite their long enmity with the Hazel people, Cruzian frigate technology includes designs derived from Hazel engineering. 583