Monarch's Shield

At the easternmost edge of the Old Continent lay the desert kingdom of Heymar, bordering the "World Wall" and commanding the passage between the western nations and the Peacock Islands.

The ancient capital of Medina, Dune Palace.

Within the sprawling palace complex, enormous white circular domes, pointed arched doors and windows, and exquisite decorations with intricate patterns gave the buildings a solemn yet varied character—bold without losing their elegance.

Compared to the architectural art of the western nations, it was filled with exotic charm.

The current king, Mairwan II, wearing the Golden Crown, sat high upon a throne that was luxurious but visibly aged, intently studying a jar of black liquid in his hands.

He looked so serious, as though he intended to make flowers bloom from that dark, foul-smelling stuff.

Even the Prime Minister standing before the throne, bent at the waist as he delivered his report, failed to make him so much as lift his eyelids.

"Your Majesty, although the domestic situation remains relatively stable, many fellow nations within the surrounding Holy Brilliant Starry Night diocese have been in constant turmoil.

"Moreover, after winter arrived, the commoners who had been incited not only failed to calm down, but have instead become increasingly unruly. What do you think...?"

At this point, the Prime Minister could not help revealing a troubled expression.

Two hundred years ago—

Heymar Kingdom had undoubtedly stood at the height of its history and was also the strongest nation on the Source Continent.

Because it controlled the sole overland trade route to the eastern Peacock Islands, many continental nations farther west had to depend on it for necessities such as tea, spices, and porcelain.

Whether in territorial size or cultural influence, it had been far stronger than it was now.

But today, that once vast territory