Empire Era (I)

"Waaah—"

A cacophony of steam whistles, machine noises, and the sound of iron wheels turning on rails filled my ears.

Along the wide Wyvern Street of Istaria, several tracks run, and Steam Engine Car travel on them, carrying all sorts of people to various parts of the city.

"Breaking news! Breaking news! The latest Empire Daily! His Your Majesty Keosius has arrived in the Fire Elemental Plane, once again expanding his territory!"

"The Klaubo Wu Military Industrial Group issued a statement unconditionally supporting all special operations of the Imperial Tax Department and strongly criticizing any tax evasion or tax fraud."

"Recruiting armed guards! To escort a caravan to the Fadlan region! Requirements..."

"Recruiting teammates for the latest Giant Ruins dungeon. Requirements: Level 4 or above, sufficient combat experience. No Wild Magic Sorcerer! No Wild Magic Sorcerer!"

"Dammon Blacksmith Shop, an adventurer's paradise, the best choice for crafting your equipment—"

"Citizens, please abide by the rules!"

"His Your Majesty Keosius is watching your every move!"

The Wyvern carrying the knight flapped its wings and swept low overhead.

Listening to the familiar, noisy sounds and looking at the diverse people on the street, a smile appeared on George's face as he sat by the window.

"Turn out to be."

"They are the true ' Empire Dream '."

George then remembered why he had settled in Istaria and was proud of the city.

This place is always full of Life Force, brimming with an impure, wild, and rugged energy.

Whether they are street vendors, hawking newsboys, blacksmiths selling their wares, or strange Starfallers, they are all constantly climbing upwards, and will stop at nothing to do so—just like he once was.

The North once filled him with despair, the gap between nobles and commoners was like an insurmountable chasm.

This is a comprehensive gap in status, resources, vision, and military power, a gap that makes nobles and slaves seem like two species from different worlds.

Even if he worked himself to the bone, he would at most receive a nobleman's praise, "This is a capable animal."

Under the order of the the North, everyone is tightly bound to their own position, never able to escape it throughout their lives.

George, branded as a slave, was born to be oppressed under everyone's feet; this was the fate he was destined to bear as a slave.

Humble as dust, cheap as grass.

According to the Cleric in the church, the soul of a slave is a defective product made from foul-smelling water and filthy ash, which needs to Purification through constant labor.

In George's eyes, the former Northern Kingdom was like a decaying ruin. Thinking of this, George couldn't help but shudder and whispered, "Thank goodness... thank goodness the the North is already destroyed."

George was unfortunate because he had been a lowly slave since birth.

But he was also lucky.

Because he was different from his ancestors and thousands of slaves—he had the opportunity to change his fate.

The emperor appeared out of nowhere like the sun, utterly crushing the Northern United Kingdom, which had stood for a thousand years.

The empire utterly destroyed the order in the the North, dragged the nobles to the guillotine, and established a new order.

George knew very well that the Embers of the Burned Empire was neither fair nor kind; it was like a terrifying mechanical behemoth that contained everyone within its massive body.

But it is also tolerant, giving everyone the opportunity to rise. If you work your life away for the empire, the empire may reward you in some way—in Lang Pu's words, this is called "social mobility".

George was that lucky guy. He had several strokes of good fortune in a row. First, he gained First-Class Citizen citizenship by reporting spies, and then he became Baron by serving in the army.

George's story was even published in the Empire Daily, making him a role model for many people from humble backgrounds.

Thinking of this, and looking out the window at the hurried people, George felt a pang of sadness.

However, Grace's voice soon interrupted his thoughts.

"George, what are you looking at?"

George turned his head. "It's nothing, just looking at the scenery along the way. Istaria is developing faster and faster."

Grace laughed and said, "With all the nation's resources concentrated in Istaria, how could the changes not be rapid?"

"You probably don't leave the house much, right? This area around Wyvern Street is nothing compared to the Emperor Square, which is the most bustling. Next time, I'll take you to see the newly completed Great Arena; that's truly magnificent."

"I've heard of it, but I'm not particularly interested."

George smiled, turned his head again, and pointed out the window. "After all, once you've seen it, no matter what other buildings you see, they'll all seem ordinary."

Grace looked in the direction George was pointing and saw the Istaria Great Altar standing majestically on the earth, overlooking the people of the city.

It was surrounded by thin clouds, and the magnificent building made of white marble seemed to exist outside the human world.

Even in the most remote corner of Istaria, one can still see the white altar and recall the glory of His Majesty the Emperor if one looks up.

He was momentarily taken aback, then shook his head and chuckled, "Of course, after all, that's the sacred site Your Majesty Keosius was crowned emperor."

"I watched it rise into the sky with my own eyes, and the sight was truly unforgettable."

"Yes."

George also sighed.

"I was also involved in the construction of the altar, just two years ago. Back then, Istaria was just a wasteland. Who could have imagined it would develop into a city like it is today?"

"Forget about that for now. We don't know what the future holds for those important figures who truly decide the fate of the empire."

Grace nodded slightly in agreement with George's words, but then, as if remembering something, he spoke again, "By the way, have you heard about the new system in the Military Department?"

"I think it's called something like the military rank system?"

George thought for a moment, recalling the news he had heard a few days ago, and continued, "They said it was a hierarchical system separate from the nobility system and tailored for the military."

"A battalion commander like us should be promoted to lieutenant colonel, and I think we'd even get a commemorative insignia."

Grace waved her hand, her voice somewhat disdainful. "What's the big deal? It doesn't affect those of us who have already been knighted."

He leaned closer and said with an air of importance, "I'm talking about the 'military specialization' that Marshal Dolo mentioned in his latest statement!"

George suddenly became curious.

"What is that? I haven't bought today's Imperial Military Gazette yet."

Grace pulled a crumpled piece of paper from her uniform pocket and said smugly, "It's no use buying it. This news won't be released for another two days. I got it in advance through a friend in the Propaganda Department."

"You should know that the Empire has recently established several colonies, right?"

George nodded. "Of course, there's the Brass Fortress in the Fire Elemental Plane, Dragon Shadow City in the Underdark, and the Kaspar Hills in the south."

Grace said, "You know, the environmental differences between these three places are huge— the Fire Elemental Plane is as hot as purgatory, the Underdark is dark all year round, while the environment of the Kaspar Hills is the closest to that of Anzeta, and even warmer."

George immediately understood. "That's why we need to carry out the so-called 'military specialization,' right? The Empire trains troops specifically for a particular battlefield to deal with the extreme environment there."

"Yes, that's it."

Grace's expression was quite serious. "This is a matter that will determine our future! Do you want to suffer in the Fire Elemental Plane or the Underdark, or go south to gain merit?"

"This is indeed a big deal."

George glanced at the documents in his hands, his expression slightly grave.

Indeed, the empire's peace will not last long; for this behemoth born for war, expansion is its instinct.

For imperial lackeys like George, the most important thing was where they would go in the future and whether they could make a name for themselves.

Is the military becoming specialized?

However, the piercing sound of the steam horn interrupted his thoughts.

"Waaah—"

"We have arrived at the [Imperial Third Military Training Base] stop. Please disembark in an orderly manner."

With the help of a simple loudspeaker, the train conductor's voice echoed throughout the carriage, and the officers and soldiers on board got off the train one after another.

"I'm leaving now, George."

"Okay, see you later."

The two stepped off the train and walked towards different areas of the military training base.

George belonged to the Imperial infantry, while Grace belonged to the Artillery Force.

During the Unification War, Grace decisively opened fire, accurately striking the enemy's command post and killing a the North Earl, thus distinguishing herself from the numerous Ogre Artillery.

"Good day, Seth."

"Um."

Stepping into the infantry base, one finds an exceptionally diverse array of races, including Hobgoblin, Ogre, humans, and Tiefling.

However, the Hobgoblin and Tiefling usually hold higher ranks. They are mostly veterans who joined during the Ember Nest era, and they also have dukes as their backers.

This is something George can only envy.

However, after possessing the dragon vein, racial conflicts have been greatly reduced—for the people of the imperial army, dragon blood is the only standard to test whether a bloodline is noble.

Baron George's status was nothing out of the ordinary in this military camp.

The highest commander of his troops was a Hobgoblin marquis, an elder who served Marshal Dolo.

Upon seeing the approaching Hobgoblin hurrying towards him, George quickly saluted and greeted him—this was his direct superior, Arturo Red Ridge.

The names of the Hobgoblin often have this style.

"Good day, Earl Arturo, you look very well today."

"George?"

The tall, Dragon Vein Hobgoblin and glanced at the human in front of him.

George was originally a reserve soldier who joined halfway through his service, but he was promoted to a regular soldier because of his exceptionally hard work in training, and he repeatedly distinguished himself on the battlefield.

Arturo valued this human to a certain extent.

The Hobgoblin often despise humans from the bottom of their hearts, calling them "upright-walking lambs" and "cowards."

But Arturo, with his extensive knowledge, knew that human potential was far greater than they imagined.

In his experience, although the Hobgoblin were of the same race, they were often ruthless and ambitious, while humans were much easier to control and manage.

"You've come at the right time. I was just about to hold a military meeting. Come with me."

"Yes, Earl Excellency."

George quickly responded.

He followed Earl Hobgoblin count up the spiral staircase in the base and soon arrived on the second floor, entering the conference room.

After waiting for half an hour, all the officers from the regiments and battalions arrived.

Following military reforms a few months prior, the Imperial infantry adopted the battalion as the basic tactical unit. Each battalion consisted of four to six companies, approximately three to six hundred men; three battalions formed a regiment; and six regiments formed a division.

The "corps" above the division level are strategic units, which are composite units of various arms and are equipped with several infantry, cavalry, and artillery divisions.

For example, George's Seventh Legion consisted of three infantry divisions, one Dragon Beast Heavy Cavalry Division, and one artillery division mainly composed of Ogre.

George was a battalion commander in the Second Infantry Division of the Seventh Legion, with 473 men under his command, most of whom were human.

Arturo Red Ridge was the commander of the Second Infantry Division.

Inside the meeting room, Earl Arturo sat in the main seat, while the regimental commanders sat around a long table, and battalion commanders such as George stood on the periphery.

Seeing that most of the people had arrived, Arturo said loudly, "Gentlemen, you've all heard some rumors lately, haven't you?"

A regimental commander cautiously replied, "Lord Arturo, are you referring to the 'military specialization' that Marshal Dolo mentioned?"

"That's right."

The Hobgoblin nodded slightly, stood up, and said in a firm and powerful voice, "Since you are aware of the basic situation, I will get straight to the point—the Imperial Army is about to undergo a major reshuffle, and your days of doing nothing are over!"

"Marshal Dolo gave special instructions to establish a specialized and systematic force to cope with the environment of various battlefields."

With Hobgoblin his hand, the Magic Crystal lit up, revealing a hellish scene of the Fire Elemental Plane before everyone.

"Soldiers with high Dragonification Degree can voluntarily sign up to join the Fire Elemental Plane Expeditionary Legion."

"You will undergo special training, receive various heat-resistant equipment, and travel to the most dangerous and harshest Fire Elemental Plane —but in return, you will also gain rich rewards there!"

"Those whose strength does not meet the requirements will be incorporated into the local border defense corps and stationed at the border."

"The most elite troops will be integrated into the Imperial Continental Army and join the great cause of conquering the Feanso Continent in the future."

Arturo slammed his hand on the table, his voice excited, and the Magic Image showed a vast continent, magnificent cities, and even the Holy City of Holy Fadlan.

The officers attending the meeting were in an uproar.

Arturo said in a heavy tone with a burning gaze, "The higher-ups will send military advisors to investigate us."

"Whether you stay in the homeland and live a carefree life, venture into the Underdark or the Fire Elemental Plane, or go to the prosperous Southern Continent, it's all up to you!"

George stared at the image on the table, silent, his heart pounding with emotion, a glimmer of light flashing in his golden pupils.

"Istaria is good, but—I want to see a wider world and conquer the south for His Your Majesty Keosius!"

His fists clenched tighter, and his eyes grew increasingly resolute.

Meanwhile, many officers in the conference room had different expressions, and quite a few even wanted to venture into the Fire Elemental Plane and try their luck.

Monsters and humans live together, sharing a common belief and language, and are subject to the same imperial rule.

They traveled to different dimensions, bringing firearms and cannons to every corner of the world, risking their lives for power and wealth, and for the constant climb to higher levels.

This is a frenzied era, this is—the era of empire.

——Requesting monthly votes——