Empire. Central Empire. Sertal Empire.
This was the name people gave to the immense power that dominated the center of the Terra Continent.
But what exactly was the Empire?
—A system of rule centered on the great regional nobles, with knight-lords serving as grassroots administrators?
—A military system with the great legions as flesh, the Ten Great Knight Orders as bones, and the Four Military Districts as its brain?
—Or was it the ordinary people living across this vast land—the farmers, craftsmen, hunters, bakers, butchers, candlemakers, tailors, blacksmiths...
In truth, it was none of those things.
The Sertal Empire existed only because of the Emperor.
Only because of the Emperor.
The Empire could be called an empire because of the Emperor; the Emperor was not crowned because of the Empire's territory and subjects.
If, one day, the Sertal Royal Family ceased producing Fifth Energy Level powerhouses, then the Governor of Icewind Valley would declare independence and found a nation the next day. On the third day, the commander of the First Legion would announce that he was protecting the royal family, return to the Imperial Capital, nominally uphold them, and in reality become independent.
And on the fourth day, foreign powers dividing up the Empire's remaining territory could hold a conference on Imperial soil.
Even if all the remaining nobles joined hearts and strength, controlled the Imperial Capital, and fought, they would absolutely be unable to defeat the other great powers.
The Empire would perish, like a candle snuffed out by wind and rain.
But so long as the Sertal Royal Family could continue producing Fifth Energy Level powerhouses, then the Sertal Empire would remain Terra's strongest power—a force that long maintained three Fifth Energy Level powerhouses and might even have four at its peak.
The great powers of the