Fifty years later.
For historical and cultural reasons, the Starveil Land where humanity lived had long been divided into two distinct regions: Middle Earth and the Wasteland.
From the earliest times for which humanity had clear historical records, Middle Earth had been synonymous with wealth and strength, while the vast region covered by the Wasteland represented remoteness, poverty, backwardness, ignorance, and barbarism.
But as time passed, everything seemed to be quietly changing.
The former Holy See of Middle Earth had been replaced by the Star Temple. It seemed like the beginning of an entirely new era, but it was really just old wine in a new bottle. The people still lived the same benighted lives, endlessly repeating their prayers and worship, and the social order had barely changed.
Meanwhile, the Academy Alliance Council had replaced the old aristocratic rulers. Basic education had become universal, factory assembly-line production had taken shape, and resources were being pooled to plan ever grander, more far-reaching goals. A wholly self-contained, self-sustaining, thriving new civilization had emerged.
In Aurora Holy City.
Bathed in golden light, the immense city remained as magnificent and solemn as ever. The cracks in its walls, once made by the Dark World's Witchers, had long since been carefully repaired. Its towering churches seemed to proclaim an unshakable, supreme authority. Worshippers streamed in and out, while nobles adorned with gold and pearls prayed devoutly, and holy knights on white warhorses stood beyond reproach...
Yet in the empire's hundreds of remote cities, beyond the reach of the true god's halls, the stronger cultural influence of distant lands was taking hold in the shadows, subtly changing things day by day.
People who constantly called themselves men of learning shouted slogans about the triumph of truth and formed factions opposed to the temples. Even some greedy