In the world of 1739, the great powers reshaped the international order through war and colonial expansion. Traditional empires faced pressure from within and without as they clung to the old order, while less developed regions became sacrifices to the primitive accumulation of capital.
The conflicts of this period-colonial disputes, religious antagonism, and class divisions-laid the groundwork for the global upheavals of the mid-to-late eighteenth century.
This was a time when the old world was hurtling toward the new, and the rapid spread of intellectual movements dealt further blows to religion.
A speck of dust from an era became a mountain when it fell upon an individual.
So who exactly was he playing?
Xie De walked over, picked up the newspaper, and examined it carefully. Four stark characters caught his eye: "Territorial concessions and reparations."
"...Where exactly is this?"
455 said gravely, "The Grand Duchy of Er'yue." (The author made the name up.)
Xie De frowned. "Sounds familiar. Haven't I heard it somewhere?"
"Of course you have. It's the predecessor of D Country, and it's currently on the brink of collapse. It just lost a war and is now ceding territory and paying reparations. And as luck would have it, the land being ceded is exactly where we are!"
455 was beside itself with anxiety. "Let's get out of here, now."
"Wait a little longer. There are still things I haven't figured out."
"What?"
Xie De studied the newspaper closely, refusing to overlook even the slightest clue. His voice was just as grave.
"Don't forget, we haven't traveled through time. We're trying to clear an Instance. What are this Instance's rules? What are the clues? What role are we supposed to play now that we're a Viscount? And what's going to try to kill us?"
455 fell silent for a