The year 1561 was sacred, the fourth year since the resurrection of the Pale God Norton.
A major event in the Southern Continent has sparked a public uproar.
The Aodelan Empire, one of the largest and most powerful empires in the Southern Continent, is preparing a grand military parade on May 7th to showcase its formidable military strength.
There is a profound meaning behind this military parade.
First, it was to demonstrate the current strength of the Aodelan Empire to the countries of the Southern Continent, thereby securing a larger share of the profits in subsequent long-distance trade voyages.
Secondly, it is to deter the villains with force, to show the remaining Church members with treacherous intentions the strength of the empire, and to make them understand that their era has passed! In addition, it is to show those powerful families who have made huge profits from long-distance trade what true power is.
This will effectively curb their disloyalty arising from long-distance trade!
These two factors alone are enough to make the Aodelan Empire's military parade a huge public spectacle in the Southern Continent, prompting advisors from various countries to re-analyze the differences between the two sides and thus determine the future division and development of the major empires.
However, in addition to this, the Aodelan Empire revealed a piece of news that shocked the Southern Continent.
The figures who emerged from the Holy See's back mountain a thousand years ago, the terminator of the mythological era, the demon who ended the reign of Pope Lai'ao'duo, and Norton, the Vampire Progenitor who called himself the Pale God, were also invited to participate in this military parade.
Furthermore, the Aodelan Empire made a decision that was difficult to understand and predict... Emperor Miles XIII of the Aodelan Empire would officially bestow the title of the Pale God as the true God of the Southern Continent after the military parade, and would hand over half of the Empire's power to the Pale God without compensation!
If the military parade of the Aodelan Empire could only alert the countries of the Southern Continent and prompt them to redeploy and plan the division of interests, then the arrival of the Pale God Norton and his control of half of the power of the Aodelan Empire were truly terrifying.
Regardless of whether Pale God himself possesses extraordinary power, the mere fact that he is the Vampire Progenitor and capable of producing Vampire with superhuman strength is enough to make all nations place him at the top of their vigilance lists.
Previously, it was one thing for this Pale God to stay in Sak City like a shut-in and not even leave his own country.
Due to the relations between countries and the fear of this Pale God's existence, everyone basically ignores this Pale God in order to achieve a relationship of "you don't provoke me, I won't provoke you."
But now, the Pale God, who has been hiding for four years, has suddenly resurfaced. Not only does he want to participate in the military parade of the Aodelan Empire, but he also wants to control half of the ruling power of the Aodelan Empire. What the Emperor of the Aodelan Empire and the Pale God intend to do has become a source of anxiety for the kings of the various countries in the Southern Continent.
No one knows what kind of changes the sudden appearance of that Pale God will bring to the Southern Continent.
However, it cannot be denied that the already remarkable military exercises of the Aodelan Empire have now been placed in the most important position.
As the military exercises drew closer, members of royal families from various countries appeared in the capital of the Aodelan Empire in droves.
Not only did the Aodelan Empire have allies like the Kaimen Empire and the Madrid Empire, but there were also two empires that had split off from the former Boya Empire, as well as small neighboring countries that had previously been overlooked.
The former Boya Empire, like the Papal State, was divided into three parts, with one half occupied by the Aodelan Empire and the other half divided into two empires.
The Holy Boya Empire, the Holy Noah Empire.
Indeed, the former Boya Empire split into two legitimate factions.
The Holy Boya Empire claims to be the legitimate successor to the former Boya Empire, but its current rulers are a continuation of the remnants of the former Boya Empire's nobility.
The Holy Noah Empire claims to be the legitimate successor to the Ancient Holy Noah Empire, but its current rulers are the Yalian royal family, only a branch of the Yalian Imperial Family that was sent away back then. Its main lineage has completely disappeared into the annals of history along with Norton's iron-fisted rule.
However, regardless of the circumstances, the Southern Continent is no longer what it used to be.
"I've heard that Queen Bella of the Madrid Empire is known for her allure and love of wandering between various banquet halls and ballrooms. I wonder if I'll be able to win her favor during my visit to the Aodelan Empire; I've been longing for her for a long time!"
"Hey, I heard that Bella suddenly became pregnant a while ago, and the child she gave birth to was put to death by the King of Madrid. I wonder if it's true or not?"
"Of course it's true! It's said that Emperor George XV of the Madrid Empire was so angry that he had a stroke, his eyes and mouth are all crooked, and he won't even attend this Aodelan Empire military exercise! Hahaha, I guess the Madrid Empire and the Aodelan Empire will never have their unbreakable alliance again!"
"That's not right. I heard that Bella's baby wasn't human, but rather a dog-like monster, secretly imprisoned by George XV. I heard he wanted to use this monster to study this mutated species..."
"You yourself said it was a secret, how could you possibly have heard it? Then what you're saying must be wrong!"
As the time for the military parade of the Aodelan Empire drew near, the imperial city of Aodelan was filled with a grand spectacle.
Exquisitely carved and lavishly decorated carriages, escorted by mounted soldiers, sped from outside the city, receiving a green light wherever they went, and were warmly received by the Aodelan Empire.
There were exquisitely dressed and beautiful princesses or noblewomen in fluffy long dresses, who were stunningly beautiful as they walked by. Apart from the slightly foul smell, they were extremely eye-catching.
Whether it's a carriage or clothing, everything is engraved with family crests to distinguish identities.
This has led to inconsistent public reactions.
"The Crown Prince of the Aidebao Empire is indeed dashing and imposing! Look at the magnificent spectacle of his procession—it's truly awe-inspiring! Even the so-called Pale God would pale in comparison!"
"Look, it's the Crown Prince of the Holy Boya Empire! Look at that pomp and circumstance! Does he really think he's the legitimate heir of the Boya Empire? What a disgrace!"
"Hmph, the Holy Boya Empire is one thing, but look at the carriage of the Holy Noah Empire's crown prince! It's ostentatious beyond belief! It's pulled by six horses; does he really think he's the heir to the Ancient Holy Noah Empire!"
"Look over there, the people from the Himala! Damn it, their tiny country doesn't even deserve to call itself an empire! They're just making a fool of themselves!"
The factions among the major empires of the Southern Continent are now clear, as can be seen from the attitudes of the people in the imperial city towards the endless stream of carriages.
This situation is somewhat similar to the Franco-Russian alliance and the German-Austrian alliance before World War I.
The atmosphere was so tense that even the lowest-ranking people could easily ignite a fire.
The entire Southern Continent, rife with years of conflicting interests, has become a gas cylinder on the verge of exploding.
Perhaps soon, a new upheaval will erupt in the Southern Continent...