The continent of Illustria

From the size alone, it rivals, or perhaps even surpasses Asia in size.

Its vast expanse contains diverse biomes, including the tundra mountain ranges in the north, the scorching deserts in the south, the expansive grasslands in the west, and the dense rainforests in the east.

After the disappearance of both the elves and dwarves, the human population flourished. With no other dominant species, humans spread across the continent, even settling in the most remote and inhospitable environments. Villages sprang up, forming communities. Over time, these villages grew into towns, which developed economies. Eventually, towns evolved into cities, establishing laws and order, and finally, cities transformed into nations.

While the continent is home to many nations, most of them are relatively small. However, three superpowers dominate Illustria: the Orianos Empire, the Renusia Republic, and the Holy Kingdom of Istris.

The Orianos Empire operates under an absolute monarchy, ruled by an emperor and the royal family. The emperor wields supreme authority, with the power to issue executive orders and make all key decisions. The empire is also the only nation on the continent that retains a class system, distinguishing between nobility and commoners.

Although there have been attempts to dismantle this class hierarchy over the past century, these efforts have all failed due to the immense influence and wealth of the empire's five great noble houses, who work behind the scenes to maintain their power.

The Orianos Empire prides itself on its military strength and technological superiority, particularly in the realm of mech technology, which gives it a distinct advantage on the battlefield. The empire's technological prowess extends beyond warfare; it has invested heavily in transportation infrastructure, given its massive size.

Railroads crisscross the empire, ensuring efficient public transportation. Major cities are connected through local branch lines, and some railways even extend into smaller neighboring nations via the transcontinental railroad.

Einon City, one of the empire's most notable locations, is a hub of technological innovation. Many technological discoveries are made here, and these advancements are rapidly integrated into everyday life. Engineers, researchers, and architects from across the empire flock to Einon, hoping for the opportunity to work with its renowned companies, though living space is limited.

Situated in the western region of the continent, the empire's terrain primarily consists of vast grasslands. However, due to its sheer size, the climate varies significantly, with the northern territories experiencing much colder weather. The western edges feature coastal biomes, offering prime locations for seaside cities and beaches.

On the eastern edge of the continent lies the Orthos Mountain Range, a massive rocky expanse that serves as a natural barrier between the Orianos Empire and its rival, the Renusia Republic.

The Renusia Republic, governed by an elected president, functions as a presidential democracy. Renusia upholds the principles of freedom and equality above all else, ensuring that all citizens, regardless of race, religion, or social status, are born with the same inherent human rights.

The republic takes pride in its economic strength and diplomatic relations, fostering amicable ties with most neighboring nations—except for Orianos. The relationship between the two superpowers is fraught with tension, largely because they share a national border and each vies for dominance on the continent.

While Renusia’s military power is inferior to that of Orianos, its economic influence is far greater, driven by a culture that celebrates freedom, equality, and cooperation. This cultural emphasis has birthed a vibrant arts and entertainment scene, making Renusia the cultural hub of Illustria. In fact, the world’s first cinema industry was founded in Renusia’s capital, transforming global perceptions of art and entertainment over the last few decades.

However, with immense economic power comes a darker side. Renusia’s capital is home to the infamous Black Market, a hidden underground haven for criminals and illicit traders. Here, everything from illegal betting arenas, weapons traders, and information brokers to stalls selling forbidden substances can be found.

The Black Market is rumored to operate with impunity, as whispers suggest that even government officials frequent the underworld to strike deals or gather intelligence. No one has been able to shut it down, further complicating the republic’s image of equality and justice.

In terms of military strength, Renusia boasts a massive army, its numbers even rivaling or surpassing Orianos. However, their technological development, especially in the realm of mech technology, lags behind. Renusia’s ongoing research into mechs has yet to catch up with Orianos, and during confrontations, even a single Orianos mech can easily turn the tide of battle. In many cases, it boils down to a battle of quality versus quantity.

Located at the heart of Illustria, Renusia is a landlocked nation. Its geography is predominantly flat, with no coastal areas apart from a few lakes. However, the central position of the republic gives it a diverse range of climates and terrains. The northern regions are cold, almost perpetually snow-covered, while the southern parts, closer to the desert, are hot and arid.

While Renusia does possess a railway system, including the transcontinental railroad, it is far less widespread compared to Orianos. The republic compensates with a network of well-maintained highways connecting all of its major cities.

Lastly, to the east lies the Holy Kingdom of Istris, a nation unlike any other on the continent. The kingdom is heavily influenced by its religious foundation, with most of its population composed of believers, church officials, pilgrims, and clergymen from across Illustria.

While Istris maintains a state-like structure, it is the Holy Saintess who holds the ultimate authority. Revered by many as the divine messenger of the goddess herself, the Holy Saintess is considered the most powerful figure in the kingdom, guiding her people with a spiritual hand rather than a political one.

Surrounding the Holy Saintess are the seven Divine Cardinals, tasked with protecting the kingdom and upholding the divine messages sent directly from the Church of Istris. Unlike the other two superpowers, the Holy Kingdom of Istris lacks both military and economic strength, making it the weakest of the three. However, they hold sway over something far more powerful than wealth or force: faith.

Faith in the Goddess Ilis.

Even the most powerful individuals on the continent pale in comparison to the might of the goddess. As the headquarters of the Church of Istris, the kingdom enjoys an untouchable status.

Not even the Emperor of Orianos or the President of Renusia dares to make a move against Istris. Any act of aggression toward the kingdom would be interpreted as an act of war against the church itself—an unthinkable heresy against the goddess. Such a move would label any aggressor as a heretic, and no ruler would want to provoke the wrath of millions of faithful followers.

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In terms of military power, the kingdom doesn’t possess any mechs and has only a limited supply of armored vehicles, but they do possess the continent’s purest and most powerful battalion of mages—a force no other nation, not even the superpowers, can rival.

Moreover, the Divine Cardinals are rumored to possess superhuman abilities capable of turning the tide of battle even when outnumbered. Just one cardinal is said to be enough to shift the balance in any conflict.

Economically, the kingdom thrives on the enormous annual donations the church receives from its countless branches scattered across Illustria. Additional income comes from the sale of mass-produced holy artifacts, which are sold to the public in large quantities.

Located in the east of the continent, the kingdom is significantly smaller than the other two superpowers. Much of its territory is covered by dense rainforests, creating a natural barrier around the kingdom. To the east, coastal towns and villages dot the shoreline, where residents lead simple lives—save for one exception: the Floating City of Lavenche.

Lavenche floats upon the sea, protected by a massive magical barrier similar to the one that shields Orios Academy, though on a far grander scale. It is home to the Supreme Magic Tower, governed by the four archmages. The city serves as a center of education, research, and training for aspiring mages eager to make a name for themselves.

Throughout history, these three superpowers—Orianos, Renusia, and Istris—have maintained a tense yet precarious peace. Open war has been avoided, as all three understand that a single conflict could embroil the smaller nations and force them to choose sides, sparking a continent-wide war where no one would emerge victorious. Instead, most battles have taken place behind the scenes, hidden from public view.

But that fragile peace is now at risk. A small incident has ignited new tensions, causing unease among the superpowers and smaller nations alike. An incident sparked by a mysterious, unseen young man.

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The grand hall of the Orianos Empire’s royal palace stood as a monument to centuries of power and tradition. Majestic marble pillars lined the room, their surfaces adorned with intricate carvings that whispered tales of the empire’s storied past. The air was filled with the scent of incense, a fragrance that clung to the golden drapes and caught the morning light, casting an ethereal glow across the vast chamber. At the far end of the hall, seated upon a towering throne of ebony and gold, was a figure of absolute authority.

The sixth emperor in the empire’s long lineage: Emperor Valugius Orinos.

His short blonde hair, almost golden in hue, shimmered faintly under the light, while his dark red eyes radiated cold calculation. Clad in regal armor beneath flowing imperial robes, Valugius exuded a presence that could silence even the most defiant of souls. His gaze swept across the hall, where his elite bodyguards stood like statues—ever-watchful, ever-vigilant.

The room was silent, save for the distant echo of footsteps approaching the throne.

The massive doors of the royal chamber groaned as they swung open, admitting a lone figure. It was the empire's crown prince, Andrin Orinos, firstborn of the emperor and heir to the throne. Tall and imposing, Andrin carried himself with the discipline and grace of a warrior prince. His blonde hair was tied back, and the same piercing red eyes as his father’s gazed forward, unwavering.

As he reached the foot of the throne, Prince Andrin knelt, bowing his head in reverence. "Your Majesty," he began, his voice steady and controlled. "I bring important news."

The emperor’s eyes remained on his son, sharp and unblinking. "Speak, Andrin."

The prince rose from his kneel, his expression tense with the weight of his report. "This morning, a mysterious flying mecha was sighted above the capital. The generals are concerned, suspecting it could be a potential attack on the heart of our empire."

Emperor Valugius narrowed his gaze slightly. "Yes, I saw it myself. What do you think of this, Andrin?"

The prince met his father’s eyes without hesitation. "I do not believe it to be an attack, Father. Deploying a single mech against the capital would be an act of suicide. It seems more likely that we are dealing with an accident involving a prototype."

Valugius leaned back on his throne, considering his son’s words. "An accident, you say? Then what do you make of its purpose?"

Andrin remained calm, though his brow furrowed as he continued. "That remains unclear. However, there are witness reports indicating that the mech crashed into a nearby lake. Soldiers have been dispatched to investigate, but they found no debris and no evidence of the machine—only signs of something massive moving away from the lake. Some experts speculate that the mech might have sunk to the bottom of the lake, but even that seems unlikely. A thorough search will take time."

The emperor's expression darkened, his voice cold. "And what of the other nations? Has anyone claimed responsibility?"

Andrin shook his head. "No nation has admitted to deploying the mech. Either they are lying, or it belongs to an independent entity. I believe it is more likely to be a prototype from another nation, though we cannot rule out the possibility of a third party. We are aware of the organization SIN, which possesses advanced technology, but it seems unlikely they would be so careless as to draw this much attention."

The emperor’s expression remained inscrutable, though a flicker of concern passed through his dark red eyes. "If this truly is a working prototype from another nation, we have a grave problem on our hands. On this continent, only our Empire has the capability to create mechs. The Renusia Republic is still in its development phase, and there have been no credible reports of them working on flying mecha. But if this does belong to Renusia... it could spell disaster. We cannot afford to fall behind in technological advancement. Our military might is the foundation of the empire’s strength."

Andrin nodded, his brow furrowing. "The president of Renusia has denied any involvement, but the generals remain suspicious. They believe Renusia is constantly looking for an opportunity to provoke us."

Valugius let out a weary sigh, the sound betraying his inner frustration. "The generals are too eager for war with Renusia. They see it as inevitable, but war is not a game we can rush into lightly."

The prince hesitated for a moment, gathering his thoughts. "Father, there’s another matter that may be related. I’m sure you’ve read the reports on the Orios Academy invasion. There were several witness accounts of a mysterious figure who saved the entire academy. While there’s no concrete evidence linking that incident to this one, the timing is... suspicious."

The emperor’s gaze grew colder as he pondered his son’s words. Silence hung heavy in the chamber, the weight of the implications pressing down on them both. Recent reports of mysterious attacks on remote villages had already unsettled the empire, one such case involving two massive mercenary groups that leveled an entire settlement. These whispers of instability could not be ignored.

The invasion of Orios Academy had been a blow to the empire’s prestige—a shame that the royal family still hadn’t fully recovered from. The loss of an entire battalion in such a swift and brutal conflict had shocked everyone.

The academy and the town surrounding it, a cornerstone of the empire's future, had been left in ruins. Though efforts to rebuild were underway, with vast resources allocated for restoration, the public’s discontent was palpable. Many citizens voiced their disapproval, claiming that if the royal family and the great noble houses had acted sooner, the tragic deaths of seventy-six lives could have been prevented.

Among the many reports of that day, though, was the enigma of the mysterious figure—a figure who had reportedly saved the academy and, potentially, the empire's future. Yet no one knew the identity or motives of this person, not even the empire’s vaunted intelligence agency.

Valugius’s mind churned with possibilities, his instincts warning him that something was amiss. "Something has shifted," he mused inwardly, "and we must be prepared for it."

After a long pause, the emperor’s voice rang out, brimming with authority. "Here are my orders," he decreed. "First, inform the people that this was a prototype from our new line of mechs. This will ease their concerns about our military strength. Second, I want the search at the lake resumed immediately. Use all available resources—find proof of this mecha existence. Lastly, investigate any possible connections between this flying mecha, our neighboring nations, and this mysterious figure who intervened at Orios Academy. Whether they are linked or not, we must understand the full scope of what we’re facing."

Prince Andrin bowed deeply, his tone resolute. "Your will shall be done, Father."

With a final nod, Andrin turned and left the chamber, the heavy doors closing behind him.

Alone, Emperor Valugius sat in silence, his gaze distant. The pieces are slowly aligning, and the emperor knew, with chilling certainty, that something monumental was approaching. Whether this mysterious figure, the elusive mecha, and the involvement of the hidden organization were connected, only time would reveal. But one thing was clear, events are in motion that would reshape the very fate of the continent.

A storm is brewing, and the empire needs to be ready.