The caste system of the Hielands was structured in the format of a vertical ladder. At the topmost rung were the 'Warrior' caste; the leaders and decision-makers of the tribes. Following them was the 'Shaman' caste. The shamans weren't exactly inferior to the warriors in status but rather oversaw a different cluster of affairs; the Hielanders were fiercely superstitious and it was this caste that was responsible for it. Shamans were often counsellors and strategists and oversaw ritualistic and traditional beliefs.
Third, on the ladder was the 'Apprentice' caste. These were future warriors and shamans in training and did not have any agency over the governance of the tribe. They were akin to the 'peasant class' and followed the rules and orders set by their superiors.
Fourth and final, was the 'Slave' caste. These were the rejects and inferiors; the lowest of the lows birthed by this system. The life of a slave was hard and unforgiving. They possessed no control over their life and death and were subject to the words of their masters. Interestingly enough, however, the child of a slave was not considered a slave from birth. Rather, they had the opportunity to rise in status depending on their talents.
The promotion of a slave's child to the warrior caste did not buy their parents their freedom. Rather, the child will be given a new name and be allowed a start a new family. That said, very few warriors survived long enough to start a family. Most often died during their first or second campaigns, never to return to the tribe that had raised them.
'Warrior,' 'Shaman,' Apprentice,' and 'Slave,' this was the established order amongst the Hielands. That said there existed another special caste: the Great Warriors.
'Great Warriors' were people who had earned the recognition of the Hielands. They were considered heroes and their words held weighty importance. In history, multiple warring tribes have buried their hostilities and banded together as a result of an order given by a Great Warrior. These people, who possessed near-mythical status, had the ability the control and shape the flow of the Hielands.
In the current year of 735 of the New Calendar Era, a total of five Great Warriors existed in the Hielands. They were respectively; 'Mountain King' Suma, 'Wandering Beast' Biao, 'Whisperer Blade' Killong, 'Boulder Crusher' Zaka, and The Shadowless.
Three days ago, a new name was added to this legendary list: 'Demon Impaler' Wuzhi.
'Demon Impaler' Wuzhi, a foreigner to the Hielands, had not only saved the Mountain King's life from the Iron Rhino Tribe's despicable scheme but he had also rescued the Hielands from the unfortunate fate of becoming a death-infested wasteland. He had done this by discovering the loathsome demon's ploy and putting a timely end to it.
Wuzhi was a champion of the people and the saviour of the Hielands. His selfless actions had earned him the title of a Great Warrior despite him not possessing a shred of Hielander blood in his veins; though, it mattered little. When the Hielander people recalled the words spoken by the young scholar on the day of his naming ceremony, everyone, be they young or old, man or woman, was moved to tears.
'This Wuzhi might be a stranger to the Hielander people and their customs; this Wuzhi might not share a single strand of relation with the mountainous people, however, Wuzhi believes that in the essence of spirit… all people, be they locals or foreigners, Hielanders or outsiders, men or woman, master or slave, are the same. We are the Race of Man.'
'To protect our world from alien reaches is the duty of the Race of Man. Wuzhi only did his duty and does not deserve any special recognition.'
It was this moving speech compared with the scholar's radiant aura and appearance that convinced the Hielanders of his worthiness. In the end, not only did the Hielander people bestow upon Wuzhi their most honourable title but they also promised to accomplish any one deed for him.
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And in the spirit of striking iron, while it is still hot, the scholar immediately began making preparations for the Hielands to join the war for unification. They were soon scheduled to attack and lay siege to Lorden City.
Almost seven months ago, Wuzhi, who had just left the boundaries of his hometown, met an unnamed practitioner upon an airship and boastfully declared that the Pro-Imperial faction, the South Aislan Empire, would emerge victorious in the war for unification. He had detailed the state of affairs and the flow of war almost as if he had seen the future.
Thus far, two of Wuzhi's predictions had come true.
Firstly, the Central Commonwealth which had supported the two Auberville brothers had withdrawn its support and these two factions were no more to be. Thanks to the young scholar's schemes, their power and wealth had been swallowed and digested by the empire.
And secondly, the cooperative alliance between the Mu Household and the Heavenly Spirit Empire had come to pass. The newly engaged couple took the helm of his alliance and showcased their combined might to the rest of the world.
That said, some events lay outside of Wuzhi's predictions; chief of them being the schism within the South Aislan Empire. As he had no idea about the characters that were present within this faction, the young scholar could not make accurate predictions regarding this faction. He was only human after all.
One could say that the current South Aislan Empire was akin to two separate factions itself: the Regent's faction and the Boy Emperor's faction. And those who were more discerning than others would state that the empire was upon a very important precipice where should they successfully resolve this schism they would stand a very good chance at becoming the eventual winner of the war for unification. However, should this difference not be resolved, the empire would descend into ferocious infighting and destroy itself.
Involving the Hielanders hadn't been part of Wuzhi's original plan at all. Alas, with how events had proceeded so far, the young scholar had no choice but to involve them.
Involving the Hielanders was the only way by which Wuzhi could guarantee Alexandros' victory in the battle for succession whilst minimizing the damage borne by the empire; this second aspect was most important as a severely wounded empire could not emerge victorious in the war for unification.
The month that he had spent in the Hielands was no less intense than the four months that he had spent within the empire. His unexpected capture had almost spelt the young scholar's demise and nearly ruined his 'Grand Strategy.' Fortunately, Wuzhi came under the protection of the heavens and barely managed to escape with his life intact.
He had also used this event to hasten his schemes in the Hielands, making it just in time to participate in the rekindled war for unification.
The scouts whom he had sent to the Lowlands had returned with the news that he had been expecting; the Mu Household faction and the Heavenly Spirit Empire faction had begun their joint assault on the Scarlet Demon Legion's faction. In other words, the final war to decide the final victor had begun.
Just like Wuzhi had predicted, the war for unification would come to a close by the end of this year. Only two months remained.
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"Honored Warriors, let me be straightforward," said Wuzhi, sitting at the head of the table and surrounded by the other tribal elders, "it is inevitable for your tribes to be drawn into the war blazing across the Lowlands. Be it the empire or the foreigners, none of them will allow your secluded peace to remain. The age of clustered sovereignty has come to an end."
"You might not wish to see war but war wishes to see you." Saying this, he stopped. He then looked around to peruse the expressions of the various leaders. Faces of grimness and solemnity could be seen.
Seeing that a proper mood had been set, Wuzhi let out a satisfied inward snort. He then stood up with a severe expression on his face and continued, "To be free is to be strong. The Hielanders are strong but the Hielands is weak."
Wuzhi struck the table with his fist producing a resounding bang. He then pointed at the map spread before and said, "Lorden City is the cure for this weakness."
"This bastion; a solid fortress of iron and steel will be the Hielands' greatest shield during this tumultuous period. It will also serve as your sharpest spear as you thrust your forces into the heart of this war. Finally, the city will be the biggest bargaining chip in your demand for sovereign secularity after the war!"
"So what says you, treasured sons and daughters of the Great Baal!? Are you prepared to seize destiny with your hands!? To show the world the might of the Hielands!?!"
"TELL ME, ARE YOU!?!" roared Wuzhi, face red with excitement and blood-rising passion.
It was then that the boy emperor of the South Aislan Empire, Alexandros Centinni the Twelfth, opened the flap of the tent and entered. "Wuzhi?" he asked, a complex emotion painting his face.