“A long time ago, long before humanity even crawled out of its cradle, a species emerged from the universe’s evolutionary garden. Bathed in a unique energy overflowing from their home planet, they developed an ability to harness that very energy using their bodies to manipulate the reality around them, developing energy wings made of light as a part of their evolution. As time went by, this species will build a civilization so advanced that their magnificent constructs and flying landmasses turned their planet into a Land of Light. Yet, they succeeded in achieving a world peace, almost without conflict.

However!

An unprecedented threat had set its sights on this peaceful planet. A group of hedonistic higher dimensional beings—as we agreed to refuse to call them ‘gods’ or ‘deities’—called the Civilization Annihilation Game, which toys with the mortal realm to feed their depraved sense of enjoyment, interfered with this world and stole their sun. The reason? These higher beings… they judged that this peaceful existence was ‘unrealistic’ and thus deserved annihilation for this insult.

Faced with a terribly unfair fate, this species later showed a grim determination to save themselves. In a last-ditch effort, they culled the six-sevenths of their population and used their planet’s energy to magically send themselves to a new world where they will try to rebuild their civilization anew.

But do you know what the higher beings who watched this think? Yes. They had the audacity to be offended and call this unrealistic.

Unrealistic!

UNREALISTIC!!”

…sigh…

“This peaceful species was subjected to even more suffering as a result of their callousness, that they flipped on their beliefs and turned to loathe gods. They hated every existence that reminded them of this betrayal, and thus, in what they see as a justified revenge, set out to vanquish the gods of the new world and wipe everything clean so that they can start over from zero. Even then, they began to forget the reason behind their hatred toward the gods and were reduced to just wantonly wreaking destruction wherever they go. All that this chaos had created is more entertainment for the Game as far as the higher beings were concerned, and a backdrop for more suffering that they will inflict upon this world, with the understanding that the mortals are insects that can easily be crushed under their boots.

This planet’s history, my home’s history… is shaped by a horrible manipulation… this twisted game that the higher beings imposed upon us mortals. Why are we here, if it’s just to suffer? Why are we born in this world? And why am I getting to experience life for the second time? Those were the questions that stormed my mind upon learning this revelation. To think that I am developing a feeling of pity for a race that I called ‘devils’ while growing up…

…I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a chasing at the wind. For in much wisdom, is much grief, and he that increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow…

I still haven’t gotten a definitive answer yet, but as I continue to reflect upon this history, I guess all we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. A mortal myself, I am too helpless to defy the higher beings and topple them from their thrones, but ‘he’ told me that instead of wallowing in despair, we should put our efforts into what we can influence, and that we can still rise and find happiness amidst the chaos. We mortals may have been pawns in a twisted game, but we are not entirely powerless.

And so, with how the higher beings view us, I am greatly motivated to defy their narrative and paint this world in our image. I am thankful that with this revelation, now I can push to uplift this home that has given me plenty not tainted by envy, but instead driven by love. But when I thought about it again and again, it seems that my acceptance of the summoning, if it were to happen again, was not so sincere after all. There’s a part of my heart that wanted them to come and witness the change that I—no, we are about to bring… it will surely give me a sense of gratification. Therefore, I humbly ask you to forgive me as I sat in front of one of your altars.

Amidst this moment of reflection, I beseech, not solely the heaven’s deities, but you… fair Gentle One, Goddess Astarte… and you, the Illustrious One, the August Star of Heaven. I pray for your divine radiance to grace our path and endow us with the fortitude to defy the malevolence thrust upon us. May our courage remain unwavering, and may our victories multiply.

Amen.”

April 3, 1615 Central Calendar

The western half of the border region between the Holy Milishial Empire and the Emor Kingdom was defined by the Great Sumter River that served as a natural boundary between the two realms, draining into the Minerva Ocean where the mouth of which saw the establishment of a cradle of the known world’s strongest empire and its capital city. As the northern hemisphere entered the spring season, a temperate climate descended upon the Gottos Plateau, which straddles the Milishial-Emor border, turning it into an idyllic landscape filled with greenery. However, when talking about this region, the Gottos Plateau, and by extension the Mysidia Province, was better known in Milishial by its nickname, the Highland of Ten Thousand Walls.

While the actual number of walls there did not even reach two thousand, as far as the surviving ones had concerned, the continuous cycle of the creation and destruction of defensive fortifications had nevertheless given the Gottos Plateau its moniker. With a history from as early as the year 6000 Before Central Calendar, many walls were indeed built on the Gottos Plateau to separate the Middle Lands, which was now the core territory of the Holy Milishial Empire, and the Emor Kingdom.

Emor is a monoethnic country founded by a species called Dragonoids. Even though they only had a population of about one million, certain abilities possessed by their species were apparently enough reason for the Holy Milishial Empire to grant them the title of the third superpower. Located to the north of the Milishian provinces of Mysidia and Angoras, the Emor is the smallest of the five superpowers in terms of land area, with its capital city, the Dragon Capital Dragusmachira, situated at the source of the Great Sumter River. The city is also the largest concentration of the Emorian population, while the rest of the kingdom consisted mostly of temperate deciduous forests.

The Emorians are the descendants of Infidragoon, an ancient civilization that was once thrashed by the Ravernal Empire’s worldwide blind rampage to annihilate the life on this planet before turning on their creators. After the divine punishment descended upon the Ravernal Empire and forced them to leave this world, the scattered Dragonoids once again gathered to form a country that became the Emor Kingdom in this region that they called the “Promised Place.” Since then, they vowed to never bow to anyone again, with their zeal to defend their remaining living space has frustrated many Middle Lands conquerors who attempted to expand north.

When Lucius of the Morning Star unified Middle Lands as the Eighth Emperor and established the modern Holy Milishial Empire, the Emorians were alarmed that this new entity will become a new Ravernal. But what happened instead was that this new elven ruler decided to end all hatred and extended an olive branch to the Emorians. Since then, in a fashion not unlike the relationship between Milishial and Mu, Emor continued to maintain a cordial relationship with Milishial (at a level that is quite expected of the proud Dragonfolk) out of pragmatism, but with a degree of wariness over the sheer quantity of Ravernal relics that Milishial possessed in its territory.

Now, because rivers are dynamic and prone to changing their course due to natural processes, in order to prevent boundary disputes and conflicts that will happen whenever the river’s path alters, Milishial and Emor agreed to build another wall that will permanently demarcate the border between the Middle Lands and the Promised Place. This structure, called the Confluence of Fates, was later extended by the Milishian government that made it terminate at Dasca (Milishial-Torkia border) to the west and Ryazan (Milishial-Meerky border) to the east.

…………

10:00

Gottos Plateau, southern Emor Kingdom

As the sun began to ascend to its zenith, bathing the southern Promised Place in warm daylight, the four warriors of the Emor Kingdom soared through the sky on a routine patrol near the border, riding on the saddles of their partnering Wind Dragons. With a Dragonoid named Nabu as their captain, their eyes scanned the horizon for any signs of abnormality. Reaching the 40-kilometer mark from the Confluence of Fates, Nabu could see the derelict earthen mounds began appearing in increasing frequency amidst the forest and hills of the region and sniffed. Those were the marks left by a Middle Lands ruler who managed to advance the farthest into the Promised Place: Astra of the Triumphant Star, Milishial’s Second Emperor.

Of the eight individuals whom the Milishians called Emperors, Astra and Lucius were the most memorable for both countries, but for differing reasons. As for the Emorians, they view Astra in a much dimmer light than the Eighth Emperor, Lucius of the Morning Star, especially since the latter was the bringer of peace between the two realms and the one who pulverized the rebellious granduncle of the Dragon King’s head. For these deeds, Milishial VIII was given the title of Lucifer, the Lightbringer of the Two Lands. In a typical Emorian fashion, some of them actually considered it to be a great honor for that grumpy jerk of a town elf and an heir of Ravernal civilization to be regarded so ‘warmly’ by them Dragonoids.

After entertaining his own thoughts for a while, Nabu’s expression was clouded in boredom. Soon, with the hilly terrain of the Gottos Plateau becoming flatter to the south, the view of Lucifer’s walls in the distance will become clearer.

It was then, that it happened.

“Hm? What was that…?” Nabu’s Wind Dragon partner suddenly exclaimed.

His partner’s sudden jerking movement alerted Nabu as well, prompting him to ask the Wind Dragon through telepathy.

“What’s wrong, partner!?”

“Just now, there’s a bright light that assaulted my eyes for a second.”

Nabu looked up to see the sun shining on the sparsely clouded sky and frowned.

“A bright light? Do you mean the sunlight?”

“No, it came from the ground. The land beyond that great wall was shining out magical lights similar to what we Wind Dragons use to communicate with one another and is invisible to the naked eye—Oh, there’s that light again. It seems that the light goes on and off at a certain pattern, strange…”

Nabu furrowed his eyebrows further. If this mysterious light came from the land beyond the Confluence of Fates, meaning there was something in the Milishian territory that was emitting a magical light similar to what the Wind Dragons use to communicate. Then he signaled to his three wingmen to gather around.

“Gather close!” Nabu called out, his voice carrying a sense of urgency. “Did any of your partners notice anything unusual beyond Lucifer’s walls? Something like a bright light?”

“Captain, my partner mentioned a glow coming from the ground, but it was fleeting. I thought it was just a reflection from the sun. Could it be something else?” his second-in-command answered.

“Yes, my partner sensed the same thing as well.”

The youngest and most eager of the group, a female Dragonoid, chimed in. “Here as well! My partner said that the light blinked on and off in a rhythmic pattern. It didn’t seem like a natural occurrence!”

After much deliberation, Nabu’s expression tightened. The discovery of this unusual light was significant and could potentially indicate an important development within the Milishian territory. He decided that they needed to investigate further before reporting back to their superiors. Even though the Holy Milishial Empire was a nation of non-Dragonoids that honors the gods, it was an undeniable fact that they were the heirs of the Ravernal Empire’s relics.

With Nabu’s command, the Wind Dragons altered their course and veered toward the source of that mysterious lights. They wanted to get as close to the Confluence of Fates as possible in order to discern this new finding.

“The light does not blink anymore,” the Wind Dragon warned again after the formation was 20 kilometers away from the walls. “It’s now shining continuously in this direction, and it’s getting brighter the more we fly toward it!”

The Wind Dragon’s senses perceived this phenomenon as lines of lights moving at a very high speed, shining in the formation’s general direction in a wide arc. Even though it was not focused and bright enough to blind the dragon, it soon became uncomfortable with how increasingly brighter it become the more they closed in on Lucifer’s walls. It’s as if whatever emitted this light was trying to glare at them. Meanwhile, the four warriors also tried their best to use their own eyes to pinpoint the source of the light by finding anything that could possibly be the source.

“Are you sure? What else you can tell?”

“Now that we’re closer, I can feel this light to be… unnatural, yes. It’s like… hearing someone speaking the same words in the same tone over and over again.”

“………”

Even Nabu was creeped out just by hearing how his partner described the sensation of this mysterious light. At this point, the patrol formation was ten kilometers north of the Confluence of Fates. There, Nabu’s Wind Dragon suddenly contacted him again and let out a distressed growl.

“Ah! They are multiplying! More lights… They’re turning on all at once! It’s too bright!”

The Dragonoids looked at their fellow warriors in bewilderment, receiving similar reports from their partners.

“What in the name of the gods is this?” Nabu’s second-in-command murmured.

Nabu’s mind raced to make sense of the situation. The Emorians were a proud and resilient people, but this encounter with the unknown left them vulnerable and uncertain. The invisible lights, suddenly coming from multiple directions at once soon became too unbearable for the Wind Dragons who writhed uncomfortably in the air, trying to shield themselves from the creepy lights.

“Dammit! Retreat!” Nabu finally commanded. “Return to base and report what we find!”

Reluctantly, the patrol formation veered away from the Confluence of Fates, moving back toward the safety of the Promised Place and reporting the situation in detail.

This was the first of the many similarly unnatural encounters that will come in the future. For the dragons, the moniker ‘Lightbringer’ bestowed by the Emorians upon Lucius of the Morning Star three millennia ago felt like an unsettling foreshadowing for this very day.

…………

Meanwhile

Gottos Plain, northeastern Mysidia Province, Holy Milishial Empire

Unbeknownst to the Emorians and the Wind Dragons, the mysterious lights they encountered were exactly the reason why Emor should uphold the Holy Milishial Empire with apprehension. On the Milishian side of the Gottos Plain was the network of installations belonging to the Holy Milishial Imperial Air Force’s Northern Air Defense Force. With the priority of upgrading the air defense detection network with the new detection equipment placed on the western seaboard, this particular unit was one of the lucky ones, having received the upgrade three days ago on April 1.

One of the upgrades this unit received was… two fixed antennae and a shack operating both the standard mana detector and the new RN-CM-131 conductive magnetic radar set located 95 kilometers south of the Confluence of Fates, as well as nine portable RN-CM-130 sets located closer to the walls at various distances. While the mana detector was fully manned by the Air Force personnel, the RN-CM-131’s Air Force nine-man field operating crew comprised of a shift chief, two plotters, two scope operators, two technicians, and two mages was complemented by the personnel from the Runepolis Magic Academy and the Ministry of Ancient Sorcerous Empire Countermeasures, who sent two each for the latter three roles, bringing the number to fifteen. These ten sites operate for testing purposes, with the RMA and MOASEC crew were there to transfer the knowledge in operating the new equipment to the Milishian military. Alongside the detection equipment, this unit also includes several observation posts for visually detecting air units and a number of anti-air guns.

However, for a unit tasked to guard something with a name as grandiose as the Confluence of Fates, or “Lucifer’s walls” as the Emorians called it, their duty was incredibly boring. The lectures provided by the new guys only added to the boredom, but at least today was the day of actually operating the new toy. This RN-CM-131’s radar waves were what was caught by Nabu’s Wind Dragon and perceived as “lights.”

At 10:00, four blips appeared on the conductive magnetic radar’s mana-powered crystalline screen that functioned as a plan position indicator (PPI).

“Contact!” a young and enthusiastic RMA operator exclaimed. “Four objects, bearing 030, distance 135 kilometers, and an altitude of 3.500 meters! They appear to be moving south at around 160 knots!”

While his RMA colleagues and the Ancient Ministry personnel chuckled at the spectacle, some of the soldiers did not share the enthusiasm.

“Must be some lizardmen border patrol, no big deal,” one of them grumbled.

“Hmph… what a jerk,” that same operator muttered under his breath.

The chief sighed at his men’s lackadaisical attitude, but he kind of understood the reason behind it.

“Mana detector, can you confirm?” he asked, turning to the soldier manning the said equipment.

“Yes, sir, I have a visual on the targets. The mana detector’s measurements are the same, those are definitely Emorian patrols, sir.”

The chief’s expression relaxed at the confirmation. “Good, then the conductive magnetic radar works as intended. It’s not like the Emorians can detect electromagnetic waves, but continue to maintain surveillance. Report any significant changes immediately.”

“Yes, sir.”

If the chief were to be honest, the conductive magnetic radar’s advertised ability would be redundant if used here of all places. Except for Mu, the country across the western ocean, there are no flying objects in the world that don’t emit magic signatures and thus cannot be detected by mana detectors. But since his superiors said that the new equipment was based on reverse-engineered Ancient Sorcerous Empire technology and basically an upgrade of the existing system, he had no choice but to accept it. Usually, the Emorian patrol will reach a distance of around 30 kilometers from the walls before turning back. However, before the operators’ eyes, the four blips showed something unusual two minutes later.

“Sir, the targets have passed the mark and continue to head south, speed increased to around 210 knots!” the mana detector operator reported.

“…Hah?”

The chief sounded skeptical at the report. Unusual Emorian patrol’s behavior, on the day the new detection equipment was activated? Is this a coincidence? ‘Impossible,’ he thought. He didn’t think dragons could detect the radar waves generated by the RN-CM-131, a product of advanced technology. It’s kind of nonsense the more he tried to think about it.

Little did he know just how true that was, showing how much the chief still doesn’t know about this world.

When the targets reached 20 kilometers from the walls, the chief set aside his thoughts and decided to alert the air defense command center of a possible airspace intrusion. Meanwhile, he ordered the rotating RN-CM-131’s antenna to be fixed in the target’s direction. At this time, the Wind Dragons would feel that the lights they sensed stopped blinking at a certain interval and started shining in their direction. However, instead of glaring at the dragons, a more correct description would be the new Milishian radar was trying to squint at the unusually-behaving Emorians.

…………

“Are you certain about the possible intrusion?”

“Yes, sir. The 101st Detection Group has detected four objects, believed to be Emorian patrols, deviating from their usual pattern and approaching the border at an increased speed.”

“Hmm…Is that so? Then prepare to engage the airspace defense protocols! Take no chances!”

Inside the air defense command center, a rare sense of urgency filled the air as the new radar site’s chief reported the unusual movement that was confirmed by other Detection Groups in the vicinity. As per the commander’s order, the nearby anti-air gun batteries began to zero in on the direction indicated by the detection groups, while the Alpha-1 fighters began preparations to take off in case of an actual intrusion of the Milishian airspace.

The air defense commander was concerned about one thing. The Wind Dragons, the mainstay of Emorian aerial combat capability, were superior in performance to their vaunted Alpha-1 Heavenly Vessels. With a top speed of 500 kilometers per hour versus Alpha-1’s 400, higher maneuverability, and unknown to them, the Wind Dragon’s ability to detect objects using their biological radar, the Milishians tried to counter them by using numbers and the only advantage the Heavenly Vessel has over the Wind Dragon: the maximum ceiling. With its lower maneuverability, Alpha-1s could compensate by resorting to hit-and-run tactics from above, while fighting on the Milishian territory could give the Alpha-1s a home-field advantage in the form of ground-based detection systems.

But in the end, just as the Emorian patrol reached the 10-kilometer mark from the border, they abruptly changed their course and started to head north. This maneuver caught the attention of the Milishian personnel, including the air defense commander who frowned as he observed the retreating Emorians on the mana detector’s screen.

“The targets are retreating!”

“Maintain vigilance and track their movements closely,” the commander instructed.

While speculations began to circulate among the air defense command center’s personnel, the commander directed the detection groups to closely monitor the Emorian patrol’s movements even as they retreated. He also ordered the anti-air gun batteries and the fighters to maintain their readiness, prepared to respond swiftly if the situation demanded it. After the retreating Emorian patrol exited Milishial’s detection range, the vigilance in the air defense command center eventually relaxed and the personnel started to ease their tension and shifted their focus to other ongoing tasks.

While the incident concludes without any immediate threat or intrusion, the commander compiled a detailed report of what had happened, highlighting the unexpected change in the Emorians’ course and the subsequent retreat. The report also emphasizes the clearer view they gained of Alpha-1’s weaknesses in a possible engagement against the Emorian Wind Dragons. Their ability to outperform the Milishian fighters in terms of speed and maneuverability becomes a matter of concern that needs to be addressed. In the report, the commander also highlights the coincidence of the Emorian patrol’s unusual behavior with the first activation of the new conductive magnetic radar system. This observation raises eyebrows among the Milishian officials, leading to further investigations and analysis of the incident.

This also becomes a catalyst for evaluations within the Milishian military leadership. Realizing that they cannot feel safe even when dealing with an ally, they saw the urgency of enhancing their aerial combat capabilities to counter the superior performance of the Wind Dragons. Consequently, hopes and expectations are placed on the ongoing Alpha Edge Project, which aims to develop an advanced air superiority-type Heavenly Vessel.

As the reports and analysis circulate within the Holy Empire, an outrageous proposal came from a certain member of the Ministry of Ancient Sorcerous Empire Countermeasures. It spoke of the possibility of the Emorians detecting the electromagnetic waves emitted by the RN-CM-131 and RN-CM-130, raising questions about its credibility due to its absurdness, but the Emperor nevertheless ordered his subordinates to conduct further research and scrutiny to understand the extent of the Emorians’ capabilities and to refine the Milishian defenses accordingly. Overall, this incident serves as a wake-up call for the Holy Milishial Empire, highlighting the need to adapt and innovate to maintain their superiority.

As he read a copy of the after-action report obtained by the MOASEC, Meteos Roguerider smiled slyly inside his office room, while his close friends looked on in amusement.

“Oh boy, they’re in for a big surprise once we give them radar warning receivers.”

“Man… a system that can detect electromagnetic wave emissions? Thinking several steps ahead, aren’t you?” Robin laughed.

“One of the many avenues of innovation for anyone interested, yes. Alright…! Remain calm. We will endure. There is much to be done.”

Currently Publicly Available Information

THE TRIUMPHANT STAR AND THE MORNING STAR

When talking about who is the greatest and most celebrated ruler of the Holy Milishial Empire, it usually boils down to two individuals, the Second Emperor Astra of the Triumphant Star (7943 BCC to 6544 BCC) and the Eighth Emperor Lucius of the Morning Star (2186 BCC to the present day). Both have similar qualities that propel the country they ruled over to the stars, but are different in their own way which makes them unique.

Both are the longest reigning rulers of the Holy Milishial Empire, 1399 and 3801 years, respectively.

Emperor Astra is remembered fondly as the man who laid the foundations for the concept of a unified Middle Lands, while Emperor Lucius not only makes it real, but also succeeded in transforming it into more than an enduring Thousand-Year Empire that everyone dreams of, when there is a saying that “Empire, long divided, must unite; long united, must divide.”

Emperor Astra was the pioneer of the study of the Ancient Sorcerous Empire’s leftover technology and gathered people who will eventually form the predecessor of the MOASEC, while Emperor Lucius is the Father of Understanding, with his rule saw the Holy Empire begin to promote innovations that the ancient technology alone cannot bring.

Both Emperors’ outward emotions also contrasted the path they chose and how they lived their lives. Emperor Astra’s green eyes were always depicted as filled with warmth, but his reign was filled with almost nothing but conquest, while Emperor Lucius’ eyes are always cold as ice, yet he is the one who brings an end to hatred in the Middle Lands and the Lightbringer of the Two Lands when almost everyone feared him to become the second coming of the Ancient Sorcerous Empire.