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The Church

The Church is one of the two supreme powers of the modern Empire, rivaling the Imperial Crown itself in political, spiritual, and military influence. Revered by commoners and nobility alike, the Church commands sacred authority, magnificent cathedrals, vast treasuries, and elite Holy Knights.

History & The Evolution of the Faith​

  • Archaic Sectarian Divides: Long before the Empire, religion was an inescapable part of human life, yet it was crippled by bitter sectarian disputes, conflicting doctrines, and dogmatic rivalries between the fractured kingdoms.
  • The Absolute Reign of King Laius: When King Laius unified the continent during the Golden Era, he forcefully extinguished all sectarian divides under royal decree. However, an independent ecclesiastical institution was never permitted to form—King Laius declared himself both the supreme emperor and the sole leader of the faith, consolidating divine and temporal power in his own person.
  • Post-Unification & Elyndor (The Holy City): Following the Unification of the continent and the end of the Ash Era after Queen Isabella's coronation, the Church was established in its current sovereign form. Its ecclesiastical capital, Elyndor (The Holy City), was founded slightly east of the Imperial Capital, Aerium. Centered around a colossal Grand Cathedral, Elyndor serves as the sacred residence of the priests, sisters, and the Holy Maiden. It maintains a very small, consecrated population, and entry is strictly closed to the general public—not everyone is permitted to step inside its gates.
  • The Mysterious Sovereigns ("Holy Maiden" & "Holy One"): Rather than granting religious leadership to well-known political figures, completely unknown and veiled individuals were proclaimed to the populace as the Holy Maiden and Holy One—revered as pure, divine emissaries of the heavens.
  • Rise to Political Hegemony: Through relentless preaching, pervasive sermons, cathedral networks, and the control of spiritual legitimacy, the Church evolved from a religious institution into an indomitable political superpower. In the present era, the Holy Maiden is recognized throughout the continent as a sovereign figure wielding authority, sanctity, and reverence equal to the King himself—fueling the escalating silent war between the Crown and the Cloth.

Supreme Leadership: The Holy Maiden​

  • Revered Matriarch: At the pinnacle of the Church stands the Holy Maiden, regarded with absolute devotion and veneration. Her clergy, including high-ranking inquisitors and champions like Vergas, display unyielding loyalty to her guidance.

Covert Military Arm: New Elpis​

While presenting itself to the continent strictly as an independent, ruthless mercenary syndicate, New Elpis is secretly bankrolled and armed by Archbishop Vergas and the Church—a connection concealed from the Empire under absolute plausible deniability:

  • Estimated Strength: Believed to command hundreds of elite shock operatives and assassins, backed by thousands of frontline mercenaries and auxiliary troops dispersed across strategic provinces.
  • Core Leadership (Volume IV): Founded and commanded by Vael Verborough, with veteran core operatives including heavy-gunner Bojan and vanguard swordsman Hendrick.

Notable Figures​

  • Holy Maiden: Supreme spiritual figurehead of the Church, worshipped with absolute devotion by all ecclesiastical orders.
  • Vergas: Devout and formidable enforcer serving the Church with fierce loyalty to the Holy Maiden.
  • Vael Verborough: Founder and supreme commander of New Elpis, executing high-priority assassinations and covert military operations for the Church.
  • Bojan: Heavy ordnance specialist and core operative of New Elpis.
  • Hendrick: Elite vanguard swordsman of New Elpis and master of the Al Brad Style.
  • Jean: Leader of the Archery Unit and tactical coordinator of New Elpis.
  • Rhaen: Brothel proprietor and clandestine operative in the Capital, working in lockstep with his brother Vergas to build the Church's subterranean web of leverage and favors.
  • Balan: Supreme Leader of the Holy Knights and the Church's strongest living weapon; rumored to be equal or superior in power to the Eight Heroes, fighting with devastating bare fists and monstrous physical strength.
  • Roran: Holy Knight renowned for unyielding perseverance, rigorous work ethic, and disciplined paladin martial training.
  • Eishraeth (Eis): Holy Knight and terrifying master of the spear, known for surgical precision and armor-piercing mana thrusts.