After breakfast Robert made his way to the study, the rest of the family had their tasks to tend to.
His father prepared a ride out with Roberts eldest sister. The little twins went on with their chaperon. No one was left to get information from, all what was left to do was the study.
The little room was brightly lit as the biggest window Robert saw in the fortress was placed here. One side of the room was filled with shelf which in turn were stuffed with books.
Looking closely he chose 2 Books one was called "The Annals of the Caeroser" and the other "The Kastinski family" on both could be seen crests that Robert had seen in the morning on the Gate.
Starting with The Annals of the Caeroser, Robert started to get a general knowledge of the situation he was in, and more importantly where he was.
In fact, his family was part of the military class in the Sun – Empire, a middle force on the Western Continent.
The world known to the general population was split in 5 different parts, respectively called the Eastern, Western, Southern, Northern Continents. The population of the western continent was pretty mediocre in numbers since War and famine was widespread, but the war efforts brings more power to the military classes and that was one reason Roberts family had so much prominence.
But still the civilians suffer a lot and try to enter any Army on the continent.
The many families that represented the military class had a lot of individual power and were allowed to maintain a standing army. That of course put a lot of pressure on the ruling class and also a reason why war was so common on the western continent.
The information on the other continents in the different directions was pretty limited especially the fifth Continent, in the book only called the underground palace, without any more informations given.
But regarding the other continents the situation was a lot more peaceful. The southern and eastern continent were conquered a millennium ago and was since ruled by an Emperor. And in this lifetime, it seemed that a foresighted youth was on the throne who, if the information was correct, promoted science and equality.
On the other hand, the northern continent was mainly constituted from tribes of different sizes relatively peaceful internaly but often sending looting parties in the direction of the western continent.
The western continent was the weakest of all but also the most populated. But without a joint leadership the other continents didn't have to fear them and as war was so common no great power could rise.
Continuing with his lecture Robert got more information about the Sun–Empire, founded 200 years ago, the ruler called himself Imperator and resolutely governed his empire and the vassal states that surrounded them.
In fact, the reason why the Sun–Empire could establish itself in the first place was mainly due to its unique military structure.
The standing army that comprehended 100.000 men at any time, was divided into different units more than half were regular army men, one fourth were garrisons and city guards, but the last part were the elites of the Empire, the legions.
Looking back it was said that before the empire was established the founding father commanded a force of 100.000 men and all of them were legionaries, normal military's and militia were only auxiliary forces.
But since then the need for the elite forces, and mainly the costs to provide for them reduced their numbers to what it was today.
In fact, the legions were well balanced troops 200 years ago, with every legion being partly cavalrymen, infantry and pioneers but now only infantrymen and some scout divisions were left.
Reading this information Robert was impressed as this kind of warfare was well known to him from his former life, the roman empire.
At first, he was a bit stunned, but then he remembered who sent him here, and that there should be some connections.
The only discrepancies were the technological advancements, looking at the steel armors that he saw the day before, on his father and sister, in his former life at this time in history only the eastern Han people had the knowledge to produce this quality, and precision in armory.
Putting this idea in the back of his head, he started thinking if his family provides one legion to the Imperator, with the quality he saw yesterday this was definitely a force that could sweep, the roman empire of his memories, away.
After finishing he looked at the family genealogic book summarizing the last 300 odd years of the Kastinski family with their different heads. What surprised Robert was that a lot of the heads were also women, he concluded that the society was definitely not patriarchal and equal rights were widespread. And since the Kastinski family was of the military class he guessed that part of the man power in service were also women.
A little impressed by the modern ways he continued on, getting a general overview of the family, his father succeeded Roberts grandmother as family head. The family itself was pretty powerful providing one of the two legions approximately 12500 infantry men and some auxiliary forces mainly veteran militaries.
But the Kastinski family kept low in the power struggles of the empire and defended the northern border of the Sun–Empire which bordered to one of the two large sized empires on the western continent, the Earth Empire.
This low-key behavior saved the family from a lot of trouble, especially from the purges the Imperial family, the Caeroser, organized to stay all powerful in the empire.
It has to be noted that the other legion that existed was under direct command of the imperial family.
And the Kastinski family was since revered as the most loyal family of the Imperator that he commanded, always defending the north of the country and not meddling in the affairs of the capital.
With the continuous pressure of the Earth Empire the Kastinskis had a throughout task of defending. And the main fortress where the family resided was only called The Bear Mouth as the ferociousness of the family was widely known. The fort overviewed one of the two passageways in the north to enter the Empire, and so was of tactical utmost importance.
Finishing his readings Robert contemplated what he should do now. Similarly, as in the life before he didn't want to contest for the position of family head leaving this task to his elder sister who seemed to be more than able. Looking valiant and courageous in her silver armor.
But looking at the general situation in the empire and in the continent, it was foolish to think that the peacefulness would continue especially for the Kastinski family.
Considering this Robert came to a conclusion.
"I have to become powerful; this lifetime is not as peaceful as the last one and looking at my situation I should be a pillar of the family. Since only my weakness got me into that situation as Guillaume this time I have to turn the tables around. My good-nature will only be taken as weakness, which would be foolish given the situation. I will try supporting my sister at the best of my abilities."
Looking out the large window, he continued to himself,
"I will see what opportunity you gifted to me Hades."