The Caelus Province, a vast and vital part of the Amateris Empire, holds great importance. The province is nestled between snow-covered peaks to the north, hilly mountains and dense, evergreen forests to the east. To the south, the vast sea stretches out, while the entire province lies on fertile plains, which have helped its major cities thrive and develop significantly.
The province is ruled by the Caelus Family, one of the Seven Supreme Families of the Amateris Empire. Renowned for its military strength and medical prestige, the Caelus Family governs the eastern side of the Empire with authority and influence. They command the third-strongest army in the Empire, consisting of over 100,000 soldiers in the Caelus Personal Army. In addition to these soldiers, they have 500 knight squires and magical squires.
The Caelus Family's affiliated businesses are spread across the Empire, but most are concentrated on the eastern side. These include the Caelus Guild, Caelus Restaurant, Caelus Medicine and Alchemy Palace, Caelus Sea Operations and Naval Guard, Caelus Mining and Refinery, and Caelus Sky Hall. While these personnel do not belong to the main Caelus Family, they are part of its branch families, carrying a weaker bloodline.
The current matriarch of the family is Lady Ersia Caelus, an SSS-rank individual and the Commander of the Empire's Sky Legion. As a result, the Caelus Province has maintained a certain level of autonomy, reporting directly to the Emperor.
Most kingdoms within the Amateris Empire are governed by branch families of the Royal family, a strategy that helps the Empire maintain control efficiently. This approach has allowed the Amateris Empire to remain the third most powerful empire despite engaging in more than four wars with other empires.
The Caelus Province operates independently, governed solely by the Caelus Family and reporting only to the Emperor, but three kingdoms that lie within it don't report to Caelus Family but to Vitelius Family---a sub-branch of the Amateris Royal Family.
Vitelius Family are ruler of Grifith Kingdom which is on western border of province. The Caelus Province used to be part of the Grifith Kingdom, before Caelus Family took over the region. It is also the reason of conflict between Vitelius and Caelus.
To the north of the province lies an imposing range of snow-covered mountains, nearly impassable due to treacherous ice blizzards, fierce snow beasts, and the hostile Ice Barbarian Tribe.
To the east is the border with the Hein Empire, the second-largest and most powerful empire. Hein has fought two wars with Amateris in the past, both of which resulted in Amateris' defeat. The entire eastern region is covered in hilly mountains and dense forests so thick they block out sunlight in some areas. The Forest Tribe, who often sneak into the Caelus Province, occupies this area.
To the south lies the Caelus Sea, where sea beast attacks occasionally occur, though these are rare and can be predicted. Most of the province's trade occurs via sea routes, and several island groups within the Caelus Sea fall under the control of the Caelus Family.
Thus, the ways to enter Caelus Province are by sky, land, sea, or teleportation.
Yes, teleportation.
While only a few cities are connected to the teleportation network, there are hundreds of such locations throughout the Amateris Empire, all linking the most important cities.
To travel via teleportation, one must visit a Keiseir Blink Hall, a building that has a teleportation gate, managed and organized by the Keiseir Family.
One such Blink Hall connects the King's Capital of Grifith and Blue Sky City, the capital of Caelus Province.
King's Capital
Inside Blink Hall
The Blink Hall, Normally a place of organized chaos, it had become even more hectic than usual. Workers darted between one corner to another, clutching rune-inscribed scrolls, intricate gate mechanisms, and shimmering magic crystals. The air buzzed with the hum of magic as teleportation gates opens and closes, while supervisors and hall members ensure seamless operations amid the unrelenting flow of travelers.
In an office on the upper floor of the Blink Hall.
A man with purple hair sat at a cluttered desk, stacks of transportation documents piling up in front of him. His serious gaze remained fixed on the paperwork as he sifted through the reports, deep in thought.
Knock, knock.
A knock at the door pulls him from his contemplation.
"Sir, may I enter?" comes the request from the other side.
"Hmm, you may enter," the man replies, his voice slightly distracted.
The door opens, revealing a man in a crisp white formal shirt and black trousers, stepping in with a new stack of documents. His serious expression mirrors the seriousness in the room.
"Sir, more requests for portal use---again---from the Caelus Family," he says, adding the new stack to the towering pile on the desk.
"What?!"
the Hall leader exclaims, his frustration evident.
"What is the problem with them? Don't they know it takes an immense amount of crystals to activate the portal?"
"And they're using it over and over."
His eyes narrow in thought.
"What happened at the Caelus Estate to cause such large-scale movement?"
The assistant hesitates before offering a theory. "Maybe a rebellion, ---or--- a conflict between Aulos and Helius?"
The Hall leader shakes his head. "A rebellion is unlikely with Lady Ersia in charge. And those two causing trouble at this moment? Also doubtful."
The assistant speaks again, cautiously. "But there's been talk of such conflicts before within the Caelus Family."
The Hall leader's eyes closes for a moment as he recalls. "The Family Head Selection... yes, it's a brutal event in the Caelus Family. But if that were the case, we'd already be hearing reports across the Empire. They'd notify Royal Family and other influential families, and we'd be receiving orders from Main Hall."
He sighs, leaning back in his chair. "No, it's something else."
After a pause, he makes his decision. "Approve all the requests. And for anything related to the Caelus Family, handle it with Premium-level priority."
The assistant nods. "Yes, sir," and quickly leaves to carry out the orders.
The Hall leader rises from his chair and moves to the window, watching the steady flow of people entering and exiting the building. The hustle and bustle below reflected the unusual nature of the situation.
"Whatever it is, it's certainly benefiting us," he mutters.
"Maybe I'll get a promotion out of this."
"After all, using Instant Portals isn't cheap." he mused.
He pulls out his sleek mobile device, scrolling through his contacts until he finds one labeled **Main Hall Senior 1**.
As the call connects, he prepares to report the unusual surge in activity from the Caelus Province.
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On the vast green plains of the Caelus Estate, an imposing and glorious palace stands, a testament to the prestige and fame of the Caelus Family. The Caelus Palace, with its grand halls and towering height, symbolizes the family's strength and influence.
But now, that image is marred by destruction. Half of the palace lies in ruins, reduced to rubble and shattered marble tiles, while the other half, though still standing tall and proud.
The cause of the destruction looms above the damaged half - a manifestation.
The manifestation of Caeltheris towers over the palace, its colossal form almost equal in height to the once - grand palace. The manifestation glows with much more intensity. Inside its translucent form, countless stars illuminate the world, casting an ethereal glow over the area.
Caeltheris hovers protectively over the runic cocoon, that has been completely covered by the massive bird's wings and body. Six streams of pure magic energy has now expanded into thousands of streams of energy that cascade from Caeltheris, creating a web of magic streams that blankets the area.
In front of the Caeltheris figure lies a small infant, sleeping peacefully and blissfully, unware of the surrounding chaos. This child, Galleria's newborn, rests in the embrace of the pure magic energy that Caeltheris provides. The divine power nourishes the child, empowering his body and mind.
Further ahead, five more glowing figures are similarly bathed in Caeltheris's energy. These children - Galleria's son Thalor, Petronia's children Valenor and Isolde. They are also surrounded by the same streams of pure magic, their bodies absorbing the pure magic essence. The energy improves their growth, strengthens their understanding of magic, and improves their perception of the magic around them. They are already blessed with great potential as members of the main Caelus Family, this will make them even more powerful and formidable.
Behind the six children are thousands more, ranging in age from newborns to those nearing fifteen. These children, all members of the Caelus branch families, too are surrounded by the divine energy. The streams of magic enhance their bodies and purify their bloodlines, offering them a rare chance to improve their abilities and perception of magic.
For the younger children, particularly those under the age of five, this experience is extremely important. They have yet to form magic cores within their bodies, yet their body if more tune to magic now. Despite the potential danger, all of them remain calm and comfortable, their faces serene as the energy envelops them.