After Tilly laid out the subtle shifts in the political landscape, Elias found himself deep in thought.
Since the Wigner royal empire expanded its borders to engulf the last independent duchy nearby, the continent had enjoyed a century of peace without major wars.
But beneath the veneer of peace, undercurrents roiled.
Every nation in the northern continent viewed the rapidly ascending Wigner royal empire with wariness, especially Nostgur.
This nation, a remnant of the empire that ended the Dark Ages 1,500 years ago, spread the faith of the Light across the continent with the support of the Holy Church.
Even after the swift collapse of that unified empire, worship of the true gods remained deeply rooted in the hearts of all people across the land.
The Church had always seamlessly infiltrated nations, with secular lords finding it difficult to interfere with ecclesiastical authority. Bishops and priests were appointed directly by the Church.
