Elijah rubbed his temples as the floating screen in front of him flickered again.
His brain already felt like it had been through a blender after learning about the Endless World's sheer scale.
And now, there was more.
[Detailed information about the region and empire Earth will merge into is now available.]
"Of course there's more," Elijah muttered. "Why wouldn't there be? Alright, System, hit me with it. What kind of neighborhood are we moving into?"
The screen shifted, displaying a map that zoomed into a specific region of the Endless World.
Compared to the sprawling web he'd seen earlier, this section was more contained but still overwhelming.
A single name hovered at the center of the map: The Empire of Dawn.
[Earth will merge into the Outer Territories of the Empire of Dawn, a mid-tier empire with a population of approximately 1.2 trillion.]
Elijah's jaw dropped. "1.2 trillion? That's mid-tier? Are you serious?"
[Correct. The Empire of Dawn is considered powerful within the Outer Territories but is dwarfed by the ancient empires of the Core Regions.]
Elijah leaned forward, staring at the map.
The territory marked as the Empire of Dawn stretched endlessly, dotted with cities, rivers, and mountains that could each swallow Earth whole.
"So, where do we fit into this monster of an empire?" he asked.
[Earth will be integrated as a subregion of the empire's Eastern Frontier. This area is sparsely populated and considered insignificant compared to the empire's heartlands.]
"Of course it is," Elijah muttered. "Why be a small fish in a small pond when you can be a microscopic speck in an ocean?"
The map shifted again, this time highlighting key cities and administrative regions.
[The Empire of Dawn is governed by a centralized monarchy, but its vast size requires a decentralized system of governance. Regional governors, noble families, and local councils manage most day-to-day affairs.]
Elijah raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess. These governors and nobles are all fighting each other for power?"
[Correct. While the emperor's authority is absolute, the empire is plagued by internal power struggles. Factions rise and fall constantly, often at the expense of smaller regions like the Eastern Frontier.]
"Great. So not only are we ants, but we're ants in the middle of a turf war."
The screen displayed a series of faction names, each accompanied by crests and descriptions:
The Sunblade Order: Loyal to the emperor, focused on military expansion.
The Verdant Council: A faction of wealthy merchants and scholars vying for economic control.
The Crimson Pact: An alliance of rogue nobles with ambitions of overthrowing the monarchy.
"So, we've got warmongers, money-grubbers, and revolutionaries," Elijah summarized. "Sounds about right."
[Earth's subregion will likely fall under the influence of the Verdant Council, as the Eastern Frontier is seen as an untapped economic resource.]
"Untapped resource? What, are they going to show up and start mining us for coal?"
[It is unclear. However, the council's interest in trade and development may create opportunities for growth.]
Elijah sat back, tapping his fingers on the floor. "Alright, let's talk opportunities. How does someone like me a nobody from an ant-sized planet make it in an empire like this?"
[The Empire of Dawn offers various paths for individuals to rise within its ranks, particularly through merit-based systems like civil examinations, military service, and trade enterprises.]
"Civil examinations?" Elijah's interest piqued. "You mean like those old-school imperial exams from Earth's history? Test your knowledge, get a fancy government job?"
[Correct. The civil examination system is a cornerstone of the empire's governance, designed to identify talent regardless of social standing.]
"Okay, that's... actually kind of cool," Elijah admitted. "So, what do these exams cover?"
[Examinations include subjects such as governance, law, economics, history, and combat strategy. Candidates who pass with distinction can secure positions as administrators, strategists, or even advisors to regional governors.]
Elijah's mind raced. "So, if I ace one of these exams, I could actually get a position of power? Enough to, I don't know, protect Earth?"
[Theoretically, yes. However, competition is fierce. The exams attract candidates from across the empire, many of whom have trained for years.]
"Fierce competition is nothing new," Elijah said, his lips curling into a smirk. "I wrote web novels, remember? Try dealing with a million other authors chasing the same rankings."
[In addition to civil examinations, military service provides a direct path to influence. Soldiers who distinguish themselves on the battlefield can rise through the ranks and gain titles, land, and resources.]
Elijah frowned. "Yeah, that's going to be a hard pass. I don't know how to hold a sword, let alone fight an immortal warlord or whatever's out there."
[Trade and enterprise are also viable options. The empire's economy thrives on innovation, and individuals who establish successful businesses often gain the favor of influential factions.]
"So, become a businessman or a bureaucrat," Elijah said, summarizing. "Or a soldier, if I feel like dying young. Got it."
The map zoomed in on a small, barely noticeable dot near the edge of the Eastern Frontier.
[Earth's initial role within the empire will depend on your actions. Its resources, population, and strategic location make it valuable, but only if properly developed.]
Elijah squinted at the dot. "Let me guess. If I don't step up, some governor or noble will swoop in and turn us into their personal farm."
[Correct. Without strong leadership, Earth is unlikely to survive beyond the initial thirty years.]
Elijah sighed. "No pressure, right?"
He stood up, pacing the room as he processed everything the system had told him.
The Empire of Dawn was massive, dangerous, and full of opportunities if he could figure out how to navigate it.
"Alright," he said finally, stopping in front of the screen. "Here's the plan. First, I'll focus on these civil exams. If I can get a high-ranking position, I'll have some level of authority to protect Earth. Second, I'll start learning everything I can about the empire its laws, politics, culture. If I'm going to play this game, I need to know the rules."
The system chimed. [Acknowledged. Resources for examination preparation and imperial knowledge are now available.]
"Good," Elijah said, nodding. "Because if Earth's future depends on me, I'm not going to screw it up."