**Nations**
**Kingdom of Holdia**
A major power in the west, with a strong, traditional monarchy that even survived an assassination attempt in Asteria. It boasts the largest territory, population, and troop deployment capacity. It was once a superpower that ruled the entire Western region, and the Republic of Mithra, Kingdom of Barshark, and Kingdom of Vester all originally seceded from Holdia. Slave markets are a source of income. However, it is said that the country has recently improved its treatment of slaves, making it less of a dreaded place for them.
**Republic of Mithra**
This nation seceded from the Kingdom of Holdia. Disliking the monarchy, they experimented and eventually established a republic system. Consequently, its national strength is second to last, only above the Kingdom of Seraeno. The head of state is the President, elected every four years. While it might seem like a republic in isolation would invite hostility, they surprisingly manage well. This is likely because the standard of living is not significantly higher than in other countries, meaning there aren’t many citizens who aspire to a republic. Citizens have a strong voice, making prompt decisions difficult. Vegetables are their primary source of income. They are unusually skeptical of slavery.
**Kingdom of Barshark**
Lacking special products, their income comes from brothels, the customers they attract, and transit taxes. They boast attractive individuals of both sexes, collected from all over the continent as sex slaves, drawing in wealthy patrons. While women and slave traders hold strong positions, valuable slaves are treated well. It’s a country where one can become a mistress to a rich noble or achieve a sudden turnaround in fortune. They are not wanting for money, men, or women, but other aspects are questionable. They are not a warlike nation, but they are sensitive to profit and seek to curry favor with Marius.
**Kingdom of Vester**
Located at the western edge of the continent, their primary income is from marine products and salt. Being on the frontier, they tend to fall behind the times, but this also allows for calmer judgment. Their navy is the second strongest, after Seraeno’s. They are still skeptical of Marius’s power; slavery is treated as normal.
**Kingdom of Filat**
This is a great central nation founded by the Hero Bernhardt, who defeated Demon King Zagan, who once plunged the Taliant Continent into terror. Those with talent, even if overlooked elsewhere, often immigrate here, as advancement is possible based on merit. People from other countries are not uncommon in both military and political spheres. Being centrally located and having the Shalom Mountains allows them to profit significantly from transit taxes. Although currently undergoing fiscal austerity due to heavy blows from demons and the Kingdom of Holdia, they are inherently a formidable power. They hold no positive impressions of the Kingdom of Ranleo, which directs hostility towards them, and have declared the Kingdom of Holdia an enemy state after their inhumane attacks. Despite this, they are not a particularly warlike nation, as they can prosper without war. They are quite a good country for slaves.
**Kingdom of Ranleo**
This kingdom was founded by Klaus, a former ally who parted ways with Hero Bernhardt. Originally a mid-tier nation, they have successfully expanded their territory through diligent effort, growing into a great power. They are old-fashioned, valuing tradition and lineage, and do not approve of those who rise through the ranks. They are the most distant nation from the concept of slave liberation. However, as the founder was a mage, mages are treated differently. Those who are excellent can marry into noble families (or are made to). It was commonly believed that the head of the Adler family was the most powerful in the country, but it has since been revealed that Princess Barra is stronger than the current head. Due to a prevailing notion that men should be more competent than women, Princess Barra has suddenly lost all her fiancés. They view Filat with enmity, but are still no match for them. As befits their nickname of “Magical Powerhouse,” their income derives from magic-related sources.
**Kingdom of Boltner**
Known as the “Pride of the Prairies,” sheep herding is their main industry. They boast strength comparable to the Seraeno army in open field battles without magic, but are vulnerable to magic. They are not particularly strong in other forms of combat. However, anyone attempting to conquer Boltner must engage in open field battles, so they are rarely attacked. They are on good terms with Filat, but are not necessarily on bad terms with Ranleo. They are a nation of clumsy warriors, but in the sense that they are poor at schemes and stratagems, they are trusted by all in a way. There are not many slaves.
**Berganda Empire**
Neither strong nor weak. They avoid conflict with Seraeno and Ranleo, maintaining peace through diplomatic efforts. They are sometimes referred to as having excellent diplomats. Grains are their source of income.
**Galius Kingdom**
They are on good terms with Filat and on bad terms with Holdia. If they were bordering each other, they would undoubtedly have joined the anti-Holdia encirclement. Ore veins are their primary source of income. Emulating Filat, they treat slaves reasonably well.
**Kingdom of Seraeno**
In the past, there was a balance between the Kingdom of Holdia in the west and Seraeno in the east, and after Holdia weakened, Seraeno entered an era of unchallenged dominance. However, due to demons, they lost a large portion of their territory and many talented individuals. Their sources of income overlap with Vester’s, but the distance between them causes no issues. They secretly harbor animosity towards Ranleo, who now holds the lands they lost. Slaves with ability and loyalty can rise through the ranks.
**Military Strength**
Without magic, Seraeno and Boltner are strongest.
With magic, Seraeno, Ranleo, and Filat are strongest.
Seraeno has strong soldiers in all classes, while Ranleo excels in magical soldiers.
Boltner is strong in open-field battles, and Vester is formidable at sea and on water.
Filat can be described as a weakened Seraeno.
Holdia has sheer numbers.
*This does not consider factors like Marius’s overwhelming power or Isabella’s inventions.
**Slavery**
There are three types of slaves: those who sell themselves due to poverty, captured criminals, and those taken as spoils of war. In Filat, while taking spoils is permitted, selling one’s own citizens into slavery is not, and they are not traded within the country, so Marius is unaware of the third category. If the first country encountered by Marius were Barshark, it might lead to him being sent to Nocturne, or perhaps even the “End Route.”
**Magic**
All humans possess magic power within their bodies. Magic is the act of reproducing phenomena imagined in the mind using magic power. Being able to omit incantations is a sign of strong imagination. There are varying degrees of skill in converting magic power into magic (control). Those who are skilled can cast powerful spells with less magic power, making them energy-efficient. Incidentally, Marius’s excessive skill worked against him in the second competition. Other factors required include the amount of magic power, recovery speed, and quick judgment. In reality, certain skills and equipment can compensate for these to some extent (e.g., increased magic power recovery, Sage’s correction).
**Skills**
Beings in this world can possess special abilities. Innate abilities are called Genius Skills, while those acquired later through fulfilling certain conditions are called Arc Wide Skills. The skills of Samuel and Gerik are of the former type, while Marius’s Sage’s Correction is of the latter.
**Demonization**
Monsters that meet certain conditions, such as a specific number of kills, can evolve into demons. They gain human-level intelligence, enhanced combat power and skills, and are considered natural enemies of humanity. Upon becoming a demon, they automatically gain the “Monster Control” skill. Generally, individuals originating from stronger monsters like dragons tend to be more powerful (with exceptions). The demons on the Taliant Continent maintain their organization due to the unifying influence of a powerful individual named Rubens, but they do not inherently possess a strong sense of camaraderie. Some demons believe that weaker individuals have no right to speak, or even to exist. However, without exception, Demon Lords are feared, and Tindalos is an object of worship.
