The southernmost province of the former Catha Empire has now become the Duchy of Charal.
The former lord's fortress in the southern province has now been converted into the Duke's Castle of the Duchy, standing about forty meters high, grand and magnificent. Some walls and watchtowers were removed, making it appear much more imposing than the original lord's fortress.
The former Emperor of the Catha Empire, now Duke Charal Caesar, most enjoys standing at the very top of the Duke's Castle each day, looking down upon everything within his territory: his remaining elite legions, his current subjects, and his loyal generals.
And his most loyal warrior, the most valiant General Kyle, stood beside him, shoulder to shoulder, an act of overstepping he had never before permitted. Clearly, Duke Charal Caesar had changed a great deal over this long period.
"How were your inspections, Kyle?" Duke Charal Caesar asked, his expression calm and his eyes deep, as a pair of strong forearms emerged from beneath his wide robes, resting on the castle railing.
"Your Majesty, based on the population potential of two provinces, we can raise two full-strength legions within three years. Any more would be unsustainable, and we would need to ensure that every household in the territory retains one adult laborer to maintain normal basic production and food supply for the territory."
"If we conscript without restraint, we could raise four more legions, but that would plunge the territory into collapse. Perhaps many people would flee the territory, and then things would be very bad. Without food supplies, even the original elite legions might desert!"
Although he had been demoted from Emperor to Duke, General Kyle still referred to Duke Charal as "Your Majesty" in daily conversation, and he was clearly somewhat worried that the former Emperor was too impatient.
A faint, eerie green light flashed in the Duke's eyes. He remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking: "Let's take it slow. This time, we will learn from our last lesson and no longer preserve the privileges of those noble lords. We will re-establish a sufficiently pure and powerful kingdom."
The Duke, who had stepped onto the battlefield since his youth, was filled with heroic spirit. He laughed, "It's just another try. I succeeded before, so why can't I do it now that I'm stronger, Kyle? Come with me and let's do it again! After all, we're still young!"
A hint of surprise flashed in General Kyle's eyes as he stood beside him, but he still bowed his head and said, "I will always follow Your Majesty's footsteps and rebuild the kingdom!"
Duke Charal Caesar nodded in satisfaction, then turned and walked into the castle.
A young girl in a white lace dress was waiting for Duke Charal Caesar in the castle. This was the former Imperial Princess, now grown into an outstanding young woman.
The once mischievous blonde girl had now become quiet and ladylike. When she saw her father approach, she did not rush forward like a child, but instead elegantly lifted the hem of her skirt slightly with her two fair and slender hands, bowing her head in greeting.
"Haha, my dearest girl is here!" Charal Caesar strode forward, took his daughter's hand, and laughed, "I wonder if my pure angel has some good news to tell me. I seem to see joy on her face!"
"Father, someone has taken up the bounty issued secretly. Their identity is that of the famous True Dragon Slaying Team, Scarlet Rose," Leah said with delight on her face. Her lively movements, sweet voice as she spoke, and the occasional glimpse of her two buck teeth made the girl appear exceptionally mischievous. Clearly, her quiet demeanor was merely on the surface.
"Hmm," Charal Caesar nodded, then suddenly tightened his grip on his eldest daughter's hand.
"Ah!" A sudden pain shot through her wrist as her hand was gripped tightly, as if her bones were about to crack. The mischievous girl couldn't help but cry out.
"Damn it, I was distracted just now and accidentally hurt my pure angel. Someone! Check on Leah!" Charal Caesar seemed to come back to his senses at that moment and quickly summoned his servants.
Teary-eyed, Leah shook her head and widened her eyes, saying, "I'm fine, Father. Don't trouble them."
"Hmm," Charal Caesar nodded, then suddenly said, "Leah, I just thought of some things I still need to handle. You go back and rest first."
Teary-eyed, Leah nodded, watching her father hurry into his study. She always felt that her father had been a bit strange lately. Although his personality hadn't changed, he was often mysterious in many ways.
"Hoo, hoo."
Charal Caesar closed the heavy door of the study, made of precious sandalwood, and leaned against the sturdy castle wall, panting heavily. Veins bulged beneath his wide robes, and his once robust body was now tinged with a faint, eerie green light.
In his eyes, the deep green light was as thick as the deepest emerald, and whispers, like the temptations of a devil, echoed continuously in his heart and mind.
"Charal, why don't you offer your most cherished angel, your favorite daughter, to me? Offer her to me, just as you offered your elder and younger sons to me."
"Your beloved pure angel is also my cherished soul angel. Offer her to me, and you will not only gain more lifespan but also stronger power."
"Offer her to me, Charal Caesar. A pure soul can help you advance further. Please me, and perhaps I will bestow upon you the Covenant of Godhood!"
Voices like the most evil devils and most seductive succubi from the abyss of hell lingered in Charal Caesar's entire mind, tempting his will, disrupting his spirit, and making him unable to distinguish between reality and illusion, truth and falsehood.
"Bang!"
Charal Caesar suddenly turned around, faced the castle wall, and slammed his head against it. The skull of a Saint-rank warrior and the solid stone wall actually produced a dull thud upon impact.
Intense pain shot from his head, and blood seeped from his indented forehead. The pain also caused Charal Caesar's will to clear again.
"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" Charal Caesar's eyes were filled with unimaginable rage. He hissed in a low voice, "I am the Emperor of the catha Empire! My will is supreme! Do not try to control my will, you lowly evil demon who only dares to hide in corners and corrupt hearts!"
"I am the Emperor of Humanity! Even an evil god must submit to my will! Haha, even the Covenant of Godhood you promised, I do not covet. I will become the God of Humanity, not an evil god like you!"
"Sacrificing my children was my choice, a choice I made to survive. But Charal Leah is my last pure sanctuary, not to be touched."
"My free will also does not allow you to meddle! Remember, evil demon, you are merely a tool of Charal Caesar! If there is a next time, I will take you to the church, even if it costs me everything!"
Charal Caesar's spiritual will gradually solidified. His will also returned to a free calmness, but the mental communication was more resolute than ever before.
"Alright, alright," the illusory, overlapping voices, as if coming from beyond the real world, said intermittently, "Don't be nervous, Charal. I was just too delighted to see a pure soul. I promise it won't happen again. It definitely won't happen like this next time. Definitely next time!"
Charal Caesar's eyes were firm, and he straightened his body again. His indented skull slowly recovered under the surge of power. He once again became the Duke, the Emperor, full of heroic spirit and the will to reshape the world.
Only, in a place Charal Caesar couldn't perceive, a familiar voice chuckled softly, "Hehe, the more determined a person is, the more satisfying it is to tame them. Charal, my lovely little darling, when you learn that those so-called human gods are already too busy with themselves, I hope you can still have the will to resist me. How I look forward to it!"
Knock, knock.
The small gate of the courtyard was gently knocked, and the unique rhythmic signal allowed everyone lounging in the yard to relax.
A nimble figure flashed, leaping over the high wall and landing on the ground, light and silent, demonstrating the newcomer's exceptional control and agile technique.
This was a handsome young man with black hair named Bill, the master assassin of the renowned True Dragon Slaying adventure team, Scarlet Rose. He was also one of the rare Saint-rank assassins, a master of stealth skilled in shadow techniques.
At this moment, the handsome young man, Bill, had a sunny smile on his face, and a small dimple appeared on his left cheek, making him look like an exceptionally harmless older brother from next door, appearing particularly approachable.
Bill held up an exquisite parchment in his right hand, smiling and revealing the dimple on his cheek as he said, "Woohoo, work's here, everyone! I've taken on a big job, enough for us to disband and go home after this one, and enjoy a pleasant retirement!"
"What big job, Bill? Don't just pick any bounty. Our last job can't go sideways," the cautious team leader, a blonde high-level Magician, looked over.
The rest of the team also looked over. This was a relatively mature team, consisting of a Magician, an assassin, a warrior, a priest, an administrator in charge of equipment and logistics, and a Druid.
"Hehe, it's that big job. Who doesn't know that the former Emperor of the Catha Empire, Charal Caesar, utterly detests that group of True Dragon, as well as the nobles and Magicians who betrayed him. But those Magicians are not easy to deal with and not to be provoked, and the bounty offered is too little. Only the bounty for those True Dragon is generous enough!"
The young, handsome, yet exceptionally approachable assassin said with a chuckle.
"Are you crazy, Bill? Stick your head over here and let me see what in the world you're thinking!" The team's other Saint-rank member, also the team's breacher and solid shield, the Saint-rank warrior, stood up, his face instantly changing color as he loudly retorted.
This Saint-rank warrior's muscles bulged all over his body, and his standing height reached about two meters three, but his robust physique even made those extraordinarily talented Centaur Warrior pale in comparison.
"That's a Lord True Dragon, not like those wandering, solitary evil True Dragon we've hunted before. He's not one of those wild evil True Dragon; he has his own True Dragon and countless dependents. Even a team led by a Legendary warrior wouldn't dare say they could complete this mission!"
The Saint-rank warrior spoke in a booming voice. Although the power of a Saint-rank warrior was strong enough, the destructive force unleashed was sufficient to harm ordinary young or even adult True Dragon (not specifically White True Dragon ).
But that didn't mean he could directly contend with a young True Dragon. Individual quality differences always existed. The True Dragon's body was much larger than his, so its strength was something he could not possibly contend with, unless this Saint-rank warrior stepped into the Legendary domain, touching upon the edges of certain rules.
In that case, a Legendary warrior might be able to contend with a True Dragon head-on. And this Saint-rank warrior had also seen the magic record crystals circulated by those Magicians back then; the Red Dragon shown in the footage clearly hadn't used its full power, and after such a long time, who knew how much this Red Dragon might have grown.
If they took on this mission, it meant the team would inevitably confront the True Dragon head-on. According to the team's usual tactics, he would definitely need to act as the team's shield, temporarily resisting the Red Dragon's attacks, then the other members would gradually eliminate the Red Dragon's minions and the True Dragons that were serving him,and finally focus fire to kill the Red Dragon.
The problem was, this Saint-rank warrior himself wasn't confident he could withstand the Red Dragon's attacks. Contending with a Red Dragon head-on, even a warrior whose head was full of muscles wouldn't do such a thing.
Moreover, this Red Dragon was a Lord True Dragon with countless dependents. At that point, just those dependents could wipe out the entire team.
The team's leader, the blonde Magician, also spread his hands and said helplessly, "Why do you think this bounty has been sitting for so long, Bill? Have you been dazed by those girls' fair bosoms?"
"Boss, aren't we going to quit after this job?" Bill's grinning face wore a lazy smile, making all the team members want to punch him.
"The amount of this bounty is so huge that, well, how should I put it? Each person gets twenty thousand gold coins just as a deposit," Bill said, holding up the parchment in his hand and winking at everyone.
"Anyway, we've decided to quit, so why not take this money? We can go for a stroll in the True Dragon's territory. If we get a chance, we'll hit them hard. If not, we'll go home and retire."
"As for the name of Scarlet Rose, do you care?" Bill asked the Magician.
"Or do you care a lot?" he then asked the warrior.
"Or do you care a lot about this reputation?" Bill asked everyone one by one with a grin.
Everyone fell silent. After a long while, the blonde Magician sighed, clapped his hands to gather the entire team's attention, and then said, "Tsk, let me calculate. Bill's single job, selling off our entire Scarlet Rose's reputation and name for, um, one, two, three, four, five, ten people, twenty thousand gold coins each, that's two hundred thousand gold coins."
"But personally, I think this business is very profitable. Does anyone object?" The blonde Magician's gaze swept over everyone in the team.
"Heh," the Saint-rank warrior grinned. He laughed, "Boss, why object to a business that makes money without effort? Whoever objects, come try my fist!"
A burst of laughter immediately erupted in the courtyard. Those who had long been active in the world and managed to retreat unscathed were never trustworthy or kind-hearted individuals!
...
At the peak of the mountains, the True Dragon gathered here. Except for Kalon and Alina, who were far away, all the True Dragon were gathered on the mountaintop, and even Red Copper Dragon Alfred was invited.
This was the Dragons Council, and also the future highest-level council. Although the overall system of the Dragon Kingdom was still under discussion and negotiation, the supreme rule of the True Dragon had already been established.
In the future, the Dragon Kingdom will implement a relatively democratic system under the autocratic rule of the Red Dragon, and below the Red Dragon will be the highest-level Dragon clans Council. Only True Dragons recognized by the True Dragon clan can join this council, and it holds the highest power to regulate the kingdom.
Below the Dragon clan Council are the organizations and various departmental agencies of the various kingdoms.
Although Red Copper Dragon Alfred has not yet received permission from the True Dragon to build his nest in the mountains, he has been recognized by the Dragon clan as a future member. Because of Red Copper Dragon Alfred's personality, almost no True Dragon dislikes him.
However, although Alfred was invited, he was very self-aware. He had neither qualifications nor made any contributions yet. It could be said that a fart he released now was more effective than anything he said. So, he just quietly stayed at the end of the True Dragon, watching the True Dragon's disputes and discussions.
The Blue Dragon Carlit with long blue hair, along with the young Countess Bartoli and the young Mimi Eye Mage Hsiusir, stood in front of the True Dragon, awaiting their resolution and judgment.
And the Blue Dragon Carlit, her face now bore an expression of indifference and calmness. She had enveloped her heart in a coldness; ever since she betrayed her True Dragon, she could no longer be accepted or recognized by the True Dragon.
This was an unforgivable betrayal for all True Dragon families. Even a True Dragon family composed entirely of Blue Dragons, upon learning of Carlit's actions, would execute this Blue Dragon and hang Carlit's head at the highest point of the Dragon Clan Territory to warn future True Dragon s. This was an order and rule that even the Chromatic Dragon Queen Tiamat could not prevent.
"I think Carlit should be killed, her head hung on the peak of the mountains, her flesh and blood used as fertilizer for the True Dragon's orchard, and her scales and bones will become the True Dragon's collection," Blue Dragon Dos's azure pupils flickered with subtle lightning patterns, and violent electric sparks leaped between his breaths.
Evidently, this betrayal by a fellow clan member deeply shamed Blue Dragon Dos. He looked at the calm-faced Carlit with killing intent, and this feigned indifference only ignited a surging desire to kill him. "Carlit, she doesn't even show the slightest remorse, nor has she apologized to the Dragon clan. She deserves to die!"
Even the former simp-True Dragon Akzi, this young Blue Dragon, found it difficult to speak up for Blue Dragon Carlit. He now identified more with the True Dragon, and as for Carlit, Akzi believed that the increasingly powerful Dragon clan would certainly not lack female True Dragons in the future, and he wouldn't hang on one tree.
However, Blue Dragon Akzi did not kick her while she was down. He just calmly looked at his former goddess True Dragon. After shedding the halo he had once attached to himself, he realized that Carlit was nothing more than that.
The Black Dragon Rosani strongly agreed with Blue Dragon Dos's opinion.the Black Dragons were inherently the most cruel and bloodthirsty among the Chromatic Dragons. Although Red Dragons were brutal, Black True Dragons simply loved slaughter.
The Black Dragon Rosani raised his Dragon claw and agreed with Blue Dragon Dos's opinion, "I agree with Dos. Traitors are unforgivable. The True Dragon will punish the guilty and reward the meritorious. This is also our custom!"
Green Dragon Antagena was indifferent to the matter. She was only focused on holding the tiny Pixie Raven with both True Dragon claws, occasionally licking the Pixie's cheek, which emitted a scent that was quite alluring to Green Dragons.
Although Pixie Raven was not included in the Dragon clans Council, she now held a sufficiently prominent official position: Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture. While other departments had not yet been finalized, the Department of Agricultural Affairs had already been decided first, as it was of utmost importance, the foundation of a nation.
Now, Pixie Raven has begun to entice other Pixies to come and serve in the Dragon Kingdom. These Pixies all possess a talent for plant affinity, and in the field of agriculture, they will quickly become specialized masters.
Kalon once fantasized that the scene of these Pixies wielding small hoes and sparking could perhaps come true. Although these Pixies would not farm the land like farmers, Pixies who enjoyed planting flowers would also become gardeners in the Dragon clan's garden in the future.
Red Dragon Klenaya felt nothing for Carlit. She even used to fantasize, when she was young, about challenging this Blue Dragon, who was the leader of the True Dragon family, and then establishing a Red Dragon family, where she would be the noble Red Dragon Matriarch.
But now, Carlit was no longer in her eyes. Her only goal was to follow Kalon's footsteps. Such vulgar and ordinary True Drago s were merely roadside dog in her eyes, not worth her attention.
Only White Dragon Germott, this young True Dragon once respectfully called the White King by many, stood out.
White True Dragon Germott walked out of the True Dragon and stood in the middle of them. His rational eyes, filled with peace and wisdom, scanned the eyes of all the True Dragon s, including Carlit, as well as Countess Bartoli and Magician Hiusier.
"I have read all the history in the True Dragon's inheritance, and I have found that tolerance is never a sign of weakness, but a powerful quality," Germott's voice was deep and resonant.
"Now, which of the Chromatic Dragon can openly be active in the world? We should absorb every bit of strength to strengthen ourselves," White Dragon Germott's eyes lit up, and he said loudly, "Of course, tolerance does not mean indulgence. Carlit should also pay the price for her choice."
White Dragon Germott turned to face Blue Dragon Carlit. He held his head high, looking down at the Blue Dragon. "Carlit, you now have two choices. The first choice is to be expelled from the Dragon clan territory and never be allowed to set foot in the Dragon clan's territory, no matter how far the Dragon clan's territory expands in the future, or where the Dragon clan sets foot, you must retreat, to show your submission and respect to the Dragon clan!"
"If the True Dragon finds your presence, then you will become the enemy of all True Dragons, our prey. We will mercilessly treat you as an invading enemy, kill your body, and let your soul return to Tiamat's divine kingdom forever!"
Color finally appeared on Blue Dragon Carlit's calm face, like a blank sheet of paper suddenly stained with other colors. She raised her head and looked into the White Dragon's eyes, waiting for his words.
"The second choice is to atone for your actions. Before you receive the Dragon clan's forgiveness and pardon, you will forever remain in a state of sin and will not be able to transform into a True Dragon."
"In every battle that occurs within the Dragon clan, you will need to charge at the forefront, holding your weapon, wearing your armor, and cutting through the enemy's flesh and blood for the Dragon clan."
"The most dangerous places will require you to charge forward, and the most arduous tasks will also require you to be the first to lead, thereby atoning for your sins, until you have lived out your life as a mortal, with a hundred-year limit!"
It must be said that White Dragon Germott's approach was different from most Dragons; the two choices he gave Blue Dragon Carlit were actually only one choice.
If Carlit chose the first path, she would immediately fall into the White Dragon's linguistic trap and become a hunting target for all True Dragons.
She would likely find several True Dragon s following her as soon as she stepped out of the True Dragon's territory. Blue Dragon Carlit was not some exceptionally gifted True Dragon; facing the Dragon clan's encirclement, it would only be a three-to-seven split, with Carlit becoming seven pieces in three seconds.
And the second path, which was the White True Dragon's customized path of exploitation and blessings, even in human form, a True Dragon possesses strength unmatched by most creatures. Whether Carlit serves as a warrior or handles other tasks, she is more effective than ordinary humans.
Because True Dragons are full of energy and almost never tire, they can be said to be flesh-and-blood robots.
This is also where White Dragon Germott differs from other Dragons; he more rationally adopts the role of a ruler, rather than simply acting based on the True Dragon's instinctive preferences.
This was also the reason Kalon had not sent out other True Dragons before, like Bronze Dragon Alina, to establish cities and develop territories.
In Kalon's view, the Chromatic Dragons, who had not received sufficient experience and transformation, were only suitable for causing big trouble, not for accomplishing big things. Many Chromatic Dragons were haphazard, neglecting the end for the beginning, making it hard to say whether they were developing territory or messing it up.
And White Dragon Germott has now gradually emerged from among the many young True Dragon s. Even the more stable Blue Dragon Dos cannot compare to the White True Dragon in this regard—a White True Dragon who knows how to learn and summarize history.
"I choose the second path,"the Blue Dragon Carlit made her choice. She had no other options; not being immediately executed was already the best outcome for her, a betrayer.
"Very good," White True Dragon Germott nodded, imitating the Red Dragon. He turned to the True Dragon and asked, "Everyone, my brothers, what do you think of my approach? Can it help us reach a unified opinion!"
"I have no objection," Blue Dragon Akzi was the first to raise his paw. He suddenly rediscovered Carlit's beauty and felt that Blue Dragon Carlit could still be saved.
"I have no objection either," White Dragon camid lazily wagged his long tail. This White Dragon would only unreservedly support Kalon's and Germott's ideas, being indifferent to other matters. He had even been sleeping just now, without even opening his eyes.
Because Camid heard Kalon say that adolescence is the most important time for growth, one should eat more, sleep more, and preferably look at female True Dragon s less!
"I have no objection either," the Green Dragon raised the Pixie, and Klenaya also expressed her approval of the White Dragon's actions.
Blue Dragon Dos watched as all his companions agreed, so he also raised his True Dragon claw, endorsing the White True Dragon's proposal.
Red Copper Dragon Alfred finally whispered, "Then, I agree too?"
White Dragon Germott achieved the desired effect. He turned back to the quietly waiting young Countess and Magician and said softly, "Your attitude has won the Dragon clan's friendship. Please allow me to express our gratitude on behalf of the Dragon clan. Next, it's time to discuss your matters with the Dragon clan!"
Kalon's massive body stood on the mountaintop, quietly overlooking the long line of pioneering troops below. His body seemed like a mountain upon a mountain, radiating shimmering brilliance under the sunlight, like a divine halo enveloping his entire being.
Loud, wild, and varied songs rose from the crowd below the mountain, clearly audible even to the Red Dragon on the mountain.
Bronze Dragon Alina spread her wings and held her head high below, and under her leadership, all the people raised their wooden bowls and sang loudly.
Sing with joy, scion of the True Dragon;
Sing of the First World's dawn;
Born from chaos, given beauty's hue.
Sing of the Platinum True Dragon God Bahamut,
Who shaped mountains and lakes with mighty form.
Sing of the Multi-Colored Dragon God Tiamat,
Who painted endless worlds with vibrant design.
They awakened together from the darkness,
And together toiled and strived to create the world.
Sing with joy, scion of the True Dragon;
Sing of Sadivo's birth into the world,
The True Dragon Gods, in their own likeness,
Carved his image from ruby,
The first-born True Dragon and the two True Dragon Gods,
Laid the foundation for the True Dragon race,
Metallic True Dragon s and Chromatic True Dragon s.
Sing with joy, scion of the True Dragon!
For He gave at the dawn of creation,
Infusing life's power into you.
Sing with joy, scion of the True Dragon,
Sing of the outsiders' arrival,
Gods ignited raging war,
Mortal offspring, countless throng.
They came to the First World,
Seeking homes for many followers.
With mighty magic and vast armies,
The invading Gods ultimately triumphed,
Noble Bahamut was struck down,
While Sadivo hid within the world's heart.
Sing with joy, scion of the True Dragon;
Sing of Tiamat's current visage,
Burning with rage for a hopeless victory.
She will never flee or surrender,
She will fight until death's cold claws descend.
Yet the Gods who waged war imprisoned her,
She will not meet death,
Only pain will bury her,
She will never see the light of day,
Chained by usurping Gods who stole creation.
Sing with joy, scion of the True Dragon;
Sing of the outsiders taming the world,
Their people thriving in the new world,
Like seeds sprouting and growing on the earth.
Elegant Elves dwell in vast forests,
Stubborn Dwarves tunnel through towering mountains,
Savage Orcs claim valleys and caves,
Cunning Goblins get barren fringes,
Halflings cultivate verdant fields,
Lizardfolk hide deep in swamps,
While Humans spread across all lands.
Sing with joy, scion of the True Dragon;
Sing of Bahamut forging peace,
He was invited to the mountain paradise,
Revered as Holy King by Platinum Paladins.
Sing of his journey of discovery,
Understanding the new Gods and their offspring,
He yearns for Tiamat's freedom,
Mourning her no longer walking in the world's halls.
Sing with joy, scion of the True Dragon;
Sing of Tiamat breaking chains and returning to freedom.
Recount her gathering her many children, commanding the Chromatic True Dragon s to sow chaos.
Sing of her vengeful fury,
Lightning, venom, frost, flame, corrosive acid.
Now the True Dragon God takes a five-headed form,
Terrifying in shape, mighty in power,
She unleashes havoc upon the world,
Bringing destruction, unstoppable.
Sing with joy, scion of the True Dragon;
Sing of the former First World,
Shattered into infinite reality.
Sing of Bahamut and Tiamat,
Mourning their laborious creation destroyed in a single day.
Also sing of Sadivo,
Whose divine consciousness scattered into myriad fragments.
Sing with joy, scion of the True Dragon;
You shall inherit the True Dragon Gods' great work,
Reign over the former First World—though it is a shattered past!