It was noon.
The sun had reached its zenith, proudly dominating the sky. Its light spread across the entire kingdom, illuminating the buildings, the streets, and the vast surrounding landscapes.
Yet, despite the sun's intensity, the heat remained almost nonexistent.
The air was pleasantly cool.
The sun gently warmed the skin without becoming stifling, creating an ideal temperature for enjoying the day.
In Xiu, the city was bustling with activity.
The streets of the city center were crowded.
Residents strolled through the various markets to buy their daily necessities. Merchants called out to passersby, extolling the quality of their wares, while the shops were always full.
"Fresh fruit! Come and try some!"
"Last few healing potions! Exceptional price!"
"Watch your step!"
Further on, several elderly people were seated around small tables in front of outdoor cafes. Dice rolled across the tables.
"Three!"
"You're cheating again, you old fox!"
"Me? Never in my life!" Laughter mingled with the sounds of the city.
In the alleyways, children ran in every direction, chased by their friends. Some dove straight into the large public fountains to the amused shouts of their companions.
"Catch me if you can!"
"Come back here immediately!"
Parents tried their best to keep an eye on them.
Pets also roamed the streets. Some slept peacefully in front of shops, while others followed their owners through the crowds.
The atmosphere was peaceful.
Normal.
The city simply went about its daily business.
On the other side of the kingdom...
Several hundred kilometers away lay Xiapang.
The capital of the Kingdom of Xerpers.
The sun also illuminated its majestic streets. However...
The atmosphere there was very different from that of Xiu.
The streets of the capital were almost empty.
The immense avenues, built to accommodate royal carriages, military ceremonies, and grand processions, seemed strangely calm.
The reason was simple.
The majority of Xiapang's inhabitants belonged to the nobility.
And the nobles...
generally didn't appreciate the idea of mingling unnecessarily with the crowds.
Most preferred to remain in their vast mansions.
Behind high walls.
Far from the hustle and bustle.
A few nobles did, however, stroll through the streets, accompanied by guards or servants. Some chatted quietly with acquaintances, while others went to the capital's prestigious restaurants and cafes.
But outside of these establishments...
The streets remained surprisingly silent.
The capital of Xerpers
Xiapang was not solely a city reserved for noble families.
It represented the true heart of the kingdom.
However, a significant distinction existed among its inhabitants.
Not all nobles possessed the same status.
Some families held minor titles and limited influence.
Others owned vast territories, considerable fortunes, and political influence capable of swaying the kingdom's decisions.
At the top of this hierarchy were the great noble families.
Some of them had existed for centuries.
Their lineages had participated in the founding of the kingdom.
Others had earned their status through warfare, military might, or exceptional mastery of magic.
The capital was also home to many extremely wealthy merchants.
The kingdom's most powerful trading organizations had their headquarters there.
Some merchants, despite lacking noble titles, were sometimes wealthier than certain aristocratic families.
Their economic influence was therefore far from negligible.
The Military and Academic Heart
All the power of the Kingdom of Xerpers was concentrated in Xiapang.
The capital housed the headquarters of the various legions.
The kingdom's most prestigious military units were stationed there.
The best knights.
The most powerful mages.
Elite warriors.
And special units tasked with directly protecting the kingdom's institutions.
But Xiapang was also a vast center of education.
It contained the best academies in the country.
Academies specializing in magic.
Others in martial arts.
Schools for sorcerers and magicians.
Religious institutions training future priests.
Academies of chivalry.
And numerous universities specializing in fields as varied as history, alchemy, magical engineering, politics, and creature research.
For many young people in the kingdom, being accepted into an academy in Xiapang was a tremendous honor.
But also...
The beginning of a rise to power.
The kingdom's political power
At the heart of this vast capital lay the force that governed the entire kingdom of Xerpers.
The kingdom was ruled by a single figure:
The Supreme Monarch.
He represented the highest authority in all of Xerpers.
The Supreme Monarch was considered the direct protector of the kingdom and its people.
His election was not dependent on any single family.
The future ruler was chosen from among the members of the Royal Families, with the direct involvement of the kingdom's second-largest political force:
The Sacred Order.
Thus, the selection of a new Supreme Monarch rested on a balance between royal blood, political lineage, and religious authority.
Once elected...
The Supreme Monarch wielded absolute authority over the kingdom of Xerpers.
He was:
— The supreme commander of the armies.
— The highest authority in the political sphere.
— The official protector of the kingdom's territories.
— The guarantor of the major institutions.
— The central figure in Xerpers' political constitution.
His decisions could influence the fate of millions of people.
But even such immense power could not completely ignore the other major institutions of the kingdom.
For right behind the royal family and the Supreme Monarch...
was an equally ancient power.
The Sacred Order
The Sacred Order represented the second most influential political force in the kingdom.
Its power extended far beyond mere religion.
It was led by a figure known as:
The High Clergy.
The High Clergy was responsible for guiding the Sacred Order and ensuring the observance of religious traditions throughout the kingdom.
Its responsibilities were numerous.
The Sacred Order's mission was to spread the faith.
To preserve sacred texts and traditions.
To guide souls.
And to ensure respect for religious principles throughout the kingdom.
Temples and religious institutions were present in all the major cities.
The priests were therefore not merely spiritual figures.
They also constituted a considerable social and political force.
But the role of the Sacred Order went even further.
It participated directly in the process of designating the future Supreme Monarch.
Alongside the Royal Families, the Sacred Order thus wielded decisive influence in the succession of power.
In the kingdom of Xerpers...
Power, therefore, did not rest solely on military strength.
Nor solely on royal blood.
It rested on a fragile balance.
The Crown.
The Faith.
And political power.
A balance that had allowed the kingdom to become one of the most formidable powers on the continent.
But behind the immense noble residences...
The sacred temples...
The prestigious academies...
And the imposing military legions...
Many power struggles unfolded in the shadows.
For in a kingdom where the Supreme Monarch held absolute authority...
Becoming powerful enough to influence the throne could change the fate of an entire family.
After the Sacred Order came the Royal Family, the third most important and powerful body in the kingdom of Xerpers. Above all, it embodied the continuity of the monarchy, the stability of the dynasty, and the legitimacy of the line of succession.
At the apex of the Royal Family, just after the Supreme Monarch, was the Queen Consort. She represented the gentleness and clemency of the Crown. Where the Supreme Monarch embodied authority and justice, the Queen Consort's role was to moderate certain decisions, ease tensions, and foster peace within the kingdom. She also ensured the continuity of the dynasty and had her own court, entirely under her personal authority. Although her political influence remained limited, she could participate in certain important decisions alongside the Supreme Monarch.
Following her were the Princes and Princesses of the Royal Family, from among whom the potential heirs to the throne were selected. The Supreme Monarch himself established a list of succession composed of several princes and princesses from the various royal lines. Their presence on this list, however, did not guarantee their accession to the throne: each had to demonstrate their worth, loyalty, and ability to govern.
Members of the Royal Family did not directly exercise sovereign power. This belonged exclusively to the Supreme Monarch. However, their royal blood conferred upon them immense prestige and considerable authority. They were respected by the people, honored by the nobility, and often feared by those who opposed the Crown.
According to the Supreme Monarch's will, a prince or princess could receive extremely important responsibilities. Some might be appointed governor of a province, commander of a legion, leader of a particular military corps, or member of high administrative and political councils. Others might be sent to foreign territories to officially represent the Crown and defend the interests of the kingdom.
However, despite their titles and responsibilities, no member of the Royal Family could act entirely according to their own will. Every political, military, or diplomatic function exercised by a prince or princess required the authorization of the Supreme Monarch. Even the most powerful members of the dynasty thus remained subject to the absolute authority of the sovereign.
Thus, the Royal Family constituted the third pillar of power in Xerpers. While not directly governing the kingdom, it ensured the continuity of the monarchy, represented the Crown in its various institutions, and prepared the next generation.
After the Royal Family came the Grand Council of the Crown, the fourth most important political body in the kingdom of Xerpers. It was the principal political organ responsible for assisting the Supreme Monarch in the daily administration and governance of the kingdom.
Unlike the Supreme Monarch, the Grand Council possessed no sovereignty of its own. It could neither impose a decision on the sovereign nor officially oppose his will. Its function was to advise, organize, administer, and execute. The members of the Council studied the affairs of the kingdom, formulated recommendations, established plans, and coordinated their implementation. The Supreme Monarch, however, remained free to accept, modify, or reject their proposals. At the head of the Grand Council was the Grand Chancellor, considered the Supreme Monarch's chief political servant. He was the principal intermediary between the sovereign and the royal administration. He coordinated the various ministries, oversaw the implementation of royal decrees, and ensured that the Supreme Monarch's orders were properly transmitted and executed throughout the kingdom.
The Grand Chancellor could also summon ministers, organize Council meetings, and present reports on the state of the kingdom directly to the Supreme Monarch. Despite his immense influence, he too remained subject to the sovereign's authority.
The Grand Council was composed of the Crown's High Ministers, each responsible for an area essential to the functioning of Xerpers.
The Minister of Administration oversaw all royal officials and the territorial organization of the state. He ensured the proper functioning of provincial administrations, the appointment and discipline of senior officials, and the effective transmission of Crown orders.
The Minister of the Treasury was responsible for the kingdom's finances. He oversaw tax collection, the management of royal wealth, monetary reserves, natural resources, and state expenditures. He regularly presented the state of the kingdom's finances to the Council and the Supreme Monarch.
The Minister of Laws and Justice oversaw the judicial organization of Xerpers. He ensured the uniform application of royal laws, the administration of the courts, and the functioning of the various institutions responsible for administering justice. He could also submit proposals to the Supreme Monarch regarding changes to the law.
The Minister of Rites and Sacred Affairs held a particularly delicate position due to the considerable influence of the Holy Order. He was responsible for official ceremonies, royal rites, and religious events related to the Crown. He also ensured the institutional liaison between the royal government and the High Clergy, preventing conflicts between the temporal authority of the kingdom and the spiritual authority of the Holy Order.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs was responsible for Xerpers' diplomatic relations with other kingdoms, empires, and foreign territories. He oversaw ambassadors, treaties, trade and diplomatic negotiations, and political relations with foreign powers.
The Minister of Public Works and Resources was responsible for the kingdom's material development. His authority included major public works, royal roads, canals, urban infrastructure, supply systems, and the exploitation and distribution of certain resources essential to the kingdom.
Finally, the Minister of War oversaw the general administration of Xerpers' military forces. He was responsible for logistics, financing, the administrative organization of the armies, and the management of military resources. However, his authority was not to be confused with that of the supreme command: the Supreme Monarch remained the absolute head of all the kingdom's armed forces.
Thus, the Grand Council constituted the true administrative and governmental center of Xerpers without becoming a counterweight to the sovereign. It allowed the Supreme Monarch to govern a vast kingdom without having to personally manage every matter.
The system was therefore based on a simple principle: the Council governs in execution, but the Monarch reigns in decision-making.
In this way, Xerpers' political authority remained entirely concentrated around the Crown, while the Great Council ensured the continuity and efficiency of the royal administration.
After the supreme bodies and the Grand Council, the bureaucracy constitutes the true administrative apparatus that allows the Supreme Monarch to exercise his authority throughout the kingdom.
We can therefore continue as follows:
The Grand Imperial Administration
The kingdom of Xerpers rests upon a vast bureaucratic administration tasked with implementing the Crown's decisions even in the most remote regions. Its officials are selected primarily based on their skills, knowledge, experience, and merit, rather than on their birth or noble lineage.
They are considered the direct representatives of the Supreme Monarch's authority. Their function is therefore not to govern in their own name, but to administer the territory in accordance with the laws, royal decrees, and directives issued by the Grand Council of the Crown.
To prevent any administrator from accumulating enough power to become independent of the Crown, the administration of Xerpers is organized according to an extremely strict hierarchy:
Supreme Monarch
Governors of the Great Provinces
Prefects
Magistrates and District Administrators
Local Authorities
The kingdom is thus divided into Great Provinces, each under the authority of a Governor appointed or confirmed by the Supreme Monarch. These governors oversee all provincial administration and transmit the Crown's directives to lower levels.
The Great Provinces are then divided into Prefectures, administered by Prefects. These Prefects manage the day-to-day affairs of the territories, supervise the officials under their authority, and ensure the implementation of royal decrees.
Next come the Districts, headed by specialized magistrates and administrators. They are responsible for local justice, taxation, administrative security, resource management, and the practical enforcement of laws.
Finally, local authorities administer towns, villages, and other local territories. They constitute the lowest rung of the bureaucracy and are in direct contact with the population.
This entire administration is subject to a permanent system of imperial inspection. Inspectors can be sent to any province, prefecture, or district to examine accounts, audit officials, investigate abuses of power, and verify the implementation of royal decrees.
Corruption, embezzlement of public resources, and the establishment of independent local power are considered direct threats to the authority of the Supreme Monarch. Officials found guilty can be dismissed, tried, and severely punished according to the gravity of their crimes.
This system thus allows the Supreme Monarch to maintain centralized authority, even over a vast kingdom. Governors, prefects and magistrates have important administrative responsibilities, but none of them possesses sovereignty of their own; their power derives entirely from the Crown and can be taken away from them by the Crown.
To preserve the authority of the central government and prevent governors, ministers, and high-ranking officials from transforming their positions into personal power, the Supreme Monarch has an independent body at his disposal: the Royal Inspectors.
The Royal Inspectors are not beholden to any province, prefecture, administration, or ministry. Their sole authority is that of the Throne. They can therefore travel to any part of the kingdom without having to request permission from the local authorities they come to inspect.
Their mission is to monitor the functioning of the administration and investigate abuses committed by those holding public office. Specifically, they can investigate corruption, embezzlement, abuse of power, forgery, illicit enrichment, political conspiracies, and plots against the Crown.
When a governor or high-ranking official is suspected of treason or corruption, the Royal Inspectors can open an investigation, question the officials involved, and consult administrative and financial records. In the most serious cases, they can order the temporary suspension of an official to prevent them from destroying evidence or using their influence to obstruct the investigation. Major cases are then referred to the appropriate judicial authorities or directly to the Supreme Monarch, depending on their gravity.
To prevent them from becoming a threat to the central government, Royal Inspectors are also subject to strict oversight. Their activities are recorded, and their reports are sent directly to the Crown. An inspector found guilty of corruption, tampering with an investigation, or abusing their authority can face particularly severe penalties.
The armed forces constitute the Royal Military Corps, an institution independent of the nobility, provincial governors, and civil authorities. It reports directly to the Supreme Monarch, who is its Supreme Commander and holds ultimate military authority over the entire kingdom.
No nobleman, governor, or minister may freely command a personal army large enough to rival the royal forces. The military forces are organized according to a strict hierarchy and divided among several corps to prevent any single general from concentrating the entirety of the kingdom's military power in his hands.
After the Supreme Monarch, the highest military authority is the Grand Marshal of the Kingdom. He is the country's principal military commander and coordinates the overall strategy of the armed forces. He oversees the various military corps, organizes large-scale operations, and prepares the kingdom's defense plans. However, his authority remains subordinate to that of the Crown: he cannot commit the kingdom to a major war, mobilize all royal forces, or launch a large-scale military campaign without the Supreme Monarch's authorization.
Under his authority are several major military components.
The Royal Guard
The Royal Guard constitutes the absolute elite of the Royal Military Corps. It provides direct protection for the Supreme Monarch, the Royal Family, and key locations associated with the Crown.
It notably protects the royal palaces, official residences, Crown treasures, and certain sites considered essential to the continuity of the kingdom.
Its commander answers directly to the Supreme Monarch and cannot receive orders from a governor, minister, or member of the nobility. The Royal Guard thus represents the last line of defense for royal power.
The Central Imperial Army
The Central Imperial Army is the main standing military force of Xerpers. It is stationed primarily around the capital, Xiapang, as well as in strategic regions of the kingdom.
It is divided into several legions and armies, each under the command of a general. This division allows the Supreme Monarch to command a considerable force while preventing a single general from controlling the entire central army.
It constitutes the kingdom's main striking force during major wars and can be rapidly deployed to any Great Province requiring military reinforcement.
Provincial Armies
Each Great Province has its own military forces responsible for maintaining order, protecting the population, and defending provincial borders.
However, these armies are not private forces belonging to the governors. Their commanders are appointed, confirmed, or dismissed by the Crown. They remain officers of the Royal Military Corps before being servants of their province.
Under normal circumstances, the provincial armies have a degree of operational autonomy to respond quickly to local threats. However, when a major war breaks out, they can be placed under the strategic coordination of the Grand Marshal of the Kingdom.
This organization prevents governors from transforming their provinces into independent militarized territories.
The Armed Sacred Orders
Religion plays a fundamental role in the political organization of Xerpers, and the High Clergy also has its own forces: the Armed Sacred Orders.
These orders comprise warriors who have received both military and religious training. Their primary mission is to protect sanctuaries, temples, sacred relics, pilgrims, and high-ranking religious figures.
They can also be mobilized during certain campaigns when the Crown and the High Clergy deem a threat to have a religious or sacred dimension.
Each member of the Armed Sacred Orders swears a double oath: to the Faith and to the Supreme Monarch.
Despite their power and prestige, their numbers and military capabilities are strictly controlled by the Crown. They cannot possess a force large enough to become an independent army capable of competing with the Royal Military Corps.
Finally, Xerpers possesses a specialized corps dedicated to reconnaissance, intelligence, and military information gathering.
Its agents are deployed at the borders, in dangerous regions, and sometimes beyond the kingdom's borders. They study the movements of foreign armies, monitor hostile territories, identify emerging threats, and transmit their information to military authorities.
Some agents may also be tasked with clandestine missions within the kingdom to identify preparations for a rebellion, suspicious movements of certain organizations, or any threat likely to compromise national security. Intelligence thus constitutes Xerpers' first line of defense: before engaging an enemy, the kingdom first seeks to know its location, its plans, and the threat it poses.