[Meadowville City — Cathedral of Ascending Dawn — Grand Assembly Hall]
On the 15th day of the third week of April 2021, as the day approached its peak at noon and following the impactful message from the Divine Vessel Aurelia Noctessa Lumina, everyone gathered in the Grand Assembly Hall to express their opinions regarding her message. Within the Grand Assembly Hall of the Cathedral, Count Accel von Winchester sat alongside his closest allies and vassals. Opposite him sat the Supreme Matriarch Celestia Virelle Dawnshade, Saintess Isariel Thalyn Evera, and several of the Envoys of Light and High Radiants. The long table before them had been prepared not for comfort, but for deliberation — heavy, world-shaping deliberation.
The Supreme Matriarch closed her eyes for a moment before looking ahead. The weight on her shoulders felt tenfold heavier. She stood from her seat, her hands clasped in front of her. As she spoke, she said, "Our Primordial Goddess has given us an important message about the future. We must all prepare for the time ahead; we have a minimum of two years and a maximum of five years to unite as a whole, united world." The Saintess added her own thoughts, saying, "However, uniting Elysiara is not so simple. The world is vast, divided, and fractured by too many flags, ideals, and ambitions."
Supreme Matriarch Celestia nodded. "Yes, and yet... it must be done. Regardless of those differences. The divine warning leaves no room for hesitation. We must act — and act swiftly."
It was then that Archenvoy Matilda Frances Bellamy raised her voice. "But there's a wall in our path. A towering one."
Everyone turned toward her as she continued, her voice calm but serious. "The Sovereign Order of Dominion."
The hall grew silent.
Accel's expression hardened. Even without delving deeply into their secrets, he had heard of the SOD — a massive alliance of corrupted nobles, militarists, and elitists. Those who bathed themselves in gold, power, and false divinity. An empire in all but name.
Supreme Matriarch Celestia slowly seated herself again. "Indeed, the Sovereign Order of Dominion controls approximately twenty percent of Elysiara's known territories, but its influence likely extends much further. Some speculate that their actual control may be closer to thirty percent—or even more—if we take hidden allegiances into account. This is what our intelligence report indicated."
"They possess wealth beyond estimation, armies groomed for decades, and their own artificial religions. Power, Fame, Wealth — false gods born from arrogance, worshiped not through faith, but greed. Illusions of divinity crafted to justify their rule," said High Radiant Rosalind Ivy Blackwell with a cold tone.
Saintess Isariel looked down for a moment, then spoke. "Even if we spread the divine message, the SOD will not listen. They will see this as an opportunity. A distraction to strengthen their grip."
Accel leaned forward. "If they won't listen, what options do we have?"
Supreme Matriarch Celestia answered, "We will need to pressure them — politically, spiritually, and perhaps… militarily. We cannot afford to let their delusion lead a fifth of humanity to ruin. Especially when the world is given only two to five years to unify."
The silence that followed was heavy, and there was no simple solution. After a few hours had passed and the sun was about to set, the majority of the Luminescent headed to the Teleportation Hub to return to the Main Sanctuary. However, Acolyte-Captain Seran of the 550,000th Ashen Light Squad, who carried an independent badge of Divine Illumination, remained in Meadowville for an additional day. He had received instructions from the High Radiants to announce something important to Count Accel.
As everyone left, only Count Accel, Seran, and the other members of the 550,000th Ashen Light Squad remained inside the Grand Assembly Hall. Seran began speaking, "Count Accel von Winchester, in the name of the High Radiants of Warfare, you have been ordered to join the Luminescent Faith's Religious Order from the Order of the Radiant Vanguard. Initially, you were to start as a Torchbearer Novice, but due to your significant role in this world and the Luminescent Faith, you have been promoted directly to Divine Herald, the 15th rank of the Luminescent Faith's Religious Order. Congratulations on your promotion, and do not let us down. That is the message from the High Radiants of Warfare."
Acolyte-Captain Seran and the other members of the 550,000th Ashen Light Squad placed their hands on their chests in a gesture of respect, similar to a military salute. Accel inquired about Seran's knowledge of the Luminescent Faith's Religious Order. Seran explained, "These are factions within the martial branches of the Luminescent Faith, each dedicated to serving the will of the Primordial Goddess Aurelia Noctessa Lumina through combat, healing, defense, and divine rituals. You a member of the Order of the Radiant Vanguard, your role is that of Frontliners or Frontline Vanguards. You will also be taught the basic level of Holy Melee Combat Techniques, strategies for breaking enemy lines, and practices in Holy Arts and Holy Formations in groups."
Seran then elaborated on the commanding force of the 15th Religious Military Order of the Divine Herald. The Divine Herald is composed of Holy Knights, Priests, Holy Guards, Holy Rangers, Holy Cavalry Knights, and Holy Supporters. The Divine Heralds form a commanding force of 5,000 Combat Believers, which are divided into various units.
[Meadowville City — Teleportation Hub — Entrance Waypoint 5]
On the 16th day of the third week of April 2021, as the sun was about to rise, Acolyte-Captain Seran and his squad moved towards the entrance waypoint to be teleported back to the Caelvaron Continent.
[Winchester Mansion — Assembly Hall]
Count Accel returned to his mansion, where he greeted his friends and vassals, discussing their future. "Everyone, I believe it's time for the Dawnshire Alliance to expand its territories and influence. That's right; a territorial warfare will commence." Accel looked at his mother. "Mother, during this territorial warfare, we will also include the Valenwood Territory. Everything that happens there will depend on your decisions. Father can accompany you during this warfare, but I will oversee the entire operation as I am the leader of the Dawnshire Alliance."
Accel spoke again, "Since we are declaring territorial warfare, this is also an opportunity to increase our merits and accomplishments. We can earn merits based on our actions during the conflict and demonstrate our deeds in dealing with foes such as bandits and runaway criminals if we encounter them during this campaign. So, who is willing to join this territorial warfare?"
Without hesitation, everyone in the alliance raised their hands. Accel continued, "With that, I, Count Accel von Winchester, Leader of the Dawnshire Alliance, declare a territorial warfare throughout the neighboring areas."
Everyone stood up and headed towards the teleportation hub to return home and prepare for the conflict. Count William and his family made their way home as well, but Accel's fiancée, Raizah von Mondragon, stayed at the Winchester mansion to spend more time with him.
Before Accel left the assembly hall, he instructed, "Executive Charles, please send a letter to the House of High Lords informing them that the Dawnshire Alliance will engage in territorial warfare and all other necessary details." Charles nodded and went to fulfill the task while Accel returned to the clinic to rest, as he had not yet fully recovered.