>>6088909In the nearly 25 years since Archbishop Byleth Eisner’s reign over the Unified Kingdom of Fodlan, the continent had enjoyed unprecedented peace and prosperity. Even the neighboring nations of Almyra and Sreng, who’d endured long histories of volatility, had not been spared this virus. Both countries had gotten their domestic affairs under control, and equally flourished under an era of
nonviolence.So then, what was someone like you, who had seemingly been born for the single-minded purpose of warfare to do? Your mentor from the Officer’s Academy had once cautioned that you would need to find this answer for yourself, lest you waste your talents away before your eyes. He’d suggested turning towards faith and chivalry, serving as an educator and model for young knights.
Taking his advice under consideration, you instead turned towards boozing and women. Those were conquests of a sort as well, after all. But a cask of fine ale and a supple, well-endowed pegasus knight could only take a man so far. With no lands to lay claim to, and preferring death over a boring life of sitting in a dilapidated fort somewhere along a border that would never see action, you were ready to resign to your fate. You planned to spend the next fifty years of your life residing in your aunt’s castle, carving woodland creatures (you’d gotten quite good at dogs), until you were mercifully killed by gout, or perhaps an undercooked mutton.
At least, that was until Castle Rusalka had received a certain letter. One that threatened to shake the very fabric of the world you knew.
<span class="mu-i">>“Esteemed warriors of the world, my country’s long isolation is at an end! I seek a King worthy of ruling by my side. Send me your nation’s strongest, worthiest champions. Make the journey to Morfis, City of Illusions. In three months time, a grand competition shall be held. The one who proves themselves most true and valiant shall be the one to claim my hand in everlasting marriage. Our lives and nations will be bound forevermore in union.”
Signed,
Princess Yulia xan Phanes
The letter had gone out to all the major houses in Fodlan, and judging by its content, had likely also been distributed to Sreng and Almyra as well. The desert nation of Morfis was an isolationist country, several miles off the southern coast of Fodlan, across the sea from Rusalka. They’d always maintained only sparse communication with the rest of the world. In the years following the Unification War, they’d engaged in light trading with Rusalka, but remained an overall large mystery. Still, those few people who’d been granted access to the City of Illusions, had reported back a startlingly alien culture.One that was rich in both unknown magic, as well as technology. Meaningful attempts at diplomacy had always fallen on flat ears with Morfis, but now here was their ruler, offering her hand and nation in marriage.</span>
