stakes - gambling with gods.

Chapter 5 The Eastern Empire

"That's all there is for today. Come on over tomorrow. Should that lunat-" The hologram of Devon abruptly vanished, leaving the room in a brief moment of confusion and silence. Students exchanged puzzled glances, trying to make sense of the sudden interruption and the unresolved sentence hanging in the air.

Just as the room began to regain its composure, the door burst open with a bang, revealing a new figure hastily entering the classroom. The man, appearing slightly disheveled and clearly in a hurry, seemed to have come straight from another class or meeting. Without any form of greeting or introduction, he briskly approached the chalkboard and hastily scrawled the word "History" in bold letters.

The class watched with curiosity and a touch of apprehension, uncertain of what to expect from this impromptu arrival. The man, with his energetic demeanor, wasted no time and launched into his lecture at an accelerated pace.

"Okay, class, let's get started," the professor declared, his words flowing seamlessly without pause. His relentless energy commanded the room, leaving little room for hesitation or delay. The students exchanged glances, initially taken aback by the professor's direct and no-nonsense approach.

"Today, we shall embark on an exploration of the Continent - its sprawling history, its diverse people, and the intricate tapestry of its cultures," the professor continued, his voice filled with a palpable excitement. "But before we delve into the vast expanse of knowledge that awaits us, let me remind you that introductions are a luxury we cannot afford. We are all here for a singular purpose - to absorb, comprehend, and expand our understanding. So, let us bypass the pleasantries and dive straight into the heart of the matter."

"As we embark on this intellectual journey, it is essential to acknowledge the unfathomable scope of history," the professor continued, his voice tinged with awe. "Approximately 36 billion years of recorded history exist, a treasure trove of knowledge, the majority of which remains inaccessible to you. However, within our grasp lies a period that stretches back 13 billion years. It is truly astounding to contemplate that even at that time, the four continents were already flourishing, their civilizations taking shape." The students were filled with wonder as the professor revealed that societies had thrived for ages prior to their arrival, leaving behind an intriguing legacy to unravel.

"The arrival of our ancestors in that era was vastly different from the process you experience today. Nowadays, individuals like yourselves arrive in random batches and at random times. The only similarity is that the total number of arrivals remains consistent with the past, which amounts to 9.76 billion per year per continent. But that's not in your course, so no need to delve into it.", Pausing for a moment, the man leaned to the right and retrieved a glass of water. He swiftly gulped it down, quenching his evident thirst caused by his incessant talking. The class observed his brief respite and patiently awaited his continuation.

"But let's just focus on the things available to us. I will be teaching you about few things, those will be enough to give you of this world. For today we will learn about our empire, how it runs and hierarchy in place."

The man paused again, this time to collect his thoughts. "It's a fascinating subject, really, and one that we could spend hours discussing. But for now, let's focus on the basics."

Taking a moment to relax, the man settled into his chair in a comfortable manner. He leaned back, allowing himself to find a more relaxed posture before resuming his lecture. With a slight grin on his face, he began to share some intriguing information with the class.

"Our empire, the great Eastern Empire, was established by the second emperor around 13 billion years ago," he explained. "It was during this time that the foundation of our civilization was laid. Now, you may be wondering why you don't have access to the history before the empire era. Well, simply put, it wouldn't be very helpful for you."

Pausing for a moment, he continued, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "The second emperor was a remarkable figure, known as the strongest human to have ever lived. He possessed unparalleled power and charisma, which allowed him to unite all humanoid races under his rulership. However, he also granted humans a higher seat in the hierarchy."

The professor paused for a brief moment, letting his words sink in. Then, leaning forward with an air of curiosity, he posed a question to the class. "Now, my dear students, what do you think was the best way for the second emperor to achieve such a feat? How did he successfully unite all these different races and establish our great empire?"

Students exchanged glances, their minds racing with possible answers. Some leaned forward, eager to share their thoughts, while others furrowed their brows in concentration. Whispers filled the room as they engaged in hushed discussions, speculating about the second emperor's methods.

The man's excitement was palpable as he delved into the topic, his words carrying a sense of urgency and intrigue. "You might find it hard to believe, but the truth is rather straightforward, almost shockingly so," he exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "The solution he employed was to eliminate the leaders of these races. It may seem simplistic, but it proved to be remarkably effective. You see, further he understood that suppressing these races could lead to rebellion, so he chose a more drastic approach: he systematically wiped-out entire races until they teetered on the brink of extinction. Only then did he bring them under his rule."

"This bloodshed lasted till he decided to be crowned. And as a twisted tribute to his conquest, the last race he encountered was obliterated entirely," he continued, his voice tinged with a mix of awe and mystery. "No traces remain of their existence, no records documenting their appearance or identity. They have been consigned to the forgotten pages of history."

The room fell into a hushed silence as the weight of his words settled upon the students. They were left to ponder the immense power and ruthlessness of the emperor. They couldn't help but wonder about the last race he mentioned, the one that faced complete annihilation, and the lingering mysteries surrounding the lost race.

"After establishing his empire, the primary concern for the second emperor was to establish a stable governing system. Various examples from other successful empires existed, but they were deemed unfit for us humans. Take, for instance, the northern empire, ruled solely by the Dragon Emperor without any second-in-command, except for a few advisors tasked with maintaining the empire's integrity.

"Then there's the southern council, operating under a system of seven dukes, each representing the seven strongest races in that continent. However, this approach didn't suit our needs, as we didn't want other races to gain undue power at that time. Lastly, the western republic follows a democratic structure, electing three heads instead of one to maintain a delicate balance. Ironically, this balance has rarely been achieved, as only two races typically dominate the elected positions, leaving one race in the majority."

The man paused, allowing the information to sink in before continuing.

"Further details regarding these systems will be covered in your geography classes. As I mentioned earlier, none of these existing systems could serve as the foundation for our empire. Hence, the second emperor made the decision to create a new hierarchical system. At the top, it was relatively straightforward to comprehend, but as you go down the hierarchy, it becomes increasingly intricate and complex."

The class exchanged glances; their curiosity piqued by the mention of this unique hierarchical structure.

"Before we proceed further into the intricacies of our hierarchical system, I assume you are already familiar with the revelation," the professor stated, his eyes scanning the attentive faces in the classroom. The students nodded in agreement, their prior knowledge resurfacing.

"Indeed, the second emperor was none other than the chosen one of the goddess herself. As a devoted follower of the goddess and the leader of our empire, he held the responsibility of designing the hierarchical system. In recognition of the divine influence, a significant amount of power was entrusted to the Church of the Goddess. The empire was divided into three primary sectors: the church, the emperor, and the royal court. Together, these sectors governed the entirety of our empire, each with its own distinct responsibilities and functions."

"The church, working in collaboration with the navy, oversaw all religious activities within the empire. Their role was to ensure the preservation and practice of the goddess's teachings, maintaining a harmonious spiritual connection with the people.

"The emperor, on the other hand, was entrusted with the task of controlling the army and safeguarding the empire from external threats. It was their duty to maintain peace, protect the citizens, and defend the borders of the empire.

"The royal court, as a governing body, held authority over various aspects of the empire. They oversaw trade, commerce, administration, and other vital functions necessary for the smooth operation and prosperity of the empire."

"Let's stop here for today.", The professor concluded his lecture with a sense of disappointment, realizing that time was running short. He hastily left the classroom.