The Magic Empire for 20,000 years

Chapter 2.2. The Declining Empire

In this life, Elian arrived much earlier than in the previous one.

Therefore, knowledge about the ancient kingdom of Eldoron also falls under the category of "history" for him.

Fortunately, as the former god of time, no one was more knowledgeable about history than him.

"The ancient magical empire era—that's what humans call it in later generations."

"In fact, in this era, elves are the masters of the land. Next are the fantastical races such as dragons, dwarves, orcs, goblins, and kobolds. Humans are still very few in number."

"Aldoron, as the first human nation, is merely located in a corner of the eastern continent, not even a fraction of the Western Elven Kingdom."

"At the same time, Eldoron also faces threats from multiple orc tribes and the ancient green dragon lords of the south."

"In the late period of the empire, the three major orc clans frequently invaded, plundering villages and killing tens of thousands of civilians."

"However, the mages of the empire all reside in this floating city high in the sky."

"The noble mages, who consider themselves superior, let the lowly people of the surface world die without a second thought..."

Recalling this, El-Erian couldn't help but find the so-called "empire" somewhat ridiculous.

It was called an empire, but he knew:
In this ancient era, Eldoron was more like a primitive city-state, with no control over its territory.

Its territory is very vague, and the modern concept of a "border" does not exist.

"Ancient Magic Empire" is just a nicer way of putting it.

In reality, it was no more like an empire than the Holy Roman Empire!

Similarly, the term "Emperor" in Eldoron was far less prestigious than it is in later generations.

The full title is "Arcane Emperor," which means "leader of all mages in Eldoron."

In fact, it was later humans who, by imitating the word that described the leader of the earliest human city-state, created the word "emperor" in its modern sense in the common language.

El-Erian remembered how Eldoron gradually marched towards its demise in its final days:

Ten years from now, the ancient green dragon lord of the Emerald Mountains in the south led his legion of half-dragons and wyverns northward, destroying hundreds of surface villages and swallowing up most of the land of Eldoron.

The mages high above continued to drink fine wine and revel in their banquets, ignoring the weeping beneath the Sky City.

Thirty years later, still during Elion's reign, a portal to the "Abyss" dimension opened on the west side of Eldoron.

Millions of demons poured out and wreaked havoc.

This is historically known as the "First Abyss Invasion"!
The Western Elven Kingdom, with its far superior systems and magical achievements compared to the human empire, easily withstood this wave of demonic invasion. They were largely unaffected.

But Eldoron was no match. With only 3000 mages, it was utterly powerless against the overwhelming demon army and was annihilated in an instant.

That day, an overwhelming army of demons flew over the floating city and destroyed it within an hour.

The first nation in human history was destroyed.

"Alas, the ancient kingdom of Eldoron is still too weak. Let alone compared to the Elven Royal Court, even the neighboring orc tribes and goblin tribes pose a significant threat!"

"It is called a magic empire, but the total number of mages is only about 3000—not even a fraction of the number of elven mages."

There are fewer than 30 high-level mages who have reached the sixth ring or above. There are only three ninth-ring mages, including myself, and not a single legendary mage.

"The prosperity of magic has nothing to do with the surface-dwelling people who make up the majority of the population."

Recalling this, El-Erian was convinced that he had to race against time to deal with the two major crises that would occur in 10 and 30 years.

The invasion of the Abyss Demons 30 years later is a crisis, but it may also be an opportunity!
According to Elion's plan, since the goal is to establish a vast empire spanning multiple planes...

With numerous layers, abundant magical minerals, many demon lords ruling over the bottomless abyss, and no true ruler, it is absolutely the perfect target for exploration!
So, when the Abyss Gate opens, if the Empire possesses a sufficiently powerful legion of spellcasters…

Isn't this also an opportunity for the human empire to conquer the Abyss and control a small portion of its lands?
"The abyss has hundreds of layers. The initial expedition target can be set as one or two layers of abyssal land where the controller is weak or there is no clear master."

"We must train as many spellcasters as possible before the Abyss Gate opens in 30 years!"

"The 3000 mages on the floating city alone are far from enough..."

There's only one way then—

Break the monopoly of magic held by the noble mages of Eldoron, and select talented individuals with magical abilities from the commoners beneath the floating city!
Having made up his mind, Elian stepped out of the room and out of his luxurious palace.

Hu Hu Hu.

A cool evening breeze swept by, lifting the emperor's magnificent robes.

Clouds drifted past me, and stars shone brightly all around.

This is the floating city, the capital of an ancient magical empire, the residence of 3000 noble mages! Elian walked to the edge of the floating city and looked down at the earth from a high place.

His gaze pierced through the clouds, revealing villages on the ground, a great river flowing under the moonlight, golden wheat fields, farmers working in the fields, and golden waves rippling across the wheat fields after a gust of wind.

The land and rivers gave birth to the first nation of human civilization.

The lowly commoners, who lacked magic, toiled on this land, living only a fleeting day. Meanwhile, the arcane sorcerers, who possessed magic, enjoyed wealth and luxury high in the heavens.

"Your Majesty? So you're here!"

"Are you admiring the scenery, Your Majesty?"

A cheerful voice came from behind.

He was a man with sharp eyes, dressed in a magnificent robe. He exuded the typical haughty air of an imperial mage noble.

Upon seeing the emperor, the men immediately bowed respectfully.

"Guter?"

Elian turned around and found information about this man in the original owner's memories—

Gutt, one of the three ninth-ring archmages of Eldoron. The chief of the Evocation school within the Imperial Magic Council.

Within the Magic Council, the eight chief mages, representing different schools of magic, hold the highest status among all mages. Behind each of them is a small family specializing in that particular school of magic.

Elion himself was the emperor of the empire and also the head of the Necromancer school.

"Yes. I was looking at the scenery, and at the same time, I was thinking about some things..."

El-Erian said calmly.

"I'm thinking, shouldn't Eldoron not be confined to this corner? Shouldn't we not be satisfied with our current glory? Shouldn't we aim for a wider world?"

"After all, compared to the ancient green dragon lords in the south, and compared to the three large orc tribes, the empire is not strong enough."

"Not to mention the prosperous Elven Kingdom in the West."

Gutt laughed:

"Your Majesty, what are you saying? This is the most glorious and prosperous period for Eldoron."

"This is all thanks to His Majesty and the leadership of the Parliament."

Was it at its peak?
Elian almost chuckled as he listened.

He knew this was merely the last glimmer of light before the empire's demise.

A magical empire where even orcs and goblin tribes can invade civilians, a magical empire with only 3000 mages and the vast majority of the common people never having the chance to come into contact with magic in their entire lives...

"By the way, Chief Guter, is there something you need from me?"

El-Erian got down to business.

“Oh right.” Gutt smiled.
"The grand celebration is coming up soon. I would like to ask Your Majesty, will you hold the hunting trip to the mortal realm as you did the year before last?"

Hunting activities?

El-Erian raised an eyebrow.

He certainly knew what the so-called "hunting activities" were.

In his past life's history books, there was a line describing the ancient magical empire of Eldoron that left an indelible mark on Elion's memory:
"In the late period of the ancient magical empire, hunting civilians on the ground was a legal and popular form of entertainment for the mage nobles living in the floating cities."

In this primitive and bloody era, for the ruling class who possessed magic, nothing demonstrated their power and status more than "hunting living people who do not possess magic"!

"Do not."

El-Erian said firmly.

"Is there no hunting this year?" Gutt asked, puzzled.

“No,” Elian said calmly but firmly, “there will be no more hunting activities.”

"What does Your Majesty mean?" Gutt asked, somewhat bewildered.

"I will issue some decrees in a couple of days."

The emperor waved his sleeves, his tone resolute.

"You just need to carry it out."

(End of this chapter)