Parpaldia Empire

The **Parpaldia Empire** (パーパルディア皇国, *Pāparudia Kōkoku*) is a country in Southern Philades. For centuries it has boasted the highest level of urbanization, technological advancement and military might in the entire Third Civilization Area and until the end of the Japanese-Parpaldian War was internationally recognized as the fourth strongest superpower in the New World. Characterized by its ethnocentric attitude, totalitarian government and brutal imperialist foreign policy, Parpaldia invaded and subjugated all neighboring nations, such as Kooze and Altaras, and then reduced them to colonial domains, plundered their natural resources and enslaved their population. Its numerous military successes have been possible thanks to its technological level well above the average of the countries of the Third Civilization Area, roughly equivalent to that of Earth in the 18th and 19th centuries, just before the Industrial Revolution (the similarities to the Spanish Empire, Napoleonic France and Georgian Britain are remarkable).

The belief of the rulers of the empire in the invincibility of their army was so ingrained in their mentality that it prompted them to carry out extremely risky actions such as declaring war on foreign nations without even bothering to obtain adequate information on their war capabilities. For a time the latest emperor of Parpaldia, Ludius, even cultivated delusional fantasies about starting a campaign of global conquest against nations much more powerful than his, such as the Holy Milishial Empire and Mu.

The Parpaldia Empire lost its primacy position in the Third Civilization Area after the magical transfer of the islands of early 21st century Japan to the east of the Philades continent. The war that broke out between the two nations in 1640 CC, triggered by the Nishinomiyako Massacre, ended in a catastrophic way for the Empire, causing the secession of all its colonies and the destruction of all its means of war production. In the years immediately following the peace, the Empire's economy collapsed due to war reparations, neglected civilian infrastructure, and the loss of imports of natural resources and slave manpower from the former colonies. This has resulted in the government having to rely heavily on Japan's help to survive, thus becoming a de facto Japanese satellite state. After the war there were attempts by the Empire to regain lost international prestige, mainly by participating in some minor skirmishes in the New World War, the Calamique Civil War and the conflict at Silkark Kingdom.

The Parpaldia Empire is the second hostile nation that Japan is forced to face in war since its magical transference to the New World.

## History

The Parpaldia Empire was originally just a medium-sized civilized country on the southern part of the Philades Continent, called the **Republic of Palneus**. In the beginning, it was the target of aggression by the surrounding hostile nations, leading to the need for a huge amount of resources and manpower to maintain a standing army which explained Parpaldia's policy of invading its neighbors.

However, it was explained that after each invasion, it needed more resources to maintain colonial occupation, as well as to defend the nation. That further caused the empire to conduct invasions continuously, resulting in a vicious cycle.

After at least 25 years of extreme expansion, it has reached a great extent, with a vast territory (including 72 countries dominated) and formidable diplomatic power in the Third Civilization Area.

## Chronology

### Rodenius War Arc

Though Japan was unaware of it at the time, it was first pitted against the Parpaldian Empire as part of a proxy conflict. The Empire had supplied King Hark Louria XXXIV with Wyverns to support his war effort to unite the Rodenius Continent. It was the Parpaldians hope that they would be able to squeeze all the continents resources out of King Louria once it was all under his control. During the conflict, Japan destroyed all the material support the Parpaldians had supplied to the Louria Kingdom.

Japan did attempt to establish political relations with the Empire in the following peacetime, but it's 3rd Foreign Affairs Office-the office designated to deal with 'barbarian' countries-repeatedly delayed any meetings and disregarded Japan's diplomats.

### Japanese-Parpaldian War Arc

Japan and the Empire first engaged in overt conflict over the Fenn Kingdom. The Fenn Kingdom, an island in the sea between Japan the 3rd Civilization Continent, was a new country Japan was making diplomatic interactions with. At the same time, Parpaldia was interesting in acquiring the island kingdom's vast lumber resources.

When Fenn's Sword King denied two offers by the Empire, it sent its Imperial Oversight Army as a show of force to punish Fenn by attacking during a military festival. Unknown to the Parpaldians, Japan had sent a warship from the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force to the festival for a demonstration. A Japan Coast Guard cutter was also present as the transport for the attending Japanese diplomat. Sending a force of Wyverns ahead of its warships, the Empire's forces attacked the Coast Guard ship without knowing its origin. Though the law enforcement vessel shot down all the Wyverns, it sustained engine damage and was unable to leave or evacuate the Japanese diplomat. Left with no other option, the JMSDF destroyer intercepted the approaching fleet and forced it to withdraw by using its cannon to destroy the sails.

As directed by Remille, Parpaldia would go to war with Japan at the same time it invaded the Fenn Kingdom, committing the Nishinomiyako Massacre. To defend its citizens, Japan engaged and destroyed the invading forces. Enraged, Parpaldia declared a war of genocide on all Japanese people. To defend itself, Japan would launch a series of attacks to completely destroy Parpaldia's military power.

### New World War

Due to its decline, Parpaldia managed to avoid the chaos that enveloped the world when the Gra Valkas Empire declared war on the entire world. Parpaldia eventually entered the war for the first time when it retaliated against the Riem Kingdom, a Gra Valkas ally that attacked Parpaldia during the Great Naval Invasion of Japan.

Later, Parpaldia would ally with Japan to defend the Silkark Kingdom from the Cryseilis Holy Kingdom.

## Technology

Parpaldia's technological level was in the 1800s, just before the Industrial Revolution's era. Most of their known technologies are reflected in the military aspect, so their full technological capabilities (such as civilian technologies) remain unknown.

Militarily, their army is based on ballistic weapons of the 18th century, such as muskets and cannons. All their weapons, however, use magical force to propel projectiles rather than gunpowder, although the principle of firing looks the same. It is suggested that they seem to be unaware of rifling to increase weapon accuracy, based on the fact that the accuracy and range of firepower are low, as well as the fact that their troops are still using a horizontal formation (possibly to increase the firepower density to enhance accuracy).

Their warships were in the style of the early-modern ships-of-the-line, with a curious variation is the Dragon Carrier. When it comes to speeding, they use the Tear of the Wind God to sail faster on the seas. It is mentioned that during the Japanese-Parpaldian War, the Empire was working on a ship that used magical engines to allow them to achieve more optimal performance compared to sails.

While most of their technologies are only equivalent to the 1800s, interestingly, there are some areas that are far more developed, with some still not well understood by Japan due to the Japanese's lack of understanding about magic in general. Parpaldia is one of the few countries in the New World to successfully develop television, using magic to convey images far away by unknown mechanisms (although the image is still relatively noisy and is colorless). In addition, some others communication technologies such as radio exist. Another very well developed area is **biotechnology**, with their mighty Wyvern Overlord is a product of that technology. By using magic, it allows them to perform gene editing and hybridization, helping to create beneficial traits at will.

## Military

Parpaldia's military is equivalent to the Napoleonic era of military during the 1800s from the old Earth with soldiers armed with muskets and cannon. In addition, their soldiers are primarily armed with close-quarters bladed weapons such as swords, spears and knives. Protection is usually composed of body armor such as leather, chain mail, metallic plates and shields. Their army, in addition to infantry and cavalry, is also supported by wingless scaly dragons (called "**Land Dragons**") that serve as a biological tank, with the ability to fire flames on the wide surface, can deal terrible damage to enemy infantry. In terms of tactics, the idea of outmaneuvering and overwhelming enemy positions and formations are still prevalent. Basically, the human wave and Napoleonic tactics are seen as the keys to victory.

Most mages in Parpaldia's employ are focused on weapons research and development. But some are still employed in the same anti-aircraft roles seen in uncivilized countries.

Their air force is made up of wyverns, from the common wyverns to the Wyverns Lord with high speed and agility. Recently, in response to Mu's latest aircraft, they created the Wyvern Overlord, a product of Parpaldia's magic biotechnology. The creature sacrifices its fertility and shortens its life in exchange for its speed and power to rival the Marin aircraft. Their main use is ground and sea support. However, according to Japan, the wyvern is basically worthless in terms of air control.

They also own a very large navy, with between 800 and 900 ships of all kinds, ranging from 30-gun gunship to giant wyvern carriers up to 150 meters long. The arrival of the wyvern carrier is considered a strange thing, given the fact that on Earth, the idea of the type of ship that can be used to take off / land the plane not appear until the early 20th century. According to Japan, with such forces, if they confronted the British Empire or Japan in the middle of the 18th century, they would probably win. Besides, well combat experience and technological superiority helped them dominate the waters around the Philades, until Japan appeared. For the most part, ship tactics are very similar to ground tactics as outmaneuvering and overwhelming the enemy forces with greater firepower and numbers are seen as the most logical method to winning battles.

Prior to the war with Japan, the Empire had somehow acquired an outdated model of the Magic Anti-Aircraft Cannon from the First Civilization Area for research, presumably as part of an intention to counter mechanical and magical aircraft from the other Superpowers.

As part of Remille's demands to Japan's diplomats, the Japanese 'Army' was to be placed under Parpaldian command and be deployed however it saw fit, hinting that some of Parpaldia's forces may in fact be remnants of conquered militaries pressed into service.

As one of the former superpowers, Parpaldia Empire had the largest military in the Third Civilization Area. However, due to the underestimation of Japan, their forces were greatly reduced after a brief but deadly war. As a result, after the war with Japan, their navy was reduced to less than 50 ships, thereby making it virtually nonexistent and no longer a threat. Their wyvern air force was completely outmatched by the Japanese fighter aircraft and missile technology. Two of their major land bases were decimated and most of their war manufacturing plants were destroyed. Their land forces were also annihilated by the JGSDF and the rebelling territories. As a result of their doomed war with Japan, the Parpaldian military is no longer able to invade other nations and can barely defend what's left of its empire.

However, despite it military might has become harmless to Japan, the fact that it is still enough to make those around it, such as the Riem Kingdom, fear.

After the war, Parpaldia's forces allied with Japan on several occasions, notably during the Calamique Civil War and to defend the Silkark Kingdom. It was able to deploy overseas thanks to retaining its wyvern carrier force.

## Economy

The Parpaldia Empire's economy is limited in existing technology capacity as well as production organization level, with its growth heavily dependent on forced and brutal colonial exploitation, with evidence is that many colonies were quickly exhausted and decayed only after a few years or decades of colonization. In fact, economics was one of the reasons explained for Parpaldia's expansionary policy, stemming from the growing need to maintain a standing army and ensure cohesion within the empire. Overall, in terms of its territories and conquered regions, the Empire is very parasitic.

There is a sizable disparity in the level of development across regions, with places like the Esthirant being seen as the "Pearl of the Philades" while others are extremely poor. This is understandable, because while Parpaldia intensified colonization, they were less interested in caring for them due to disdain and colonial thought. When an area becomes exhausted, it will often be left to die, or the workers there will be sent to work elsewhere.

Their industrial level has made significant mark: the Empire primarily undertook R&D (Research and Development) and services, while its colonies would be responsible for primary and secondary economic sector (involves the retrieval and production of raw materials, and turn them into goods), with the example of the port city of Duro. Described as the largest and most developed industrial city in the country, it is responsible for producing almost - if not all - the weapons and ammunition used by the military. This city, however, was destroyed by Japan during the Japanese-Parpaldian War, destroying its military logistics potential.

Magic gemstones are considered a valuable resource in the empire, because Parpaldia is a country based on magic and magic gems can be applied in many fields. As a result, across the empire, it was the most fully exploited resource. Invasions or claims often target countries with large reserves of magic gems, such as the Altaras Kingdom.

Another factor that makes the backbone of Parpaldia's economy is **slavery**. It is not clear whether slavery is a spontaneous factor or a recognized market, but it does exist. Slaves were mostly colonists or demi-humans forced or sold for money, although in some places, such as Duro, foreigners and demi-humans legally worked there. The Parpaldians seem to regard slaves as an obvious and "worthy" thing for the "barbarians" to have the right to live to serve their masters, combined with racist and class attitudes, slaves are generally subjected to cruel treatment while doing all the major labor, or sometimes forced to do dirty things, like prostitution (an attitude and conduct considered to be a disgusting crime from Japan's point of view)

After losing to Japan and its territories declaring themselves independent, Parpaldia's economy plunged into a deep recession, becoming a shadow of its past self. Still busy with paying compensation to Japan and having lost its territories with vast manpower and resources, there is no sign that the economy will recover to its previous level in the near future.

Their official currency is Pasos, a currency with a large exchange rate in the region, although it appears to be inferior to the Yen. After the war with Japan, it has most likely been devalued to the point of being almost worthless. It's similar to when Germany is facing an economic crisis post-World War I.

Due to the total collapse of the economy of the country, the people of Parpaldia Empire now depend on food assistance sent from Japan. In an ironic twist, since Japan mostly gets its food sources from the Qua-Toyne Principality, in essence the former superpower is almost completely reliant on a 'barbaric nation' for survival. With harsh economic sanctions and high reparations to pay to the Japanese for murdering innocent tourists and starting the war, the former empire is still on the long road towards reconstruction. By the time of the New World War, the Parpaldians have only begun to recover. At least two years after receiving the sanction, several Japanese Merchant Ships are docked on Duro where Gra Valkas Empire ordered Riem to destroy it during Gra Valkas Great Invasion of Japan.

## Politics

The Parpaldia Empire was basically that of an absolute monarchy and dictatorship. As such, they viewed all other nations within the Third Civilization area as inferior and barbaric. Rebellion among the territories was not tolerated and swiftly crushed. Slavery was used as a form of bargaining tool and the Empire would demand a yearly tribute of slaves from each territory in exchange for shares of outdated technology and such. They would also demand all rights to the territories' resources and would use mass murder and genocide tactics for intimidation. Basically, this was an unequal relationship that favored the Parpaldian Empire while exploiting its territories.

As a part of the policy, they also apply the extraterritoriality rule where all the Citizens of the Parpaldia Empire will not be persecuted should they commit a crime in a non-superpower nation. This law does not affect other Superpower nations including Japan. Following the Japanese-Parpaldian War, this law, along with every other foreign policy law that worked to the Empire's advantage, was permanently abolished. As a result, no Parpaldian citizen can commit a crime on foreign soil, including murder, without suffering the consequences.

These political tactics would lead to the Empire's downfall when they attempted to cow Japan into submission. Ruling through fear was a double-edged sword as their futile war with the JSDF made their military too weak to stop the 73 territories from rebelling. After their loss to Japan, they were reduced into a weak and feeble country that it was even worse than when it was called the Republic of Palneus. The politics of the Parpaldians, as well as the mindset of Parpaldian citizen, has become increasingly pessimistic to the point of their past usual warmongering attitude now make most the officials nauseous and sickening. A lot of Parpaldian citizens even blame the government's warlike attitude for the deterioration of the country.

Years after the war with Japan, Kaios was still eager to rebuild the empire. He even proposed to their former colonies to become federal states, the territorial management system that the United States of America adapted and became famous. Some of the former colonies accepted the offer while other don't which the empire understands. So far, the empire has become more democratic than before.

## State Organizations

### Government Offices

#### Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The diplomatic responsibilities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Parpaldia Empire were split between three separate offices:

* **1st Foreign Affairs Department** – It deals solely with the other Superpowers, namely the Holy Milishial Empire, Mu, Emor Kingdom and Leifor. These relationships require the most delicate care, the most scrupulous political decision-making, so only the elite of the elite diplomats are assigned there.

* **2nd Foreign Affairs Department** – It deals with foreign relations with other countries in the civilized area other than the superpowers. Using their national power as leverage, diplomats in this department push forward Parpaldia’s national interests while pulling back in the face of unreasonable conditions. Since these countries are all backed by other superpowers, the Empire cannot simply exploit them recklessly, so a level of prudence is required. This is where the rest of the elites are assigned.

* **3rd Foreign Affairs Department** – It deals with all countries outside the civilized area, also known as the “barbarian countries.” The diplomats of this department are allowed to exert all the pressure necessary to squeeze everything they can from these countries, even resorting to gunboat diplomacy through the use of the Imperial Oversight Army. Since there are so many barbarian countries, 60% of the entire Ministry staff works here.

When it is clear that there are irregularities in the Departments of Foreign Affairs or when a diplomat deals with representatives of a country in a way deemed not to be correct according to imperial policy, the Auditor of Foreign Affairs intervenes. Positioned outside of Foreign Affairs itself, the auditor has the power to remove department chairpersons from their positions. When diplomatic affairs become problematic, the auditor and his subordinates can intervene as consultants and, when deemed necessary, can substitute as diplomats themselves to deal with the problem. To avoid status issues, since the foreign affairs departments are made up of elites, the auditor is always chosen from among the members of the imperial family.

Following the end of the war with Japan, the new head of government, Kaios, gave orders that the three departments of Foreign Affairs be condensed into a single organizational structure, in order to treat all foreign states more fairly.

#### National Strategy Bureau

Although the details are unknown, it seems that this branch was involved in manipulating global events to benefit the Empire. It provided the Louria Kingdom with military support to conquer the Rodenius continent, dubbed as a 'resource acquisition strategy'. As far as the names are known, the members are Valhal , Inos, and Parso.

#### Information Bureau

Details unknown. It is believed that it is conducting intelligence at home and abroad.

#### Governing Boards of Each Territories

When the Empire conquers a new country, it will disband the government in that country and, if their is one, execute any royal family that has the right to rule. Governing of the territory is then relegated to a Governing Board, made up of officials from Parpaldia. The purpose of these boards is to both subjugate the local populations and extract whatever resources and use it can from the region. To this end, they often hold command over the Army garrisons deployed to colonies.

After the war with Japan, this system was dissolved and replaced by the state governments of the former colonies that rejoined the empire as federal states.

#### Finance Ministry

The Finance Ministry sees the distribution of government funds to the various institutions, including the military.

#### Ministry of Agriculture

This ministry oversees the farmlands in the Empire and all of its colonies, as well as the storing of produce.

#### Ministry of Interior

Appeared in the bonus novel 3-1. It is unknown when it was founded. At least the office is attached to the former First Foreign Affairs Bureau. Remille was caught by Celgaia and the elder was awarded by the office.

#### Marriage Agency

Appeared in the bonus novel 3-1. It seems that it is operated by the government. Their function is that they find matches for people based in terms of income, occupation, personality, and other added value, and when the occupation of Cyrgaya changed from a cleaner to a honorary senior officer in the armed forces, the number of applicable people increased from 0 to at least 749 at once, which is a rare and first occurrence.

### Military

#### Imperial Armed Forces

Armed Forces of the Parpaldia Empire. Its Chief-of-Staff is Arde. The official name is the "**Imperial Armed Forces of Parpaldia**". It has the strongest military power in the Third Civilization Area, and the difference in military power with neighboring countries was vast. However, in the war with Japan, both the Army and the Navy lost most of their strength, and their military strength dropped to a level that could be called a disaster compared to the peak period. But it still seems to be a little better than the neighboring countries.

#### Navy

Prior to the war with Japan, the Parpaldian Navy was a massive force of ships-of-the-line, gunboats, and wyvern carriers organized into at least three fleets. As part of the Empire's foreign policy, it enforced rule and helped conquer coastal countries and islands all around the 3rd Civilization. Globally, it was the world's 3rd strongest navy. Parpaldia retained around 50 ships after the coup deposed the Emperor, and now the Navy only exists to defend Parpaldia from aggressors such as the Riem Kingdom.

During the New World War, Parpaldia sent several of its wyvern forces to assist in the Liberation of Leifor against the Gra Valkas Empire. Later after the battle, the empire sent a dragon carrier fleet to help Japan and the Silkark Kingdom against the Cryseilis Holy Kingdom.

#### Army

Ground force of the Imperial Armed Forces of the Parpaldia Empire. Also known as the **Ground Legion**. They are famous because they handle the artillery units and the earth dragon Lintwurm, which supported the expansion of the territory of Parpaldia. Various Wyvern units like the Wyvern Lords and Wyvern Overlords are also belongs to the Army. Even in the Riem Kingdom, which is a Quasi-Power power in the Third Civilization Area, the Wyvern Lord they possesses are for testing purposes only, but the strength of the Imperial Army's air power is shown from the Wyvern Overlord they possess is far ahead of neighboring countries.

The Army was concentrated in three main bases: The Capital Esthirant, the industrial city of Duro, and a base in Aruni on the edge of the Empire's core territory. It also maintained garrisons several thousand strong in all of its colonies. While massing these forces proved useful in battling its neighbors, this deployment strategy was a severe danger against Japan.

#### Oversight Army

The Oversight Army is, paradoxically, two naval fleets separate of the normal Navy, stationed on the East and West coasts of the Philades Continent. This army is used for strong-arming or retaliating against 'barbarian' countries or unruly colonies of the Empire. It can be directly ordered by the 3rd Foreign Affairs Office. Before the war with Japan, this force numbered less than 100 ships and was equipped with older model equipment.

#### Advanced Weapons Development Laboratory

Though not a combat branch, this organization still answers to the military. They are responsible for the technological advancement of the empire.

## Foreign Relations

### Japan

At first they superficially and somewhat foolishly thought Japan was no more than a mere uncivilized country that could be defeated easily. The country was vicious enough to execute 200 innocent Japanese tourists in Fenn and declared genocide against all Japanese.

However, after losing almost all their military power, all their territories and unable to inflict a single casualty to the JSDF in their futile war against Japan, they realized too late that they angered a powerful country, in which they lost their status as a superpower later on.

The Holy Mirishial Empire and other Superpowers now regards Parpaldia Empire as dependent country of Japan, indicated that Parpaldia is pretty much Japan's puppet state now.

### Mu

Originally the Empire possessed an embassy with Mu. After the Empire declared war on Japan, Mu recalled its embassy along with entire Mu citizens that live there for safety. The dignitaries of the Empire were confused by the action and further befuddled when Mu intended to send observers not to the Empire but to Japan. While the upper echelons remained oblivious to the actions, lower bureaucrats learned that it was due to Mu fully comprehending Japan’s strength. Before closing their embassy they congratulated the Parpaldians on their ‘courage’.

This attitude, along with the mistaken belief that Mu aircraft were being exported to Japan, led the Empire's government to believe that Mu was waging a proxy war through Japan. This was proven to be completely untrue as the Mu representatives revealed that Japan technology is far beyond their reach and were loathe to admit that they wanted exports from Japan not the other way around.

### Topa Kingdom

Before the arrival of Japan, the Topa Kingdom was one of the many territories that were either conquered or threatened by the Parpaldians. They demanded a yearly tribute from the Topa Kingdom, or they would cut them off from the technology share with the other under-developed countries. However, the Parpaldians would lose control over the Topa people once they established diplomatic relations with Japan. The yearly tribute of slaves immediately stopped and the threat of no longer providing technology shares was worthless, as the Topa ambassadors simply stated, "We are allied with Japan now."

With the near-total loss to Japan and the complete collapse of the Parpaldian Empire, the people of Topa no longer need to fear them or accede to their demands.

## Trivia

* Their national flag features two flaming land dragons, creatures that are considered national animals with great merits in expanding the Parpaldia's territories.
* At the time of Japan's turn, Parpaldia Empire was considered as the newest member on the ranks of world powers.