Altaras Kingdom

**Altaras Kingdom** (アルタラス王国, *Arutarasu Ōkoku*) is an island country located in the arm of the ocean that separates southern Philades from northern Rodenius. In 1639 CC it was conquered by the Parpaldia Empire as its seventy-third colony but quickly regained its independence with the help of Japan during the early stages of the Japanese-Parpaldian War in 1640 CC.

According to the method of geopolitical and technological categorization employed by the international community of the New World, the Altaras Kingdom is classified as a country outside the civilization area, which means that it is located in that peripheral region of the planet that contains all the nations with the most primitive level of science and technology and weakest military.

The country is currently ruled by Queen Lumies, the only daughter of the murdered King Taara the 14th.

## History

Not much is known about the past history of Altaras, although based on its geographical location close to the Parpaldia Empire and political position, it can be speculated that it was always under pressure from Parpaldia through claims.

## Background Location

Altaras is a kingdom located on the south side of the Philades Continent, a little outside the civilized sphere. It is a resource-rich country with a magic stone mine. With a population of 15 million, it is considered large in terms of both national power and population for a country outside the civilized areas. It has a warm climate. With its temperate climate all-year round, the structures in the capital adopted a design based on circles to adapt to the climate with positive effects. The gentle nature of the population is a symbol of pride for the nation. As a possessor of magic gem mines, the nation made itself wealthy off of exporting its resources, with the 500,000 people living in the capital Le Brias enjoying vigorous lifestyles.

## Chronology

### Japanese-Parpaldian War Arc

Altaras was first mentioned when King Taara 14th was made an absurd series of claims by Parpaldia: surrendering the largest magic gem mine, and handing over Princess Lumies as a slave. At first, he thought it was a mistake, so he went to the Ambassador of Parpaldia to confirm, only to get back the ambassador's scorn and realized that Parpaldia had actually given it. Offended by his dignity, he ordered that Parpaldia's assets were frozen in Altaras' territory, and at the same time mobilized troops to be ready to fight.

In response to Altaras' resistance movements, Emperor Ludius of the Parpaldia Empire ordered the invasion of Altaras and massacre the entire royal family. Despite the fierce resistance of the Altaras army, the superiority of technology and tactics helped Parpaldia win easily. Altaras was officially colonized, and the entire royal family was massacred (except Lumies who had escaped earlier), while people were enslaved to exploit magic gems.

During the months that followed, the heavy exploitation, and the inhumane attitude of the Parpaldian soldiers and officers caused great resentment among the native Altaras. There have been the emergence of underground resistance movements, but due to the lack of appropriate weapons and the large number of Parpaldian occupation troops, these movements have not caused much damage to the occupiers.

However, with Japan attacking the garrison of Parpaldia here to create a springboard to attack the Empire from the South, the rebels and the people rose and regained their independence. Later on, Parpaldia's attempt to retake Altaras was unsuccessful with their defeat in the Great Naval Battle of Esthirant.

### New World War Arc

The Altaras were later used by Japan as a starting point for air strikes against the decoy fleet of Gra-Valkas Empire.

## Technology

Despite being an uncivilized nation, Altaras gained access to a number of advanced technologies - by the standards of the Third Civilization - thanks to its wealth, in some cases comparable to the Parpaldia Empire.

Their boats are basically no different from Parpaldia - only smaller, with the use of sails as the main means of propulsion. When they needed to accelerate, they used "Tears of the Wind God" to increase the wind pushing into the sails.

"Arrow of the Wind God" is a special weapon designed by Altaras, basically like a ballista. However, it attached a large javelin attached to the sail, when fired, they would trigger "Tear of the Wind God" to launch the javelin farther. The javelin is equipped with an explosive magic gem, which explodes on impact. This weapon, unfortunately, proved powerless against Parpaldia's anti-magic steel armor.

Like most other countries in the world, Altaras also has wireless magic devices.

## Economy

Despite being an uncivilized nation, Altaras has a wealth level comparable to that of civilized nations. This is due to Altaras possessing large reserves of magical gemstones, especially the Siltras Mine, which is the largest mine of Altaras and the fifth largest magic gem mine in the New World, playing a core role in the economy of Altaras. In addition, according to Japan, Altaras also possesses great seafood potential and high value.

Before Parpaldia invaded, Mu - aims to exploit magic gem mines - built an airport at Altaras, which later ceded to Altaras, then repaired and renovated by Japan. This shows that Altaras has a cooperative relationship, at least economically, with many countries around the world, including superpowers.

Like many countries that have friendly relations with Japan, Altaras Kingdom has also benefited economically and technically since establishing diplomatic relations with Japan.

## Military

The country's wealth has allowed them to own a significant military force compared to other countries outside the civilized area, although it has been shown to be inferior to the Parpaldia Empire. Altaras manages to field gunboats of its own, although the cannons are inferior to those of civilized and superpower nations. Even non-gunboat warships are armed with ballista enhanced by the magical gems common in the country, giving them a range and explosive power not dissimilar to a cannon from the civilized areas.

## Politics

Altaras Kingdom is a country with an autocratic monarchy, headed by King Taara XIV, then inherited by his daughter, Lumies.

## Foreign Relations

### Japan

Resistance elements of Altaras heard about Japan for the first time when Japan declared war on the Parpaldian Empire after the Nishinomiyako Massacre, but was not excited due to their ignorance of Japan.

Earlier, Princess Lumies successfully fled the country (before the Parpaldia invasion) and lived in exile in Japan, where she knew about the enormous power of Japan. In what could be considered an informal treaty between the two countries, Japan agreed to assist Lumies in liberating her country, at the same time, allow Altaras to handle war crimes on its own. In return, Japan was allowed to set up a military base there for a long time, as well as to exploit economic resources. With this cooperation, Altaras was able to gain their independence, while Japan succeeded in defeating the Parpaldia Empire.

The relationship between Altaras and Japan right now is very friendly, to the point of being "inseparable", due to their alignment in the war against the Parpaldia Empire. In the opposite direction, Japan also attaches great importance to Altaras for the same reason, as well as Altaras' strategic guard position for their maritime route to the Second Civilization Area and marine resources. As a way to strengthen the friendly relationship between the two countries, Japan sponsored Lumies' study abroad trip a year after the war.

### Parpaldia Empire

It is absolutely clear that the relationship between the Empire and Altaras was not good due to the warmongering attitude of the empire, as well as the difference in power between the two nations. Altaras was eventually cornered to the point where they were forced to resist, resulting in the collapse of their country.

However, with the help of Japan, Altaras was able to regain their independence from the Empire, and with the fall of the Parpaldia Empire shortly afterwards, they no longer had to worry about the specter of the Empire.

## Trivia

* An editor working with Minorou revealed that the Altaras Kingdom was descended from the Kingdom of Al-Thara, one of the three ancient elven kingdoms destroyed by Demon Lord Nosgorath.
* A few years after Lumies' study abroad, Altaras became famous around the world for its sweet cuisine.