Parpaldia Empire Nation Information Kanji パーパルディア皇国 Romaji Pāparudia Kōkoku Type Absolute Monarchy (formerly) Constitutional Monarchy Location Third Civilization Area Continent Philades Capital Esthirant Leader

Emperor Ludius (Former) Kaios (Current) Status Active

Parpaldia Empire (パーパルディア皇国, Pāparudia Kōkoku) was the strongest country of the Third Civilization Area where it was regarded as one five superpowers and the fourth most powerful nation in the world.

They were the second hostile nation that Japan encountered after Louria Kingdom. After getting themselves decimated by the JSDF, a coup d'etat had occurred, deposing the Emperor and his government. The provisional government headed by Kaios makes peace with Japan thus ending the war.

Due to the lost of the majority of their military power and territories, the country officially lost it status a superpower. At this point, it can no longer be seen as an empire.

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History

The Parpaldia Empire was originally just a medium-sized civilized country on the southern part of the Philades Continent, called Republic of Parneus. In the beginning, it was the target of aggression by surrounding hostile nations, leading to the need for a huge amount of resources and manpower to maintain a standing army and an early explanation for 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 defend the nation. That again caused it to continue conducting invasions continuously, resulting in a vicious circle.

After 10 years of extremely 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

Japanese-Parpaldian War Arc

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 wind the sail. It is mentioned that at the time of the war with Japan, 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 military is equivalent to the Napoleon era military during 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.

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.

As one of the former superpowers, Parpaldia Empire had the largest army 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.

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) industries, while its colonies would be responsible for primary and secondary industries (mining, manufacturing, shipbuilding, agriculture, etc), 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 Parneus. 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.

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 Office – The 1st office dealt solely with the other Superpowers, namely the Holy Milishial Empire, Mu, Emor Kingdom and Leifor. These relationships required the most delicate care, the most scrupulous political decision-making, so only the elite of the elite diplomats were assigned there.

2nd Foreign Affairs Office – The 2nd office handled foreign relations with other countries in the civilized area other than the superpowers. Using their national power as leverage, the diplomats of this department pushed forward Parpaldia’s national interests while pulling back against unreasonable conditions. Because these countries were all backed by other superpowers, the Empire couldn’t just recklessly exploit them, so a level of prudence was necessary. This was where the rest of the elites worked.

3rd Foreign Affairs Office – The 3rd office was in charge of all countries outside the civilized area, also known as the “barbarian countries.” The diplomats of this department were given leave to apply as much pressure as necessary to squeeze whatever they wanted from these countries. With permission from the imperial oversight army, they were allowed to take punitive action on them whenever necessary. Because there were so many barbarian countries, 60% of the entire ministry staff worked here.

Foreign Affairs Audit Bureau – The Foreign Affairs Audit Office was established to deal with iniquities within to the ministry and cases of deteriorating relations with other countries. When offices were audited in the past, sometimes it resulted in the person leading the office being removed, and sometimes some diplomatic duties were taken over by another office. To avoid questions of status, since the foreign affairs offices were comprised of elites, the audit bureau was staffed by members of the imperial family. They have the authority to audit any law should they see it fit, as stated by Remille that the Foreign Affairs Audit Bureau has the authority to audit Japan's law to benefits the Parpaldia Empire.

National Strategy Bureau

Information Bureau

Governing Boards of Each Territories

Finance Ministry

Ministry of Agriculture

City Planning Bureau

Ministry of Interior

Marriage Agency

Military

Imperial Legion

Imperial Navy

Regular Army

Oversight Army

Dependent Army

Mercenary Unit

Advanced Weapons Development Laboratory

Foreign Relations

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.

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.

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