Baharuth Empire

Baharuth Empire (バハルス帝国) is a human nation of the New World and one of the three major human nations neighboring Nazarick. After the Colosseum Incident, the Empire became the first vassal state of the Sorcerer Kingdom.

Background
The Baharuth Empire, normally referred to as "The Empire", is located east of the Azerlisia Mountains, northeast of the Great Tomb of Nazarick. Over three generations ago, the empire was also a feudal state like the Re-Estize Kingdom, but the current emperor established an absolute monarchy by purging many of the nobles. Thus ending the period of nobles, replaced with commoners that are capable and given the chance to rise in status. Under his rule, the Empire continues to gain more and more prosperity.

The Empire adopted a career soldier system, waging war against its neighbor the Re-Estize Kingdom annually. This is so the Empire can induce and dwindle the Kingdom of its national strength every year through battles with them as time goes on. Unlike the Empire, which uses skillfully trained soldiers, the Kingdom has to rely on drafting workers and farmers altogether against them. It also has an established magic academy that is widely well known among the human nations and engaged in various magical research projects. One of those secret magical research projects that is being conducted is the purpose of using the undead as laborers in farms. Some nobles of the Kingdom are secretly in league with the Empire as well and it seems that the Empire is simply watching for the opportunity to conquer the Kingdom with minimal losses.

The Men in the Kingdom Arc
Having been informed that a powerful magic caster named Ainz Ooal Gown had appeared in the Re-Estize Kingdom, Emperor Jircniv ordered Fluder Paradyne to investigate in hopes of turning him into the Empire's pawn. Their interest in the mysterious magic caster only increased upon learing that he had defeated the Slane Theocracy's Sunlight Scripture and that he's likely an even more powerful magic caster than Flunder. The Emperor also wanted Flunder to look into the new Adamantite Adventurer Group that had appeared in E-Rantel.

The Invaders of the Large Tomb Arc
Through it was time for the Empire's annual war with the Kingdom, the Emperor decided not to invade this year as the Kingdom was already in a weakened state from the demonic disturbance. Instead deciding to focus their resources to learn more about the mastermind behind the attack, the Demon known as Jaldabaoth.

After being informed by Fluder Paradyne that he had found the base of Ainz Ooal Gown at some ruins in the Kingdom, the Emperor sent an unofficial sanctioned expedition through a count to explore said ruins. As planned, the expedition turned out to be a disaster for the Workers, who were mercilessly slaughtered by the inhabitants of the tomb. The Emperor hoped that news of this would spread and turn the Kingdom against Ainz, thus giving the Kingdom a powerful new enemy and the Empire a powerful new ally. Even if the steps would be traced back to the Empire, the Emperor would use the count as a scapegoat, allowing him to peacefully negotiate with Ainz.

However, the Emperor's plan was doomed from the start as Fluder had betrayed the Empire to join Ainz and was in fact ordered by him to send the workers. Ainz later sent two emissaries to the Empire under the pretext of enacting retribution for the invasion.

The Magic Caster of Destroy Arc
The Emperor was forced to travel to the ruins and apologize for the invasion to Ainz Ooal Gown, when one of the emissaries threatened to destroy the Empire if he did not comply. However, despite apologizing and even presenting the severed head of Count Femel, the Emperor believed that Ainz was going to declare war on the Empire in retaliation for the invasion. Knowing that the Empire would certainly lose if it were to go to war against Nazarick, the Emperor proposed an alliance to help Nazarick claim the territory around E-Rantel, which Ainz agreed to. After the meeting, the Empire publicly acknowledged Nazarick's existence as an independent nation while secretly making plans to create a grand alliance of nations against it.

Several months later, the Empire and the newly founded Sorcerer Kingdom went to war with the Kingdom over the territory around E-Rantel. Sorcerer King Ainz Ooal Gown personally fought on the front lines and used a spell to summon five Dark Young who massacred the Kingdom's army. Meanwhile, the Imperial Army stood by and watched in shock and horror at the massacre. When a single Dark Young approached them, the Imperial Knights ran for their lives, going as far as to trample over each other to death just to get away.

The Ruler of Conspiracy Arc
The aftermath of the battle of the Katze Plains proved to be disastrous not just for the Re-Estize Kingdom, but the Baharuth Empire as well. On top of the casualties, the Imperial Army was left demoralized with many wishing to resign and requesting the Emperor to not antagonize the Sorcerer Kingdom. In fact, because the Emperor was the one that requested the Sorcerer King to fight on the front lines, many believed he knew what would happen and used him as a scapegoat to vent their anger on.

When the Slane Theocracy sent an envoy to the Empire, the Emperor organized a meeting with them, hoping to forge an alliance against the Sorcerer Kingdom. These hopes were, however, quickly shattered when the Ainz Ooal Gown arrived unannounced and walked in on the meeting. Believing the Emperor had sold them out, the envoy left which left the Empire without any allies. The priests who attended the meeting were also greatly upset, causing the Emperor to fear that they would use their authority to organize a revolt. Faced with all of this, the Emperor gave up on opposing the Sorcerer Kingdom and requested the Sorcerer King to allow the Empire to become its vassal state. Ainz would, however, only accept the offer if it was done officially. Thus, a short while later, the Empire sent an official request for vassalization to the Sorcerer Kingdom.

The Craftsman of Dwarf Arc
Due to Ainz visiting the Dwarf Kingdom, Albedo and Demiurge were left in charge of the issue of the Empire's vassalization. Together they wrote a draft which had terms that were mostly favorable towards the Empire.

Culture
The Baharuth Empire is a civilization that is similar in culture to that of the French Baroque era. The citizens of the Empire have a higher standard of living when compared to other human nations, thanks to the numerous reforms made by the emperor. Limited meritocracy exists, thus allowing commoners to advanced on the social ladder, through merit rather than heritage.

Additionally, the Empire has a slave reform that grants rights to slaves but only for humans and not demi-humans. However, the exception of dwarves being exempted from losing their civil rights is due to an economic alliance they uphold.

Religion
The Empire's citizens seem to worship the Four Great Gods, along with several minor gods, that preside over mankind.

Politics
Originally, before the purge of the nobility, the administration of the Empire was left to the nobles ― in particular, the Court Council. Seats on the Council were mostly hereditary but there were instances where bribery was used to acquire a seat.

After the emperor purged the majority of the nobles from power, he was left with a bureaucratic party to sort and maintain his empire. He adopted many of the social reforms suggested by the Golden Princess, which allowed his country to successfully prosper.

Currently, the empire is held together by a centralized bureaucracy, divided into various departments, each with its own specialization. With the loss of so many officials, many capable commoners are given the chance to rise in status to alleviate the burden of administration.

Despite the emperor's purge of the nobility, many noble families still exist in the Empire. Though their importance in the internal politics has somewhat been reduced, the emperor still views them as minor threats. To make sure they never pose a threat to his authority, the emperor, annually invokes special taxes upon the remaining noble families during the war with the Kingdom.

Military Strength
The Baharuth Empire possesses a strong military which is referred to as the Imperial Army. The Magic Ministry with its specialty in magic has spared no expense to patronage from the emperors' past to provide the latest magical technology to the might of the Empire. Imperial soldiers in the Empire are professionally trained and possess the latest magical equipment provided by the Magic Ministry. The Empire's military assets would also include the personal guards under the direct jurisdiction of the Emperor himself, imperial air guards mounted on flying beasts, and even high level magic casters using flight magic.


 * Imperial Air Guard: Aerial warfare branch of the Imperial Army.
 * Imperial Earth Guard: Elite knights that are under the direct command of the Emperor.
 * Royal Guard: Knights specially chosen to protect the Imperial Palace.
 * Four Imperial Knights: Four selected knights that act as personal bodyguards of the Emperor.
 * Eight Knight Orders of the Empire: Knights charged with policing the Empire.

Foreign Relations
The Baharuth Empire is the second most advanced human nation. Led by a leader possessing both military acumen and wisdom, the empire is undergoing economic, social, and industrial reconstruction. It was considered to be the envy of other nations, until the Massacre at Katze Plains. Now that it has allied with the seemingly nation of non-humans, it has gained the hatred and mistrust of nearly all the surrounding countries.

Re-Estize Kingdom
Re-Estize Kingdom and the Baharuth Empire were in a state of annual war every once a year. Though the losses on both sides are minimal, the conflict between the two nations has only prolonged due to the fact that the Empire has never fully committed the entirety of their forces to the war. Another important factor of antagonism is the Kingdom's negligence over the continuous production of the addictive drug, Black Dust, which is already influencing the Empire's populace.

Despite all of this, the Empire wanted the Kingdom to be a part of its alliance against the Sorcerer Kingdom. However, this never came to fruition as a result of the massacre at the Katze Plains and the Empire abandoning the plan after submitting to the Sorcerer Kingdom.

Dwarf Kingdom
The Dwarf Kingdom lies within the Azerlisia Mountains, and unlike the Re-Estize Kingdom, they enjoy peaceful trade relations with the Baharuth Empire. Due to the lucrative trade relations with the dwarves, the Empire serves to protect the dwarves' civil rights as a pact to their established alliance together. The Empire traded heavily with the dwarves for their runecrafts, however about a hundred years ago, trade in these artifacts stopped.

Slane Theocracy
The Baharuth Empire is aware of the movements of the Sunlight Scripture, which implies that the Baharuth Empire is monitoring the Slane Theocracy. In addition, the Empire has made many appeals to the Theocracy for its assistance in sharing their teachings on divine magic. However, the Theocracy has yet to make any response back to the Empire's request on the issue.

In truth, the Theocracy has been monitoring its activities and political movement for a long time and has it considered to be the more successful nation to their plans in trying to raise human dominance. The Theocracy planned to aid on its conquest of the Re-Estize Kingdom which they saw as a failure. However, after the war at the Katze Plains, the Theocracy became wary of the nation and its Emperor who they think has turned back against humanity by allying with the Sorcerer Kingdom. While trying to form a secret alliance against the Sorcerer Kingdom, Ainz accidentally stumbled unto Jircniv's meeting with the emissary that represented the Theocracy. As a result, the Theocracy misinterpret it as a sign of deception and confirmed the Empire has abandoned its morals and officially cut all ties with them.

Sorcerer Kingdom
The Empire is the first nation to develop official relations with the new nascent nation. Initially, relations began after the failed infiltration and unintentional invasion by Count Femel's Workers. As it turns out the discovery of the tomb was all orchestrated by Demiurge and assisted by Fluder Paradyne. This was a way for them to declare to the world that Nazarick is an independently sovereign country.

After the emperor was forced to give a formal apology to Ainz Ooal Gown, the Sorcerer Kingdom and the Baharuth Empire formed an alliance. However, this so-called alliance was only superficial as a way to appease the Sorcerer King and it appears that the emperor is attempting to plot against Ainz Ooal Gown. Nevertheless, Jircniv agrees to give Nazarick legitimacy. From this moment forward, he sends forth his support to the neighboring nations with his acknowledgement of Ainz Ooal Gown's claim of territory.

However, the plan to gain support from neighboring nations failed after Ainz accidentally stumbled on the secret meeting that was being held between the Empire and the Theocracy. With no longer any real support, Jircniv has no other option but to have his nation become a vassal state to the Sorcerer Kingdom in order to both appease Ainz and protect itself from other nations who think the Empire has allied with that country.

Argland Council State
Though not much interaction is shown between the two nations, the Baharuth Empire maintains a political dialogue with the Council through its ministry of foreign affairs.

Karnassus City-State Alliance
The City-States or at least one of its members, the city of Peibart, has amiable relations with the Bloody Emperor through its mayor.

Roble Holy Kingdom
Due to the relative distance from each other, there is not much info regarding how diplomatic relations between the two nations are, however, few people who went there have great admiration of the nation's advancements.

Known Characters

 * Jircniv Rune Farlord El Nix
 * Fluder Paradyne
 * Nazami Enec
 * Baziwood Peshmel
 * Nimble Arc Dale Anoch
 * Leinas Rockbruise
 * Arche Eeb Rile Furt
 * Hekkeran Termite
 * Imina
 * Roberdyck Goltron
 * Parpatra Ogrion
 * Count Femel
 * James
 * Natel Inyem Dale Carvain
 * Loune Vermillion
 * Osk
 * Go Gin

Trivia

 * In terms of magical technology, the Baharuth Empire is considered the second most advanced country.
 * There were currently two known adamantite adventurers group in the Empire.
 * The Empire is the first New World nation to become a vassal state of the Sorcerer Kingdom.
 * The knights that protect the Imperial Palace are equivalent to gold class adventurers and are considered elite knights of the Empire.
 * At some point in the past, the Kingdom and the Empire were one and the same nation before they eventually separate and became two different nations.
 * Although the Empire wishes to take E-Rantel, they were reluctant to do so, considering how close the location of E-Rantel is to the Katze Plains.
 * Unlike the Slane Theocracy and Re-Estize Kingdom, the Baharuth Empire doesn't have a single person in their nation who can use Resurrection Magic.
 * The Empire usually sends out forty thousand soldiers against the Kingdom during their annual war, however, they can muster sixty-thousand men if they ever need to.
 * The Empire is conducting research on the use of undead as laborers in an attempt to free up manpower, so that it can direct the extra manpower to their military might. However, the project is facing fierce resistance from the temples, who believe that the project is immoral to their nation's creed. They perceived the project as a threat of spawning so many undead in one place, which may also cause stronger ones to spawn like the Death Knight from five years ago in the Katze Plains. This was the reason why many laborers are also against the project due to the practical reasons such as job security.