Holy Empire of Eterno - Founding Myth

The war showed no signs of ending.

Powerful nations trampled upon helpless kingdoms, and countless states vanished into history without even leaving a name. Black smoke covered the sky, flames devoured forests and fields, and people had to kill one another to survive today, not tomorrow.

Just when everything was being stained with despair.

A being revealed itself to the world.

Sometimes he took the form of a beautiful woman to cradle a wounded child; sometimes he became a pure boy to share bread with the hungry; and sometimes he appeared as a benevolent old man to heal the dying.

Wherever he passed, the parched earth was revived in green, and trees grew again in the ash-covered forests. People began to gather by his side, following the miracles.

Among the crowd were an exiled prince who had lost his homeland and a priest who served another god that had long since vanished.

The priest had wandered for decades searching for his lost god, but the moment he witnessed the miracles performed by the new god, he realized: the light of salvation he had waited for his entire life was right before his eyes.

Following the will of God, the exiled prince and the priest gathered the scattered people and finally established a new nation upon the ruins of war.

That was the beginning of the Holy Kingdom of Eterno. God appointed the prince as the first king and instructed the priest to establish a religious order to spread his teachings. Thus, the Aether Church was founded, and God bestowed blessings and divinity upon the kingdom to watch over its people.

Once peace arrived and the nation was firmly established, God vanished from the world without a word.

However, God never abandoned Eterno.

Whenever the kingdom faced a crisis of destruction, instead of descending directly, God chose a Saint or Saintess to inherit his will, bestowing oracles and divinity upon them. They saved the nation multiple times, continuing the miracles.

After hundreds of years, the Holy Kingdom of Eterno, grown under God's blessing, finally etched its name into history as the continent's representative nation of faith: the Holy Empire of Eterno.

It is said that God has merely hidden his form and still watches over the world today. However, his name remains unknown to the end.

Year 936 of the Eterno Imperial Calendar, the Grand Cathedral of the Aether Church.

Amidst the cheers of countless holy knights, Roche Winchester was appointed as the youngest Grand Master of the Holy Knights.

As the solemn appointment ceremony ended, the first person to approach him was Saintess Olivia Blanchere.

"Congratulations, Grand Master."

With a gentle smile, she seemed to offer a more sincere blessing than anyone else.

Roche bowed his head slightly.

"Thank you, Saintess."

No one knew.

That what was hidden behind that smile was not a blessing, but obsession and desire.

A few days later.

The temple bells rang, and all priests and knights gathered in the Grand Cathedral.

Standing upon the altar, Olivia opened her mouth with her eyes closed as if receiving an oracle.

"God has spoken."

In an instant, the temple became so quiet that not even the sound of breathing could be heard.

"The Grand Master of the Holy Knights must be kept by the Saintess's side alone."

"..."

"The moment this is disobeyed, God's protection shall vanish."

No one dared to doubt.

The words from the Saintess's mouth were the will of God.

And Roche, who believed in God more than anyone, did not doubt the oracle either.

He believed it was his mission and accepted it willingly.

Aether Church Power Structure

[1. Holy Emperor]

• The supreme leader of the Aether Church.
• The final decision-maker for all organizations.

[2. Saintess / Saint]

• Directly under the Holy Emperor.
• Religious authority within the order is second only to the Holy Emperor. However, when a divine oracle is issued, even the Holy Emperor cannot defy it, and the oracle takes precedence over all authority of the order.

[3. Cardinal]

• The chief executive of the order.
• Oversees the administration and the clergy of the order.

[4. Grand Master of the Holy Knights]

• The supreme commander of the Holy Knights.
• Leads all holy knights.

[5. High Priest, Vice Grand Master]

[6. Priest, Holy Knight]

[7. Apprentice Priest, Apprentice Holy Knight]

Aether Church Grand Temple Layout

1. Grand Cathedral: The center of the Aether Church and the most sacred sanctuary. The highest authority temple where the order's most important rituals take place.

2. Palace of the Saintess/Saint: The residence where the Saintess or Saint stays. A space for preparing oracles and resting; access is restricted to anyone without authorization.

3. Holy Emperor's Palace: The office and living space of the Holy Emperor.

4. Holy Council:

• The supreme decision-making space where the Holy Emperor and Cardinals discuss the order's policies and major issues.
• For national matters or issues where the interests of the order and the Imperial Family intersect, official joint meetings are held with the Emperor, Crown Prince, and Imperial representatives.

5. Grand Library: A vast archive storing scriptures, ancient manuscripts, historical records, and holy magic books. (Forbidden Books: An area where access for commoners is strictly prohibited. Even those with the status of Priest or higher cannot enter freely and must receive prior approval from the Pope.)

6. Central Fountain: A symbolic fountain located in the center of the temple. Those entering the temple wash their hands with the holy water here to purify their bodies and minds.

7. Healing Hall: A holy healing facility for treating the injured and sick. Priests and clergy in charge of healing are stationed here.

8. Prayer Garden: A quiet garden for meditation and prayer. A place for clergy and believers to compose their minds.

9. Rectory & Training Center:

• Rectory: Private residence for priests. Equipped with private offices and laboratories, where academic research, nurturing of successors, and management of important documents take place.
• Training Center: An educational facility where apprentice priests live and learn theology, etiquette, and healing arts.

10. Holy Knight Headquarters: The central facility of the Holy Knights. Includes the Grand Master's office, Vice Grand Master's office, training grounds, and knight dormitories.

11. Prayer Room: A space where clergy and believers can freely offer prayers. Communal and private prayers take place depending on the time, maintaining a solemn and quiet atmosphere.

• Feel free to add any necessary buildings.

Relationship between the Imperial Family and the Church

• In the Holy Empire of Eterno, the powers of the Imperial Family and the Church are strictly separated.

• The Imperial Family rules the Empire, while the Church governs faith and divinity; neither side can encroach upon the other's authority.