Alzer Republic

Alzer Republic (アルゼル共和国) is a sovereign state of the republic of nobility. Their military defense is considered as the strongest deterrent, and their technology is more advanced than the kingdom has, and this is the main setting of Volumes 4 until Volume 7, where the Second Game begin.

History
The Alzer Republic was once ruled by seven Great Noble families: the Lespinasse, Rault, Barielle, Granze, Pleven, and Feiviel. The Lespinasse, which produced the Sacred Tree Priestess, had been chairman of the Great Nobles for generations. 10 years before Leon came to the Republic, The Lespinasse lost its priestess crest due to their betrayal of the Sacred Tree. In desperation, the Lespinasse household resorted to the taboo; they researched the method to control the Sacred Tree and, by extension, other Greate Nobles. Their actions greatly enraged members of the Great Nobles; They joined their force against the Lespinasse, which was subsequently destroyed not long after. Unbeknown to most people, Albergue, the head of the Rault household,  secretly let the Lespinasse's twin daughters escape because he deemed them innocent of their parent's actions.

After the downfall of Lespinasse, Albergue assumed the position of chairman. However, the Alzer Republic has had neither a priestess nor a guardian ever since.

Politic
Despite its name, the Alzer Republic is actually ruled by the aristocrats. Unlike the Holfort Kingdom, the Alzer Republic has no absolute monarch. Instead, the power is divided among powerful aristocrats, the Six Great Nobles. All important decisions, such as laws and policies, will be made through the mutual agreement of its members. Although they introduced themselves as nobles, each family was like a royalty of their respective domain. Leon noted that the Republic was technically a group of countries that gathered under the Sacred Tree.

There are differences among the Six Great Nobles regarding influence. The Rault family, which holds the position of chairman, is the most influential household. By contrast, other families consider the Feiviel family the weakest and often keep them in low regard during the meeting. Nonetheless, the strength of families and their relationships change over time.

In the past, the Lespinasse family was also among the Great Nobles and held the position of chairman for generations. Since their lineage was the only known bloodline qualified for receiving the Priestess Crest, the Lespinasse had monopolized the priestess position, hence a privilege to choose the Guardian. In other words, the Lespinasse was the queen who could select the king. This privilege granted the Lespinasse significant influence above other noble families. However, their power was shattered after the Lespinasse betrayed the Sacred Tree, resulting in their loss of the Priestess Crest and subsequent downfall.

Below the Six Great Nobles are lesser Alzer nobles. Although they do not have the same level of authority, these minor nobles are still a privileged group. Many of them are the cadet branches of the Six Great Nobles.

Sacred Tree
The massive magical tree is integral to Alzer's politics, economy, military, and culture. Aside from providing virtually unlimited energy, the Sacred Tree also produces magic orbs, the Republic's primary source of income. Moreover, the protection from the Sacred Tree gives the Alzer Republic immense advantages in combat. Because of its significance, the Sacred Tree has been worshiped by the people of the Alzer Republic.

Origin
Unbeknown to most people, the Sacred Tree was actually the invention of the Old Human. As a result of their war against the new human, the Earth had been devastated and no longer inhabitable. The Sacred Tree was a part of their effort to restore the environment; It could break down and absorb magic elements in the atmosphere. However, the war ended with their defeat before mass production could start, leaving only one surviving young sampling. Nevertheless, the young sampling bonded with an elf named Yume and grew into a great tree. This tree eventually became known as the Sacred Tree.

Crest
The Sacred Tree can bless humans in the form of crests on their right hand. The crest possessor can summon and control its roots; Aside from physical restraint, the summoned roots can nullify a target's magic. According to Brad, who experienced them firsthand, he felt like something forcefully stopped the magic process. Additionally, the possessor can create a barrier to protect themselves.

Another usage is called the oath to the Sacred Tree. The crest possessor can draw out more power than usual by swearing an oath to the sacred tree. The condition in the oath can be made in very unfair terms. For instance, forcing another side to kill each other until only one. Anyone who breaks the oath will suffer severe consequences. If a person without a crest breaks the oath, roots put around their neck by the tree will decapitate them. For The crest possessor who breaks the oath, they will be forcefully stripped of their crest and its powers. This ability gives Alzer nobles immense advantages over people who did not receive the blessing.

The Sacred Tree crests have different ranks. If two crest possessors face each other, The higher-rank ones will override the lower-rank. In cases where both parties are equal, a stalemate ensues. The ranking of Sacred Tree crests from the highest to the lowest are as follows: Guardian, Priestess, Great House, and Vassal House.

Those who lost their crests for whatever reason can never receive a new one; The same restriction also applies to their descendants. Nevertheless, obtaining a blessing from another Sacred Tree is still possible. An example is Noelle, whose mother was stripped of her priestess crest but still receives one from a young sapling.

The Crests do have a very detrimental downside as their users become totally dependent upon them. As a result the user's physical abilities atrophy and he/she is physically weaker than those who do not possess a Crest or has trained regularly.

Guardians
A unique position meant to protect the Sacred Tree. Unlike other crests, Any person can become Guardian of the Sacred Tree as long as they have the strength and will to defend it. In normal conditions, The priestess shall choose the Guardian. But the Sacred Tree may select the Guardian itself if the situation requires.

It is noteworthy that while the priestess can choose the Guardian, her options are limited to candidates prepared by the Sacred Tree. Those candidates are mainly from Six Great Nobles and Vassal Families. On the other hand, the Sacred Tree, or its sapling, can select a Guardian before the Priestess does, and the person can be outside of the Six Great Nobles and Vassal Families, such as Leon Fou Bartfort.

Priestesses
Another unique position whose duty is the caretaker of the Sacred Tree and its medium for communication with humans. The Sacred Tree usually chooses the priestess. Nevertheless, it is possible to manipulate the selection process, demonstrated by the AI named Ideal.

The criteria for being the priestess are unknown. Even so, one common feature of known priestesses is their compatibility with plants. For instance, Yumeria can manipulate plants, and Noelle can hear the voice of a young sapling and the Sacred Tree.

Six Noble Families
The third highest rank of crests below guardian and priestess. Only descendants of Six Great Nobles can possess them. Besides supporting the guardian and priestess, They also serve as choices of candidates to become the guardian.

Vassal Families
The lowest rank of crests belongs to minor Alzer nobles.

Applications
The technologies of the Alzer Republic are centered around utilizing energy from the Sacred Tree. Unlike other countries whose machines run on the power from magic orbs, their airships and armors run on the energy from the Sacred Tree. Though they require a specially-made device and pilots with crests, the performance of airships and armors will increase several levels above weapons of similar specs. The custom-made weapons for members of the Six Greate Nobles have even higher capabilities due to their ability to receive abundant energy from the Sacred Tree.

Since they do not need to carry magic orbs, the number of weapons and ammunition they can store increases. Moreover, their energy shield is incredibly sturdy, thanks to the near-unlimited energy provided by the Sacred Tree. Unsurprisingly, The military of the Alzer Republic is a particularly potent force when they are fighting in their own country. However, this comes with a downside as it makes their military only strong in defensive battles. Should they move beyond their country's borders, their airships and Armors become weak. Furthermore, despite fighting within their own country, their fleets proved inferior to the sheer firepower of a Lost Item-made vessel such as Einhorn.

In addition to military usage, the energy from the Sacred Tree is used to function infrastructure and other basic necessities.

When Pierre Io Feivel took Einhorn from Leon Fou Bartfort in an unfair wager, he had the ship inscribed with his family's emblem, augmented by the power of the Sacred Tree. However, when Luxion took back control of the ship, and had it rampage against Feivel territory and the Alzer Navy, the emblem tried to stop him, but its power was easily turned away by Luxion.

Sacred Tree Saplings
While exploring the dungeon, It is possible to find a Sacred Tree sapling, a small sapling with the potential to grow into another Sacred Tree. They are highly valued and challenging to obtain since they dry up and die quickly. So before Leon, no one that found a sapling could keep it alive for more than a few days.

For unspecified reasons, the Sacred Tree tries to kill any born saplings, draining magic until they either die or get far enough away from it. Supplying more energy to Loic when he attempted to kill Leon, the sapling's guardian. Interestingly enough, the sapling that Leon found, (nicknamed Sappie by him), took the initiative and named Leon its Guardian, perhaps as a defensive measure against the Sacred Tree's attempts to kill it.

Transformation
In the climax of the second game, Albergue managed to transform the sacred tree into a powerful monster that the player had to defeat.

Culture
For the Alzer nobles, the Sacred Tree crest is essential for their identity. They are nobles because the Sacred Tree recognizes them. The Alzer nobles, thus, revere the Sacred Tree, treating it as spiritual support and the symbol of their power.

The rank of the Sacred Tree crest reflects the standing of its holder. The higher rank they are, the higher their status as nobles. Only people born into a noble family can receive the Sacred Tree crest. As a result, the Alzer Republic has a particularly rigid social hierarchy. In the Holfort Kingdom, an individual may rise in status through accomplishments. However, the commoners in the Alzer Republic cannot become nobles; for the simple reason that they do not receive the blessing from the Sacred Tree.

Since there is no counterbalance to their power, the Alzer nobles can practically do whatever they want. They can commit grave crimes against commoners and suffer no consequences. Inevitably, the Alzer nobles have developed a strong sense of superiority. They are generally scornful toward commoners who do not possess the Sacred Tree crest. Their haughtiness also extends to how they treat other countries. Even Brad, who comes from a distinguished family, was once called a fake noble of a third-rate country.

On the downside, The Alzer nobles have noticeably low physical and magic abilities. For instance, Pierre's combat skills are inferior even to Brad, the magic specialist. Moreover, their supreme confidence also dulls their sense of danger. It is not unusual for the Alzer nobles to regard wars lightheartedly. Due to this overconfidence, they eventually started a fight with a man they should not fight. The subsequent rampages by Leon, therefore, gave the Alzer nobles a devastatingly rude awakening.

Nothing terrifies the Alzer nobles more than losing the Sacred Tree crest. The mere idea of losing its protection can make even the most arrogant nobles lose their nerve. Without protection from the Sacred Tree, the Alzer nobles will become very vulnerable. In addition, because their descendants will not be able to receive a Sacred Tree crest, it is customary to disinherit those who lose their Sacred Tree crest. Therefore, losing a Sacred Tree crest is equal to losing their life as a noble, which for most Alzer nobles, it is a fate worse than death.

Alzer Academy
The academy is very different from the one in the Holfort Kingdom, being closer to a typical Japanese high school. Unlike in the Holfort Kingdom, Even the commoners can enroll in the academy. The reason is that Alzer nobles are so confident of their power and thus do not fear any potential revolt due to commoners obtaining knowledge.

Alzer Republic Dungeon
The dungeon located in Alzer Republic. Adventuring is valued much less in Alzer then it is in the Holfort Kingdom, so it is rarely explored. It is possible to find a Sacred Tree Sapling inside as a monster drop.

Leon's Residence
It is located in an affluent neighborhood. Leon's residence is a large house on a small estate with gardens attached lining up. The building has three floors with a small garden attached. Leon used this residence during his stay in the Alzer Republic. Although he often relocated to Marie's mansion for security reasons.

Marie's Mansion
Due to Marie and the Prince's Entourage's infamy, they were to live in a different place from Leon. The mansion prepared for them was spacious and well-suited for nobles. Unfortunately, they did not have servants to help run the estate since Mylene, the queen of Holfort Kingdom, intended to have them taste hardships.

Known Households

 * Lespinasse Household
 * Rault Household
 * Barielle Household
 * Druille Household
 * Granze Household
 * Pleven Household
 * Feiviel Household

Known Residents

 * Noelle Zel Lespinasse
 * Lelia Zel Lespinasse
 * Louise Sara Rault
 * Jean
 * Albergue Sara Rault
 * Serge Sara Rault
 * Loic Leta Barielle
 * Emile Laz Pleven
 * Narcisse Calce Granze
 * Hugh Tola Druille
 * Fernand Tola Druille
 * Clement
 * Pierre Io Feivel
 * Bellange Leta Barielle
 * Lambert Io Feivel

Residents from the Holfort Kingdom

 * Leon Fou Bartfort
 * Marie Fou Lafan
 * Julius Rapha Holfort
 * Greg Fou Seberg
 * Chris Fia Arclight
 * Jilk Fia Marmoria
 * Brad Fou Field
 * Included -
 * Luxion
 * Kyle
 * Carla Fou Wayne
 * Cordelia Fou Easton
 * Yumeria

Trivia

 * The location where the Sacred Tree is used to be the military base of the Old Humans.
 * People from the Alzer Republic have French-themed names.