Reincarnated with the Country System

He tapped a control panel. The map shimmered, and glowing points spread across it. The images—captured through high-resolution orbital satellites and clandestine field cameras operated by embedded agents.

"In this empire," Black said evenly, "temples and sects wield enormous social and political influence. Many provincial rulers derive authority through divine sanction—either appointed directly by religious orders or legitimized through sacred investiture rituals."

General Marcus folded his arms and grunted. "So, are they theocratic?"

Black shook his head. "Not entirely. The emperor is revered as sacred, yes—but true governance lies in a complex negotiation between religious institutions, noble lineages, and military clans. At the heart of this web sits the Council of Mandalas—a coalition of high priests, ministers, generals, and merchant lords—who serve as advisors to the imperial throne. It is a slow, labyrinthine bureaucracy. Yet, surprisingly stable."

The display shifted again.

"Now, their military."

Dozens of divisions, banners, and insignia appeared.

"Their standing force numbers approximately 5.1 million active personnel. Recruitment is drawn from a combination of voluntary enlistment and compulsory levies, particularly in the border provinces. Nearly one in every fifteen adults has undergone at least basic martial training. Forces are divided across regional commands, each led by a princely commander—some sanctioned by religious orders, others backed by ancient military clans."

He clarified quickly, "Many of these commanders are trained strategists or political nobles. A few are recipients of sacred blessings, but the chain of command remains largely secular. Ritual supports morale and legitimacy, but tactical authority lies with seasoned officers."

A quick motion brought up another display. Dozens of airborne figures appeared—graceful, powerful, terrifying.

"Two hundred thousand serve in their aerial division. Here lies a critical divergence from conventional doctrine. Indiana's air forces consist primarily of bonded aerial beasts—dragons, thunderbirds, and arcane avians—ridden by elite cavalry trained from childhood. These are not simply riders—they are soul-bound warriors. Their unpredictability is matched only by their devastation in open battlefields and forest terrains."

Several images flickered across the screen—vivid, dynamic photos from aerial reconnaissance drones and embedded operative footage.

"They also deploy a modest fleet of arcane airships. These are not precision engines of war, but broad-function carriers—used for reconnaissance, rapid troop deployment, and limited bombardment. Though lacking modern engineering finesse, they are durable, mobile, and often protected by rudimentary elemental shields."

The map zoomed toward the coast. Port cities lit up with markers. Harbors thrummed with movement. Massive drydocks bristled with mana-bound cranes.

"Their navy is formidable," Black stated. "1.7 million personnel. Over 6,000 active ships—ranging from small spirit-propelled cruisers to colossal war-barges capable of deploying two hundred troops each. Most impressive are their forty ironclad vessels—floating fortresses of mana-reinforced steel, powered by hybrid steam and furnace-forged ley-cores. Slow, nearly indestructible, and terrifying in direct confrontation."

He paused as a ripple moved across the map—vast and primal.

"Moreover, Indiana commands tamed sea monsters—massive aquatic beasts bound by deep-sea rituals, trained by seafaring temple orders. Some serve as living engines of war. Others tow ships or defend harbor fortifications. But their loyalty is... imprecise. There have been multiple incidents of frenzy and disobedience under stress."

The projection zoomed out again. A golden range emerged between Indiana and its neighbor.

"The Golden Mountains," Black said solemnly. "A jagged spine of sacred land separating Indiana from the Malak Dynasty. Rich in leyline energy, spirit-stone veins, and sacred metals. It is a land of blood and bones—coveted by both empires for generations. Every peace accord breaks eventually. No treaty has endured. Both empires claim it as ancestral."

The map swept across the other side of the range.

"Now... the Malak Dynasty."

The tone sharpened.

"This realm is larger—covering over one hundred and ten million square kilometers. Unlike Indiana, Malak is centralized, hierarchical, and methodical. The ruling Jin Line has held the imperial throne for nearly four centuries. Their capital, Shengtai, is one of the most fortified cities in existence—built in seven concentric rings, each layered with cultivation wards, martial garrisons, and inner sanctums guarded by spirit-bound sentinels."

The display revealed a nation of elegant symmetry—marble cities, endless terraced fields, gleaming rivers, and roads as straight as blades. Fortresses and academies were strung along the landscape like pearls.

"Malak is culturally and ethnically more uniform. It is governed through a meritocratic, Confucian-like bureaucracy. Every official is examined. Every citizen cataloged. Military service is compulsory for the lower classes. At the age of seven, every child undergoes a spiritual resonance assessment."

He paused.

"Those who qualify are inducted into the Cultivation System."

A crimson overlay spread across the map—highlighting training halls, martial monasteries, and ancient dueling grounds.

"Cultivators are warriors who harness inner energy—Qi—through years of meditation, martial discipline, and spiritual refinement. They form the elite class of the Malak military and nobility. Some become walking weapons—High-tier cultivators are devastating. They move faster than bullets, can withstand small-caliber fire, and manipulate elemental energy. Some fight with their bare hands. Others use spirit-forged weapons that can cut through tanks. A few possess the ability to fly or create short-lived protective barriers."

Carl muttered under her breath, "So… demigods."

"Not quite," Black replied. "Cultivation has limits. It is physically taxing, slow to master, and cannot be mass-produced. They are deadly, yes—but also rare. Out of their 7.5 million active soldiers, approximately 100,000 are cultivators. And also thankfully, most of those cultivators are low to mid-tier. High-level masters are rare and tend to serve in elite units or as generals. Their true grandmasters—those at the peak of cultivation—can be counted on one hand, and they are seldom seen on battlefields. Most serve as protectors of imperial sites or advisors to the throne."

"Still, Malak's military strength should never be underestimated. Their navy and air forces rival Indiana's—and in some ways, surpass them."

He gestured, and the projection expanded—a composite of satellite-captured imagery displaying the Dynasty's southern coastline: a heavily militarized frontier, marked by fortified harbors, mobile drydocks, and strategically garrisoned islands forming a defensive arc across the ocean.

"Their navy," Black continued, " is more modern, better organized, and strategically deployed compared to Indiana empire. They have 8,400 vessels under the Imperial Navy"