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| “ | I hoped the whole place burned to the ground, the whole damn world. | „ |
| ~ Naofumi cursing Melromarc and the world it belonged. |
The Kingdom of Melromarc, often simply referred to as Melromarc, are former antagonists from The Rising of the Shield Hero franchise. Although other villainous factions would later emerge (both from within and outside the kingdom), the people of Melromarc, especially those within its upper echelons, were the opening and predominant antagonists of the first four volumes in the original light novel series. They retain this role in the corresponding manga and anime adaptations.
Named for its royal family, Melromarc was the country that the Four Cardinal Heroes (Bow, Shield, Spear and Sword Heroes) were originally summoned to. Despite needing all four of them to combat a global threat, known as the Waves of Calamity, Melromarc's two residing members of the royal family quickly turned the already distrustful people against Naofumi Iwatani, the titular Shield Hero and the series main protagonist. The King and the Princess purposefully disgraced the Shield Hero in the eyes of both his fellow heroes and their nation, by framing him for a crime that he did not commit. This lead to almost everybody turning their backs on the helpless young man.
Whilst this misplaced hatred initially made the innocent Naofumi’s life exceptionally difficult, this hardship also forced the Shield Hero to become both resilient and resourceful. Adjusting to his unjust life, Naofumi with the help of his demi-human companion Raphtalia, soon began his rise to become the world's strongest hero. It would not be until the return of Queen Mirellia Q. Melromarc, the true ruler of Melromarc that the nations many wrongs were righted and Melromarc's antagonism was ended.
Hierarchy & Structure[]
When Naofumi first saw Melromarc, he noted that it had a similar appearance to Medieval Europe from his own world. As its name suggests, the Kingdom of Melromarc is ruled by a monarchy. Unlike most of the other nations found within Raphtalia's world however, Melromarc is matriarchal, making the Queen the absolute ruler of the nation.
As the Shield Hero would soon discover, Melromarc is also matriarchal. This means that women tend to have more rights and power than men, with crimes against the former being considered especially heinous. One of Aultcray Melromarc's ministers even pointed out that serious offences against a woman are met with swift retribution, usually resulting in the death of the offender.
In regards to hierarchy the monarchs are followed by the greater lords, the lesser nobles and finally the human citizens. At the very bottom of Melromarc's society are the Demi-humans. Since its foundation, Melromarc has always been a nation of human supremacists. Despite Queen Mirellia’s best efforts to reform her nation, most of the Demi-humans found within Melromarc are slaves. The few that are not are liable to end up either enslaved or killed.
The Church also holds a high position within the country and at the court as well. Proof of this was illustrated when the Pope's presence was required in order for the first duel between Naofumi and Motoyasu to be declared a legal one.
Melromarc has a standing army, comprised of several thousand human knights, mages and footmen. Knights, generally, tend to come from the noble families, whilst commoners are free to join the mages and foot soldiers. As with the other nations, people of various skillsets and origins can also join the local Adventurers guilds. Motivated by fame, fortune and money they mostly deal with small scale quests and bounties but will sometimes be called upon to aid the soldiers and their nation in larger schemes. The more skilled an adventurer the higher their reputation. Whilst Demi-human adventurers and soldiers do exist, they are rare in Melromarc. Behind the scenes, the Royal family and the Church also possess a band of loyal spies and assassins, called Shadows. They dress like ninjas from Naofumi's Japan but their actions, names and recruitment process are surrounded in mystery.
Melromarc's currency consists of minted coins. Copper is the lowest form of currency, followed by silver and finally gold. One hundred copper coins are equal to one silver and one hundred silvers the equivalent to a single gold piece.
Religion[]
Whilst other faiths do exist, at the time of Melromarcs introduction, the dominant religion was a modified version of the original Four Saints Faith: The Three Heroes Faith. According to this scripture, the wielders of the Legendary Bow, Sword and Spear are living demi-gods sent to Earth to protect the world. It is said that these blessed heroes will push back the darkness, thus saving the world from destruction whilst at the same time, protecting the people. These same texts also vilify the Shield Hero. Over countless generations, the people of Melromarc have been told that the person who wields the cardinal shield is a vile, treacherous person, more akin to a devil, who holds evil in their hearts. As proof of this proclamation, the Church pointed out that historically the Shield Hero has always been noted for their kindness towards Demi-humans, the people of Melromarcs archenemies.
It is not known if the Church of the Three Heroes believes in a creator or governing God. Its final leader, Pope Balmus, certainly considered his actions to be the work of God, although in the final moments of his life, he also stated that he viewed himself to be God. It is possible that the Church's followers did in fact unwittingly worship the evil God behind the Waves.
Between the events of his shaming to his eventual acquittal, Naofumi and the other heroes would challenge the countries long-held traditions and beliefs. Whilst the three revered heroes brought calamity and destruction to the people of Melromarc, the supposedly evil Shield Hero was the one that protected and saved them. After the Church launched a failed coup against the royal family, Queen Mirellia publicly outlawed the Three Heroes Faith, replacing it with the Four Saints Faith, which worshiped the four heroes equally. Given everything that had happened, much of the population willingly embraced this new faith.
Relationship with the other nations[]
The Kingdom of Melromarc is just one of several nations that exist within Raphtalia's world. Known countries include Siltvelt (Melromarc’s arch-rival), Shieldfreeden, Faubley, Zeltable and later Rock Valley (the nation founded and led by Naofumi). As is the case in every world, Melromarc's relationship with its neighbors has varied throughout the course of history. Although famed for their archrivalry with the Demi-humans nation of Siltvelt, before the start of the Waves, it is implied that Melromarc was at peace with most of its neighbors.
This all changed when King Aultcray deliberately summoned the four Cardinal Heroes to Melromarc, thus depriving the other countries of the help they desperately needed to combat the Waves. Usually, each country would summon one of the heroes to their respective domain, in order to protect themselves and their allies. As such, the world leaders regarded Aultcray's actions as a deliberate act of betrayal on the part of Melromarc. When word subsequently reached their ears that the Shield Hero was being mistreated, the leaders were only further enraged, especially those from Shieldfreeden and Siltvelt who worshiped the Shield Hero as a God. The situation deteriorated so badly that the spurned nations nearly formed a coalition with the intention of waging war upon Melromarc,a war the kingdom would surely lose.
Only the intervention of the politically shrewd Queen Mirellia Q. Melromarc prevented this from happening. Through careful negotiation the true ruler of Melromarc made it clear that she was just as angry with her husband and daughter as any of the others. Exactly what was said and promised at each of these meetings is not known, but Mirellia was eventually able to prevent an attack upon her country. This caused her return to be delayed by four months. However, when she did make it back, the Queen managed to exonerate the Shield Hero and deal justice to that conspired against her.
Inhabitants[]
Royalty[]
- Queen Mirellia Q. Melromarc.
- King Aultcray Melromarc XXXII (revoked).
- Princess Malty S. Melromarc/Bitch/Witch (revoked).
- Princess Melty Q. Melromarc – heir to the throne.
Aristocrats[]
- Van Reichnott.
- Idol Rabier (revoked).
- Lord Seaetto (deceased)
- Earl of Habenburg.
Church & Military[]
- Church of the Three Heroes (disbanded)
- Pope Balmus (deceased)
- Church of the Four Holy Heroes/The Four Saints Faith (current faith).
- Shadows.
- Knights.
- Eclair Seaetto.
- Aken.
- Mages.
Merchants[]
- Erhard the blacksmith.
- The Alchemist.
- The Magic Shop Owner.
- The Tailor.
- Numerous stall owners and Merchants.
External links[]
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Melromarc has the tradition of having the husband's name decided by the wife.
- Although the citizens of Melromarc were already highly suspicious of the Shield Hero, it has never been explained why Malty’s accusation was so readily believed given her bad reputation amongst the populace. It is possible the King kept the identity of Naofumi’s accuser a secret so as not to arouse suspicion.
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 Villains
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Melromarc Kingdom Glass' World Legendary Heroes Former Companions Medea's Reincarnators Vanguards of the Waves Army of the Waves Church of the Three Heroes Faubley Siltvelt | ||