Shieldfreeden (Web Novel)

Shieldfrieden (シルドフリーデン) is a Demi-Human country located southeast of Melromarc.

Background
In The Reprise of the Spear Hero, it was mentioned that the country was formed due to the discontent of the bloodline politics of Siltvelt and discrimination of races in every nation as well. However, nothing much was mentioned about the country.

Summary
They were furious for Melromarc had summoned all the Heroes against the international agreement. They were again enraged when the Heroes, especially the Shield Hero, refused to meet their envoys and were left disappointed for they prepared for a hero's welcome. During the time Aultcraywas acting beyond his authority and trying to arrest the fleeing Naofumi on false charges made Shieldfreeden enraged enough to prepare for the war, but the Queen was able to quell them. Shieldfreeden employs a large amount of Dragons, so their relations with the Aotatsu are favorable.

When Naofumi was denied class-up, he considered other nations, at that time Erhard, his trustworthy person recommended Shieldfreeden in comparison to Siltvelt. Naofumi to agreed upon this idea, but the situation didn't favor him to go. When everything was brought to light. Naofumi preferred to work with Shieldfreeden or Faubley, as he hoped for better treatment and environment in comparison to the one he experienced. But, the queen convinced him to stay in Melromarc.

Naofumi considered Shieldfreeden and Faubley to be a better country than other nations. especially in comparison to the conservative Melromarc and radical Siltvelt. Ironically, Shieldfreeden allied with Takt, when he claimed himself to be the chosen Hero. In a way betraying Naofumi when his weapon was stolen by Tact. While Siltvelt and Melromarc raised their arms against Takt in favor of Naofumi.

After hearing the crushing defeat of Takt in the hands of Naofumi, they had a sudden change of heart and a bit of a shuffling of leadership. They placed all the blame for siding with Faubley on a representative. Normally, this would provoke further conflict, but Aultcray proclaimed that fighting waves was of greater importance than petty squabbles. Shieldfreeden lost the confidence of both the holy and vassal weapon Heroes. They also lost the trust of other nations. Naofumi predicted that they will tread down in the near future.

Government
While Shieldfreeden is supposed to be a republic, but as revealed in the Spear Hero WN, there is a deep divide between the upper and lower classes. This change in government was caused by the Aotatsu and Takt's secret hostile takeover of Shieldfreeden. The Aotatsu pushed their religion, the Dragon Faith, onto the upper class by showing of Takt. With his strength and approval from both the Aotatsu Chief Nellisen and Reldia, the strongest Dragon Emperor at the time, Takt was able to take over Shieldfreeden. City districts are divided between the two classes, the upper class living in rich areas while the lower classes live in poor areas. The lower are oppressed by the upper class and are forced to work in Takt's weapon factories for 16 hours a day. To keep this harsh work schedule going, the upper class force the workers to drink a special "energy drink" invented by Takt that keeps them working for 16 hours a day. As discovered by Motoyasu, this drink is actually a weak poison that will kill the person drinking it if they keep drinking it regularly for about a year.

Religion
The religion of Shieldfreeden is the Shield Faith. However, the ruling class of Shieldfreeden believes in the Dragon Faith like most of the Aotatsu.

Geography
Shieldfreeden is on the main world continent surrounded by some of the most powerful kingdoms on the continent: Rock Valley, Melromarc, Siltvelt, and Zeltoble kingdoms, etc.

Melromarc
Though Melromarc treats Demi-human poorly, they comparatively have better relations with them, unlike Siltvelt. However, this relationship is strained when Melromarc summoned the Heroes against the international agreement. This gets worsened when the Shield Hero's poor treatment.

Siltvelt
Though both of them are demi-human nations, they have some bad-blood which worsened, when Shieldfreeden allied with Tact.

Zeltoble
Their relationship with Zeltoble is unknown, but it's assumed to be bad after they aligned with Takt.

Faubley
Being one of the most powerful nations, Shieldfreeden maintained better relations with them. This continued even after Takt took control of the nation. They allied with him, even if it meant standing against the original Shield Hero.

Trivia

 * It was mentioned that Shieldfreeden is about one month of travel by wagon or at least two weeks of travel by ship from Melromarc.