Siltvelt

Siltvelt (シルトヴェルト) is a country of Demi-Human (亜人) located northeast of Melromarc and separated from Melromarc with at least two countries between them.

The Japanese katakana name is perhaps a transcription of the word "Shieldweld," and "Siltvelt" is just an altered abbreviation.

Ancient History
The predecessor Siltvelt, the nation of Siltran, existed in the ancient past of the Bow and Shield world. They were responsible for summoning the Legendary Shield hero Mamoru Shirono.

Recent History
Siltvelt was once under the control of four great races: Hakuko, Genmu, Shusaku, and Aotatsu. However, after the war with Melromarc, the Hakuko's forces were greatly ravaged. As a result, they, as a race, fell from a position of authority but still hold some influence. Those of the Shusaku race tend to be pro Shield Hero radicals while those of the Genmu race are more moderate. The moderates prefer not to depend too much on the hero while the radicals devote themselves to the hero. The previous Shield Hero met his end in less than a month in Siltvelt. Whether he was weak or stuck down in a conspiracy is unknown, and Siltvelt had difficulty in swallowing it.

Volumes 1-4
After the Heroes were summoned by Melromarc, the Siltvelt kingdom was greatly enraged that the King of Melromarc and the first princess (Malty S Melromarc) breached the international agreement. So the queen of Melromarc, Mirellia Q Melromarc had to assuage their anger diplomatically and explain it was to protect their nation and not for any other motives. Though displeased, Siltvelt was unable to retort since the queen also pointed out the last shield hero's demise in Siltvelt and also because Faubrey sided with Melromarc.

Siltvelt along with the other nations was shocked by Mirellia's acceptance to the King of Fabuley's demand. Mirellia convinced all the nations to share the heroes (under certain conditions) and to accommodate their wishes. But every hero refuses to meet any envoys, including the Shield Hero, who asked the Siltvelt envoys to leave him alone. As the Shield Hero's condition in Melromarc was getting worse, many assassins came after Mirellia's life. Mirellia claims that all the heroes are cleansing the filth in her nation and should be given time to complete their task. When the slave of the shield hero was almost taken away by a rigged duel, Siltvelt was enraged and started preparing for war. But the queen of Melromarc used her wit to stop it.

Volume 10
Naofumi captures the slave hunters (humans) who captured and killed the Demi-Human of Seaetto territory. Naofumi then decides to sell the slave hunters as slaves to Siltvelt. He did it for the following main reasons:

1) Siltvelt was known for cruel treatment of humans, so Naofumi's action sent a warning to other slave hunters not to attack the village of Seaetto again. It was meant as a gesture of goodwill to Seaetto.

2) He gave the slave hunters what they deserved as the soldiers hurt their own citizens for money.

3) He needed money to buy back all the slaves of Raphtalia's village.

4) Naofumi knew well that he would not be punished for turning in humans to Siltvelt because Naofumi has close political ties and great trust with the Queen of Melromarc. That is because it was Naofumi who caught and turned in the hunters, the Queen believes that the hunters' acts were truly evil and criminal. Indeed, the Queen Mirellia gave her unofficial blessing to Naofumi to sell the hunters as slaves to Siltvelt. The queen also threatened others who may stand against her with the same fate as the hunters.

A pre-auction was held in the name of the Shield Hero. To punish the criminals and take the slaves offered by the Shield Hero, many Siltvelt nobles placed higher bids to buy and torture them. Naofumi used the money to buy back Raphtalia's villagers from Zeltoble.

Volume 11
When Naofumi was trying to repopulate his territory by buying the slaves, the slave trades of Zeltoble mostly showed a number of female slaves who were healthy, good-looking, and sexy. They were openly trying to seduce Naofumi. Naofumi also notes that their cages were better than what he normally has seen.

However, Naofumi sees through them. He finds that noble Demi-Human families were sending their prettiest daughters to copulate with the Shield Hero under the guise of slaves, as Naofumi had a reputation for taking slaves as his comrades and treating them generously. These Demi-Human sought political advantage for their own families. Naofumi mildly warned them and the slave traders to stop this kind of nonsense.

Volume 13
Naofumi wanted Siltvelt's help to invade Q'ten Lo as Siltvelt was the only nation that traded with Q'ten Lo. Using this opportunity, Siltvelt did all they could to claim the Shield Hero as theirs, but they failed to comply with Naofumi's request to provide a boat.

Religion
The Siltvelt religion is a sect of the Four Saints Faith. Siltvelt worships only the Shield Hero, thus making it the very opposite of Melromarc's initial Church of Three Heroes (in the anime, the Queen of Melromarc changes this cult into the Church of the Four Heroes).

Government
The Siltvelt government system is called parliamentary democracy, but in fact it's oligarchy with powerful nobles bidding for public favor and influence.

The Siltvelt Kingdom currently has four major political parties: Hakuko, Genmum, Shasku, and the Aotatsu. They are the most influential Demi-Human races, and they maintain a power balance, competing for influence within the government.

Hakuko
The Hakuko heads the radical party. However, since their king died, they have quieted down, but people are wary of whether or not they'll rise again. Their race was given this name by the ancient Shield Hero. But Naofumi suspects that the ancient Shield Hero must have mentioned Byakko, and it got changed in the passage of time.

Hakuko are known for their battle instincts which Naofumi witnesses firsthand. They were formerly the most influential race with slightly more control than the Genmu, Shusaku, and Aotatsu. They were mentioned to be the toughest opponents for the wise king of Melromarc, as they used their fighting instincts, spirit, and will-power against his wisdom.

A Genmu representative inquired Naofumi if a Hakuko was under his care, fearing that Silvelt's power balance would be toppled. The Genmu was relieved to find that Naofumi's team-members were half-blooded Demi-Human as the Genmu do not consider half-blooded Demi-Human to be true Demi-Human.

Genmu
The Genmu generally tend to side with the moderate faction within Siltvelt.

Shusaku
The Shusaku are supposed to be neutral, but some seemed to be a part of a radical faction within Siltvelt.

Aotatsu
Many of those from the Aotatsu race believe in the Dragon Faith as opposed to Siltvelt's major religion, the Shield Faith.

Military
Siltveltians' battle abilities seem naturally high, and their movements are nice. They once tried to conquer the world and would have succeeded, if it wasn't for the ancient King of Melromarc. Even without the Heroes, they were able to contain the waves, even if they couldn't fight directly. They were members of the coalition army assisting the heroes in the subjugation of Houou and against Takt's invasion force.

Melromarc
Melromarc's main dispute with Siltvelt is fueled by ethno-nationalism among humans and Demi-Human (Demi-humans). Melromarc practices human supremacy and Demi-Human discrimination, contrasting with how Siltvelt practices Demi-Human superiority and human discrimination.

Siltvelt also spites Melromarc for summoning all four heroes. The kingdoms compete for control over the Shield Hero. Melromarc King Aultcray acted beyond his authority and trying to arrest Naofumi on false charges. Riots broke out, and when Naofumi's slave was forcibly taken from him, Siltvelt started preparing for war. The Queen of Melromarc somehow quelled Siltvelt's bellicosity.

Melromarc-Siltvelt relationships started to take a better turn after they joined force against Houou and Tact's invasion. They gladly accepted Melty's coordination as queen and her engagement to the Shield Hero. However, both countries have yet to change their slave treatment policy under the pretext of taking a step into the future.

Q'ten Lo
Siltvelt is the only nation to have traded with the isolated nation of Q'ten Lo.

Shieldfreeden
Though both nations are Demi-human nations, Siltvelt has some bad blood with Shieldfreeden. This was greatly shown during the time of Tact's expedition, as Shieldfreeden sided with Tact.

Zeltoble
They have a decent relation with Zeltoble. They also used the slave merchant of Zeltoble to send Nobel men's daughter to become Naofumi's bride, as Naofumi takes slaves as his comrades. However, Naofumi saw through this and stopped this.

Faubrey
Faubrey is a powerful nation that also treats Demi-Human fairly. Hence Siltvelt sees Faubrey in a good light. When the Hakuko race were involved in the death of the parents of the third legal heir to the throne, Aultcray, Faubrey avoided any conflict with Siltvelt to maintain political ties.

When Takt took over Faubrey and made it a puppet state, Siltvelt raised their arms against Faubrey. Siltvelt declared to unite the world under its flag and stole the Shield hero's weapon. Siltvelt launched total war against Takt-occupied Faubrey as Takt was not only responsible for killing Siltvelt's fellow Demi-Human but also for hurting the true Shield Hero.

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