The Kingdom of Hikari

Eastern martial kingdom

Hikari occupies the eastern side of Kaladria and is steeped in ancient traditions of swordsmanship. It takes its name from Yoshino Hikari, the Warrior-King remembered for leading the country to glory. His black-bear emblem remains recognisable to Hikari’s people and is the sigil associated with House Hikari.

A shared past with Chiseido

Hikari and Chiseido were once one state. Their later separation created two related but contrasting political cultures: Hikari prizes martial force and inherited warrior traditions, while Chiseido is identified with scholarship and diplomacy. This history is part of the background of students such as Ryuji, whose stated teacher was a retired Hikari knight, and of the noble families encountered at the Chiseido academy.

The civil war

Twenty years after the Tower was founded, Yoshino died and the succession contest between Satomi Hikari and Arata Hikari became the Hikari Civil War. Satomi’s connection to the Tower and Shun Sato’s intervention at the Battle of a Thousand Shadows made the kingdom central to the history of the Tower’s second transgression.

Scope

This article presents information available through Volume I. Later developments are intentionally not included.