The Holy Nation, being one of the major factions, has a long list of relations with other factions and groups both inside and outside their countries.
The Shek are a warlike group of people who warred within themselves and everyone else neighboring them for as long as they've existed[145][15][16][146][147] and have plagued Holy Nation for centuries till this very day[17], which fueled their hatred of the Shek and the image of them as savage beasts[148].
But while Sheks have warred and launched raids against their neighboring Holy Nation territory[15], it was not to the level of destruction that the current war has wrought[149]. This has been changed drastically in recent decades, during the reign of the current Phoenix (and the late Shek King Shager). Accounts on the war would suggest that Phoenix launched a military campaign called The Holy Crusade to eradicate the Sheks that have been invading their borders for good and bring peace to their lands[150], to which Shager responded by ordering a large portion of his own forces to assault and "bring blood and doom to" Holy Nation[151][152].
In the midst of the war, the Shek Kingdom launched all-out assaults to inflict extensive casualties on the Holy Nation, razing The Hub and its inhabitants, as well as several smaller[153] settlements, but these reckless assaults has crippled their own demographics, causing the depopulation of multiple Shek settlements[154] while the Holy Nation prevailed as a result of their overwhelming numerical superiority[155], allowed HN to secure their borders[156] and captured large portions of the invading Sheks for Rebirth[157][158].
King Shager, the former ruler of the Shek Kingdom intended to hold a suicidal last stand in a final charge against the Holy Nation with whatever remaining forces he has left. This was opposed by Bayan, who Esata supported and fought Shager to the death. Esata, now leading the Shek Kingdom, was forced to compromise and called off her main forces from the frontlines, signed a peace treaty with the United Cities, reluctantly opened the Shek Kingdom cities to outside trade temporarily, and is attempting to rebuild the Shek Kingdom's strength while biding her time, waiting for the opportunity to destroy The Holy Nation.
Seta plays a critical role in reinforcing both the Holy Nation’s city defenses[159] and its frontlines[160], ensuring that Shek offensives cannot break through or destabilize the border[159]. Phoenix, on the other hand, commands the bulk of the Nation’s reserve strength, positioned to launch decisive counter-attacks and suppress any major Shek advances that threaten the defensive perimeter[161][162].
In the current time, the Sheks have temporarily halted their largest attacks since Esata has called off her forces from assaulting HN until at least one of their leaders (Seta, Phoenix, Valtena) is taken out[163]. The lingering raids[164] and existential threat they pose was a cause for great concern by Phoenix[165] and HN's populace in general[166]. Phoenix plans to eradicate the Shek raids and threats by firstly weakening the Shek Kingdom by taking out Seto to resume Sheks assaults unto HN to weaken Admag before moving onto taking out Esata and have Sheks Kamikaze themselves into inevitable extinction and bring peace to their lands[126].
Sometime after Tengu (a man noted for his cruelty, impulsivity, and lack of common sense)[167] was chosen[168], Simmering tensions between United Cities and The Holy Nation have broken out into open border conflict primarily in and around the Bast region, and has been going on for at least 15 years[169]. Though it is unclear whether this action marked the start of hostilities or was merely a part of an ongoing conflict[170].
Bast was once an area filled with many farmlands and towns for trading[171] by United Cities[172], and is implied to have been colonized and developed in recent times[173], which came close to Okran's Valley[174]. It eventually ended up into a border war, with devastation for both sides[175].
It is said that HN's forces prevailed against the UC's forces in an offensive that razed the namesake city/region in a single day, burning its head Noble alive, and sent the remaining youngsters in the devastated region to Rebirth[176]. Both giants continuously skirmish with one another in the region as neither side establishes a lasting foothold[177].
The HN has a very negative viewpoint of UC's culture, seeing their materialistic focuses as decadent and corrupt that goes contrary to their spiritual values[178], and abhor their practice of using slavery[179]. This opinion, however, isn't extended towards those who practice or organize slavery[180][181][182]. Implying that their issue is with the case of forced labor being used to serve personal gains like the nobility, rather than forced labor itself, as they themselves practice it in Holy Mines and Rebirth and see it as justified to maintain order against criminals. Phoenix considers Tengu as a "rotten tyrant"[183] and Inquisitors see him as "One of the biggest threats in all the land"[184].
Phoenix commands a smaller contingent at the front[185], functioning primarily in an auxiliary capacity and serving as the Holy Nation’s second line of defense[186]. Valtena, by contrast, bears the brunt of the fighting in Bast, effectively managing the frontline operations almost single-handedly[187], preventing UC and TG's expansion and enslavement of their own populace. Okran's Shield and Okran's Fist serve as both a defensive hardpoint and a place for organizing much of the squads[188].
The threat that UC poses is only seen as a secondary issue by the Phoenix[22], and HN army is seemingly content with stationing just enough forces at the border to prevent UC's penetration into their land[189] rather than conquering UC outright even if they clearly had the military might to[190][191].
The Flotsam Ninjas are a tiny rebel group lead by Moll based inside Hidden Forest primarily made up of a few disgruntled women and former slaves who defected from The Holy Nation, with significant denizens from Deadcat[192].
They engage in various subversive activities inside the Holy Nation such as influencing and smuggling dissidents,[193][194] assassinations,[195], spreading heresies[196], fermenting unrest and riots[197][198], and advocating for armed resistance to the Holy Nation in general,[199][200] but is implied to have been largely unsuccessful[201]. Their various subversive and violent actions have inspired more zealous crackdowns and purges from HN authorities[202][203][204]. They are seen as traitors[205], terrorists[206] and a constant source of annoyance by the general populace both men and women alike[207][208][209].
Faction of a tiny, isolated hideout based in the middle of Fog Islands, composed of Tech Hunters and outlaws of The Holy Nation. They have mutually hostile relations with HN.
Escaped criminals of The Holy Nation. Typically found in small groups wandering the wilds and engages in banditry across HN areas.
Destitutes, beggars and thugs who have banded up in gangs to pressure and rob others for food. Commonly found in the wilds with sizes varying from small groups to gigantic ones. Engages in banditry across HN areas.
Bandit ninjas whose leaders are known to engage in murder, arson, kidnap and assault and Ninja Raids. Their leaders (Buzan, Dimak) have a bounty with The Holy Nation.
Bandits who engage in assault, murder and looting and engage in extortion. Their leader (Dust King) has a bounty with The Holy Nation.
Sheks led by Ghost, who engage in assault, murder and looting. Their raids are blocked off as a result of Seta's defenses[210].
Sheks led by Flying Bull who engage in assault, murder and looting. Their raids are blocked off as a result of Seta's defenses[211].
Neighbors of The Holy Nation forbidden from coming into The Holy Nation lands. Lost Drones occasionally found inside HN territory originates from this faction.
Holy Nation Robots wander around Okran's Valley and engages in assault and murder on denizens of The Holy Nation. Occasionally has bounty put upon them.
Insane and cannibalistic Hivers that will eat their victims alive. Their intrusions are blocked off as a result of Phoenix's defenses[119].
A threat rarely spotted through Okran's Valley and Bast, whose overrun is blocked off as a result of Phoenix and Valtena's defenses[120].