Dear Reader,

You have opened what is truly one of the greatest works of literature ever written in the Lessaenite Empire. Do not mistake this for conceit: contrary to popular opinion, I am by no means the author of this book. This work belongs to Airel Arystenn, the courageous man who became our first and King, and to him alone. I am simply an interpreter, tasked with making his great words available to all of you.

Transferring this volume from the yellowed pages of King Airel's personal journal to a typed format, and subsequently translating it directly from Old Lessaenite to English was a gargantuan undertaking, but one I deemed necessary for the cultural and educational advancement of the Lessaenite Empire.

When I first paged through the original journal at the Imperial Museum of History in Pylea, I was astonished at the clarity and wisdom of young Airel's words, words he must have been certain no one would ever read. I truly saw the scenes of battle, the excitement, and the hardships as if I had been there myself. I was ashamed that such an exquisite tome was being neglected simply because of its inaccessibility, and I took it upon myself to rectify that issue.

Airel was a superior writer as well as a strong ruler, and I know that I could never do justice to the excellence of his  literary skill, but I hope that you will find this modern adaptation of Empire satisfactory.

Sincerely,
Dr. Lokaly Yulah, Professor of Pre-Empire History, Glaisse Imperial University, Glaisse, Lessaenes.