Bastion

It was that of a mighty castle, located further south of Chained Isles.^[5] Bastion itself lay at the heart of Valor's territory. The heartland of the Dream Realm, where Bastion stood, was more dangerous than Ravenheart.^[6]

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Bastion had always seemed like an illustration from a fairy tale, but it had a harrowing reality hidden behind it. The beautiful castle, the tranquil lake, and the picturesque land surrounding it were all conjured from an ancient daemon's imagination. The Demon of Imagination was long gone, but the illusion that replaced reality remained.^[7]

Instead of a lush forest, it was surrounded by a sea of ash and charred remains of the dreaded titan, with human forts built here and there to repel powerful Nightmare Creatures from wandering close to the Citadel. It was the former ancient, cursed forest that Anvil of Valor had destroyed.^[8]

Some distance away, was the Lake of Bones — a tranquil lake glistened in the sunlight, and from its clear waters, a breathtakingly beautiful castle rose into the sky. The castle was built out of grey stone and was as large as a city, its ancient walls scarred by a thousand sieges that it had withstood.^[8]

Bastion's lake was deep and dangerous. The lake was patrolled by powerful Echoes of Nightmare Creatures and swords, each serving as the eyes and ears of the Supreme Anvil of Valor, the King of Swords. Reaching the castle unnoticed was nearly impossible due to the presence of these creatures.^[9]

Main article: True Bastion

The true Bastion is not the mirage they all live in. On a full moon, one can go into the true Bastion.^[7] The lake's water was colder, and its surface was restless due to the strong wind and a broken sky above.^[9]

The magnificent castle was a very special illusion, more real than reality itself. Most people living inside the castle didn't know the difference, as it didn't affect their lives. A mysterious and somber place was hidden beneath the beautiful, towering edifice of Bastion.^[7]

Both the illusory castle and the real castle had enchanted lanterns shining softly in the darkness of the night.^[10]

The castle existed in both the illusory world and the terrifying reality, but while it stood tall and proud in the former, the reality is the mighty walls had collapsed, and the tall towers were toppled.^[10]

The true castle is hidden in the reflection of its illusory counterpart, the false Bastion.^[11]

The Castle was a gargantuan city with around a million people living between its walls, half of whom were Awakened. It had hundreds of Masters and at least a dozen Saints guarding the stronghold or visiting from their own Citadels.^[12]

At the lowest and outermost ring of the great stronghold, the street appeared like a city street with paved roads and white stone buildings opposite the monolith barrier of the outer wall made of the same stone. However, Bastion was a natural part of the defensive fortifications, designed to withstand the most terrible siege.^[12]

Bastion resembled an artificial mountain separated into distinct levels, with concentric circles of inner walls protecting each and a main thoroughfare piercing each wall in a spiral. To reach the main keep from either of the outer gates, one had to circle the mountain many times, passing lesser gates. The direction of the thoroughfare was purposeful, allowing defenders to rain arrows on attackers more effectively if they breached the outer wall.^[12]

Main article: Great Mirror

There is nothing like a drowned city on the bottom of the lake in the illusory version of Bastion unlike in True Bastion. The illusory lake seemed to seep into the real lake through its reflection.^[13]

The Sword Domain's human population increased, making the use soul shards as currency unsuitable. As a replacement, the Great Clans began minting their own coins, each containing a small amount of essence, and their value was supported by the shard treasuries each clan possessed.^[14]

The coin had a number on one side and a sword piercing an anvil on the other, containing a small amount of soul essence. Many Awakened carried coins for emergencies, as they could absorb this essence.^[14]

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Sunny theorized that the actual Component of Bastion might not be the Great Mirror under the False Bastion but rather something hidden in the Hall of Imagination. He observed that True Bastion lacked secret passages to the underground hall, unlike the illusory version, which suggested a different structure and possibly a different core Component.^[16]

Back when Bastion was first established, it was surrounded by a vast and hungry forest. The whole thing was one giant Nightmare Creature. Clan Valor spent decades at war with it, losing many knights. In the end, the forest was destroyed, leaving behind a lot of high-quality lumber.^[17]

• The image of Bastion was etched into the minds of all humans by countless dramas and films, with countless stories of romance and valor taking place in its stone walls.^[18]
• In Bastion, it was common to meet someone clad in enchanted armor rather than wearing a stylish business suit, as it took some effort to transport material possessions from the other side.^[19]
• The true Bastion was a death zone.^[10]
• Bastion once belong to the Demon of Imagination.^[7]
• The Knights of Valor have eradicated most abominations around the false Bastion.^[11]
• After the Throne War, Effie is now in control of Bastion as the "Steward of the East".^[1] (Refer to After the Throne War)
• Beth managed to build a functioning hydroelectric power plant that finally brought electric lights in Bastion.^[20][21]
• According to Effie, Bastion is larger than NQSC in physical size. While NQSC has a larger population and is built vertically with countless floors above and below ground, Bastion is mostly horizontal and covers an immense amount of ground.^[22]
• In Chapter 3148, Morgan claimed Bastion and the former Sword Domain.(Aftermath of Fourth Nightmare (Event))