Vers Empire
Martian empire that invaded Earth using Aldnoah technology.
The Vers Empire is the primary antagonist faction in Aldnoah.Zero. A Martian civilization descended from Earth astronauts who discovered the ancient Aldnoah technology on Mars, the Vers established a rigid feudal society that ultimately turned its technological advantage against their homeworld.
History
Origins
In 1972, a team of Earth astronauts discovered the ruins of an ancient civilization on Mars. Among their findings was the Aldnoah, a powerful energy source that granted its user godlike abilities. The Mars colonists established a settlement that eventually declared independence from Earth, forming the Vers Empire with the Aldnoah users as its ruling class.
Over generations, the Vers developed a strict feudal hierarchy based on Aldnoah ability. The Emperor and royal family sat at the apex, with Counts and lesser nobles ranked by their connection to the Aldnoah. This created a society where power was literally inherited, entrenching inequality across Martian society.
War with Earth
Tensions between Mars and Earth escalated over decades of political and economic friction. When a peace conference was bombed under mysterious circumstances, the Vers Empire used the incident as justification for a full-scale invasion of Earth.
The Mars Knights, equipped with superior Areion mobile armors powered by Aldnoah technology, initially overwhelmed Earth’s conventional forces. However, the Earth’s numerical advantage, tactical adaptability, and the emergence of skilled pilots like Inaho Kaizuka gradually turned the tide.
Internal Conflict
The war exposed deep divisions within the Vers Empire itself. Not all nobles supported the invasion, and the manipulation of events by figures like Count Saazbaum revealed that the conflict was driven more by internal power struggles than genuine grievance against Earth.
Slaine Troyard, a half-Earth knight, rose through the ranks by exploiting these divisions, eventually attempting to seize control of both Earth and Mars for himself. His actions, combined with the efforts of Princess Asseylum Vers Allusia who genuinely sought peace, ultimately led to the war’s conclusion.
Society
Vers society is structured as a rigid feudal hierarchy:
- Emperor and Royal Family: The apex of Vers society, wielding the greatest Aldnoah powers
- Counts and Nobles: Regional rulers ranked by Aldnoah ability and political influence
- Knights: Warriors who serve the nobles, piloting mobile armors in battle
- Pages and Servants: Lower-class Vers who serve the nobility, including those of mixed Earth-Vers heritage like Slaine
This hierarchy is enforced through both tradition and the literal power disparity between Aldnoah users and ordinary humans. The system creates inherent instability, as ambitious nobles constantly maneuver for advantage while Earth-born Vers like Slaine face discrimination despite their loyalty.
Military
The Vers military centered on the Mars Knights, elite pilots who operated Areion mobile armors. Their technological advantage included:
- Aldnoah-powered mobile armors with superior mobility and firepower
- Advanced materials and energy weapons
- Orbital drop capabilities for rapid deployment
However, the Vers overrelied on technological superiority and underestimated Earth’s capacity for adaptation and resistance.
References
- Aldnoah.Zero TV series (2014-2015)
- Aldnoah.Zero 2nd Season TV series (2015)
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