The third and most subtle form of conquest is through economic means, where control is exerted not with armies or religious conversion, but through the manipulation of wealth and resources.
Nations are subdued by debt, taxation, and financial dependency, often without realizing it. The conquered people willingly transfer their wealth to their conquerors, believing it is necessary for the greater good—whether to fund national security, infrastructure, or protection against a fabricated or exaggerated enemy.
This form of conquest is particularly insidious because it leaves the visible structures of freedom intact. No occupying forces are patrolling the streets, no temples or churches are desecrated, and the population retains the ability to vote, speak freely, and move about their daily lives.
The illusion of sovereignty remains, but the true power lies in the hands of those controlling the flow of wealth. As the masses continue to funnel their resources upwards, the conquerors gain absolute control without ever needing to resort to force. This method is enduring because it hides the reality of subjugation behind the façade of normalcy, making it one of the most effective and long-lasting forms of conquest.
In its ultimate form, The Alpharian Empire is not just conquest—it is the mastery of these methods, designed to reshape economic and social realities without the need for overt warfare. The true conqueror does not wield a sword; he controls the wealth, the systems, and the minds of those he seeks to rule.