This is a dark era, the once splendid light of civilization scattered on the ground, the iron-like theocracy and monarchy binding the land and people like chains, with the chaotic wave in the wasteland afar and wild beasts in the wilderness near, surviving requires great courage and effort.
But this is also a "pure" era—the iron-like aristocratic order upholds the iron-like "aristocratic spirit," the rule makers indulging in their own "glory" and "orthodoxy," stubbornly enforcing the dogmatic morals and rules. The existence of the Transcendent establishes the rule that "strength exceeds wisdom"—everyone is accustomed to measuring prowess in direct battles, thus cunning plans beyond that become superficial and stagnant for centuries.
Therefore, the people of this era are destined to lose beyond the battlefield to an old schemer hanging in the sky for millions of years.
Of course, Gawain personally feels that each of his plans is quite upright...
