View source for Belka

{{world
| image       = Belka.jpg
| caption     = 
| altnames    = Ancient Belka<br/>Old Belka
| status      = Lost/destroyed
| name_ja     = ベルカ
| name_romaji = Beruka
| first       = ''[[A's]]'' (introduced)<br/>''[[ViVid]]'' (depicted)
}}

{{nihongo|'''Belka'''|ベルカ|Beruka}} is the [[world status::lost]] home[[location size::world]] of the [[magic]]al civilization {{nihongo|'''Ancient Belka'''|古代ベルカ / {{ruby|真正古代|エンシェント}}ベルカ|Kodai Beruka / Enshento Beruka}}, the dominant force in the ''Nanoha'' multiverse before its fall and the rise of [[Midchilda]]. The world of Belka has been lost in a large dimensional dislocation in the year 462 of the [[Old Calendar]], and its current state is unknown.

Due to popularity of usage, in modern written (Midchildan) language as shown on [[TSAB ID Card]]s, '''Belka''' generally refers to the Modern Belkan [[magic system]], while '''Old Belka''' is used instead when referring to this lost world Belka as a domicile, or to the Ancient Belkan magic system.

==Name==
''Nanoha'''s Belka may have been inspired by the {{wk|acecombat|Principality of Belka}} from ''{{wp|Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War}}'' (2004) and the Belkan Federation from ''{{wp|Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War}}'' (2006) video games, a militaristic German-speaking superpower with advanced technology and a culture of {{wp|knight}}ly values. Fandom has since embraced the crossover idea with [[:File:A's Combat Zero trailer|fan-made trailers]].

"Belka" ("{{wp|ru:Белка|Белка}}") means "{{wp|squirrel}}" in Russian. It is also the name of {{wp|Belka and Strelka|one of the first two dogs}} to return safely from a space flight.

==History==
Using advanced [[mass-based weapon]]s, Belka expanded its political influence not only into other countries but also other worlds. Belka's scientific advances are attributed to technological outflow from [[Al-Hazard]] over 1000 years ago. Around the same time, with great technological advancements in the field of human life manipulation, many rulers decided to strengthen their own bodies artificially and force that same fate upon their descendants. The [[Saint King]]s of Belka shaped their bodies into ultimate weapons, while the Dark Kings of [[Galea]] turned themselves into living factories for producing the [[Mariage]].<ref name="ssx_booklet">''StrikerS Sound Stage X'', Guidebook: "History of Belka", pp. 14–15 ([http://forums.animesuki.com/showpost.php?p=3039530&postcount=132 a translation]).</ref> However, Belka's Empire collapsed after their homeworld became uninhabitable due to hundreds of years worth of pollution, possibly caused by the unrestrained use of mass weaponry.

Following the fall of Belka, the Saint Kings attempted to rebuild their empire, using [[the Saint's Cradle]] battleship as their new base of operations. Their struggle became known as the [[Saint King Unification War]],<ref name="ssx_booklet"/> which lasted for several centuries until the last Kaiser, [[Olivie Sägebrecht]], gave her life to end the war and the Cradle disappeared. In the turmoil that followed, the remaining Belkans quietly settled down on neutral worlds, while Mid-Childa and the [[TSAB]] emerged as the new dominant magical powers. The [[Saint Church]], whose creed is based on Olivie's teachings, is the modern successor to Belka's traditions.

==Magic==
"Belka" can also refer to the combat-oriented [[magic system]] that was developed by their civilization. Belkan magic was focused on high powered, close range anti-personnel combat. Belka was responsible for the creation of [[Armed Device|Armed]] and [[Unison Device]]s, as well as of the [[cartridge system]].

==Language==
The Belkan language seems to be some form of {{wp|German language|German}}, since most Ancient Belkan spells have German names; all [[Armed Device]]s from that era speak German and most of them are named in German (e.g. [[Schwertkreuz]], [[Graf Eisen]], [[Klarwind]]); and many Belkan terms have German counterparts (e.g. "Knight" and "Ritter", "[[Saint King]]" and "[[Heiliger Kaiser]]"). However, Modern Belkan [[Device]]s and spells are named in and speak English, like their Midchildan equivalents.

No matter Ancient or Modern, when armed with melee weapons (other than bare fists or gauntlets), Belkan combat [[mage]]s and their [[Barrier Jacket]]s are referred to as "'''knight'''s" and "'''Knight Armor'''s".

==References==
{{reflist}}

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[[Category:Locations]]