"I need a plan"
As I went through several books in the royal library on the history and geography of this world, I somehow thought back to my days of University days where I would sit hours in the local library researching on articles. I wouldn't consider myself a total nerd but I did spend a decent part of my time reading, if not doing anything else.
As I selected a few books and kept on a desk, I noticed it was rather growing into a pile. To stop myself from collecting any more, I decided to sit down. Also, to avoid the constant eyeing from the librarian.
Apart from Freya, there are four other continents which is ruled by its own main power. That is, Aos, Erus, Iith and Crux. Aos is the largest and the oldest continent in the world with its 'main' power being Laiweth Empire. It used to be the strongest in the world, with most small kingdoms conquered but now have lost its glory over the years. If I recollect correctly, Henry, the fourth love interest belongs to this empire. This empire, which is famous for its military enhancements and strong knights from it. Henry is although, quiet and introvert, who most of the time keeps things to himself and speaks when he is spoken to.
Ah, yes 'the mysterious character a secret so dark and deep it will make your heart go doki~'
The character description. I cringed hard at the wording and flipped through the pages to distract myself to remember it again.
Aos is an inland territory which shares borders with Crux and Iith. Iith is a small continent which doesn't have much information on it as it is where live the 'demi-humans' or also even called the 'unnatural beings'. Something that is not supposed to exist by the rules of nature. It's isolated and doesn't share any relationship with any of its neighbours. Wanting to be left alone, no one bothers to travel to the continent to have enough knowledge about it.
Next, Freya, the kingdom and the continent where I live is known to be both blessed and cursed by the Gods. The nature on which the kingdom thrives and prospers is the exact nature that wants to devour this continent from within. Around 500 years ago, after 10 years of founding the 'Freya' kingdom by a traveller from the other side with the help of the rich resources, this land has to offer, a catastrophe fell. What people describe as 'a gate to hell' opened on the very south of this continent and various 'monsters' and inhumane creatures appeared devouring and slaughtering any human being in their way.
Many villages were burnt and lives were uprooted. Killer saw no child or woman or elderly as it killed whatever it came their way.
The newly founded kingdom was on the verge of the destruction when God sent an angel to the world to save the kingdom of 'Freya'. People describe him as 'hero from another world' who seized the gate in the form of a 'dungeon'. 'He' also called those who followed him 'adventurers'. Like this, he travelled all over the world to seize the gates with his followers, hence saving the world.
'An otherworldly being like me...? Dude saved the world on the concept of fantasy RPGs?'
He was known as the saviour of many and even worshipped as God by demi-humans for whom he founded their own place to live. Demi-humans, who have been in this world as early as the gates opened. They are not accepted by the society for their 'monster' disposition.
'An otherworld being like me came to this world 500 years ago...'
This world is much more than the novel I know. This is no... fiction but a real world. As the realization of reality hit me a certain anxiety grew within me.
Dismissing my fears, I continued to read.
Till now Freya holds the record of having the most dungeons and thus became the land of 'adventurers' who come from all over the world. This makes it not only richer in resources but also opens connections to kingdoms all over the world making it the social hub. This makes it politically strong even being the smallest continent in the world.
'He not only saved the world but boosted the economy making Freya one of the most important kingdoms in the world'
Next Crux continent with the kingdom of Atlantia as it's main power lies almost on the other side of the world. This is where sister is going, huh. It has the smallest number of magical wielders but still has progressed much further in magic technology than any kingdom or empire.
Polar opposite of Freya kingdom? Why would they want to 'strengthen' their relationship with us? I pondered when I decided to take out the map.
My eyes widen in realisation as something struck me.
'No way....'
I went to the librarian who looked at me suspiciously, "Is there more information on the kingdom of Atlantia? Anything, newspapers or local books?"
"Well, your highness, all the international books are there in that aisle. More than that, there are no other books."
I have checked through the whole aisle!
"Um, maybe newspapers?"
He scoffed, "Newspapers? What would you want to do with a commoners trend?"
Commoners... trend?
Don't tell me nobles don't have anything like newspapers. Oh wait, they don't need one. Rumours flow in noble society like water. And if they want to know something about someone they hire informants. Such things make the newspaper a 'commoner' like thing.
"I.. am actually curious what a newspaper looks like. Do you maybe have a sample?" I lied.
"Well, the newspaper does arrive at the castle, as few commoner workers read it. You can check in the archives. However, I wouldn't go there if it were me, your highness." He said not paying attention to me anymore as he was doing a few hours ago.
I dashed. The way to the archives was a small room hidden beside a rack. It looks like hardly ever it is used.
I began my search to find articles on the Kingdom of Atlantia.
I reached for many papers on the kingdom of Atlantia and read through them thoroughly. It's famous for its research institution which conducts... research on monsters. They have taken control of the half of the dungeons present in the kingdom, blocking any unverified adventurer to go in. While no one exactly knows what these 'research' are, it is supposedly not revealed by any official and only rumours can confirm these.
A research centre... blocked dungeons... 'strengthening relationship with a kingdom with most dungeons.'
It finally makes sense.