__**FROILAND BANQUET**__
"I have heard that the Froiland estate already had a detailed map of the forbidden forest" the prince asked
"Yes your highness, the map are depicted to be 45% of the forbidden forest" I answered
"Did the map locate any towns or civilized area Milady?" he asked again
"Yes there is an empty village of suspected dark elves, the area was reported to have experience a battle because of the marks and destructions it conveyed" I answered
"Please ask the forbidden map from the Deputy!" I asked the maid that are serving us here in the banquet
After awhile
"I apologize for the late greetings, Your Highness. I am Eleanor Froiland, the Vice-Head of the Froiland Estate," Mother said as she entered the banquet hall.
"And I am Cedrick Froiland, the Deputy of the Estate and the right hand of the current head," Sir Cedrick added.
They both bowed respectfully before taking their seats.
Sir Cedrick then handed over the map to the prince. "Your Highness, we are deeply grateful for the Imperial Knights' assistance in Middletown. We have received reports that the monsters have been completely eradicated, and the town is now in the process of restoration," Mother said with a sincere expression.
But the prince is focus on looking at the map, and mother did not bother to repeat herself
"The Forbidden Forest is so vast that our scouts have yet to penetrate its heart or discover any civilizations within. Despite decades of exploration, the forest remains largely uncharted. The scouts have encountered various monsters, each posing a unique threat. Consequently, the Scouts Captain was tasked with tracking and ranking the monsters within the forest.
The map of the Forbidden Forest has been divided into five divisions, based on the areas explored and the threats encountered. As you can see:
Division One (Rank 1 Monsters) Comprising 9% of the explored area, this division contains Lesser Beasts. These creatures are small to medium-sized, with limited strength and intelligence. Their attacks are primarily physical, and they rely on numbers rather than individual prowess. Examples include giant rats and goblins. Division Two (Rank 2 Monsters) This area is home to Minor Monsters. These creatures are medium-sized with moderate strength and slightly higher intelligence. They possess minor magical abilities and are more aggressive. Examples include orcs and lesser trolls. Division Three (Rank 3 Monsters) Occupied by Major Monsters, this division features large, powerful creatures with significant magical abilities and moderate intelligence. They are highly aggressive and territorial, often guarding specific areas or treasures. Examples include ogres and hydras. Division Four (Rank 4 Monsters) This section contains Elite Beasts, very large creatures with immense strength and high intelligence. They possess powerful magical abilities and can influence their environment. These creatures are extremely aggressive and often solitary. Examples include adult dragons and demon lords. Division Five (Rank 5 Monsters) The least explored and most dangerous area is home to Legendary Terrors. These colossal beings have god-like powers, exceptional intelligence, and are near indestructible. They are often tied to ancient myths and can cause widespread devastation. Examples include ancient dragons and titans." Sir Cedrick said
"Scout captains have explored the forest and encountered Rank 1 and Rank 2 monsters. To delve deeper, the Knight Captain joined the scouts to confront Rank 3 monsters. Further exploration required the involvement of executive elders, the Froiland special knights, and the lesser lords of the Northern Lands to tackle Rank 4 monsters. Finally, the former family heads and upper lords of the Northern Lands faced the formidable Rank 5 monsters.
These ranks reflect the increasing difficulty and danger posed by the monsters. The Froiland Estate has continued these explorations, mapping and confronting threats across 45% of the total area of the forest. Each tier of monsters encountered corresponds to specific areas on the map, illustrating the progressive challenges our forces have faced."
Mother paused, allowing the gravity of her words to settle in. "This ongoing effort ensures our continued understanding and defense against the ever-present dangers of the Forbidden Forest."
"Such dedication! I am utterly amazed at the accomplishments of the Froiland Estate throughout its reign in the northernlands. You have truly lived up to your decades-long history. The Northern Continent map reveals the vast expanse of this forest, though it does not fully convey its immense size.
The Northern Continent is divided into seven empires, each with its own unique characteristics and strengths. These include:
1. Avaleon Empire, The central and dominant empire, known for its extensive territory, formidable military, and advanced magical prowess. Avaleon serves as the cultural and political heart of the continent.
2. Drakoria Empire, Renowned for its dragon riders and powerful sorcery, Drakoria is a land of high mountains and deep valleys, where dragons are both revered and feared.
3. Eldoria Empire, Famous for its lush forests and skilled elven archers, Eldoria is a bastion of natural beauty and ancient magic, inhabited by wise and long-lived elves.
4. Frostholm Empire, Located in the frigid northern reaches, Frostholm is home to hardy warriors and ice mages, known for their resilience and mastery of ice magic.
5. Volantis Empire, A coastal empire celebrated for its powerful navy and maritime trade expertise. Volantis is wealthy, with a strong emphasis on commerce and exploration.
6. Ironclad Empire, Characterized by its vast mines and exceptional blacksmiths, Ironclad is the center of metallurgy and craftsmanship, renowned for its sturdy constructions and advanced engineering.
7. Luminara Empire, A land of radiant plains and vast deserts, Luminara is famous for its sun priests and light-based magic, thriving under the guidance of a council of wise clerics who harness the power of the sun.
These empires each contribute to the rich and complex political landscape of the Northern Continent, with Avaleon at its heart." The Prince said, despite this information being known to almost all the noble of the empires, I know the prince want to tell us something by sharing this known information
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"But what these empires have in common is the existence of monsters and demons. Each empire has its own Forbidden Forest. The Avaleon Empire has explored 45% of its Forbidden Forest, identifying various threats. Other empires might have undertaken similar explorations, likely encountering comparable dangers. What's more intriguing is that these Forbidden Forests seem to depict a particular pattern.
Avaleon Empire - The Northern Border Forest: Located at the northern border of the Avaleon Empire, this forest forms a natural barrier and is known for its semi-circular shape, encasing the northern territories.
Drakoria Empire - The Dragon's Veil: Situated in the mountainous northeast, the Dragon's Veil wraps around the highest peaks in a spiral formation, known for its dragon inhabitants and sorcery.
Eldoria Empire - The Whispering Woods: Found in the dense western forests, the Whispering Woods stretches in a labyrinthine pattern, making navigation extremely difficult with its ancient and mystical elven presence.
Frostholm Empire - The Icebound Thicket: In the far north, the Icebound Thicket extends in a radial pattern from a central icy lake, resembling frost spreading on a window, home to hardy ice creatures and warriors.
Volantis Empire - The Drowned Wilds: Along the southern coast, the Drowned Wilds spread in a tidal pattern, with dense mangroves and swamps encroaching inland, teeming with aquatic and amphibious monsters.
Ironclad Empire - The Ironroot Grove: Located in the eastern mountains, the Ironroot Grove expands in a root-like network, intertwining with the underground caves and mines, inhabited by robust and often metallic creatures.
Luminara Empire - The Sunshadow Jungle: Found in the southeastern deserts, the Sunshadow Jungle forms a circular oasis pattern, with dense foliage contrasting starkly against the surrounding sands, known for its sun priests and light-based magic.
Analyzing the patterns of these Forbidden Forests reveals a fascinating connection. The forests seem to radiate from central points, forming various geometric shapes that might suggest a common origin or influence. This could indicate that the forests are linked by a shared magical or demonic source, possibly remnants of an ancient civilization or the result of a powerful curse.
Speculating on what lies ahead, we might uncover an interconnected network of ley lines or magical conduits running through the Northern Continent, with the Forbidden Forests serving as focal points. These forests could be guarding ancient secrets, powerful artifacts, or gateways to other realms. Unraveling these mysteries might reveal the true nature of the forests and their significance, their existence might be unknown but when we analyze them it potentially providing the key to either controlling or eradicating the monstrous and demonic threats that plague the empires or it might be a key of reviving the Eye of Reincarnation which the Gods tool to be able to enter mortal realms." the Prince longed analytics
With just a glimpse of the map and information he deduce those things, the prince despite being too young had such insights, the Imperial family and truly an amazing set of powerful individuals
"This information, despite it being a speculation it has a point worth investigating!" Sir Cedrick said, I could see in his expression that he had a hard time understanding what the prince had said
"The Eye of Reincarnation brought disaster to the Explerias Realm. Gods who wielded this powerful artifact entered Explerias, transforming it into a divine realm. They eradicated all human beings and harnessed the realm's natural synergy and vast magical prowess, accumulated through the deaths of its rulers, to create their own divine domain. In this way, seven gods divided the new realm, each possessing an equal portion of land and creating civilizations from the remaining souls. Each region was designed to correspond to the religion of its ruling god, allowing these deities to gain vast faith from humans and secure high positions in the High Heavens.
However, the High Heavens soon noticed the existence of the Eye of Reincarnation. Recognizing it as a violation of the principle that separates the realms of mortals and celestial beings, they sought to destroy it. The gods who used the Eye managed to avoid punishment by dedicating themselves to the eradication of Celestial Devils that plagued the Explerias Realm.
"I read about this in the Imperial Ancestral Library when I was a child, after graduating Magna Cum Laude from the Imperial Academy," I continued, sharing my knowledge with those present.
"The exploration of the Forbidden Forest must be halted," the Prince declared. Mother and Sir Cedrick were shocked, as exploring the forest had always been the core responsibility of the Froiland Estate.
"But Your Highness!" Mother protested.
"As the Vice-Head, my lady, you are aware that despite the progress, the sacrifices made by Froiland have been immense. This has resulted in the decline of Froiland's forces and strength. In the later stages of exploration, while the speed is commendable, it has slowed not due to increasing difficulty but because of the diminishing battle prowess of your family," the Prince explained.
What the Prince said was true. The family's battle prowess had indeed declined. Many powerful mages and knights had sacrificed themselves in the pursuit of exploring the Forbidden Forest, leaving us with only a few who could stand against a Rank 5 monster. If this tradition continued, it might result in the extinction of the Froiland bloodline in the empire.
"The Imperial family will take over the matter of the Forbidden Forest. For now, your new mission is to secure the land inhabited by Rank 1 to Rank 3 monsters," the Prince announced, shocking everyone.
"Your Highness, that mission is..." Sir Cedrick began, but was cut off.
The Prince placed a golden sigil on the table and stood up. "Take this sigil to the Everfrost Tribe. Despite their cold nature and disdain for humans, they will not show hostility toward this sigil, which symbolizes Absolute Gratitude. They will assist you in your mission. Besides, they owe me that much after I revived half of their population in the past," the Prince said, his identity becoming even more mysterious.
"I will leave the Northern Border at dawn. The investigation intended for the Dark Knights ends here. The Forbidden Forest is not their territory," the Prince concluded and left the banquet hall.
The room was filled with a heavy silence as the weight of the new mission settled on everyone's shoulders.