A year has passed since I woke up in this mysterious world. I have been preparing myself by regularly going to my Otherworldly Library, as I have started calling it, for the future that I entail. Along with my studies, I have made sure to interact and enjoy my free time with Mother. She is broken. No matter how much she may smile and laugh. She is broken.
Since there wasn't knowledge of this world I am in, I regularly visited the library with the Mum's maid or Mother herself. So far, I have been getting familiar with my country's history and origin.
Our Royal Ancestors were a group of Mountain Men who had settled down here after moving away from the mountainous Winterdol region. After settling down here, the size of the settlement increased year after year as more and more people migrated and joined them. After years of building and warring with each other. The Kingdom Of Eisenberg was established as one of the major powers along with 5 other countries.
Anyways, I am the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Eisenberg.
The Kingdom's size could be compared to that of France from my previous world. 620,000 km² under our banner. Based on what I had read from the books mother gave me, our kingdom has 13 major cities and countless villages and small towns. The Capital City where I am living is named Eisen City. The other 12 are Watercester, Emerton, Holtsgrad, Cruxborough, Winterdol, Clifnalton, Rocheuxville, Hafenstadt, Bremerhaven, Lanstrop, Ensdorf and Baywich Port City. (There is a picture of the map in the comments.)
Each city has its own speciality or is related due to its locality. Winterdol is the southernmost city and close to the snowy mountains. Baywich Port City is close to the sea. The Royal Navy and the Coastal Trade Centre are present here. Cruxborough is famous for its winery, Watercester for animal husbandry, Holtsgrad for the blacksmiths, Emerton for its superior grade grains, Hafenstadt, Rocheuxville and Clifnalton are where the other navy bases are.
Bremerhaven, Lanstrop and Ensdorf are where the border fortresses are present to fight off against the Duchy Of Chailes, Eblington Empire and the Principality of Cania respectively. These fort cities were always armed with more than 30,000 men each, to fight off invasions.
Finally, there was the Eisen Capital City where I reside along with the other Major Nobles of this Kingdom. Eisen is famous for its schools for the Nobility. Be it arts or warfare or even Medicine, Eisen's name is spread throughout for its superb education.
And how was this happening? Mother. She has been managing the cities along with her subordinates. But, it all goes in vain as my fucking old man has decided he would start preparing for war. Even after the many tries by officials and generals to dissuade him, it has all gone to waste.
Not much of this world has been explored yet. We live on a continent named Qupoth. The size is comparable to that of Asia and Europe combined. There are 17 countries on this continent with Eisenberg being the 3rd Strongest among them all. Of all the countries, Eisenberg is the 4th largest country with Eblington on top.
( Qupoth Continent) (Check the comments for the Map.)
There is the Kingdom Of Astaria, Prudor Federation, Kingdom Of Eisenberg, Union Of Aswian, State Of Estrana, Principality Of Cloburg, Graedor State, Eblington Empire, Mabarque Union, Duchy of Chailes, Principality of Cania and Grand Duchy Of Martanshall are the prominent countries. The left out are small kingdoms left out such as the Kingdom of Amechelles, Federation of Withe, Prerovalia, Dutum and The Zaslands.
So far, there are no strained relationships with the other countries. There is a small dislike to Eisenberg due to my stupid old man. I plan to correct that after he 'mysteriously' dies or passes away. Though a lot of the Ministers are corrupt along with the generals, there are some good people I am looking out for in the future.
The Prime Minister is a good man and one of Mother's subordinates, but he is not being used properly by Father. It's because of his and Mother's efforts that the Kingdom has been stable so far.
The total population of Eisenberg is 23,000,000 and that is just an estimation, there are no records on the names and number of people. The army stands strong at a decent 230,000 troops with 13 Commanders and 3 Generals. The Royal Navy has been in decline ever since my grandfather took over. Battles across the seas had died down and ever since the Navy has stayed silent. Even though we have 4 Navy bases, only Baywich is completely functional.
As far as civil facilities are concerned, it is barely managing itself. Due to the corruption that my father's rule has brought, there is a need for immediate improvements. The commoners are discriminated against regularly. No public facilities. No proper hospitals or clinics. No schools are there too. The taxation system is a complete mess. And serfdom is still a thing now.
(For those who don't know, Serfdom is the forced labour of serfs, on the fields of the landowners. Serfs got protection and the right to work on the leased fields. Serfs are pretty much like slaves, but they can own property.)
Another thing I discovered much to my happiness is that Magic existed in this world. But the thing is, a very small percentage of the population can use magic. And an even fewer number can use it during combat. There are 2 types of Magic. One is Hereditary Magic, where the user gains the affinity to a certain type of magic that is special only to their lineage or Ancestors.
The Eisenberg's have been known for their Anti-Magic type Affinity. A type of magic that is capable of nullifying other forms of magic. Due to its unique nature and power, Father had become arrogant and prideful.
The other type of magic is the acquired Type, which you acquire by birth. These are common and people who learn magic get to know their affinity by the usage of a magic tool. There are 8 different affinities a person can get. There are Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Lightning, Shadow, Space and Spirit type affinities.
Among the affinities, Space, Spirit and Shadow Affinities are rare. Spirit Magic and Shadow Magic are usually possessed by the unknown and equally rare Elf and Dark-Elf races. Space Magic is possessed by very few users. Space Magic is difficult to master and use and thus, Space Mage's are highly respected in all countries.
There are different species other than humans present in this world. Them being the Elves, Dark Elves and the Dwarves. Very less is known about the Elven People as they rarely show themselves. They are widely known due to their beauty, long lives and the strong magic powers they possess.
The Dark Elves are a nomadic group. they travel from country to country through the nighttime and hide themselves during the day using their Shadow Magic. With their magic, they can hide inside shadows and use them as a weapon too. Their skin tone is a bit dark but does nothing to diminish their beauty.
The dwarves are a mountain-dwelling and proud tribe. They are famous for their forging abilities and abnormal strength. Dwarves can be seen anywhere in other countries. They provide the country with weapons in return asking for a place to stay and gold to use.
The only way you can reach out to the Elves and Dark Elves is either by meeting with their representative that is sent out yearly on a business trip or through the spirits which someone can access if they use Spirit Magic.
Spirit magic revolves around channeling, summoning or using the power of spirits to achieve their goals. They can summon spirits, use spiritual weapons, or channel a spirit into their body to gain physical enhancements or gain completely new abilities.
Along with the use of magic, there is the common usage of Runes. Symbols that helped with day to day activity. Even a common household uses the power of Runes. Be it for heating for cooking or purification for cleaning. The Army also uses runes to strengthen the weapons and armour.
"Reinhart? Are you still reading?"
I froze as I heard the familiar voice of my Mother. I turned around and saw her standing with one of her arms on her hip and the other holding a babbling and cooing baby. I smiled nervously as she walked towards me.
"You have been stuck in here for the past 3 hours, Reinhart. Come on now, it's tea time." Mother said as she ruffled my hair. I just smiled at her and nodded.
"Yes Mother, please wait for me."
After I placed the book back on its shelf, I trotted towards her and hugged her.
"How has your day been, Mother?" I asked the usual question while walking beside her. She went on how the day went with the usual managing of reports from the subordinates to the arguments with Father.
After 3 months I woke up here, Mother had given birth to Lily. My little sister, Lily Von Eisenberg. She had silver hair like mine but emerald eyes like that of Mother. She is an energetic little girl and someone I have come to adore. I loved children and would always play with them back in my world. I have made sure to keep her away from Father always.
Lily babbled and giggled as Mother handed her to me. I just smiled seeing the bundle of sunshine and pecked her head making her giggle even more.
"How was your day Lily? Hope you didn't trouble Mother much?"
Baby talk was what I had gotten as an answer. I just nodded and held her close as we made our way to the gardens for tea.
"Come on Reinhart. Today we have Jam Crumpets and Chocolate Truffles for tea, your favourite. It was made by the head maid too." Mother said as she smiled at me. I had to stop myself from drooling knowing how delicious the head maid's cooking was. We then reached the Castle Gardens where the food and tables were set up. I pulled my chair and set next to Mother who just smiled.
This was something I had desired all my life. A family. Even though Father wasn't there, I didn't care. I got to experience a mother's love and spoil a cute little sister.
After having our tea and snacks, I played with Lily for a while much to her happiness. She then got tired and fell asleep on my lap. Mother then pulled me onto her lap and laid her head on mine. I could feel her body trembling a bit as tears fell from her eyes.
I could do nothing but hold her hand tight as she sobbed softly.
She was tired. She was sick of it all. The work was piling up. The war preparation was on. Lowen was just playing around and doing nothing as the Kingdom was being rotted inside out by the corrupt and inept Nobles.
'I swear to all that's holy. I will kill the bastard.'
I had many plans in store for what I would do once I get the throne. I will change Eisenberg. I will be someone my Mother will be proud of. Father won't stay high in his seat for long.
'After all,
'À la fin, tomberont ils.' '
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(A/N):- This marks the ending of the Prologue Arc for this Novel. I won't be posting until after June or by Mid-July. My entrance exams are close and I wanted to dump to a final chapter before I completely turn to studying. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy the chapter.