The long night finally passed, and the next morning Raven felt stronger and more determined than ever. Although the morning sunlight penetrated the curtains of his room, providing warmth that touched his skin, Raven knew that true power didn't just come from physical strength or magic true power came from knowledge. To conquer this world, he needed to know every corner and hidden secret within it.
Raven left his room and headed to a part of the palace rarely visited by others the royal library. This library was one of the oldest buildings in the palace, filled with thick books containing knowledge that had been accumulated over centuries. This place was the heart of all the information ever recorded about the world, magic, and the kingdom's history.
As Raven entered the library, he was greeted by the distinct smell of old books and the quiet atmosphere that could only be found in places filled with knowledge like this. Tall wooden shelves lined with neatly arranged books stood in rows. The soft morning sunlight streamed through large windows, creating gentle moving shadows on the stone floor, while the faint sounds from outside the palace were almost inaudible within this room.
Raven paused for a moment at the entrance to the library, his eyes scanning the vast room filled with books waiting to be read. He felt a slight thrill at the thought that in this place, he would find the knowledge he needed to strengthen his power. With the right knowledge, he could manipulate the kingdom, control the guilds, and ultimately conquer the world.
Wasting no time, Raven began walking past the bookshelves, searching for the section containing books on geography and history. His sharp eyes scanned the book titles written in gold letters on the spines, looking for something that would give him a deeper insight into this world. As he walked, his hand touched a few books, feeling the texture of the leather and old paper that indicated their age. Every book here was a treasure of knowledge, but he knew he had to choose wisely.
Finally, Raven found a thick book titled Atlas of the Known World. The book appeared old but well-preserved, with dark brown leather that gleamed and gold letters that were still clearly legible. This was the kind of book that could provide the crucial information he needed an overview of the world he inhabited.
Raven carried the book to a large reading table located in the center of the room. The table was made of dark, heavy mahogany wood, surrounded by chairs upholstered in red velvet. He sat down comfortably, carefully opened the book, and began flipping through its thick pages. The aroma of old paper filled the air as he read the first pages, which provided an overview of this vast and complex world.
Inside the book, Raven found a highly detailed map of the world, depicting continents, kingdoms, and wild, unexplored regions. This world, as described in the book, consisted of four main continents, each with its own unique characteristics and political powers.
The continent of Aurion was where Veloria was located. This continent was known as the center of political and military power in this world, home to great kingdoms vying for supremacy. Besides Veloria, there were several other kingdoms that posed potential competition:
The Kingdom of Albion, located to the north, was known for its unmatched military strength and its relentless battles to expand its territory. Albion's army was famous for its discipline and bravery, as well as weapons forged from the finest steel.
The Kingdom of Solara, to the east, was a center of magical power, particularly in mastering sun magic. This kingdom was surrounded by massive walls filled with magical symbols that protected them from enemy attacks. There, the mages practiced magic that harnessed the power of the sun to create highly destructive attacks.
The Kingdom of Drakar, in the west, had close ties with ancient dragons that granted them extraordinary power. Drakar was a kingdom filled with active volcanoes, where warriors were trained to become dragon riders, controlling these creatures in battle.
After reading about Aurion, Raven turned his attention to the other continents. The continent of Zyphoria, located to the west of Aurion, was a wild land filled with nomadic tribes that often fought each other. Although Zyphoria had no large kingdoms, this continent was a place where magical creatures and ancient artifacts were frequently found, making it an attractive location for adventurers and treasure seekers.
To the south of Aurion lay the continent of Norvelis, known for its dense forests and small kingdoms scattered throughout its territory. The kingdoms in Norvelis often competed to control the abundant natural resources on this continent. Additionally, this continent was also famous for its adventurer guilds that conducted expeditions into unexplored areas, searching for ancient artifacts and rare resources.
Azuria, located to the east of Aurion, was the last continent mentioned in the book. This continent was famous for its ancient civilizations that had long disappeared, yet their influence was still felt to this day. The kingdoms in Azuria had a very strong connection with water and sea magic, making it the maritime power center of this world. Azuria's coastal cities were home to large trade guilds that controlled intercontinental commerce, making them an economic force that could not be ignored.
As Raven studied the maps and descriptions of these continents, his mind began to work. He realized that although Veloria was a major power in Aurion, there were many other kingdoms on this continent and beyond that had significant potential. He needed to decide how to leverage this information to strengthen his grip on Veloria and begin expanding his influence to other territories.
After studying the geography and political powers of the world, Raven decided to learn more about the organizations operating within the kingdom of Veloria, particularly the guilds in the smaller cities. He knew that these guilds often held significant influence at the local level and could be valuable allies or dangerous enemies if not handled properly.
Raven turned his attention to another book titled Guilds of Veloria: Power and Influence. This book provided a detailed guide to the various guilds in Veloria, including adventurer guilds, magic guilds, and trade guilds. Each guild played a crucial role in the life of the community and local politics, and knowing their strengths and weaknesses was key to controlling them.
The Adventurers' Guild of Veloria, the largest and most influential guild in Veloria, controlled most of the adventuring missions, including artifact hunts, monster exterminations, and trade escorting. The adventurers from this guild were known to be highly trained and dangerous, with skills ranging from combat arts to magic. They were often hired by nobles to resolve issues that ordinary soldiers couldn't handle.
The Arcana Magic Guild, a guild focused on mastering magic and conducting magical research, housed the largest magic library in Veloria and often served as consultants to the kingdom on matters related to magic and alchemy. This guild also had an academy that trained young wizards, making it the main source of magical power in Veloria. Building a relationship with this guild could give Raven access to greater magical power.
The Golden Crescent Trade Guild, the largest trade guild in Veloria, controlled most of the trade in small cities and had strong ties with the kingdom. They often used their wealth to influence local politics, buying the loyalty of officials and controlling the prices of essential goods. Controlling this guild would give Raven the economic power to pressure his opponents.
Raven carefully read through every detail in the book, noting important information about the structure and influence of each guild. He realized that these guilds could be extremely useful tools for controlling specific areas in Veloria. By manipulating them, he could strengthen his grip on the smaller cities and ensure that no local power could oppose him.
After several hours of reading and studying these books, Raven closed the last book he had read and leaned back in his chair. He felt that the information he had gathered today would form the foundation for his future plans. This world, with all its complexities, now seemed clearer to him, and he felt more prepared to face the challenges ahead.
Raven stood up and returned the books to their shelves. In his mind, he was already beginning to outline his next steps. He would start by solidifying his influence in Veloria, using the local guilds and the royal advisors already under his control. Once Veloria was firmly in his grasp, he would begin expanding his power to other continents, seeking allies and crushing his enemies.
As Raven left the library, his mind was full of plans and strategies. He knew that every move he made had to be carefully calculated, but he also knew that with the knowledge and power he possessed, nothing could stop him.
He walked through the palace corridors calmly, but inside him, there was a burning fire. This world was his to conquer, and with every piece of information he obtained, he was one step closer to his ultimate goal. Veloria, and then the entire world, would soon bow under his control. And when that time came, there would be no power in this world that could oppose him.
As Raven returned to his room, he thought about the first step he needed to take. Perhaps starting with the Adventurers' Guild in Veloria, ensuring that they sided with him. That way, he could have eyes and ears throughout the kingdom, monitoring every movement that might threaten his plans.