After hearing about the book from Tetsu, Lucian became even more curious about its contents.
"Is this even a history book? It looks more like a horror story than something informative," Lucian said, with a hint of confusion and curiosity as he flipped the book over, hoping to find more details. To his surprise, there was neither an author's name nor any other information about the book. "This is like the diary situation all over again, isn't it." Lucian thought, sighing to himself.
"Well, you're not entirely wrong. Rather than being written like a history book, it reads much more like a story or piece of fiction. But I can confirm that everything written in it is real." Tetsu said with a confident expression.
"Well, then I might as well read it." Lucian replied, turning to the first page.
But Tetsu quickly stopped him. "Wait, let's find a place to sit down first. I actually want to warn you about the contents of this book since it's not suitable for younger people. Even though I know you're mature for your age, I still feel responsible for you today. Let's sit down, and I'll guide you through the story." Tetsu said in a genuine voice.
"That's fine with me. Let's find a place to sit, then." Lucian agreed. They quickly found a spot, and Lucian placed the book on the table as Tetsu prepared to explain the story.
"I suppose we should start from the very beginning. Do you know of the Night Grove Kingdom?" Tetsu asked curiously.
"No, it's my first time hearing about such a place." Lucian replied confidently.
"Well then, I assume you haven't heard of the 'Void-born Hunger' either?"
"Void-born Hunger? What's that?" Lucian asked, his curiosity piqued by the sinister-sounding name.
"The Void-born Hunger and the Kingdom of Night Grove are connected, and it's not in a good way." Tetsu said, his eyes closing as though preparing to share something deeply important.
"The thing called the Void-born Hunger is actually a curse, or at least, that's how it's described in the book."
Lucian, even more intrigued by this revelation, leaned in closer, his attention sharpening as Tetsu continued.
"About 150 years ago, the Night Grove Kingdom was known as one of the most luxurious places anyone could live in, with every comfort imaginable. People there had everything they needed: food, water, alcohol, fine clothes, beautiful jewelry. Under the absolute protection of King Zephyris Gravesong, no harm ever came to the kingdom. But, beneath the freedom and luxury, the citizens began to change." Tetsu said with a dark expression, as if the story was about to take a disturbing turn.
"Change? What kind of change? Didn't the citizens have everything they wanted? Why would they need to change?" Lucian asked, confused.
"To maintain such a peaceful, luxurious life, the king had severely limited communication with the outside world, and leaving the kingdom was strictly forbidden. He wouldn't allow any outsiders to join, except those from trusted lineages." Tetsu explained seriously.
"What? He didn't let people leave his kingdom? Isn't that a little… extreme? How did the kingdom make money or sustain itself?" Lucian asked, shocked.
"The kingdom was rich in resources like iron, silver, gold, platinum, and even mana crystals. Because of this, no one outside, not even royalty, dared question his authority, as they'd risk losing ties with one of the richest and most powerful kingdoms. But even the wealthiest and strongest kingdoms falter in the face of an unstoppable calamity." Tetsu's tone grew more serious as he continued.
"Calamity? What kind of calamity could it be?" Lucian thought, then quickly remembered the name mentioned before. "Was the calamity the 'Void-born Hunger'?" he asked, seeking confirmation. Tetsu nodded.
"Yes. It was a brutal battle, fought long and hard, but ultimately, they were overtaken by their own people, the same people cursed by the Void-born Hunger. Signs of the curse appeared early, but no one understood what it would become. Then, many began losing their minds and… consuming each other." Tetsu's expression darkened as he spoke.
"By 'consuming each other' you mean…"
"Yes, humans began eating other humans. These afflicted people were called the 'void-born.' Large groups of once-normal citizens began tearing apart their own family and friends. Soon, more than half the kingdom was a field of decaying bodies, with fire and destruction spreading to the uninfected areas. The king, seeing the horrors unfold, joined forces with noble warriors to help the infected and the uninfected alike. They distributed supplies and fought the void-born, but in the end, any hope for the citizens was lost."
"What happened? Couldn't they find a cure or lift the curse?" Lucian asked, now fully engrossed in the story.
Tetsu spoke in a grim tone. "Before they could even try to find a cure, the curse began spreading through the air, lingering even now. Those thought uninfected soon showed symptoms, forcing the king to kill innocent people before they turned into void-born. As he fought alongside his warriors, the king himself began showing symptoms. He was quickly taken from the battlefield and, though he was saved from becoming void-born, he was bedridden for the rest of his life in a smaller kingdom he founded called Night Gladiolus."
"So, what happened to the Night Grove Kingdom? And what about the survivors? Were they saved?" Lucian asked, hundreds of questions racing through his mind.
"Nearly everyone in the kingdom perished. Those who survived the war later took their own lives or were killed after showing incurable signs of the Void-born Hunger. Today, the kingdom remains closed, guarded by surrounding kingdoms to prevent another catastrophe. As for a cure, only those with minimal symptoms could be treated, though even that cure barely kept them alive. The king is a prime example, spending his remaining life unable to move. Later, powerful sorcerers used ancient magic to suppress the curse, but it still lingers in the kingdom's air to this day," Tetsu said, crossing his arms with a heavy sigh.