Celeste grabbed the four books she needed and sat down in the library to begin her research. Without wasting any time, she opened the first one and immersed herself in the pages.
The Geographic Atlas of Willowshade and Eripia
Willowshade:
Willowshade is a large and bustling town situated just north of the capital of Eripia. Nestled in a lush valley, it is surrounded by towering mountains and thick forests, offering both natural beauty and protection. The town is divided into four main gates: North, East, West, and South. These gates are guarded by skilled soldiers, monitoring the constant flow of adventurers, traders, and guild members passing through daily.
The forest surrounding Willowshade is teeming with life, from towering oaks to creatures both mundane and magical. To the north, the Whispering Peaks rise high into the sky, shrouded in mist. These mountains are rumored to hide ancient secrets and ruins, some of which have only recently been rediscovered by explorers.
Celeste's eyes lit up as she read about the Whispering Peaks. She had always been drawn to the mountains, feeling that something perhaps destiny awaited her in those misty heights. The mention of ancient ruins stirred her curiosity. Could treasures or lost knowledge be hidden there, waiting for someone brave enough to uncover them?
Beyond the protective forests and mountains lies the wild frontier, home to six known dungeons. These dungeons, remnants of the ancient demon wars, are deep underground and still largely unexplored. Mana-rich stones are often found within, drawing adventurers and members of the Obsidian Order alike. There are also three ancient ruins near Willowshade, often the subject of speculative studies by scholars. Some believe these ruins hold relics tied to the legendary Golden Knights, whom Celeste knows as the Saint Swordsmen of the Luminous Oath.
Eripia:
Eripia is a vast continent, comparable in size to the United States, Celeste mused. Its landscape varies from the northern forests of Willowshade to the warmer southern regions where the capital lies, resembling the Pacific coast of California. The capital, a modern metropolis, stands at the heart of Eripia's political and military power. It is the home of the Obsidian Order, ruled by the enigmatic Emperor.
As Celeste read about the continent's geography, she marveled at its diversity. The northern regions were dominated by vast pine forests and rugged mountains, while the central plains were known for their fertile farmlands. The southern regions, where the capital sits, boasted a Mediterranean-like climate with prosperous coastal cities and thriving trade routes.
The capital's technological advancements were powered by Mana Stones, mined from the dungeons spread across the continent. These stones, imbued with elemental magic, form the core of Magic Tech Eripia's cutting-edge technology used in transportation, weaponry, and even everyday life. Celeste raised an eyebrow. Though she was familiar with the basics of mana stones, the scale of their impact on modern technology surprised her. The Emperor's influence over this innovation made him seem even more mysterious a shadowy figure pulling the strings behind Eripia's progress.
Finishing the geographical section, Celeste quickly switched to the next book, Chronicles of the Golden Knights.
In the deep and interesting history, before Eripia was united under one rule, it was a land ravaged by an ancient war. The conflict was between the Golden Knights (whom Celeste knew as the Saint Swordsmen of the Luminous Oath) and the Ancient Demons. According to the text, the demons emerged from deep within the earth, wielding dark magic and wreaking havoc. The Golden Knights, warriors of immense skill and power, wielded blades blessed by the gods and unknown magic to defeat them. But their victory came at a great cost—the Knights were nearly wiped out.
Celeste paused, her heart tightening. She knew that only two remained: her master, Kite, and herself. Though the world viewed the Golden Knights as legends, she knew the truth. The Saint Swordsmen of the Luminous Oath were not just ancient history—they were her legacy. Yet the text puzzled her. Why were they referred to as the Golden Knights? Was history rewritten? Did someone try to erase the true identity of the Luminous Oath?
Shaking off the unsettling thought, Celeste grabbed the next book, The Forgotten Dungeons of Willowshade.
The six known dungeons around Willowshade were remnants of an ancient demon civilization. Adventurers who ventured into them often returned with tales of treasures and powerful creatures. Some never returned at all. These dungeons were filled with Corrupted mana, which mutated the creatures inside, turning ordinary animals into monstrous beings. Celeste shivered as she read about the dark mana. The thought of humans succumbing to its influence, transforming into monsters, filled her with dread.
One dungeon, The Abyssal Vault, was infamous for its dangerous depths and the creatures that inhabited it. Even the knights of the Obsidian Order frequently ventured there to mine the valuable Mana Stones. Just the name alone sent a thrill through Celeste. Dangerous, yes but the unknown called to her. Could it hold answers to the ancient demon war or the secrets of her own order?
Finally, Celeste opened the last book, The Immortal Emperor.
The Emperor of Eripia was one of the most mysterious figures in the continent's history. Rising to power over 200 years ago, he united the warring states during the Hundred Year War with the aid of the Obsidian Order. The book portrayed him as a grand, heroic figure an enormous man clad in armor, guiding his knights to victory. Yet, the more Celeste read, the more questions she had. How could he have lived for 200 years? Was he truly immortal? The book provided no answers, only leaving her with more questions.
The Emperor was said to possess mastery over every known form of swordsmanship and elemental magic. But where had he come from? And how had he united the continent so easily? Celeste felt a knot of unease. What if the Emperor wasn't even human? She couldn't shake the feeling that the books were hiding something something she was determined to uncover.
As Celeste sat in the library, her mind swirled with questions. Who was the Emperor? What secrets lay hidden within the dungeons and ruins near Willowshade? The more she learned, the more mysteries seemed to unravel.
She stood up, her thoughts racing. "I need new equipment first," she muttered to herself. "Then I'll investigate the ancient ruins. Maybe a quick dungeon dive, too..." She briefly considered whether she should form a new party. Her previous group had joined the Obsidian Order, and while she understood their choice, the thought of finding a new party didn't appeal to her just yet. Perhaps she'd try going solo for a while. If things got too difficult, she could always seek out new allies.
Realizing it was well past lunchtime, she decided to head to the guild cafeteria for a meal. "I could ask around about equipment while I'm there," she thought. Her clothing was worn, and the sword—an old spare from her master—was long overdue for an upgrade.
As Celeste entered the bustling cafeteria, the smell of roasted meat filled the air, making her stomach growl. She grabbed a hearty plate, mostly meat, and found a seat. Just as she began to eat, a large, hulking figure blocked her view. It was Vincent, the guild leader, carrying a plate piled high with food.
She quickly averted her gaze, hoping to avoid his attention, but it was too late.
"Hey, Celeste!" Vincent called out, dropping into the seat across from her. "I didn't know you were still around. Where've you been?"
Keeping her tone calm and respectful, she replied, "I was in the library, researching some information about Willowshade and the nearby dungeons."
Vincent, chomping on his food with the enthusiasm of a wild animal, asked between bites, "What kind of stuff were you reading? Anything interesting?"
Annoyed at his lack of table manners, but not wanting to show it, Celeste answered, "Just books on the geography of Willowshade and its dungeons. Actually, I read about three ancient ruins near Willowshade. Do you know anything about them?"
Vincent paused for a moment to swallow a huge mouthful of food and nodded. "Yeah, I've heard about those. There's something up north, near the second mountain. Some old temples, I think. But they're in ruins. Why're you so interested?"
Celeste sipped her water, carefully concealing her true motives. "Oh, just curious. I thought it might be interesting to check them out. There's no harm in visiting, right?"
"Nothing wrong with that," Vincent replied, his tone suddenly more serious. "But be careful. Some of those ruins are close to dungeons. You might run into trouble if you're not prepared."
Surprised by his concern, Celeste smiled faintly. "Thanks for the warning. Speaking of preparation, do you know where I can get some new equipment? My clothes and sword could use an upgrade."
Vincent leaned back, finishing the last of his meal. "There's a shop on the west side, just before the gate. The guy there sells armor and weapons, and he's got a blacksmith shop, too. You should be able to find what you need."
Grateful for the information, Celeste stood up, cleaning her plate. "Thanks, Guild Master Vincent. I'll check it out."