343. Childhood Ep – Ofrontis

“They say this is a magical kingdom, but where’s the magic… I’d say we could just call it a swamp instead of a kingdom.”

That was the harsh assessment of Royal Knight Neil.

And who could blame him? Since crossing the border, his journey had turned terribly exhausting. The wet, muddy ground was one thing, but the abundance of ‘Winter Bugs’ was truly bothersome.

This eastern region was once a wasteland during the Acaian Empire era. They had expelled the monster races and occupied it, but gave up due to the hellish environment.

Arid wastelands and marshy swamps.

The cause was the wind.

In this world, the wind blows differently with the seasons, influencing the entire continent. Along with latitude, which determines terrains and temperatures, it is a significant factor in regional climates.

Spring brings what is so-called the ‘Western Trade Wind.’

The wind circles the continent in a ‘clockwise’ manner, a name derived from southern regional standards.

It’s called ‘Western Trade Wind’ because it makes for good sailing westward.

Indeed, if one sets sail from the Aisel Kingdom on this wind, they can pass by the coasts of the Conrad Kingdom and Orun Kingdom, reaching the Holy Kingdom of Jerome on the opposite side of the continent. Conversely, if one departs from the Holy Kingdom of Jerome using this wind (being clockwise), they can head north, but soon they’ll face a frozen sea with no navigable routes.

Nonetheless, this spring wind was the primary culprit in making Aisel Kingdom’s climate a mess.

While spring winds might sound warm, the spring wind that breezes into Aisel Kingdom is a bitter cold wind descending from the north.

Plants fail to grow when they should, leaving the land desolate, ultimately turning it into a barren wasteland.

When summer arrives, the Western Trade Wind dies down and the ‘Field Wind’ begins to blow, bringing the warm, humid sea breezes pouring rain onto the continent.

The wasteland, which could hardly bear life, quickly turns into a swamp, producing only fast-growing annual plants like vines that lack nutritional value.

As an aside, this is why Aisel Kingdom has a good relationship with the Conrad Kingdom. The forest-sparse Aisel Kingdom lacks timber, and the mountain-less Conrad Kingdom is short on rock, so they have relied on each other for these resources.

And finally, autumn. The ‘Eastern Trade Wind’ gusts down from the Conrad Kingdom, which is supposed to borrow a mild climate, but… the terrain messes it all up.

It’s because of the huge mountain range in the Aisel Kingdom. Unfortunately, the land of the Conrad Kingdom is lowered as if ‘pounded down’ by someone, making it easier for winds coming from that direction to be blocked.

With no wind, the moisture from summer lingers too long. Wet and rotting autumn. It’s infuriating that this should be a bountiful season.

At least when winter arrives, the ‘Day Breezes’ come. The wind blows from the continent to the sea, bringing prosperous winds from the Belita Kingdom, but… it’s still winter.

It’s too late for trees to grow, and the lifespan of bugs only prolongs. Thus, we have ‘Winter Bugs.’

So, the east is considered a forsaken land by God.

Especially when compared to the Holy Kingdom of Jerome directly opposite. The Holy Kingdom in the west enjoys warm spring winds from the south, and thanks to the forests that grow, summer rains enrich them.

By autumn, the winter general rides the Eastern Trade Wind south, but there’s a mountain range to block it around the Holy Kingdom and the Asran Kingdom (where Abrival Castle is located). Similar yet different to Aisel Kingdom.

An immensely blessed land.

Perhaps by coincidence, one could guess why the base of the Cross Church is in the west and why magic has developed in the Aisel Kingdom. Following the muddy path, Reb suddenly felt a change in temperature.

“We must be almost there.”

“Hold on. I’ll fix my attire. Shake off the mud from shoes, wheels, and horse hooves. The chamberlain will go ahead to announce the prince’s arrival.”

“Yes.”

Though he likely already knew.

Reb sensed the presence of a sorcerer.

Shortly, Prince Eric’s procession received a grand welcome into a certain territory. The solid ground and the oddly elevated buildings amongst the land were notable.

Arches supported the buildings, and a noble descended from the long stairs, speaking.

“It’s an honor to meet the prince of our beloved kingdom.”

The lord of this place, Count Valentine. Yet, Prince Eric de Yeriel addressed him differently.

“I’m also glad to meet you. I was worried I might be treated poorly in a foreign land, but rest assured, the Great Kingdom’s ‘Imperial Count’ has graciously welcomed me.”

“It seems you worried for nothing.”

Count Valentine smiled cheerfully. He provided luxurious hospitality during Eric’s stay, and Reb nodded in agreement.

‘Leah warned me to be careful in Aisel Kingdom, to avoid directly confronting nobles and to let Eric handle it…’

The political landscape was as chaotic as the absurdly harsh climate of the area.

This place, forsaken by God, was once used to send criminals into exile during the Acaian Empire’s rule.

It is even presumed that the origin of Aisel Kingdom refers to an ‘isolated cell,’ a term used for their prisons back then, yet this forsaken land had risen to become a kingdom due to a certain event.

Specifically, the last ‘Crown Prince War’ of the Acaian Empire.

About 700 years ago, an empire that had guided humanity’s history for millennia began to crumble. Famine struck repeatedly, while the north was liberated by the heroes Maunin and Letitia using the strength of barbarian forces, and the west planned to break away from the empire with assistance from the Cross Church.

Even so, the two crown princes remained oblivious. As the empire was on the verge of splitting between the central and southern regions due to fighting, public sentiment grew vicious, and the noble families unable to withstand the intrigues of the two brothers executed their escape abroad.

The north, west, and south. All unsuitable for exile, and so they ended up in the forsaken land, the east… The frail ‘marriage life’ of the exiled royals commenced from this point.

Though it was a forsaken land, there were still lords and commoners. However, most of them were the offspring of exiles and held the runaway rulers in contempt.

How dare they?

Even a cardinal sin would not be enough to absolve them, yet the empire was beginning to crumble… The escaped royalty had no power or authority left.

Well, there was one thing they each still possessed by birth.

{Bloodline}.

Radiant golden hair and sun-like golden eyes. The powerful elite in the east may have looked down upon royalty, but they coveted their bloodline, leading to centuries of trading that was anything but normal.

Hundreds of royal princesses ended up in the arms of the eastern elite. In doing so, these elite took on the airs of royalty themselves, while the escaped royals gained places to survive.

Hence, the absurd title of ‘Imperial Count of the Great Kingdom’ naturally replaced that of ‘Count’ in the Aisel Kingdom.

Count Valentine was also a member of the ‘Manza Clan’ of the royal family… Reb quietly shut his mouth while Prince Eric de Yeriel completed his duties.

Eric’s choice to visit Count Valentine’s estate first indicated he was beginning to step into the factional struggles of the Aisel Kingdom. Just after leaving the Count’s territory, the marsh once again turned muddy, sticking to their feet.

*

Even in a land filled with swamps, there ought to be a road.

However, even if they dug up the earth and layered it with soil, it wouldn’t last a few years before turning back into swamp, leaving them no choice but to follow a cheap makeshift solution.

That was throwing gravel of a reasonable size everywhere. While the gravel would gradually sink into the swamp, it had been piled up for so long that it provided a certain degree of firmness.

Feet wouldn’t get stuck, but the ground was still mushy.

Prince Eric and his party walked along such a path.

The soldiers, though weary, continued their march silently, and Leah gazed at them with somewhat apologetic eyes.

She was on horseback, and even though she could bless the soldiers, she chose not to. Just as Lean had warned Reb, he too cautioned Leah.

– “I’m really glad I can travel with you this time. But you absolutely must not let this journey affect you. Because next time, you won’t be here.”

If she blessed them, the soldiers’ pace would quicken. Thus, the timing of arrival and every event could change, so Leah acted as if she were not present there at all.

People seemed to regard Leah as a cold young lady. But, well, she was the fiancée of the captain of the guards, so no one dared to harm her.

With a light sigh, Leah turned her gaze from the soldiers to the surroundings.

She suspected she might only see the bare vines dried out by the winter wind, usually missing the forests she loved, but the scenery turned out to be unexpectedly pleasant. Perhaps they were nearing their destination as square structures were encircling the area nicely.

‘Rice fields.’

The only crop that could be grown in the swamp was rice, making it the staple food of the Aisel Kingdom. Leah curiously tasted its chewy texture.

So this is what they live on. Fascinating.

Because of the unique climate, the customs and dietary habits of the kingdoms differed, and Reb found it amusing, even if he was a bit busy~ still, he didn’t feel resentful.

Reb, whose romantic feelings had withered away.

He had resolved not to pester his boyfriend. A little struggle had led him to this mindset.

Back in Rutina, he had often pondered how to catch Reb’s interest. He’d thought of whining a little and being playful.

While walking the bustling streets of Rutina, he even considered eyeing some slightly risqué garments or advanced beauty products from the Belita Kingdom…

‘No, that’s not it.’

Everything felt inappropriate. Reb’s faded romantic feelings were different from the usual relationship-induced ennui.

He was not just growing lazy towards her; he was exhausted. Leah had to accept that, due to the numerous relationships and marriages they had endured, Reb could no longer see her as something fresh.

Forcing him to pour out his feelings when he was already pretty dried up must be a painful endeavor for him… so Leah decided to approach differently.

Believe in him and keep her true self.

The first image that must have made Reb fall in love.

Thus, Leah remains as she was in her hometown’s forest. Sometimes it was hard to bear, but she waited steadfastly, so that when Reb turned around, she would always be there.

Just then, Reb was approaching.

“Leah.”

“Speak. I’m listening.”

When Leah quietly turned around, Reb forgot what he intended to say.

As always, his eyes sparkled with kindness, and his round smile twisted at his heart. It was so refreshing that Reb cleared his throat.

“Whaaaat?”

As he got closer, his grin widened. When the two mounted on Bante collided, Reb wrapped his arm around Leah’s shoulder, fearing he might fall off otherwise. Leah leaned in closer and whispered into his ear.

“Are you going to tell me something funny?”

I love to listen to stories since I’m completely oblivious to the world’s affairs. “Uh, uh…” ─ Reb stumbled over his words, trying to find a tale that Leah might enjoy.

This was the very place where Saint Azra had torn the evil god Malhas in two, and the center of the east.

The grand capital, Ofrontis, stood before them.