Raising the Princess to Overcome Death

Chapter 344: Playmates - Ofrontis

343. Playmates - Ofrontis

“Magic Kingdom, they said. Magic, my foot… You might as well call it the Swamp Kingdom and be done with it.”

This was the blunt assessment of Sir Neil, one of the royal guards.

It wasn’t without reason. Ever since crossing the border, the journey had become relentlessly exhausting. The soggy terrain was bad enough, but the swarms of winter bugs made it even worse.

This eastern land was abandoned during the days of the Arcaea Empire. Although they drove out non-human races and occupied it, the wretched environment eventually led them to give it up.

Dry wastelands and damp swamps.

The culprit was the wind.

In this world, the wind changed with the seasons, affecting the entire continent. Along with latitude, which determined geography and temperature, it was a major factor shaping regional climates.

In spring, a wind known as the western trade wind blew.

This wind swept clockwise across the continent and was named from the perspective of the southern regions, where it was most advantageous for westward sea voyages.With the wind’s help, a ship setting sail from the Aisel Kingdom could pass the coasts of Conrad Kingdom and Orun Kingdom to reach the Jerome Holy Kingdom on the continent's opposite side. However, if departing Jerome Holy Kingdom with the same wind, it would only lead northward into frozen, unnavigable seas.

This spring breeze was the first villain that cursed the Aisel Kingdom’s climate.

One might assume spring winds to be warm, but the spring wind blowing into Aisel Kingdom carried biting cold from the harsh northern regions.

When plants should have been growing, they withered instead, leaving the land barren. Ultimately, the kingdom became a naked wasteland.

Come summer, the western trade winds died down, replaced by the drenched wind. A hot, humid sea breeze brought rains that poured onto the land.

The barren wasteland, devoid of plants, quickly turned into swamplands. The few plants that managed to grow were fast-spreading annual vines, quick to sprout but offering little nutrition.

As an aside, this is why the Aisel Kingdom maintained a good relationship with the Conrad Kingdom.

Sparse forests in Aisel Kingdom meant a shortage of timber, while the lack of mountains in Conrad Kingdom left them deficient in stone. Each relied on the other for resources.

Then came autumn. The eastern trade wind, blowing counterclockwise, brought mild weather from Conrad Kingdom’s direction. However, the terrain ruined this reprieve.

A large mountain range in the Aisel Kingdom blocked the wind. Unfortunately, Conrad Kingdom's land was unnaturally flat, like someone had "hammered it down," making it easier for the wind to be obstructed.

Without the wind to disperse the summer’s accumulated moisture, the dampness lingered into autumn, creating a season of rot and decay. The abundance of autumn was instead replaced by frustration.

Winter brought the barren wind, a breeze blowing from the continent to the sea. This wind, originating near Bellita Kingdom, carried a sense of prosperity, but… it was still winter.

Too late for trees to grow, it only prolonged the lives of the kingdom’s infamous winter bugs.

And so, this eastern region was deemed a land forsaken by the gods.

The contrast with the Jerome Holy Kingdom on the continent's opposite side only made this more apparent.

Situated in the western lands, Jerome enjoyed warm spring breezes from the south. These winds nourished lush forests, which the summer rains enriched further.

In autumn, the eastern trade wind, bringing frost from the north, was blocked by a protective mountain range near the Holy Kingdom and Aslan Kingdom (where Castle Avril is located). Similar yet distinct from the Aisel Kingdom.

A truly blessed land.

By chance or design, it became clear why the headquarters of the Cross Church resided in the west and why magic had developed so extensively in the Aisel Kingdom.

As Rev trudged along the muddy path, he noticed a change in the air.

“We must be getting close.”

“Stop for a moment. Straighten your attire. Clean the mud from your shoes, wheels, and the horses’ hooves. Steward, go ahead and announce the prince’s arrival.”

“Yes, sir.”

Though the host likely already knew.

Rev felt the presence of a mage.

Before long, Prince Eric’s procession was warmly welcomed into a certain domain. The ground was notably firmer here, and the buildings—raised above the earth—were quite unusual.

The structures were supported by arches, and from the long staircases descending from one such building, a nobleman appeared.

“It is an honor to meet the prince of our esteemed kingdom.”

This was Count Valentine, the lord of the region. However, Prince Eric de Yeriel addressed him differently.

“The pleasure is mine. As a guest in a foreign land, I feared being treated poorly, but the warm welcome of a Count of the Empire puts me at ease.”

“There was no need for such concern.”

Count Valentine smiled brightly. He spared no effort in hosting Eric during his stay, a sight that made Rev nod slightly.

“Lena warned me repeatedly—watch your words and actions in the Aisel Kingdom. Avoid dealing with nobles directly; leave it to Eric whenever possible…”

This land’s political scene was as treacherous as its climate.

Deemed godforsaken, it was once used during the Arcaea Empire as a place of exile.

The very name "Aisel" is thought to originate from "isolated cell," as the land was little more than a remote prison. However, a series of events led to its rapid rise as a kingdom.

That event was none other than the Arcaea Empire’s final War of the Crown Princes.

Roughly 700 years ago, the empire that had driven humanity’s millennia-long history began to collapse. Repeated famines plagued the land.

The north declared independence, bolstered by heroes like Maunin and Queen Reti alongside barbarian forces.

The west, with the Cross Church’s aid, prepared to sever ties with the empire.

Yet the two crown princes failed to come to their senses. As they tore the empire apart between its central and southern regions, public sentiment grew hostile.

The royal family, unable to endure the princes’ schemes, attempted to flee abroad.

The north, west, and south were all unsuitable for asylum. Thus, they were forced to seek refuge in the forsaken eastern lands. So began the royal family’s frail diaspora.

Though abandoned, these lands were still inhabited by lords and peasants—most of them descendants of exiles who held little regard for their new rulers.

How dare they.

Pulling off someone's limbs and feeding them back to them might not be enough to atone for this grave sin. Yet the empire crumbled, and the fleeing royals had nothing left—neither power nor authority, not even dignity.

Well, save for one thing: the one thing they were born with.

Bloodline.

Their radiant golden hair and sunlit golden eyes. While the eastern powers scorned the fleeing royals, they coveted their lineage. Over centuries, an unspoken "exchange" took place.

Hundreds of imperial princesses were married off to the prominent figures of the east. Those elites, sharing in the royalty's noble bloodline, began to consider themselves royal. Meanwhile, the fleeing royals secured a place to survive.

Thus, the absurd title of Count of the Empire became the standard for addressing a "count" in the Aisel Kingdom.

Count Valentine, too, was part of the Imperial House. Rev wisely kept his mouth shut, while Prince Eric de Yeriel completed his task.

Stopping first at Count Valentine’s domain had been Eric’s choice, and it marked his gradual entry into the factional battles of Aisel Kingdom.

Not long after leaving the count’s domain, the swampy terrain clung stubbornly to their boots once again.

Even in a land full of swamps, there must be roads.

However, digging up earth and covering it with fresh soil proved futile; the land would revert to swampland within years. The only affordable solution was temporary.

Scattering rocks of suitable size.

While the rocks would eventually sink and scatter into the swamp, years of accumulated layers provided a semblance of solidity.

The ground was mushy, but at least no one sank into it.

Prince Eric’s procession trudged along such a path.

The soldiers, though weary, continued their march in silence. Lena watched them with a faintly apologetic expression.

She was on horseback and could have blessed the soldiers to ease their burden. But she refrained. Just as Lena had warned Rev, Rev had warned Lena.

"I’m thrilled to travel with you in this cycle, but you mustn’t influence this journey. Because in the next cycle, you won’t be here."

Had she blessed them, the soldiers would have quickened their pace, potentially altering arrival times and subsequent events. So Lena behaved as though she wasn’t even there.

Some saw her as a cold-hearted lady. But as the captain’s girlfriend, no one dared to treat her poorly.

With a soft sigh, Lena looked away from the soldiers and took in her surroundings.

Though she loved forests, there were none here—only dried winter vines stretched taut. Yet the scenery wasn’t entirely bleak. Their destination grew nearer, as square structures began to surround them.

Paddies.

Rice was one of the few crops that could thrive in this swampy region. Aisel Kingdom’s staple food was rice, which Lena found fascinating for its sticky texture.

They live off this stuff? How curious.

The kingdom’s unique climate made its customs, cuisine, and culture distinct, which Lena found endlessly amusing. Even though Rev was busy, she didn’t feel neglected.

Rev, who had lost his feelings of romance.

Lena had resolved not to nag her boyfriend. It had taken some twists and turns to reach this decision.

Back in Lutetia, she’d spent time pondering how to capture Rev’s attention. She’d considered whining, being playful, and even flirtation.

Walking through Lutetia’s bustling streets, she’d eyed risqué lingerie and advanced beauty gadgets from Bellita Kingdom but…

No, that’s not it.

None of it felt right. Rev’s lack of romantic interest wasn’t the result of an ordinary relationship slump.

He wasn’t neglecting her; he was exhausted. Lena had to accept that, after repeating their relationship and marriage so many times, she could no longer be “new” to him.

To demand he pour out what little emotional energy he had left would only hurt him further. So, she chose a different path.

To trust him and remain true to herself.

To be the same person she was when Rev first fell in love with her.

Lena resolved to be like the forests of her hometown: steady and enduring. Even if it was hard at times, she stayed patient, ensuring she was always there whenever Rev looked back.

Just then, Rev approached her.

“Lena.”

“I’m listening. Go ahead.”

When Lena turned to face him, Rev forgot what he’d been about to say.

Her bold, kind eyes and soft smile gripped his heart as they always did, leaving him momentarily speechless. Flustered, he cleared his throat.

“What is it?”

Her teasing grin grew wider the closer he got. Just as their mounts came dangerously close to colliding, Rev reached out to steady Lena, who was still awkward in the saddle.

If he didn’t, he might fall off himself. Leaning in close, Lena whispered into his ear.

“Were you about to tell me a fun story?”

An innocent girl like me loves hearing stories.

“Uh, yeah… sure.” Stammering, Rev began recounting a tale he thought Lena might enjoy.

“This is the place where Saint Azura tore the evil god Malhas in two. It’s also the heart of the eastern region.”

Ahead of them stood the majestic capital, Ofrontis.