[B1] Chapter 7: the Princess’s Gift
Elena's eyes softened. "Princess Liliana is the only daughter of the royal family. She's the one who believed in you when others didn't."
Theo's mind was filled with a barrage of questions. He knew his name was Theo Leywin from his profile, so why was he now associated with the Silverblade family?
The title of Baron, this village called Ashenvale, and the mysterious help from a princess were all unfamiliar to him.
Although he understood he had transmigrated, the relationships and politics of this world remained a tangled web, and his exact place within it was unclear.
Seeing his confusion, Elena elaborated, “This village, Ashenvale, is surrounded by the ancient wall of the Elari civilization and was given to you as a home. The Princess thought you'd be safe here from the Silverblade family.”
"But why such a secluded place?" Theo wondered aloud, feeling a nagging suspicion that he'd been sent to live at the end of the world.
Elena walked to the window, opening it to reveal an expansive view. “Ashenvale has its stories. To the East lies the Whispering Sea, part of the Cursed Abyss Ocean. The Shadowmire woods turn into the Great Forest of Sylvana to the South. To the North is the Frostbound Reach, an unexplored area where the temperature is so low people can't survive, and high-level creatures reside.”
She turned back to face Theo, “Many fear Ashenvale village due to the geographical conditions like the dark Shadowmire forest, Cursed Abyss Ocean and all that. Yet its strategic position and the strong walls of the Elari civilization keep the dangers out from Ashenvale. It's a stronghold, Master. In its isolation, there's protection.”
Theo's gaze met Elena's, and he realized that this place, with its mysteries and unique geography, was now his home. He felt a strange connection to it, one he couldn't quite explain, but he knew he had to unravel its secrets and find his place within this new world.
"And what about the continent?" Theo asked, curiosity flickering in his voice. He knew the human nation was just a small part of this vast world, and as a half-human, he guessed the presence of many other races.
Elena's smile widened as she gestured towards the window, showing Theo the lands that stretched far into the horizon. She found joy in acting as a guide, teaching a young boy who seemed to know so little about this place, especially since he had been in a condition resembling a coma, even though he had been able to move.
Her voice took on a melodic tone, "Human Empire lies in the heart of Veridian continent, settled among other powerful places.
To the West, there's Nether Hellscape, where the nefarious demon race resides, forever in conflict with our lands.
To the South lies the Silvania Empire, home to high elven races, known for their wisdom and harmony with nature.
Then there's the Territory of Feralon to the Southwest, where other races have built their lives. They, along with the elves, are our allies, united against the demon threats."
She paused as if thinking something and then she added, "But it's not just the demons that pose a threat. The alliance between elves, humans, and Feralon is fragile at times, often tested by the relentless attacks from Nether Hellscape."
Theo could understand meaning behind her words, it was even in his previous world where humans fought humans for their greed and massing powers and lands against other countries.
The girl turned to face Theo, her eyes were serene. "But except these regions, there are also dark creatures, wild beasts that roam freely in uninhabited areas. They find their homes in dense forests, vast deserts, and secluded mountains. There are also some creatures that said to possess powers beyond our understanding.”
Theo let out a deep sigh, having a glimpse of the situation he was in. The peaceful Earth he once knew was now a distant memory, replaced by a new reality filled with uncertainty and danger. He found himself in a strange land, in a familiar but heavier body, with so much yet to learn and understand. This was his primary world, and he needed to adapt.
"Thank you for explaining, Elena," he said, his voice tinged with gratitude. "It seems I have a lot to learn."
He could see his new path unfolding before him. There were challenges to face, mysteries to unravel, and a new life to build. But he couldn't let Elena, or anyone else, know about the changes within him.
The old Theo had been like a puppet, unable to speak, moving and behaving as commanded.
Was there a word for that? A robot, perhaps? Whatever it was, Theo knew he had to maintain the facade that he had just become free from the curse that caused him to act that way.
Elena bowed her head slightly, her eyes filled with genuine care. “Always at your service, Master. Let me know if you need anything.”
With a soft click, she left the room, leaving Theo alone with his thoughts. He turned back to the window, his eyes fixed on the horizon. He was back in the place where he belonged, the place from which he had been taken by his so-called grandfather. Doubts started to come into his mind. Was that man really his grandfather? Could he trust anyone here?
Questions swirled around, but one thing was clear to him: There was no one in his previous world who would have missed him if he went missing. His uncle, aunt, and cousins were likely to be happy about his absence. Perhaps only Alina might miss him, since his grandfather had said that she had fought for him to become the next head of the Lewis family.
But that was all in the past now. This was home. This was where he belonged, and it was time to embrace his new destiny. The world outside was waiting, filled with secrets, dangers, and possibilities. He knew he had to ready himself for all of that or else he might not survive.
Theo looked down at himself, patting his new, larger belly. 'I feel like a sloth. I'm really too fat to do anything right now.' The thought was frustrating, but he knew he had to deal with it.
He understood he had to find a way to improve his situation. Remembering about the system profile, he continued, 'First, I need to learn how these classes and stats work, and how I can gain more. Maybe that will help me increase my strength and stamina so I won't feel like I'm carrying a mountain around this castle. Even Elena is stronger than me right now.'
With that thought, he started to carry his heavy body out of his room. He needed to explore and find answers. 'This place is related to the Elari civilization, so there must be a library,' he thought, hopeful that he could find the knowledge about the power system of this world that he needed.
As Theo went out of his room, he happened upon a corridor that led him to several rooms. The first one turned out to be a kitchen, filled with the inviting aroma of spices. The next revealed a spacious hall with a cozy couch and dining table, suggesting a place of gatherings and feasts.
But it was the third room that truly caught Theo off-guard.
[B1] Chapter 7: the Princess’s Gift
Elena's eyes softened. "Princess Liliana is the only daughter of the royal family. She's the one who believed in you when others didn't."
Theo's mind was filled with a barrage of questions. He knew his name was Theo Leywin from his profile, so why was he now associated with the Silverblade family?
The title of Baron, this village called Ashenvale, and the mysterious help from a princess were all unfamiliar to him.
Although he understood he had transmigrated, the relationships and politics of this world remained a tangled web, and his exact place within it was unclear.
Seeing his confusion, Elena elaborated, “This village, Ashenvale, is surrounded by the ancient wall of the Elari civilization and was given to you as a home. The Princess thought you'd be safe here from the Silverblade family.”
"But why such a secluded place?" Theo wondered aloud, feeling a nagging suspicion that he'd been sent to live at the end of the world.
Elena walked to the window, opening it to reveal an expansive view. “Ashenvale has its stories. To the East lies the Whispering Sea, part of the Cursed Abyss Ocean. The Shadowmire woods turn into the Great Forest of Sylvana to the South. To the North is the Frostbound Reach, an unexplored area where the temperature is so low people can't survive, and high-level creatures reside.”
She turned back to face Theo, “Many fear Ashenvale village due to the geographical conditions like the dark Shadowmire forest, Cursed Abyss Ocean and all that. Yet its strategic position and the strong walls of the Elari civilization keep the dangers out from Ashenvale. It's a stronghold, Master. In its isolation, there's protection.”
Theo's gaze met Elena's, and he realized that this place, with its mysteries and unique geography, was now his home. He felt a strange connection to it, one he couldn't quite explain, but he knew he had to unravel its secrets and find his place within this new world.
"And what about the continent?" Theo asked, curiosity flickering in his voice. He knew the human nation was just a small part of this vast world, and as a half-human, he guessed the presence of many other races.
Elena's smile widened as she gestured towards the window, showing Theo the lands that stretched far into the horizon. She found joy in acting as a guide, teaching a young boy who seemed to know so little about this place, especially since he had been in a condition resembling a coma, even though he had been able to move.
Her voice took on a melodic tone, "Human Empire lies in the heart of Veridian continent, settled among other powerful places.
To the West, there's Nether Hellscape, where the nefarious demon race resides, forever in conflict with our lands.
To the South lies the Silvania Empire, home to high elven races, known for their wisdom and harmony with nature.
Then there's the Territory of Feralon to the Southwest, where other races have built their lives. They, along with the elves, are our allies, united against the demon threats."
She paused as if thinking something and then she added, "But it's not just the demons that pose a threat. The alliance between elves, humans, and Feralon is fragile at times, often tested by the relentless attacks from Nether Hellscape."
Theo could understand meaning behind her words, it was even in his previous world where humans fought humans for their greed and massing powers and lands against other countries.
The girl turned to face Theo, her eyes were serene. "But except these regions, there are also dark creatures, wild beasts that roam freely in uninhabited areas. They find their homes in dense forests, vast deserts, and secluded mountains. There are also some creatures that said to possess powers beyond our understanding.”
Theo let out a deep sigh, having a glimpse of the situation he was in. The peaceful Earth he once knew was now a distant memory, replaced by a new reality filled with uncertainty and danger. He found himself in a strange land, in a familiar but heavier body, with so much yet to learn and understand. This was his primary world, and he needed to adapt.
"Thank you for explaining, Elena," he said, his voice tinged with gratitude. "It seems I have a lot to learn."
He could see his new path unfolding before him. There were challenges to face, mysteries to unravel, and a new life to build. But he couldn't let Elena, or anyone else, know about the changes within him.
The old Theo had been like a puppet, unable to speak, moving and behaving as commanded.
Was there a word for that? A robot, perhaps? Whatever it was, Theo knew he had to maintain the facade that he had just become free from the curse that caused him to act that way.
Elena bowed her head slightly, her eyes filled with genuine care. “Always at your service, Master. Let me know if you need anything.”
With a soft click, she left the room, leaving Theo alone with his thoughts. He turned back to the window, his eyes fixed on the horizon. He was back in the place where he belonged, the place from which he had been taken by his so-called grandfather. Doubts started to come into his mind. Was that man really his grandfather? Could he trust anyone here?
Questions swirled around, but one thing was clear to him: There was no one in his previous world who would have missed him if he went missing. His uncle, aunt, and cousins were likely to be happy about his absence. Perhaps only Alina might miss him, since his grandfather had said that she had fought for him to become the next head of the Lewis family.
But that was all in the past now. This was home. This was where he belonged, and it was time to embrace his new destiny. The world outside was waiting, filled with secrets, dangers, and possibilities. He knew he had to ready himself for all of that or else he might not survive.
Theo looked down at himself, patting his new, larger belly. 'I feel like a sloth. I'm really too fat to do anything right now.' The thought was frustrating, but he knew he had to deal with it.
He understood he had to find a way to improve his situation. Remembering about the system profile, he continued, 'First, I need to learn how these classes and stats work, and how I can gain more. Maybe that will help me increase my strength and stamina so I won't feel like I'm carrying a mountain around this castle. Even Elena is stronger than me right now.'
With that thought, he started to carry his heavy body out of his room. He needed to explore and find answers. 'This place is related to the Elari civilization, so there must be a library,' he thought, hopeful that he could find the knowledge about the power system of this world that he needed.
As Theo went out of his room, he happened upon a corridor that led him to several rooms. The first one turned out to be a kitchen, filled with the inviting aroma of spices. The next revealed a spacious hall with a cozy couch and dining table, suggesting a place of gatherings and feasts.
But it was the third room that truly caught Theo off-guard.
