Chapter 5 - The Counts house (2)

After walking around the mansion for 25 minutes figuring the lay out, I went to the garden to go and talk to my father during our breakfast together.

"So you wanted to speak with me about something," i asked nervously.

"Yes…I wanted to talk to you about your recent adventures." He responded

"What do you mean?" I wondered why Lev's father would want to talk to him about his adventures.

"Well with you potentially being my successor you won't be able to continue to go out on trips as often as you do, so I wanted to inform you and let you know that if you are, you can't be gone for as long as you usually are," Ezra explained.

I contemplated for a while on how often and long the original Lev would go on these so-called "trips". I then realized that he may be collecting information and materials for something.

"I understand father but, I still occasionally might go on one, either for a short break/vacation or to gather information and materials I need," Lev replied with a serious expression on his face.

"Ok that's fine but, like I said don't be gone for too long." Ezra scolded

"...Ok…"

***

After breakfast, I went to the library to look for books that had information about this world

'Well this is a big library, especially for a mansion'

The library had 20 rows of large bookshelves that almost went up into the ceiling, with books on both sides of them. On the left side of the door in a corner were some newspapers with the tallest stack looking quite old and a few smaller stacks looking fairly new. In the far back corner there was a spiral staircase with a black railing going up to a second floor, and next to it was a small seating area. The seating area had a three-seating couch in front of it was a medium-sized glass coffee table. On the left and right of the coffee table were two seats, and next to those seats were small glass side tables by the couch.

Going up the stairs to the second floor was a small office room. The room had a desk with two chairs facing it. Behind the desk in the middle close to the back had a window in the middle. On the walls of the left and right sides of the rooms were more shelves with books and on the wall facing the desk were filing cabinets and drawers with seats on the right on the left side of the wall.

As I was going back downstairs I started thinking of where is going to start. I then decided that I would start with the newspapers.

I walked over to the corner with the newspapers.

'I guess I'll start with the older ones then read the newer ones.'

I then grabbed a stack of about 4 old newspapers and 2 new ones and sat down at the seating area.

The first one I pulled out had the headline "Species Treaty, Is this the end of the war?"

To summarize the News article it was about how two-thirds of the Mortal Realms species signed a peace treaty to end a long-lasting war. The species are Humans, Elves, Dark Elves, Witches/Wizards, Vampires, The various types of nymphs, Yokai, Humanoid Beast-people, and Dragons.

Apparently, they were at war because they all needed more land and such, I honestly don't get it but whatever floats their boats.

Then the next newspaper I pulled out had the headline "New temple to the god of Order, The Realms, and Space, are old religions coming back?"

'Is this an occult or something?'

The article was about how a new temple named the Zurine Temple belonging to the god Hunapo had been built and opened. And that he had obtained a Holy Maiden named Retha Kreindel, which sounded a bit familiar.

'Ok, so it's not an occult? Good to know.'

The third newspaper Headline was "Beautiful city, Mirror city destroyed by unknown creatures."

'Man they really need better titles for these articles

It was about how a city named Mirror City in the Malmacde Kingdom had been destroyed by some weird unknown snake-like creatures that nobody had ever seen before or could identify to be related by anyone.

The fourth newspaper which was the last of the old articles I had pulled out had the headline "New shrine to the goddess of magic Ahmentress destroyed in terrorist attack?!"

Which to summarize, the article was mainly about how a Shrine to the goddess of magic, knowledge, and mystery was destroyed in a terrorist attack by a strange group calling themselves "The puppet's of the Lord" stating that it was they're Lords will or whatever.

'Let's just hope I don't run into those people

I then pulled out an article that looked neither new nor old, it's headline was "Thein group's violent come back"

Apparently the Thien Group is another way to say Thien Administration, they were a group that worshiped the god of Mischeif, Trickery, and Decievement, Thien. They were often described as terrorists, who caused mischeif saying it was because they're god told them to. A couple of decades ago they suddenly went quiet. Until they were recently active in the Wade Kingdom.

'Now that i think about it most of this seems slightly familiar…'

At that moment i then put that article down and picked up the last article. Its headline was "Itziar Town attacked by Demons and turned to ruins". It said

Once again that sounded strangely familiar. I then reluctantly started reading it.

"Itziar Town attacked by demons a couple of weeks ago it was left in ruins. Is this perhaps them making they're debut back in the Mortal Realm? Still looking for survivors, contact your nearest adventures guild if you have a lead."

Was the first thing that stood out to me. The next was a small section underneath it with a picture of a familiar described man.

"Missing, survivor of the Itziar Town attack. Reward"

As I was continuing reading the article I couldn't help but be reminded of events of a certain book. It was a book I read when I had just been exported into the military. The book was called "How to Slay Demons Without Dying".

'There's no way, is there?' I thought nervously.

I started to recall parts of the book that I remembered. But sure enough some of those parts was a Place called Itziar Town and how it was attacked. In fact it was one of the very first things at the beginning of the book.

"Haaaaaaa" I sighed with animosity.

'Theres no way in hell I transmigrated into that book. I mean that would be ridiculous.' I thought to myself a bit in shock.

Everything then started to make sense, the reason why Lev had such a ridiculous background, as well as why a lot of the information I had felt as being familiar.

I then started to recall the characters of the novel, especially the person I had transmigrated into.

The novel was about a man named Atlas Clyyford, whose village was destroyed by demons. So like any stereotypical Protagonist, he went on adventures to defeat the demon king and his army. And Lev Griffins was one of the main side villains.

'So, I transmigrated into a scary half-dark elf necromancer guy who's cursed and has connections to the f***'n demonic race. Great, just great.'

Lev Griffins in the original novel was a second-rate villain who was also treated as a final boss. Only really because he was put in with an actual final boss. He was also killed by Atlas in they're battle.

"Haaaaaaaaa, i really didn't expect this" I mumbled.

I put the newspaper away and just sat there for a while thinking about what i was going to do now.

'I suppose i should start researching topics about this world to refresh my memory

I stood up and went to the row of shelves labeled "World Beings".

'Suppose i should start here.'

I then went down to the bookshelves picking out books on the Gods, Species, and Known Monsters. Then I went to another row of shelves labeled "World History" picking out books on The Kingdoms, Regions, and Religions. And finally, i went down the row labeled "Magic and Artifacts".

After i got the books i needed i went upstairs to the desk and, when i had finally gotten all of the tools i needed i started researching.

***

I had started with a book titled "History of the Kingdoms", its contents were the kingdom's, they're rulers, regions, and they're specific religions.

The first page was of The Quare Kingdom, also the kingdom i am currently living in and home to the current main estate of The Griffins family.

The ruler was Roman Fortunata, a human ruler and Benevolent king. Some of the Quare Kingdoms regions were The Valley of the Dead, which was a forbidden region since it was quite literally filled with bones and bodies of the dead. And Cycle hills which was home to the Zion Labyrinth, it was a labyrinth with multiple types of monsters. Apparently there was a legend where in one of the first monster wars they sealed quite a few of those monsters there.

'Perhaps when i get stronger subordinates i'll challenge it.'

The Quare Kingdom was also home to a few family of dark elves and soul mages. To explain soul mages are mages who's power relies on one's soul or they could use someone else. They usually aren't welcome in other places but The Quare Kingdom is quite special.

Next was the Wade Kingdom, who's current ruler was the crown princess Mira-Rose Von Cretz she was a mage and quite a woman to have taken the throne. In the book it stated that she would do anything to get what she wanted, even if it meant having to make some sacrifices.

The Wade Kingdom was home to Mage's, humans like any other kingdom, Forest Nymph's, and various types of Nature Nymph's.

The page after that was The Peril Kingdom, whose ruler was Oliver Bick- I mean Vickerman. He had taken the throne at a young age, due to his parents passing. Over the years according to the kingdoms citizens, he became a tyrant. He had tried to take over the territories where the Fire nymph's reside, ending in a war. A few years after the war started a revolution had started to take place.

'If i remember correctly Atlas and his subordinates had played a key role in the revolution.'

The fourth page was the Tris Empire, The ruler was Ruby Ambrosine. She was only 25 the year this book was written, she took the throne when she was 15 for unknown reasons.

The Tris Empire was home to Vampire's, and Mercenaries. Vampires covering 50% of the Empires population, though of course there are certain rules. One of which is that you can only drink peoples blood if they offer it or if they donate it. Other than that they have to drink animal blood.

The Fifth page was The Silversun Kingdom, now they're ruler was Cassius Lawrence who is rumored to be a dark mage. Mostly because he has some of the characteristics of a dark mage but also because he could use the dark arts. Although the dark arts are sometimes mixed up with dark magic and soul magic.

The Silversun Kingdom is home to Humans, Mages, and Dark Mage's. It was also home to the Forest of Despair. The Forest of Despair was a place where people were known to have either gotten lost or have been killed by monsters. The Adrestia Marquess family is currently maintaining its borders to pervent monsters from coming in and harming the people of the nation.

'Sounds like that may be a place i have to visit after all.'

Originally i had wanted to stay away as of to not run into the King or anyone who might know Atlas, who to refresh your memory is the original protagonist, and the one who killed Lev Griffins in the original novel. Also because werewolves have been known to roam around there, and they are known to be very territorial. So it would be a pain to have to deal with them.

'I suppose i'll decide what to do there later.'

The sixth page had the Malmacde kingdom, which was also known as the "warrior kingdom". Since a few years ago the king, being the combatant he was, had no heirs or marriage partners. So he decided that he would have them choose the next ruler in a challenge that consisted of having all of the kingdoms greatest warriors and powerful adventures participate in battles against one another. And essentially whoever won all of them would get to become the next ruler.

The winner was woman named Erika Isolde. She was later known to be quite the ambitious and benevolent queen, who always seemed to strive on the right path and make the right decisions. Being the renowned sword-master she was, she also became to be known as the Warrior queen.

The Malmacde kingdom was also home to Warriors of the sort, adventurers, Water and Ice nymphs. And where the Lake of Wanderers resided, aswell as where Mirror city was and Blizzard mountains.

The seventh page was the Asmund Kingdom, also known as "the elven paradise" since mostly elves lived there. They're ruler was Uraz Alpagu, who was a half-dark elf half regular elf i guess. I mean technically both or the races are elves just one of them uses dark mana and the other doesn't.

The Kingdom was home to Dark elves, Light Elves (i'm just gonna use that for elves that don't use dark mana), and Humans. Its also where the Forest of the Abyss is, its known to practically be a huge labyrinth.

The eighth page was the Borghild Kingdom, they're ruler was Sybilla Mathild who was known as a genius. She was also a half-wind nymph, and a secret that no one really knew was that she was also a half-witch.

'I had almost forgotten that she was a Half-witch.'

I honestly wouldn't have known that unless i had read the novel. Another thing that i wouldn't have known is that notorious witches and wizards lived there. They lived in the Ceaseless plains, there was a rumor that anyone who had dared to adventure across those plains would cease to exist. Though of course it was only a rumor that the witches living there had spread to stay safe, since a couple of decades ago there was witch trials going on. Thankfully some witches had survived and the trials stopped completely. But unfortunately they still weren't really accepted into society because they are now just thought of as cursed beings.

'Honestly i kinda feel bad for them, being forced into solitude just because people think their cursed.'

The ninth page was The Calder Kingdom, whose pharaoh was a demi-human named Darshan Ashraf. The Calder Kingdom was a desert kingdom, but though it was a desert they still were home to countless precious materials. Like abilities i may need in the future.

They're population was over 85% demi-humans, which wasn't really surprising because the Calder kingdom's desert's were mostly full of poisonous monsters or monsters with the fire and/or light element. It was also home to the Execution Desert, it was a desert where in ancient times they used to throw enslaved and exiled people.

'A kingdom i'll probably need to be vary of.'

In the novel Atlas had a run in with Darshan and was tricked by him which led to him almost being killed. Atlas was there to get a certain ability which allowed him to create illusions to trick his enemies, but it ended up that Darshan had also been aiming for that power.

'King Darshan is certainly a wary foe, and one that i'll have to watch out for.'

'As long as i don't somehow get on his list of enemies i think i'll be fine.'

Darshan Ashraf was a half-god, and quite the powerful one at that. He had become a pharaoh by overthrowing the former one. Over all he was a good ruler, but he did often show some ignorance.

Moving on though, The ninth page was the Ender Empire. The second empire of the continent, the empire of rarities. Usually having Empires on the same continent especially near each other would be quite risky and dangerous, but since they had signed a peace treaty the Kingdom's union allowed it. There ruler was Arik Lorcan, He was a summoner which was good for when he had to support his troops in battle.

The Ender Empire was where the Moutains of Misery was. Which was rumored to be where dragons lived, as adventurers said that they often saw dragons near there.

In the original novel Arik was the holder of a divine item named "Time's Curse". Which as the name implied was cursed by none other than the time goddess herself. He had used that during the war after he encountered a giant Chimera, he was about to die when he remembered that he had found that item a few years ago. Knowing it was a divine item that was cursed he used it. His body suffered quite a bit and he eventually died from it.

After his death, since he had no heirs and did not marry. His cousin took the throne, which led to the decimation of the Empire. His cousin, Tristan Lorcan was a terrible tyrant. A bastard if you will. He himself caused the fall of the empire due to his stupidity and arrogance.

'I'll need to do something about that.'

If i could stop the empire from falling it could play quite a significant role. Which would mean i would have to get rid of the problems.

'Thats enough of that time to move on.'

I flipped to the next page, which was the Aislinns Kingdom. Technically they did have an actual ruler but, since the main goddess that was worshiped there, was amongst them and widely known she was mainly considered the ruler. Though most rulings and commands came from Alaric Verena, who was the king of said country. He was rumored to be quite the benevolent king and gained his power to the throne through a Coup De'tat. Even though he was a prince he didn't want to give the throne to his bastard brothers or his foolish sisters. He was a illegitimate child, who was born from an affair with the daughter of a baron.

The Aislinn Kingdom was home to Yokai and Beastman.

'Wait, what kinda mythological world is this?!'

'Lets be honest, this world makes absolutely no sense. What was the author trying to accomplish by writing this stuff in a novel about demons and sh**?!'

Anyways as i was explaining, the Aislinn Kingdom was home to various types of Yokai and Beast-man. Hardly any humans, they were quite rare there. That was also where Sakura Hills was, which was a place where an outstanding number of sakura trees were. The place was rumored to have been blessed by the goddess Kamiko, who was also the main god worshiped there.

According to legends Kamiko was an old but young yokai who had gained god ship by the love of her people. She was said to have resided in a place called Azami Falls, which was quite a peaceful place with lots of beautiful buildings and landscapes. And home to quite a number of powerful yokai.

The beastman village called Makatza village, though hardly nobody knew about it since it was strictly hidden.

The last page was the Alkmene Kingdom, which was a kingdom mostly in the sea. There ruler was Llyr Vellamo, who was known to be quite prideful, but also obsessive over things he liked.

The Alkmene kingdom was half under water and half on land, the on land part mostly being one big island and a bunch of smaller islands. Though they did have a small chunk of a country on the actual continent, not many of the actual citizens lived there. The city that was on that small chunk there was mostly where travelers, and adventurers lived. But occasionally wanderers who were looking for a place to rest also visited. After all the Alkmene was a kingdom of Seafolk, or just people that overall love the sea.

The country was also widely known for its trades and materials, which was hard to find on land. Since, after all it was a Kingdom of the Sea.

After i finished reading it i started going back and taking notes

***

After i had finished taking notes of all of the things in the books i read, i put the books back and went back to my room. There i figured out on what i was going to do to make sure i wasn't going to die at the hands of the protagonist and made sure that certain things didn't happen.

I had gotten things ready and given orders to Marie and Victor to gather things to go out tomorrow.