Volume 14 Chapter 3 The Collapse Of Ancient Civilizations And The Founding Of Tempest Kingdom Part Ii
"Does that mean the area where the old Count Senet was located is where Tempest Kingdom started? I don't know much about it, but wasn't the capital of Tempest Kingdom somewhere else?"
Al suddenly thought of this and asked.
"That's right. About 30 years after the founding of Tempest Kingdom, the capital was moved to its current location. The castle where the founding of Tempest Kingdom was declared became the residence of the Count Senet family."
"Was there a reason for that?"
Patricia asked, sounding curious about Riana the Golem's answer. Her mother was the sister of Count Senet. She also had the blood of the Count Senet family.
Riana continued, her voice clear. "There were several reasons for this. First, the population grew, and things became crowded. After the tough times of wandering, people felt safe in their new land, and many children were born in the new generation. As those kids grew up, they needed more space to live."
She paused briefly, gathering her thoughts.
"Also, when the Tempest Kingdom was founded, other clans moved south to find safe places to live and joined us. When the leader of the Tempest clan became king, the leaders of those clans took titles like Marquis or Count."
Riana then went on, emphasizing the significance of these titles.
"Many of the big noble families today, like the Marquis Prentis family and the Count Senet family, came from those clans. They all needed large areas of land, just like the royal family."
She highlighted the dangers that prompted change.
"In addition, in the southeast, across the Nash Mountains, which is now the Sylvester Kingdom and Margrave Rain's territory, there were many Barbarians and magic beasts causing problems. Because of this, the decision was made to move the capital to the northwest, which was thought to be safer."
Riana continued, her tone serious.
"Meanwhile, the Count Senet family decided to stay in the original land and fight against the Barbarians."
Were the Barbarians and magic beasts still a threat back then? Al felt disappointed. He had thought that in ancient times, they were not a threat.
"Originally, in the town far to the north where they lived, Barbarians and magic beasts rarely appeared. Even when they first moved here after the natural disasters, they didn't feel much of a threat. However, as the population grew and the areas where people lived expanded, the threat from Barbarians and magic beasts increased."
Was it simply that people started living in the territory of the Barbarians and magic beasts?
"Did ancient civilizations not have something to protect them from the Barbarians?"
"I'm not sure about any specific details regarding what Sir Al is asking..."
Riana the golem answered apologetically. They had been searching for something in ancient civilizations and spells to prevent the tragedy of her sister Ingrid from repeating. Al looked down and tightly clenched his fists.
"I didn't know Sir Al was interested in that. I thought you were only seeking knowledge about magic... If you are interested in that, I have heard of a clan that studied the Barbarians."
Malachi the golem said quietly.
"Studied the Barbarians? What's that about?"
Al suddenly looked up, staring intently at Malachi the golem.
"Yes, I've heard that there was a clan researching whether Barbarians have intelligence and if they could coexist with humans, as Sir Tempest mentioned to his friends."
Coexisting with Barbarians? No, that was insane. They were the ones who attacked, trying to eat humans.
It was said that if you raised a tiger or a wolf from a young age, they might feel grateful and not attack people. However, if you did the same with Barbarians, they would turn on you as soon as you let them act freely.
Al had heard many stories like that, and in some cases, Barbarians even ate their own kind. He had been attacked when he was young, and he thought that, if possible, they should be completely wiped out.
"There's no way that can happen..."
"Yes. I think so too. However, that clan has been researching their habits and seems to be trying to create a magic tool to keep Barbarians and magic beasts away. I've heard of a magic tool that repels insects, so it must be something like a Barbarian repellent."
A magic tool that repels Barbarians! If such a thing spreads in the world, the threat would decrease significantly.
"Which clan are you talking about?"
"I'm sorry. I remember the clan name was Teague. But I have no idea where their town or street was located, or what happened to them after the disasters."
"Unfortunately, I haven't heard of them. At least, there was no clan by that name that came through this area."
Malachi and Riana had never heard of it either. However, there was a chance that they could survive a disaster like the Tempest.
If they went to the place where the Tempest clan used to live, now in ruins, they might find some information. Both options seemed unlikely, but the idea that there could be a way to fight against the Barbarians was a small light of hope for Al.
"Thank you. I actually need a bit more information before we can take action, but this is a big step forward from having nothing at all. Now I can keep my hope alive."
Al smiled brightly, feeling satisfied that he had asked Riana everything he wanted to know.
Next, he thought about what he wanted to do at the research tower. He was eager to investigate the magic tool that he still hadn't analyzed. But before that, he wondered what had happened to the assistant device that the goblin had.
Just as Al was about to ask about it, Patricia spoke up, looking troubled.
"Um... I have one thing I want to ask Riana while Sir Al is here. What does it mean that I am the only survivor of the Tempest royal family? I want to know."
Al stared closely at Patricia's face. Was she struggling to believe that her parents were gone?
"No... um..."
Maybe sensing Al's feelings, Patricia quickly shook her head.
"I had a fiancé named Sir Jillian, the legitimate son of Marquis Tagard. Of course, now I can only think of Sir Al. However, there must have been other royals in similar situations who married into other families from the Tempest royal family."
She paused for a moment, deep in thought.
"Not only that, but I also think there were others who became adopted by different families. How is it decided who becomes a royal? If it's about other families..."
At that point, Patricia's cheeks turned bright red. At first, she seemed hesitant to look at Al, but eventually, she gathered her courage and continued speaking.
"If I become Sir Al's wife, will I still be considered part of the royal family?"
"!"
Al looked at Patricia's face, slightly surprised. If he married her, would she no longer be a royal?
In reality, when they took each other's hands and ran away from the border city of Lester, it felt as if Patricia had already given up her royal status. However, others did not see it that way.
The definition of being royal was indeed unclear. Perhaps it depended on whether they were blessed by those around them.
"Generally speaking, if you marry Sir Al, Lady Patricia, you will no longer be considered a royal. However, for those who do not recognize that marriage, you will still be seen as a royal. I heard about the current situation from Malachi. It's likely that the Marquis Tagard family, who had you and their legitimate son engaged, will not recognize the marriage."
Riana paused for a moment, allowing her words to settle in. Indeed, she was right.
"Another thing," she continued, "the Tempest Kingdom has a special definition of royalty. The royal family has the authority to command the golems that sleep in the underground treasure vault of the castle. This definition of royalty is different from the usual talk and has clear rules. Let's call this royal family the 'Authorized Royal Family' to keep it simple."
"To be part of the Authorized Royal Family," Riana added, "besides being a descendant of Sir Tempest, one must undergo a registration ceremony in front of the underground treasure vault within a year of being born. This ceremony requires the presence and approval of all Authorized Royals who are ten years old or older."
"Also, if someone loses their status as an Authorized Royal due to marriage or other reasons," she concluded, "a deregistration ceremony is held. If they die, a similar ceremony is performed with their remains."
The golems that supported the Tempest family's wandering... Are they still left in the castle's underground? Al wonders how strong they are.
"Huh?"
Patricia raised her voice and shook her head.
"I'm sorry. I have no memory of participating in that ceremony at all. I've been at Count Senet's castle the whole time. I don't think I have become an Authorized Royal."
"I'm not sure about the exact details either. However, after talking with Malachi, I think the reason the Marquis Prentis family is persistently pursuing Lady Patricia is that she is an Authorized Royal. Baroness Tabasa, has any new royals been born since Lady Patricia turned ten?"
"I haven't heard anything about that."
Baroness Tabasa answered respectfully. Since the registration ceremony for an individual was held before they turned one year old, it made sense that they wouldn't have any memories.
Additionally, other royal family members didn't need to participate in registration ceremonies if they were under ten, so it might not have been a problem for them to stay at Count Senety's place.
"If all the royal family members with authority are confirmed dead, then probably anyone who inherits from Sir Tempest could become the new first royal with authority. I believe there was also a princess from the royal family who married into the Marquis Prentis family in the last 2 hundred 50 years, so I think that's what the Marquis is aiming for."
Is it a similar situation to when Patricia visited this research tower? If so, then Marquis Prentis would be able to command all the golems sleeping underground in Tempest Castle.
But if there were that many golems, why did the Tempest royal family allow the Marquis Prentis family to rebel? It seemed that the Marquis Prentis family must have known about the golems' existence and didn't give them a chance to be commanded.
"So, if I die and my corpse ends up in the hands of Marquis Prentis, then that ambition would be prevented, and the current situation would continue, right?"
"Ten years... It seems that if you don't visit the underground treasure vault within ten years, you will be considered dead. From what we heard earlier, Lady Patricia hasn't been to the underground treasure vault for a long time. So, if Lady Patricia doesn't visit it by the time she turns 20, Marquis Prentis will gain that authority."
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