Panas, this chapter is important because it expands the world map and geopolitical situation. I kept your scenes (training, sister interaction, historian meeting, library discussion) but rewrote it with bet
"Haa… haa… haa…"
Sweat dripped down my face as I struggled to catch my breath.
My legs trembled slightly as I stopped running around the palace courtyard.
"Your Highness!"
A maid hurried toward me with concern on her face.
"Here is a towel, Prince."
She handed me a soft cloth.
"Thanks," I muttered while wiping the sweat from my forehead.
"This damn body of mine…"
"I can't even handle five minutes of running."
The maid looked worried, but I simply waved my hand.
"It's fine. I'm just resting."
I sat down on a stone bench beneath a large tree.
The cool shade felt refreshing after the exhausting attempt at exercise.
It had been one week since I woke up in this world.
One week since I realized I had reincarnated as Alex von Voldigord, the Second Prince of the Ether Empire.
And during that week, I had learned one very unfortunate truth.
My body was terrible.
No…
"Terrible" was an understatement.
It was practically on the verge of collapse.
Even light exercise made my muscles ache.
Running for a few minutes left me gasping for air.
At first, I had hoped the Super Shocking System could solve the problem quickly.
I even spent some SC coins trying to improve my physical condition.
But the results were disappointing.
The system enhancements helped slightly, but they worked slowly.
Very slowly.
"Great," I muttered.
"I reincarnate into a prince with the weakest body imaginable."
The system's cheerful voice appeared in my mind.
"Host should consider long-term improvement."
"Yes, yes," I replied mentally.
"I'll train."
"But at this rate, I'll die of exhaustion before becoming strong."
Before the system could reply, another voice suddenly reached my ears.
"Brother!"
I looked up.
A young girl ran across the courtyard toward me.
Her long hair bounced behind her as she approached.
The moment she reached me, she placed her hands on her hips and pouted.
"You promised we would play today!"
I smiled slightly.
My little sister.
The Imperial Princess of the Ether Empire.
Despite her noble title, she behaved like any ordinary child.
"You're right," I said while standing up slowly.
"Let's play."
Her face immediately brightened.
For the next few minutes we played simple games in the courtyard.
Nothing too energetic.
Mostly tossing a small ball back and forth.
Even something as simple as that felt strangely comforting.
For a brief moment, I almost forgot the terrifying future awaiting this world.
Then footsteps approached.
A maid bowed respectfully.
"Your Highness."
"The Imperial Historian has arrived."
I blinked.
Finally.
"Lucien Valmont?" I asked.
"Yes, Your Highness."
"He has arrived according to your instructions."
A small smile appeared on my face.
"Well…"
"That old man finally had time for me, huh?"
I turned toward my sister.
"We'll play again later."
She nodded reluctantly.
"Okay."
Then she ran off toward the gardens.
Meanwhile, I followed the maid through the palace corridors.
According to what I had learned over the past week…
Lucien Valmont was one of the most respected scholars in the empire.
The emperor trusted him greatly.
He had spent decades studying the empire's history, geography, and political affairs.
In other words…
If I wanted to understand this world properly—
He was the perfect person to talk to.
---
When I entered the meeting room, I saw him immediately.
A tall elderly man stood beside the window.
His long white beard reached his chest, and his sharp eyes reflected decades of wisdom.
The moment he saw me, he bowed respectfully.
"Your Highness."
"It is an honor that you requested my presence."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Well…"
"I asked for you three days ago."
"Why did you come only now?"
The old historian coughed awkwardly.
"My apologies, Your Highness."
"I was handling several imperial archives."
"I came as soon as I could."
I waved my hand dismissively.
"Forget it."
"Let's go to the library."
His eyes brightened slightly.
"Of course."
We walked together through the palace halls until we reached the Royal Library.
The massive wooden doors creaked as they opened.
Inside were thousands of bookshelves filled with ancient scrolls and manuscripts.
The scent of old paper filled the air.
I turned to one of the maids.
"Anna."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Bring tea and biscuits."
"This conversation will take some time."
"And make sure no one disturbs us."
She bowed.
"As you wish, Prince."
The doors closed behind her.
Now only the historian and I remained.
Lucien folded his hands politely.
"What would you like to know, Your Highness?"
I walked slowly toward a large map hanging on the wall.
"I want to understand the empire."
"Everything."
"History. Geography. Politics."
I glanced back at him.
"You know I was in a coma for four years."
"So right now…"
"I know almost nothing about the current state of the world."
The old man nodded respectfully.
"It would be my honor to explain."
I crossed my arms.
"Then start with the continent."
"Tell me about Preta."
Lucien approached the large map and gently placed his hand upon it.
"This," he said slowly, "is the continent of Preta."
His finger moved across the map.
"Centuries ago, the Ether Empire controlled nearly half of this continent."
"Our armies were unmatched."
"Our influence stretched across mountains, forests, and seas."
"But those days are long gone."
His finger moved again.
"Today…"
"The empire controls only one-fifth of Preta."
I narrowed my eyes.
"That much territory was lost?"
"Yes."
"Wars, rebellions, and political failures reduced our borders."
He pointed toward three large regions.
"Currently, three major empires dominate the continent."
He tapped the map.
"The first is our own nation."
"The Ether Empire."
Then he moved his finger east.
"The second is the Solaris Empire."
"A powerful military state known for its disciplined legions."
"And to the south…"
"The Varkath Dominion."
"A vast empire ruled by merchant aristocrats and warlords."
"All three empires view each other as rivals."
"Peace between them is fragile."
I studied the map carefully.
Three empires constantly competing.
That alone explained many future conflicts.
Lucien continued.
"However…"
"The empires are not the only powers on this continent."
He pointed toward several smaller territories.
"These lands belong to the Alliance of Seven Kingdoms."
"The seven strongest independent kingdoms formed a coalition centuries ago."
"Their purpose is simple."
"To prevent any empire from conquering the entire continent."
A balance of power.
Interesting.
"And what about other races?" I asked.
Lucien nodded.
"There are several."
He pointed toward mountainous regions.
"The Dwarves live within the Ironspine Mountains."
"They are masters of metal and engineering."
Then he pointed toward a massive forest.
"The Elves inhabit the Sylvaris Forest."
"A highly advanced magical civilization."
Both of those matched the game's lore.
Then Lucien's finger moved toward scattered regions across the map.
"These lands once belonged to the Beastmen Kingdom."
"Long ago, they ruled vast territories."
"But internal conflicts destroyed their unity."
"The Ether Empire eventually conquered much of their land."
"Today, the beastmen are scattered across the continent."
"Many live as slaves or mercenaries."
"Others wage guerrilla warfare against imperial forces."
"They remain… a persistent problem."
I nodded slowly.
That also matched what I remembered.
But there was one race I was more curious about.
"The demons," I said.
Lucien looked surprised.
"You wish to discuss them?"
"Yes."
"In detail."
I leaned against the table.
"What exactly are they?"
The historian sighed softly.
"The demons are perhaps the most mysterious race on the continent."
He moved his finger toward the western edge of the map.
"Long ago, the first emperor of the Ether Empire attempted to conquer the entire continent."
"He succeeded in almost every campaign."
"But when his armies marched west…"
"They encountered the Demon Lands."
Lucien's voice grew quieter.
"The war lasted more than twenty years."
"The emperor himself led the battles."
"Both sides suffered enormous losses."
"But despite all his strength…"
"He could not breach the demon territories."
"In the end, the war ended without a victor."
I frowned slightly.
"So neither side won?"
"Correct."
"But the hatred created by that war never faded."
"Humans fear demons."
"And demons despise humans."
Lucien folded his hands behind his back.
"Since that war, the western lands have remained closed to outsiders."
"Very few people know what truly exists beyond those borders."
I remained silent for a moment.
In the game…
The demons didn't appear until the story was halfway finished.
So even I didn't know much about them.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Finally I spoke again.
"Now tell me something else."
Lucien nodded.
"What is it, Your Highness?"
I looked directly at him.
"Tell me about the empire itself."
"The nobles."
"The merchants."
"And the common people."
His expression grew serious.
"That…"
He said slowly,
"Is a very complicated subject."
I leaned forward slightly.
"Good."
"Because that's exactly what I want to hear."
Lucien took a deep breath.
"Then let us begin with the most powerful families in the empire."
He looked directly at me.
"There are four great dukes who control the majority of imperial power."
And with that…
The real story of the empire began.