CHAPTER 183: ABOUT THE MAP OF COUNTRY!

"Yes. But their control is fragile." She moved her hand lower on the map.

"Here, in Hollowfang Valley, old battlefields remain littered with rusted weapons and unburied bones. Some say the spirits of the fallen wander at night, whispering in the wind."

Kael frowned. "Spirits?"

Selena smirked. "I don’t scare easily. But the North is full of places like that. Take the Shattered Spire, for example—an ancient tower split by lightning. It’s said the strike wasn’t natural but divine punishment."

She flipped to another note.

"There’s also Bloodpine Grove, where the trees bleed red sap like open wounds, and Blackthorn Ridge, covered with poisonous brambles sharp enough to pierce steel."

Kael swallowed. "And people live near those places?"

"They endure," she replied. "Though not without cost. Crying Widow Pass is a treacherous mountain road. Many widows still mourn husbands lost there. Moonveil Cemetery lies nearby, a resting place for northern nobles... though not all of them stay buried."

She gave Kael a sideways glance, watching his reaction. His jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

"Further west," she continued, "is Grimscar Fortress. A stronghold built into the cliffs, once thought impenetrable. It fell during the Demon Wars. The scars remain."

Selena’s tone softened. "Then there’s Ravencall Watchtower, a lonely spire where black birds circle endlessly, and finally—" she tapped a jagged mark at the farthest edge.

"The Frozen Maw. A gaping chasm that exhales icy winds. No one knows what lies at its bottom."

Kael let out a slow breath. "The North sounds... unforgiving." (Just like in the novel)

Selena chuckled. "It is. But it shapes strong people."

Southern Elaris

She turned the page again. The map grew darker, shades of swamp green and muddy brown filling the parchment.

"The South," she said, "is no better. Once fertile farmland, it was tainted by dark magic long ago. Now it’s little more than wasteland."

Her finger landed on a sprawling wetland.

"Ashenwood Swamp—the heart of corruption. They say the water itself is cursed, and those who drink it lose their humanity."

Kael leaned forward, intrigued. "Lose their humanity?"

"They turn into husks," Selene said bluntly. "Or worse, servants of the darkness."

She pointed further down. "There’s The Sunken Bell Tower, where the ruins of a chapel still ring underwater when storms roll in. Deadman’s Crossing—a bridge so cursed that every traveler hears the footsteps of those who died before them."

Kael’s brow furrowed. "Why does it feel like every southern landmark is... haunted?"

"Because most are," Selena replied calmly.

"Mirefen Hollow is a bog where even the ground tries to swallow you whole. The Crooked Chapel still holds sermons—by priests long dead. Serpent’s Rest is littered with the bones of giant snakes, worshipped as gods by old tribes."

Kael shivered. "This is worse than the North."

Selene didn’t disagree. "There’s also Rotfang Farmstead, where crops grow black and twisted. Whisperfen Docks, where boats drift back empty, their crews vanished. And the Drowned Altar of Veyra, where sacrifices to a forgotten goddess still stain the stones."

Her eyes flicked up to meet him.

"And finally, The Broken Mill. Its wheel still turns, though no river flows nearby. No one knows why."

Kael exhaled slowly. "The South doesn’t sound survivable."

"Few survive there," Selene said. "But those who do... are dangerous."

Middle Elaris City

The next map showed dense streets, winding alleys, and looming structures.

"Now, the Middle. The beating heart of civilization," Selene explained. "It’s not plagued by curses like the South or frozen like the North—but it has its own shadows."

She pointed to a square. "Blackstone Plaza, where nobles flaunt their wealth. But only a street away lies The Bloodgate Market—black market trades, mercenaries, anything illegal you can imagine."

Kael raised a brow. "And the authorities allow it?"

"They pretend not to see." Selene’s finger trailed further.

"Hollowspire Prison holds criminals... though some say the real monsters are the wardens.

The Gilded Fang Tavern is a den of thieves dressed as gentlemen. And Lanternshade Alley—" she lowered her voice, "if you walk there after dark, you don’t walk out again."

Kael felt his stomach twist.

Then there’s Crimson Court, where nobles settle grudges with blood duels. The Forgotten Aqueducts, tunnels that hide smuggling routes.

The Masked Bazaar, where merchants wear masks to trade secrets as much as goods.

Shadowsong Theater, where assassins meet under the guise of performance.

And finally—" she tapped a large tomb icon—"The Old King’s Mausoleum. They say the old king still sits on his throne... waiting."

Kael stared at the page, unnerved. "It feels like even the heart of the city hides danger."

Selena’s lips curved.

"Every city does."

East Arcadia

The map turned brighter, drawn in silver and gold ink.

"East Arcadia," Selena said softly, almost reverently. "The land of magic and sword. The academy itself lies here, within the Arcadia Forest."

Kael felt himself leaning forward instinctively.

"The Crystal Hollows are caverns of glowing quartz. Starveil Monastery rests high in the cliffs, where monks study the stars. Emberlight Tower burns with eternal flame, tended by mages for centuries."

"The Silverroot Glade is a forest where the trees glow silver under moonlight.

Seraph’s Rest—a sanctuary said to be blessed by angels. The Howling Crags, cliffs where the wind itself screams."

Kael’s eyes widened. "And people go there?"

"Scholars, adventurers, sometimes fools." Selena’s tone turned serious.

"Wyrmfire Caverns still hold the bones of demons. Ashveil Library is rumored to contain forbidden tomes. Moonspire Sanctum—a place where time bends strangely. And finally, Dawnwatch Ruins, remnants of a city that fell to magic gone wrong."

Kael swallowed, a thrill of both fear and fascination running through him. "East Arcadia... it feels alive."

"Because it is," Selena replied.

Western Elaris

The last page was wild, jagged lines marking cliffs and coasts.

"West Elaris," Selena said. "A frontier land, untamed. Tribes and warriors dominate here, and the sea is both ally and enemy."

She pointed at the coast. "Stormfang Coast—storms never end there. The Broken Docks of Kaelmar still echo with sailors’ cries. Ironfang Outpost is the only semblance of order."

Her finger moved inland. "Wolfbane Highlands, home to warrior clans. The Fallen Watch, a ruined tower overrun with bandits. Blackwater Caves, where smugglers vanish without trace. Redfang Battlefield, still soaked in blood from ancient wars."

Kael listened silently, memorizing every name.

"Then there’s The Sealed Obelisk, a monolith wrapped in chains of light. No one knows what’s inside. Tidebreaker Fortress guards the coast against invaders. And finally—"

she tapped the edge of the map, "Ravenpeak Cliffs. A place of trials for the bravest warriors. Many climb. Few return."