Chapter 2
(Kyle Calendar
Year 496: Age 3)
Thoughts on
the Restarting World
Translator : PolterGlast
By the time I turned
three, I could see the world around me a little more clearly.
Judging from my
previous life's memories, this world seems somewhat similar to pre-Industrial Revolution
medieval Europe.
However, although
rare, there are those who can use magic, and in some aspects, there's a
reliance on it, giving the development of culture a slightly distorted feel.
I felt a sense of
pleasant surprise, as it reminded me of the other worlds I often read about in
light novels in my previous-previous life. I was quite the enthusiast back
then.
I'm still just a
three-year-old child, so no one would take me seriously, and if I did too much,
they'd just think I was creepy.
Fortunately, I now
have clear memories of both my previous and previous-previous lives. Because of
this, I believe I'm starting from a completely different starting line than
last time.
Furthermore, regarding
the parts of my memory that are hazy – in the 【previous history】, I honestly don't remember much about my early
childhood.
However, the 【History of the Barony of Solis】, which was sent here with my soul, now exists for me.
This should help fill in the gaps in my memory.
Before formulating
various action plans, I first organized the current situation and the necessary
information and circumstances.
＜About the Estol Territory＞
The territory of the
Solis Baron, where we live, is called the Estol Territory and is located on the
southernmost frontier of the Kyle Kingdom.
Due to its frontier
location, the area is vast, but there are many undeveloped lands.
Thanks to the efforts
of my father and mother, the territory's finances are supported by revenue from
mines, agriculture, and trade.
The population is
approximately 7,000, but with many undeveloped areas, the territory is a vast
frontier domain, and the lord resides in the town of Estol, which has a
population of about 1,800.
The territory centers
around the town of Estol and includes 4 other towns and 25 farming villages.
The mobilizable military force is approximately 450 men (regular soldiers +
part-time soldiers), which is large compared to ordinary baronies.
This is because of its
location on the border, and the primary reason is the constant participation in
campaigns related to the border.
＜About the Kyle Kingdom＞
This part is based on
my knowledge from living through the 【previous history】.
The Kyle Kingdom is a
relatively wealthy, medium-sized nation compared to its surrounding countries,
an inland country surrounded by mountains on all sides.
Its main sources of
income are agriculture, animal husbandry, and mining revenue, and it operates
under a monarchy ruled by the king and many nobles.
In the southern and
eastern border regions of the kingdom, before the borderlines with other
countries, there are monster-inhabited areas, spreading into demonic realms
that are beyond human territory. These areas sometimes bring blessings, but also
become a source of conflict through the only passable border roads.
The total population
of the kingdom is said to be around 3 million, but the actual figure is
questionable due to the lack of a census system.
The country borders
four neighboring nations and is constantly at war with two of them in the south
and east.
A notable
characteristic is that it is an advanced magic nation, boasting a larger number
of mages compared to other countries, which is considered its strength.
The system of
governance revolves around the royal family, with nobles supporting the
kingdom.
The upper nobility,
consisting of dukes, marquises, and margraves, forms the core.
The middle nobility,
consisting of counts, forms the mid-level.
The lower nobility
consists of viscounts and barons.
The quasi-nobility,
called baronnets and knight bachelors, are not granted hereditary titles and
are noble ranks for life only.
＜Major Flags to Avoid＞
Age 10: Great Flood:
The Orgu River overflows, devastating the granary region (the town at the
center of the granary region is submerged in the muddy waters).
Age 13: War Damage: My
older brother is killed in the Gryphonia Empire's invasion (the baronial army
also loses many soldiers and is weakened).
Age 16: Plague: My
father, mother, younger sister, and the steward contract the plague and die
(20% of the citizens also die from the disease, causing great chaos within the
territory).
Age 19: Drought: A
great famine plunges the territory into poverty and starvation (20% of the
citizens flee or die, severely weakening the territory).
Age 20: Demise:
Defeated in the Gryphonia Empire's invasion and executed (my execution leads to
the disappearance of the barony and the extinction of the baronial family).
I don't know the
current situation regarding relations with the Gryphonia Empire in detail.
The knowledge I have
from the 【previous history】 is from after I became the head of the baronial
family at the age of 16.
By the way, during the
reign of the current emperor, it's just minor skirmishes that can be called
border disputes.
It becomes a danger
sign when General Weiss, known as the ever-victorious general, begins to be
favored by the Third Prince.
The flag is triggered
when the Third Prince achieves victory in the south of the Empire. He wins the
succession to the throne, and the Empire's system solidifies.
When he ascends the
throne and General Weiss, under imperial decree, leads an army to invade,
that's the end.
Bewildered by the
unexpected invasion route and speed, I am easily defeated and forced to
surrender.
But in fact...
Even before I turned
10, the Estol Territory seemed to have been hit by various disasters.
I was too young to
remember, but it was written in 【The History of the Barony of Solis】.
According to it,
honestly, considerably large disasters occurred before the first flag I know
of.
The damage accumulated
from these, depleting our reserves, and then we were hit by those five
disasters.
It's truly a miserable
state of affairs, like being kicked when you're down.
Is there a way to
avoid all of this?
I absolutely have to
think of something. My future, as I think, is still completely dark.
＜About Authority and Unique Skills in This World＞
〇Authority
【Authority】 is a skill that manifests according to the lord's governing ability,
and its manifestation apparently requires the lord's and their family's
abilities to be above a certain level.
Authority differs
depending on the territory governed and the lord's characteristics, and it
seems to bestow blessings upon the citizens and the territory.
The authority of Baron
Solis (my father) is to enhance commercial development, supporting one of the
pillars of the territory's commercial growth.
【Lord Without Authority】 is a derogatory term for a lord whose authority has
not manifested, and they are not trusted by the citizens.
〇Unique Skills
【Unique Skills】 are things brought about in conjunction with authority and can manifest
not only in the lord but also in the direct lineage of the lord's family.
Those who manifest
unique skills can use specific magic, and children born to parents with
different unique skills may possess special unique skills.
The magic of unique
skills is completely separate from ordinary mage aptitude, and very rarely,
some individuals possess both.
Once a unique skill
becomes usable, it does not disappear even if the lord retires, is dismissed,
or if a daughter marries into another territory.
＜About Magic＞
Mages are those who
can use magic other than unique skills, and they are called 【Mages】 and are highly valued.
Their existence is
said to be about 1 in 5,000 people, making them extremely rare.
To become a mage, it
is necessary to undergo a ritual at the church that matches one's magical
aptitude, and the ritual requires a catalyst that suits the individual's
element.
This catalyst can only
be obtained from certain demons inhabiting the demonic realms, making it very
expensive, an amount that ordinary citizens cannot afford.
Due to the very small
number of people with mage aptitude and the extremely high cost of the catalyst
required to become a mage, it is not currently possible for everyone to easily
check their magical aptitude.
Even if one has mage aptitude,
the expensive ritual and catalyst will be wasted if the correct catalyst
matching the aptitude is not used.
Without undergoing the
ritual, one cannot know if they have mage aptitude, and naturally, they cannot
use magic.
Based on legends and
traditions, without clear evidence, continuing to undergo rituals for various
aptitudes until one hits the mark is a significant financial and mental burden.
Therefore, mages are
practically limited to a select few, such as some powerful nobles and those supported
by them, wealthy merchants, and influential figures in the church.
The Kyle Kingdom, with
its demonic realms, can obtain catalysts from monsters, giving it a larger
number of mages compared to other countries and solidifying its position as an
advanced magic nation.
Even in the Kyle
Kingdom, the population ratio of mages is 1 in 5,000, and other countries have
even fewer.
Neighboring countries,
wanting to eliminate the threat of mages and the rights to the catalysts
obtained from the demonic realms, are constantly eyeing the Kyle Kingdom, with
the Gryphonia Empire at the forefront.
＜About the Historical Record Sent from the Past
(Future)＞
My parents called it
the Gospel and kept it carefully. When I held it again at the age of three, I
noticed something for the first time.
For some reason, this
book is entirely written in Japanese.
Naturally... only I
can read it.
The cover of the book
says 【The History of the
Barony of Solis】, and the text is
somehow written in Japanese.
Therefore, no one other
than me can read its contents, but my parents cherish this book, believing it
to be a gift from heaven.
The History of the
Barony of Solis describes the introduction of the baronial family and the
history of the territory ruled by the Solis Baron until my execution, in the
form of an epic poem.
In addition, it
contains a map of the territory at the age of 20, details of farmland and
yields, an overview of the mines, and finally a list of the citizens (over
8,000 people... I don't feel like looking at it).
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