Skeleton Knight, in Another World (LN) - Volume 2 - Chapter Pr

Prologue 

The Rhoden Kingdom was the third most powerful country on the northern continent. 

Past its northern border stood the East and West Revlon Empires, and to the west stretched the coastline that ran down to the port of Bulgoh. The South Central Sea lay to the south, and to the east was the independent Grand Duchy of Limbult and the expansive Canada woods, where the elves lived. This position afforded them protection from most external enemies. 

The northern border linked the Rhoden Kingdom to both Revlon empires—the Holy East Revlon Empire and the Great West Revlon Empire. Prior to the split they had been one massive empire, though they were currently embattled over control of the continent. Both sides were nearly equally matched, so pulling Rhoden into the battle would greatly tilt the needle in favor of whichever combatant they sided with. Discussions on the impact of the great struggle to the north were common behind closed doors within Rhoden. 

The Holy East Revlon Empire sought support from Rhoden to gain access to the West’s ports and vast plains, which could be used year-round, thanks to the warmer temperatures. Meanwhile, the Great West Revlon Empire asserted that it was the rightful successor to the unified Revlon Empire and was working behind the scenes with Rhoden to suppress the East. 

This was further complicated by the conflict over who would be the next heir to the Rhoden Kingdom. Prince Sekt was supported by the Great West Revlon Empire, while Prince Dakares had the support of the Holy East Revlon Empire. 

Princess Yuriarna, the third contender for the throne, presented yet another challenge: She insisted on maintaining distance from both the East and West empires while strengthening relations with Rhoden’s neighbors, the Grand Duchy of Limbult and Nohzan Kingdom, and also improving communications with the Canada forest. 

While these three royals and their respective factions battled it out behind the scenes, the funds that Prince Sekt had been secretly accumulating to finance his plans were stolen by an unknown party, shaking the power balance throughout the kingdom. 

The capital of Rhoden was bordered to the north by the Calcut mountain range and the expansive fields that opened at the bases of the mountains. To the east meandered the massive Lydel River, which bordered the Furyu Mountains and supplied the capital’s waterways and moats with water. The river continued on to the south, where it emptied out into the South Central Sea. 

Deep within the castle in the royal capital of Olav, a man sat low in a well-cushioned seat in a dimly lit room. 

The well-dressed man’s name was Sekt Rondahl Karlon Rhoden Sahdiay—the first prince. He was a tall man with a charming face and meticulously maintained light brown hair. With his elbows delicately balanced on the armrests of his chair and a quiet, gentle smile plastered to his face, he fit the public image of a prince perfectly. However, his narrowed blue eyes betrayed a cunning fire within, chilling any warmth his smile might have offered. 

A man in his forties with thinning black hair sat across from the prince. He wore a friendly smile on his otherwise severe face. This man’s name was Duke Coraio du Brutios, one of Rhoden’s seven dukes and a firm supporter of Prince Sekt’s succession efforts. 

Sekt slowly opened his mouth to speak, his blue eyes fixed intently on the duke. “My sister will soon be slipping past Houvan on her way to Limbult. I’d like you to arrange for Kaecks to take care of this. Be sure to bring the priest’s mages in addition to the forces we have lurking in Houvan. Once the dust has settled, our people in the church will take care of the priest and his people.” 

Coraio simply bowed his head in acknowledgement of the prince’s orders, seemingly unfazed by what he had just heard. He then tilted his head back up to speak to the prince. “I’m honored to entrust my son with such an important duty. However, if we make use of our people inside Houvan, there will certainly be casualties. And it may also disrupt our plans for the town.” 

Sekt’s smile widened in response. “The Houvan plot is already behind schedule. We must provide our support while making it appear as though this uprising is being led by the people. If we can take out my sister, then any delay in our plans will no longer be important.” 

Coraio bowed his head again, affirming his agreement. “Understood. I shall tell Kaecks to move on Houvan.” 

Prince Sekt smiled contentedly and, with a nod, sent Coraio on his way. 

*** 

Elsewhere in the royal palace, not far from where this sinister conversation was taking place, a noblewoman sat at a table overlooking an interior garden. Behind her, a chambermaid gestured toward the two guests in the room. 

The young noblewoman in a simple, refined gown was named Yuriarna Merol Melissa Rhoden Olav—the second princess of Rhoden. Her long golden locks curled at the tips and perfectly accented her pale face and friendly hazel eyes. However, anyone who ended up on the receiving end of her gaze could see the strong will lurking deep within. 

“I hear tell that Dakares and Sekt are both moving on Houvan, under the guise of attending an evening ball and inspecting the royal lands.” 

The middle-aged man sitting across from the princess nodded deeply in response to her remark. He was well-built, dressed in the uniform of a lieutenant general, and wore his brown hair and mustache short. The harsh lines of his face lent him a rather intimidating air. 

His name was Carlton du Frivtran, a member of the Frivtran family and lieutenant general of the Third Royal Army. He was also the only duke who supported Princess Yuriarna’s bid for the throne. 

“I sense something insidious lurking behind this Houvan inspection. There’s talk that a member of the royal court orchestrated the previous incident. And a few are even going so far as to say that Sekt’s supporters, with our help, made it look like it was an elven attack.” 

The “previous incident” Carlton referred to was the assassination of Marquis du Diento, one of the second prince’s supporters. Yuriarna had been secretly conducting an investigation into the behavior of the marquis, under the suspicion that he was enslaving and selling elves in violation of Rhoden law. 

The initial witness statements mentioned seeing elves, though the witnesses disappeared shortly thereafter. There were now multiple theories running around concerning the perpetrators’ true identities. Not only were the bad actors still free, but their goals were unclear, leading to wild speculation. 

“It’d be one thing if the slave markets were all hit at once, but the fact that Marquis du Diento’s money slipped away has only powered the rumor mill.” Yuriarna heaved her shoulders as she let out a heavy sigh. 

The young man sitting next to Lieutenant General Carlton spoke up next. “Apparently, a portion of the funds was discovered within the Diento domain. A few peasants were in possession of some expensive furnishings, which they claim had been lying around. Other sundries were being sold around town. The Diento family is attempting to recover their property, but that’s no easy task now that it’s been put on the black market.” 

The young man was dressed in a simpler version of the military uniform worn by the lieutenant general. He looked similar to Carlton, though thinner. His name was Rendol du Frivtran, and he was the lieutenant general’s eldest son and commanding officer of one of the army’s largest battalions. 

“In any case, it will be some time before the marquis’ family will be able to regain their status. It’s also likely that Dakares and his clique will take action in response to their massive loss of funding. And I hear that Sekt’s camp and Duke Brutios have some nefarious plans in the works.” The lieutenant general stroked his well-groomed beard and furrowed his brow as he discussed the movements of the two opposing factions. 

Yuriarna nodded deeply before rising from her seat and striding to the large window to look out over the garden. Spots of blue shone through the blanket of dark gray clouds. 

“A tempest approaches. Let’s accelerate the visit to Limbult. Ferna will accompany me.” 

She turned her gaze toward the back of the room where Ferna, her lifelong chambermaid, smiled gently, her eyes closing ever so slightly as she bowed in acknowledgement. Her perfectly arranged hair bobbed with the movement of her head. “Of course, Miss Yuriarna.” 

“If we limit your contingent of guards to fifty, I believe you could reach Limbult within five days. I will assign you our best men and put Rendol in command.” 

The lieutenant general slapped his son on the shoulder. Rendol, who had been distracted by Ferna’s appearance, stood up quickly from his seat and knelt in front of the princess. 

“I will ensure your safety with my very life, Your Highness!” 

“Thank you, Rendol. I have heard talk that the Hilk priests are acting suspiciously, so please be discreet in your preparations.” 

The two men bowed their heads at the princess’ command.