NOVEL NEXT Chapter 31 - True Winter (2)
Translator: Elisia
Editor/Proofreader: TempWane
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The reason we call winter the “true winter” is because, in some ways, a part of us still retains a “Southern mindset.”
Even though Delkis is relatively cool, it still experiences seasons. That said, it’s true that the region is snow-covered all year round.
In Father’s room, there is a map. While at a glance it doesn’t look very accurate, and I wouldn’t trust it entirely, it was supposedly created by those who actually traveled the area. Assuming it’s somewhat accurate,, the Alwen Kingdom is located on the northern part of a peninsula that roughly resembles Scandinavia in shape.
The map isn’t a world map, so the precise location isn’t clear. But considering that this is a fantasy novel setting, it’s highly likely that the regional map was based on Earth’s geography.
At the northernmost tip of this peninsula, which juts out like a bent arm with an elbow, lies the Alwen Kingdom.
And at the very tip of the “elbow,” Delkis is situated.
When you think about it like that, a few strange points emerge.
If the map truly derives from Earth’s geography, then the area the Alwen Kingdom occupies on this “Scandinavian-like peninsula” would correspond to part of modern-day Sweden.
In that case, there should be summers where the snow melts. Even if snow remains on the mountaintops due to their constant cold, Sweden itself has brief summers where temperatures can rise above 20°C (68°F). In fact, it is known that the Alwen Kingdom experiences all four seasons.
Moreover, even the northernmost parts of Sweden are not entirely within the Arctic Circle. While phenomena like the midnight sun and polar nights may also occur in Sweden, it doesn’t make sense for the entire region of Delkis to remain perpetually snow-covered for all 365 days of the year.
The second oddity arises when considering the location of Delkis on the map. If the Alwen Kingdom is at the “elbow” and Delkis is at the “elbow’s tip,” then what should lie further north should be the sea.
Yet, instead of ocean, what lies beyond Delkis is an endless white tundra—treeless, unbroken snowfields.
This implies that at some point in history when the map was created, the sea above Delkis still existed. But over time, the sea must have frozen completely, transforming into the snowy plains we see now.
But no one knows when that map was made. It’s said to be at least 200 years old, meaning that Delkis has been snowbound for at least two centuries.
In other words, the environment surrounding Delkis is, quite literally, fantasy.
*
“How long does the polar night in Delkis last?”
Even within the realm of fantasy, Southern folk like Prince Evan and his entourage are somewhat aware and prepared.
I kept calling them Southerners, but technically, the Alwen Kingdom was also located in the “elbow” of the peninsula. Everyone in the kingdom, to some extent, had experienced phenomena like the midnight sun or the polar night.
“About two months. It’s also darker here than in the royal capital. And, well, that darkness is Delkis’s true enemy.”
“…”
Hearing Father’s explanation, Prince Evan’s expression grew tense.
The mere arrival of night wouldn’t pose a major problem. The security in Delkis was remarkably good. The territory wasn’t expansive, and the harsh environment meant survival required mutual trust among its inhabitants.
Most estates consisted of a central fortress and surrounding villages. However, Delkis Castle resembled Eastern-style fortresses more than the typical European ones. It was perched on high ground, with a massive mountain fortress forming its core. This arrangement was necessary to prevent Northern Barbarians from bypassing Delkis and invading the Grand Duchy of Grattanmount.
Scouts and patrols constantly monitor the area. Yet, during the long, dark nights of winter, the risk of a raid increases.
The sun was still there.
Even during the polar night, the fact that the sun existed beyond the horizon was evident in Delkis. During the brief hours when faint sunlight filtered through the jagged mountain ridges, one could feel its presence.
But once those fleeting hours passed, the sun recedes entirely, and darkness enveloped the world again, as if it were eternal midnight.
This unyielding cold and prolonged night were the reasons why people constantly ventured outside the castle for patrols, even during the harshest winter.
The long darkness meant more opportunities for enemies to descend southward.
Prince Evan’s apprehension likely stemmed from imagining enemies exploiting that darkness to attack.
This was also why the prince had chosen to come here during this period. To face the enemy during their active season in Delkis would provide undeniable proof of his engagement in combat.
All the key figures of Delkis stood atop the castle walls.
It was an event to mark the passing of the year’s final sunset. In Korea, it would have corresponded to December 31, but in Delkis, where polar nights reigned, it came about a month earlier.
Similarly, the first sunrise of the new year would occur about a month later than in other regions.
“Your Highness, are you sure you won’t go back down?”
“At this point, it’s already too late. I think it’s safer to stay holed up in Delkis Castle this winter.”
Although she spoke with a wry smile, I couldn’t help but wonder if it was truly okay.
No matter how strong the people of Delkis were or how sturdy the castle stood, this was the frontline.
It might be fine for the prince, but was it really safe for Your Highness to remain here?
…I guess if I’m here, it must mean it’s fine.
I glanced at Amelia several times, but she stood calmly, unaffected by my gaze.
*
To Elsie, I was just a Southerner.
Of course, I understood how absurd this was to anyone outside the Alwen Kingdom. But to most Delkis residents, everyone outside their borders is simply “from the south.”
So, for a Southerner like me to worry about the people of Delkis felt presumptuous. Delkis had its own rules, and those rules had allowed its people to survive until now.
Yet, I couldn’t help but worry.
In the original story I read, the prince experienced combat as a child.
The details weren’t extensive—it was more of an anecdote used to prove the prince’s skill and experience.
So, if events unfolded as they did in the original, I didn’t need to worry about Elsie or the prince. The story would flow naturally, and we would eventually meet at the point where the narrative began.
But… the Elsie here wasn’t a pure Delkis native.
Though she had adapted well, judging by her words and actions, the child within her was probably younger than me.
If she were an ordinary girl, could she endure such battles and lead a normal life afterward?
…I know. Of course, I know.
No matter how normal she seemed to me, she couldn’t possibly be as ordinary as I was.
But still.
If the prince experienced real combat while holed up in the castle, that meant enemies had breached Delkis Castle before.
Which also meant that Elsie, with her modern sensibilities, might have faced those enemies herself.
The Elsie I had come to know was different from the one in the story I read. Maybe the trials of her past had shaped her into that Elsie. But the Elsie I knew had moments of vulnerability and seemed, at times, younger than her years.
Surely, Elsie hadn’t experienced war firsthand.
Neither had I, for that matter.
…Still, wouldn’t the knights accompanying me be of help? Couldn’t a country with even a hint of foresight prepare better defenses?
The people of Delkis might be angry at the suggestion—
“I understand.”
“Pardon?”
But to my surprise, Elsie immediately agreed.
“You’re saying there’s a chance enemies might breach Delkis Castle?”
“Ah, yes… But it’s just a thought of mine. From the perspective of Delkis people, it might seem far-fetched—”
“But that’s what Your Highness foresees, isn’t it?”
“…I suppose so?”
Elsie looked me straight in the eye.
Her gaze was unwavering, without the slightest doubt or hesitation.
“If that’s what she believes, then I think it’s wise to heed her words.”
“…Do you?”
“Yes. I trust you, Your Highness.”
Nature does not lie.
Delkis’s family motto suddenly came to mind.
My father had always said that Delkis must be dealt with honestly.
Ah, I see.
Because she’s a Delkis native, Elsie embodies the truth and honesty spoken of by the duke—
Maybe, just maybe, Elsie is even more of a Delkis person than I’d thought.
*
Ah, if someone who’s read the original says so, then it must be true.
The parts of the “original” I read were scant. After all, the story began after Amelia had already grown up.
But Amelia would have read every detail of this romance fantasy, which was mere background setting for me. In the villainess novel I read, Amelia recalled even the most obscure events with remarkable clarity, devising countermeasures as needed.
If Amelia believed such an event was inevitable, then it surely was.
In that case, I needed to come up with my own plans.
Should I let wolves loose inside Delkis Castle?