Chapter 11 (2/2)

The average lifespan in the Schell continent was 200 years. Rintz Kingdom was comprised primarily of Kleber people who were, of course, one of the races of Schell, so their average life expectancy was 200 years. No matter how Ernst looked at him, the old man in front of him seemed like he should be somewhere from 190 to 200 years old.

Normally, a 147-year old should still be good to work, and their lower half should still be more than strong. So why did he look like this? Did he have some other disease?

Feeling like the questions in his mind had gone unanswered, Ernst unwillingly moved on to the next village. This village was in the same state. There were many people with Kleber’s disease, and there were only elderly villagers with not a single person in their prime.

Nothing changed in the next village, either.

When the mansion was in sight, Ernst asked the butler what the average lifespan in Meissen was. The butler only shook his head. “I don’t need an exact number – how old?” Ernst asked again, but the butler just tilted his head away.

Why does he have to keep shaking his head so much, Ernst thought, a doubtful feeling rising within him. The butler trembled nervously as he asked a question. What is an ‘average lifespan’, he asked.

Ernst was stunned in disbelief. It couldn’t be that a butler who worked at the manor wouldn’t even know something like this. Then, he suddenly recalled something.

When comparing the countries in Schell continent, including the Luxe and Silus Kingdoms, the literacy rate of the Rintz Kingdom was clearly lower than the other two. The disparity between classes was clear; along with the nobles and wealthy merchants, only 1 in 5 people among the commoners was able to read.

But in Meissen, this rate was possibly even lower. A butler who served the manor shouldn’t possibly be unable to read, but his behavior roused Ernst’s suspicions.

The materials that Ernst had hastily gathered only briefly listed some details regarding the neighboring Lux and Grude territories.

For 100 years, no one had ruled this land. Ernst watched the scenery from the window of the carriage.

The bright red sunset illuminated the distant reaches of the snowfield.