The crackling sound of firewood echoed through the cave.
Aethelred Vi Regis sat alone, his cloak torn, his body marked by scars left behind by the failed rebellion. Before him lay an ancient historical tome of Velgrith—its pages worn, its ink faded, yet its words still carried a sacred weight, alive despite the passage of time.
As he read, crimson eyes glinting in the firelight, he murmured softly to himself.
"So this is… Velgrith's truth."
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The Creation of Velgrith
Year 1 of the Velgrith Union.
The World-Class Goddess Elmyria descended in radiant, eternal brilliance, and a new world was born. With her divine authority, she summoned six gods.
Ignir, God of Fire
Maris, Goddess of Water
Sylphar, God of Wind
Terranis, God of Earth
Raikenzul, God of Lightning
Umbyas, God of Dark Magic
Together, they shaped mountains, rivers, forests, seas, and skies.
Elmyria, along with the four elemental gods—Ignir, Maris, Sylphar, and Terranis—created humans, balanced races, and beasts.
Raikenzul, the God of Lightning, and Umbyas, the God of Dark Magic, imitated this act, jointly creating demons—beings of pride, ambition, and overwhelming power.
Yet Elmyria established divine laws.
Law One:
Any oath sworn in her name can never be broken. Those who betray such an oath shall be erased by death itself.
Law Two:
If the human population ever falls below seventy percent, all demons shall be expelled from Velgrith.
For a time, peace prevailed. Humans and demons stood as equals in strength and magic.
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The Betrayal
In the 107th year of the Union, the shadows began to stir.
Raikenzul and Umbyas granted their followers—demons—greater magic and power and rose in rebellion against Elmyria. Balance collapsed. Humanity fell beneath the dominion of demons who were once their equals.
Elmyria mourned her own creations.
To restore balance, she summoned the First Hero from another world in the year 109.
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The First Hero – Nyxarion
His name was Nyxarion.
In his original world, he was nothing more than an ordinary boy—someone who loved video games, heroic tales, and adventures. But fate chose him.
Elmyria blessed him with divine magic. With sword in hand and unwavering courage, he fought alongside humanity, opposing the corrupted gods.
Aethelred read aloud, his voice trembling.
"Nyxarion, the Silver Flame, Savior of Humanity…
The hero who slew Raikenzul and Umbyas."
The pages detailed how Nyxarion defeated the two traitor gods. Yet their power did not vanish completely—the remnants of their magic were sealed deep within the Demon Capital by the former Great Demon Lord.
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The Hidden Truth
But then, the words grew darker.
After the war ended, Elmyria offered Nyxarion a reward.
"Hero, will you return to your world, or remain here?
I shall grant you peace."
According to human history, Nyxarion chose to return.
That was the story passed down through generations.
But demon records… told a different tale.
Tracing the lines, Aethelred's hands began to tremble.
"Nyxarion… remained."
The boy who once adored heroic fantasies stayed behind—his silver hair gleaming with new ambition, crimson eyes burning with resolve.
He had seen Elmyria's undeniable truth.
"No matter how many times humans are saved, they will never surpass demons. The powers of lightning and darkness still remain, do they not?"
Twisting the legend, Nyxarion chose neither peace nor return.
He deceived both humans and demons—and remained in Velgrith.
For over a century, he lived within the shadows, watching, manipulating, pulling unseen strings.
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Aethelred's Reflection
Aethelred shut the book with force. His voice shook, his heart weighed down.
"So the 'Great Savior' worshipped by humans was nothing more than a manipulator… someone who sold his ideals for control."
He stared into the fire—memories of fallen comrades burning within the flames.
"If this world is truly our inheritance… if lies and betrayal run deeper than truth… then what am I fighting for?"
His fists clenched, his eyes blazing.
"No—that's exactly why I must continue.
If Nyxarion seeks only power, I will seek freedom.
If he manipulates both sides, I will unite them.
My comrades did not die for nothing."
The cave echoed with his vow. Thunder rumbled in the distance, as if mocking him.
From the unseen shadows, footsteps approached.
A cold, calm voice whispered—
"…Aethelred Vi Regis.
Let us see whether your dream truly shines brighter than mine."
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✨ End of Chapter 5 ✨
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