The Empire!

A Few Days Ago in the City of Adventurers

Krax: "What do you mean the leader is starting to lose his hair? That's a funny joke once, but don't repeat it."

Hebnari (Supreme Commander, Assistant to the City Lord): "First, shut up and stop calling the City Lord 'the leader.' We are no longer mercenaries; we are people of status now."

Krax: "Ha, relax, brother. We're alone now."

Hebnari: "Don't interrupt me. And I'm not joking. Ever since the book was stolen, the Lord has been in a state of sheer fear and terror."

Krax: "Was the book really that important? I heard he was going to put it in a museum or something like that."

The door creaked open, and Kanel, the strongest swordsman in the City of Adventurers, entered.

Kanel: "Excuse me for interrupting, but I think we need to gather with the City Lord immediately. All the commanders, leaders, and other decision-makers have been summoned."

Krax: "Huh? What's going on here?"

Hebnari: "Don't worry. We'll find out soon."

They headed to the meeting hall, where more than twenty influential figures from across the city had gathered. This was only the second time such a large assembly had been called since the city's founding twenty years ago.

The City Lord (in a hoarse and weak voice): "I have gathered you here today to discuss the theft of the Millennium Book. It was stolen months ago, and we have failed to retrieve it. This is a grave failure and a deep disappointment. However, there is no time for sorrow. I want every person with an army or a force to gather more than three thousand brave warriors."

Silence fell over the room, followed by expressions of confusion, deep concern, and then outright discontent. Murmurs spread among the attendees:

"What? Are you telling us to spend our own wealth to assemble an army because of a failure that was your responsibility?"

City Lord: "Silence! This is not a request. It is an order. If we do not recover the book within a week, every last soul in the City of Adventurers will be wiped out!"

"W-what?!"

City Lord: "Don't be surprised. This information is certain. That book is one of the five most sought-after books in the entire world. Naturally, the Empire heard that we possessed it and sent me a letter demanding that I hand it over, in exchange for ceasing tax collections for the next two decades. This letter arrived right after the ceremonial exhibition.

Of course, the Empire does not want to hear something like, 'We don't have the book.' But when I sent an envoy to inform them that it had been stolen just a few days prior, I later found his head placed on top of a jar. When I opened the jar, I found his entrails and the rest of his body inside.

That was a clear enough message. But since they still see us as mere mortals, they sent another letter stating that if the book is not found within a month, we will be eradicated. That is why I gathered you all."

A heavy silence filled the room. The young turned pale, and the elderly trembled. Those words meant one thing: they were finished.

Before they could even process what was happening, the entire ceiling of the palace they were in suddenly collapsed in an instant. A figure hovered in the air above them, looking down.

Everyone present immediately recognized the sheer danger of this destruction. But what terrified them even more was the realization that the ceiling—measuring kilometers in size—had been obliterated without the use of Qaz. It had been done through raw physical strength alone (or so they thought, as they knew nothing of Aura).

One of the attendees, trembling with fear: "A-are you, esteemed one, from the Empire?"

The mysterious figure scoffed. "Hah? Who dares to address me without kneeling first?"

Without hesitation, he formed a sharp sphere of Aura at his fingertip and fired it at the speaker's head—blowing it to pieces.

Panic immediately spread among the attendees.

"Hyaaaa! Run for your lives!"

Hebnari recognized the man—Cox, ranked thirteenth among the classified individuals.

Within seconds, Cox exploded the heads of all who attempted to flee.

Cox: "I am here for the Millennium Qaz Book. So where is it?"

City Lord: "I... I am... I am Lutus, the City Lord, and I regret to inform you, esteemed one, that it was stolen some time ago..."

Lutus kept his gaze lowered, bowing.

All he heard in response was—"Hah?"

An overwhelming pressure filled the room, suffocating everyone as if they were about to die.

Cox had released his Aura.

Cox: "Who stole it?!"

The City Lord then explained everything about Karsu and what he had done.

Cox's reaction? Uncontrollable laughter.

Cox: "Because you've entertained me, I'll spare you, insects. Be grateful."

Cox thought to himself: "I only care about my own amusement... but I never thought I'd have to do extra work. And for mere mortals?!"

Then, he burst into laughter. "Hahahahaha!"

He immediately set off to find Karsu.

During his search, he witnessed the battle between the adventurers and the King of the Forest, before finally encountering Karsu.

---

(Present Time)

Cox: "That damn guy can't be Karsu. I searched him and found no book, and it's impossible for anyone to refine and subjugate it. So I'll head back to the Empire—I don't want them to know I failed to retrieve the book from these mere mortals. That would cause problems for me."

Half a day later, he arrived at the Empire, thousands of kilometers away.

---

At the Heart of the World: The Grand Empire of Sulthar

A kingdom of unimaginable power and dominance. Towering mountains rise like pillars of the sky, serving as natural fortresses guarding its borders with unyielding might. Atop these peaks, fortresses loom like specters, armed with the most advanced defensive and magical technologies, detecting threats long before they arrive.

The capital city, a shimmering jewel of eternal radiance, never dims. Its streets, paved with pristine marble, are lined with crystal lamps that glow in the seven colors of the spectrum, turning night into an endless festival of enchanted lights.

The imperial palace, an architectural marvel, evokes both awe and reverence. Its massive black iron gates, adorned with intricate carvings, tell tales of legendary victories. Beyond them lies a grand courtyard, with a towering fountain that sings in melodic chimes, its waters dancing through the air like a magical symphony.

The Throne of the Empire stands at the heart of the Great Hall, encircled by golden pillars entwined with winged serpents—symbols of power and wisdom. Crafted from pure gold, encrusted with sapphires and emeralds, it illuminates the hall with its royal aura.

The imperial guards, the elite among elites, clad in glimmering armor forged from rare metals, wield Aura-infused weapons that render them unbeatable. Their unwavering vigilance ensures the safety of the Emperor and the royal family.

This Empire is not merely a military and political force—it is the pinnacle of civilization, dominating all fields from science and art to Qaz and technology. A place where weakness is not tolerated, where only the strongest and most cunning survive. It stands as the greatest kingdom in existence, both feared and admired.