The Hero
Fortress Avela
Within the grand hall of the royal castle — where light from the crystal ceiling reflected off the cold, ice-like white tiles — every sound echoed with the weight of power.
Upon the gold-plated, gem-encrusted throne sat the supreme ruler: King Anveo, the 20th of his line.
Below, a man knelt — his figure firm and resolute, his body bathed in a gentle white glow that seemed to radiate from within. The Hero, Mirisu.
---
King Anveo (voice deep, calm, filled with majesty):
> "Hero Mirisu… you have proven your strength, your loyalty, and earned a title worthy of Avela's bloodline." "Speak your wish — I shall grant it, be it gold, land, or title."
Mirisu (raises his head, voice steady and firm):
> "Your Majesty… what I desire — is the Holy Sword Agetra, the blade of the legendary hero." "Hero Agetra fell during his crusade against the Demon King. Now, I wish to wield that sword… and once again step into the land of the dead to end this war."
---
Whispers immediately rippled across the hall:
> "Another crusade against the Demon King?" "He's reckless — bordering on arrogant…" "If he fails, Avela will lose its entire main force…"
Mirisu heard it all. But he did not waver.
> "Your Majesty," – he raised his head high – "Agetra failed… because he fought alone. But I am not alone."
The grand doors of the throne room opened. Four figures entered — each radiating a distinct aura, walking with the steadiness of those who had seen countless battles.
---
Mirisu:
> "This is my party:"
Hana – Elemental mage of fire and lightning, with blazing red hair and amber eyes that burned like flames.
Kasa – Holy light mage, cloaked in white, hands glowing with divine brilliance.
Berray – Earth-element defender knight, built like a stone mountain, his massive shield covering half his body.
Yela – Dark mage, long black hair, misty eyes that pierced the mind, master of illusion and hypnosis.
All knelt in unison and spoke:
> "We greet Your Majesty."
---
King Anveo turned to his ministers:
> "What say you, my advisors?"
---
Minister 1 (cautious tone)
> "Your Majesty, their strength is indeed remarkable… but facing the Demon King is an unpredictable affair. Should they fail, the consequences would be severe."
Minister 2 (firm tone):
> "Your Majesty, I believe Mirisu surpasses even Agetra. With this party — victory is within reach!"
---
The council split into two sides — some skeptical, some supportive. The air in the hall grew taut with every breath.
King Anveo said nothing for a long moment. He fell into thought, his gaze piercing deep into Mirisu's soul.
> (If they win — Avela will gain all the Demon Territory, rising to supreme dominance. But if they fail… we lose our forces, and risk civil unrest and political chaos. The stakes are too high…)
(…But the light in Mirisu's eyes… is the light of one who may rewrite history.)
---
King Anveo (sternly):
> "Then I hereby declare: Hero Mirisu's party shall depart to strike down the Demon King."
All bowed and shouted in unison:
> "Long live His Majesty!"
---
King Anveo continued:
> "Mirisu, you have one week to prepare. After that, the Demon King's hunt begins."
Mirisu bowed:
> "Forgive me, Your Majesty — but I request to begin the assault tonight."
"I have devised a perfect plan to divide the Demon King's forces — tonight is the ideal time to strike."
King Anveo:
> "Then go. You are the hope of Fortress Avela."
---
In a temporary outpost made of wood and beast hide, Mirisu's party gathered around a glowing magical flame. They had collected most of their intelligence from scouts, demon prisoners, and records of the previous crusade.
On the table:
A dark gray map etched with the names of the Demon Generals — the elite commanders serving directly under the Demon King.
---
Hana (leaning over the map, voice sharp as a flaming blade):
> "We start with the ones listed as commanders of the Nine Legions."
---
2. Velmira – Female – Bloodsucker Clan
> "She manipulates blood — that of enemies, allies, and her own. She can 'liquefy' her body to evade attacks and instantly regenerate with fresh blood. Each battle is like a blood ritual."
> Kasa (grim): "To fight her, we must sever all blood access. Don't let her touch anyone."
---
3. Tharok – Male – Infernal Clan
> "His body is solid magma. He once melted a fortress in minutes. Every step shakes the earth. Any weapon that touches his skin bursts into flames."
> Berray (shaking head): "To face him, we need heat-resistant warriors who can keep moving."
---
4. Nyss – Female – Dreamshade Clan
> "No one has ever seen her open her eyes. They say… if her gaze touches you, you sleep forever in a dream that never ends. She controls minds, erases memories, confuses thoughts."
> Yela (cold smile): "She and I are alike. But my dreams are real. Hers… are just shapes given to illusions."
---
5. Durge – Male – Lich
> "An immortal skeleton. His terror lies not in raw power, but in summoning. Every finger that touches the ground can raise a high-tier undead army."
> Mirisu: "Kasa will take him."
---
6. Zegram – Male – Demon Insect Clan
> "Master of millions of larvae. The mutant beasts beyond the borders are all his spawn. He attacks with poison gas, paralyzing powder, and insect control."
> Hana: "We need overwhelming firepower. Burn everything he makes."
---
7. Ilhena – Female – Darkwood Spirit Clan
> "Even dead trees obey her. She grows forests from darkness. Her branches pierce through stone, flesh, and even willpower."
> Berray: "We must watch the environment carefully when fighting her."
---
8. Karthun – Male – Giant Clan
> "A three-meter titan with stone-covered muscles, immune to pain. Can hurl entire towers. He guards the final path to the Demon King's palace."
---
9.Lysaria – Female – Spirit Clan
> "Floats in the air, can pass through matter. All physical attacks are useless. She inflicts soul damage, and sings to charm and weaken foes."
> Yela: "Leave her to me."
---
Mirisu stood up, his hand sliding to the final point on the map — the Demon King's Castle.
Igroth – The Demon King
> "Once faced a hundred thousand troops alone — and incinerated them all in one night. He is the only being who survived Hero Agetra's self-destruction attack."
> Mirisu (coldly): "His power is something no one in the human realm has ever fully grasped. He manipulates dark energy, rewrites his body structure with magic, and possesses an immortal will."
---
Kasa (skeptical):
> "But something's strange. Among all the generals, there's no data on the Commander of the First Legion."
> Berray: "Maybe the Demon King hasn't found a replacement?"
Mirisu:
> "What's the monster situation in that area?"
Yela:
> "Pretty intense. The territory around the Demon King is crawling with monsters — so he's definitely had to spread his forces thin to keep them at bay."
Mirisu:
> "Rest up. Tonight, we move."