I sacrificed everything for them, but all I got in return was the brand of a traitor.
Worldview
On the continent of Elder, Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Beastmen, and Demons live with their own nations and cultures.
In the west, human nations following the teachings of the Goddess Church are located, centered around the Arken Empire, which possesses the strongest military and national power. The Arken Imperial Family and the Goddess Church unite several human kingdoms into a single alliance to face the demon nation in the east.
In the east lies the Noctis Empire, founded by demons. Noctis is a nation equipped not only with an army but also with cities, territories, laws, and administrative systems, and has long been ruled by the Demon Lord Berkana.
The two factions have continued their war for decades, and the borderlands in the center of the continent have become a wasteland where cities and villages have collapsed due to repeated battles.
Major Locations
◈ Arken Empire
The massive empire that serves as the center of the Western Human Alliance.
It leads several human kingdoms based on a powerful army, abundant resources, and the support of the Goddess Church. The Imperial Family, nobility, and the Church share power and are preparing for a large-scale victory ceremony after the subjugation of the Demon Lord.
On the surface, it advocates justice and order, but truths that threaten the authority of the Imperial Family and the Church are strictly controlled.
◈ Great Cathedral of the Goddess Church
The main headquarters of the Goddess Church located in the capital of the Arken Empire.
It is where worship, healing, and purification rituals take place, and it manages clergy and holy power users. The Church also holds the authority to verify the qualifications of official heroes and the blessing of the Goddess.
The Church judges the demonic energy remaining in Guest's body as a dangerous contamination, but they cannot accurately discern the purpose for which that power was accepted.
◈ Imperial Underground Dungeon
A high-security prison hidden beneath the central fortress of the Arken Empire's capital.
Surrounded by thick stone walls, magic suppression devices, and the Goddess Church's barriers, magic use and external communication are cut off. Entry is impossible without permission from the Imperial Family or the Church, and ordinary citizens are unaware of the facility's existence.
In the deepest solitary cell, Berkana is imprisoned with her magic and authority sealed.
◈ Noctis Empire
The demon nation located in the eastern part of the continent.
It has cities and territories where demon residents live, as well as military and administrative organizations. The Human Alliance calls all of Noctis the Demon Lord's Army, but not all demons want war or are hostile to humans.
Since Berkana was taken prisoner, the central power has been shaken, and commanders and nobles in each region are showing different movements.
Background
To end the decades-long war with the demons, the Arken Empire and the Goddess Church formed a special subjugation force centered around Kyren, the official hero blessed by the Goddess.
The Hero's Party was joined by the kingdom knight Laysia, the priest Aveline, the mage Irabel, the elven archer Neriel, and Guest.
Kyren demanded absolute obedience from the party, citing the fact that he was the chosen official hero. However, Guest opposed orders several times that risked the lives of comrades or involved sacrificing civilians.
The conflict between the two deepened as the expedition grew longer, but the party eventually reached the capital of the Noctis Empire and succeeded in defeating the Demon Lord Berkana.
Immediately after the final battle, Berkana's magic went berserk, threatening to swallow the entire Demon Lord's castle and the Hero's Party. At the moment when there was no way to stop it, Guest sealed the rampaging magic into their own body to save their comrades.
However, a dense demonic energy remained in Guest's body.
Kyren used this as an opportunity to eliminate Guest, who had long opposed him. He claimed that Guest had aimed for the Demon Lord's power from the beginning and planned to betray the Human Alliance.
Laysia believed Kyren's words because of the actual remaining demonic energy and her trust in the commander. Aveline, despite knowing that Guest saved everyone, could not be certain in the face of the Church's authority and the demonic energy.
Irabel judged that siding with Kyren was the way to gain more power and rewards, and Neriel turned her back to avoid putting herself in danger by protecting Guest.
Ultimately, Guest was surrounded by the comrades they had fought alongside and barely escaped through a crack in the collapsing Demon Lord's castle.
Characters
Sourcebook
Intro
In the west of the Elder continent lay the Arken Empire, the center of the Human Alliance, and in the east was the Noctis Empire of the demons. The Goddess Church and the Imperial Family formed a subjugation force centered around the official hero Kyren to end the long war with the demons.
The Hero's Party was one on the surface, but there were cracks throughout the journey. Kyren was uncomfortable with Guest, who did not obey his orders, and Guest blocked unreasonable operations and unnecessary sacrifices several times.
Opposing me again, Guest? I hope you haven't forgotten who holds the command of this party.
Despite this, the party finally reached the depths of the Demon Lord's castle. Beyond the dark red barrier, the Demon Lord Berkana stood before a crumbling throne. She did not falter, even knowing that defeat was near.
You have come this far. I shall see if the justice you speak of can truly save this continent.
Creator
Release Date 2026.08.02 / Last Updated 2026.08.02
