After seizing control of the sanctuary, Reina declared that it would no longer be her personal stronghold—but a free and open space for everyone.
This is no longer a place to serve a specific god.Nor is it a site of ideology or forced belief.From now on, it will be a sanctuary of true freedom.
In the past, under the name of Amaltia, the sanctuary was steeped in distorted faith and coerced liberation.But now, freed from that rule by Reina, it was reborn with a new purpose.
Lee Do-hyeon glanced around the halls and asked,"So you're not just using it as a base… You're opening it to the people?"
Reina nodded."Yes. This land will belong to no one. It will bind no one."
Bard Arknan chuckled with interest."It used to preach 'liberation through submission.'Now it preaches the freedom to choose. Quite the turn."
Do-hyeon's eyes sharpened."Then… shouldn't there be conditions for those who want to use this place?How do you plan to maintain it?"
Reina paused, then answered firmly."This sanctuary will be open to all. But one principle must be upheld."
Those who attempt to spread forced beliefs will not be welcomed.Anyone may stay here, so long as they do not force their convictions upon others.The moment they do, they will be asked to leave.
Some of her followers murmured in unease.Until now, the sanctuary had been a place solely for the faithful.
"…Are you sure this is wise, Lady Reina?" one of them asked cautiously.
Reina responded with conviction."This place does not belong to me.It will be a refuge without coercion."
She pointed to the ruined center of the sanctuary."The former sanctuary was corrupted by distorted beliefs.I won't make the same mistake."
Those who come here will have the freedom to choose.No one will be forced to believe in any god.You may have faith—or not. That's your right.
Do-hyeon slowly nodded."…If that's how you shape it, this might truly become a land of freedom."
Word spread quickly.
"The sanctuary no longer belongs to the Church of Amaltia?""They say anyone can stay there?""You don't even have to believe in a god?"
At first, there was skepticism.But as time passed, those who had once been oppressed by the old sanctuary began to arrive.
People who had rejected past faiths.Wanderers searching for a free space.Refugees fleeing forced dogma.
They began to see the sanctuary not as a relic of tyranny, but as a haven.
A woman stood at the steps of the sanctuary and quietly asked,"…Is it true? That I don't have to believe in anything?"
Reina smiled at her."Here, you may live as you wish."
The woman wept.Such words had never been possible at the old sanctuary.
But with this rebirth, enemies were inevitable.Those loyal to the old faith would see Reina as a heretic.And if the real goddess Amaltia was watching…?
Do-hyeon spoke softly."You know this isn't just some reform, right?There will be backlash."
Reina gripped her sword."I know.But I've chosen a new path."
Thus, the sanctuary was no longer a religious citadel—but a land where anyone could find rest.
Yet, they did not know:this change would be the beginning of a greater storm.
***
Chapter : The Origin of the Magyo – A Forgotten Link
As the sanctuary was rebuilt, Reina began to investigate the hidden link between her martial sect, the Magyo, and Elysium.
Back when she led the Magyo in Murim, she had come across fragmented records in forbidden tomes—mentions of Elysium scattered within.But as a so-called heretical sect, the orthodox factions of Murim had long suppressed such knowledge.
Though she had mastered the martial techniques passed down through the Magyo since childhood, their origin remained unknown.Most notably, her Seven Sword Dance (Chilgeommu)—a deadly form—might not have originated in Murim at all.Its roots may lie in this very world: Elysium.
The Magyo, it turned out, was not merely a fringe sect of Murim.Some of its forbidden techniques bore a disturbing resemblance to the powers of Elysium.And those ancient forbidden books hinted at a deeper connection.
Reina began to suspect this was no coincidence.Perhaps some of the so-called 'demonic techniques' were in fact distorted echoes of Elysium's forgotten power.
To delve deeper, she summoned Bard Arknan and Lee Do-hyeon.
Arknan raised an intrigued brow."Well, this is far more interesting than I expected.To think Lady Reina's martial art might be linked to Elysium…"
He examined ancient texts and magical relics."One record here speaks of a great war—A war between Titans and the gods. After the conflict, some banished beings slipped through the veil and entered another dimension."
Reina narrowed her eyes."Another dimension… Murim?"
Arknan nodded."That seems likely.Especially since this record mentions something called 'The Origin of the Seven Sword Dance.'"
He opened the book for them.
"The descendants of the Seven Swords left this land and crossed into a world with no stars.There, they fought new battles and forged a new martial path.But over time, their techniques came to be called demonic."
Reina stopped breathing for a moment.
"Descendants of the Seven Swords… They came from Elysium?"
Her Seven Sword Dance was one of the most powerful techniques in the Magyo.But if it was not just a martial art—If it was a legacy from Elysium itself?
Do-hyeon looked grave.As someone who had come from the real world, he had always theorized that the Magyo might have foreign roots—perhaps Middle Eastern or Western in nature.
But if this record was accurate, the Magyo's martial arts were originally from Elysium.
He stared down at the text and muttered,"…So what Murim calls 'demonic' may have actually come from Elysium?"
The realization shook him.
If the so-called 'orthodox' paths of Murim were based on distorted retellings…If the Magyo was outlawed not merely for heresy, but because it harbored the truth of a forgotten power…
Then the very idea of 'orthodoxy' in Murim could be a lie.
The three of them continued reading, their thoughts darkening.
In the past, some warriors of Elysium crossed into another dimension.There, they were labeled as 'demons' and created new martial ways.But over time, their power was misunderstood and feared.The Magyo became a scapegoat, marked as heretics.
Reina slowly closed the book.
"…This isn't a coincidence."
Arknan spoke with growing fascination."If you continue exploring Elysium, Lady Reina,you may reclaim the Seven Sword Dance's true power."
Do-hyeon's voice was low."Then even what Murim considers 'orthodox'may just be a fragment of a greater power that came from here."
They resolved to continue their research.What began as an investigation into a sanctuary…had unearthed the buried roots of Murim and the long-lost legacy of Elysium.
****
Chapter : Elysium, Murim, and a Clue to the Real World
While the reconstruction of the temple progressed, Reina (the Sword Demon Queen) was gathering rumors about her new Magyo (Demonic Sect).There was a possibility that among the forbidden tomes of Magyo, some traces connected to Elysium remained.Furthermore, the origin of the Seven Sword Dance (Chilgeomm-u) she practiced might also be linked to Elysium.
Lee Do-hyeon joined her in this research—not to uncover martial techniques passed down in Murim,but to find a clue, however faint, that might lead him back to the real world—the one he came from.
Bard Arknan, too, became involved, his vast knowledge and mythological insight providing significant contributions to their efforts.
They scoured through countless scrolls and ancient documents.Eventually, they unearthed a critical truth.
Some of the martial techniques used by Magyo in Murim appeared to have originated from Elysium.Forbidden skills like the Seven Sword Dance were likely born during one of Elysium's ancient wars.It was believed that a tremendous power had once crossed the dimensional threshold from Elysium into Murim,and had been inherited by certain sects over generations.
In other words, Magyo was not merely a sect that arose within Murim—it may have been a legacy of a power from another world.
However, a vital point emerged:
Though Magyo was rooted in Elysium's power, it had been restructured through the system of Murim.In that process, the concept of naegong (inner energy) was developed,giving birth to an entirely different martial framework.Thus, Murim and Elysium had once been connected—but were now completely separate realms.
This led to one unavoidable conclusion.
"Do-hyeon," Reina said in a quiet voice,"You lived in Murim, but originally, you came from the real world—Earth."
Do-hyeon nodded slowly."That's right. And in my world, there's no naegong… no mana either."
"In that case," Bard Arknan interjected,"the fact that you crossed over here means that the dimensional barrier has already been breached once."
Do-hyeon fell silent, lost in thought.Murim and Elysium were once linked, but had since diverged completely.Yet if such a link had existed, then perhaps other worlds could also be reached.That meant—perhaps—a way back to Earth was still possible.
This wasn't mere hope.It was a real, research-based lead.
Relief washed over him for a moment.If his world had been tainted like Murim, or corrupted like Elysium,then the situation would have been far more dire.
But so far, their findings indicated that Earth had remained untouched.It had never been influenced by supernatural forces.Murim and Elysium were exceptions—not the rule.
And that meant his home might still be accessible.
Do-hyeon felt a sense of certainty settle within him.There had to be a way back.But to find it, they would have to dig deeper into the traces of the past—into what once connected Murim and Elysium.
Meanwhile, Reina arrived at a different conclusion.If Magyo's origins lay in Elysium,then she might be able to rebuild a new Magyo—at its source.
In other words, to restore it by returning to its root.
Do-hyeon closed the manuscript and exhaled deeply.Now, he was no longer clinging to vague hope.He had a tangible path forward—to return home.
Reina, staring out the window, murmured,"If I rebuild Magyo here… perhaps I can ascend to a higher realm of power."
Bard Arknan glanced between the two and smiled."In the end, it seems we all walk the same path—each chasing different goals."
And thus, their journey entered a new phase.