This world was once a land of peace.Humanity stood shoulder to shoulder, striving to build an ideal realm—beautiful, harmonious, and untouched by war.
But peace never lasts forever.The age of ruin descended when something long forbidden broke free on its own: the Demon Seal.
An ancient being, slumbering for thousands of years, awakened at last. Its darkness swept across the world, devouring entire civilizations. Few survived the onslaught. Among them was the Great Empire of Solmorath Impera, standing resilient on the eastern edge of the continent.
Three years ago, when the first demonic invasion struck, the Empire barely managed to hold its ground. Yet from those dark days, a single name began to echo through the whispers of scattered survivors—Benedicta Shylphia. Known as the Iron Maiden, she became the shield of her people, guiding Solmorath Impera toward a fragile but enduring light, even as the world itself trembled beneath the demons' march.
"The Iron Maiden has arrived—prepare yourselves!"
The soldiers straightened at once, bracing for the presence of their hero. For Shylphia, it had become routine to ensure everything remained under control. This time, her duty brought her to the Empire's eastern border.
The air was dry, heavy with the stench of death. Beyond the great walls of the Empire, there was only darkness—an endless void whispered to devour anyone who dared step inside. None who entered had ever returned alive.
Shylphia herself had yet to confirm the truth of those tales. Once, the land now swallowed by that abyss had been nothing more than a quiet village, where people lived in peace… until the demonic invasion descended.
"Hmm… just as I thought. Something dreadful is bound to happen here as well."
Her voice was low, her expression grim. She clenched her fist so tightly that the silver gauntlet creaked—crack… crack…—under the pressure.
"When will this end, General?"
The question came from a young woman standing faithfully at her side—her longtime aide, Nirea Silentra. A high-ranking sorceress, and one of Solmorath Impera's mightiest weapons… second only to the Iron Maiden herself.
" I cannot answer that. Perhaps time's current will tell. Will we be the ones to bring light? Or will we drown in the darkness, like so many before us?"
Shylphia stared toward the east, into the void. In truth, she could see nothing. The hairs along her neck rose; she felt the wind of death sweeping across this Scarlet Eastern Fortress. It meant the battle with the demons would begin here.
"General… I think I can hear them," came the warning.
A chorus of demonic roars—an omen that the assault was about to start. Fortunately, they were loud creatures, always bellowing before they struck.
"We will hold here. War with the demons will erupt once more. Perhaps what happened two years ago will repeat itself. Ready the troops; we will win, whatever the cost."
The fate of this fortress would be decided within days. It could stand, or it could fall. In a world full of ancient beings, holding ground was never easy. Threats rose with each new dawn.
Once more, Shylphia fixed her gaze on the darkness. She steeled her heart and declared war against the filthy denizens of the underworld.
"By this land I swear… I will end you, wretched demons!"