EIDOLAN
Eidolan is one of the largest and strongest kingdoms, ruling the entire eastern region under the reign of King Krai Wyn, a ruler known for his cruelty and disgraceful nature.
The kingdom possesses thousands of well-trained knights divided into multiple units, along with numerous S-rank adventurers and gifted mages who reside within its territory.
Aven was the commander of one of the kingdom's elite knight divisions and a former S-rank adventurer.
He was considered the strongest knight of his era—no war he led had ever ended in defeat.
He also had a trusted companion and right-hand man, Lucas.
Together, they were widely hailed as the strongest duo.
Aven was originally a commoner from a small village within Eidolan's territory—now long destroyed.
He had an older sister named Nia, the person he cherished most.
Aven began learning swordsmanship, combat, and even magic entirely on his own. Relying solely on direct combat, he became an adventurer at the age of thirteen.
At twenty-four, he retired after receiving an official summons to become a royal knight—by then, he was already regarded as one of the strongest S-rank adventurers of his time.
Aven devoted his life to Eidolan.
Unbeknownst to him, his growing strength, honesty, and unwavering principles gradually became reasons for hatred. He was difficult to manipulate and impossible to bend.
Eidolan was never as noble as people believed.
The kingdom was consumed by its thirst for power—more than three smaller kingdoms had already been forced into submission and absorbed by force.
Eventually, the kingdom chose to ally with the demon race rather than rely on Aven, who refused to destroy other nations for the sake of domination.
THE CASTLE
Aven slowly opened his eyes, staring at an unfamiliar ceiling.
He pushed himself up slightly.
"Where… am I?"
He looked down at his body. The deep stab wounds and slashes that should have covered his chest and abdomen were gone, leaving only faint scars behind.
"You're awake?"
A woman's voice echoed as the door opened.
A silver-haired woman with crimson eyes approached him calmly.
"Your injuries were severe. If I'd arrived any later, you would've died."
Aven stared at her—his eyes immediately catching her pointed ears and slightly sharp fangs.
"A vampire?"
She nodded with a smile.
"I'm Lilith. And yes, just as you can see—I'm a vampire."
Aven inclined his head slightly.
"I'm Aven. But… why did you save me, Lady Lilith?"
She chuckled softly.
"Just call me Lilith no need to be so formal. I saw you lying there, abandoned by your comrades while you were on the brink of death. So I brought you here."
Aven fell silent, recalling that moment.
"They didn't abandon me… I told him to leave."
Lilith tilted her head.
"Oh? You're a knight, aren't you? From which kingdom?"
"Eidolan…"
Her expression immediately darkened.
"That despicable kingdom?"
"I don't know whether Eidolan was always despicable," Aven replied calmly, "but they cast me aside and wished for my death. They even allied themselves with demons—so yes, a disgraceful kingdom."
"They're vile!" Lilith snapped.
"Their king is obsessed with power. Countless small kingdoms have already been oppressed and forcibly taken over by Eidolan."
"Among all kingdoms, they're the worst of the worst."
Aven closed his eyes briefly.
"I'm no longer part of them, so stop looking at me like that. It's scary…"
"Oh sorry~" Lilith giggled.
"If I may ask," Aven continued, "how did my wounds heal so quickly?"
"Well..."
"I gave you my blood. Using healing magic would've taken too long."
Aven nodded and smiled faintly.
"Thank you."
"It's nothing~" she replied warmly.
An awkward silence followed. Aven glanced around the room.
"This place… it looks like a palace. Where are we?"
"It is a palace, the Vampire King's castle," Lilith said proudly.
Aven blinked.
"Then that means you're—"
She nodded smugly.
"The eldest princess of the Scarlet family."
Aven shut his eyes briefly, processing the information.
"So… you're Lord Claude's daughter."
Lilith tilted her head.
"You know my father?"
"I do… though not on particularly good terms."
"…Not good?"
"Yeah. Maybe."
Aven cleared his throat.
"Does Lord Claude know you brought me here?"
"He knows, but he doesn't really care," she shrugged.
"He said I could do whatever I want as long as you don't cause trouble."
A knock echoed through the room. The door opened, revealing a tall man with long white hair and crimson eyes identical to Lilith's.
Claude, the Vampire King.
"You're awake" he said bluntly.
"How did you end up in such a miserable state? The Aven I knew wasn't this weak."
Aven sighed.
"Eidolan betrayed me. The demon I fought on the battlefield was merely bait—to drain my strength and mana."
"One of my comrades stabbed me in the stomach… and this is the result."
Lilith looked between them, surprised.
"You know each other?"
Claude nodded.
"We fought once—back when he was still an adventurer."
Lilith snapped her gaze to Aven.
"You attacked my father?! You—!"
"It wasn't intentional" Aven said quickly.
"I was reckless and emotional back then. Honestly… I was an idiot."
Claude coughed lightly, changing the subject.
"You see now, don't you? Eidolan only ever used you."
Aven nodded silently.
"So what now?" Claude asked.
"Revenge?"
"No" Aven replied firmly.
"I only want to bring my sister out of Eidolan."
"Do as you wish. I'll allow you to stay here for now—just don't cause trouble."
Claude turned toward the door, pausing briefly.
"Lilith, he's your responsibility."
The door closed.
Silence filled the room.
"Do you need anything?" Lilith asked.
"I can get it for you."
"No… thank you. And again—thank you for saving me."
She smiled gently.
"Get some rest. Think of this place as your home."
Aven exhaled slowly once he was alone, staring up at the ceiling—thinking of how to rescue his sister from Eidolan.
"For now, I'm not too worried… Lucas is still there," he muttered.
"But still…"
"Eidolan… I wonder what you'll do next."
MEANWHILE — KINGDOM OF EIDOLAN
Within the grand throne hall, knights gathered before King Krai. Beside him stood Bellrion, a demon general representing the demon race.
"All hail!" the knights shouted.
"Thank you for your efforts," Krai said solemnly.
"It pains me deeply to announce that one of our finest commanders, Aven has fallen in battle."
He wiped away fake tears.
"To honor his sacrifice, we have chosen peace. The demon race is now our ally."
Bellrion placed a hand over his chest gracefully.
"By the will of our king, we shall assist Eidolan as allies."
Cheers erupted—though some knights from Aven's unit remained silent.
At the back of the hall, Lucas clenched his jaw.
"Lies… you're the one who killed him," he muttered.
His eyes locked onto Zain, who smirked back at him.
"Aven's successor" Krai announced "will be Lucas."
Lucas stepped forward, wearing a fake smile.
"I accept the position."
Zain patted his shoulder.
"Let's work well together."
"Of course" Lucas answered with a fake smile and deep down he wanted to stab Zain
That night, Lucas stood before Aven's house.
"Aven?"
A beautiful woman with long crimson hair stepped outside, a gentle smile on her lips. She was Nia, Aven's older sister.
She lifted her gaze and saw Lucas standing there alone.
"Oh, Lucas… it's you. Where's Aven? The mission's over already, right?"
Her smile still hadn't faded.
"Sorry for disturbing you tonight, Nia" Lucas said.
"Yes, the mission is over… but about Aven that's what I wanted to tell you."
"Hm?"
Nia pursed her lips, trying to read Lucas's expression, but failed.
"Come inside first. Have you eaten yet? I cooked a lot, I thought Aven would be home."
"Excuse me…"
Lucas stepped inside and gently closed the door behind him.
Nia sat at the dining table and gestured for him to join her.
"So? What about Aven?"
Lucas pulled out a chair and placed his sword beside it.
"About Aven… he's been assigned another mission. A long reconnaissance mission."
He kept his expression steady.
"I don't know how long it'll take. He didn't tell me much either."
Nia puffed out her cheeks in annoyance.
"That damn king… always sending only Aven on missions."
"It's strange" she continued.
"Usually you two are always together, no matter the mission."
Lucas shrugged.
"The king said it's a special assignment. Only Aven was sent since he's an expert at scouting. Besides, if I went along, I'd probably just cause trouble."
Nia let out a small laugh.
"That is true~"
She rested her chin on one hand.
"You're actually pretty cheerful and you love causing chaos."
Lucas clutched his chest dramatically.
"That's cruel."
"Stop acting" Nia said flatly.
She stood up, walked to the kitchen, and returned carrying various dishes she had prepared.
"Come on, eat" she said with a smile.
"Aven's not here, so you can eat as much as you want today."
"That's a lot…"
Lucas stared at the food spread across the table.
"You have to finish it all. No leftovers that's an order," Nia said, pushing a plate toward him.
Lucas scratched his head awkwardly.
"Alright…"
As soon as he took his first bite, his eyes lit up.
"Your cooking is always amazing, Nia."
Nia's cheeks flushed slightly.
"Thank you. If Aven were here, he'd probably complain—too salty, too bland. But you actually praise it. I'm honored."
Lucas nodded and continued eating quietly.
"I'm sorry Nia" he thought.
"I couldn't tell you that Aven is already gone…"
The night passed peacefully.
The two of them ate together, chatting cheerfully, exchanging jokes and stories unaware that this warmth was built upon a lie.