Rising? Of The Sloth Hero

The continent of Almestia was once a flourishing continent by the rule of the Almest Empire. Blessed by an Ancient Dragon, it once enjoyed supreme military power and abundant culture compared to the rest of the world. The Empire is proud of its powerful Mages and Knights. With the Mage's powerful spells that could level a mountain to Knight's mountain-like sturdiness, the empire possessed it all.

It's not an exaggeration to say that they're the center of the world or that they’re basically ruling the world. It's a surprise that they haven't done so.

Making new cuisines, inventing new technology and techniques, improving world's agriculture, and bringing and spreading entertainment on this world.

That's why, although not entirely, other countries relied on the Almest Empire. 

There was even a rumor that the founding Emperor of the Almest Empire is someone who's not from this world. 

Well, that's just rumors. No one really knows the truth about the founding Emperor's identity or...

Why it fell into ruin.

Overnight, the once lavish, peaceful, and heavenlike continent was turned upside-down and became hell.

Fire spread all throughout the continent, indiscriminately burning everything. The people, their houses, their happiness, and their dreams.

Chaos reigned, monsters running rampant, killing and destroying all that they see. 

And the one ruling them all was a powerful Dragon that they collectively call…

Evil Dragon Lord.

No one knows what happened. Not the Kings or Emperors of other countries. All they know is that they must defend their own country from the impending doom in the form of monster invasion.

The Kingdom of Cetal, the Empire of Vinish, and the Magocracy of Nildian are the three countries that surround the Almest Empire. They're also the countries that took the first wave of the invasion.

They all worked together, exchanging troops and information to each other.

All three of them have something they are proud of. Cetal’s dark magic helped slow down the invasion, Vinish’s advanced weapon machinery like mortars and bombs dealt the finishing blows along with the supreme magic from Nildian.

And with the support of other countries behind them, they all held firm, defending against hordes of monsters that crossed the sea. 

It's true that many lives were lost, but in turn, many lives were also preserved. Those who survived strived to become powerful to protect those they cherished and the future generations. They trained their bodies, their magic, and prayed to their Gods.

But no matter what they do. Their invasion did not stop.

No.

It became fiercer.

Not only did the monster's strength explode, their numbers also dramatically rose.

Not long after…. Cetal, Vinish, and Nildian fell.

Soon, the Monster Invasion approached the three countries behind. Queendom of Orfus, Confederation of Ligarta, and the Theocracy of Beltria.

And behind all three countries is the Kingdom of Vulteria.

Just like the first three countries, they held strong. They did everything they could but, as expected, they were being pushed back by their sheer numbers. 

Despair loomed all over the remaining countries. They lost all hope while the Evil Dragon Lord's monsters became stronger than ever.

All they could do was strengthen themselves and pray.

And thus…

One day, their prayers were heard. The Gods bestowed seven people with unimaginable powers. 

They became their pillar. A light in the dark. The hand that reached to them while they were swallowed by despair. 

Those who witnessed their powers are filled with hope. Their resolutions renew and they stand again once more.

The Heroes successfully pushed back the monsters. Taking this chance, they invaded the Almest Empire and faced the Evil Dragon Lord.

But, it was not enough. They managed to weaken the Evil Dragon Lord but at the cost of thousands of troops along with four Heroes.

With the current state of the Evil Dragon Lord, the remaining three Heroes came to a conclusion.

If they cannot beat it, they will just seal it. All the remaining troops were more than willing to help them achieve such a plan.

And so they did, sacrificing their and everyone's lives. They managed to seal the Evil Dragon Lord for good.

But it was so powerful that its presence is still enough to summon powerful monsters that continue to invade the world.

The cycle of Heroes falling and rising continued for the past 300 years.

And until now, the Evil Dragon Lord’s influence still persists.