Albrecht made his way toward the first row under the History section, the worn wood of the floor creaking softly beneath his steps. The signs on the shelves marked distinct eras and subjects, each neatly labeled in golden lettering.
One shelf in particular drew his attention: After Central Consolidation (ACC), the era he assumed marked the current age of the world.
Adjacent to it, still within the same aisle, were shelves labeled History of Valoria and Vaelmont.
"Seems like those would overlap," Albrecht murmured to himself, eyes scanning the spines of dozens of books. "But maybe there are details that differ."
His gaze settled on a thick tome with a black-and-gold cover that stood out from the rest. Its title was etched in silver ink: "The Eternal Emperor: Aurex Solmirae"
Curious, he plucked the book from the shelf and flipped it over, reading the summary on the back:
"Discover the origins of the man who would become a legend. From humble beginnings to divine ascent, follow Aurex Solmirae's rise as he unified a fractured continent under a single banner. Learn how he earned the title of 'The Eternal Emperor,' the foundation of his divine right to rule, and the legacy that still shapes the Central Continent today."
It sounded like propaganda—or mythology passed down as history.
Still, he was interested in learning more about his world. Understanding the past could be essential to surviving the present and conquering the future.
But one thing struck him as odd.
'After Central Consolidation. Hmh...'
That name implied this was the period after the founding of the Central Continent—a time still ongoing.
He recalled seeing a few posters back on the street, listing the year as 162 ACC.
'So… they're living in a time period with a name?'
It felt strange. On Earth, time periods were usually applied retroactively—the Renaissance, the Industrial Age—but rarely did a civilization name its present era with the kind of certainty that it would be remembered.
Then again, this was a world with magic. Maybe things worked differently here.
'Whatever. Doesn't change what I need to know.'
He flipped open the book and turned to the table of contents.
Chapter I – Before the Empire: The Fractured Continent
Chapter II – Aurex of Solmir: Childhood and Origins
Chapter III – The War of Six Kingdoms
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Chapter IV – The Pact of Three Gods
Chapter V – Founding of the Central Capital
Chapter VI – The Rise of Valoria
Chapter VII – Civil War: Silverbane Collective
Chapter VIII – The Solmirae Doctrine and Imperial Law
Chapter IX – Eternal Reset
Chapter X – Legacy and Immortality
'Wow… that's a lot.'
The book was thick—practically a brick—but given the subject, that was hardly surprising. Still, he didn't have the time or energy to read the entire thing, even if several chapters practically begged to be explored.
Instead, he decided to skim strategically, focusing on the most relevant chapters, like Chapter I for background context, Chapter IV for the mention of gods, and the final three chapters.
After flipping through the most relevant chapters, Albrecht managed to piece together a rough summary of the Central Continent's history:
Following the end of the Era of Wandering Gods, a cataclysmic conflict known as the Great Holy War reshaped the world. The Central Continent, as it is now known, was once part of a vast supercontinent but split away due to divine upheaval during the war.
Most gods either perished or were sealed during that era, though the book lacked detailed accounts of the war itself—only hints and vague references remained.
In the aftermath, various civilizations settled on the newly separated continent. Humans migrated to the western regions, while elves, beastkin, and other races took root in the east.
A towering mountain range was a natural barrier between them, rendering travel and trade across the continent near impossible.
The East flourished. With access to the ocean beyond the mountains, its civilizations prospered through maritime trade and fertile lands nestled in scattered valleys.
The West, however, struggled. Isolated from the east by the mountains and blocked from the north by frozen seas, its development stagnated. The dwarves in the southern highlands remained largely secluded, uninterested in alliances or trade.
The western region fractured into countless small cities and loosely organized kingdoms, many of which were locked in near-constant conflict over scarce resources.
The southwestern plains were the most contested. Their temperate climate was ideal for farming, a rare luxury, as the north was too cold and the east too rugged to cultivate effectively.
Then came the birth of a man who would change everything.
In a small, forgotten village—destined to become the imperial capital of the Central Continent, Aurum—a child was born.
His name was Aurex Solmirae, though history would come to remember him by a far grander title: The Eternal Emperor.
Gifted with unmatched charisma, intellect, and raw power, Aurex grew into a legend. He united the fractured west under one banner, forming the Kingdom of Valoria. Wars ceased, cities prospered, and the western lands began to flourish under his leadership.
He led a campaign south to Lunaris, the dwarven island known for its rich mines and arable land. The conquest was swift and decisive.
Rather than destroy, Aurex integrated the dwarves, bringing their smithing and engineering talents into the fold. Trade bloomed, cities expanded, and a new era of wealth began.
But it wasn't just political unity or conquest that made Aurex a godlike figure.
He was the first human to wield both high-level magic and advanced swordsmanship in harmony.
His light magic was said to illuminate entire battlefields, blinding enemies and inspiring his soldiers. No warrior or mage could match him, and many believed the heavens chose him.
A new faith was born around him—The Radiant—a religion that hailed him as the embodiment of divine order. His rule was not just political but spiritual. For decades, he led with unwavering power and vision.
Peace, however, did not last forever.
The eastern coalition of elves and dragons launched a devastating assault on Azurheim, a thriving city near the mountain range.
